Monday Motivation 

Monday Motivation 

Hello, how was your festive break? Did you have time off- from work and from running (or fitness)? I did, but I managed a few runs while classes were off, so I haven’t been completely idle.

Some classes return this week, and hopefully most will be back next week, but until then I’ll be running to make sure that I kick off my 2017 health and fitness goals the way I mean to go on.

This year, we kicked things off by taking part in the Great Winter Run in Edinburgh, which was absolutely brilliant. Although it was only a 5k, it was well worth the overnight trip to take part in it. I loved it! I’ll post a full race review later in the week, but meanwhile here’s my medal:

Over the past 10 days or so my running splits have improved, which is really encouraging. Tonight I braved the rain and the wind to get another 5k in. @TheWelshWookie and I recently joined Vitality UK and I’m enjoying the additional health motivation that comes with that. So much so that I’ve decided to take part in their 10 week #FittestYearTogether challenge which kicks off today. Day one down, and so far so good!

Here’s hoping that my motivation continues:)  Have a good week. 

Wednesday Wisdom 

Wednesday Wisdom 

Wednesday Wisdom 

Wednesday Wisdom 

Wednesday Wisdom 

Wednesday Wisdom 

Monday Motivation 

Monday Motivation 

Brrrr! Is it just me, or is it chilly out there? 

I had such a busy end to my week, last week: I managed to squeeze in a couple of classes before Wednesday when @TheWelshWookie, my bestie Pauline and I saw Deacon Blue in concert. They were AWESOME!   I then had a couple of days in Blackpool for a work seminar, and after that @TheWookie and I headed to Coventry to see family before Christmas. We got back late last night, and I was very happy to be back in my own bed!

Tonight I was back at body conditioning. I opted for lighter weights than usual which meant that I was able to better focus on my form and core. Boom! Love the class! Tomorrow night we have a fundraising evening, with back to back sessions of Glowercise, Pound, Zumba and VeraFlow. Bring it on! 

Wednesday Wisdom

Wednesday Wisdom

Monday Motivation

Monday Motivation

Was it just me, or was last week over in a flash? It seemed to me that it raced by.

I had my first full week of classes, and it looked something like this:

Monday – Body Conditioning. I worked hard, and had DOMS for days. We had a new track for triceps, and it really told on me afterwards. Loved it!

Tuesday – Pound and Zumba. I think Zumba is going to take some time to get used to, with new routines, and co-ordination needed for arms and legs. After Monday’s class my arms were already sore, and by Wednesday morning I was aching all over!

Wednesday – Jog Scotland. A leisurely run was just what I needed after the exertions of Monday and Tuesday, and it felt good to get outside in the fresh air for half an hour. I was really glad that I went along, as is always the case.

Thursday – PiYo and VeraFlow. I needed this stretch out, and it was fantastic. At PiYo, we put together the flow routines, doing the whole thing on the right side, and then on the left. It was hard work, and I still can’t fo the half moon, but I love this class. There was a new VeraFlow track (Jacqui, I don’t know how you remember all of this!), so it was good to mix it up a little.

Friday – Salsa. This is both lots of fun and needs concentration to get right. I think that the footwork is beginning to get there, but I’m really struggling with arms at the moment! But after only three lessons, it’s early days. I’ve ordered dance shoes, so I can’t wait to give them a go when they arrive.

We then had the Jog Scotland Christmas night out after Salsa, which was such a laugh! It’s a really good crowd of people who are so supportive and fun. We even all recevied a present from Santa’s sack 🙂 I got rainbow laces for my trainers, and bib clips! Yay!

On Saturday evening, @TheWelshWookie and I went to the cinema, for the first time in ages, and we saw ‘Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them’. I had low expectations, if I’m honest, and so I was pleasantly surprised by the film, I really did enjoy it. Although a cinema trip is by no means a low cost night out – it was the best part of £50 for tickets and snacks for two, ouch! Just was well we don’t go often! I’m now looking forward to reading the screenplay:

Sunday was the Country Living Christmas Fayre in Glasgow with my mum and sisters. I managed to get the last couple of things off of my shopping list, before we headed to The Scullery for a lovely late lunch. We rounded the evening off with a wee glass of vino in a lovely Italian bar off Byres Road, and with ice cream from the University Cafe.

So here we are, with another week stretching ahead, and I’m heading to Body Conditioning still tired from last week. I think I need a holiday! 🙂 I’m glad I have a Monday night class to look forward to, otherwise I’d definintly be tempted to just head home and sit on the sofa for the evening. Having a commitment to a class certainly makes all the difference on dark, cold nights like these.

Here’s something to help you, if you’re feeling the same way:monday-inspirational-quotes

Have a great week!

 

Wednesday Wisdom 

Wednesday Wisdom 

Wednesday Wisdom 

Wednesday Wisdom 

Monday Motivation 

Monday Motivation 

Welcome to a brand new week, how are you? I’m great. We had a quiet weekend which was definitely needed after a few busy ones.

On Friday night, we had a new experience: salsa lessons 💃🏼. We have been looking forward to these classes starting and finally, Friday arrived and so @TheWelshWookie and I set off to the village hall where we joined another 20 or so eager dance students! We started off with a ballet style warm up, using chairs as a barre and doing pliés and stretches. Next we began to learn the basic salsa step, thinking about what my feet were doing, hips, core was quite enough before even beginning to consider arms, hands and shoulders! It was ace. Roll on this Friday night for the second session. I may need to splurge on a pair of dance shoes!

Body Conditioning was back tonight, after a week off for Hallowe’en. Woop! I worked hard tonight, keeping with heavier weights for longer than I’ve managed before. We had a couple of new tracks which is always great for mixing things up. I know I’m going to feel it tomorrow 🙂

Here’s a little something to remind me that health needs a holistic approach….

 Have a great week!