The start of my equestrian fitness journey | OT Vlog

We are documenting the whole journey from the very start!
I wanted to show you guys the process of improving my nutrition and fitness as a professional rider. To be totally honest I definitely let this all slide during lockdown. I wasn't exercising (just riding) and I was eating a very unhealthy diet that wasn't fueling my body.
So I thought seeing as I am starting from scratch again why not take you along the journey with me. This video is the introduction and I would love to hear what you want to see from my journey.

[@falconk9]

I'm an older adult (you know, over 22...) I really struggle with exercise routines. I have a room in my house with a stationary bike, pilate mat, hand weights, ankle weights, resistance bands etc. Everytime I open instagram and see Helen Langehanenberg working out or doing vaulting...I'm like, yes, I need to do more...but alas, I get busy and tired. I do tend to fall off the wagon when I get ill. I had my 2nd covid shot and got 36 hours of "express covid" symptoms which sent me backwards. My other excuse is that I have been doing (yes me) our spring projects on the farm, leveling the stalls and barn isle, installing irrigation for my arena/round pen, electricity to my barn (currently using extension cords) and my sheep are also lambing. Oh almost forgot, I work full time from home as well lol. So I'm not "lazy" but it is hard to get motivated to work out when you body is saying "enough already". I promise I will start back with my pilates, I always feel better when I'm getting my 20 min-1 hour routine in.

[@dooz8567]

Start with just one thing, 5 mins, do something simple, push ups, if you force yourself to do a small quick thing, you’ll start to create a habit (month of a daily thing will create a habit) and then you’ll start to feel like working out and the day won’t feel “complete” without it and then you’ll start to be able to do more and more!

[@princesslola1234]

Don’t listen to people putting you down about sharing this stuff. It probably just makes them feel bad because they are insecure. Great job!

[@amandawalsh7115]

'Even though it's the first day, can I be bothered.......' LMAO That is so me at the moment!

[@emilywequestrian519]

yay I want to start getting stronger to ride more technically so this video was very inspiring

[@inkwhiskers9948]

I started my rider fitness last week and oh I really am out of shape, but it makes me feel so much better. Exercise improves my mental health so much! I never used to be a fitness person (like seriously not) but it just makes the rest of my day so much happier. It's crazy. Plus I really want to get better at riding.

[@JB-uc5qp]

bloody good on you for documenting this and NOT being obsessed with how you look in just your nickers I am proud of you Olivia. x

[@Jenniferjanelaw]

I really resonate with so much of what you are talking about and thank you for sharing this. Fair play on sharing this journey, you are inspiring.

[@Sammyjayne3313]

I've watched this video and the updates several times. It keeps me motivated and grounded its inspired me to get up and go again. Your becoming my inspiration, I'll forever be greatful to you and your videos ❤

[@clairepark751]

Thank you...its great see how the process starts......its motivated me to shift my focus on myself & start something similar!

[@amandadickson9923]

Such a helpful video, thank you for showing us your journey. Love your vids

[@marta.r.correia]

Hi Olivia! 😊I have just recently found your channel and I'm loving your videos! Thank you for sharing this journey with us, I can only imagine how vulnerable you feel sharing it. I 100% understand everything you said about how you feel and I think that this can actually help some of us! I'm not a professional rider (I wish!!!) and I have a very difficult and challenging horse, I have reached a point where I absolutely need to better myself physically to become a better rider for him and make progress. So, it felt like serendipity that you posted this video just at a time when I've been thinking about this so much! Again, thank you!!! You gave me the kick I needed to actually start... I'm sure this time you'll stick to it better and manage to make it into a long lasting change in your life 💪🤗

[@amandawilson1426]

Bravo!!!! 👏🏻 Thank you for sharing your fitness journey. It takes a lot of courage to be this vulnerable. Slow and steady wins the race. Also I bet you will be so astounded by how flexible and strong you become 💪🏻 🏋️‍♂️ physically and mentally. Such an important part of self care ❤️ go you!!!

[@biggothepiggo]

Go Olivia! This is awesome. I'm excited to follow your journey! Very inspiring and insightful.

[@amberrose7023]

What a great vlog! Thank you for sharing Olivia! I started my fitness journey when lockdown started in the US last March and have seen great results! Like you, I didn’t need to lose weight, but wanted to get toned, feel better, and improve my mindset. A year later, I can say it has been so worth it and has become part of my daily routine. Still working on the nutrition part though, lockdown snacks are hard to resist lol!

[@AnskuT11]

Good self reflecting and wise thoughts. There is no quick and easy way. Keep the goal in mind ☺️ greetings from finland!

[@estherthomson1367]

Thanks for sharing Olivia, your doing an amazing job and taking good care of yourself and your body. Looking forward to the next one!

[@greypilot]

Thanks for sharing I have been struggling to get back on the wagon myself. I find it especially hard when my weight goes up a bit and I feel bad because I don’t want it to effect my riding and the comfort of my horse. I’m totally inspired to get my steps in now, please keep making more vlogs like this.

[@calanleyendecker8369]

I can totally relate to a lot of your journey. One thing that always gets me is the muscle soreness from heavy training can make me feel less confident in the saddle especially when my green horse gets up to hijinks! Please share your muscle soreness/riding experience. Thanks! 💕 from New Zealand 🐎

[@boomama72]

My feelings about this is that anytime you do the workout helps. Not being consistent every single day or week etc just means you are human and life gets in the way! It’s the commitment to always wanting to be your best that counts. You are doing great!!

[@jessicahulbert4210]

This is great thanks for sharing. Very motivating for a mum of 2 who's getting back in to riding completely after 5plus years out x

[@poppykempster8217]

This was awesome I’ve also just started going to the gym for the exact same reasons as you good luck and please keep posting it really helpful as I loose motivation so easily.

[@juliajulesiscool684]

Another inspiring vlog 👌🏼 just reading the comments already and look how many are feeling motivated 💕🙌🏻

[@xxemzybeexx]

Amazing im just startinv my fitness overhaul cant wait for next one ❤❤❤

[@mbf938]

Thank you for this! Important as a rider and an athlete to consider our own fitness and nutrition :)

[@sermoneforrest2776]

Olivia, do what you need to do for you. Don’t listen to haters. Press block or delete. I know you have a problem with doubt, just remember you are an amazing young lady with a packed schedule. You do you and be proud. You are human we all start something and go off and on again. When your happy you shine. Good luck with it all. 🌟🌟 p.s. can you do some for me🤣

[@Lietjesmarket]

Yes get in shape! And you always have moments you have more motivation to work out and time you don't and do not work out either. It is quite normal. But well done! You look great with or without the workout 😘

[@lizlavoie5672]

Thank you sharing this. This is really, really helpful. You have motivated me to to restart my working out, it’s has been a struggle. I would love to know about the nutrition plan you are doing and what sort of exercises you are doing. Basically I would like to know all the deets. Lol. I’m proud of you! You have made so much progress already! 💕💕

[@sazandraaa]

To your point on 11.22 on lifestyle.. you really just need to find a form of exercise that excites you the most and something you enjoy doing as a form of stress relief. This is what you’ll always come back to because after a while even when we see results we become complacent with fitness. Listen to your favourite music try find which workouts agree with your mind and body the most 😊 it doesn’t have to be boring and monotonous ! x

[@rowanstaden-coats8157]

Its totally normal to go through phases and motivation cycles!! The most important thing is that you start and do it at least for a while! So much better to do something, than nothing! Good for you! Would also highly recommend the sweat app and pilates for deep core strength, im using it to improve my riding fitness too!

[@lisajames4150]

Love it. Thank you for sharing.

[@irenecoermann2439]

Don't feel bad about the wall sets, they are HARD!!! I started a regular routine two years ago and the number one motivation was the improvement I felt in my riding. Not sure if you are going to have that since you are an amazing rider already but watch for it, maybe there will be small things. And don't fret if you fall off the wagon, we all do. Just start again without guilt. Looking forward to seeing your journey. We all struggle with is. PS I am probably older than your Mom 😂

[@larrissadillon5964]

I don’t know if you’ll see this because I’m a few weeks late to comment but thank you so much for being so real and relatable. You’re such an inspiration

[@egankuys6958]

FIRST! HEHEHEHEEHEH I LOV UR VIDS WITH A PASSION

[@gretagiannoccaro4811]

If people watch this video and feel bad about themselves, don't blame Olivia! She's trying to be the best version of herself, if that upsets you it's probably because you know that you're not. ❤️

[@kez10011]

Best advice I got about making exercise habits is quit before you hate it. For example I used to do distance running but I’ve fallen out of loving it. So now if I get a notion for a run I go but I stop when I want. Equally what I do is set really tiny goals - so try and do 10 easy minutes but I can quit when I want. I’ve discovered a love for Barre workout just now but I listen to my body and say that I’m doing this to be strong and healthy 😀 it’s my self care time and my motto for this year is nourish don’t punish x

[@alexbuchanan4351]

Thank you for this,great motivation

[@renatatotth6184]

Cheering for you reaching your goal! I'm so glad it is not weight loss but achieving better feelings in your skin! :D

[@renatatotth6184]

And absoultely good way to strat work out again after ~year. Start and then build it up :D

[@emilydean1202]

Love this ❤️

[@christinemartindale8715]

Good for you Olivia I hate wall squats don’t do them anymore at my age walking and stretching is enough I also swim when our pool is open. Your young and fit riding all your horses alone as I use to be when I was young. Enjoy it just don’t burn yourself out with all the riding you also do plus mucking out grooming etc etc. Good luck.tfs😎

[@HossEquineVT]

This is great! Thank you for sharing! I am struggling with starting myself. I am always making it too complicated to start and then I ditch the whole thing in no time.

[@OliviaTowersDressage]

i’ve done this so many times!

[@lolaburns6232]

Well done! Ignore people who are negative about getting fit/losing weight....They just don't want to better themselves(and it makes them uncomfortable that they aren't doing it themselves). I lost weight and my riding got so much better, I got fitter and could ask for more. Obviously you don't need to lose weight you look great now :) I'd love to see a "what I eat in the day" love your vlogs.

[@carlyfenton-wyrick1560]

Thanks for sharing! I actually am curious what exercises are best to compliment riding (my psoas is always very tight, so I don't want to reinforce it being tight). I've also been getting started working out recently, I find it really helps with my balance in the saddle. Now I'm motivated to keep going!

[@lakkess3889]

Your amazing - so excited to follow your journey with you! Would recommend ‘Nutra Check’ for recording food and exercise etc (even has approx guide to burning Calories in certain horse riding activities) Helped me lose my ‘squidgey bits!’ Just shows you how many cals your food is and the breakdown of Macros and allows you to set your own goals etc Enjoy your fitness journey X

[@lauradewitt158]

On the same journey. With you all the way from North Carolina! Can't wait to feel more comfy in my riding pants. Less around the middle is my goal! I'm vegetarian and generally aiming to hit a good balance with fats and proteins daily and less empty carbs.

[@alisonbates5125]

Inspired to start something 🥰💪💪

[@kiwi_cornish_dream1421]

Thank you for sharing your weight gives me so much reason to do this along with you

[@AuroraInbag]

Thank you so so much

[@OliviaTowersDressage]

will ask liv if she is happy with this

[@AuroraInbag]

@@OliviaTowersDressage That would be absolutely amazing. But I totally get if she doesn't want to share too many details. It is after all her livelyhood.

[@samponies5714]

Love this 🐴today some people at school were being horrible because I put on a little bit of weight over lockdown 🐴this really cheated me up 🐴🐎

[@Karrolicious]

I’m so sorry to hear that other people were making you feel down. Remember that you are beautiful no matter which weight you’re at or what other people are saying 🌸

[@samponies5714]

I just ignore them an do wats best 🐴

[@CaseyDaneDressage]

Please keep doing these! Love seeing your journey and progress 😊 I think you should talk about the importance of eating enough calories! For experience 1200 calories is enough food for someone with an office/desk job, however an active person can eat up to 2000 or more calories to lose weight, it’s different for every person and life style which I think is important to note! 😊

[@OliviaTowersDressage]

yes!! I am on 2000 and losing weight so it’s important to get that right x

[@karo698]

love

[@crystalhaynes7725]

Hi Olivia, I think you did a great job with the exercises! Your form was pretty good! Ps where do you get your horse hoodies from? I love them!

[@ambercurry5508]

love this. what core strength excises do you do as a rider!

[@maslynl.6258]

I broke a vertebrae last year and lost a lot of my physical strength and health. I’m just getting back into exercise and working to be healthier so that I can ride again. It’s a huge challenge and it’s so daunting right now! We’re in this together!!

[@OliviaTowersDressage]

let’s do this together x

[@izzymason7159]

First🥰

[@livarr9427]

This has really motivated me :) just be honest because your doing it for you no one else xx

[@izzymason7159]

You are so amazing wow 🥰

[@equinelaura1369]

I’ve started trying to get back to where I was before the pandemic

[@littlerascaleventing]

Personally I find that I have to find exercises that I tolerate really well, even like doing. For instance, I hate doing plank exercises. But Pilates work real good for me.

[@yoicapellaers782]

i also have this up/down periods. I leep it up for a while and then around my period i eat sm. I hate the way i look right now and it srsly makes me sad. ://

[@obsessionofhorses]

Could u describe how u feel through visualisation and maybe pictures of how u look?

[@theonethatgotaway680]

Cheering you on! You got this. Remember one step at a time and don't be hard on yourself x By the way have i missed something and don't you live at your house anymore/

[@OliviaTowersDressage]

my brother is living there whilst he finds a home ♥️

[@irenecoermann2439]

And don't worry about what may or may not happen 9 months from now. That takes away from the accomplishment today. Please share your nutrition plan! 😁

[@wntrwhte]

I'd love for you to address the feeling that you're never doing enough - by the time you think about getting enough vitamins, drinking enough water, protein/fats/carbs/greens/whatever, do the workouts, get it all in, it's just sometimes so exhausting. Maybe worse if you also have a desk job plus trying to ride 2-3 horses to be able to be good enough to compete, etc. People make doing all this look so easy and it's really not, so I'd love for you to show that side of it.

[@OliviaTowersDressage]

Amen to that!!!

[@scarletmurphy1234]

hiya olivia ! who is your PT and how do you find her on social media !Xx

[@OliviaTowersDressage]

Liv Sheldon PT - Pop that into insta x

[@maryross6339]

When is the best time to work out? I always struggle to find this. Is it best to work out 1hr before you eat or does that not matter

[@OliviaTowersDressage]

i really don’t think it matters lovely ♥️

[@kippen64]

I also want to be healthier. To practice some self discipline. Maybe you could aim for fitness performance goals instead of of appearance goals? Personally, I am only going for a weight because I am too heavy for my horse and also to be in my intended powerlifting class. So my weight goal is a performance goal. Success is built from habits built up slowly.

[@Pearcefarming]

Have you now moved back home Olivia from the house you brought?

[@zetaheld4400]

Firstly, stop pandering to all the snowflakes out there. You don't need to justify yourself all the time. If they're offended that's their issues and they can feck off. Secondly, you are going through all the endless diets and exercise fads that all us women go through our life. They never work or last because they're boring and restrictive. It's taken me almost 30 years to realise I failed because it was always a Chore and I needed to find something that I loved, enjoyed and was fun, which just so happened to get you fit at the same time. Your horse riding is your passion and fun time so why not use that as part of your exercise by doing something extra like cross country riding, gymkhana etc all these are high energy fat burning riding. I have found a love of cycling. You get to discover the beautiful countryside around where you live, you get further than just running, you can have breathers on the downhills and you are having a full body workout plus burning loads of calories. Anyway, love your vids, your face jibs and honesty. Chin up and don't pander to the haters x

[@realisticequestrian8229]

Can I watch this without being triggered? Honest question.

[@agnes9234]

depends, she talks a lot about struggles which we’ve all got.

[@realisticequestrian8229]

@@agnes9234 so that's a no then

[@avonwoodequestrian2685]

When did fitness and nutrition become attributes of just vanity? Why shouldnt you exercise to get healthy and strong? Why does anybody get to have an opinion on your body/body image/self esteem? If anyone criticizes your choice to work out, tell them to work harder on themselves before 'fixing' others.

[@livarr9427]

I thought this .. she seems like she isn’t saying what she actually wants to or how she actually feels or why she personally wants to do it because she is scared of how people will react :(

[@OliviaTowersDressage]

oh this is a sad truth!! I was so scared after being told I am harming young people with eating disorders of issues with body image. But in the second vlog I get more comfortable. It’s very hard after many negative comments when I shared this in the past x

[@avonwoodequestrian2685]

@@OliviaTowersDressage if they already have eating disorders, you arent harming them. They are harming themselves. You cant cause eating disorders in others, they already have underlying body image/self worth issues. Personally, I find too many people living unhealthy lifestyles and justifying it as "I'm think I'm normal, so you must not be. Let me tell you what I think...." or "you doing better makes me feel bad when I dont even try, let me stop you from trying..."