Lockdown is affecting us all, but it also affecting us differently. I sat down (virtually) with one of my Live with Laura ladies Gill to talk about her experience so far and how exercise is helping.

Tell me a little bit about your lockdown world.

In one word, manic. I’ve slowly realised I need routine and working from home constantly needs that. At first I thought it was a novelty but novelty became real. I’ve adjusted pretty well and my IT skills have multiplied.

Who are you locked down with in your household?

My STB husband Dave.

Are you lockdown thriving or lockdown surviving?

Lockdown surviving. I guess I’m like alot of people out there that realise the enormity of the situation and I’m making sure the people I love survive this pandemic with a smile and hope.

Describe your lockdown experience in three words.

Manic.
Emotional.
Real.

Are you working from home or home schooling the children? If so how is it going for you?

Working from home. It’s gone really well but I seem to be doing more or it feels like I’m doing more. Probably down to the fact I interact and chatter with my colleagues every day. I miss the work connections and faces of people I love to see each day.

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

Talk it through. It’s ok to not be ok. Write down what is making you feel not so good and make a promise to yourself to turn it around and look at the positives. Turn a sad frown into a smile. Nothing lasts forever and this situation wont either. Take the time you have been given to spend with your household as a blessed opportunity.

What are the things you do in lockdown to keep you happy and sane?

You !! I have never exercised as much in my whole life. But it really helps with some me time and when I do feel down or frustrated I can work it off and know I’ve done something good for me.

How are you making Live with Laura work for you?

Replay is a god send. I start work very early and tend not to finish till after 5 or 6pm. The replays let me still feel a part and I love seeing the comments.

Your lockdown recommendations:

• Netflix- Afterlife
• Film-1917
• Book- I don’t read (I know….)

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

Hug my mum.
Go for a drink.
Have a meal out with my family or big garden party and start wedding plans AGAIN 💞🌈❤🌈💞

What 3 things will you miss about lockdown?

Spending time with Dave.
Not travelling to and from work.
My works team WhatsApp which is hilarious.

Lockdown is affecting us all, but it also affecting us differently. I sat down (virtually) with one of my Live with Laura ladies Michelle to talk about her experience so far and how exercise is helping.

Who are you locked down with in your household?

My husband and three kids.

Are you lockdown thriving or lockdown surviving?

I’m thriving in terms of getting fit. I’ve never had as much time to exercise. Just surviving in terms of home schooling. I would never cut it as a teacher but doing the best I can under the circumstances. As long as the kids are happy, then so am I.

Describe your lockdown experience in three words.

That is hard! I guess I’m more Content, with the situation. At times it is Challenging and most importantly I’m keeping Sane.

Are you working from home or home schooling the children? If so how is it going for you?

I started a new job which is homebased anyway. It’s all been very strange but it’s given me a new focus. The kids are doing bits and pieces of work but I’m not pressurising them or setting timetables. Home is home and school is school.

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

Try and get some time to yourself by sitting in the garden or going for a walk. Don’t just go to the biscuit tin, try to refocus and look at something positive to do.

What are the things you do in lockdown to keep you happy and sane?

Drink lots of wine! Do a home workout 5-6 times per week, read a book and get out for a daily walk.

How are you making Live with Laura work for you?

I’m really enjoying it. It’s added structure to my days and makes me feel like I’ve actually done something positive and for me. I like the fact we can join you live but also have the flexibility to catch up later and fit it around work.

Your lockdown recommendations:

• Netflix we’ve been watching designated survivor but it’s not something I’d normally have chosen.
• Movie haven’t actually watched any movies other than kids ones during lockdown
• Book – If I never met you by Mharrie ?

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

Get my roots done, drop the kids at grandmas and head for the fells

What 3 things will you miss about lockdown?

The time spent with family. Not having to use my car. Not having any urgency to be anywhere for a particular time

Lockdown is affecting us all, but it also affecting us differently. I sat down (virtually) with one of my Live with Laura ladies Trina to talk about her experience so far and how exercise is helping.

Tell me a little bit about your lockdown world.

Who are you locked down with in your household?

Originally it was Stu, me, Charlotte and her boyfriend Iain…plus our 2 dogs and their dog. However, after about 2 weeks, Stu received a letter saying he was high risk and Charlotte got a job as a care worker so we made the decision for them to go into lockdown with Iain’s parents. So it’s now the two of us and our 2 dogs.

Are you lockdown thriving or lockdown surviving?

Stu is definitely thriving! I’ve found it very up and down. I’m usually away most weeks working so suddenly bring home all the time took a lot of adjusting. We have also suffered a very sudden family bereavement (not COVID related) which has made things very tough due to limited numbers at funerals and not being able to hug those we want to comfort.

Having said all of that, I am thriving in the slower pace of life and also in learning how to train virtually.

Describe your lockdown experience in three words.

Hold your nerve!!

Are you working from home or home schooling the children? If so how is it going for you?

I am working from home and it’s going ok. We have just converted our first customer from face to face training To virtual training so I feel much more optimistic now than I did a couple of weeks ago.

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

Exercise – we are running 5k three times a week, walking the dogs and obviously Live with Laura has been a god send (not just the workouts but the interaction). Trying to plan each day has been important too so at least something productive has been achieved. Finally, making time for me – having a bath, reading and jigsaw puzzles have kept me sane!

What are the things you do in lockdown to keep you happy and sane?

Pretty much as above. Alcohol has helped too!!! 😂

How are you making Live with Laura work for you?

Not pressuring myself to do too much is key. I always make sure I do Burl every Friday though. It is great now as Stu wants to do some of the classes with me so we work it around what suits us both. It also helps me keep in touch with certain ladies…….I really love the camaraderie of it and I’ve been genuinely worried about Gary this week!

Your lockdown recommendations:

• Netflix
• Movie
• Book

We have binge watched Tiger King on Netflix (it is unbelievable!) If you can cope with violence Gangs of London on Sky is brilliant. We also love Killing Eve and Gogglebox is a must on a Friday.

Movie….. The Gentlemen is fantastic

Books – where do I start. Crime thriller lovers read M W Craven The Pupoet Show and Black Summer. All set in Cumbria. Currently reading Normal People before watching the tv series. Enjoying it so far…… I loved reading so if anyone wants any recommendations please get in touch.

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

Walk a fell, go to the pub and give my Mum a massive hug!

What 3 things will you miss about lockdown?

Slower pace of life, quality time with Stu and lie ins!!

Lockdown is affecting us all, but it also affecting us differently. I sat down (virtually) with one of my Live with Laura ladies Annette to talk about her experience so far and how exercise is helping.

Tell me a little bit about your lockdown world.

Who are you locked down with in your household?

My hubby (key worker so still going out to work), jess (15) & Aaron (12)

Are you lockdown thriving or lockdown surviving?

Surviving😂

Describe your lockdown experience in three words.

Friendship, love and sore!

Are you working from home or home schooling the children? If so how is it going for you?

I worked from home before lockdown but with kids at home it’s SO SO different. Lucky that my 12 year old just gets on with his school work but trying to fill a 15 year olds day is something else. She was due to take her GCSE’s so school work came to an abrupt end. School haven’t set her anything so her days are spent on the Xbox n tiktok 😂.

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

Don’t put pressure on yourself. Speak to your friends/family and tell them how u feel. Cry if u need to cry and don’t feel you need to hide it! Be kind to yourself and hug the people you can💖

What are the things you do in lockdown to keep you happy and sane?

Exercising, making and eating cake and spending time with my family 💖💖💖

How are you making Live with Laura work for you?

Honestly Live with Laura gives me the structure I need. I try to plan my day around live classes but obviously sometimes can’t do them due to work but always try to replay. I have been starting work early in the morning as I get more done when the house is quiet but also so I can take a break at 9.30 to do a class. (I will admit to rearranging meetings too so I can fit my class in🙈)

Your lockdown recommendations:

• Netflix WONDER
• Movie – DUMBO
• Book- I haven’t read 1

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

Go and see my friends and family💖

Get dressed up and go somewhere nice

Pinch my great niece for as along as I can because I have missed her so much. She has learned to sit unaided and is now eating solids so can’t wait to see her.

What 3 things will you miss about lockdown?

The unplanned family time (i love having them close with me)

Still having money in the bank before pay day 😂

The calm in the house……. there’s no rush at the min cos everyone needs to be somewhere at the sane time! We all lead busy lives and lockdown has given us the down time we needed. It’s taught me to relax and not everything needs done in 1 day!

Lockdown is affecting us all, but it also affecting us differently. I sat down (virtually) with one of my Live with Laura ladies Katy to talk about her experience so far and how exercise is helping.

Tell me a little bit about your lockdown world.

Who are you locked down with in your household?

Me
Rory 4
Teddy 10 months
Husband has been working from home but also going to sites and started back at site on Monday the 4th of may.

Are you lockdown thriving or lockdown surviving?

I would say it’s been a bit of both depending on the week.
In the beginning I felt I was thriving just enjoying being healthy at home and exercising lots.
Enjoying being with kids.
But I struggle with my youngest as he doesn’t sleep through the night yet. So a lot of the days I feel like I’ve never had a break from him. Some days I haven’t been making an effort and lost myself for I felt I was just surviving for the boys. And most days my eldest has had to just sit and watch telly. So the last few weeks I feel I’ve been just surviving.

Describe your lockdown experience in three words.

Lonely, frustrating but rewarding

Are you working from home or home schooling the children? If so how is it going for you?

Just looking after my two boys. I try to do fifteen minutes a day with Rory just learning numbers or letters but it doesn’t always happen.
Trying to work from home in a new way of makeup videos on my Business page. I love doing these also as it means some time away from the boys, it’s the only time I get at the minute.

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

I’ve had lots of these day, so I found the day that I didn’t let it take over. What I did was admit to someone how I was feeling, I hate being a nuisance but through this everyone understands.
Have a shower and pretend the water is washing away all your bad feelings.
Exercise and get the happy endorphins going.
Get some dancing music on and loud.

What are the things you do in lockdown to keep you happy and sane?

Exercise
Video calling people and quizzes
Cleaning
Drinking wine

How are you making Live with Laura work for you?

It’s been a necessity for me, somewhere I can log into every day and escape.
Do the exercise live or recorded, chat with all the amazing women.
Do the challenges and my favourite wine club.
It’s been the constant through all this for me and I wouldn’t have got through this without it.

Your lockdown recommendations:

Netflix
•Dumplin, Tiger King, RuPauls Drag Race, Gavin and Stacey and Yummy Mummies.

Movie
•Harry Potter all of them, Just Go With It, Mean Girls and Burlesque

Book
•Anything Lesley Pearse, Happy by Fearne Cotton and Destination Love by Jo Watson

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

Go and see all my family and favourites, drop my kids off with my mam and find the nearest party 😂

What 3 things will you miss about lockdown?

• no pressure of being busy, I do love to be busy and it stops me from overthinking but through this I’ve had to stop and try and deal with my thoughts. Which has been rewarding. Also taught me what’s important.
• Spending so much time with Rory and seeing his and teddy’s relationship grow.
• Not using the car so much.

Lockdown is affecting us all, but it also affecting us differently. I sat down (virtually) with one of my Live with Laura ladies Rachel to talk about her experience so far and how exercise is helping.

Who are you locked down with in your household?

Husband/fiancé!

Are you lockdown thriving or lockdown surviving?

Thriving

Describe your lockdown experience in three words.

Marriage, relaxing, healing

Are you working from home or home schooling the children? If so how is it going for you?

No

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

Napping, watching something, chocolate and knowing that tomorrow is a new day.

What are the things you do in lockdown to keep you happy and sane?

Playing animal crossing on the switch, Live with Laura, listening to music, watching boxsets and snuggling with the other half.

How are you making Live with Laura work for you?

I can do it any time, currently aiming to do 3 a day, one before each meal. I live in a 1 bed flat and still have space to do a workout. You can adapt the workouts to your fitness level and the space you have available.

Your lockdown recommendations:

Lockdown is affecting us all, but it also affecting us differently. I sat down (virtually) with one of my Live with Laura ladies Corinne to talk about her experience so far and how exercise is helping.

Who are you locked down with in your household?

My husband Paul and two boys Lucas (9) and Leo (6).

Are you lockdown thriving or lockdown surviving?

A bit of both to be honest. Work is exceptionally busy so lots of very early starts and long hours sat in the kitchen coupled with home schooling, entertaining kids and trying to keep the house from becoming an absolute tip! BUT kids are being phenomenal, getting on better than ever before (LOVED seeing their relationship develop and become proper little friends), we’re not arguing which I thought we all would when stuck in close proximity. We’re also not rushing around to the daily after school activities and sports clubs which has been lovely. Kids are also eating better as we have more time to vary our meals and sit down together. There are lots of positives that I’ll miss.

Describe your lockdown experience in three words.

Busy.
Family-Orientated.
Exhausting.

Are you working from home or home schooling the children? If so how is it going for you?

Both. Paul and I are still working full time and home schooling. It’s really, really challenging. Both need lots of help and guidance and we have to fit it in around meetings and work. The boys are being brilliant and really understanding but I have a ‘be perfect’ personality and am quite hard on myself if everything isn’t completed. I need to learn to take the pressure down a notch.

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

Wine, exercise and sometimes just accepting that the schoolwork isn’t going to get done that day. If they don’t do it it’s not the end of the world and can always be picked up tomorrow. Make time to speak to friends – get on Zoom or Skype or just a WhatsApp group and just have a laugh and compare lockdown stories. Chances are we’re all experiencing very similar feelings at the moment!

What are the things you do in lockdown to keep you happy and sane?

Exercise! Work is fairly stressful at the moment, coupled with ensuring the kids are helped with all their schoolwork makes life a little trying at times. Doing exercise most days helps me to have just a little time for myself to get away from it. With working from home I’m often finding that I’m not moving anywhere near as much so need to make sure I do something active. I also try and get out for a walk or take the kids on their bikes when we can.

How are you making Live with Laura work for you?

I’m usually managing one Live class per week – but am really enjoying doing another 5-6 classes on replay. This means I can fit it in around work, the kids schoolwork and getting the boys out for their daily exercise. It’s been genuinely sanity-saving! I enjoy knowing other familiar faces are also taking part or catching up on their experiences on the Wine Club or other chats.

I’ve been loving doing more Kettlercise but have also been doing some other the other HIIT workouts as well as the 10 min Ab/Bum blasts.

Your lockdown recommendations:

• Netflix Tiger King – it’s totally addictive!
• Movie 1917 – Just brilliantly made.
• Book – Old school – Pride and Prejudice!

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

See my friends.
Get a haircut/colour (OMG this is essential!!).
Go for out for a meal.

What 3 things will you miss about lockdown?

Being with the kids so much.
Going back to rushing around.
Cooking a greater variety of meals.

Lockdown is affecting us all, but it also affecting us differently. I sat down (virtually) with one of my Live with Laura ladies Julie to talk about her experience so far and how exercise is helping.

Tell me a little bit about your lockdown world.

It’s basically working from home, attempting to home school and lots of wine 😁

Who are you locked down with in your household?

Husband and 8 year old and 15 year old dog.

Are you lockdown thriving or lockdown surviving?

It changes daily.

Describe your lockdown experience in three words.

Tense, repetitive, ok

Are you working from home or home schooling the children? If so how is it going for you?

Both. Doing normal hours, so working Mon to Thursday. Husband tries to cover the school work but has limited patience and M wants to be with me. So does the dog…🐕😁

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

Breathe. This too shall pass 😁

What are the things you do in lockdown to keep you happy and sane?

My live with Laura classes 😁

How are you making Live with Laura work for you?

Trying to do as many lives as I can, but loving that I can do the classes around my schedule.

Your lockdown recommendations:

• Netflix. New Amsterdam, might be amazon
• Movie. We watched Spies in Disguise, that was good 😁
• Book The Mirror and the Light, the new Hilary Mantel. It’s a whopper 😁

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

Swim in a lake
See my family in Kent
Smile

What 3 things will you miss about lockdown?

The community spirit, if it drops off; the quiet; weekday wine.

Lockdown is affecting us all, but it also affecting us differently. I sat down (virtually) with one of my Live with Laura ladies Alice to talk about her experience so far and how exercise is helping.

Tell me a little bit about your lockdown world.

The fear we felt in the early days has reduced, we have settled into a routine of work, school work and family time that I am going to struggle to relinquish….. Plus the alcohol and food on Tap….. I feel lucky when I hear about some other people’s experiences 💖

Who are you locked down with in your household?

My daughter Isla age 12, son Ollie age 11, husband Craig and Sully the 19 month old daft as a brush labrador!

Are you lockdown thriving or lockdown surviving?

It’s a difference of days but I would say largely thriving, thank goodness the weather has been so kind, someone is looking after us there.

Describe your lockdown experience in three words.

The great realisation!

Are you working from home or home schooling the children? If so how is it going for you?

I am fortunate enough to be able to work from home, although I am working extra hours due to the effect of covid 19 on everyone’s finances 😢 I have 2 kids requiring some form of schooling, one in his final year of primary and one in second year of secondary. Hubby is self employed so isn’t able to work at the minute so he is doing most of the child /house chores, not sure we can go back to normal he is so much better than me 😂

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

Personally exercise is key for me, getting outdoors with the family and making time for Lauras exercise sessions also remembering that we don’t have to have it all. (fully schooled kids/clean house) we just have to remain healthy… That’s all that matters at the minute 🤞

What are the things you do in lockdown to keep you happy and sane?

I do 2 sessions of laura’s exercise a day, those early days I found that I really needed something to stop my brain getting too worked up and we try and sit by the chiminea in the evening to chill out. keeping in contact with family and friends via WhatsApp video is really helping too!

How are you making Live with Laura work for you?

I start work at 7am log off around 9.20 to do my first laura exercise I like these as most of them are live which keeps me from stopping🤫 don’t tell Laura! I am usually finished around 4.30pm so do my second session before tea with the family.

Your lockdown recommendations:

• Netflix – the cobbler & extraction, complete opposites but both good.
• Movie- knives out or we’re the miller’s
• Book- I have just finished the family upstairs by Lisa Jewell, happy to post to anyone who wants to try it 😉

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

1.I am going to turn into Ann from little Britain and rub by hand down everyone’s face that I have missed ‘ah ah ah’

2. Invite everyone over for a super social braai (Bbq) ! 🔥
3. Climb our next wainwright… Or 7!

What 3 things will you miss about lockdown?

1. My family being within touching distance at all times.
2. Being able to walk from my ‘office’ to my ‘laura’s studio’ to the shower and back to the ‘office’ within 45 minutes twice a day 😭
3. The extra time I have – how did I ever fit everything in before? 🤔

Lockdown is affecting us all, but it is also affecting us differently. I sat down (virtually) with one of my Live with Laura ladies Samantha to talk about her experience so far and how exercise is helping.

Tell me a little bit about your lockdown world.

I’m still working three days a week, mostly from home but do venture out filming now and then (with strict social distancing rules in place). I’ve worked from home for 10 years but it is very different with two little girls and my lovely husband in the house too! It does mean I’m never lonely! It’s also never quiet!
We take it in turns to homeschool the girls as he is still working too (remotely as a teacher) and we seem to have hit a pretty good rhythm- after we lowered expectations of what we can do as parents!
Having the extra family time is wonderful and seeing the girls become firm best friends has been magical.
It’s not all roses. There are times when it’s been hard, they’ve been shits and we’ve missed our family desperately.
We also miss going out for walks in the Lakes.
It’s so close but so far.

Who are you locked down with in your household?

Husband and daughters ages 6 and nearly 4 (we are on countdown).

Are you lockdown thriving or lockdown surviving?

A bit of both depending on the day! But a lot more ups in general.

Describe your lockdown experience in three words.

Family. Neighbours. Discovering

Are you working from home or home schooling the children? If so how is it going for you?

Yes and yes. Hubby and I have managed to come to a balance where we can both do our work and take it in turns with the girls. I’m lucky he’s able to be quite flexible.

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

Try and do something that’s just for you. And talk it through with family and friends if you want to. It’s not failure. Everyone has wobbles.

What are the things you do in lockdown to keep you happy and sane?

Exercise and fresh air! It’s massively important to us all. The girls also transform when we leave the house for our bug hunts or bird spotting.
And if homeschooling just isn’t working we drop it and move on.
We also make sure we make time for each other as a couple where possible 😊

How are you making Live with Laura work for you?

I set aside Monday and Friday mornings and whatever I fancy in the evenings after I’ve been working.

Your lockdown recommendations:

• Netflix – Friends for when you need a laugh
• Movie – Harry Potter films. So nice to see them again. Like a warm hug!
• Book – The Olive Tree by Lucinda Riley. A lovely book that transports you to Greece.

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

Seeing family and friends who live away.
Take the girls to see their pals.
And go for good coffee and a natter with pals at my fav places (after I’ve had my haircut!).

What 3 things will you miss about lockdown?

The extra time as a four.
Having company working from home.
Exploring where we live.