Sweaty Saturday

As most of my spare time is now spent reading, it is not uncommon that I get my sweat on by reading sexy vampire novels. I know I keep raving on about these books, but oh my they do get my pulse racing. A while back someone posted a link on my facebook page that watching scary films can burn more calories than watching a comedy. I wonder how many calories I burn whilst reading these, sometimes scary and sometimes sexy, books.

Whilst I am not telling you to give up your gym session for a thrilling novel, I do believe that reading is a wonderful hobby. I just hope that the books left on my shelf can keep me entertained as much as the books by Charlaine Harris have.

Here's my activity for this week. I ran every morning except Thursday (only weekdays) and I did my arms and shoulders day and chest and back day at the gym. I missed Thursday's leg day because my mum came round after work. I may go tomorrow to do it, the gym should hopefully be quiet so I can use the "big boys" machines without getting too many looks.

Here's what I aim for:

Ciara's legs mmmm

I'd love a miracle to look like any of these women overnight, but I know it takes time. I need to get my body fat measured and although my BMI calculation says I'm "healthy", I think in 80-10-10 terms I'm possibly classed as overweight! I have so much blubber on my belly and thighs, it's disgusted me for well over 12 years. So, that means it's going to take a few years to achieve my optimum weight, shape and body fat percentage.

One day at a time. I just remember "what would future Jen do?" and I keep on going. Well hopefully by 2015 I will have at least lost some excess fat! I know health is important, but it's my outside that I see, so I want to look as great as I feel inside.

Much love

Jennifer x

Sweaty Saturday

Welcome to Sweaty Saturday!

Last week I posted about my new foam roller and I have been using it every night to roll out my back. I admit that I have not really tried any other techniques yet, mainly due to laziness and space in my bedroom. Tomorrow I shall make an effort to do it in front of the TV downstairs.

I also posted my schedule and said I will follow it, but it was not a good trial run because I was only in work on Monday so it definitely threw me off the rest of the week. My schedule will start a proper trial run from 6th January. However, I went to the gym yesterday and spent over an hour working on my arms and shoulders routine. Tomorrow I intend to work on a chest and back routine and my leg routine is already nailed.

So, for all over body workouts I clicked this link (it's called Joe and says Men's Health, but I do not see why this is not relevant to women...) that told me what the five best exercises are. You should be able to guess without clicking the link.

1. SQUATS! 

Yes squats are good. I tell my colleagues all the time. They complain about their lard arses, I tell them "stop eating biscuits and DO YOUR SQUATS!!" hahaha they think I am mad. I even demonstrated in the office how to squat and gave them a quick way to get them in whilst on our breaks. Before doing weighted squats I do 100 without weights. Feel the burn.

2. The Plank

I do not like the plank, but I guess I like the results of it. Definitely a grower and my only advice is start easy and build up the amount of time you hold it for. I used to train with a guy who would make me hold it for 1 minute when I was just getting back into the gym...almost made me cry I hated it that much!

3. Dead Lifts

I much prefer the Romanian dead lift, I am not sure what type of dead lift they are suggesting on this site, but be careful of back and knee injury.

4. Lunges

I also hate this exercise, but that is because my balance going into them and coming out of them is on the poor side. I prefer to have one leg out and then do 20 reps going up and down and have the front food in the same position, it creates more of a burn and I don't feel like such a fool from falling over...

5. Push ups

I am still mastering these and I envisage that I will be for a while to come. Yesterday I managed 6 in a row (I go to 10 so the remaining 4 were on my knees). It really does work your shoulders, sometimes I cannot even lift anything for days! I guess that shows that I need to do more haha

My plan at the gym is to do a mini circuit before each session of squats, push ups and abs. Then I can focus on arms and shoulders, chest and back or legs.

Do you have a "strict" plan for the gym or working out? Let me know.

Enjoy the rest of your sweaty day!

Much love

Jennifer x

Sweaty Saturday

Welcome to Sweaty Saturday

Today I purchased a foam roller because I get a stiff upper back and often need to crack it. I did a search for a way to do it myself as the chiropractor can be very pricey and this is what I found.

Brett Rogers aka VitalityMassage on YouTube has some helpful videos on foam rolling. He's definitely unique!

The foam roller is good for massage and strength building too. See this video with Ashley Borden and visit her website to download the Rolling Out Guide

I am definitely going to incorporate these techniques into my daily routine, especially as I spend the majority of my time either in bed sleeping on my side, or hunched over a PC.

That reminds me, I have devised a schedule for the next few months. I need to prioritise certain things for my health and future and they are sleep, exercise and studying TEFL.

This is my first draft, I'll see how it works out over the next week. It looks like a lot of leisure time and not enough gym...

Anyway, that is it for my post today. I hope you are all having a great weekend and if you do not hear from me, check my schedule because I may be busy ;)

Much love

Jennifer x

Sweaty Saturday

Welcome to another Sweaty Saturday!

If you read Forgetful Friday you'll know that I was definitely not up for exercising in a conventional way today. 

I started to feel human again by about 3pm having spent most of the day in bed (apart from breakfast around 10am when I devoured lots of mangoes). So I went to the town centre, picked up some Christmas cards, mushrooms, water, etc and returned home.

I finally finished the Christmas tree, adding my hand made decorations and even more Disney things (my dad added the Pooh topper and some Minnie and Mickey stockings) and here is the finished thing.

I am not really in the mood to crop the photo!

So, after I carbed up with a low fat cooked meal...

Clockwise top left: 1lb mushrooms, Jen's tomato sauce, chickpeas and corn spaghetti

Don't forget the salad :)

...I was able to turn on the music channels and DANCE to get my sweat on. It felt so good. I have not done that for aaaaaaaaaaages and it used to be a regular thing to get down in front of the TV :D I plan to add that to my daily routine. 

This week I ran 5 miles - 1 mile Mon-Fri. I went to the gym yesterday to do squats, smith machine squats and lunges, bicep curls, dips, etc. I did about an hour of weights. I want to stick with getting up at 5.30am to run 1 mile and then in the evenings I will go crazy dancing in front of the TV! I will go to gym Friday, Saturday and maybe Sunday depending on how I feel.

What did your week of exercise look like??

Much love

Jennifer x

Sweaty Saturday

Welcome to Sweaty Saturday!

Well this week I have been forcing myself to get up when my alarm goes off at 5.30am to go for my 1 mile lap around the housing estate. I average about 12 minutes. First thing in the morning I am not feeling very energetic and especially with the temperature being low I am not really in the best mood to make myself run fast!

So for this week I only clocked 4 miles as the weather on Thursday and Friday was too severe for running! I did a mile today after I visited the fruit market. I will be adding my visit to YouTube shortly. Check it out.

I also did some butt toning exercises whilst watching Durianrider, but I may have been getting a little excited whilst squeezing my buttocks in a thrusting motion...hahahaha

Anyway! What have you been doing today to get sweaty??

I am off to a raw vegan Christmas potluck. I have prepared a superb salad selection, I cannot wait to eat.

Much love

Jennifer x

Sweaty Saturday

Welcome to Sweaty Saturday!

People often talk about the advantages of training/exercising, which is fabulous because we should all be shifting our bodies regularly. However, I do not often come across disadvantages/things to make sure you do.

So here are my pointers based on my experience.

1. It is always best to keep your toe nails trimmed and soft. I have been using my normal trainers this week instead of Vibrams, so my toes were touching each other for a change. My toe nails were a little sharper than normal...

Gross I know

2. Cardio exercise, like running or cycling, I find is best to complete first thing in the morning as soon as you've woken up. Especially for those with 9-5's or equivalent. Get out of bed and put your workout gear on straight away!

3. Whatever you do, do not do cardio on a full stomach! You may vomit or need to poop (especially on a high raw diet).

4. Do not listen to music whilst running/cycling. Listen to nature...or that car you did not see in your blind spot.

5. Always carry tissue with you...because if you ignore point 3 you'll be finding a bush to shit behind! (I have stories)

So, remember these 5 pointers next time you do some cardio. 

Much love

Jennifer x

Sweaty Saturday

Welcome to Sweaty Saturday!

Unfortunately my only exercise today was carrying some fruit and veg to the car from the wholesale market, unloading at home and then putting it away. Oh and I walked around the corner to see my Granddad, followed by a jog home!

So, if you are lazy like me and you really cannot face going outside to run/cycle or go to the gym to lift weights you can join me in my bedtime preparation workout.

Whilst you are on the loo you could do some stretches, especially in your upper body. Put your hands together and reach as high up as you can. Perhaps you have heavy shoulders from a hard day. I feel better when I do this stretch.

Whilst you are brushing your teeth you can do some squats, lunges or both.

Before you get into bed do some push ups, planks, sit ups or all three!

Whilst you're in bed stretch your entire body!

It's only a short workout but at least you're moving and perhaps it's that little bit of extra energy burn you need to fall asleep :)

Much love

Jennifer x

Sweaty Saturday

Hey it's Sweaty Saturday!

Have you got your sweat on yet? I ran around the block and then did a blogilates video in the living room.

Check it out. It really worked my triceps even though it was not a primary muscle used!

Perhaps one day I can do an exercise video - that would be funny haha

Much love

Jennifer x

Sweaty Saturday

Welcome to Sweaty Saturday!

The weather has been so indecisive today. I've seen sun, clouds, rain, hail and even thunder and lightening! Despite this I still had some fun on the outdoor exercise machines (even if it was not for that long!)

It was very wet and windy here!

The white bits are hail! Got me right in the face :(

It was worth it for the views :)

Still smiling despite the wet and cold weather :D

I find that running in vibrams really hits my calves hard! I am sore for days afterwards and also my feet blister really easily, so I need to invest in some vibram socks. Has anyone used them before? I'd like to know your opinions of the shoes and the socks.

Keep on sweating and enjoy your evening!

Much love

Jennifer x

Sweaty Saturday

It is Sweaty Saturday, but the dampness on my skin is due to the rain!

I hope you are all having a great weekend and are able to do the things you want to do. Most people tend to dream about having a super toned, flat stomach (I do) and I used to attend the abs classes at the gym quite regularly. Unfortunately, to get a toned tummy we need to do more than just sit ups. We should focus on exercises that rely on engaging the core and usually that means using your entire body. However, we still need to train our abdominal muscles, so here is a routine to do just that courtesy of Cassey Ho.

Cassey is just so good to watch, she is fun, chatty and insightful. I love her videos and her channel blogilates. Check her out :)

Much love

Jennifer x

Sweaty Saturday

It comes around quickly, it's Sweaty Saturday!

I recently rejoined a gym and I am getting back into the swing of things, but you do not need a gym membership in order to get sweaty! The best exercises are those that use your own body as a machine. I made it my aim to be able to do proper push ups and unassisted pull ups. I will get there one day, but for now I am going to practice and practice.

I discovered calisthenics this year through many videos on YouTube and the strength that these people have is just amazing. I'd love to be able to do this in the future. 

Enjoy these videos.

Much love

Jennifer x

Sweaty Saturday

It's Sweaty Saturday!

Have you done 100 squats?

What better way to work up a sweat, tone your bottom, abs and legs and feel like you have a better rear than J.Lo!

Watch the video to perfect your squatting technique.

Remember, it is not a race. The only person you need to conquer is yourself! Start slow and you will gradually build up your strength and ability to go lower and much quicker - once it becomes easy THEN make it harder ;)

Facebook page 

Much love

Jennifer x

Sweaty Saturday

Welcome to Sweaty Saturday!

Unfortunately today has been a Stuff my face with Shit Saturday out of laziness.

That being said, there's always YouTube to watch for a source of inspiration for exercise when it is too cold outside. My favourite guy to watch is Mike Chang and his Six Pack Shortcuts videos.

I chose this video as it features a woman and I guess that can appeal to both men and women! Mike's videos are awesome to watch because he has his shirt off most of the time and I sure know how to appreciate it!

So...train hard but sensibly, do not over do it as it is far better to hit your limit than to face weeks off with an injury.

REMEMBER...looking good is 80% diet 20% exercise so make sure you are fuelled on the best sources - fruit and vegetables!

Much love

Jennifer x

Sweaty Saturday

Welcome to Sweaty Saturday!

I hope you get your sweat on, or have already had your sweat on today!

Today I took my camera out with me for a run and I am treating you to seeing me get a sweat on with some images and videos of where I live.

I feel like I have achieved so much today, I ran 8km and I normally run 3km, I kept going when my blisters started to irritate me and I also carried on despite my shin pains - I just hope I haven't damaged anything. I took it easy, mixing the running with some walking and I stopped to take photographs along the way.

I hope you take the time to watch my video, it's less than 4 minutes! It won't enhance your life in anyway but I hope you still watch it because it's me :) 

Edit: I realise now that I made a spelling mistake and that really bothers me, it should say "furthest" in the video! 

Well check back for Sexy Sunday, I still haven't decided what to treat you to!

Much love

Jennifer x

Sweaty Saturday

It's the weekend and today is Sweaty Saturday.

The purpose of Sweaty Saturday is to share with you some exercise related information. This week I am sharing a video I find fun to do - exercise for me has to be fun in order for me to want to do it again, unless I am getting serious results! 

A few years ago I was at a gym that offered free classes and the instructor gained his certificate in Tabata, which was the start of my love for this way of exercising. Well I tend to get very distracted at the gym if I am exercising alone, I must admit I can appreciate the body of a well defined man, so I need to do exercises to keep my focus and this video is great for that. I did actually do this at the gym, I used the free WiFi and had it playing on my phone. Home exercise for me is quite difficult to complete, as I said I get distracted!

The video is from FitnessBlender on YouTube and this channel contains a lot of other workouts like kettlebells, abs, fat burning, etc too so check it out! 

I hope you enjoy getting sweaty this Saturday. Once you have worked up a sweat, don't forget to fuel your body with the best foods - fruit and vegetables! Eat clean to look lean and be 100% raw ;)

Much love

Jennifer x