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!