Freedom Fitness and Wellbeing

27/01/2026

Grief isn’t something to “fix” — it’s something to move with.

As a wellbeing coach (and as a human), I want to gently say this: grief lives in the body as much as the mind. When loss hits, our nervous system often goes into survival mode — which is why thinking it through rarely helps on its own.

What can help are small, grounding practices that restore a sense of safety and control:

• gentle movement
• slow, extended exhales
• naming what you feel without judgement
• containing emotions when they feel overwhelming
• choosing one small, doable thing

There is no right way to grieve. Some days you’ll function, some days you won’t. Both are normal. Be kind to your body — it’s carrying a lot. 💛

27/01/2026

21/01/2026

Your body is always talking — are you listening?

A little reminder from my own body this weekend.

I’ve been eating in a way that really supports me lately — whole foods, anti-inflammatory focus, good protein and fibre. I feel better for it.

I had a processed pizza on Saturday, and the reaction was immediate: poor sleep, thirst, low energy the next day.

No guilt. No rules broken. Just feedback.

When you’re more in tune with your body, it communicates more clearly. And that’s actually a good thing.

Health isn’t about restriction — it’s about noticing what supports you, what doesn’t, and choosing from a place of self-respect rather than habit.

Listen to your body. It’s always giving you clues.

18/01/2026

Why sleep gets disrupted (even when you’re tired)
• Emotional stress keeps the nervous system “on”
• Highly processed or salty foods late in the day can increase night waking
• Blood sugar swings can cause restlessness
• Overtraining or under-recovering raises cortisol
• Screens + late stimulation delay melatonin

Being exhausted doesn’t guarantee good sleep — feeling safe and regulated does.

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Simple, evidence-based sleep supports

You don’t need perfection — consistency matters more.

✔ Eat balanced meals (protein + carbs)
✔ Hydrate earlier in the day
✔ Dim lights 60–90 min before bed
✔ Keep wake time consistent (even after a bad night)
✔ Gentle movement > intense training on wired-tired days
✔ Slow breathing (longer exhales) before sleep

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A reminder I give clients often:

One bad night won’t break your health.
But chronic poor sleep will affect progress more than a missed workout ever could.

Train hard — recover harder.

17/01/2026

It might not work for everyone —
but for me, as a mum and running a business,
training first thing just fits my life better.

Before my brain is fully switched on.
Before the noise, the to-do lists, and everyone needing something from me.

When things are quieter, my body moves better.
I hold less tension. I feel less rushed. I’m more present.

Wellbeing isn’t about copying someone else’s routine.
It’s about finding what works in your season of life.

And if you’d like a bit of accountability to start your day,
you’re very welcome to join me and a small group of others:

• Thursday mornings 6:15–7am
• Tuesday mornings 9:15–10am (outdoors or sometimes online)

No pressure. Just supportive movement, early in the day, together 🤍 ☀️ ❤️

12/01/2026

I started running again just before Christmas — not even run/walk, just getting moving and building consistency. Then I picked up a respiratory infection (which feels like it’s been doing the rounds), and with my immune system being lower on medication, that meant stepping back and recovering properly.

Fast forward to now — I’m feeling better, so I got out and completed a 5K today. I’m genuinely pleased with that.

Was it fast? No.
And there were definitely little voices in my head saying “push harder, push harder.”
But I chose to keep moving at a steady, comfortable pace instead — especially for these first few runs — and just notice how my body responds.

Now the focus is listening over the next few days, letting things settle, and taking it from there.

This is what sustainable progress looks like when you’re managing a long-term condition:
✔ patience
✔ awareness
✔ consistency over ego

Sometimes the win is simply showing up, moving well, and stopping at the right time.

09/01/2026

💪 Full-Body Strength + Core Session

Today’s lineup:
•Goblet squats for legs & glutes
•Chest flys on the floor with legs in tabletop — hitting that core hard!
•Push-ups with mountain climbers — my third round this week, and wow, I’m definitely feeling it 🔥

A few of my clients had push-up mountain climbers in their workouts this week too, love seeing them smash it!

Also, special guest: Shelby doing his weighting practice while I power through my reps, earning his little treat reward afterwards 🐾

Strength isn’t just about muscles — it’s about control, core, and feeling powerful every rep.

05/01/2026

2026 is the year we stop forcing and start listening.

As a PT, wellbeing coach, and someone who works deeply with hormonal health, I’ve spent years in my head — pushing, overriding my body, thinking consistency meant doing the same hard workout no matter what phase of my cycle I was in.

But here’s the truth I wish I’d understood sooner:
being female is powerful.
Our bodies aren’t meant to be treated like machines.

If you’re in your luteal phase and a hard workout feels impossible — that’s not weakness. That’s wisdom.
Rest, slower movement, more nourishment, more compassion — that is still progress.

For so long, we’ve been taught to disconnect, to push through, to ignore what our bodies are asking for. But real strength comes from nurturing, not punishing.

This year, I’m setting the intention to:
✨ honour the female body
✨ work with hormones, not against them
✨ listen instead of override
✨ move in ways that feel supportive, not depleting

Your body is constantly communicating with you.
When you listen, everything changes.

Here’s to a year of trusting our cycles, softening where needed, and remembering that our femininity is not a limitation, it’s our superpower. 💫

31/12/2025

Sharing a few moments from 2025 — a year full of highs and beautiful memories. 💛 Climbing Ben Nevis, trips with the kids, reconnecting with old friends, and celebrating small wins along the way.

It hasn’t been easy — there’s been grief, loss, and challenges I’m still navigating. But even in the hard times, there’s been growth, love, and resilience.

Here’s to holding it all, learning, and moving into the new year with care and hope.

18/12/2025

Hey everyone,

As 2025 comes to a close, I just want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has supported Freedom Fitness & Well-Being this year. It’s been a challenging one for many of us, and I’m truly grateful for the trust, commitment, and positive energy in this community.

This time of year is also a lovely opportunity to pause and think about your goals, whether they’re physical, mental, or simply about feeling a little better in yourself. Every small step counts, and you don’t have to do it alone.

If you’re new here and thinking about starting or restarting your well-being journey, you’re very welcome — Freedom Fitness & Well-Being is all about support, balance, and progress at your own pace.

Merry Christmas to you all, and thank you for being part of this community.

I’ll be back to sessions on 5th January 2026, and I may also run a drop-in online Zoom session over Christmas, so keep an eye out for details.

Best wishes

Lydia 💪🎄🎅🤶🫶🤗
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04/12/2025

The Science Behind Your Body and Mind (Simple Version)

At Freedom Fitness and Well-Being, I believe real health is a mix of how your body feels and how your mind feels. When you understand both, everything starts to make more sense.

How Your Body Works:
Every step you take, every lift you do, and every stretch you feel comes from your muscles, joints, and nerves working together. When we understand these basics, we can help you move better, avoid injuries, and feel stronger in everyday life.

Pain and the Mind-Body Connection:
Pain isn’t always a sign that something is “wrong” with you. Your nervous system, stress levels, and mindset all influence how you feel pain. Sometimes pain is your body trying to protect you. Learning about this can help you manage discomfort and trust your body again.

Building Strength and Resilience:
Your body and mind can change and improve at any age. With regular movement and the right support, your muscles get stronger, your joints feel steadier, and your confidence grows. Small, steady steps lead to big changes.

Understanding Long-Term Conditions:
Knowing more about things like arthritis, back pain, or nerve issues helps you feel more in control. When you understand what’s happening in your body, it’s easier to make good choices and stay positive.

At Freedom Fitness and Well-Being, I bring together movement, mindset, and simple science to help you feel better, move with confidence, and enjoy life with less pain and more freedom.

28/11/2025

Living, Working & Thriving With Ankylosing Spondyloarthritis (AS)
This year I was officially diagnosed with ankylosing spondyloarthritis — an autoimmune, inflammatory condition that affects the spine, joints, and sometimes other areas of the body.
It’s something I’ve actually been dealing with since 2024, long before it had a name.

AS is often misunderstood because symptoms can look like “normal back pain,” stiffness, or tiredness… but the reality is that it’s a chronic condition that needs proper management, rest, pacing, and for many people, medication. I’m now on my second type of treatment (a medication called Imridol/Imraldi — still not sure which pronunciation is right 😅) and working with my healthcare team to manage flare-ups and keep moving.

I also want to mention something important:
I would never have realised what was truly going on with my body if it weren’t for Emily Coombs at Kibworth Osteopath. Her knowledge, care, and attention made all the difference in pointing me toward getting the right support and diagnosis. I’m incredibly grateful.

And here’s the part I want others to hear…
AS doesn’t stop me from doing what I love.

💪 I’m a personal trainer — helping people get stronger, more confident, and more connected to their bodies.
🐾 I look after dogs — because movement + animals is honestly the best therapy.
🧠 I’m training to be a therapist — learning every day how the mind, body, and emotions all link together (and AS has deepened that understanding more than I expected).

Living with a chronic condition doesn’t make you weak.
It makes you adaptable.
It teaches you to pace yourself, listen to your body, and recognise that sometimes strength looks like resting rather than pushing.

If you’re living with chronic pain, fatigue, or an invisible condition — you’re not alone. I get it. And I’m here for anyone who needs encouragement, movement guidance, or just someone who understands what a “flare day” really feels like.

Here’s to staying strong, moving smart, resting when needed, and building a life that fits your body — not the other way around. ✨ # #