When I'm too lazy to go to the gym

So since coming back from Malaysia I've been slacking in terms of not eating loads of junk food and going to the gym. I have this weird approach to getting back in to more of a health conscious regime. I start by working out at home, then introducing changes to my diet so that I notice that I'm less bloated or my jeans fit slightly better and then I head back to the gym. This is usually over a couple of weeks and it's the only way I can my head back in the game. I always think see if you put more effort in look and what the results would be. Do you have any weird and wonderful methods to psyche you up to start exercising. Or are you someone who just keeps it up - I think thats going to be my focus from now on. I need to be more consistent and stop yo-yoing.

I go to the gym near my office #gymbox and when I'm on leave or at the weekend I find it difficult to make the trek (all of 25 mins) there.  When its chilly exercise outdoors is a no-no, so I have to find ways to incorporate exercise into my day at home. To be fair I also not a fan of sweating profusely or huffing and puffing in public. So except for a group boot camp I attend sporadically and a outdoor run once or twice a year it's the gym or home for me.

To give you a general idea on my thoughts on exercise this is what my ideal workout would be - copious amounts of shopping which includes speed walking, lifting weights and a sauna (when you're laden with bags and a coat the Tube its awfully hot). But if want to try other methods here are a few that I use:

I hula hoop, I bought a hula hoop a while ago and try to use it whilst watching tv usually for about 15 minutes at a time. If you really go at it, walk around and hula at the same time, use your arms, squat and hula etc you will build up a sweat. It also helps to tone your stomach area. I like it because you can do it anytime and as I said its easy to do whilst catching up with my Sky+ box. I also skip and use the hiit method to do this 40 seconds maximum effort and 30 secs rest for as many rounds as I can do. I try to do 20 minutes but I'm usually dying before I can get to 12.  I use an interval training app on my phone that helps to track the time and tells me when to start, stop and prepare for the next round. I also have an ab roller at home, and fitness bands which I use for arm and leg exercises.

I'm a big fan of Fitness TV Sky channel 282 and I do randomly flick to the channel and join in a work out if there is one I like. There are lots of different types of exercise classes available. Some are regular fitness shows and others are actual fitness videos so you get a good mix. The only downfall is that some of the instructions aren't very good but I guess that's the same for any fitness video. 

Another way I access exercise videos is via YouTube. There are loads of great videos that it can be difficult to know where to start I would definitely check out Fitness Blender, Hip Hop Abs if you like a dance class. There are 1000s of classes to choose from. I've also tried Results with Lucy which is a series of online videos as well as programmes you can purchase and then access online. I liked the range of videos, and the fact Lucy Meckelnburgh (formerly of TOWIE) and her trainer are very down to earth. Some of the exercises are easier and some are pretty intense - day to day I wouldn't use this but it's worth checking out if you like bitesize videos you can pull together and if you need great inspiration - have you seen Lucy's abs!!! The programmes also look really good and some of the testimonials are amazing and show terrific results.

But my favourite way to exercise at home is to dance followed by using my Nike NTC app. If you don't know about the NTC app it's a free app with hundreds of exercises focused on getting lean, toned or strong with exercises you can do for anything from 7 to 45 minutes. Athletes like Serena Williams demonstrate the exercises or alternatively well known trainers like Jeanette Jackson or fitness models. I  also use this in the gym as well but I love that I can do a quick 15 minute workout when I can't get to the gym due to the variety available. I usually only do the 15 minutes ones at home and usually do one cardio and one abs or yoga and I also opt for the no equipment ones as I do not have weights at home - although you could use a tin of beans or two full bottles of water.

Just so you know I'm not super fit, I'm actually far from it but I find that exercising is a good stress reliever I guess it's all those endorphins you release when you're working up a sweat. It also helps me to feel more confident in my appearance. I personally prefer it when I'm slimmer and more toned and with a BMI thats in a healthier range. 

Before you start an exercise regime it's recommended that you consult your GP also if you have any injuries then you need to consider focusing on exercises that are less likely to make your existing injury worse. Think low impact.

Moving towards your target customer

So I'm not sure if I've ever shared this on the blog but I work in marketing and have done so since I left uni, many moons ago. Working in the industry I look at advertising differently then most other consumers; so when I watch an advert on tv I don't just think about is it entertaining or would I buy that product, I actually look at what is the underlying message they were trying to convey or who is the advert targeted at (yes, watching tv with me can be rather boring).

This morning I woke up to read two moans from two different sources about two completely different ways that a company/brand  (different organisations) had chosen to proceed and it riled me up enough to write a post. The first of these was on The Daily Mail online (which I'm addicted to reading even though I'm bound to find at least one article that makes my blood boil); a response to Marks & Sparks new lingerie line.  Now we all know that M&S is a British institution but if I'm honest I haven't bought anything in there for the last 5 years that wasn't food or a card.So this morning when I saw the new lingerie range I was kind of excited, excited enough to contemplate actually venturing to M&S on my lunch break (not today but in the near future) to check it out. The clothes side of the business is declining so I'm sure they would love to get me (and others like me) in their doors, for a number of reasons:

I'm totally addicted to shopping and shop regularly. I buy on sight - if I want it I'm buying it, life is too short to be weighing up if I need it.

I have money to spend. 

So when I see articles complaining that most M&S shoppers in their 60s want comfy knickers and not the uncomfortable new collection it gets my goat because what the author fails to realise is that the range isn't aimed at the traditional customer but at me who may just purchase on a whim and isn't wearing those undies for comfort!! What really annoys me is that I have little faith that M&S will wholeheartedly follow through with this strategy -one season I'll see some really cool stuff and the next it's back to good old M&S basics. But consistency is key if they are really focused on getting Nadie and her fellow shopaholics through the door and if they want to see long term growth rather than short term profit.

The second example is a response to Nike's We Own the Night women's only race and womens races in general. Although I didn't attend or race,  I have been to a few Nike Training Club events which I've really enjoyed. The general feedback on the event was that it was a great but slightly tacky and too focused on an image of women that could be seen as frivalous (post race manicures etc). Again when I read the post on Spikes and Heels I thought yes it does sound a bit OTT and slighly passe but I'm sure the event wasn't aimed at running enthusiasts but at those women who want to get fitter, have never ever entered a race or signed up because a friend was doing it ie me if I ever signed up to a race. Would I want to get a manicure post race probably not but pre race when I'm thinking why the hell have I signed up to do this especially as I haven't done a lot of training; yes please as a distraction from the regret I would be feeling. The motivation signs during the course sound like real motivators to run even faster to pass them as quickly as possible

So you are probably wondering what is the point of this post as I dont actually disagree with some of the viewpoints and I guess its to say although the customer is always right, the truth of the matter is that you may not actually be the customer that the product is aimed at and just like a tv show we don't like (switch it off) we have the choice to shop somewhere else or not 'buy' the product. But I also wanted to send a big blog hug to my fellow marketers everyone thinks we have amazing jobs (and personally I think we do) but sometimes feedback can be hard to take - I feel their pain.

Yeah I'm feeling myself right now

So I'm super happy right now - since I last weighed myself about 2 months ago I've lost over a stone. This is great especially as I haven't been working out as much as I was before, but have reduced the amount of sugar I consume by only drinking one sugary drink (juice, tea with sugar, squash) a day except when going out for drinks. I stick to warm water with or without lemon most days.

I decide to start exercising regularly for two reasons, my health and because I like to wear fitted clothes and my spanx no longer made my stomach look flat. The benefits are I can run 5k non stop, my knees no longer ache when it's cold or bent for too long and I can go without my spanx if needs be.

I still have areas I would like to tone up but so far so good and I also hope to run a 10k this year. This is one resolution I was able to stick to, although I have been getting to work earlier lately, so maybe I can nail that one too.

Back on it

So April has been a slack month for me in terms of fitness, since the new year I try to workout 3/4 times a week (mix of gym, yoga and Pilates) but have only consciously worked out 8 times this whole month. Although I have played tennis and been on a few walks, that should really be referred to as hikes (which I haven't included). I decided that it was time to get back on it in May. I always think its best to break yourself in so reduced the amount of carbs I eat last week (the headache only lasted one day) and I dragged myself to the gym this morning. The class I wanted to go to was cancelled, so I reacquainted myself with the free weights and spent an hour dead lifting, squatting and shoulder pressing. It all sounds more intense than it is.

Although I hate to admit it I do like working out its a great stress reliever, and it makes me feel more confident in how I look. Over the next couple of months I'm going to focus on toning my stomach and my back and improving my fitness so that I can run a 10k - I'm also considering getting a bike, inspired by my friend who is always harping on about how much she loves riding. I'll keep you up to date on how it's going.

My Gymbox membership starts this week which should help to spur me on, looking forward to Ghetto Zumba on Wednesday.

Why I should be a lady of leisure

Now that the Christmas rush is over and I'm still on leave from work I've had the chance to have a little me time, which I've spent sale shopping, baking and movie watching. But today I thought it was about time I made a venture into the great outdoors and did two things; the first was visit my new gym. I recently ended my gym membership with Fitness First and joined The Gym Group, www.thegymgroup.com because of cost - it's £26 a month cheaper which is a £312 saving over the year, as well as actually being closer to home #winning. I will miss Fitness First because it had a great range of classes, although I only went to Spin, and the free magazines - I am going to have start buying Look. Today was my first visit to the gym but it had all the equipment I needed and was clean and I would totally recommend it if you have a local Gym Group gym near you - my gym going isn't always as regular as it should be so it makes sense to not spend a lot of money on membership fees. If you prefer to attend classes you may wish to try another gym but if you happy to focus on using machines then this is perfect for you, you can trial the gym for £5 and its open 24 hours, so if you feel the urgency to exercise in the middle of the night you can.

My next stop was one of my favourite places in London, the V&A, where I spent the evening viewing the Ballgowns - British glamour since 1950 and Hollywood Costume exhibitions. The Ballgowns exhibition was exquisite especially the more recent dresses, I always stay up to tweet the red carpet so I just loved the contemporary ballgowns, but the whole collection was beautiful and if you are into glamour then I would definitely go and see the exhibit. It ends on Jan 6 so do make sure to go ASAP if you are interested. It costs £10. The Hollywood Costume exhibition showcases costumes from many classic films including Titanic, Batman, Indiana Jones, Legally Blonde, Elizabeth and much more and includes interviews from directors, actors and wardrobe designers. The exhibits showcase the importance of costume to a film, and the vital role they play in getting the actors into character.

One of the things I liked most about the collection and the interactive displays was that it enabled you to get a real feel for the role of a costume designer - unless it's a period drama my view was that it was a relatively easy job, but there is a lot more to it than just choosing a wardrobe and ensuring continuity. Costume is a key part of the film and the importance of its role in the success of a movie is showcased superbly. I would totally recommend this exhibition for film buffs, general film goers, or just anyone interested in clothes. Be warned it takes about 1.5 hrs to see everything, but it's a really good exhibition to go and see with someone who isn't into museums or galleries. It costs £14 but tickets are sold out on line and can only be purchased on site. This exhibition ends at the end of Jan but it was really busy when I went and I've always found that the last weekends are very busy so I suggest you go before then.

As I was in full museum mode I also decided to check out the Architecture collection, which I loved and surprisingly hadn't seen before - I love architecture so I wasn't quite sure how I hadn't checked this out previously. I also saw the modern Iranian photography exhibition, which has some really great photography and provides insight into Iranian society. Who knew that magazines are censored with black crosses and dresses are extended to meet the Iranian moral code?!

I also took the opportunity to pay the African Collection, which I mentioned in a previous post, a visit. This is quite a small collection but showcases items that are in the V&A's archive but haven't been displayed previously. One of the exhibits is a range of photos purchased from an exhibition of negro art at the New York Museum of Modern Art in 1935; as I said this a small collection and I'm not sure I would make the journey just to see these exhibits but if you are at the V&A then do pay it a visit.

If I didn't mention a price it's free to visit these particular collections, the V&A ask for a donation of £3, but I love it there so I'm going to become a member. If you do go and see any of these exhibitions or have seen one that you would recommend let me know. Further info is available at www.vam.ac.uk #ballgowns.

I didn't take photos of the ballgowns or costumes but did take some of the other exhibits - naughty! Check them out ...

Fitness fun

If you are anything like me then (to my boyfriend's derision) you work out so you can look hot, rather than for health! Well actually looking good is great for my general health and well-being - so I do work out for my health. But anyway I don't really enjoy going to the gym, I go because the days of just cutting back on Friday to ensure a flat pack stomach on Saturday are a few Fridays before the big night out.

To counteract my general dislike of the gym, I've tried very hot personal trainers (so far this has been the best motivation), using  apps such as Nike Training Club and Spin, all which have worked, but I still seem to get bored. So a couple of months ago I found this website http://www.boutiquesport.co.uk/ and after checking out what they are all about, they describe themselves as 'the ultra-glam way to work-out' I knew I needed to sign up to their emails.

Last month I was lucky enough to receive the opportunity to attend a Boutique Sport event, and with my friend in tow, went to a yoga class at Blue Cow Yoga. The class was great fun, and the facilities at Blue Cow were relaxing.

After the yoga session we were invited to attend a cocktail session with the other attendees and the team from Boutique Sport at a bar just down the road. After a relaxing yoga session, cocktails aren't normally the order of the day but this was all about a little rest and relaxation and it would have been rude to refuse. The cocktails weren't to my taste but the goody bags we received were lovely especially the blueberry chewy that I had; and to top the night off I also won 6 months membership at the yoga studio.

 Boutique Sport is such a great idea, and its a great way for health & fitness businesses to market themselves to completely new clientèle - do check it out!


Hopefully your soon to be yogi!




Update Just got another chance to try out a new class - hot Pilates, courtesy of Boutique Sport I'll let you know what is was like. But do sign up, you can try something new for free and if you like it it you could be the next Nell McAndrews.