How I Move Paula Sutton
Influencer talks to Yolanthe Fawehinmi about combining candles with workouts to suit the famous Hill House Vintage vibe
People see me with my cream cakes, basket and vegetable garden – - I used to wear Lycra and listen to hip hop, and I’m slowly rediscovering these joys prompted by lockdown! During lockdown I converted my old garage into a vintage gym. It is zen, and attractive, a space I want to spend time in.
The walls are white, and it has got vintage leather medicine balls and a vintage leather boxing bag. There is a large antique factory mirror, in rusting metal, a Peloton bike, and a wooden rowing machine. If I took all the exercise furniture out, I would still love the room.
I light an invigorating scented candle like basil, peppermint or lemon – and then I get on the peloton bike.
My ritual starts first thing in the morning with some stretches – I have got to get it over and done with because my mind is just so all over the place. I get my ’80s and ’90s hip hop on – which I never really listen to otherwise – and it reminds me of clubbing when I was younger. If I am doing yoga, then I will go for a calmer scented candle, like lavender, so it smells lovely.
I always laugh about myself and say I am a swimming-pool snob.
I do not like swimming pools, and that stew everyone has been in. If I had my own pool, I would be swimming all the time, it is such great low-impact exercise. I have got a bit of arthritis in my knees, wrists and other joints, so I value strength over being quick and agile.
When my dog Coco died, I was devastated and stopped going on my usual long dog walks. Walking was such a positive and solitary experience, which I really embraced. Without even trying, I was doing long hikes most mornings, it was good for my mental health, and getting my body moving. Coco made me walk four miles across fields every day. So I felt the impact on my fitness after her death and started putting on weight. Then I reached menopausal age and my hormones were all over the place, so my metabolism also dropped. Now I’ve got a miniature Dachshund, but she’s got tiny legs and is only seven months old.
It is hard to keep hold of a good yoga teacher living in the countryside. I love Ashtanga yoga, but I am not brilliant at it. I have had three different tutors who were based in Norfolk, but unfortunately when people start off as a yoga teacher around here they don’t always get enough clients to form a group, so they go off and build something else.
My last yoga teacher became a painter and decorator. As a result, my practice has become intermittent.
It might sound ridiculous, but looking after the house and garden is good exercise.
I do not have a gardener or a cleaner, I do everything myself. It keeps me going. It is OK to not enjoy the same things that you enjoyed when you were a youngster.
Growing up I was used to winning things in sport, but when I entered the mothers’ race on school sports day, they all ran past me! I am 52 now, and I have always been naturally fit and toned. I was the athletics captain at my secondary school – I played in the lacrosse first team, and loved netball, one of my favourite sports when I was younger. I was really sporty as a child, and thought I would be fit all my life without making much effort.
I am a black woman born in Croydon, who used to high jump and run for her county, so when it came to my children’s school sports day I thought I would nail the mothers’ race. I was 40 at the time, but my goodness, they beat me! That is when I realised my body had changed.
I always laugh about myself and say I am a swimmingpool snob
Rather than going with trendy exercise or with what you think you ought to be doing, go with the thing that makes you happy.
If you enjoy exercising, you are more likely to stick to it. And if you stick to it, then your body improves and your mindset improves with it.
It has to be individually tailored to you.
And if in doubt, and you do not want to get on the bike or do yoga, get a dog. Do exercise without realising you’re even doing it.