Guest post from Jenny (lifeandthelords).

I am an unfit nurse, I tell people in my day job that they are overweight, their BMI is too high and it would be better for their health to lose weight and exercise. Do I do this myself? No! I struggle with my health and mobility, but I can walk and do yoga, so I should do more. We are always talking about diet when it comes to health and losing weight, but exercise is so important to add to your routine. Exercise helps elevate your mood, lower your blood pressure and cholesterol, and can help prevent cardiovascular disease, including dementia.

Finding the right exercise wear really helps. This post is in collaboration with Yvette activewear, and they sent me some high-impact sports bras and leggings to try. I can tell you, it is definitely worth investing in a decent sports bra, especially if you are going to be doing any type of movement. Another must is some sort of leggings or trousers that you can move in, will support you and are breathable. There’s nothing worse than getting the motivation to do some exercise or start your routine only to feel uncomfortable in what you are wearing.

I really like the sports bras they have at Yvette, they have a wide range of styles and fits. I like the zip front ones the best, I also love this soft green colour and the way the back looks. There is an extra adjustable back for extra comfort and support. You can also get super comfy leggings, the ones I’m wearing in this picture are the high-waisted sculpted gym leggings. They have pockets for your phone and bits, plus a breathable mesh at the top around the waist. I felt held in at my stomach and ready for action.

If like me, your mobility isn’t the best or your joints aren’t able to support higher-impact exercise, why not start gently with a low-impact workout, gentle dance moves, yoga, or pilates. Although, I have done some quite intense yoga workouts before. Below is a picture of me pretending to know what I’m doing with yoga, whilst having to prop myself up against the wall! I have balance issues and my right side is weaker than my left, so I have to be careful what I do. At least I look the part with my yoga bra and leggings. You can’t see from this picture, but the back is super pretty with double straps crossing over.

If you’d like to start exercising or you’ve been told to incorporate some into your life but you’re not sure if you can, here are some ideas to help you. I always tell my patients that you don’t have to suddenly start running or go to the gym, just try to find small ways to make changes that are sustainable. For example, if you already walk the dog every day, find two sections of the walk where you can walk faster for 5-10 minutes. Fast enough so that your heart rate increases and you are getting warm.

If you work at a desk and spend a lot of time sitting, set an alarm every hour or as many times as is practical and get up and walk around, go up and down the stairs or around the garden. If your joints hurt – it’s usually the knees that become a problem for many as they age – try swimming as an exercise as it has no impact on the joints. Even with a joint problem like arthritis, exercise is proven to help, it keeps the joints mobile. Be creative and adapt everything to your lifestyle and situation. Once you have worked on small habits, you will soon start to see the benefits.