5k...Kilometres or Kermit the Frog?

Well, it has been a while since my last post, so I wont lie to you...I have been naughty. After being ill for a week, I went on holiday, I have been going to the gym, but not hitting it half as hard as normal. I suppose it is still better than sitting on the sofa eating junk food though.

I went to the gym last night with a friend of mine. We met about a year ago, because my sister text me one day and asked if I would go to a class, or the gym, or something with her friend because she wanted to get fit and lose weight. Having been there myself, I know how daunting and intimidating this is. Of course I was happy to help. Poor lass hasn't been able to get rid of me since! We have done classes together but I don't think we have ever just worked out together.

This is why last nights session was an eye opener. She has done so well in her venture in fitness!  And she has has a completely different regime to me. She runs...A LOT! I weight train (or I did before my holiday! ha ha)

I have always liked the idea of running. It looks enjoyable, it is handy if you are in a rush (or being chased by zombies) and it is good for you. So why has it taken me 2 years of going to the gym before I try it? Because when I run, I look like Kermit the Frog ice skating! I have always put it down to being flat footed, but even so, I would shame Phoebe from Friends!

When I started at the gym, I struggled to balance walking on the treadmill. Over time, I have improved my balance and my running posture (I hope) resulting in a new beginning! Last night I ran 5K!!!!

I have done this before, years ago, when I was a teenager, I used to do Race for Life every year. It took me weeks of training to achieve it and even then I reluctantly jogged half of it while my friend and sister spurred me on!

Last night however, I just got on the treadmill and ran! Yes I know that it is different to running outside, but it is a start! A start that I am very happy with...even if my hips aren't today!

Now I am looking forward to helping her lift!

How to gym with the better half

Well, I took the fella to the gym with me this week. He wants to get fit and I fully support him, as he has me over the last couple of years. He has always been the fitter one out of the two of us. He loves sport and is a great team player, he is doing really well. Of course he didn't realise just how fit and competitive I have become until this...

Wow, she is scary at the gym. As harsh as it sounds, I didn't expect her to work this hard! I don't know why because she has done so well on her weight loss venture. I guess I have always been the sportier of the two of us...I think.

I should start by saying I am incredibly proud of her for changing her ways. But I never realised how competitive she was before we started to go to the gym together! There I am, trying to be the big man and she doesn't even give me opportunities to breathe between reps! Let's just say I have been aching for 2 days now and counting.

I am a stickler when gymming. What is the point in going onto a machine if you are not going to do anything? I think that this is something that he has learnt this week. Between reps I make him trade machines with me. I don't think that he appreciates that. But he will in the long run...I hope.

She has bigger guns them me! Where did they come from? I realised whilst she was on the "boobie  squisher" (yes, she names all of the machines with quirky things she will remember rather than learning the actual names)

Awkwardly enough he laughed at me when I pushed myself with the...oh I can't remember the machines real name! But in my defence, it's not a real work out unless you pull a poo face at some point!

Where does she get off telling me I am doing machines wrong? I let her think that she wears the trousers at home but not in the gym when I am going out of my way to be manly!

I am better with weight training than cardio. I begrudgingly go on the treadmill looking like Kermit the frog, next to the gliding, ginger gazelle that I live with! 

So what have we learnt when gymming together? 
Go to the gym with the best intentions but avoid competitive behaviour...It always starts of as banter...then she shows you up!

It gave me a chance to prove myself. He knows I go to the gym but not how hard I work! On some level, it pushed me, feeling that I needed to prove I knew what I was doing. I think if we went again, we would know what to expect, what each other is capable of and enjoy it more than see it as a competition.

But what do we know? We are just in ReFlab

Family Fitness

People say "if you want to get fit you make time for it"

I disagree. Since beginning this adventure, I have learnt:

1. Only a clock maker can make time
2. It becomes more of a habit to squeeze in a cheeky gym sesh.
3. Rushing around and juggling the rest of your life so that you can get to the gym becomes second nature

What is the point in keeping fit and healthy? For me, it was and still is to lose weight. But after yesterday, I saw my mother. We went on an adventure to Dalby Forest and had a great family day out. My mother is asthmatic and she only started working out a couple of years ago. But I saw how adventurous she is because she is active and healthy.

It made me realise that fitness is no longer just for vanity for me. I want to be able to keep up with my grandchildren when I reach 50! To hike in the woods and have so much fun!

Whilst having this fun, adventurous day out, would you believe that I walked 12.5km! That is almost 8 miles! And to think I felt guilty about not going to the gym that morning! So yes, for me, I enjoy the gym and that is a large part of my fitness, but this was a splendid team event, with a great team! My family!

And as you can see, I still had energy to play at the end!  

Five reasons to go to the Front

I went to Body Combat last week for the first time in months! I have missed it loads! Or that is what I thought when I went in! Not so much when I left!

I was sweating so much that when I had to do push ups, my hands slipped and I may... or may not have face-planted the floor. The newly discovered calluses on my hands did not help with grip! And of course, I was on the front row!

I always try and go to the front of a class for the following reasons:

I can see the instructor
What is the point in going to the gym and doing it wrong? If exercise is not done correctly, it will not benefit your body and could actually cause more bad than good. Therefore I recommend going to the front, especially if you are new! Yes, people see my mistakes but they also see me laughing at myself when I lose my balance!

Eyes are on you 
I feel on display, but this means that I push myself more to keep up

I cant see people stop behind me 

I am competitive! It is a great way to get motivated. But if I see people around me stop, then what is the point in pushing myself more? It's almost like I trick myself into thinking that they are doing more than me, then I will really push myself more, believing that I am just trying to keep up with them. When actually they could be doing absolutely anything behind!

I have more space because everybody else fights for the back of the class 

People congregate at the back. And I am a creature of habit! Therefore I like to have "my spot". It is highly childish but it is true (and don't pretend I am the only person that does this!)

Self Pride 

It is a great confidence builder. When I started, I was nervous about going to the gym alone, but the more I go to the front, the more confident I have become, because I have forced myself into the deep end so to speak.

Then again, what do I know? I'm just in ReFlab

Healthy pizza

So last week, I fell off the fitness band wagon! Now I could pretend it didn't happen, but that would be dishonest of me. The truth is, I was busy and had plenty keeping me occupied! This is when the binging creeps in. Something I like to call "The Flab Tyre - the cycle of obesity" 

Step 1: It begins with a off day, unable to make it to the gym as planned, you rearrange.

Step 2: You complete the commitments that caused you to miss the gym, but somehow you are now mentally drained so it is another write off, going to bed early and trying to recuperate.

Step 3: Feeling like you have already let yourself down, you buy a harmless bar of chocolate that spirals into more. Because you have eaten so much, you feel too lethargic to work out.

Step 4: BEWARE I call this day "Gym PMS" (P****d Miffed and Snappy) You feel like you have let yourself down. You have not had the endorphins in your system for a few days now and people should not cross you at this time. It is like actual PMS 10 fold!

Step 5: Comfort eat because you were so nasty to people yesterday and you are going to the gym tomorrow.

Step 6: Two choices, you either start the cycle again or this is the last chance you have to get back on it before you forget how good the gym makes you feel, how healthy you feel by eating better and how happy you feel overall.

This is one of my favourite recipes to get me back in check:

Healthy Pizza

This makes a great children's activity, it is quick, easy and so tasty!!!

Inspired by the Hairy Bikers Pizza, this is a yummy way to feel like you are having a treat, but it is still better than getting a pizza for take away on a Friday night!

Original Recipe can be found here: 

https://www.hairybikersdietclub.com/recipes-tips/recipes/prosciutto-and-vegetable-flat-bread-pizza/

My spin on it:

• Base - wholemeal wrap
• Sauce - tomato puree  (though it tastes amazing with BBQ sauce)
• Toppings - Chick peas or chicken with jalapenos, peppers, cheese! (though you can put whatever you like on, be cautious because you only have a thin base).

Method:

1. Place the wrap on an oven tray
2. Spread the desired sauce on the base
3. Add your desired toppings
4. Sprinkle some cheese
5. Cook in the oven for 15-20 mins on 180, until the crust goes crispy

Let me know your favourite toppings!

Arbonne

What's your secret to looking so good?
It's no secret, it's natural!
Oh okay
No...I mean it's all Natural Products! Arbonne!

Launch:
Just got back from meeting with my trainer and one of his friends...I have learnt loads! Over the last few years when slimming down, I have tried different things to help with the aching. Being fit and active is great! But I have worked so hard in a sessions before that I ached for 5 days! Then they enlightened me about Arbonne! Completely natural products, they sell everything from make up to work out shakes! Then they made up a little "feel-goodie bag" to try some of the products.

Day 1:
So this morning, I had the glorious task of waking up at 5am! Oh how lucky I am! But, I used this as an opportunity to see how awake Arbonne can make me feel. I tried a fizz stick. YUM! I expected a typical epherfesant drink, but I actually it tasted like juice. I continued my daily routine using the cleanser, moisturiser and eye cream, by which point I was ready to take on the world!

Day 2:
The night cream is a little too good! I could not get out of bed this morning! I don't know if night creams are meant to aid sleep but it is all I can really think of that I have changed over the last 2 nights and slept like a baby!

As I had a gym session scheduled last night, I thought that it would be a great time to try out some more products! I had the Phytosport prepare work out shake before going to the gym and I was astounded! It tastes like tropical juice! I am used to drinking a pre-workout drink and retching for the latter half due to the bitter taste. I then tried the Phytosport post workout when I got (tastes like strawberry) and I must say...I feel great today!

Normally the day after a work out, I will feel every slight movement, but of course it is usually at its worse 2 days after! So we will see how I feel tomorrow. So far, I am really impressed with this brand!

Day 3:

So far this week I have had two scheduled sessions when normally I only have one. To say that after my Monday session last week, I was aching until Friday, I am not doing too bad. I can feel it a little, but no more than if I went on my own and was reliant on self motivation.

Day 4/5:
Guilty! No gym sessions this weekend but, I have still used the FC5 Range and I love it! I have tried the foundation on a day when I was too hot really to wear it, I thought that I would sweat and my pores would clog, but it actually helped in the sun, being SPF 15.

Day 6:
It has been too hot to gym today! But of course, I pushed myself! Thank God I had a Arbonne Hydration drink whilst working out! I don't think that I could have coped without it!

I love this brand and would recommend it to anyone!

If you want to try it, you can get it from:
www.astonbundy.arbonne.com

30.1 and counting

Really happy with the progress made over the last 4 weeks!

After another knackering session, I reckon I will ache tomorrow! 

I had my 4 week review! I have lost weight but more importantly I have reduced my body fat! My BMI is decreasing. I am still obese at 30.1! My aim is to get to BMI 29.9! Almost at just overweight! WAHOO!

I blame the boobs...yep, it is definitely nature's pillows, they are heavy! Then there is the clown feet that I need in order to balance the pillows! The other day I actually bought men's shoes because they are so giant! I would say that it was a dig to my self esteem, but I got a bargain and one hell of a laugh in the shop with my sister!

So far, I have learnt not to read into weight and BMI. I look more towards body fat and dress size. The harder I work and more I weight train, the more muscle I will gain, and 1kg of fat takes up much more space in comparison to 1kg of muscle because muscle is more dense. Therefore, I am obese, I am a size 12(top)/14 (bottom) and yet I am more confident about my appearance then I have ever been!

But then, what do I know, I'm just in ReFlab

Top 10 tips for gymming

When starting to go to the gym, it can be quite daunting. Effectively, showing how unfit you feel in  front of a large amount of strangers! It's not exactly uplifting! But it should be, you should be able to leave, feeling empowered!

Here are some tips to ensure that you get the most out of your gym session and it runs smoothly and embarrassment free!

Choose a gym buddy wisely:

If you go with a friend, it makes something of a chore feel more of a social event! If you can chat and work it is a great distraction. This may mean that you do not push yourself as much, but your pushing yourself more than a night on the sofa with your friends Ben and Jerry!

Go with someone you can work/compete with, if you have mutual goals, you can encourage each other. Try and make sure you are at a similar level. You don't want to feel inadequate if you cannot keep up with them. If you are unsure, ask a trainer for help creating a plan. Do not rely on friends for this as they could tell you incorrectly and it may disturb them dring their workout. Do not go with someone who stands/sits on a machine talking to you whilst you work...they are out there to frustrate you!

DON'T wear light grey/white jogging bottoms! 

I heard a story about a girl once...ahh who am I kidding! Learn from my mistakes! I was on the treadmill and a guy was sat on a machine behind me, obviously staring at my buttocks. I carried on running with a confidence boost of "I still got it!" Until I went to the toilet and I had sweat so much that it looked like I had wet myself! Talk about an awkward jog home!

Take a flannel/face cloth with you:

A towel is too big to carry around everywhere and it gets in the way. The paper towels that are provided will dry your skin and make your face sore.

Don't wear make up:

If you can go to the gym in make up and leave looking just as beautiful, you're not working hard enough! If you like your brows and eyeliner, be careful it will go everywhere when sweating. 

Be comfortable in your clothes

Walk/jog to the gym if it's a nice day

Monitor your progress

The more you keep track of your own achievements, the more you will push yourself next time to beat it. Yes there is the everyday pen and paper, but it's a pain to carry around the gym with you! There is so much technology to suit the fitness lifestyle these days. I have a Fitbit and I love it! However, it is a lot to spend on a piece of equipment if you are going to give up in a months time.

My brother came up with a great idea! He set up a spreadsheet accessible on his phone so that he could monitor his progress in different things. Then he could review it at his convenience. It doesn't matter what statistics you record, so long as they are continuous and it shows your improvements as the weeks go on.

Sports bras are a must

Unless you want black eyes the next day!

Have a play list ready

To run/work to a beat enables regularity all over the body. It is also a great distraction to how tired you feel. CAUTION: Do not sing along to your music in the gym, nobody else can hear it...they just hear you!

The day after the day after is always the worst

Say you exercise on a Monday and wake up Tuesday, thinking you feel okay. Don't be fooled, Wednesday is when it becomes apparent! I am not sure if this is just my body telling me to get back to the gym, or whether it is repairing itself and begging me to stop.

What do I know? I'm just in ReFlab

Welcome to ReFlab

I went into fashion so that I could make people feel better about themselves. I used to believe that there was no issue that a beautiful pair of stilettos couldn’t solve. After I graduated, I soon realised that was no longer the case. I had ballooned from a size 12 to an 18 and was still growing. When I returned back to my home town, someone actually asked me if I was expecting. I went to my GP because I was waking up in the night with leg pains. I was told that there was nothing that they could do until I was no longer obese.

As you can imagine, no shoes in the world could make me feel better about those comments. What else could I do but cry to my big sister? Who, as sympathetic as she was explained the following:

• If you are happy, does it matter how you look?
• If you are not happy, get off your behind and make changes
• Do it for yourself! Not for the people who judge you on it

We began T25 that day. It killed my knees, but if the doctor wouldn’t help me, I had to do it myself! My sister completed every routine with me, every day for weeks! Just to push me, to motivate me, so that I could be happy! After we completed the challenge I had become a size 14 on top, 16 on the bottom! Wahoo! But was it enough? I was still considered obese.

I began to take some fitness classes at my local gym with a friend, too afraid to go alone. I started with Les Mills Body Combat. It was awesome! I went with a friend weekly and started going to Body Balance shortly after. But as the year roled on, Christmas came around, I stopped losing and started maintaining. But...not putting on!!!

Then it happened, my parents bought me a membership pass at the gym for Christmas. Safe to say, this present has changed my life!

At a size 12-14, I am still considered to be obese. I am on my way to being statistically overweight. I will achieve this at my own pace in a healthy manner. I want to help others to do the same...

Of course, I am no expert... I'm just in ReFlab!