Tag: Fitness

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On By lex270In Fitness, Parenthood, Surfing, Travel, Uncategorized, WakeboardingLeave a comment

Another year down.  The years seem to be flying by at the moment.  I can’t decide whether its down to the fact that I’m getting older, (the older I get the shorter years seem because I’ve been on the planet longer malarky), or because of the kids who keep me so busy that if I want to do something by myself I have to schedule it in a few weeks in advance (not interesting stuff either, things like the food shop, which with kids is no bueno).

So… 2015, in a very quick roundup as the two kids seem to have crushed my ability to have any time to focus on actually composing a blog post these days.  Goal for 2016, blog more. 

January… I can’t remember January, and I was sober because of the bun in the oven…. In February Florida was calling!  Ahhh winter sun… 

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After two years of studying, I became a fully qualified Wakeboard Coach, and to top it off, I was the first one in the UK to pass this qualification!

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I did my one and only pregger shoot which was fun yet very tiring trekking round hills and fields to get the right shot!  [Lemm Photography for FittaMamma]

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The biggest event of 2015 was this little angel being born in May…

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My first ride at BEP was pretty epic, managed seven laps.  Nailed it.

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Just fitting in rides in general was always a highlight…. [Lemm Photography @ Hannams]

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Laps at New Forest Wake Park

I came 2nd in the British Nationals!!!!  Whhhhaaaaatttt??  I wasn’t sure if I could actually enter as it was only eight weeks after I’d given birth, but I did and was stoked to come away with silver!  Definitely a highlight!

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Photo – Mr T’ography @ Nationals 

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Started the horribly challenging journey of getting my pre baby body back.  I’m still working on it… its bloody hard! 

I rode in the UK’s first ever European Tour Stop which was SOOOO much fun!  Can’t wait for next years event!

Our first family (of four) holiday was to Surf Snowdonia.  I can’t wait to go again in the new year, and really can’t wait to go without kids!

Getting a double page in the 2016 Mystic Product Guide was pretty cool 🙂

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Surftripping… always a highlight. 

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So there you have it, a brief overview of my 2105.  Theres been some incredible highs along with some lows, but focussing on the good heading into 2016 I’m sure its going to be a great year.  It’ll be filled with more wakeboarding, more surfing, family holidays, ‘mums drunken nights out’, watching my offspring develop and grow even more, and more challenging parenting situations than you can shake a stick at.  Oh, and wine. 

Wishing everyone a very Happy New Year and a beautiful 2016! xx

t r a i n i n g

On By lex270In Fitness, Parenthood, Uncategorized, WakeboardingLeave a comment

Baby number one, check.  Got back into shape, check.  Baby number two, check.

Now its time to get back into shape for the second (and last time – no more babies!). Everyone I’ve spoken to said it was much harder the second time around to get your body back.  I’ll be honest and admit to thinking it was a load of bullshit and that if you really wanted your figure back, you’d do it. ***

Ahhhhh sweet ignorance.

Well now I’m smack dab right in the middle of it.  Five months post baby and not an ab in sight.  The fact that I’ve done completely bugger all for the past couple of months might have something to do with it.

Why?  Why when I started out so well (power walking, yoga, circuits & wakeboarding), and then just stopped?

I’ll tell you why.

Its because I now have not one, but two kids.  Two little people demanding my undivided attention from 6am until 7:30pm, and then an hour or two in the night as well (from both kids on a bad night – turns out toddler sleep regression is actually a real thing).  I know this is only short term until the new baby goes through the night (or at least thats what I’m told), but I’m continuously exhausted and the thought of working out, or doing anything for that matter, seems like the biggest task in the world, (if the bathroom gets cleaned this month it’ll be a bloody miracle).

Its not all bad though as through all the power walking (while pushing a double buggy), living room yoga, kitchen circuits, clean eating, and wakeboarding, I’ve dropped the baby weight (had about a stone to shed), but now its time to tighten up.  I want to feel strong and energetic again.  Is that too much to ask?

Apparently so.

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I’ve started working with PT Chris Kelly to get me back into shape.  I know, first world problem to have a trainer, right?  However, I see it as an investment into myself.  How much are you willing to pay to get the ‘you’ you want back?  I could spend that money on booze (I probably would but Aldi now do a great, and cheap, wine selection), or I could spend it on a gym membership, which I’m not going to lie, I seriously thought about doing. But personally, me joining a gym doesn’t actually get me to the gym, I wouldn’t go and I’d be £££ worse off a month with no results.

Also the body has been through a hell of a lot with bringing a baby into the world and you need to be careful with how you train afterwards.  So I thought it best to seek professional advice, and as a coach myself, I know the benefits of having a coach and how they can see things you can’t and guide you towards your goals.

I’ve had three sessions so far and I’m feeling good.  I’m always so much happier after a workout because my body’s moving and my bloods pumping, I feel ready for the day ahead, that along with eating right keeps me sane!

*** I know everyone is different.  All different shapes and sizes.  Its about doing what is right for you and what makes you happy.  Some people are happy with their new postpartum body that has just created a child and thats great, it really is, the female body an incredible machine!  But I personally don’t feel happy in myself unless I know my body can do certain things.  And these are physical things, such as wakeboarding, which is tough on the body.  If my body can’t do what I want it to do, I’m not a happy chappy.  So I do all this to keep me on the water which keeps me happy! ***

Post workout snacks!

On By lex270In Fitness, Parenthood, Uncategorized4 Comments

11800200_926110080758929_1753088453964981392_nSince having my second baby, I’ve been dying to get back into shape.  I managed to do it after my first child, so why not do it again!  I’m 11 weeks post baby and getting there slowly slowly.  Its early days but its definitely different this time around.  In some ways its easier because I know I can do this as I’ve done it before, but that makes it harder because I’m expecting fast results, and you don’t just replace a stone of fat with muscle over night.  Its also harder because I’m so much more tired this time around… my iron levels are getting there (which also make you tired).  And two kids.  Not easy.

I’m doing well so far, technically only have five more pounds to lose to be back at my pre pregnancy weight, but that doesn’t really represent the work that is to come.  I have so much more to do to get back to the shape that I’m comfortable with and at my happiest.  Muscle is slowly building and I can get into my first trimester clothing (when you don’t look pregnant but you need to buy clothing in a size up).

SO, what have I been doing to get back into shape?!  Well, lots of power walking as I can’t run yet – and pushing two kiddies in a buggy definitely makes you work up sweat!  I’m on my wakeboard as much as possible, thats roughly every couple of weeks at the moment for about an hour.  Living room yoga, kitchen circuits and garage free-weights. I try to do one of these activities two / three times a week.  This is paired with eating as clean as possible plus drinking loads of water.  (I still reward myself with my giant cookie during the night feed as I’m still breast feeding, honestly, its the only thing that gets me through!)

My fav post workout snacks / meals at the moment are:

  • Tomato, mozzarella and avocado with pesto, olive oil and vinegar.. aaaaa-ddicted. 
  • Eggs Benedict with asparagus or avocado.
  • Pepper / carrots with hummus
  • Handful of natural mixed nuts 
  • Apple and almond butter 
  • Bowl of strawberries or half a cantaloupe melon
  • All the above is washed down with a couple of litres of lemon water (throughout the day)

Click here to find some more healthy snacks at nuts.com! 

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