Gym

A lot of people associate the gym with negative things such as expensive membership you never use or school gym classes most people try to get out of.  

I'm sure we'd all go if he was there! So this week I want to write about what the GYM means to me and I am not just talking about these two examples I have given, I am just talking about any place people use to exercise. I want to put a more positive spin on the word, so I'm going to to spell out for you.

 

G is for goals. Lot of people make goals relating to being healthier for example, when my friend and I go swimming each week we aim to do more lengths than the last. Another goal is drinking less alcohol and more water. I am aiming to do one form of exercise per day starting next Monday (wish me luck.) Some people aim to get fit, lose weight or maintain a healthy weight. Whatever your goal is it may help to keep a log so you stay on track like I am going to do with my exercise plan. Places like gyms often have tips and advice for becoming healthier and classes like aerobics which can be a great way to exercise socially at your own pace and aim to push yourself each week as you get fitter. Also long term goals such as slimming down for a holiday or special occasion can help push you to continue the hard work because it will be worth it in the end. I've seen a quote from Nelson Mandela used a lot this week to motivate people to keep working for their fitness goals. He said “It always seems Impossible until it’s done.” So just know when you feel in a rut it can be done there are many examples of success out there and one day although it may not feel like it at the moment you will be part of a success story of your own.

Y is for YOLO. Yes I'm using this much loved phase You Only Live Once (YOLO) but not for its most popular purpose. I am saying you should live your life to the full and live to your best, as healthy and fit as you want to be. Be good to your body so you can live for as long as humanly possible. Someone who I think has done this and is still doing it now is Rosemary Conley.  She is an inspiration to anyone trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle as well as being a successful health and fitness guru. At the age of 67 she is still saying YOLO as she carries on fighting for her impressive business and in 2012 when she competed in Dancing on Ice. I would not mind looking like her when I'm her age!

M is for move it. Exercise is really good for us and sometimes it’s as simple as moving around a little. Housework, walks in the park or getting off the bus a stop earlier, it doesn't have to be something massive or intense. I love one of the phrases my friends use which is from slimming world, they call it ‘Body Magic.’ It makes it sound so cool and fun.  But it has been said that all magic comes with a price, in this case though I think it’s worth it. On the slimming world site they say “You don’t have to do a tremendous amount of activity for it to be effective – the important thing is to get out of your chair and begin to move more, more often.” They also list all the amazing benefits of this body magic so have a look for yourself. M is also for money, signing up for a gym membership may cost a lot but think of all the money you spend on fast food and then maybe use it for the gym. Or there are many free alternatives such as a walk in the park, jogging or using your home as your own gym. 

Slimming World

Might even change your life! We stick together! You're not alone!- Little Mix, Change Your Life. 

Battlefield

I decided to call my blog fighting 4 fitness because sometimes changing your life style can feel like a mental fight to ditch bad eating habits and become more active. A fight to motivate ourselves, a fight against those ever so tempting treats and, at the moment, a fight against this awful weather. But it is a fight we can win! Especially if we do it together, buddy up and the process will become easier as you support each other through it and make it more fun together.  I know that it helps me so much to have my friends with me as we all are trying to lose weight and become healthier. A few of my friends come to Zumba with me, I love dancing anyway so I love going every week and with them I always have a laugh. I think it works best if you use your own hobbies and interest, as exercise might give you that extra push to get up and go. Another great thing me and my friend do to support each other is swap personal stories of are ups and downs, advice about what has worked for us and motivate each other to keep going. 

We can all get tempted to go off plan and just have a naughty treat or two, my instructor did a talk about this the other week and I thought it might be helpful here. She was explaining how a lot of people will make allowances and say things like the diet will start again tomorrow, or Monday, or next week. But she said don’t put it off, draw a line under it there and then and start being good again straight away. Jump back on the wagon as soon as possible!

Being active in this weather can be hard and it is much easier to make excuses and put it off. We don’t have to go out and face the cold, there are so many great activities we can do from the warmth of our own home or nearby gym. So it’s time to get motivated and get moving! I’ve already mentioned one of my favourites, Zumba, you could also put some music on in the house and dance around or use the stairs to run up and down a few times or just use the bottom step. Do exercises like star jumps or jogging on the spot for example and all from the comfort of your own home. The link below has some more examples that might be up your street.

http://greatist.com/fitness/20-awesome-indoor-workouts-try-winters-over 

 

Personal goals can also help keep us motivated and level the battlefield. One of my personal goals is to fit into a top I bought but in a size too small, when I went to see one of my favourite musicals last year, 'Wicked'. I’m going to see it again this year at the end of September and want to flaunt my ‘I <3 Wicked’ top in front of all my friends. I have hung the top up so I look at it every day to keep me going. Some of my friends use graduation as a goal as they want to look their best in that picture which they will keep forever. It could be anything big or small that is important to you and will keep you motivated. Short and long term goals can give us that extra push also painting pictures in our heads of how we want to be for example being more active or rocking that bikini in summer, or maybe even some of these goals...

This isn’t easy but if you stick to it and fight for what you want you will succeed. I want to finish with a song that inspires me to keep fighting or climbing to reach my goals even when it seems impossible. We can do this!

Fighting 4 Rosemary Conley Food & Fitness

I am currently a Rosemary Conley member at the early stages of my weight loss. It’s not been plain sailing but it is made a lot easier and more enjoyable with the support of my group. Which anyone in a diet group will emphasise with. 

Rosemary Conley is a unique idea of diet and fitness clubs where franchise's support, motivate and work out with their members to help them get the most benefit out of it. As far as I know no else is doing this!!

http://www.rosemaryconley.com/

 

As you may already be aware Rosemary Conley food and fitness has gone into early administration but this does not mean the end for her and her clubs. Rosemary Conley is going to fight for her diet to stay running. She has already given us so much but she’s not stopping there!

Rosemary Conley is an inspiration for many people. She defiantly inspires me to keep going and fight 4 fitness. A quote from Rosemary Conley in the Telegraph states “It is tough,” she soothes, “but you can do it. Keep your chin up, breathe – and just keep going.”

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/dietandfitness/10617236/Rosemary-Conley-Time-for-the-doyenne-of-diets-to-tighten-her-belt.html

 

She has many words of wisdom and I have read a few of her books which have been very interesting and useful for me. I often think: What Would Rosemary Conley Do (WWRCD). I certainly hope Rosemary Conley comes out of this stronger than ever!

I first thought of making this blog at my club after our instructor, Jane, had just reassured us that the Rosemary Conley team were going to fight for the clubs and diet regime to keep running. Jane had decided that the exercise class that day would be combat and as I watched all the ladies do the different moves in synchronisation and thought it was like we were metaphorically fighting for Rosemary Conley food and fitness. We are a team and we can fight this battle together! Then for the cool down Jane played the song ‘Fly’ by Nicki Minaj Ft Rihanna. The chorus really spoke to me and reflected how I feel Rosemary Conley is fighting for her legacy at the moment. The words are:

“I came to win, to fight,

 to conquer, to thrive,                         

I came to win, to survive,                            

to prosper, to rise,

to fly. ”

I speak for all the member and franchise’s I know we are right behind you Rosemary and we believe you can bring back.