No Excuses Series: with Event Leader, Katie Redhead

In this edition of our No Excuses Series, we hear from Katie Redhead who recently came on board as Event Leader for Tour de Office. During our chat with Katie, she shared how she keeps herself motivated to maintain an active and healthy lifestyle. 

Tell us about yourself and what you do.

Following 8 years in the events industry, November will be my second month in the role of Event Leader… and I’m loving it! This role involves managing the Tour de Office event for Healthy Workplaces, as well as planning client and industry events for Scout Talent. To make these events happen, I am supported by and work with many amazing people. Collaborating with lots of stakeholders is a part of my role that is really enjoyable.

What does your average day of being active look like? 

My partner and I spend our mornings together in the kitchen preparing yummy and healthy meals for the day. Breakfast is usually eggs and avocado on toast, with a delicious hot cup of coffee from the Breville machine (my most prized possession). From there, I’m off to work where it usually gets pretty busy but I do make a conscious effort to take a lunch break to stretch my legs and get some Vitamin D. 

I am very grateful to work for a group who supports the health and wellbeing of its employees. We use standing-desks in the office so I try to spend part of my day standing up – although I would like to achieve longer periods of standing in the future. In addition, there is an in-office yoga group that I participate in once a week for an hour.

After work, 5 days a week, I will go to the gym to either do some Olympic Weightlifting or a CrossFit class. Training normally takes 2 – 2.5 hours, so after that, it is pretty much home, cook, clean, and go to sleep. All that weightlifting makes me tired!). 

How do you stay motivated and continue to do this (nearly) every day?

I have stuck to this routine for about 5 years now so it is pretty much habit. But that’s not to say that some afternoon’s I don’t feel like going straight home to relax or catch up on housework or emails. I try to keep in mind how I feel after eating well and exercising. No matter how tired or stressed I am, I know that I will always feel better after a workout. 

Olympic Weightlifting and CrossFit are both sports too, which I think is key to staying motivated. Being a sport, you have teammates and a coach who checks in on you if you miss a few sessions in a row. You also have competitions to work towards and goals to meet that helps get you to training. My partner also trains at the same gym so it is something we enjoy doing together.

What do you find the most challenging about keeping an active and healthy lifestyle?

It’s very time-consuming! I sometimes think of all the things I could achieve if I gave up sport… but that’s not going to happen anytime soon.

When did this routine begin? And why?

My routine of working out regularly started about 5 years ago. That is when I first started training in Olympic Weightlifting, and I become really addicted, really quickly. It was the first sport I participated in after high school, and it was the challenge of getting better at particular skills and movements that kept me going back. I found that to be very motivating.

Do you ever change it up?

Not really. If I am sick or injured, I will always listen to my body and give it a rest. Otherwise, I’m pretty content with the routine I have going at the moment.

What is your tip for others? 

If possible, join a sport or make working out as social as possible. Having other people involved can help you to feel accountable, and you can motivate one another too.

What is your favourite exercise?

If I have to do cardio, I’ll go for rowing or cycling. I try to avoid running as it tends to result in sore knees. In terms of weights, I’m not fussy but I will make sure there is a lot of variety so that I don’t get bored. Anything that requires a bit of skill or technique is my favourite, as you become so focussed on that, you forget you’re working out!

Read Part 1 of our No Excuses to see how Helen, a mum of nearly three balances work and keeping active. Or Part 2 if you want to know how Alex stays fit and keeps his nutrition in check.

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