Tell me a little bit about your lockdown world

Well, my partner works away half of the month, so half of the month is lovely and the other half is a home school/own business struggle but we are getting there!

Who are you locked down with in your household?

There is me, my two kids (who hate each other most of the time!) and my partner, when he is home from work. My mother in law (who lives on her own) has joined us as a support bubble now she’s had a vaccine.

How is this lockdown going compared to the last ones?

I was furloughed in the first one and the sun was shining, so it felt like a long staycation, BBQs, Pimms, Gin, swimming, it was glorious. This one is a struggle, The shorter, darker days, trying to run a business and home school is a struggle. The snow day provided a brief bit of fun but what we really need is some sunshine and less rain!

Describe your lockdown in 3 words

Struggle, stressed, neverending

How are you finding homeschooling/working this time?

It’s bloody hard! If I don’t work, no one is going to pay my invoices. I’m fighting to grow a new business but also trying to keep my kids from turning into a tablet! We aren’t teachers, we are mums and they don’t want to learn at home, they want their friends, the social interaction, their favourite teacher or TA. We aren’t a substitute and they know it.

What are your top tips for getting through the not so good days?

Whatever the weather, bundle them up and get some fresh air! Put the phone or laptop down and just stop. There is no point shouting your way through doing work or homeschool. Just take some time out, pop on a film and snuggle and finally, if all else fails, drink gin!

If you have some time out, how do you spend it?

So when my partner comes home, he’s pretty good at letting me escape for a few hours if I need it. I normally go wild swimming with my sister, a walk with a friend or for the extra special occasion, I go to the shop on my own!

How do you keep motivated with your exercise routine at home?

Well I’ve been a member of live with Laura since it began. Last year, I was doing 5 workouts a week and it was my saviour. Now I have to work and homeschool it’s tricky but I make an aim for each week and try to stick to it. We are all going to come out of this either 100lb heavier or lighter. I am desperately trying to not make it 100lb heavier!

What have you learnt about yourself during this lockdown?

I am not as patient as I thought! You can do anything if you put your mind to it and I will never become a teacher!

Could you share three top tips for getting through each week?

Stop watching the news briefings. You can catch up online when you are ready and if not, someone is bound to tell you! Stop looking at the daily figures, it’s just depressing and it won’t change anything so just keep following the rules and keep your head down. Set targets, so mine is to make it to half term and then when half term comes, it will be to make it to the 8th March and then – well we’ll see.

What are the first 3 things you will do when lockdown is lifted?

See my nieces, see my mum and eat out!

What are the three things you will miss about lockdown?

This time it is just one thing – nothing! Roll on spring and summer!

Tell me a little bit about your lockdown world.

Lockdown life for me has been going to work as normal, going food shopping once a week and doing as many virtual workouts, and local walks, as I can!

What are you lock down with in your household?

My boyfriend, Cam, and our two fish tanks!

How is this lockdown going compared to the last ones?

I got through the first two absolutely fine however, the third one has hit me like a tonne of bricks! Being locked down for a third time has made me feel like there is no light at the end of the tunnel – it sounds dramatic but I sit and wonder about when I will be able to travel home and see my family again, I worry about going to the shops in case it isn’t deemed ‘essential’ and going for a walk with a friend still feels illegal! The world is very alien at the moment and I can’t wait to come out the other side!

Describe your lockdown experience in three words.

Emotional & Thought Provoking

If you are doing either or both how are you finding home schooling/ working from home this time around?

Thankfully I’m doing neither. I have worked from home in a previous job and I truly believe, for me personally, working from home during this lockdown would have tipped me over the edge. The social interaction at work is what has kept me together on the bad days.

What are your top tips to get through the not so good days?

Take time for yourself and don’t feel guilty for it – eat some chocolate, go for a walk or do a HIIT workout. Don’t do what you think you should do, do something that makes you, and only you, happy!

If you have some time out for yourself how do you spend it?

I love going for a walk, the fresh air really helps set me up for the rest of the day. I find when I’m walking, with a good playlist I think about nothing else other than putting one foot in front of the other (except whether a bird is gonna poop on me if I’m walking round Whitehaven Harbour) which is perfect for clearing my head!

How do you keep motivated with your exercise routine at home?

I plan my classes on a Sunday night, I put quite a bit of time into this to keep each day different so I don’t get put off/ bored and give up. Saying that, since the new year, I’ve got myself in to a really good routine with workouts- it helps that I always feel fabulous (as well as sweaty and sore) after every workout I do!

What have you learnt about yourself during this lockdown?

That sometimes I have to admit I’m not ok, I’m not happy and that is absolutely fine – I don’t have to be little miss happy every single day! I’ve also learnt that I’m capable of saying no to food when I’m workong towards a calorie deficit – who would ever have thought it!

Could you share 3 top tips for getting through each week?

Keeping in touch with friends & family, exercise & nutritional food and a gift from you to you, because who doesn’t love a parcel through the post box!

What are the first 3 things you are going to do when lockdown is lifted?

Go for food and drinks with friends, visit all my family and get my lockdown roots sorted! 💇‍♀️

What 3 things will you miss about lockdown?

Other than virtual workouts (which I’m praying will stay around a little while longer), I will miss nothing about this third lockdown- I haven’t enjoyed anything about it!

Tell me a little bit about your lockdown world.

Who are you locked down with in your household?

My 2 dogs

How is this lockdown going compared to the last ones?

Much harder

Describe your lockdown experience in three words.

Lonely, boring, endless

If you are doing either or both how are you finding home schooling/ working from home this time around?

Not doing either but sometimes wish I was!

What are your top tips to get through the not so good days?

Walk, walk, eat, sleep.

If you have some time out for yourself how do you spend it?

Baking!

How do you keep motivated with your exercise routine at home?

Really difficult this lockdown, maybe the weather! Trying to get motivated in your Academy.

What have you learnt about yourself during this lockdown?

I’m not good on my own. Need to find some more hobbies!!!

Could you share 3 top tips for getting through each week?

Think how lucky we are to have a home, access to food, warmth, entertainment, communication devises! In other parts of the world they have nothing!
Keep in touch with family and friends even if only by messaging.
Write letters!!!

What are the first 3 things you are going to do when lockdown is lifted?

Family get together
Visit best friend (of nearly 60 years) in Cheshire
Go out for lunch/tea!!

What 3 things will you miss about lockdown?

Quiet streets, quiet shops and quiet skies!!

Tell me a little bit about your lockdown world.

It’s all a bit chaotic, I’m self employed and no 2 weeks are the same in terms of which days I work, so we never really settle into any kind of routine, but then we’ve been like that for years. My husband had been furloughed but is now back at work. I live a long way from any of my family so basically haven’t been able to see them hardly at all.

Who are you locked down with in your household?

Husband, 13 year old son and 11 year old daughter. My dog Bilbo has kept me sane through all the lockdowns as the daily walks have done me the world of good.

How is this lockdown going compared to the last ones?

In terms of work it’s been less stressful as in the first lockdown I had nearly all my work cancelled which was worrying, especially as I didn’t qualify for any support. This time round I’ve managed to deliver everything remotely so the weeks seem to have passed quicker as I’m distracted, but I’m generally just more weary with it all and the weather has made it so different. I think there was a novelty factor first time round which seems to have quickly dried up this time!!

Describe your lockdown experience in three words.

Exhausting, chaotic but also bonding

If you are doing either or both how are you finding home schooling/ working from home this time around?

Homeschooling 2 kids whilst working full time has been exhausting and some days I’m working till 10pm to catch up which isn’t great. I worked from home before Covid so have a very good set up, but did get out and about to see clients. I haven’t been anywhere for nearly a year now so I’m very bored of the same space. The schools have hugely improved how they’re delivering the work so I’ve found that a lot better this time and don’t feel my kids are falling behind.

What are your top tips to get through the not so good days?

On the not so good days I’m often too exhausted to do anything, but I never push myself to do something I’d planned to if I can tell I’m not up for it. I make sure I get some time for myself and that usually sorts me out. I think setting lower expectations helps as well – a bit of self compassion goes a long way.

If you have some time out for yourself how do you spend it?

Usually a bath or the chance to watch something uninterrupted on Netflix – think that’s happened once!!

How do you keep motivated with your exercise routine at home?

I don’t really have a particular exercise routine, although I always make Monday Kettlercise! I’m not too strict with myself, I generally love exercising but some days I’ve just been too shattered. I use Zwift a lot as I love cycling and I enjoy the challenges on that and tracking my progress in Strava is good – when the weather improves I’ll be back out on my bike again. I just try and fit the things in each week, but there’s fairly little structure to when that happens, but that’s a lot to do with my work so I need to be flexible.

What have you learnt about yourself during this lockdown?

That I really didn’t have a good enough social life before! And that my ability to tolerate a lot of disorder has been a massive strength!

Could you share 3 top tips for getting through each week?

To be really flexible – some days just don’t go how you’d like them to and adapting to that is important, I think being too rigid can cause more stress at times.
To commit do doing just one thing a day you won’t compromise on – a lot shifts back and forth between the days but every day I have a task I won’t go to bed if it’s not done – some days that’s an exercise class, sometimes it’s the hoovering!
To reward yourself for getting through the week – we do something every Friday to celebrate making it to another Friday!

What are the first 3 things you are going to do when lockdown is lifted?

Meet with all my friends in a pub garden, have my parents to stay and probably go on some kind of road trip.

What 3 things will you miss about lockdown?

The pace of life – my kids both did sports classes every night after school which was manic
The lazy mornings without the school run rush
The amount of exercise I’m managing to get in – I’d be surprised if I’ll ever manage that again.

Tell me a little bit about your lockdown world.
I’ve tried to keep a little routine of getting up, getting the kids ready, dropping 2 of my kids off at school. Then home for a workout and lots of dog walks.

Who are you locked down with in your household?

My husband, 3 kids and a crazy puppy.
My eldest has been in at school for two hours per day, and my youngest has been in at school full time, as he struggled settling back into school after lockdown last time. My husband is at work so it’s just me and my daughter, which has been lovely.

How is this lockdown going compared to the last ones?

I think this one has been a little bit harder because of the weather. The first one was great, the second one was annoying but we had Christmas to look forward to. January is always a long month, and lockdown has certainly made it feel longer. I’ve been furloughed so really enjoying having so much free time.

Describe your lockdown experience in three words.

Restful, chilled and lazy.

If you are doing either or both how are you finding home schooling/ working from home this time around?

I’ve been furloughed from my job which has made things sooo much easier. The schools have adapted so quickly and are managing the school work and technology much better.

What are your top tips to get through the not so good days?

Try to think of something to make you happy. Do some exercise or go for a walk to clear your head. If you feel you need to reach for the chocolate then do it if it makes you feel better, everyone has off days.

If you have some time out for yourself how do you spend it?

I tend to go out for a long walk with the dog.

How do you keep motivated with your exercise routine at home?

Having a set time to do my workouts helps me keep a routine. The challenges set by Laura have helped massively as well, just given the push that I needed.

What have you learnt about yourself during this lockdown?

That I’m becoming incredibly lazy! I’m focusing more on exercise to keep my mental health good, rather than cleaning the house as much!!

Could you share 3 top tips for getting through each week?

Do something to make you happy, get plenty of fresh air, and plan something fun/different to do at the weekends to make it feel more like a weekend.

What are the first 3 things you are going to do when lockdown is lifted?

Go out for a meal, go to the hairdressers, hire an inflatable pub for the garden and have a big party with all my friends!

What 3 things will you miss about lockdown?

The time to relax, spending as much time with my family and saving money by not going out.

Tell me a little bit about your lockdown world.

Who are you locked down with in your household?

Hubby John, Jess (16), Aaron (12) and Winnie 🐶

How is this lockdown going compared to the last ones?

Honestly….. it’s harder. Lockdown 1 was hard, 2 wasn’t too bad but 3 is awful (I think 3 is harder as we seemed to have a little bit of freedom again but it’s been taken away. I’ve cried a lot but feel stronger for it.

Describe your lockdown experience in three words.

Blurred, emotional, achy legs😂

If you are doing either or both how are you finding home schooling/ working from home this time around?

So pleased that Jess has some work this time as there was nothing for her in lockdown 1. Homeschooling is ok as Aaron just gets on with it but teaching a 12 year old boy to sew has been interesting 🙈(why couldn’t it be cookery)

What are your top tips to get through the not so good days?

Exercise…… it has got me through the crappy times and made me feel so so much better. A quick class and a walk really really help. Also family hugs and lots of them 💗

If you have some time out for yourself how do you spend it?

My lot know if Laura is talking on my phone then I’m having my me time so leave me alone unless it’s urgent😂! I love a walk too especially with friends or whoever will come out of the house then if I can get a cuppa afterwards it’s a bonus👍🏻

How do you keep motivated with your exercise routine at home?

I try to do the live classes as much as poss and if I know I can’t do a live, I do a class 1st thing in the morning to set me up for the day.

What have you learnt about yourself during this lockdown?

It’s ok for me to say no to people and not feel guilty about putting myself 1st sometimes. Also try to keep positive…… in the words of a friend “a positive mind will always overcome dont give into discouragement, listen to your body and you will achieve”

Could you share 3 top tips for getting through each week?

Be kind, get out in the fresh air, treat yourself to something 🍰

What are the first 3 things you are going to do when lockdown is lifted?

Hug as many people as I can
Walk around Buttermere
Have people over at my house (I’ve really missed having visitors to feed)

What 3 things will you miss about lockdown?

Not being a mams taxi….. I’ve got used to this far too much! But other than that I’m desperate to get back to whatever NORMAL is 💗. We have also learned that family time doesn’t need to arranged ….. it just happens💗 Take care folks xxxx