Jelly Legs

Mel, Mel, Mel -will I never learn?!

OMG tonight's training session was:

• AWESOME - love plyometric phussups/ pussups  - I'm so tired I can't spell or think how to spell - HELP


• Nauseous Inducing - twirling jumps off a bench into a squat


• Muscle Screaming - EVERYTHING - step up knee jumps, repeated long jumps, tuck jumps and those heel to butt jumps and simultaneous stretches thingamajigs


• Total New Territory - tonight was my first all plyometric session - particularly loved the mini sprints with the four starting jumps and nice to see ice-skaters feeling more comfortable like never before - clearly I was cheating by this stage ;-))


• The Scene of Massive Oxygen Deprivation Headache Onslaught - Pretty much everything - I am tres unfit and suffering with a pesky chest infection which I must shake off pronto as Soldier Challenge is in NINE days!!


• The First Training Session since OCTOBER 2010 that my puffer vest came off!! - Woo Hoo Spring is finally here - that plus I was thinking moi minus vest would allow the paramedics to get to work with the defibrilator equipment quicker


• Knee-tastic - finally my knees are back to normal no dry creaking or stiffness - even despite ALL the jumping we did - yay.


• 60 of each - self explanatory

YET despite all the pain, suffering and near death experiences it was magic all at the same time.

A true Thursday Thrashing - THANK YOU Mel. Mel is simply in a trainer league of her own. She comes with a health warning ;-))

As you can probably tell it was my first training session in a week - I thought I'd be fine, well fine-ish, I so wasn't, but I'm starting to feel a little better now that I'm sitting down. Getting up again might be a problem though.

Walking four miles home on seriously jelly legs (yup I was THAT individual staggering around the pavement attempting to walk in a straight line) may just have completely done me in though - but the FitBug tells me it was worth it - highest daily total so far - 26,137 steps!!! I must be half way across China by now, surely.

Oooh, plus, plus, plus - I have successfully eaten NO chocolate, cake, biscuits, penguins, fudge, sweets, chocolate drinks - NO junk of any description all day today. According to my sticker wall chart, this is the first NO JUNK eating day I've had since 21st January 2011!!!!!!!

Off to inhale some sushi and collapse into bed all in less than 30 mins/ 30 seconds if I had my way!

If today's session doesn't obliterate chestus infectionus and find me waking up with rejuvenated lungs capable of merking 10km, then I'll be requesting more plyometric hell from Mel next week!! xx

A visual guide to plyometrics so you can share in the fun!!

Armagedd-it-on

I’m so happy to see the sun shining today: 17 degrees baby. Bikini weather is acoming and with it my bikinilicious motivation is returning with avengeance. Porridge for brekkie, salad for lunch and a banana and an apple for snacks (ok so a packet of mini eggs did sneak in as well). But progress is progress.

Plus it’s my first training session tonight since knee issues and Sunday’s Armageddon 5 hour training session, headed up by Richard Callender of Biggest Loser Training fame.

I did mean to give you a lowdown on Armageddon earlier in the week and even wrote a review but realised that I was WAY more interested in speculating on who wins Biggest Loser next week, (some of the Biggest Loser contestants who were also at Sunday’s Armageddon), than talking about my complete lack of finesse at Armageddon.

Lucinda and Luc's BF fighting over their future husband

But it was exercise and I was fortunate enough to be gifted a ticket by Hannah (THANK YOU), so to Armagged-it-over with here’s a very brief rundown of Armageddon: The Fourth Chapter:

1. Armageddon Circuit – AWESOME if a little cramp for space – having someone squat on your head whilst you are planking is not an experience I wish to repeat. But picked up some new training moves so VERY HAPPY Bunny.

2. Zumba – Had no idea what to expect but the neon-tastic troop made zumbaaing surprisingly manageable even if you can’t dance – a fun version of classic aerobics. If it doubt, shake something baby.

3. Boxing – Fun but signalled the beginning of the “let’s learn one 90 second routine and then repeat it for the next 50 mins” syndrome. Also the scene of oops I accidentally kicked Zandela. Quick shuffle left.

4. Body Fit to Michael Jackson Tunes – Great Instructor and combining western and cheesy gansta moves to Micky J – HILARIOUS. Plus the longest squat hold I’ve ever experienced.

Where's Wally?? - Proof I was there even if I was pulling a face!!

5. Urban Funk - I have no dance coordination or cool factor so Urban Funk became more Funky Chicken. Richard may be easy on the eyes but honestly it was my least favourite session and the session where “let’s learn one 90 second routine and then repeat it for the next 50 mins” syndrome REALLY started to get on my nerves. Burnt about -2 kcals just shuffling back and forward trying not to get picked on by Richard for my inability to dance OR to look remotely cool. Hiding at the back behind a well built type has some benefits ;-))

6. Ab Session – Have to admit I departed before this – my enthusiasm had completely dissipated – Urban Funk had put me in a Funk and my uber low boredom threshold had kicked in big time. So off I went to relinquish my fun Sunday afternoon.

5/6 Participation, 4/6 Effort, 4/6 Enjoyment

As much as I loathe running, I get so much more enjoyment and a greater sense of personal achievement from races than I ever will from a marathon aerobics session, regardless of how it is packaged. Sorry xx

p.s. I reckon Wil will win Biggest Loser – he definitely looked like he’d lost A LOT more weight and in my opinion Claire deserves to win runner up – she’s works out, at crazy PT levels of effort – INSANE! Though I suspect that Rob (who wasn’t at Armageddon) will be looking supersvelte – he has been uberfocused all through the series so must surely have the best outsider chance of winning runner up. Only a few more days to wait – eeek! I LOVE weight-loss reveals like other ladies LOVE George Clooney.

An T.R.X.treme Workout - Janathon Day 26

Janathon is drawing to a close and despite all my NON-STOP whinging over the past few weeks (sorry about that!) - I finally feel like the training is all coming together - I feel stronger, fitter, recover quicker  and dare I say it, I've even shed a couple more lbs in the process (although that won't last long if I don't stop inhaling Maryland cookies and yummy Nairns flavoured oatcakes). 

So as a reward, an TRX(treme) workout was the order of the day:

WARM-UP:  A 4 mile/ 6.5km run to the park training 7am class - 40 min of running - including 2 miles non-stop completed in 18 minutes (2 mins off my normal 2 mile time - courtesy of the AWESOME AudioFuel 165 beats per mins which is making me run at a faster pace and with longer strides = WOOP)

WORKOUT: One hour circuit training class including the infamous TRX suspension training system - the brainchild of Navy Seal, Randy Hetrick.  It's tricky to explain well so I thought I'd just show you:

A new SUPERchick recruit with PERFECT form - AMAZING

Lucinda demonstrating an TRXreme ab exercise - 

This may look simple but I promise you more than 5 tucks is a killer

Yours truly getting a tutorial from SUPERtrainer Mel on a VERY COMPLEX!! one handed twist exercise

Intense concentration - although I appear to be doing NADA

Survived. Phew. That was a close run thing!!

PT demonstrating proper TRXreme press ups

Followed by some gentle jump squats

A CLASSIC PT ACTION shot - 

no-one can do more TRXtreme jumps than PT

The shoes come off - THIS is getting seriously TRXreme!!

Yup SUPERtrainer Mel can stay up there ALL DAY!!

The lady is PURE muscle.

COOL DOWN: 1 mile run through St James Park/ Green Park.

I am TRXremely happy with today's Janathon's efforts - Long may it continue!! xx

The Hippy, Hippy Shake

*Meant to post the following yesterday but got distracted by Work Xmas Festivities. Oopsie but such fabulous fun ;-))*

Can’t even begin to tell you HOW happy I am today. This morning I actually managed to pull off running 5km to the SUPERchicks class as per my schedule. This doesn’t quite capture the magnitude of this personal achievement but put it this way, I've been wanting to pull this off for AGGGGESSSSSSSSS but I've been convinced that I'd never manage it in a million years.

It did take me 45 minutes and I did have three very brief walking breaks (c. 100 meters each) plus I did have literally NOTHING in my backpack (No Water, No Clothes, No Shoes and NO Pack Lunch) but most importantly I did it.

*Still. Have. A. MASSIVE. Grin. On. My. Face.*

Rather than bore you with my running route and which sections I managed to run, which I walked, as this is most definitely meaningless to anyone but me – and since I don’t have a lovely Garmin tracking system or something equally flash to monitor my running progress – I’ve devised a quick pictogram {courtesy of Excel} which should help indicate my progress if you’re interested and a regular follower.

The only slight hiccup with accomplishing the 5km run is that my left hip is now REALLY sore. This must be an omen. xx

Update: My hip is nearly back to normal. Hopefully the hip pain is something to do with my trainers needing to be replaced urgently rather than a sign that all the kitkat chunkies I've consumed recently are transforming me into a chunky hipped hippo! I'm hoping that Santa might take pity on me and gift a pair of go faster trainers along with the other item on my “Dear Santa” wish list; Nigella’s Cookbook. Pretty please Santa.

Today however, I now have the mother of all DOMS (Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness – I had no idea what this was either until a few months ago). The cause of the DOMS is either the running, the gazillion squats Mel made me do Wednesday morning, not stretching properly post run or most likely a combination of all three.

The other thing I’ve noticed is that I am still feeling wiped from running part way to work even a day later – If I’m going to successfully cover double the difference every day for a month, it is clear I need to build up my stamina to Energiser Bunny proportions. For now though, I’m content with baby steps so it’s “5km run take two”  for le hippo tomorrow – providing it doesn’t ice over overnight otherwise I really will do myself an injury. xx

CircuitFit vs SuperChicks

I was really intrigued by Sheridan's post and her testimony of CrossFit is the only cardio necessary. After talking to friends, who like me, were also intrigued but had been put off by hardcore looking workouts and pictures of super heavy weights on the CrossFit websites, I wanted to do a follow up piece.

I'm from the school of thought that any cardio is good cardio, even if its just crossing the room to turn off the television; so I really want to encourage everyone to just do something - you can really start anywhere, anytime, with almost any activity, no matter how small. 

Lots of people are put off by the gym, one of my friends has a very funny blog on the subject - check out: DC Confidential - Zoo Gym.  But there are lots of other options out there too.

Personally I LOVE SUPERCHICKS, and CROSSFIT works for Sheridan - but how do these heart pumping activities really measure up?

Let the battle commence.

In the right corner is CROSSFIT packing lightning speed and an awesome punch. As patiently explained to me by SuperTrainer Cat, CROSSFIT training is essentially weight training but will get the body working its muscles so hard via pushups, pull ups, squats etc that it is the equivalent of pure cardio training. Clearly it is effective as these lustworthy male specimisms on this CrossFit link are anything to go by!  However as a rule I tend to abstain from activities which require bodyarmour (apparently recommended for a more intense workout!) Although I wouldn't mind indulging Mr Titan above!

CrossFit WILL make you buff and weight-training is great for bone density, posture and speeding up your metabolism as muscles use up lots of energy.  However CrossFit won't make you particularly lean as although the muscles will bulk up, the fat will still be there sitting on top of the muscles.  Clearly you will lose some fat tissue as these are strenuous workouts but perhaps not as effectively as you would hope.

I must also add that Sheridan was disappointed that some of the clubs - particularly the London ones I checked out were so offputting as the lack of accessibility and heart-attack inducing nature of the example workouts are not in keeping with true CrossFit. For a more girl-friendly option, there are beginner or women only courses available and the "box" that Sheridan attends, I must admit, looks a delight.

In the left corner is SUPERCHICK, a lean, glam, hair tossing, fighting machine. SuperChick ethos is "cardio and cocktails" i.e. a girl friendly approach to cardio and weights that incorporates the notion that life's for living too. Check out http://www.iamsuperchick.com/ The website itself is a marvel - I defy anyone not to have their interest in exercise piqued.

In some ways, SuperChicks follows the same principles and exercises as CrossFit but also allows you to top up on your Vitamin D as the classes are all outside in leafy parks and so incorporate nearby benches, pillars and posts into your workout. These group workouts are longer but last no more than an hour and comprise of a series of different activities: running, planks, burpees, squats, lunges, crunches etc . If you're not based in London - you can still join in as there is a multitude of training programmes with video demonstrations all on the website that you can access for your own SuperChick home training workout. 

SuperChicks works for me as it is affordable and fun. There are a host of different trainers - all fab - and the workouts vary everyday so I can never lose interest.  That plus the GOSSIP and the uplifting experience of just being outside make this my firm favourite.

Who wins? You decide.  Better still - go try them out for yourself and report back. x

p.s. I should mention that my little sister has even joined in - personally I believe she's scared that I'll beat her and manage to pull off looking bikinilicious by the summer but even so very proud that she's joining in too.  So off she trotted to her first British Militiary Fitness Class in Manchester on Saturday AND by all accounts even made it home again!

TGI Friday

If only!! (image courtesy of fitnesstrainingathome.com)

Despite what you're all thinking, NO I didn't slope off to TGIs for a cheeky cheeseburger today - though the thought alone is making me salivate. Instead I'm just mightily relieved that I've made it through a week (OK four days to be accurate) with no travelcard, just my legs.

Even my colleagues are noticing (though given yesterday's fashion mishap it would be hard not to!) but very kindly believe that I'm RUNNING to and from work. Although I'm very tempted NOT to dissuade them of this notion as it is hard to convince people that you can look this knackered from walking alone, I am pleased that news of my mission is spreading as its therefore becoming harder and harder to give in or cheat.

However cheat I did but only slightly as this morning as I was running late for 7am Training so had to hop on the no 16 bus rather than miss my first session with SuperTrainer Sarah in a fortnight - which is the lesser of two evils!?

As it was I arrived ten minutes late but the very lovely SuperTrainer Sarah was still there (THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU), with her not so lovely medicine ball. Forty minutes later - I managed to hobble off in one piece - JUST. Sarah on the other hand floated off to a SuperChick photoshoot still a vision of appropriately peachy loveliness.

My jellyfied legs are definitely feeling the effects of this week's regime, so much so that this morning I had to pause to contemplate how best to traverse what can only be described as "a very gentle incline" into St James' Park as my legs weren't convinced they'd make it. At this rate I'm going to need a zimmerframe to complete the MoonWalk. Luckily the legs made it and they even held up all throughout work and got me home again. Though I'm learning to ignore SuperTrainer Sarah's advice to stretch out post walks at my peril!

So only 10 more weeks to go - so little time and so much ground to cover!! Although ten weeks of this glorious weather please almighty Weather Gods would make the process INFITESIMALLY more enjoyable. Toned AND sunkissed - can't wait!!

Off to put my feet up for a much needed rest and dream of my winnings from tomorrow's Grand National x