I’m really excited to be able to start getting fit again, after years of being too unwell to exercise followed by a broken foot and dodgy back I’m itching to get back out there. Part of the recovery from my surgery involves exercise, to strengthen my core muscles to help reduce the risk of the problem happening again and again.

My consultant recommended two main exercises to me- pilates and cycling and these are the two I’m going to pursue the most, but it time I plan to add in some yoga, gentle jogging and well, whatever else takes my fancy! I already walk everywhere which is a start, I suppose, after a few weeks off my feet.

Anyway, with new exercise adventures comes a need for new exercise gear and my shop of choice for this is Sweaty Betty, especially for the cycling and pilates.

I’ve put together a little wishlist of the kit I’d buy if I had an endless budget. As it stands, I don’t and I’ll probably be making do with a decent sports bra as a starting point, like the Upbeat Padded Bra featured above.

For cycling I’m thinking that a decent, streamlined top (I’ve picked the acceleration cycle top) plus waterproof trousers and a jacket are pretty sensible. I never used to believe in waterproofs…as a care free teenage cylist I didn’’t much care if I got soaked to the skin but these days I guess I’ve grown up and I really don’t fancy getting to my destination resembling a drowned rat.

Pilates wise you can’t go wrong with some comfortable leggings and a pretty camisole. Again, I must be growing up as I used to rock up at the gym wearing whatever I found that look vaguely suitable. I currently have my eye on the fabulously patterned Chandrasana leggings and this shell pink yoga cami.

I can’t wait to get back out there, I just need to start working on building up the perfect kit, and with a Birthday coming up in a couple of months I’ll be starting with Sweaty Betty.