Downsizing For Christmas

Pass the Water

2008-11-25T12:37:00.004Z

It's been a hectic week - what with chasing Prince Edward all over Ilfracombe, I just haven't been able to make it into the gym this week - but running up and down all those hills in town is pretty much as good as any workout, I reckon!!
Anyway, between royal visits, Domestic Violence Week and Anti Bullying Day at Ilfraocmbe College, (see this week's Journal folks) - I've (just about) had time to draw breath and reflect about my time at Studio 20 and realise it's quite amazing what you learn while you're pounding the treadmill and heaving those weights!
One of the biggest things I've struggled with has nothing to do with bikes, trteadmills - or even the dreaded cross-trainer - but water intake. It's not that I don't want to get up to two litres a day into me, it's just that I forget and let's face it when you're in the presence of an HRH you don't really want to be running off to find a public toilet every five minutes.
But what really encouraged me in this department was - yep, you've guessed it - Jo - again!!!
She told me WHY it's so important for our bodies to get so much fluid inside them every day - so here goes...
The job of our liver - among other things, is to convert stored fat to energy - that's it's job, but it also has to pick up the slack from the kidneys when they decide they want a Duvet Day. The kidneys need plenty of water to get them out of bed and working properly in the morning - and if they are deprived - poor little mites - they just won't play, and the poor liver will have to do their job as well as its own. Not good.
It means that the liver then doesn't work as efficiently at it's own job of metabolising fat.
So if I don't drink enough water I'm not only being unfair to my liver, I'm also setting myself up to store more fat. Jo reckons that's why so many people who are trying to lose weight will get so far and then stick - or plateau. Something as simple as upping your water intake can give you the little kick-start you need to get back on track - amazing!!!
So pass me the water bottle, I have another mantra to add to my collection - "I'm a fat-burner, not a fat-storer!"

Fighting Fit

2008-11-10T10:59:00.006Z

It didn't take any time at all to get back into the swing of it - I really thought I would be back to square one after having 'time off,' but if anything, it felt a little easier - and I'm really beginning to feel the benefits. I've lost two more pounds - that' s 8 altogether - and my clothes are feeling noticeably looser. But what I love most of all is that I'm actually FEELING so much fitter now!

I'm running up stairs, have boundless energy - and I'm actually looking forward to my three-a-week visits to Studio 20 in Ilfracombe.

I'm loathe to say it's getting easier in case Jo, my amazing training instructor, ups the stakes and gets tougher.

Having said that - and I never thought I would have this in me, but I am actually toughening it up for myself - setting harder targets in the gym when things get a bit too 'easy' - adding a little more weight, or a steeper incline on the treadmill, or faster mileage on the bike.

I'm discovering stuff about me that I never knew I had - a tenacity not to give up, that I'm sure wasn't there before. So yeah, I'm feeling pretty damned smug about the whole thing at the moment - LOOK AT ME - I'M REALLY DOING THIS!!!!

And without wanting to sound too much like a Mutual Appreciation Society - I have to pay tribute and say, it's all down to Jo Walker!

We talked, this week about how she began in the business and it became really clear that the training she gained herself, is now being passed on to the people who come to her gym, here in Ilfracombe.

Talking of the woman who inspired her into her now hugely successful career, Jo said: "She really cared about the people she was training." Jo does this too. I sometines wonder if she realises just how good she is at motivating people. As I've said before, what makes the massive difference between her methods and the perceptions I had before coming to a gym, is that she gives me the mental ability to do this - explaining why this exercise or that, should be done in this way.

Just by shifting a milimetre, she makes me hurt (yes I know Jo, it's a really good hurt) - so that I know I've intensified the exercise and I'm using precisely the muscle she wants me to get at!

This week - a bit more boxercise - at my request - because I absolutely LOVE this - and it was still so much fun!

Then back to the gym where we have been doing more weight work. Jo explained that now the weight is dropping I can start to shape up those muscles so that my shape really begins to change for the better. Lots of upper body work - biceps, triceps - and deltoids - which were very sore the next day.

Oh, and just in case there was any doubt - adn anyone thinks I'm just sat at my desk all day, making this up - we now have the pictures to prove it!!!

I'll Be BACK!!!

2008-11-03T08:57:00.004Z

It's been a while...but I can explain!
Two Sundays ago I put my back out!!! Nothing whatsoever to do with performing complicated boxercise moves at Studio 20 in Ilfracombe - it was simply bending down in my kitchen to get a pan out of the cupboard for Sunday dinner and ping!...ouch!!!! That was it - couldn't stand up comfortably, sitting down was purgatory and driving was impossible! I felt a prize idiot!
Having last week off for half term has compounded matters - I got up bright and early last Monday and was down at Studio 20 by 8.15am, gingerly stepping on the treadmill for the first time since my back went. But it was ok and I did my whole workout - and even followed it up by taking the kids swimming - so was feeling extremely virtuous at the beginning of last week.
Then my Mum came to stay for a few days! We went out - a lot - had lunch out - a lot - and the food diary has gone out the window (although I did make healthier choices from menues than I would have done before I started all this).
So anyhow - I'm back to work today - and back on track. When I went over to Studio 20 last Monday, Shaun said that a lot of people would stop coming to the gym after suffering a back problem - so I felt even more virtuous for going back - AND even more determined not to give up... I could see what he meant though - it was getting very easy to slip back into those comfortable curling-up-by-the-fire habits!!
But to all those nice people who have been so friendly to me in the last few weeks at Studio 20 - I'll be back!!! (Today)! And if anyone is reading this for the first time and would like to accompany me on my fitness 'journey' - I'd welcome the company - so come down to Studio 20. This first session back is going to be a killer!

Boxing is the BEST!

2008-10-17T17:00:00.003+01:00

I think I've found my exercising niche - boxercise is brilliant!!
Pounding those pads with Jo at Studio 20, Ilfracombe, in a one-to-one tutorial was fab - and soooo good for relieving all that pent-up aggression and stress, which would otherwise be heaped upon some unsuspecting work colleague, public punter on the phone - or worse, those nearest and dearest!
No, I absolutely looooooove this!
An excellent workout, says Jo, toning legs, bum, back, sides, abdominals, and shoulders. Learning the correct stance was funny - having to stick your 'tailbone' out and squat down a bit helps you to keep a solid balance (in case someone lands a punch)!!! Then pivoting from the waist without moving legs or feet, unless required, while you jab, hook and uppercut - Jo is a qualified boxercise instructor and showed me how to keep still below the waist and keep all the movement above - her pivoting abdomen reminded me of that new Dyson cleaner with the ball movement!
And boy, did my legs and sides feel sore later - but in a good way.
She and Shaun, another instructor at the gym, then showed me the full extent of this form of keeping fit, incorporating kicks and all the various moves I had learned into a fast pace, but controlled workout. "It's all about control," says Jo. More advanced followers of the regular boxercise classes are not only able to incorporate the kicks, but include the jabs and hooks into sit-ups and step movements! I'm seriously impressed!
Moving swiftly on - lost another 2lbs this week, (yay). I have been keeping a watchful eye on the carbs (apart from a lapse at a christening, which oddly made me feel incredibly sluggish and tired afterwards) and now trying to keep up the higher water intake, which I keep forgetting!
One last note - to anyone who wants to join my 'journey' at Studio 20, which again, Jo helped me to realise, is that it's not easy to fit in some 'me' time when you're a busy, full-time working mum. Jo has been fabulous at fitting me in around my busy work schedule and finding me just the right classes and gym sessions to suit.
She said: "If the kids wanted to start a new dance class or sports club, we'd find the time, but when it comes to ourselves, there's always a pile of ironing to be done or other housework."
So dump the ironing, come on in - and join me for the ride, it's a blast.....

Woo-Hoooooooooooooooooooo

2008-10-10T15:49:00.002+01:00

I've lost 4lbs in my first week!!!! I can't believe it. I know I've worked really hard - but I never thought I'd drop that much so quickly! Brilliant!!! I've had my first week's 'check-up' at Studio 20 in Ilfracombe and you should have seen me - I DANCED around my workout after getting that news.
Well, that's a lie, 'cos first stop was the dreaded cross-trainer - 10 MINUTES! I thought I would die half-way through, but there was Jo at my side again, promising me that I could work through it. New mantra, which she heard one of the guys in the gym telling his nephew, while helping him with weight-training: "THE STRONGEST PART OF YOUR BODY IS YOUR MIND!"
Jo said: "If you give up now, when it is hurting, you might as well give up altogether. Your mind has to be in control, telling your body what to do - not the other way around!" (Luuurve the Wall, Luurve the Wall)!
So we talked about my food plan, about jewellery and a load of other stuff (yes I know you were trying to distract me from the pain, Jo)!
Newly revitalised, and with lots of food tips, after Jo went through my week's food diary - I am ready for anything. I'm lowering my carbs intake, upping the water intake...and, oh yeah - my legs are KILLING me after hitting that Nemesis.
It's the next day - and knowing I won't be going over to the gym today - I'm getting withdrawal symptoms! I'll have to get my 'stepper' out from under the bed after work..I can see how this stuff gets addictive!
Scratch that - I think I've had my workout for the day - rushing around Sainsburys doing The Big Shop in my lunch hour. Check this out:
Mad Trolley Dash (in heels) - calves - tick
Lugging 6-pint milk cartons at the checkout - biceps - tick
Heavy Bags into Boot - and out at other end - abs and biceps - tick
Packing away - abs, arms, legs - tick
Running between shop-home-work - aerobic workout - tick!
Knackered - tick!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oi'm 'Enery the Eighth oi am

2008-10-08T11:26:00.005+01:00

Okay - it's been less than a week since my last post and I've already done a toning class and another session in the gym...and I may revise my opinion on torture chambers!!!
But it's amazing how many friends - and complete strangers - have come up to me with their top tips for surviving. Makes me feel like that chubbiest of Tudor kings surrounded by his advisors.
I always knew this was going to be no walk in the park - not even a jog - but that first class at Studio 20 in Ilfracombe, was another barrier to jump over - and it was a toughie!
But I was delighted to hear, as I tried to keep pace (and balance), Irene Cara's opening chords...yes! 'I'm gonna live forever...' It's going to become my theme tune (alongside my very own 'I-need-to-get-fit-before-I-get-old,' of course).
Music was one of the top tips from my gym-junkie friend and colleague, Chloe: 'Get some positive music on your I-pod to keep you motivated in the gym, when you feel it's beginning to slip - even if it's stuff you may not particularly like, but is by people who look amazing: Geri Halliwell in her 'Raining Men' era, Christina Aguilera, Gwen Stefani..' Great idea thanks Chloe x
In the gym I met a chap called Andy at the weights - he's an old hand and advised about getting through 'The Wall.' I'd only really heard this in reference to marathon runners before - but I knew what he meant: your muscles, when warming up hit a barrier when your body tells you it can't do it (for me that's usually about two minutes in)!! But he said you need to 'trick' your body into getting past that, as it gets easier - and more effective - after that (back to Jo's lactic acid advice). "You need to luuurve The Wall." So that's my new mantra to go with my new theme tunes...Luuuurve The Wall!"
But most of all, there's Jo - she is so amazing at getting me motivated - and really EXPLAINING what everything meant during that first class.. Why we need to lean back just one more inch on those abdominal exercises, or push that hip forward when lying on our sides and lifting a leg - just the slightest adjustment and it really hits the spot and works the exact muscle she wants to get at - this girl knows what she's talking about!!! Getting a mental understanding really works for me in the motivational stakes.
In the gym Jo pops in and out between classes to check on me - but I get to try out those buttons and lights for myself - yes I'm flying those babies solo this time. It was also amazing how effective it was to see Jo's head appear round the door, out of the corner of my eye, at the precise moment I was considering giving up that final treadmill tread - it's uncanny - how DOES she DO that?
Sooo tired the next day - had gone from the gym straight into an evening council meeting. It was a long day and the following day was DEADLINE for the paper. I could hardly keep my eyes open! But here comes Chloe with more top tips - have something for lunch, on days like that, which releases energy slowly, like a rice-based meal, to keep you going through to the evening - brilliant, must try that!
Onwards and upwards - two classes back-to-back tonight - come and join me if you feel the urge - I'd appreciate the support!

Remember My Name...Fame!

2008-10-01T15:48:00.005+01:00

I've never been near a gym before. It's an adrenalin-fuelled fairground ride that I've always managed to avoid, thankyou very much. A place full of lycra-clad bodies toned to within an nth of their lives. No, exercise is for darkened, curtain-drawn lounges, in front of a 'Salsacise' dvd - where no-one can see you sweat!!!!
So when Jo Walker, diva of the Studio 20 gym in Ilfracombe told me for the millionth time that it wasn't at all like that and I really should give it a go, it was just that nudge too far. Sitting on my chair-shaped a**e at a desk all day is doing it, and me, no good whatsoever.
And as time creeps by, I REFUSE point blank to disintegrate into one of those bent old ladies who can barely pick up a spoon to feed themselves. (It's a long way off by the way, just in case you're wondering) But I need to get fit before I get old...Hmmm that sounds like a song...pass the whiskey junior...
So, the night before Gym Day saw me restlessly tossing and turning - flashing images of leg warmers and headbands - and Oh God, dancing down Ilfracombe High Street over yellow-roofed taxis to the wailing tones of Irene Cara! (Apologies to anyone under 30 - it's an Eighties thing).
A nervous approach. The gym looks spectacular since it expanded over the summer, all subtle downlights, airy studios and bleach-wood floors (and oh wow, the ladies shower room)!!! Yes I have been inside before, but only to interview, never to sweat. Jo reckons everyone feels nervous on the first approach. She soothes, she reassures - then, time to move out of the squishy-sofa'd comfort-zone of Reception, into THE GYM.
Sigourney Weaver could not have been more afraid on encountering those nasty, acid-dripping, skull-crunching tentacled thingies. Would they all turn and stare at me? Would they give me THAT look (you know the ones girls - up-and-down - checking out the size of your lumps and bumps).
But alien environment though it may be, there were just a few greetings for Jo - and no-one dripping acid...just sweat. "They're all far too busy concentrating on the muscles they are working to be checking you out," said Jo.
Hmm not too bad - but where was Lieutentant Uhura, Jim, Spock and Bones? The panels on those treadmills looked like they could quite easily have guided us through The Final Frontier..
"It's easy, don't worry about it," came the little Angel sitting on my shoulder - oh, no, it was Jo again. "Don't worry about the digital read-outs, heart-rate monitor and all those flashing lights - take no notice of them for now, the only indicator you need to check is your breathing. can you still hold a conversation?" (Yes)
Coming off the treadmill was fun, in a fairground kinda way - felt like I was still sliding: "You'll get that for the first couple of times, as your body adjusts, but then it will go." Well - my first encounter with gym machinery - legs aching a bit, but still, I'm ok.
On my bike next - this is easy...oh - Jo introduces a few 'hills' into the programme...hamstrings aching a bit now - but it's a good ache - I can do this...
That's before I meet my Nemesis - the CROSS TRAINER - ouch! never having done this before - it really hurt! ('I need to get fit before I get old,' la-la-la) "Can you feel your legs burning? That will go in a minute - it's the build up of lactic acid on your muscles, but as you work them it will disperse - promise" My wise Obe Wan Kenobe wasn't lying - and gritting through it for a few minutes I was still able to carry on and just started to control my breathing - but THAT ONE - I DO NOT LIKE!
"By the way," says Jo, who is chatting all the way around, "Have you noticed that you aren't paying any attention to anyone around you - and everyone's the same."
Now I'm starting to have fun with the weights - making things ache that I never knew I had - triceps for one ("That's a lazy muscle, difficult to work"). But I'm liking these aches - I know it's good - even when I encounter a stomach crunching device that looks like it should belong in someone's pervy basement.
But contrary to my worst fears, it hasn't been a torture chamber - quite the reverse and Jo has been patient - and didn't even drop to the floor in shock when she weighed and measured me (every woman's worst nightmare). "We're not in the game of making you completely dependent on us, neither do we intend to frighten you so much that you start making excuses not to come again. We want it to be an enjoyable experience."
A WILL get fit. I will look fabulous at all those Christmas parties I'm lining up (though I will keep that food diary, promise, Jo) - so bring on the Boxercise, Step and Aerobics...I need to get fit before I get old tra-la-la...
Check out the Studio 20 website - where you'll soon be able to get a virtual tour so it will already be familiar when you take that first step: http://www.studiotwenty.co.uk/