Day 4 - New Years Eve :)

Wow 2015 is almost over! Its been a another lovely year, made special by all my friends and our fun gatherings - it just wouldn't be the same with out you guys :)

As my last day of 2015 I had given myself a lie in until 7:20 - wow thanks Mabel. Made scrambled eggs with pesto for breakfast, 2 slices of bread and butter for lunch with a raw bar for snack and veggie sausage casserole with spud for dinner (oh and a mince pie to celebrate the end of the year - whoops!!! - it should be said I did however turn down cookie dough ben and jerrys ice cream and xmas pud). I've lost just over 2 pounds so far, so enter the New Year under 9 stone - wahay!

I was working odd hours today 10:30am-7pm, so I did my body blitz work out in the morning and was really thankful of the 10 minute stretch/flexibility exercises that weren't so challenging. We then had a nice long walk with the pups, and when I got home from work set about playing on my pole. Ginny had challenged me to try the Sailor. I couldn't find a tutorial online and based on the picture tried my best to get into it but wasn't having much luck at holding it for more than 2 seconds, so have taken Holly's advise and chose to practise some of my older moves. I'm sure the Sailor will crop up in pole class in due time :)

Coming down from a crucifix into a wheelbarrow - its sort of like doing a plank/press up while slowly bringing your legs down the pole. Great for building arm strength :)

V Invert - I am miles away from dead lifting this and still need a push from one foot to fully invert but I am getting better and its nice to see I'm pointing my toes lol

With only 2 dogs at 8:30am tomorrow (silly me didn't clock the date/time when made the booking), the male members of the family have decided I should end the year scared silly watching poltergeist, so I shall be hiding behind a pillow for the rest of the evening before running to bed and keeping the light switched on.

Thanks so a brilliant 2015, and roll on a wonderful 2016!!!

Day 3 - Yay feeling strong!

So traditionally day 3 is where I fall off the band wagon and stuff my face with chocolate biscuits. No such naughtiness today :)

I have really appreciated you guys keeping me on track and giving your support - thanks so much!

Porridge breakfast, veggie curry lunch and green tea - all very healthy and once I was home from work I had a wonderful chat with my lovely friend Juliana (wish you lived closer) before exercise time. I had taken a sneaky peek at my workout, and spotted it was only a 6 minute thigh focused one. Easy peasy....oh wait we have to do the circuit 3 times...ok so the hubby got bored after the 1st circuit and I got a call mid way through my 3rd circuit but I went back to it despite Mabel trying to sit on my head and Jasper pulling on the pillow I was meant to be crunching with.

All warmed up I had another attempt at my Tulip, with hubby on standby in case I fell off. Though still far from perfect my legs were definitely straighter, so I must keep practising this one. 

Ginny's next challenge was a Skater - long arm. I found a tutorial and had many failed attempts on my right arm which I presumed was my stronger arm, but actually achieved it first with my left arm! And after some more practising finally got it with my right arm. 

            

My legs are now very red and I've got a lovely little bruise, so that enough practise for this evening. Time to settle down with the pups for cuddle time and a healthy dinner.

Thanks guys! :) xxx

Day 2 - A closed tulip

Day 2 and I really didn't want to get out of bed - I was the snuggliest I have been in ages, with a reasonable amount of bed and lots of blanket despite Mabel the bed hog being tucked up beside me. I was subsequently slow to get moving and as it was my first day back washing pooches so I took a Juice+ chocolate and peanut butter flavour for breakfast and lunch - it tastes so much like snickers but is healthy! :)

It took me until 12:45 to finish my breakfast shake as the crunchy peanut butter I'd added had clogged my sports bottle so sucking proved difficult. It did however slow down my eating and made me feel full for longer so was a positive in disguise. I had a splitting headache come on during my forth doggy but he kept me cheerful with little kisses. I'm guessing this was due to a lack of water - I've always struggled with this, so its slow progress retraining myself to drink more.

Once home, I was really worried to sit down as I feared I wouldn't get up again - I can be a real couch potato if feeling tired. I also went autopilot to the fridge as I hadn't got round to drinking my lunch shake, but munched on 2 small falafel balls, a little hummus and a slice of bread, so not too bad. Mark made me some gluten free pasta and tomato based sauce for dinner. Gluten free pasta is really rubbery - I wouldn't recommend it (I did miss the garlic bread I would usually dip into it, but hey ho got to be good). For pud I had peaches, forgot how much I love these. Having feared I had lost the body blitz workouts as PoleFreaks website has changed, I managed to find them in my web history and spent 10 gruelling minutes wondering why lifting dogs for a living hadn't given me better arm strength. When I finally plodded upstairs Mark asked if I was ok because I had been counting my reps with ouches.

My good friend Ginny had challenged me to do a Tulip on the pole. Here is Rachel Tonner doing it properly and this is how close I got...so close but yet so far...I just couldn't seem to get my legs to go into the v and so will be quizzing Holly, Ginny and Gail at my next pole class. I definitely got into Genie easier though and am feeling slightly stronger though this might just be in my head lol

Anyway, an early night awaits as another full day of dogs in the morning :)

Day 1 - Genie and avoiding mince pies

So its day 1, the easiest day as I'm still excited about my healthy journey. I had a lovely long lie in and woke abandoned by hubby and doggies. The first change was to revert from my usual autopilot cup of tea that I make in a daze (or have my hubby bring me in bed - spoilt I know), to wielding a small sharp knife and cutting a lemon to have in warm water. I've read its good for rehydrating and aids digestion, however its definitely going to take some getting used to (one lady adds half a lemon to her cup - how?!! 1 slice tasted really bitter to me).

As I have yet to brave sainsburys I had a Juice+ vanilla and banana milk shake for breakfast and a coffee mid morning ( I know the purists say no caffeine but this is meant to be a longterm lifestyle choice and 1 coffee when I'm off work sounds like a nice treat. A quick scan of the kitchen and lounge revealed a plethora of temptations to be avoided (half eaten lindor chocolates, quality street, muffin, xmas pud, 2 mince pies). I suppose one of the benefits of xmas indulgence is that you soon get bored of these things and no longer really want them.

Another great tip is to buddy up with someone, and Mabel my gorgeous gannet/basset hound has also been set the challenge of losing weight by her vet, so we both launched ourselves off the sofa and joined Markles and Jasper for a walk. Changing scenery is also meant to help take your mind off food. It was about half way round that I realised that far from thinking about food, my bladder had cottoned on to having had 3 instead of 1 morning drinks and was having a screaming fit and wondering how best it could hide a petite blond, a giant retriever and a slightly chubby Mabel dog behind a bush. Turns out the Cathedral refectory have lovely toilets - thank god!

So feeling rather pleased with myself, I made the mistake of walking through town and came home with 3 pairs of shoes and some new undies. Whilst I say it was really a socialising exercise for Mabel who assisted me in the changing room by wandering off while I was mid dressed, opening the curtain at random intervals and helping me pick shoes she felt Jasper would be less inclined to eat. The two boys stood outside bored to tears thanking the lord that every dog walk didn't turn into a shopping trip.

We still have enough vegan nut roast to feed an army of squirrels so that was lunch, served with sweet potato chips and mashed carrot/suede on a smaller plate than Mark.  Then a glass of water (britta filtered because tap is said to be bad for you). After a few games of SkipBo to help my food settle and to feed our game addiction, it was time to do the first body blitz workout from PoleFreaks.com http://www.polefreaks.com/body-blitz-1/ Todays was all about abs and Mark joined in to support me. It hurt my flab is not used to it, but it was only 16 minutes and a little everyday will hopefully make the difference.

Then to fun time! Ginny has challenged me to do the Genie on the pole and Holly had posted a tutorial on the Bow and Arrow so here are my attempts

 One handed Genie - once I get stronger I hope to progress to no handed!

Bow and Arrow - my right arm could do with being straighter and I don't think I am arched enough. Plus it looks as thought I'm holding on with only 3 toes! Room for improvement but I'm really happy with this. p.s. you are meant to do a sit up to get out of it, but I do a headstand then bring my legs down lol - will keep trying

I've got a chocolate and peanut butter shake for dinner and a healthy snack to get me through the rest of the day, and Mabel has her fat dog slim food in a special eat slow bowl so dinner time should be good. Then its off to the cinema to watch Star Wars :)

Roll on day 2 xxx

104 days until the big 30

So the big 30 is fast sneaking up on me and I'm rather aware that my sofa slouching, cake munching lifestyle is not doing my body or mind any good. So before the muffin tops take hold and I accept middle age spread as comfy insulation, I want to commit to 104 days of healthy living. `It is my hope that my current bad habits will be replaced with new good habits and I will adopt a healthier lifestyle that will keep me fit, strong and healthy in a way that I will want to continue with well into my 90's.

WHY? I want to live a happy and active life for as long as possible. My family have various serious health problems that could well prove genetic and hamper me in later life. To give my body and future health a fighting chance I need to start taking better care of myself.

As inspiration I have:

• My wonderful pole friends Holly, Ginny and Gail who make my pole fitness classes so much fun. Bring on the bruise collecting challenges!
• Granddad Bill (though not officially my granddad - I'd adopt him in a heartbeat) - at 94 he goes dancing every Friday and is so full of life and mischief :)
• My hubby Markles - gardening, cycling and outdoor fitness come rain or shine. He even shows restraint in the face of biscuits, cake and chip butties! I've no idea how he does this. I'm counting on him to remind me of why I made this health commitment.

So to keep me on track

Fitness - I've signed up for 1 strength class and 1 pole class a week 

            - I'm going to complete a daily body blitz workout from PoleFreaks.com

            - Do the bedtime dog walk each evening 

Diet - Back to being a pescatarian 

        - Juice+ when I'm working to ensure I get the appropriate veg/fruit intake

        - Trying out new recipes from Madeline Shaws gluten free, healthy lifestyle cook book 'Get the Glow'

Mind - early nights, I need my sleep

           - stop working at 8pm - this includes emails, social media and my phone (I'm naturally a workaholic so find this very difficult)

          - meditate once a week

My goals:

1. Improve my strength and flexibility enabling me to do more pole moves like the Superman!
2. Tone up my arms and tummy
3. Reduce my emotional attachment to food - if tired, sad or stressed avoid reaching for the biscuit tin
4. Learn more about my body and what fuels it
5. Look and feel good in my mermaid dress on my 30th birthday! :)
6. Actually finish all 104 days (I'm a terrible starter/finisher)

Wish me luck - Its Monday tomorrow and the countdown begins