HAPPY BIRTHDAY

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHLOE!

I dedicate this blog to my partner in crime, confidant, make-up artist and dear friend on her 26th birthday...don't worry I've tested the water and it seems ok thus far.

I have a confession to make, wanting this blog to be special because it is Chloe's birthday I did, as our generation have been taught to do and turned to Google. I wanted a motivational birthday message but instead stumbled across this blog: http://brookenotonadiet.com/2013/07/24/birthday-goals/. Brooke, the author of the blog alleges to have lost an incredible 77kg. Aka, Chloe I think we have found ourselves a mentor! This mentor had a list, 29 things to do before turning 29. I liked the idea so naturally stole it. 

So Chloe, although there is a little something in the post my present to you today is that I will support you to do the following 27 things before you're 27 through this blog, training with you whenever I can and taking on the challenge too. Bring on fitter, healthier and happier 27 year olds!

1) Do 100 push-ups


2) Take our medication religiously


3) Walk the Walking Stars 1/2 marathon


4) Set up a new home, ensure it is a happy space

5) Complete a Triathalon  http://www.tri.co.nz/


6) Master Salted Caramel macaroons


7) Create something (sew, knit, paint...)


8) Stick to a healthier diet


9) Continue our 50/50 blog


10) Print off photos...what is the point of taking them if we don't display them?!


11) Go camping


12) Swim in the sea every month


13) Inspire someone else to change their exercise habits


14) Complete the Couch to 5km running program


15) Get proper fitting running shoes


16) Take a photography(Pizey)/make up artistry (Chloe) course

17) Make a new friend


18) Learn how to cook a new cuisine


19) Find a job we enjoy. Working to live is reality, we need to enjoy our careers.


20) Have a dry month.


21) Try a XFit class with Lucy F


22) Try paleo for a week.


23) Finish reading the Whitcoulls Top 100 Books list


24) Try surfing


25) Become Attack class addicts


26) Drink more water


27) Buy a bikini...

I am fortunate enough to be staying with a friend who has a pool so I am heading downstairs to swim for the next hour because it is bleak outside so a walk isn't appealing and facing traffic to go to a class doesn't enthral me either.

Chloe I hope you have had a wonderful day, I'm sorry I have been so quiet on the blog front, I will attempt to sit down and write more often.

P x

[Various Pump classes, walks and swims since I last wrote, no improvement (my body is punishing me for eating irregularly since finishing work, wishing I were in CHCH to help Chloe celebrate both tonight and on Saturday.]

Pole Fitness 101: The challenge

As promised, I am checking in today to discuss the beginners pole fitness class last night that I tried with my Glandovey Road soul sisters Juliet and Claire. We arived promptly for our 7.30pm class and had the pleasure of being able to watch the end of the presumably advanced (these babes were AMAZING) class. I am literally in awe of what some of these women could do with their bodies. The strength required to hold the poses they get into is incredible hulk material AND somehow they manage to do it so gracefully.



The Pole Studio

 Our beginners class began with a light aerobic warm up, which reminded me of some of my old fave Body Attack moves, some strength conditioning (sit ups/press ups) and lastly lots of stretching. From here we moved very quickly into learning how to move around the pole. This involved a series of different hand-holds and later in the session, leg-holds. Our instructor demonstrated each move beautifully before giving us a few minutes to try them.  Interestingly,  I found everything much easier standing on the right of the pole and primarily using my left arm as the weight-bearing one despite being right handed.

Me: Mid-swing on the pole

We eventually moved up to attempting the 'climbs' of the pole- imagine trying to shimmy up an impossibly slippery and skinny drain pipe and you are on the right track. Two members of the class who seemed unnaturally good for beginners  managed to get all the way to the ceiling. Conversely,  I managed to get both feet off the floor, legs in a vice grip around the pole and then clung to it for dear life before gracefully descending to the floor.

Claire: twirling in the originally named 'fireman' pose

At the end of the class we did some core conditioning or more aptly named 'bringing the pain'. This involved holding on to the pole with both arms and doing different versions of bottom half pull ups- let's just say that body weight exercises are hard when you're more well endowed. We finished the session with some nice stretching using the pole which was necessary given the strenuous effort required to partake in the class.



Juliet: Stretching & modelling lululemon with aplomb



My verdict: Pole fitness was fun and I would definitely give it a go again. At $20 per class (unless you get a concession or membership) it is probably a bit pricey for me to do on the regular given my Les Mills membership & the range of classes I get to do there. However, it would be super fun for a hen's doo or a birthday celebration with the girls. Get out there and give it a go!

For further information on this or the Anti Gravity Yoga class I have blogged about previously visit Altitude Poles website or facebook page and make a booking!

http://www.altitudepole.co.nz/  or https://www.facebook.com/groups/116819485007764/

Chloe x

Merci Beaucoup!

In response to Pizey's lovely THANK YOU post I want to express that the gratitude is entirely mutual sister! I have been struggling with depression 'alone' (no disrespect to the people who have been aware of my issues and offered help along the way- you know who you are) for a very long time and this blog has been the single most therapeutic exercise I've undertaken for my mental health.

Regular exercise, goal setting, routine and writing have all been fantastic for keeping me on an even keel these past few months. However, having ongoing communication with Pizey throughout this process has been truly motivating and reassuring. The journey to health and fitness is an ever-evolving journey with lots of ups and downs along the road. Getting up at 5.30am to go to the gym isn't always high on the priority list and sometimes things happen in your life that you can't control.

Pizey you have helped me celebrate the highs and recover from the lows, you are a true friend and an inspirational and beautiful woman! Thank you for everything  xxx

Pizey & I last weekend. What a treat to have you in town lady!

Chloe x

Do one thing every day that SCARES you!

My Plan for this week:

Monday- Attack 4.45pm

Tuesday- Pump 6.15am, Pole Fitness 7.30pm

Wednesday- Attack 4.45pm, Balance 6pm

Thursday- Pump 6.15am, Attack 5.45pm

Friday- Pump 5.45pm, Cx worx 6.30pm

Saturday- Attack 11am, Cx worx 12pm

Sunday- Cx worx 11.30am, Balance 12pm

Over the weekend I conquered my fears and tried RPM for the first time after being cheered on and encouraged by my two awesome flatmates. I don't know why I had been so nervous to do it! Although I must admit it was a killer work out I definitely found it achievable and we happened to try it immediately following a Pump class so I was feeling fatigued. Being on a bike felt pretty foreign to me as the most recent experience I have on 2 wheels consists of the biking pub crawls I have attended for work 'team building' aka piss drinking. I think with a bit more practice I would feel a lot more comfortable with the class so I will definitely give it a go again soon!

On the topic of trying new things and taking every opportunity...Tonight the wolf pack is making its debut in the world of pole dancing. None of us have tried it before and aside from watching a few you tube videos of experts we do not know what to expect. In my less confident moments I have imagined myself attempting to ‘shimmy’ up the pole with little success and/or failing miserably at looking remotely sexy.

Maybe it won’t be anything like that and I will have a natural affinity for pole dancing, demonstrating new found strength and holding my body weight with ease?! Who knows! One thing I do know is it will be fun and I am super glad that I have a group of fun loving and opportunistic pals to try new things with! I think in this instance the success of the class will be completely dependent on our attitudes and the decision to feel AWESOME while we are doing it even if really we look a bit silly!



If in doubt- Do what Homer Simpson would do. He is a genius...



Wish us luck and check in here for an update and photo evidence soon!

Chloe x

Awesome surprise!

As I dorkily snapped this photo to show I was the first car in the Carpark another can pulled up transporting Chloe!!! 

Cue massive hug! Cue workout buddies!

P x

Classic banter

P x

Thank you x

As we have gone public with this blog and the challenges confessed within it I just wanted to send a MASSIVE public shout out to Chloe for being the best blog/challenge buddy I could have asked for. In the past 10 weeks I have been made redundant, packed up a corporate office, moved twice & now struggling with uncertainty and throughout Chloe's commitment to herself, this blog and me has been stable and a huge comfort. 

I could have used any of those things as an excuse to quit but being accountable to someone else has got me out of bed at 5.30am, made me take the longer walking route home, start 'running' again and writing, an unexpected silver lining to this whole project!

So my beautiful bubbly friend, thank you.

P x