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Preparation Home Gym

ByThe house that never rests | On February 10,19 | 4 Comments

Preparation new me

At the start of 2019 I gave myself the kick up the backside well and truly needed to get myself on the right path for a new healthy lifestyle.

Since then I have not looked back. Infact I have actually been enjoying it. I sat down and a made a list of the the things I have tried in the past, things I have enjoyed and even the things I haven’t enjoyed.

Making a list really does help

Doing this list really helped me because it helped me find all my pet hates about exercising. Such as being in overcrowded exercise classes, getting embarrased about being too fat, or not being able to keep up with the class.

I also found out that having a gym membership added pressure on me to go to the gym. This then led to me not enjoying my time going if that makes sense. I felt pressured to go to get my moneys worth out of the membership rather than freely going because I wanted to.

Life can easily get in the way

It sometimes felt like life got in the way rather a lot to. I would arrange with friends to go to a class together, 20, 20, 20 class was one of my favourites. I would find that I couldn’t always go as being a working mum things happen at home or work as they do. Meaning I had to phone and cancle more than I actually went.

Gyms are not for everyone

Going to an actual gym isn’t for everybody. This could be due to time, cost or even due to feeling embarrased. For me it is mainly due to time. Finding an extra hour or so in an already busy day can prove difficult. I am currently in the process of setting up a home gym.

Home Gyms aren’t for everyone but for me I think having one would work better for me and my lifestyle.

Things to consider before setting up a home gym

Budget: It is always best to work out your finances first and see what budget you have to work with. Always shop about before purchasing as it can be easy to get carried away. Always read product reviews before purchasing so you know you are getting something good for your money.

Price check: Try and do a price check so you have a rough idea of prices so then you can plan ahead before purchasing products. Exercising equipment doesn’t come cheap but you will be wanting to get more for your money so take the time to shop around online.

Space: What space do you have for you home gym? will it be a room dedicated to set up as a gym full-time or is it going to be a shared space. This will be important to know before purchasing your equipment so you know whether to look for equipment that folds to be stored easy. Also check electricity supplies, will you need added sockets for power? extention leads can be a trip hazzard and can also be a fire risk if overloaded and not careful.

Making space: Before you start to purchase your home gym equipment always clear the space first to make sure it is clean and free from clutter to prevent any accidents when exercising. Matco are always happy to help if you need help with moving or storing anything.

Be 100% sure: If you are not 100% sure on the equipment you want or need you don’t have to purchase new, there is always the option of second hand. You can sometimes find a product that is in good as new condition for half the price. It will be a good way to find out if the equipment is right for you and the space you have without the cost of brand new.

Take your time: Take your time when building your home gym, there is no rush. Purchase one or two items at a time, get use to those items first and see if they work for you and with the space you have dedicated for your gym. If happy then build upon your home gym from there.

Motivation: Sometimes a little motivation is missed when exercising at home. There is always the option of inviting a friend or family member to join you or more if you have the space. You could even challenge each other. There is also the option of exercise dvd’s or YouTube motivation. Music can help too.

Home gyms can be just as fun and ecouraging as going to the gym whilst adding loads of flixibilty. The intial outlay may be expensive but if it helps to keep us fit and healthy I would say it is the perfect investment!

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Stepping Into 2019 Healthier

ByThe house that never rests | On January 17,19 | 0 Comment

I can do this!

Ok hands up who has been on a diet and given up on it? I am not happy to admit this but I have.

A few years back following my car accident I decided that it was about time I looked into trying to lose a few stone. My Aunt at the time had been a member of Slimming World and she was doing amazing so I thought why not join up and give it a try.

My journey began

I looked up to see where the local group was to me and contacted the Slimming World Consultant who welcomed me to come along. My journey then began. To cut a long story short I went on to lose 3 stone in weight. I felt amazing and also shocked that I had managed it. I felt so much healthier and happier in myself.

But sadly Christmas came along and so did the mince pies, cheese and wine. I then fastly learnt at how quickly and easily the weight goes back on at next weigh-in day. This left me feeling so ashamed with myself and embarrassed that I let this happen to the point I didn’t return back.

But since then I have been left kicking myself – if only I had continued going and just drew a line under my Christmas gain and carried on. I am sure I would have lost it all again and probably more. And I am sure I am not the only person to have a Christmas weight gain.

Back to square one

2018 see me back to square one with my weight and I haven’t liked it. I have not felt confident or happy with myself and the only one who can change that is me. So 2019 has seen me take control of my lifestyle and start the new year as I mean to go on – healthier and happier!

We are now just over two weeks into a new year. Week one saw me joining up at Slimming World again and getting used to everything again. It also saw me going through everything in our cupboards, fridge and freezer, all of which are now filled with healthier food options.

I am determined

Ian has seen my determination in my health kick that he has also said he wants to join me. Ian isn’t going to be joining Slimming World to weigh but will be eating more healthily and exercising more.

Week two see us both out walking with Coco and Hunter our two dogs. We spent most of our weekend walking, which we both enjoyed and loved being out in the fresh air, it made a lovely change. We walked along the river and round a local park, we walked to a dog agility course and done some training with our dogs.

We also walked around a lovely lake. When we got back home we realised then that we had walked a good few miles and been out a good few hours. With Coco being a Husky she helps to keep me active as she could just walk and walk.

I am focused

As I now head into week three I am finding myself meal planning more. I plan meals for the week ahead and then do a food shop online, only getting food that is needed for thoes meals. I find this helps me to stay in control of my food intake and helps me to stay on plan. I have also been drinking more water.

Making small changes every week

I have also been online and ordered myself some exercise equipment. I plan to start week 4 doing some light exercise. I suffer with Endometriosis and Fibromyalgia so I have to be careful what I do.

With these conditions I never know how I am going to wake up feeling, whether today is going to be a good day or a bad day pain wise.

Take each day as it comes

So all I can do is take each day as it comes and do what I can when I can. This is why I have opted to set up a home gym as I couldn’t gaurantee getting enough use out of a gym membership.

So here I am, 17 days into 2019 and I have already lost 10.5 lbs. I am so pleased and absolutely loving a healthier new lifestyle.

How has your 2019 been so far?

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Health and fitness

Kick Your Fitness Goals Into Gear With These Fun Ideas

ByThe house that never rests | On September 26,18 | 0 Comment

Way’s to make fitness fun

It seems everyone is trying to improve their health and fitness. As diseases and epidemics become more prevalent, people are making a better effort to be mindful of their actions and adopt healthy lifestyles. As great as it is to be healthy, when you’ve spent the majority of your life doing what you want, getting adjusted to the changes can be trying, to say the least.

From making a commitment to work out daily to transitioning to cleaner eating, many get lost along the way and give up hope altogether. If you’ve been a bit discouraged about reaching your health and fitness goals or are simply having a hard time making the transition, these tips are sure to give you the boost you need.

Use Mobile App Fitness Games

You’re already tied to your smart phone so why not use it to make health and fitness more fun? Did you know that there were multiple fitness games you can download to your smart phone? From running and jumping to push-ups and sit-ups, there are apps you can use to set goals, track, and win cool prizes if you’re a top performer.

Challenge Friends

There’s nothing like a little friendly competition to get you excited about health and fitness. If you need some inspiration, you can always take some of your friends and family members to compete with you. Set goals like steps per day, calories burned, and more and see who will reach their goals the fastest.

Take Dance Lessons

Most make the misconception that the only way to get fit is to join a gym. Though this method has been proven to be very effective for some, it is not an efficient solution for everyone. You can make getting in shape a lot more fun by taking dance lessons. All you need to figure out is what types of classes you’re interested in taking, where to buy toe socks and other gear you’ll need, and how often you’ll need to attend. You could tap, do ballet, jazz, or even hip-hop and burn a lot of calories to a beat.

Learn New Recipes

The thing with healthy eating is that most aren’t familiar with how to make healthy cuisines. They dwindle their menus down to salads and smoothies and quickly get bored. You can make healthy eating fun by learning new recipes. There are thousands of recipes online you could try that will bring new meaning to the phrase clean eating. The more you learn, the more skilled you become at making meals everyone can enjoy.

Reward Yourself

Here’s a great way to make healthy living more fun – rewards. Who doesn’t find it fun to reach goals if they’re going to get something in return? Lost those 5 lbs? Treat yourself to some frozen yogurt. Dropped a size? Go buy some new clothes to wear. The thrill you get from rewarding yourself can often make it easier to succeed.

Lighten Up

Sometimes, people take the fun out of getting healthy and fit by taking things too seriously. Learn to loosen up a bit. The very fact that you’re making an effort is worth smiling about. Set realistic goals, and enjoy your journey to reaching them. When you’re too hard on yourself it’s no longer fun and you become easily uninspired.

Don’t let unfamiliarity or lack of knowledge keep you from reaching your health and fitness goals. Though it is an adjustment, it doesn’t have to be difficult. Find ways to make being healthier fun like using mobile apps, creating a little friendly competition, joining a dance class, expanding your arsenal of recipes, and rewarding yourself for successful progress. Most importantly, remember to lighten up. As much as you want to reach your health and fitness goals, getting there is always easier with a smile.

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Get In The Know With Pilates Pal Website

ByThe house that never rests | On August 16,18 | 0 Comment

What is Pilates?

Pilates (pronounced puh-lah-teez) is a system of exercises developed by the German, Joseph Pilates during World War 1. The system was named after him but he referred to it as “Contrology.” He firmly believed that there was a definite connection between physical and mental health. The intent of these exercises was to strengthen both mind and body. If practiced consistently, Pilates will build strength, improves flexibility, and develop control and stamina. Pilates is practiced globally especially in countries in the Western Hemisphere. You can learn about the Pilates procedures and equipment used in the exercise programs at Pilatespal.com, Inc..

Principles of Pilates

Joseph Pilates never created a system of beliefs for his method, but the principles included here are evident from the pages he wrote and other documented materials. There is no set order in which the principles are presented, the list here is as follows: breath, control, concentration, center, flow and precision. These principles are the basis of many techniques of Pilates and they are normally accepted as the base of the system.

Breath

There is equal importance shared among the basic principles, but breath involves much more than respiration. In Pilates, breath is the energy of the driving force and the engine that propels the art. It can be viewed (as regarded by Joseph Pilates) as of life, of the mind, spirit and body. Breath then is observed here as the mutual thread that goes through every foundation principle; joining them together.

Breath is an important key to life. The only skeletal muscles necessary for life are the respiratory muscles, but too often breath is taken for granted. Understanding the anatomy essential to breath can assist in the optimum use of breath.

Concentration

The focus of this principle is the procedure involved in doing the exercise rather than on exercise itself. In this principle, it is important to concentrate on the body’s alignment, and keeping the correct alignment and equilibrium during the entire exercise session. It is vital that the practitioner maintains mental concentration throughout the session.

Center

In Pilates, a practitioner’s control of the body must begin somewhere: the center. Of the Pilates method, the center is the primary point. The body’s “powerhouse” are the set of muscles in the middle of the body, those surrounding the abdomen, hips, upper and lower back, inner thighs and buttocks. In addition, center is the point where if the body was suspended it would be balanced fully in all directions. Learn more about Pilates exercises here: https://www.wikihow.com/Do-Pilates

Control

“Contrology” was the preferred name given by Joseph Pilates for this principle. It focuses on muscle control. Every exercise is executed with control. Control becomes refined with practice. Refined control is related to fewer errors, greater coordination, exact alignment, greater balance and improved ability to duplicate the exercise effectively over many attempts, by the use of minimal effort and evading unnecessary muscle tensions.

Precision

Precision is the precise manner by which an action is performed. The difference between precision and other exercise routines is the way it is done. Knowing about anatomy will assist the practitioner in realizing precision.

Flow

Flow is effortless, continuous movement; a physical energy applied from the center that will direct movements of the extremities. Achieving precision will ultimately lead to flow to and from and within each exercise to build strength and grit.

Equipment used in Pilates

The exercises are done on mats placed on the floor or on exercise apparatus developed by Joseph Pilates. These workout machines use pulleys and resistance from the body weight of the participant on the equipment and progressed spring levels. The reformer is most likely the most famous resistance equipment to be found in a Pilates workroom. Read here for more on Pilates.

Pilates is appropriate for both males and females whether you are a professional athlete or you are just an ordinary person or retiree trying to get back in shape. Pilates low effect and usefulness have made it the preferred foundation exercise techniques for many individuals around the world including celebrities.

When done correctly and regularly, and with the correct instructions that will assist you in embracing the main principles, Pilates will bring a change in your life. It will also enhance your lifestyle giving you healthy appearance.

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From White Belt To Black

ByThe house that never rests | On April 15,15 | 6 Comments

From white belt to black

Hello everyone, it’s me again (Bradley) sorry I been a little quiet recently but I have a good reason for that. I have been rather busy practicing/training for my black belt. I had my grading for my black belt on the 29th March and I needed to get as much practice in as possible.

Guess what, it only went and paid off, YIKES! I am now a black belt.

I have been going to Tia Sung Kung Fu Kickboxing now since I was 7 years old, this is a picture of me on my first day.

Wow look how tiny I look.

Here is a picture of me as a black belt after many years of training hard to get it.

I am feeling rather proud of myself.

I really enjoy going to Tia Sung Kung Fu Kickboxing class, it helps to keep me fit and I have made so many friends. I have entered championships where I have come third and got a bronze medal, this was great fun but extremely tiring, I certainly slept well that night that’s for sure.

I meet up sometimes with my friends from kickboxing class and we train together and help each other it is great fun. I have great support from my family they all cheer me on, some family members come along and support me on grading days if they are not busy.

Wow it feels amazing being a black belt, my best friend from Kickboxing class also got his black belt which is great as we have supported each other all the way through and we can now continue to do so.

I would like to thank everyone who has supported me and wished me luck, I wouldn’t have been able to get this far without you all, it means so much to know you are there cheering me on.

Here is to a new chapter in my life.

Thank you

Bradley

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Health And Fitness Fun With Virgin Active

ByThe house that never rests | On December 01,14 | 2 Comments

Health and fitness made fun

The boys was rather excited to be invited along to trial a new form of fitness programme as part of the launch of virgin active crew. This scheme is aimed at boys and girls aged between 8 – 15 offering a fun fitness programme, this is to encourage the children to have a positive attitude towards their health and fitness.

Warm up fun.

The kids were rather excited to be going to the gym to keep fit and healthy. Me and Ian have had gym memberships in the past but that was a while back, we no longer hold a gym membership at the moment. The boys are very sporty kids….where they get it from we do not know, but we do like to encourage this as much as possible.

WOW look at that jump…..I wish I could jump like that.

We arrived at the gym in Acton with two excited boys, excited and ready for action. They started off with gentle but fun warm-up exercises one of which was lifting and dropping sandbells, these was all of different weights and sizes. After the warm ups had finished Lee and Brad’s fitness was then really put to the test, this involved lots of fun frog movements, gorilla crawls, hurdles, speed skills with fitlights, jumping, catching, throwing, team challenges and much more all whilst having fun and increasing their strength, ability and core fitness.

Sweating but smiling

As any parent we are keen on keeping our kids moving and burning off energy, we was very impressed at how the staff was able to motivate the children and get them involved with the exercise session by delivering it in a very fun and energetic way that the children enjoyed. Lee and Brad lose interest fairly easily but this really held their attention extremely well and they thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

Virgin active have worked together with an organisation called SAQ international to develop a very exciting programme, ( virgin active crew ) this aims to:

Building on basic skills, such as running, jumping, throwing.

Improve fitness levels.

Increase self-confidence.

Teach team building skills.

Help understand more about healthier living.

Give the kids social interaction.

Most of all, make fitness fun.

All of this whilst having great fun with specially trained coaches and with the use of the latest fitness innovations and equipment.

Lee and Brad really enjoyed meeting Nathan Helberg from Zuu Chimps and loved the physical and animal exercises that he had shown them. They had great fun and got rather competitive, we loved seeing them enjoying themselves whilst keeping fit and healthy.

The race was on.

We loved seeing the kids take part and try their best, they was made to feel part of a team and every effort made by the kid’s was noticed by the staff and rewarded with a high-five….there was no loosers in this class, but it was a class full of smiles and great fun to be had by all.

Look at the concentration on Brads face.

As soon as the kids got they’re breath back after the session they was asking if they can be signed up to a class, this has got to be a good sign that they enjoyed themselves…..right?

Lee enjoying a rest at the end of the session

My challenge set by the kids is to look on the virgin active crew website and see where our local session is held.

Want to get involved: If this sounds like something your kids would enjoy why don’t you see if there is a class near you, if your clubs not on the list don’t worry as Active crew will be launching nationwide in January.