Picture this: your house has got a leak. A massive leak. You recon it’s probably not come out of nowhere, but the fact is, you need to get it sorted. You can’t possibly deal with living in a home that isn’t fit for purpose, or where worse still, it could fall apart at any point if it’s left to rot. Sure, the leak is very annoying and you can point fingers and play the blame game, but ultimately you have to make time to learn how to fix it and do it yourself, or, pay someone to help you because it’s important. You and your family’s physical and mental health will be affected if the house is left to rot, or it falls down. You can’t not sort it, right?

Now consider this statement if the house is your body. Isn’t it funny that people won’t hesitate to sort a problem that involves a big part of their lives – their home – but when it involves themselves, they’re reticent. People will pay £100 an hour for a plumber or an electrician to come and fix something in their house, but they’re less likely to pay to look after the thing that’s going to carry them through their whole life.

Some may argue that moving more and eating well isn’t a question of whether you ‘want’ to do this or not. It’s about, as an adult, taking responsibility for your body, your future and your mental health – in life we have to do things we sometimes don’t want to, because it’s the right thing to do. But this approach isn’t always realistic, as some people are not motivated by this more negative stance. Perhaps thinking about this in a different way can be powerful: we are lucky if we are able to move our bodies, eat well and get regular fresh air. We all know the unparalleled benefits that exercise and good nutrition brings: better sleep; more energy; better bodily functions & mobility; being able to do more with your life; improved physique; living longer; reversing some health conditions; less niggles and injuries and better mental health.

So, why is it that we humans can be so apathetic towards looking after ourselves when we need it the most? Our bodies are our true home. It’s what carries you, your brain and your soul through your whole life. 

Statistically only 16% of the population in the UK has a gym membership. When you put that into perspective of how many people are likely not exercising much or at all, it’s quite shocking. Of course, not everyone who keeps fit has a gym membership, like my clients for example, but it’s a good indicator of the situation the UK is in, which is increased obesity rates.

I think there needs to be a better societal connection between good movement, weightlifting and nutrition and the direct benefits, rather than just focusing on the improvements in health markers. These are the stories like the 75 year old who can now pick up their grandchildren, the busy office worker whose low back doesn’t hurt anymore, the stay at home mum whose core strength is returning and her hormones are being balanced beautifully or the keen golfer whose body is stronger and so now they can return to playing the game they so deeply love.

Let’s reflect on this, and consider how we can put time aside to work on bettering ourselves inside and out, whether we’re at crisis point or not.