Ria Elaina A Spring In Your Step

Ria Elaina Atkins

A Mum’s Life

Let me introduce myself – I’m Ria, Mum of two, married to my handsome hubby. I’m born and bred in my beloved Surrey and spend most of my time between here and London. I’m a handbag and shoe addict and lover of all things luxe.

To find out more about Ria’s luxe lifestyle follow her on Instagram @ria.elaina A SPRING IN YOUR STEP

Ifor one know the importance of exercise and the impact this has on your physical and mental health. You will probably be surprised to know that I used to be a Physiotherapist for 7 years before I had children. I started my rotations in the NHS and worked my way up to a Rehabilitational Specialist in a busy City clinic. I used to love integrating exercise programmes into my patient’s sessions to help them achieve their goals, whether it was to be able to

IN YOUR STEP

run a marathon after a ligament rupture, helping someone walk after a knee replacement or simply eliminating back pain in an office worker. I have always dipped in and out of exercise since having children, but after I discovered I had a large ‘diastasis recti’ after my second child was born, I decided to take exercise seriously.

During pregnancy, as your baby grows, the connective tissue that joins your stomach muscles together widens and thins, creating a gap. The amount of separation can vary. After pregnancy the gap can remain, known as diastasis recti. If you think that you may have this, then I would recommend you have an assessment with a Women’s Health Physiotherapist.

Six Physio are a chain of private practices. They have got some incredible Women’s Health Speciality Physiotherapists who will make a formal assessment and work together with you to rectify the problem and achieve your goals. You may think it’s as easy as doing some sit-ups to strengthen the muscles again, but actually in many cases this can make it worse. I cannot stress enough the importance of seeing someone professional for this before you embark on an exercise programme.

After a small home programme to get the correct muscles working for my diastasis, it was time for me to embark on a more hardcore, sweat induced exercise programme. After extensive research, I have been doing reformer Pilates sessions at U Pilates in Cobham and I am hooked. It gets the endorphins going and helps me work muscles

that I feel have been asleep for years! Pilates is something that I think is the gold standard of all exercise. It is integral in the maintenance of good posture, supporting the joints and of course to strengthen the core. Pilates on a reformer machine is another level and hits muscles that I can guarantee you didn’t know existed! A reformer machine is basically a moving platform with attachments that create resistance to achieve muscle length and strength. Not only do I exercise for health reasons but also to feel and look good ie.

banish the Mum tum! I know I will probably never have a completely flat stomach and I’m totally ok with that, (you know how much of a foodie I am), but my aim is to feel happy, healthy and confident. I like to set myself small, realistic goals, for example, Pilates once a week or feeling confident in a new dress for an upcoming event. This way they are more attainable - and I don’t feel as though I am putting too much pressure on myself.

Another way to boost happiness is simply, seeing friends. Whether you have a select few or you are a social butterfly, I believe that (real) friends are good for the soul. Quality over quantity! For me, it gives a sense of purpose and belonging other than being a wife and mother. I don’t get to see all my friends often, but I believe with a good friend you can simply pick up where you left off and it feels like no time has passed at all.

One Sunday my best friend and I took a road trip to see another dear friend of ours who has bought a new home in the idyllic Cotswolds countryside. After braving storm Eunice on the M40, (believe me that was NOT fun), we arrived at her stunning 200-year-old cottage. We were lucky enough to spend the day together catching up over sushi and wine at Soho Farmhouse where my friend is a member, which is the epitome of laid-back luxury.

Being in beautiful surroundings is always wonderful, but being with friends is just so good for the soul, and certainly puts a spring in my step.

TNEW HOUSE ART SPACE OPENS IN GUILDFORD he Boileroom’s exciting new venture, New House Art Space, opened its doors on Friday 4th February with the ‘Looking Out, Looking In’ exhibition, live music and complementary food & drinks for guests. New House is the new creative and cultural hub in the heart of Guildford with 20 artist studios and a contemporary gallery space on the first floor named after founder Dom Frazer’s grandmother, Davies Gilder who was in attendance to cut the ribbon. There will be a rich variety of practices on display at the space that range from paintings to photography, video, bargello needlework, shoe designs and more.

SWYNTERFEST 2022 hynefest put on a Winter Festival ahead of their big Summer Event to showcase the latest bands and artists to come out of Surrey and the South East. The event, held on 12th February at The Star Inn in Guildford, saw 4 bands: Graham Armfield, Laissez Faire, Bemis and True Deceivers take to the stage to wow the 90-strong crowd of fans. To book tickets to Shynefest on 3rd and 4th June with The Lightning Seeds and 16 top bands see www.shynefest.uk.