I absolutely love the soft shell jackets as they are perfect in so many weathers which for this country is ideal. They are such a great fit for a women’s practical jacket as quite often with practicality comes baggy and frumpy. The black jacket with the hood looks smart enough for work days as well as walking days and the fact that is is water resistant is a brilliant bonus. The fleece lining offers just the right amount of warmth for cool summer / spring days and those warm autumn/winter days so is an all round practical jacket.

The soft shell jacket without the hood was ordered in teal, a gorgeous new colour added to the soft shell range within Mountain Warehouse collection. The colour is strikingly different to those already on offer within the ladies department of most stores so was really appealing. This jacket offers the same benefits with it’s soft fleece lining and water resistant outer as well as the great shapely fit that I love about these jackets. Ideal for those days where there’s no rain forecast but the day is still a little chilly. The benefit of there being no hood is you can also pop a body warmer or gilet over the top without having to contend with a hood.

The sandals are super comfortable and totally practical for a summer walk when you just don’t want to put socks on. They are available in two colours and I went for the beige and orange combination. The soles are heavily cushioned so they absorb all the impact of fast walking as well as the stones that you can so easily feel through standard fashion sandals. They are adjustable via 2 Velcro straps so can be fitted to suit. The down side of the sandals is that for me, a woman in my thirties, they are possibly too practical looking and could benefit from some aesthetic changes to make them into a more fashionable style. If practicality and comfort is what you’re looking for, these sandals are ideal and very affordable.

When I tried this coat on I can only compare the feeling to if I’d got out of bed, got dressed then popped my duvet back around me to go out for a walk. On a cold winter’s morning when the kids need dropping off at school or the dog needs a walk this coat is going to be amazing and so cosy!

One of the features which is particularly impressive is the inner section on the waist which can be fastened before the coat is zipped up so even if you bent over to pick something off the ground (as you do when walking the dog!) the coat itself remains in position, no riding up or adjustment needed when you are back in an upright position. And when you have two children under 5 and a puppy, it’s surprising how many tricky positions you can get yourself into. I also love the cuff that pops over your thumb, keeping the sleeves in place and your hands that little bit warmer.

The coat length is perfect for covering everything up that you need to keep warm but not so long that you can’t walk freely and the hood is also a good generous size. I found the sleeves a little long however the Velcro adjustment strap fixed that issue by keeping the sleeves in place around my wrists.

I think the range of products at Mountain Warehouse is excellent and I struggled to choose just one. The website splits the range of jackets into easy to follow sections so you can find ski coats, waterproofs, soft shell etc and also shows size availability without having to click through several screens. Overall an excellent product and service from the guys at Mountain Warehouse.

Thanks for dropping by and reading this post. As you may or may not know, I’ve just had a bouncing baby girl! While we were in the hospital, we picked up a leaflet by the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Women’s Health (ACPWH). It had some rather interesting information on exercise after childbirth.

The abdominal hollowing exercise or ‘core exercise’ as it’s sometimes known targets the transverse abdominus muscle. The transverse abdominus is a muscle found deep in the abdomen that holds in the abdominal contents and supports your core. You should start doing this exercise in the most comfortable position for you. Try lying on your back or side with your knees bent or sitting with your back well supported.

Place one or both of your hands on your abdomen below the level of your belly button. Breathe in through your nose, and as you breathe out, draw in your lower abdomen gently away from your hands towards your back and then relax. You should be able to breathe and talk at the same time and your lower back should stay still. Do the exercise three times if you can.

Once you have mastered this exercise you should be able to practise it by standing up. To progress this further, repeat as above but keep your muscles drawn in for three seconds. You may feel the muscles working under your hand and you gradually be able to hold them for longer. Do this three times a day or as often as you can.

After you’ve read this page, you may want to read our articles on Pelvic Floor Muscle Exercises and Essential Exercises After Childbirth.

Thanks for reading,

The pelvic floor muscles are at the bottom of your pelvis, supporting the pelvic organs. These muscles have been stretched in pregnancy and during delivery, which may cause problems. Pelvic floor muscle exercises are needed to:

• Improve muscle strength so you can control your bladder and bowel
• Help prevent prolapse of the pelvic organs
• Increase sexual enjoyment for you and your partner

Please remember:

• To start the pelvic floor muscle exercises as soon as possible after you’ve had your baby
• To do the exercise in various positions unless you are still sore from delivery
• To do gentle, rhythmic tightening and relaxing of the muscles, which may help with discomfort and pain

How to exercise your pelvic floor muscles
Try to imagine you are stopping yourself passing urine or wind. Try to ‘squeeze and lift’ the pelvic floor muscles. I found it difficult to feel much happening at first but keep trying. Hold the squeeze for a couple of seconds but do not hold your breath.

Gradually increase the hold time and the number of times until you can hold the squeeze for up to ten seconds and repeat up to ten times. You may find that Abdominal Hollowing takes place at the same time. Try exercising in different positions (standing, sitting and lying) and establish a routine, such as every time you’ve just fed your baby.

Please remember that it can take up to several months for the pelvic floor muscles to return to their previous strength. It is important that the pelvic floor muscles are able to react quickly to stop you leaking when you cough or sneeze. Always tighten your pelvic floor muscles before and during any activity requiring effort. For example, lifting your baby out of their moses basket.

To be effective you need to concentrate and persevere with these exercises. Pelvic floor muscle exercises are important for life and for all women.

Thanks for reading and please make sure you read our article on Essential Exercises After Childbirth.

Here are some simple instructions to perform head lifts. If you have neck pain, dont do this exercise. You should start all exercises by lying with your head on a pillow, knees bent and feet shoulder width apart and arms by your side.

1. Firstly, lie on your back with your head resting on two pillows.

2. Hollow your abdomen and tighten the pelvic floor muscles.

3. Gently lift your head and shoulders a little bit off your pillows.

4. Hold for three seconds, lower and then relax.

5. Repeat this exercise up to ten times for three times a day if you can.

6. You can develop this exercise by removing one of your pillows.

7. Please make sure you don’t strain your neck muscles as you do this exercise.

All the best,

Here are some simple instructions to perform knee rolling. You should start all exercises by lying with your head on a pillow, knees bent and feet shoulder width apart and arms by your side.

1. Firstly, hollow your abdomen and gently lower both your knees to the right and as far as is comfortable.

2. Bring both your legs back to the middle and relax.

3. Now repeat the exercise to your left.

4. Do this exercise three times each side if you can.

All the best,

Here are some simple instructions to perform knee bends. You should start all exercises by lying with your head on a pillow, knees bent and feet shoulder width apart and arms by your side.

1. The first thing you need to do is hollow your abdomen and keep your back flat on the bed.

2. Now bend one hip and knee up as far as it’s comfortable.

3. Hold the position for around ten seconds and then bring your leg back down so that your foot is back on the bed.

4. Repeat with the other side.

5. Try to do this three times with each leg and repeat it three times a day.

All the best,

Here are some simple instructions to perform the pelvic tilt. You should start all exercises by lying with your head on a pillow, knees bent and feet shoulder width apart and arms by your side.

1. The first thing you should do is hollow your abdomen, tighten your pelvic floor muscles and flatten your lower back in the bed as your pelvis tilts.

2. You should breathe normally and hold position for about three seconds before releasing gently.

3. Repeat this up to ten times and for three times a day.

4. The pelvic tilt exercise is brilliant for maintaining your abdominal muscle strength. It’s also great for easing back pain and correcting posture. You can develop this exercise by performing it in the sitting, standing or kneeling position.

All the best,