One of the things that has gone a little by the wayside for me since all this kicked off is exercise. I see articles telling me not to worry about it, that self care and mental well being is more important than watching every calorie or counting every step, but they don’t seem to realise quite how quickly I can pile on the heft when I’m really going for it.

While I have some weird opinions on whether exercise really has anything to do with weight loss I know it does good things for my brain and so it is worth enduring for that alone.

With that in mind I have started doing 5 core strengthening exercises every morning before breakfast.

I hate these exercises with the passion of a thousand fiery suns.

Since I started them my back has stopped aching and I don’t feel quite so much like a large slug who has taken up permanent residence on the sofa. Even with those benefits I can admit that the ONLY reason I am still doing them is because I have vowed to confirm their completion every morning via text message to someone whose opinion I care about.

Yes. Competitive shame is the only reason I exercise. Sigh, I am my own worst enemy.

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If you imagine all of the above with a soundtrack of loud swearing and the groans of a dying creature you’ll have a good idea of what happens in my living room each morning…it is not a pretty sight.

Featured image is my expanding company of kitchen friends, whose stern gazes stop me raiding the fridge.