Tis the season to be jolly!

It’s been a very long time since I've blogged, I never would have imagined that the last three months of the year would be as hectic as it was. It was filled with long working nights, out of town trips and with that my gym regime and eating plan almost certainly went out the window! The 13th of December saw my work year come to an end! Phew!

I now get to take it easy and sleep-in in the mornings and catch up with family and friends and of course enjoy the silly season!  For many of us the festive season is filled with good food, good friends, and good company and of course the good summer cocktails and the ever flowing champagne! This is usually the time when eating plans and exercise fall out the wayside because of the carefree air that exists around. I myself have already been party to such and have even got myself a popped knee while enjoying the festive season. My quick weekend visit to the Dr had the Dr shaking his head and exclaiming the silly season has begun and silly indeed I did feel but nonetheless good times were had on that particular occasion.

 

 

It’s almost impossible to stick to a good eating plan due to the nature of the treats that are always out there, however this is also the time where we also have the opportunity to take time and cook a good healthy meal as well. so how does one beat that festive bulge then....it’s simple, eating clean and ensuring one doesn’t overdue the copious amounts of ever flowing alcohol that’s usually available.

Here are a few tips from Mama J to try and beat that bulge:

1. Keep active, this is the perfect time to catch up on that spring cleaning, gardening and take those long morning strolls or even runs in the morning without worrying about the time.

2. Always keep hydrated by drinking lots of water. If you are in the southern hemisphere and it gets as hot as it does, hydrating is the best way to keep you going and most likely prevents you from having unsavoury treats as well. There's always means and ways of making your water look interesting...adding lemon, cherries or berries will add that pop of colour as I love doing.

 

 

3. If you like to indulge in some alcoholic beverages, try and stick to the recommended limits for both men and women, in addition to that always ensure that you do not eat on an empty stomach as that always leaves one with the munchies once you have a drink or two, try to always line your stomach so that you are not only filling it with booze. Sticking to the limit and eating before indulging is almost the best way to not get a hangover ;-)

4. While this one may prove tough, always aim to eat clean, eat loads of vegetables and fruits and avoid overeating when it comes to the all too lovely cupcakes, cakes, biscuits, chocolates and all the other treats out there.

5. Try also to keep to the natural organic stuff rather the eating up the refined foods which most likely have a lot of preservatives. If you are lucky to be me and have the opportunity to eat fresh fruit, vegetables and organic meat like me, then always grab that opportunity as such foods are always high in nutrients.

I do believe that sticking to the above will keep anyone trying to lose weight or trying to maintain a healthy weight in the right direction during the festive season! Enjoy but don't overdo it, after all tis the season to be jolly indeed!!!

We Run This Town!

When the year started off, I never could have imagined myself becoming an avid runner, but I shocked myself with my very first run and I’ve been running since then. There’s something about running that is just so addictive, it’s always a challenge to prove to myself I can go further each time and with each record I break I feel great and liberated.

When I found out about the Nike We Run Jozi 10km race the entry into this competition had closed. I was excited when I saw an email in my inbox from Vitality letting me know that I could win possible entry into the race if I ran 5km and uploaded the run via Nike plus. That weekend I set out on a 5km run that ended as a 8.70km run with the local running club. The following Monday afternoon I squealed with excitement as I got an email confirming that I had qualified to get a special entry via Vitality to get into the race and I managed to get my sister in as well which made it even more exciting.

The week would now be filled with preparations for the race! Unfortunately, I never managed to get all the training time I would have wanted but nonetheless I was determined to do this. This would be my first official 10km night run in the City and I was in it to finish it!

 

Race day came Saturday 12 October 2013. I was super excited so was my sister, we geared up early so that we could get to the race on time. Just getting into the running shirt which was personalised with our names was just amazing, the reality that we would actually do that run sunk in and a certain level of nervousness set in, but that was not to be a deterrent!

When we arrived at the venue, the atmosphere was amazing, the vibe, the levels of excitement among the runners was just electric! Everyone there was super excited to be taking part in the biggest night race in the country and there was a sense of pride knowing that we would be the one in ten thousand people moving the inner city of Johannesburg CBD.

We all got into the line to start the race, there were thousands of people but we managed to worm our way through the crowds and get closer to the front. The race began and it was amazing! There was a huge, beautiful fireworks display which made it all even more exciting. We decided to pace ourselves so that we wouldn’t run out of energy.

 

After the first two kilometres I felt side pains, that was the first hurdle and I decided that I would continue going no matter what came my way, I walked and jogged a bit and it seemed to get better, at this point my dear sister was cruising way ahead and I let her go ahead as she would be my personal marker.

The race took us from the M1 south past Mooi street and into Joe Slovo into the notorious Hillbrow area of Johannesburg CBD. Hillbrow is known for its high levels of crime, and for being home to many immigrants that start off in the country when they first arrive, it’s by no means the ‘burbs’ that a lot of us are used to. The buildings are once glorious but now run down, there’s a lot of street art in the form of graffiti, and it is home to one many drug lords and gangs, I could go on about Hillbrow but one thing that struck me about the place was the people. I never would have imagined setting foot in Hillbrow but I did because of the run. Hillbrow was alive with its entire people screaming and cheering the runners on. There was loud music blurring from all corners and there was even a water point within the inner city location. The people of Hillbrow had welcomed us and when many of the participants felt like giving up, they cheered us on.

On the last leg of the race, I felt like giving up but I was determined to do this. As I approached the Nelson Mandela Bridge which was beautifully coloured I knew we would be getting to the finish line and I had to press on. I like many people around me was super exhausted but it was the last final stretch and although I was not in it to win it I wanted to prove to myself that I could do it. As I saw the finish line and the timer on the side, I began to run with all the little ounce of energy I had left within me! I had done it and was super proud of myself! I got through the finish line at exactly 1 hour 30 minutes……not bad for a novice runner and first time night race!

Everyone was relieved that they had done it and completed the race without a hitch! I for one was glad it was done, I could relax and my then my nerves had calmed down. I managed to locate my sister who had managed to clock in 15 minutes before me doing a total run of 1hour and 15 minutes. Impressive. As the night came to an end, I could happily say that we came, we ran and we conquered! We had moved the city of Jozi and we had run this town! Next 10km race….I see you J

 

 

Turning Flab to Fab

Turning flab to fab is not the easiest thing to do, it takes a lot of effort and a massive lifestyle change. I have seen two friends transform over a period of years versus the quick weight loss we see on celebrities which usually takes a couple of weeks to shed off using unconventional methods amoung other things the maple syrup diet.

 

Just the other day I was driving home and Juicy J's Bounce track came up and I was thinking just how funny it is that flab can be viewed differently, on one end having flabby bits can be interpreted as a sign of good health in certain cultures showing that the people eat well and are well taken care of while in certain hip hop and rap culture having flabby bits comes in handy for those that entertain via twerking.

 

On a real note body flab is actually telling you something about your lifestyle or maybe an indicator of potential health conditions that may affect one later on in life. While I am not a medical doctor or qualified registered phyisician I came accross an interesting article in the Women's Health magazine that helped me realise some potential dangers of having certain types of flab on one's body. I have quickly listed these below and potential causes in the hope that it brings a certain level of awareness regarding body bits and things.

 

1. Chubby Cheeks, also known as the moon face are usually caused by by drinking too much alcohol and experiancing a high amount of stress. I love my chubby cheeks, infact i think they have always been like this so I hope you like me do not have to worry too much about this one. But if you work in a stressful environment, you might need to look at ways of reducing your stress levels to prevent them chubby cheeks or if you drink, you would certainly need to cut down or cut out the booze!

 

2. Flabby arms, sometimes referred to as bingo wings, these are most likely caused by toxins and not lifting up things enough.

 

3. The stubborn boep (tummy). This is most likely caused by high stress levels, hormonal issues or simply eating badly. Its important to note that tummy fat is probably the most dangerous type of flab to have as these fat cells are more active and secrete hormones which cause insulin resistance and can in time cause diabetes.

 

4. Love handles which are commonly called muffin tops. The most likely causes are too much sugar and excess oestrogen.

 

So what can most people do to turn the flab into fab???? Exercise and keep active as this reduces stress levels and kicks in the happy hormones. Cut out the alcohol or reduce the intake of alcohol to ensure your proper health (hic hic, a bit of a tough one i know). Cut out the sugary treats......well i guess you can have some sugary treats once in a while but generally cutting out sugar makes a huge difference when it comes to cutting out the flab. and most importantly eat clean. I believe eating clean has been a running theme in my blog posts in the last month and I cannot stress how important this is. There are certain foods that act as catalysts to help to fight the flab shown below.

 

 

 So next time you hear Juicy J's Bounce or anyother song telling you to shake what your momma gave you, think long and hard if those bits you are shaking maybe a hazard to your health or not and if so make a plan to turn that flab into fab!!

 

 

 

Week 2 - Dream Body Fitness

I used to think I knew my stuff when it came to gyming properly but boy was I wrong. I started week 2 of my training for the Dream Body Fitness program with a 30 minute training session every alternate day, I eagerly received the training program which I thought was way too simple as it was something I was used to doing. It turns out I wasn't quite doing those push-ups, squats and crunches quite right. After the first session with the fitness Marshall I was aching all over! I remembered my similar experience a couple of months back with Gerald one of the personal trainers at Virgin, this was just as bad!

I however managed to gel into the program in that week and it has become easier thanks to the help from the fitness coaches that are always assisting from the moment you walk in to the time you complete your work out. With week 2 came a new eating plan...whoop whoop, I am now able to eat fruit but certain fruits so long as these are not high in sugar and finally I can at least have some carbs in the morning and have nutritional holidays on 2 days of the week.

Its amazing how I have become so aware of what certain foods can do to my weight just by going through phase 1 of the eating plan, in week 1 alone I lost 3.5kg just by cutting out sugar and carbs. In week 2 I have also managed to lose some fat but at the same time I have gained muscle which I am told is a good thing........I on the other hand could only picture myself with massive muscle and freaked out when the fitness coach assured me I would not look like a body builder!

Week two also had some challenges as there was a public holiday, more specifically braai day in between.....you all know a braai ain't a braai without some meat, potato salad, rolls and some good old traditional sadza! I couldn't help but help myself to a little. With the guilt of munching down I eventually managed to stick to my program and maintained the clean eating for the rest of that week.

I am happy to report that I am still going strong with my salad or veggie eating even now as I am in week 3. I am starting to see the result of 'clean eating'!

Its not easy cutting out the food we love such as the sweet treats but clean eating will definitely give you the result that you want. as hard as it is it always pays of but most importantly it requires a lot of discipline! I walked into a bakery this afternoon for my lunch break full of treats.

I am happy to say that I didn't go buck wild and order a storm and munch the treats down. I am soldiering on on this very tough journey but I can't wait to see the result weeks from now:)

Dream Bodies come with a lot of work.....(I know this)!

So spring has definitely sprung! the weather is good with the occasional bout of cloudy skies and the expected summer rain but all is well.

 

About two weeks ago I was on my way to work and my attention was drawn to this really large trailer advertisement on the side of the road that had a buff looking character who I have come to know as Steve. This advertisement was for Dream Body Fitness and promised to give good results when it came to weight loss. Out of curiosity I took the number down and immediately gave them a call as I wanted to see what it was all about. I had reached a plateau with my weight remaining constant without a change so I wanted to try out something new with the season change.

 

 

That afternoon I went in for an assessment. This place is totally awesome and I went onto this body machine that calculated my weight, muscle/fat ratio and a whole load of other things I had no clue on, but was super impressed coz I had not seen anything like it anywhere else, I was already excited. Due to my FOMO I decided to sign-up for the program and see what it was all about.

 

I was excited to hear that the first week was purely all eating and no exercise.......until I realised that it wasn't as easy at it seemed. I got a phase 1 eating plan and a clear instruction not to exercise as my energy levels would be low. The best thing they have in collaboration with the centre is a nutrition section where the meals will be prepared for you for the whole week and you pick what choice you want to follow (How easy can this be). I ordered my meals for the following week and ate all the 'unhealthy' things that weekend as I knew it would be a tough road from Monday. 

Monday came and I was ready for the detox, the target for that week was 3kgs. The eating plan was quite simple and I told myself I had to do this. Monday started off well, with slight irritability as I was kind of still hungry after I ate the lunch. I drank lots of water and by Tuesday I was settling into this eating plan. You never realise what an impact certain foods have on your weight until you stop eating them. The eating plan for phase 1 excluded carbs, sugar anything fizzy and dairy products which of course for me were my daily favourites so it was tough, but on day two my weight had dropped by 800 grams and by day three I had lost 1,5kg! I hadn't seen this kind of change for a very long time.

 

Day four came without any hiccups and went and then on day 5 I kind of cracked, my energy levels were really low and I was feeling weak so I ordered an energy drink - full of sugar bad mistake! I didn't think it would make a difference but as my weigh in today showed it did. That very same evening of Day 5 I indulged in a double Southern Comfort and lemonade.......another wrong move. I topped that up with water and well hoped that it would not make a difference. On day 6 My weight had gone down to 3kgs exactly and I was quite chuffed with myself however in the joy and excitement I went and had more sugary treats. By the time day 7 came along and had wolfed down some flat bread from the local Indian deli......that was not such as wise decision.

 

Anyhow day 8 and week 2, I find myself having an assessment again at Dream Body Fitness and the machine was clever enough to pick up that I had had carbs and sugary treats!! I was quite moved but I had cheated on the eating plan thinking it would not make a difference. So what have I learned after all this..........it really takes a lot of discipline to stick to an eating plan, it not as easy as it seems. So for anyone out there wishing to lose weight, the yummy mummies and Co, you have got to be disciplined when it comes to your eating habits and most importantly you need to eat clean, its as simple as that.

 

 

 

 

Week 2 has begun and I'm starting out the Phase 2 eating plan on Wednesday but in the meantime the real training program has begun (beast mode)! I hope that this week, I can stick to the eating plan and training program and I hope that will yield some results......... :)

 

 

Popping pills and things

Life as we know it has been so hectic such that I have had an absence from the blogging space, in fact I have also seen better days at the gym. In the last two weeks I have had no gyming activities whatsoever not even a morning run, feels like i have totally fallen off the band wagon completely till now. Well not quite.

 

In the last two weeks we've also seen a season of change where we're slowly moving from winter into spring, its that awkward time where half the people are already dressing in summer gear while the other half are still in boots and scarfs and long trench coats.

 

With the seasons changing, I was quick to realise that I had not met my weight loss goals and still had a long way to go! (Memory flash of Ciara singing, you got a long way to go...laughs out loud to self).

In the process of this realisation I also happened to get a quick glimpse of the herbex hlasela mafutha (attack the fat) advert. As the saying goes desperate times call for desperate measures and in the midst of all this I decided to buy the whole range of fat burn which includes the syrup, the fat burn drops and the pills and of course the most famous slimming tea. (drops head in shame). what can I say I am a sucker for quick fixes at times.

The way the series of products work is that they contain natural herbal ingredients that supposedly help weight loss and increase metabolism. Its all in the head I tell you, mind over matter! so I started on the course, there is a big cautionary statement on all the products, that the product works best with an exercise routine which is standard for anyone trying to lose weight and it doesn't prohibit you from stopping to eat any types of foods, just watching the portions which again is standard for anyone trying to lose weight!

 

Anyhow, I decided to start popping pills and well due to my sometimes forgetful nature I'd forget on some days to take the fat burner pills, to sum it all, I have just found the whole process tedious because you have to take pills after a meal then drink the syrup an hour before any meal and sometimes with a hectic schedule like mine you just don't know when exactly you will be eating your next meal thus making this not quite ideal for me. In my mind I do not doubt that these slimming pills work but I decided to just stick to my normal workout plan and eat healthy and be consistent rather than popping pills and things to speed my slow progress this month for weight-loss. 

 

Turn it Up - Bikram Yoga

Doing the same exercise programme day in and day out equals boring to me. If one is to stay interested in training and trying to focus on losing weight, a person needs some form of versatility in the exercise regimen.

During winter last year we decided to take up a morning 10 day Bikram yoga challenge as a form of team building with my significant other and also to try out something new. to me the concept of Yoga let alone Bikram yoga was a foreign one as its something I thought was just airy fairy and did not quite amount to proper exercise. As they say knowledge is power and I probably know better than to think like this anymore.

I won't go into the origins of Bikram yoga as that on its own warrants several posts, but basically Bikram yoga is yoga characterized by a set series of postures and breathing exercises, performed in a very hot room, 42 degrees Celsius to be more precise. Recently, I decided to sign-up for another 10 day challenge at Bikram Yoga Fourways  http://www.bikramyogafourways.co.za/ this type of yoga is probably the best thing you can do for yourself in the winter cold as the hot air in the studio helps clear your chest and throat. The types of postures and breathing exercises also helps one detox and cleanse the system. I'm not saying it is instant medicine but is helps a great deal with getting the body on track.

I would definitely recommend this as an alternative form of exercise to someone who is tired of the usual exercise programme. It is however not for the feint hearted, however if you put your mind to it, it can be done. I've listed below some tips for first timers aka 'Yogi's' trying out Bikram Yoga for the first time.

1. An average Bikarm Yoga class is 90 minutes long (yes an hour and thirty minutes long) and usually once you start there is no backing out so even if you can't do the postures you are still encouraged to stay in the studio for the entire duration of the class. An early morning class would be ideal for those super busy mothers doubling up as career women as this usually leaves you the rest of the day to do other things i.e work, errands or simply looking after the family.

2. Hydrate! (I think this should be point number one). This is super important, as already mentioned the temperature in the studio can go up to as high as 42 degrees Celsius which means it is super hot and one will sweat heavily almost leaving you dehydrated and dizzy. there are of course short water breaks in the studio. However if you hydrate and drink water regularly throughout the day you will see that you won't have to stop for water breaks as your system is fully hydrated.

3. In terms of equipment, you will need to take a water bottle in with you if you feel you haven't hydrated enough prior to the class. you will also need to take in a big towel as you will sweat through-out the class. Ladies, this again is one of those hectic classes for the hair! Because you sweat so much as a result of the heat your hair will in most instances become wet. It is usually recommended that you tie your hair in a loose bun not too tight and not use head bands as these are tight on your head and can restrict the blood flow to your head thus making you dizzy. Braids would be a good choice for the sisters out there if you intend to do this on a regular basis otherwise you will be left maintaining a fro for a minute! You will also need a yoga mat which is usually provided at the Yoga studio. If like others you suffer from OCD and feel that you need your own mat, yoga mats are easily available from stores like Dischem and Sportsman's warehouse for just under R100.

4. In terms of dressing gear, this is not your typical gym session and therefore you don't have to wear that long tee or long tights unless you really feel strongly about it. It gets super hot in there and therefore a pair of short tights or shorts and a tank top would suffice otherwise you come out of the studio drenched in your own sweat.

5. Finally, don't give up. There comes a point as a first time yogi where you will feel dizzy and decide you don't want to continue with the class (My experience and several others). It gets easier as the class progresses and you will feel a certain level of satisfaction of finishing the class and you will feel energized once the class is done, so keep at it.

Bikram Yoga is not everyone's cup of tea but it will offer you a break from the norm and who knows you might just get used to it!

Can't stop, Won't stop!!

It’s been about a month since the intensity of my training effort has increased and I have had to make slight modifications to my eating plans to incorporate the weight loss but so far so goodJ It’s amazing how I now have so much passion for training for all things fitness and weight loss such that to some it may seem like a borderline obsession with keeping fit when it has become pure enjoyment. I am enjoying this part of life and it is slowly becoming a lifestyle. It does help when you are surrounded with people that share in similar passions, as you get to encourage each other and explore different things together.

I’ve been lucky enough that I have a significant other that loves this whole fitness thing and he’s been quite instrumental in making sure that I keep up with my training regime even at times when I actually don’t feel like it and also makes sure that I eat right (when he’s watching! Laughs out loud to self!).

Such is our deepened love to be fit and healthy that we entered this year’s Discovery/702 Walk the Talk. This is the biggest annual walking event in the Southern Hemisphere with different categories of kilometres that people can walk. It’s a fun walk and everyone gets a medal when it’s all said and done. I have entered this walk in previous years but at a maximum walking distance of 5km. This year we decided that since we’d been doing a fair amount of training that 15km walk wouldn’t hurt nobody!

 

Never under estimate what a walk can do to the body! The walk was quite a challenge, not the walk in the park that I thought it would be, the steep inclines were quite a challenge and at some point I wondered if I would make it through the finish line. My significant other was cruising all the way up while I took longer to catch my breath! After almost 3 hours we made it through the finish line together with the 12 odd thousand people we started the race with. We came, we saw and we conquered!

The walk however left us knackered to a point where it took 2 days to recover and get back into our normal state with slight aches still present. This however was not a deterrent as we had resumed our daily training schedules in no time. I even managed to fit in a quick 2,2km run round the block early evening with my good buddy Ms Stuart. I am proud that our fitness journey has come thus far and we are doing it big. We do it because we enjoy it and hope that maybe somewhere along the lines we will inspire others to do the same if not better. We can’t stop and won’t stop. Always keeping it real! #TeamFitness.

 

 

#BlackGirlProblems!

Any black woman will tell you it’s a bit of a nightmare to do a lot of activity while trying to maintain the good look of your hairstyle particularly if you have relaxed hair or a weave (The steam room and swimming is definitely off the list with these). Hair, believe it or not is actually a deterrent to one many activities particularly gyming. The amount of admin a person would have to go through post a hectic gym session will have you questioning if it really is worth it visiting the gym if you have to blow dry and then flat iron your hair back to salon status condition afterwards. It would probably take one between 15 -20 minutes if you want to walk out of the gym looking decent again, now that’s a lot of time if you want to beat the morning traffic and get to work, any person in a big city will tell you 20 minutes makes a difference!

About a week ago I had rollers on from the previous night and wanted to go out for a jog in the early hours of the morning but the thought of messing up the curls and not being able to have the style I wanted put me off the idea of taking a jog, I was even tempted to just go out and jog in them rollers! I thought how ratchet that would be and eventually came back to my senses and decided to give the jog a miss till my hair was in a different state, you can imagine the sight of a woman taking a morning jog in rollers! I would definitely have a laugh about this if I was seeing this moving hair salon in front of my face so early in the morning but at times desperate times call for desperate measures.

 

Last night I decided that instead of the hectic gym workout I wanted something easier for myself and decided to go for a swim in the gym after work! The drama! While I enjoyed the swim and managed to do 28 laps, I came out with a frizzled nappy *^ss weave despite the fact that I had on a swimming cap. Cheap weave? Who knows but the amount of time I spent getting it back in shape convinced me I needed to change my hair yet again before I could go for my next swim.

So how does a black girl deal with the dilemma of trying to look good but also squeeze in the hard work out which results in breaking a sweat and thus affecting the hair??

1. If you are swimming and have relaxed hair or a weave, always make sure you have the right fitting swimming cap, one that fits just right not one too big as it lets water in and not one too tight as it restricts blood flow to your head.

 

2. Always try to blow dry your hair immediately after a workout in the gym/home and moisturise accordingly as that allows you to kind of get it back in shape before it dries up and develops a life of its own and it’s harder to style. Of course this means carrying around a brush and comb bag inside your gym bag just so you have all the stuff from home, it’s a bit taxing but necessary. Ladies don’t be leaving the gym looking like Worzel Gummidge unless if you really don’t care about what the world has to say then its ok……

3. Perhaps try and change your hairstyle to a more gym friendly one for example getting corn rows, cutting your hair short and getting braids. Braids do of course present an easy styling option post a work out but they need to be washed to ensure they don’t carry around the stench of sweat after your work out.

4. In terms of accessories, if you are sporting a long weave or you have long hair, always carry a hair scrunchie to tie your hair up and avoid it flying in all directions when you train, in addition always use a headband to hold the sweat off the edges of your hair line.

Hope these hair tips help those like me who struggle with this issue on a regular basis! Always keep it real like Mama J J

If you're tired of starting over, stop giving up.

The story of my life. Starting things and at times not finishing things. I came across this on Pinterest while 30,000 feet above. At this point I had had a long day filled with meetings in Cape Town. Woke up super early at 4am to make my super early flight.

The day was filled with so many meetings and catch up sessions such that I hardly had time to eat decently since morning. It was so easy to fall off the bandwagon and in the process I helped myself to a Snickers chocolate bar and Kit Kat plus some chips! #Yummymummydrama! Only thing I managed to do right was to have two bottles of water!

At this point I had almost given up on my healthy eating plan and had decided I'd just have more chocolate and start over tomorrow and then of course the poster with the message happened. I have come to realize that so many times as humans we give up easily when faced with a challenge (equating not eating chocolate to a challenge yes). Challenges will happen all the time but we need to continue pressing on. Funny how the guilt of eating chocolate can bring about such deep thoughts.

With this in mind I decided that I'd have a healthy dinner once I had arrived home which I eventually did! Instead of starting over eating proper The next day I decided that I would end the day having consumed something of nutritional benefit. I decided that I'd plan better when traveling next time around to ensure I stay on the healthier type of meals and snacks.

I have a few tips for those that are always on the move and have hectic schedules, I hope that these will help all those watching what they eat particularly the Yummy mummies out there that are trying to lose weight.

1. Always carry healthy snacks to snack on in between meetings. These can range from peanuts to fruits such as apples or small yoghurt. These fit easily in most handbags;)

2. Try always carry a bottle of 500ml of water and stayed hydrated versus going for the sugar filled juices and carbonated drinks, it's ok to indulge once in a while but of course this won't help your weight loss.

3. If you are traveling away from home overnight it's so easy to end up off your eating plan or exercise regime. My suggestion is always find out if the hotel you are traveling to has a gym available so that you can exercise away from home or if the area you are staying is safe to go for a run. Try and also ensure you opt for the healthier options on the food menu's most places have the healthy option so pick those and don't use the trip away as an excuse for stuffing yourself silly with the wrong type of foods.

4. If you are traveling for an extended time try and find what the local versions of the type of foods (food market with fresh foods) you normally eat are and try those and stick to those. It's hectic I know but that would help you avoid gaining the bulk.

Most importantly never give up what you have started i.e. eating healthy and keep pressing on coz you will get there whether its sooner or later.

Of Saturday Mornings and Personal Trainers

Nothing absolutely nothing could have prepared me for my morning gym session with my personal trainer Gerald.

The last two sessions had been focused purely on cardio training and so naturally I thought this would be the same workout but boy was my mind and body in for the shock of its life.

The gym session which we dubbed the point of reference session was designed to test my body to see to what extremes it would go needless to say it did not go far and my body was left in shock most likely the way a death row inmate's body would feel after an electrocution. Maybe not the best example to give but that's how I felt after only 30 mins of this session.

While it was not a challenging workout on paper my mind was simply not prepared. My mind was stuck in the old routine so the workout was such a challenge with my mind fighting with my body it was kind of a negotiation with my mind saying I ain't got time for this while my body to some extent was willing to try.

The work out included doing a 3 minute warm up run on the treadmill naturally I ran at high speed as I assumed that's all the running I d do for the day, turns out Gerald had something else in mind

Next stop I had to run for a kilometer at 8,5 speed on the treadmill and measure my pulse afterwards. That done I assumed that was over. I managed to clock a kilometer in just under 7 minutes. Next was more running. The kilometer non stop at high speed seemed like the longest kilometer I had run and was glad that was over. Only to be told I now had to run for 12minutes straight at high speed which was between 8,5-8 speed. If there was anyday I wished I hadn't pitched at the gym it was today. I had given up mentally but my body was willing to try. I had Gerald standing next to the treadmill the whole time while in my mind I was trying to get myself to do it. Luckily enough I had my music with me so my playlist kept me going. I got to 7 minutes and slowed down for a minute then picked up again in the ninth minute all the way to twelve.

I was so relieved as we got to 12 minutes which was 1,5km. The bones between my knees and ankles felt like they were going to break at this point. I was in pain!

I was ready to leave at this point but there was more in store next up we went onto the mat, my worst nightmare. I had to do as many push-ups in a minute and proper push ups at that. Now these are not exactly my favorite but I was prepared to try. Started on the mat and my hands felt like jelly! I had to bend my arms to 90 degrees doing it the proper way and bring my chest all the way to the ground. I struggled, felt like I was carrying the whole world on my back! Managed 10 in the minute.

Next up was sit-ups, these were manageable but still a struggle. I managed only 20. At this point I was literally gritting my teeth! The trainer recorded all the key details pulse and all the technical stuff and even gave me some words of encouragement and showed me some articles off his iPad. His wise words. It's all in the mind, you need to be mentally prepared for any workout and you need to be able to push your body and do a new workout all the time as the body does tend to get used to the same thing all this.

With this in mind I've braced myself for the next 6 weeks as we commence with our full on training program ! Lord help me!!

To cool off I did a 35minute cycle on the bike. That was it for Saturday morning. I was done.

Runner's thoughts

 

The height of inspiration for me on any morning is seeing the neighbourhood morning Joggers doing their daily runs. For me it’s inspirational because it takes a great deal of strength and courage to leave your bed and get up and start moving, particularly in winter. For me, the decision to go on a run starts the previous night when I decide it needs to be done and I take out all the gear.  Waking up the next morning usually proves challenging but where there is a will there is a way. It’s normally easier getting up in summer vs. winter as it’s usually lighter than the dark winter mornings.

Once you get over the mental block and you hit the road, you get one of the most liberating feelings; it’s almost like a controlled free fall from the sky that gives you an adrenaline rush. It happens to me all the time and I wonder why I don’t do it on a regular basis.

The best part of each run is coming across other runners. They come in all shapes and sizes and are each going through their motions of finishing what they started. There’s the dedicated team that you will almost always see at a specific time, I’m certain those guys train for the professional races and are always ‘running on the clock’ with never a minute to waste and no time for chit-chat on the streets, they always have their serious faces on. Then there’s the regular Joe’s and Jane’s that are just trying to get fit, now these guys do make the effort and run and stop and walk as and when they deem fit but still all the same always finish their run. I probably fit in this group. We usually give each other a quick nod and smile as we cross paths along the road; this is usually a form of encouragement and gives one the strength to continue soldiering on with your run as you know you are not alone.

Then there’s that almost kind of creepy runner who just creeps up on you silently, always in a hoodie(male and female), they run past silently as fast as they came and do not utter a word or any gesture to acknowledge that they have seen you, they are like ghosts (*insert scary sound here*). While maybe their intention is not to creep up on anyone it always seems like that’s what they are up to. I have experienced it a couple of times and it spooks me out totally. I always try to alert other unsuspecting runners that I’m passing by so that they are aware someone is in the road and that I’m not trying to be mugging anyone. Such is the level of paranoia in a country where muggings are rife so one always has to stay safe even if you live in decent and safe neighbourhood like ours.

While it is fun to go out on runs, one always has to take safety precautions particularly when you run solo in the early hours of the morning;

1. It’s important that you run with a reflector jacket so that you are visible to on coming runners and cars particularly in winter where it’s always dark in the morning.

2. Always let someone know where you are or let them know the route that you are taking and tell them how long you’re most likely to take so that they can always ring the alarm if you are not back in a certain time.

3. Always select a well-lit route which is visible and is not covered in trees and thick bushes, running in such areas may make the runner vulnerable to attacks.

4. Never take any valuables that make you easy prey to robbers

5. If you become a regular solo runner, change your route on a daily basis so that it is not predictable and you avoid being the target of any muggers or robbers.

 

6. Download a running app such as the Nike running app or the Endomondo sports tracker app which tracks your every move in real-time and will upload your exact location to those at home or selected parties should anything happen to you while you are on your run. Of course the challenge is running around with your mobile device but there’s always an inside pocket somewhere where this can be tucked in without being seen and thus making the runner an easy target; and

7. Most importantly, always be alert and aware of your surroundings, you can never be too safe.

Running is a great way to lose weight and it is a lifestyle change that is enjoyable and can be maintained and doesn’t require too much hectic input other than physical exertion of oneself to keep moving. Running works for me so I’d definitely encourage other people to try it outJ ….that and a good playlist on your mp3 player or ipod will always keep you movingJ

Sunrise - 8 July 2013



There's nothing quite like a plan coming together and falling into place. This morning I was super proud as I managed to get myself out of bed at the crack of dawn for an early morning gym session at 5am as planned. #notosnoozing!

 Starting your day early is always the simpler route if you have a hectic work schedule like me and you tend to juggle roles of career woman, mother, wife and daughter.

 I kept it simple this morning doing a 60 minute cardio workout which included the following:

20 minute alternating run and walk on the treadmill;

20 minutes rowing; and

20 minutes at alternating levels on the stepper.

 

 

 A total of 7.067 km in an hour, not too bad Mama J:)

Today I was in a Simply Red kind of mood so my playlist included the Simply RED 25 album greatest hits.....you know you old when you rocking that in the gym (laughs out loud to self). Overall I had a super great workout, I'm feeling energetic and ready to face the new week, heck I even signed up with a personal trainer on my way out!

 

 

Here's to keeping it real everyday #TeamFitness!

Food - The blurred lines

Food – The blurred lines.

I love food, we all love food! I love to try out and taste all sorts of dishes. I’m not the typical dieter, low fat, no fat, no carb, high protein, watch and count calories kind of person, fortunately or unfortunately I just cannot keep up with all of these things and I choose not to. I love to enjoy the richness in food and I choose to enjoy any meal for what it is, whether it is a burger and fries or a salad. I don’t believe in starving myself to lose weight or sticking to a particular type of food to lose weight because in the long run I feel that it is just not sustainable to eat only certain items to maintain that all too perfect figure, some may call it indiscipline but I choose to enjoy my food without feeling guilty about the calories in my meal, after all there those who don’t even get to choose the type of food they can eat and are only grateful to have even that carb or protein or fat we opt out of.  For a person on a weight-loss journey I know that sounds heck a load of foolishness.

So where exactly do I fit into the food spectrum? Well, I believe you can watch calories, quantities and hormones but please just eat. Eating kick starts your metabolism. Starvation blunts your metabolism and affects your weight. I do believe in healthy eating. For me a healthy balanced diet is not about high anything. It’s not high protein, not high fats and not high carbs. For me it’s about a moderate intake of carbs, fats and proteins. Is it sustainable, I believe it is, for me it is? I have opted on taking this approach for my weight loss journey and wouldn’t have it any other way.

Health, energy and effective nutrition are achievable, but only when you realise you have the power to achieve them. Eating healthily is not complicated and does not create a difficult lifestyle. You should not have to fret with things like weighting your foods, fussing around meals or restricting yourself.

All the above said, I do have some healthy food principles which I hope can help all those trying to establish a good relationship with food while also watching their figures;

1. Eat the best quality foods you can afford i.e. good quality proteins, low-GI carbohydrates and ‘good’ fats such as avocados, olive oil.

 

2. When possible, eat fresh produce, this normally reduces the intake of additives and preservatives, eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables

 

3. Increase your intake of fibre

 

4. Reduce and moderate refined foods as they have less nutritional value. try and have home cooked meals which you can moderate on cooking methods

 

5. Try by all means reduce the foolish fats, you can still enjoy these but in moderation

 

6. Drink fresh water and herbal teas, moderate your caffeine intake.

 

 

Above all else, enjoy your food!! J

 

Keeping it Real - 6 July 2013

So we’re officially in the second half of the year and we’re in the peak of the African winter! Its super cold and such a challenge to get up in the morning and go out and gym, equally challenging in the evenings as you want to come home and relax after a long hard day at work. I have decided that I have to keep at it and cannot and will not make excuses. You have to exercise frequently and for extended periods if you want to shed off those extra kilos.  A 30 minute sweat at the gym three times a week just won’t facilitate weight loss. So my plan for the next couple of months is to try out four to five sessions of endurance training for an hour at a time.

Keeping up is always a challenge but if you have a gym buddy or buddies that encourage you its always a plus as this keeps you motivated. While I made it to the gym, I wasn’t as motivated as I normally am but managed to do a great deal than my usualJ . The total gym session lasted a whole hour and thirty minutes, 90 minutes to be precise so I’m super happy with my efforts.

My workout included;

10 minutes warm up on the treadmill

30 minute cycle on cycling machine

20 minutes on the stepper machine

30 minutes of the killer ab class

 

I felt a whole lot better post my workout, super energised considering I’d been down and out with the flu in the last couple of days. My lesson; you have to be willing to put in the extra time if you want results, nothing comes easy!!

Keeping it Real - Arm Exercises

Winter has got to be the toughest time to get up early and go to the gym to get a workout done. I struggle so much to get out of bed on the cold mornings. Luckily enough, I’ve managed to find some stuff that can be done at home provided you have space and a stability ball and some dumbells to add on. All it takes is 20 minutes or even 10 minutes. This usually goes a long way in giving you the happy hormone so that your day is much smoother. The following exercises below can be tried at home regulary to help trim the flaps. key word is regularly, usually 2 or 3 times a week to keep arms well toned.

 

Summer Bodies are made in winter! - 28 June 2013

It’s been a very tough last couple of weeks, hectic deadlines and sleepless nights spent working. Naturally with the cold weather I’ve been avoiding the gym like the plague and opting to head straight home and catch up with work into the late night. The juggling act from career woman to Wifey and being the best Mother is always tough. Because of the hectic hours I prioritised spending more time with my son in the evening so he could have his fair share of Mommy time, and this meant cutting out gym, which I easily did.

Just as I had given up on my gym routine I was reminded that summer bodies are made in winter! This meant I had to get back on track and get into my gym routine if I wanted to be in shape by the time summer came. I managed to pack up my gym bag on Monday and put this in my car unfortunately I went the whole week without going to the gym until today! I had decided today was D day as the week had been hectic plus I had indulged in a bit of Phuza Thursday drinks at a corporate dinner and I knew I had packed on the calories and had to do something about it!

I decided to up the ante and do some cardio with some leg and arm weights, these had been gathering dust for some time now so I was quite happy to bring them out. I managed to do a 60 minute cardio work out which included 3 sets of 10 minute jogs on the treadmill alternating the speed at every minute between 5.5 and 9.5 speed levels, managed to burn off an odd 200 kilo-caloriesJ. I then proceeded to do the stepper for 10 minutes and ended the workout with some rowing and it was awesome! My energy levels were back up, finally! I’m determined to keep at it and hopefully by the time summer arrives I’ll be looking the part!!!