Awesome Sexycise!

This week I was nearly in tears in a class.  Not out of frustration and no one was leaving – just because all the ladies in Thursday’s Sexycise were totally awesome.

There is about a 55 year age difference between the oldest and the youngest and various levels of fitness.  But every single one of the 10 in the class was amazing.  Every single one has improved since we started out.  They can do more in the minute they spend at each station and there is a huge amount of energy in the room.

We work really hard on building a strong core by using our abdominal muscles – its very far from an easy class – even if the music is a lot more gentle than most classes!  By keeping going and not giving in (we never use the word ‘can’t ‘ ) everyone can do 45 minutes of very demanding abs work.  I am so proud of them all.
And the icing on the cake that really got to me was the minute plank at the end – which everyone did – and considering 10 seconds was just a dream for some when we set out – no wonder there was a lump in my throat!

If you want to get this fit – come and join us – we do it all over again on Mondays and a new class starts on Thursdays at 19.45 – ring our Willingham gym to book your place - 01954 260985

Get Rowing!

There was a very interesting article in The Guardian Weekend last week asking the question are rowing machines worth it?

I know that this bit of kit can be peoples ‘least favourite’ but this article really does highlight the benefits of using it on a regular basis. It describes rowing as ‘one of the most efficient workouts around. When you row, you’re using your whole body – upper, lower, core – simultaneously’, praise indeed!

You will find rowing is more of a challenge than the cross-trainer and even the treadmill, so next time you’re in, give it a go!

If you have never tried it before just ask a member of staff for help, there are numerous workouts that you can try to make it more interesting. We wouldn’t want you getting bored!

Snacking

OK all you ‘snackers’ out there – here’s an idea.

I could live off snacks, I like nothing better than to graze throughout the day – now before you all tell me that its wrong – I know, so I make a big effort not to do that. However, every now and again I fancy a little something. Well, its Lent so its no chocolate for me.

I have found a great, healthy snack. (Yes, my latest craze before anyone says!) Apple crisps. Homemade apple crisps. Easy – get Bramley apples and slice into very thin rounds. Place on a baking tray lined with baking parchment and dust with cinnamon. Bake until a little crispy and dry, turn over and dry out the other side. Allow to cool and store in an air tight box.

Very tasty, very virtuous and part of your 5 a day – what’s not to like?!

Go to work on an egg

OK, so you’re not all old enough to remember the  ‘go to work on an egg’ campaign – but its still a good idea.

The humble egg has gained and lost popularity over the years.  Apparently in the 60’s the average egg consumption was 5 per person every week.  So much was popular then – flower power, op art, - I could go on.  When postage stamps cost less than the card you are sending and petrol came in gallons.  Shall I go on; I know – its boring!

Then, eggs were deemed to be ‘good for you’. However, along comes cholesterol and salmonella and eggs are definitely   ‘off’.  Edwina Currie springs to mind.

But its OK – they are back on the menu now.  Your cholesterol levels are, in part, governed by the amount of fat you eat, not the amount of cholesterol.   Hens are now immunised against salmonella. 

Eggs are protein rich, have a third of your Vit D RDA and only 66 calories in a medium egg. What’s not to like?  Very versatile so you should never get bored with them.  Cooked eggs are easier than raw eggs to digest and yield more protein than raw eggs.  So, get scrambling, poaching and boiling.  Easy, quick and cheap – you can’t ask for more.

My latest obsesion - a pedometer!

Want to hear about my latest obsession?

Those who know me well will know that I am inclined to get easily obsessed about things.  I will avidly drink water (that one is one I have stuck with) – anyone remember the ‘porridge from scratch’ that I brought in to work for my breakfast – fifty shades of wall paper paste once it got cold – yeuck!  Casting further back there was the very tight gym trousers ‘guaranteed to make you sweat’.  They soon went – you try working out in a wet suit!

Well, my latest is a pedometer.  This isn’t new – I’ve had one before.  The government recommendations are 10,000 steps a day. So, first job was to find a decent pedometer that didn’t cost the earth.  I know you can get various fancy ones linked to your computer, but I wanted an easy one that just counted steps.  I emailed a company and they have been fab.  They sent me 5 to try and the best so far is the one that I have been using.  It was really easy to set up, it counts steps, distance and calories and tells the time. Very unobtrusive – just clip onto your belt or slip into your pocket

There’s your challenge.  Now I think I am lucky to have an active job.  I was amazed about how few steps I do unless I make an effort.  I walk to work (OK, its not far!) and then I walk on the treadmill.  I consciously walk more and sit less.  Most days I can now get close to 10,000 but if you catch me anxiously pacing around, late at night, you will know why.  I will let you know what benefits its having – but I know that keeping active is bound to burn calories and keep my joints mobile. 

And great news is that the company have 15 ex demo – fully packaged and guaranteed for just £25 – that’s a £10 saving.  Let me know and I’ll get them ordered.  A quick and easy way to increase your activity and get your fitness levels up – who knows, you too might become obsessed!

More Sexycise

Calling all ladies.  We launched Sexycise last year and it has proved to be very popular – a great circuit class for women only, aimed at strengthening our core.  This class works our abs really hard (if you don’t know where they are or what that feels like – join us – you will soon find out!)

We know that strengthening these muscles can help with all sorts of activities in that area (now do you see why its women only!)

The really good news is that you can now do it twice a week – I have added Mondays at 19.45 to 20.30 to the timetable.  There is plenty of spaces so if you have never done this before – come along and join us, and if you just can’t get enough of it, come Mondays as well as the regular Thursday slot.

Just £3 for members and £5 for non members – so bring you friends too.  

Just ring the Willingham gym (01954 260985) to book your place

Workout together !

Do you come to the gym with your partner or to escape from them?

A study published in the journal JAMA International Medicine states that getting fit, losing weight or giving up smoking are all more easily achieved if your partner joins you!

Doing things together means that you can share each other’s success and occasionally share the frustrations too. Your partner can boost your morale and cheer you on! If you embark on a fitness regime together it increases the likelihood that you will both stick to it and achieve your goals.

A vigorous workout can also help reduce stress; afterwards you will both feel more relaxed and happy.

Finally, other studies have shown that the endorphins you get from working out also increase your libido. Now that’s a reason to get down the gym!