FRESH &FIT
Keep fit and keep calm, says health writer Karen Evennett
So you went into lockdown vowing you’d do daily exercise at home, with YouTube helping you shift those excess kilos and tone your flabby legs, bum and tum… And now? Well, if it didn’t turn out quite as you’d planned, blame your wiring. The part of your brain that regulates self-control (the anterior cingulate cortex) wakes up firing on all four cylinders, but it gradually runs out of steam, draining your motivation and making your daily workout less and less appealing.
Summer is officially here, your sandals are out of the closet, and your feet are about to be debuted for the season – but, after months in trainers, they may need a little TLC to make them look and feel their summer best. Try the following products, all from Carnation Footcare…
Make the prospect of exercise less daunting by star ting with a five-minute walk or 10 minutes of an online workout class. “You’ll be rewarded with positive feelings,” says Dr Aria (dr-aria.com ),a high-per formance psychologist specialising in behaviour change.
“Next up, set yourself a small challenge you think you’ll enjoy – such as walking up a nearby hill without stopping, swimming 250m, or even running 5k. Having a goal focuses your attention, leading you to put in more effort with increased perseverance,” says Dr Aria.
“We’re more motivated when we’re in a group than when we’re tr ying to work out on our own,” says Dr Aria. “Researchers have found that par ticipants push themselves 10-25% harder when exercising with someone else who trains intensely. So, if you need a motivation boost, work out with a family member or friend.”
● Silky Feet Peel Socks (£2.99) remove or soften hard and rough skin using a single 60-minute application of an alpha hydroxy acid peel.
● Corn Remover Pen (£4.29) uses a nifty applicator to deliver 100 doses of glycolic acid to soften small patches of tough, hard skin on the feet.
● Intensive Moisturising Foot Cream (£3.69) utilises moisturising urea, with Peppermint Oil for a lovely fresh smell.
● The PediRoller (£5.49 for the roller alone, or £9.99 with a 100g tube of cooling foot gel) provides immediate relief from heel or arch pain, easing conditions such as plantar fasciitis.