Category Archives: Fitness

Why Do You Put Off Exercise – Shock Absorber Giveaway

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Every Sunday I say I will change my attitude and start exercising. Then, before I know it, another weekend is upon me and I haven’t moved a muscle. It’s a pattern I really want to break.

I can’t explain why I procrastinate so much when it comes to exercise. The benefits I will feel both mentally and physically are a huge drive but time, money and a God-given ample chest are all factors in my reluctancy. At times, jumping around a dance studio to ‘I’m sexy and I know it’ just seems like an expensive, not to mention embarrassing, way to get backache.

It would appear I’m not alone, Shock Absorber recently spoke with 1,000 active women across the UK to uncover the barriers women face when exercising. The surprising results revealed that for 37% of woman breast bounce and discomfort is the main reason they avoid exercise.

In a bid to address this challenge Shock Absorber have created a unique tool called the Bounce-o-Meter, a 3D visual demonstration of breast movement informed by scientific research and lab videos, allowing women to see clear representation of the impact their chosen exercise may have on their breasts. They then easily find the best Shock Absorber bra for them to ensure support at all times.

If you, like me, are determined to get exercising or even if you are a seasoned fitness fanatic then www.anessexwife.com, alongside Shock Absorber, have a great Shock Absorber Giveaway away for you.

Shock Absorber Giveaway

Shock Absorber Giveaway

The lovely people at Shock Absorber are joining forces with www.AnEssexWife.com to host a fantastic Shock Absorber Giveaway. One lucky winner will receive a Shock Absorber Ultimate Run Bra worth £38 with the following features,

  • Fully back opening
  • Soft, seam-free inner lining
  • Reflective tape across cups for high visibility when running outdoors
  • Wide, padded, non-slip straps
  • Soft, non-rub hook & eye
  • Moisture-wicking, high performance fabrics

All you need to do to enter this great Shock Absorber Giveaway is complete the form below  - good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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An Evening With Ideal Weight

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This time last year I lost a stone and a half. I dieted, I replaced meals with shakes, I exercised and thankfully the weight started to fall off.  Come the new year though I was back to eating normal food and life took over the time I had set aside for exercise, before I knew it the weight had all gone back on.

Now here we are again, festive invites starting to roll in and me feeling overweight and unattractive. It’s time to do something to fix this yo-yo weight issue once and for all.

I have tried many diets, but I know that isn’t the answer. I love food, maybe a little too much, and restricting what I eat and when I eat it just isn’t conducive to family life. I need a complete attitude change. I need to re address my relationship with food.

When Ideal Weight invited me along to an event showcasing what this new weight loss brand had to offer I was initially resistant. I felt that my time with meal replacements and weight charts had come to an end. I researched the brand a little more though and found that alongside their diet programme they also offer Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) sessions to help their clients address their issues with food.

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Ideal Weight offer3 different weight loss plans, with varying amounts of meal replacements needed in a day.  I personally don’t think I would follow the food side of the plan, I want to concentrate on eating cleaner and setting good examples for the girls to follow, but the CBT side was a revelation. It really addressed the niche that other weight loss companies are missing.  It strives to help clients make positive changes.

The session we were taken through was about boundaries. Exploring the ones we impose on ourselves and how these affect our attitudes towards food.  I was completely engaged, I wish I could go back every week, I especially for the ‘lessons from our childhood’ session, that one would help me a lot.

I really like how Ideal Weight promote that the hard part isn’t getting the weight off, its keeping it off.  They appear to be very ‘real’ in their promises and approach.  It was extremely refreshing to meet the lovely ladies behind this brand and hear their back stories. I predict big things for them and Ideal Weight.

I have come away from the event inspired and ready to tackle my issues with food.

Here’s to a happier, healthier and more shapely me.

This post is in partnership with Ideal Weight

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Set4Sport – An Afternoon With Judy Murray

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Set4Sport is a free resource, born in home of the Murray’s when the two boys were growing up, gives parents guidance on games and activities they can enjoy with their children, that will help them to evolve their balance, coordination and agility, without them even knowing they are learning.

Judy says of the scheme ”Set4Sport is all about playing games and having fun indoors or out, using everyday household objects as your equipment. These are some of the games I played with Jamie and Andy when they were small which I hope you enjoy with your children.”

We were lucky enough to be invited to an afternoon showcase of the Set4Sport games with the lovely Judy Murray a few weeks ago. The girls adored event, and fell head over heels in love with the games. They were simple to understand, fun to take part in and you could clearly see how each one would help to engage them and improve their physical literacy.

We played three games at the event. Jump The River, Tidy Your Room, Jackpot and Race ‘n’ Chase.

I loved how each game could be played for just a short period of time and still be fun and effective, perfect for the short attention spans of little ones. What also struck me about these games is how they encourage interaction between the parent and child. A family that plays together, stays together.

I come from a highly competitive, sporty family. I was always going to raise my girls to be active, but with these games and activities in my locker I now know I can start working on their coordination, balance and agility a lot earlier than I first thought.

The website www.set4sport.com has a wealth of games and knowledge that are free to access, and the free app that accompanies that programme not only has the games for you to play but a handy score card to keep track of the winners and great sound effects to really set the mood.

I cannot thank Judy and her Set4Sport team enough for such a wonderful afternoon. I’d happily do that every week of the school holidays if they’d have me.

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Team #MuddyEssexGirls – Please Support Us

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I like a challenge. I like to know I am doing my bit to help. I believe in Karma. I want to beat Cancer.

These are just four of my reasons to be taking part in Cancer Research UK’s inaugural Pretty Muddy Event in Essex with Chez Mummy and The Secret Life Of Kate.

There are many more of course.

The memory of my lovely granddad, for the friends I have whose parents are fighting the disease, and of course for the fear I may one day have to fight it too…

Whatever your reason, this could be your way to raise money.

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Pretty Muddy isn’t like any other fundraising event. It’s a 5k mud run where women of mixed abilities climb, jog and walk all over cancer – it can be as challenging as you want to make it. The events are taking place in late September and early October. For more information, visit the Pretty Muddy pages on the Cancer Research UK Website.

There are 4 events running this year

  • •Sunderland – 7th September
  • •Clumber Park – 14th September
  • •Basildon – 21st September
  • •Finsbury Park – 6th October

Our team #MuddyEssexGirls comprising so far of An Essex Wife, Chez Mummy and The Secret Life Of Kate, will be taking part on the Basildon Event on September 21st.

We would love your support. Whether that be an encouraging tweet, a donation to our Just Giving page or, even better, you joining our team – we thank you 100%.

JustGiving - Sponsor me now!

We would love to know if you are doing an event near year so that we can all support each other, and if you would like to join our team please email me at [email protected] or leave a comment on here and I will get back to you.

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Buggy Fitness Tips From BOB Strollers

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I spoke last week about my AMAZING new BOB Sport Utility Stroller and the launch of the Active Parent website.  In conduction with this launch the wonderful Laura Willams have sent me over some fitness tips and buggy exercises to do with my new stroller when out and about.

The tips I’m sharing are aimed at parents like me who have babies over the age of 9 months who want to get back in shape.  Check out www.activeparents.co.uk for anti and post natal exercises.

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BOB FITNESS TIPS WITH LAURA WILLIAMS

 

Most women experience dramatic physical changes to their bodies during pregnancy, which occur as the body’s natural way of preparing for childbirth. To help support and protect the body during this time, it is also important to maintain a healthy lifestyle and a good fitness regime during pregnancy. This will help to prepare for a delivery and also make life much easier when it comes to getting back into shape post birth.

 

Fitness expert, Laura Williams recommends that by following a few simple steps during and post pregnancy, women can drastically improve the physical and emotional state of mind during and post childbirth – and getting your body back can be as easy as a simple walk in the park!

9 months+

This is the time to ramp up your fitness routine! You’ll probably be keen to start getting back into your pre-pregnancy clothes; relaxin levels will have started to return to normal so you can be more bold with your exercises, and the chances are, your energy levels will be on the up.

Try to add new challenges to your exercise routine, but keep it do-able. Daily walks at higher intensities and new conditioning exercises will help to keep everything stimulating and will ensure that you continue to see results, both with your fitness and energy levels, and also in terms of shaping up.

  • Up the pace of your walking workout. You could try the following: start with 7 minutes of moderate paced walking, then walk uphill for 5 minutes, and finish the interval by walking quickly for 5 minutes. Repeat. This is a good length workout! Alternatively you could try jogging with your stroller: start out slow and practise running with both hands, one hand, and with the strap. And always stay upright, keeping elbows bent and try not to lean into the stroller especially as you fatigue.

You can also try these new stroller exercise challenges:

·       Walking Stroller Lunge. Stand behind your stroller with hands on the handlebars and take a long stride forward bending front knee to a 90-degree angle – your thigh should be parallel to the ground. Keep torso lifted, hips and shoulders facing forward. Push through the front heel to come back up to standing – this will work your bottom muscles more, and ensure that you don’t put too much weight on the stroller too. Switch legs and repeat this for one minute. Rest and repeat the exercise.

·       Waist Whittler. Stand tall with your right side facing the stroller. Keeping as still as you can in the upper body, gently push the stroller away with your right hand, while reaching overhead with left arm. Tense your abdominal muscles on the left side to pull the stroller back. Do this 8-10 times before changing sides.

·       Single-Leg Squat and Row. Stand with feet hip-width apart, right hand on stroller, and extend left leg in front of you so you’re balancing on your right leg with your knees aligned. Slowly bend your right knee as you push the stroller away from you ensuring as you bend your knees don’t come over your toes. Then straighten leg and pull stroller in towards you. Do 20 on each leg.

If you have any other Buggy Fitness exercises or tips to share please do leave a comment below.

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