Since finding fame on reality TV series The Only Way Is Essex more than a decade ago, Mark Wright has built a career spanning sport, fitness and presenting.
He found a passion for sharing his workouts online during lockdown and now the 36-year-old runs fitness and healthy lifestyle coaching platform and app Live Wright with his brother Josh. He lives in Essex with his wife, actress Michelle Keegan.
We caught up with him to talk about winter motivation, how he finds balance, and why he now enjoys cold, rainy runs.
What advice would you give people to stay motivated to work out during this time?
“Now that summer is over and we're all bundled up in our coats with no vacation plans and Christmas is just around the corner when everyone wants to feast, it's so easy to fall off the bandwagon. And I We all live our lives with the idea of “New year, new me'' in mind. But for me, I think it's essential to get to work now. That way, you can get a head start. That means you can relax during the festive period and come January, you'll be ahead of the curve.
“So don't be one of those people who lies in bed without setting your alarm just because it's dark and everyone else is doing it. Remember how you feel after you're done. [a workout], I know this is the hard part, but once the new year comes, it will get easier. So, set yourself a challenge – you will pass it! ”
Surviving the winter can seem a bit difficult mentally.
“Yeah, that's one of the reasons why I try to keep up my training and feel good, because this time of year is a little tough and to counteract the fact that there's no sun coming through the window. “Get up.
“We should also try to enjoy the good things this time of year, like relaxing on the sofa and watching a Christmas movie or enjoying a roast dinner on Sunday.”
Do you try to spend time in nature while it’s still bright outside?
“Yes, I used to not be able to go for runs in the winter and would always train in the gym, but now I feel excited after work, putting on a woolen hat in the cold and breathing some real air. ” Get some fresh air and go for a run. I was running in the rain the other morning and it was so much fun!
“I think the important thing is to adapt mentally to the situation we're in. It's about staying on top of your fitness game and your health.” [physical] Health is also very important for mental health. For me, if I'm not training, not eating properly, and not feeling good, it's not good for me mentally. My training keeps me on the straight and narrow. ”
It's easy to fall into an “all or nothing” mindset when it comes to exercise. What advice do you have for people who think it's best not to worry about not being completely successful?
“Exactly. It doesn't have to be all or nothing. I'm a big believer in balance and doing everything in moderation. I've been sick many times, You have to climb a high hill. To be honest, I'm in that situation right now. Many of us stay fit during the summer, but the truth is that I In the meantime, I don't need it for my mental health, because I have lots of fun things to do, like go to beer gardens and go out with friends.I felt happy, so I fell off my gym routine a bit.
“So I have to really go uphill, doing extra training and extra runs, and I don't like that. What I like is that throughout the year, I get to the positives of being comfortable and feeling good.” It's about reaching yourself. And you don't have to train that much, just maintain it. The best training for me is to maintain it. Exercise as much as possible, several times a week, and do it all in moderation. please.
