It can be tough to find the time for fitness when you're caring for young children - especially if you're a sole parent. File photo / Anna Kidman
It can be tough to find the time for fitness when you're caring for young children - especially if you're a sole parent. File photo / Anna Kidman
Opinion by Carly Hesp
Carly Hesp, 42, is an HR business partner, and lives in Southampton with her children.
As a single mum to three children, it’s not easy to prioritise your own health and well-being. In 2020, during lockdown, I was juggling working from home, home-schooling, and looking after the kids, agedfour, seven and 14. I was over-eating and not exercising. I couldn’t run to the end of the road without getting out of breath.
I’ve never been overweight – at 5ft 2ins, I’ve got quite a small frame and I weighed about 52kg (8st 3lb). But I noticed that my stomach was getting podgy. I was also really struggling mentally; I was away from family, coping on my own as a single mother without any support and, like everyone else, I didn’t know when things were going to return to normal.
Commit to five days a week
One evening, I felt really low after a stressful day when I saw an advert for Joe Wicks’ 90-day plan; I signed up immediately. It was really hard at the beginning – I wasn’t used to doing HIIT (high-intensity interval training) exercises for 30 minutes a day, five times a week, but I kept going and started noticing I was getting fitter and had more muscle definition.
It was a great re-introduction to fitness, but I then found Lilly Sabri’s Pilates workouts online, which really supercharged my body. I added her six- to eight-minute abs workouts to the end of my Joe Wicks training. Sabri is a physiotherapist and Pilates teacher and I love how she is concerned about getting the form right, doing the moves slowly and properly. The workouts often combine Pilates-based exercises like “clam shells” to work your glutes, as well as small weights to further tone up.
I became addicted to the positive buzz I got post-workout; as well as being part of Sabri’s community, I’ve made such good friends with other women doing this. We swap tips and encourage each other. I haven’t met them all in real life, but they are so important to me.
Sabri’s nutrition plan includes really good recipes, like protein porridge to start the day well and healthy chicken mac and cheese – all things I could make for the family.
Consistency gets results
I lost about half a stone (3kg) after 90 days on the Joe Wicks plan and another month of doing Sabri’s workouts meant I’ve kept it off. What’s more startling is that my body composition is totally different. For me, my stomach was always my trouble spot, especially after having three kids. I was conscious of my muffin top. But now I’ve lost seven inches from my waist, three inches from my hips and two inches from my thighs. I have a stronger and more toned body than I had before children.
Even more than that, the programme has really given me a focus; I love the structure of the workouts and how energised it makes me feel. It’s also inspired my kids; my seven-year-old daughter loves to do some of the workouts with me. We recently had the chance to meet Lilly Sabri at a YouTube event and it was brilliant, while my 16-year-old son has just joined a gym. The whole family has embraced the health and fitness lifestyle.
My workout week
Now I do Sabri’s 30-minute home workouts five days a week – some of them with my daughter.
What I eat in a day
Smoked salmon, poached eggs and avocado on toast. Photo / 123RF
I don’t count calories, but I do eat very healthily, making everything from scratch. I love starting the day with a protein-heavy breakfast, which fills me up and keeps me going. Enjoying nutritious meals and menu planning is also a great way to save money, time and enjoy new things.
Breakfast: Porridge with a scoop of protein powder
Lunch: Smoked salmon and poached eggs
Dinner: Cajun salmon and rice
Lifestyle aids
Carbs: My body thrives on carbs, but I’m careful about when I have them. I consume more on workout days, and on days when I’m resting, I’ll eat a bit more fat.
