Moving Blog

Hope you have all enjoyed my fitness antics... I will not be stopping, just merging my blogs. One blog to maintain is easier than two.

You will continue to find my fitness journey details and all the other crazy things I do here:

http://www.havefuncreating.com

Hope to see you there.

I am one ToughMudder

After a long wait, Tough Mudder came, the long awaited day.

I am proud to say that my team and I completed the course. We did it in 4 hours.

I have to confess that the last 2 ish miles I had to walk. I had an incredibly sharp pain that went through my left knee every time I tried to carry on running. Yes, I could have gone to the first aider but I was sure he/she would have said I had to stop the challenge and that was not going to happen. Therefore I decided to walk the rest, I still did every obstacle, and when I could I would jog a bit before the pain came back to my knee.

Oh yes, there was a lot of mud and it was great fun. My team consisting on Josh, Simon, John and boyfriend Richard was perfect. We had such a laugh, and that is what is key when doing one of these challenges. When you go with friends, or make friends on the journey, or even acquaintances, the important factor is making sure you are enjoying it. Yes it is hard and testing, however, the journey is just as important as the finish line.

Will I do it again? Oh yes, I will do. I already started planning the challenges for next year, which include climbing Ben Nevis, doing Spartan race (all three of them) and doing the Bear Grylls race.

And here are the photos!

And to my team, all I have to say... GoPro & Pork Pie

And after Fran there was Barbara

Oh yes, another lady WOD. This time we had Barbara.

We are now starting a new 6 week period of strengthening programme at my box (CrossFit gym). To start the programme we all had to do Barbara, a WOD we will repeat towards the end of the six week period and see how much we have improved.

My pull-ups are jumping from a box and my push-ups are on the knees (girly ones). I hope to at least move to proper push-ups towards the end. The sit-ups were not that bad since I have been doing extra every time I have been to the box, so I managed to go through them rather well. My time? 37min 28sec...

Body is feeling rather good, still a lot to improve and as long as I keep going, keep sweating and keep trying harder I shall see results in time.

ToughMudder, here I come!

The dear old Fran

For those of you who do not know, CrossFit has some tough workouts that have girl names to them. Why? Well, as Coach Glassman, the founder and President of CrossFit explained it. “I want to explain the workout once and then give it a name.  I thought that anything that left you flat on your back, looking up at the sky asking ‘what just happened to me?’ deserved a females name.  Workouts are just like storms, they wreak havoc on towns.”  

Today we did FRAN, a combination of Thrusters (lifting weights) and Pull Ups. I have to say I am rather pleased with myself. I am yet to be able to do a proper Pull Up, so I use the scaled down technique, where you do a tiny jump to help you get the chin over the bar. However, I managed to do my Thrusters with the 30kg weight as it was written on the board! I completed it in 7 minutes.

Image above taken from here.

More information about the other girls can also be found here.

I am getting stronger and it is only a matter of time before I can do a pull-up.

In other news, I am now running over 5km, 6.3km last time. This week I want to achieve a 10km. Time is closing in for Tough Mudder!

Squatting too much, or am I?

Over the last few weeks we have had a new coach writing the WODs at my local CrossFit box. There has been an awful lot of wallballs, box jumps and burpees (Thanks Sean)... Not even mentioning all the other stuff in between. The WODs have been quite long as well. I must say I have struggled to finish them and one of them I was ready to give up, but I didn't... You NEVER give up in CrossFit.

This week I have been twice to the box and I can tell you I have done a total of 150 wallballs (14lb), 100 burpees, 60 box jumps, 60 front squats (25kg), 80 knee raises, 25 deadlifts (55kg) and the strength section of the workout, which usually involves lifting heavy weights... I did also do an extra 100 butterfly sit ups, which was not on the board, but it is something I am trying to improve (my abdominals).

So you can imagine that even doing an air squat at the moment is painful.

Today, instead of going to the box, I decided to go for a run, see how long I could last running. Not sure if it is because I had a hearty lunch, or because I was itching to get out there... I managed to run 5.9km non-stop. Done in 44min 41sec (yes I am slow, but at least I did it without stopping!)... After weeks of struggling to run again, at last, back to where I was a few months ago.

However, I must say thanks to Sean. His incredibly long and hard WODs leave me out of breath and the feeling that I have done something incredibly hard. And I put my good run of today due to the training I've been getting at my local CrossFit.

I will be out running again tomorrow morning... after all, there are only 4 weeks left to Tough Mudder!

The excitement of new trainers

Oh yes, I am a girl and I like shoes. I like good shoes and nothing better when the parcel arrives through my door.

I have to say I never before got so excited over a new pair of trainers. Oh yes, these ones are Reebok CrossFit Nano 5 trainers! I have been waiting for them to stock my size in the colour I wanted and a last they have arrived!

Also, I am back on form training almost every day. Last night I visited my local 'normal' gym for the first time. Have to say it is strange to see so many mirrors, not sure I like that. In the fun side, I saw an awful lot of young lads (and a few older gentlemen) doing an awful lot of upper body weights... they all had very skinny legs. That does look weird.

I shall visit that gym again, since it is the only thing I have nearby that I can attend. My CrossFit box is 35minute drive away, but worth every mile...

Slacking on the exercise front

Yes, I have been slacking on the exercise front...

Recent changes to my working life means that I have no CrossFit gym next to my work. If I want to attend the box I have to drive back to where I used to work. I suppose for the following 2 months I can do this at least once a week.

In September I start full time education and I shall be attending a new box. Until then I must try and get out there to do more exercise...

However, so far...

I was away camping with friends for a week which was lovely and great fun. Lots of drink, food and no exercise for a week.

Following that I came home and my body decided to punish me for the fun that I had, so a nasty cold has taken over.  Again, no exercise so far...

I am much better now and I hope to go running this weekend... and I might even make it to CrossFit too!

When one is not working is so easy to be lazy and slack on the exercise front... for now, off to make a cup of coffee.

When running refuses to happen

This week I was only able to go to CrossFit once, so I decided to go out running the other days.

A few weeks back I was reaching 7km ish before I stopped, this week it has been 2km... very disappointing.

I have now 2 months before I do ToughMudder (an obstacle race), so I shall be running a lot more from now on. So from now on my challenge is to run at least 10km every week. Perfectly achievable and it will let me improve my endurance for running. Not looking to be fast, just to last as long as I can!

As for my fellow team mates... very glad we are all in the same running position! :D

and the journey continues...

Double unders...

This week has been very good. I have been to the box (CrossFit gym) 4 times and one of them included a session of working through exercises that you want to improve.

For me it was the Double Under. I have reached a point where I can skip singles (rope passes through once) incredibly fast and can do 500 of them easy. My frustration has been the Double Under, where the skipping rope passes twice in one jump.

Today, thanks to coach Beth, I managed to do single-single-double and repeated that 4 times in one go!! Huge improvement! I need to keep practising of course... but that is WAY better than I was doing before. I can actually do some Double Unders!

Always great when you can finally do an exercise you have worked hard towards. Another goal achieved... next goal, to do just double unders together...

Back on track

So glad my motivation is back on track... the running is not quite so, but that I shall soon resolve.

Some major changes are happening to my routine over the next 3 months. I have resigned from work which means I am stopping my membership to my CrossFit gym (which is next to work). I am going back to university for a year to get my Masters.

Therefore, over the next few months I shall be attending the normal local gym to my home. Also, shall be mixing it with some other CrossFit gyms, as I am all over the country for the next couple of months.

And I hope that once I start my university course in September I can settle in a new box. I shall miss my current one... I have achieved so much over the last year. I have gone from being an incredibly unfit woman, to one that can climb a mountain (Scafell Pyke) and only have tight calves. I can now box jump about 20ish times before I am struggling. I can do 50 butterfly situps before I stop and I can do 100 single skips really fast... in fact, I can even run for 8 kilometers non stop!

I have a lot more I want to do, so much more I want to achieve physically...

and the journey continues...

When you run out of steam

This week I have run out of steam... maybe it is the heat in the UK which is unbearable, or maybe because I am seeing little results of late... or maybe because I spent days with achy arms after a hard week of arms workouts...

This week just cannot be bothered to exercise... just do not want to... first time in a whole year!

bleurgh...

Why exercise?

'I do not understand why people put themselves through all that pain'... someone at work said to me today, as I was struggling to lift the kettle to make myself a coffee.

I suddenly found myself having to justify so much pain, which made me think and in a split second I remembered. Why do I go through all that effort? I spend days with aching muscles. I crave food more than ever and try not to over indulge. My friends think I am insane... So why do I exercise?

Different people have different reasons, for me the reasons go beyond of what you can see right now. My reasons are not just so I can lift the 15kg bag of dog food into the back of the car, or being able to walk for hours without feeling tired, or to have a good dance and being able to out-dance most young people! My reasons are to do with longevity of a good quality of life.

There are plenty of articles on the net and research papers that show that as a nation (even the whole of society) we are living longer. Living longer has its downsides, as many illnesses that are related to old age will increase. Also, as a society we have lived a very sedentary lifestyle. This will also increase the probability of developing these illnesses and many more related to obesity. So we might be living longer, but not necessarily a longer healthy life.

Exercising will decrease the probability of you getting these illnesses. Obviously it is not a guarantee just like life is not a guarantee, but if you want to have the best chance to grow old walking on your own or being able to wash yourself and going to the toilet without someone helping you, then I say lets give exercise a chance!

There are plenty of articles that talk about the benefits of exercise and ageing, you just need to look at the major newspapers to find countless articles on medical research. A quick Google search will give you plenty of results of articles you can read.

As we become older, our muscles start to deteriorate and although exercise does not stop it, it certainly slows it down. Also gives you strength, so when you are older you will have a better posture and be able to move independently and at ease.

Also, the other major reason why I started to exercise has been the effect that has on the brain. Exercise helps your brain stay sharp and focused, not only during the time when you are young but also as you get older. You are in fact, investing into a healthy mind for later life, diminishing the chances of getting dementia.

Who on earth wants to be living longer in a wheelchair unable to remember their loved ones? If by investing in some sweat and pain you can reduce this probability to a minimum, what is stop you from exercising?

Climbing Scafell Pike

The achievement of the week, in fact, of the month has got to be climbing Scafell Pike.

This time I had a partner in crime, my boyfriend came with me to climb the wonderful mountain in Cumbria, UK. Not sure he did this willingly, but he sure stuck with me. Months before we made sure we had all the equipment that numerous sites recommend. I must say, I already had all these from when I climbed Snowdon in Wales. 

Although slightly cloudy we still went ahead with our walk and with map in hand we started the ascent. The route we chose was the recommended one (easiest) according to many sites. Although the Wasdale route does get quite a few people as you get to the top and it becomes cloudy you look for people for reassurance that you are going the right way! And do not be fooled, maybe called the tourist route, but sure is hard work. 

One thing I must say, Scafell Pike is not well signposted, you need the map and a compass. When the cloud comes in you can just see about 5 metres ahead of you, that is all. What about the path I hear you say? Yes, what path? There is no path but random piles of rock that have been put together to guide you roughly where you should be going. That is, if the fog and clouds lets you see the next one!

Also, whatever you do, unless you are fit AND have experience, do stick with the tourist route... nothing wrong with the tourist route. Because you might find like us, you think you took a shortcut and then realised that you cannot turn back, cloud is all around you and the only way forward is to literally hold on to rocks as hard as you can to pull yourself up... one tiny slip and my kids could have been orphaned.

However, all in all, we had fun and we made it.

Would I do it again? Oh yes... The next one I am doing is Ben Nevis... that will be a 2016 challenge.

My boyfriend and I, photo taken on our way down by a wonderful lady who was also climbing Scafell.

Yes, look at the amazing views!

And this is when we realised... ooops... we can see what is ahead... and then the cloud came in.

40km in 40 days

One of the coaches at my local box (CrossFit gym) set the challenge of running 40km in 40 days... In an attempt to get us running more.

Well... I have done it! In 35 days actually...

I am so pleased and proud. Even more amazing the transformation in me has been incredible. I actually enjoy running now, I am able to run 6.53km without stopping. A month ago I never thought I would be able to run at all.

I now actively run during the week and look forward to the next run.

My aim now is to reach 10km and then start running faster. I run but I run very slowly... A bit faster will be nice.

And maybe next year I will be able to do half a marathon!

Another milestone achieved

This week I finally achieved one of my goals. I managed to run 5km non stop! Took me 35 minutes, which I know it is slow, but it was all run and no walk.

I finally cracked it. Finally realised that if I just run at a pace where my heart is comfortable with, I can keep going for miles. Distance is more important at the moment that speed.

You know what is even more astonishing... I actually look forward to running now... Even I surprise myself when I say this.

And just in case it was all just a fluke, I did it again today. I ran 5.37km, a lot slower but did it non-stop. The speed was more due to attending a WOD the day before, muscles were hurting already.

So now I can say I CAN run and look forward it.

This lady is achieving her goals one by one!

When running becomes achievable

This week I have finally achieved something wonderful with my running!

After spending many weeks running the same 3.1km circuit and stopping loads to catch my breath, after trying to run faster and trying to stop as little as possible. At last something dawned on me...

My muscles do not hurt when I run and not even after I run. I have CrossFit to thank for that. Maybe bottom of my feet slightly tense but nothing to cry about. So I obviously can last the run. However, everytime I run, I feel that my heart is about to pop out of my mouth.

My family suffers from high blood pressure and even my dad has suffered a heart attack at a young age. So controlling my heart beat and getting a better cardiovascular system is important for me. One of the many reasons I exercise. Perhaps this is why I struggle so much with the running?

On Friday, after a not so nice week at work I got up early and went for a run. Have not been able to attend CrossFit this week and I miss it. I decided to slow down... Right down to a comfortable pace. In fact, it was (according to the app) 7.39min/km. And I did it! I ran the whole of the 3.1km... No stopping and no walking... Little legs running all the way! In fact, I felt I could have kept going but lack of time to get ready for work prevented that.

At long last... I CAN run... All the way :)

Weight... gaining and loosing

It is quite disheartening when you find yourself doing an awful lot of exercise and seeing the scales going up... but equally puzzling when you strip naked in front of the mirror and actually see that you look better. Clothes still fit... so the shape is OK...

But don't panic!! (I said to myself...) Google the problem...

I did find some interesting articles, and I usually treat most things on the internet with a huge pinch of salt. However, in this case, I might just take what they say as true, as it satisfies the inner me who is panicking over scales.

This article Why Am I Gaining Weight On a Diet and Exercise Program?, explains rather easily that most of the weight I have gained is water. CrossFit is quite high in intensity and it is also a lot of weight training. Therefore that explains it. I know I have an awful lot more muscle.

But if you are still in doubt, here is another article. Working out but gaining weight

However, this article is better at explaining everything and I believe slightly more thorough. Weight loss vs fat loss. I am now going to get the Body Fat Clippers and have worked out that for me 2340 calories a day is maintenance. My aim is to reduce that by 10%, keep eating well.

So there... a little research I had to do for my own benefit if nothing else...

and I am one step closer to throwing the scales away...

And the running starts...

Last week our Box (CrossFit gym) started a challenge, 40km running in 40 days. In a way to get us running more...

So far I have done 9.9km since the 1st May, not bad.

For the next two weeks I am unable to attend my Box... so shall be running for the next two weeks...

Oh, did I mention? I hate running... but I am going to get better at it. At the moment I stop a couple of times and walk for 100m or so... I want to be able to run 5km non-stop!

The aim has been set...

A week of Personal bests (1RMs)

This week we have been doing a few 1RMs at my box. In other words, your personal best.

RM stands for Repetition maximum. Your 1RM is your maximum lift for one rep.

We have been doing a strengthening programme for a few weeks and this week we got tested.

I am very chuffed, I have achieved a lot of personal bests.

Starting with the Deadlift.... my 1RM is 90kg

Next, the Back Squat... 85kg

Push Press... 47.5kg

And then the Front Squat... 65kg

Very pleased with the results as they have increased from the last time we did RMs!!

I can now celebrate this weekend...

This week I found what I really hate

For the first time... ever... I have found an exercise I hate more than running..

Lunges... all 400 meters of it...

absolutely hate them...

My legs are in a lot of pain and my buttocks are sore...

Hurts so much that going up the stairs has become the hardest hurdle this weekend...

Onwards and upwards... hope the legs heal by Monday!!

When your leggings split...

What do you do when your gym leggings split at the gym? Cry? Laugh? Ignore it and hope no one has seen it?

I ignored it and hoped no one had seen it. It was round the side of my hip anyway, nothing to see.

Then you get home and start wondering, did I wash them too much? Oh no... they get very sweaty, you definitely did not wash them too much. They NEED to be washed after every gym use.

Are they rubbish quality? Hmmm... these were cheap in the sale, but it is a big brand... and I mean a BIG brand... they are suppose to be good.

And then you start thinking the inevitable... Oh man! Did my backside really get bigger?!

And this is when I smiled... YES!!!

When I bought these leggings it was last year, pre-CrossFit, when my body was all flabby, with flabby bum, cellulite legs that wobbled when I walked (yeah, pretty picture, I know)...
And now, almost a whole year later, my bum is rounder and firmer, my legs are strong and firm; and the cellulite is 80% gone.

So it is with a HUGE smile that I can now order other leggings...

Yes, I still weigh myself... But the view is changing. I do weigh more than I did this time last year, however, I have an awful lot more muscle everywhere. I am stronger for sure and when I look in the mirror I know I have not got bigger nor fatter...

I love my body... I love the way my body is changing and I most certainly love being stronger.

:)

Achievement of the week: T2B

This week I have managed to go to Crossfit twice and have also gone for a 3km run twice.

However, the achievement of the week has got to be the Toes to Bar. I finally managed to do one... Yes, just the ONE... and I did it!!

This is what a Toes to Bar entails:

And afterwards I did 50 sit ups... just to make sure I keep those muscles growing!

So excuse me whilst I spend this evening celebrating my first T2B...

The callenges

Challenges are interesting, a mixture of self-'padding on the back' and masochistic pain induced pleasure.

It all started with Snowdon... I knew I needed to get fitter and move away from the sofa and my computer screen, the only way was to set a challenge. Then I would HAVE to do something. In 3 to 4 months I went from couch potato to climbing Snowdon! I could not walk for days and for weeks my legs hurt too much... but I did it.

Now moving on to the following challenge, I joined Crossfit... when I first saw the video the one thing I thought, 'OMG! That is where fit people go to get fitter'... I still joined! (yes, I am mad like that). Want to know what Crossfit is all about? Watch the video below:

After I joined I needed somehow to prove that I could do something else. So I did Spartan Race UK which was a 5km obstacle race. Small enough to try out my new found fitness. I loved it! It was such great fun and what a huge sense of achievement. Covered in mud and knackered I was rather pleased with what I managed to achieve.

What next? I am not super athlete (trust me, I am not), but I need something that will give me an incentive to keep going and keep trying... So I have now booked to go away to Cumbria and climb Scafell Pike, the tallest mountain in England, UK. I have a partner in crime who is coming with me, (or more like I am dragging him along with me). I know this should be easier than Snowdon, my legs are a lot stronger since May 2014 when I climbed it.

I have also, rather insanely, booked to do ToughMudder... oh yes... an obstacle race! This one is bigger and harder, but it gives me the incentive that I need to keep going to Crossfit and to try running for longer. I am no runner and I still hate it. I can barely do 3km at the moment and I stop at least once. However, I must get to run at least 10km (ToughMudder is 18km-ish)... so I have a lot to do in 5 months.

And I do think that for now, these are good challenges... more shall be booked after ToughMudder.

Enjoy the exercise and keep going!

The Regime of the week 06/04/15

A nasty cold half way through the week has only allowed me to attend CrossFit once. However, I did manage to take my dogs for long walks... yes, walks are classified as exercise.

Spent an hour walking them in our favourite forest...

Next day we spent a few hours walking on the beach (yes, wet, sandy and happy dogs)...

And the next day we went for an hour walk alongside the river...

In the end, the cold may have prevented me from attending WODs, however, gave me the opportunity to enjoy some time with my dogs.

Lets see what next week brings!

Ouch

I'm now officially shuffling... Not walking but shuffling!!! My legs hurt so much...

The Regime of this week 30/03/15

I could sit here and tell you of every single detail of my regime... (which I did, and realised it was boring)... but I am not. Instead, I will just choose one movement that I enjoyed in the week and say why.

This week I managed to attend 3 WODs (Crossfit sessions), my favourite exercise was Wall Balls. What are they? Have a look below:

Although my thighs are aching, I love this exercise. Makes your gluteus a nice shape and your legs get stronger. In fact, Wall Balls is just my favourite full stop.

I did not get a chance to run during the week, I have lots of bad weather excuses which is all what I need. I hate running, I am only doing it because I have to and not because I want to. I shall try and get out for a small run at the weekend... if the weather is nice.

Enjoy your Easter weekend!

I hate the scales

Over the last few months I have learned that using scales is a waste of time and yet, why on earth can't I stop using them?

I have a mother who is totally obsessed and the world would end if she cannot weigh herself every day. That is all she talks about, weight and food. I promised myself I did not want to be like her. Yet here I am, using the scales every day.

And I know that weight fluctuates so much and you cannot judge exactly what is happening with your body by a number in the scales.

One thing you learn at Crossfit, is that your body will change and you will weigh a lot more but look better. Crossfit makes you develop a lot of muscle and a lot of strength.

This photo keeps propping up and being shared by all my Crossfit friends:

And yet, I still check every morning...

However, I now check for different reasons. My aim is to keep the weight the same. Increase muscle and strength whilst reducing the fat in my body. I know I am getting stronger as the exercises at Crossfit are proving.

So when I look at myself in my full length mirror, I know there is work to be done, but man!!! Don't I look gorgeous!

Oh yes... I hate the scales... and at some point I will just bin them... I just have a while to go yet.

Enjoy the exercise!

The Regime of this week 23/03/15

At least this week I managed to attend Crossfit 3 times.

It involved doing handstands and back squats with a 52.5kg for me, also box jumps and a Heavy Helen on Friday! The back of my legs hurt a lot due to the Heavy Helen.

I know to most of you this sounds like none sense talk... Not to worry, I will explain what all these terms mean at some point. Just trust me when I tell you, it was a good hard workout and I am still in the lower percentage of the leader board... there are some seriously strong people at my box (gym).

I only managed one run this week as well, a 3km run and I only stopped once...

On to next week...

Turning 40

So like many women I turned 40 and some major life decisions were made. One of them was my general fitness.

Like many women, during pregnancy I put huge amounts of weight and even more after having the children. Many years past and one divorce later I decided it was time to change my body.

I read a lot of scientific articles about the mind, one of my hobbies, it fascinates me. One thing was clear,to keep a healthy mind to old age I needed to do exercise and keep active. As we get older our bodies start to degrade and although we cannot do much about growing older, we can, however, minimise the chances of dementia and other age related illnesses by exercising during our early years.

A friend of mine (wonderful actor and director), has just started his journey. And although I started mine 10 months ago, his journals have inspired me to start a blog about my journey.

In January 2014 I decided all of a sudden I was going to climb Snowdon in Wales, UK. I was a couch potato with little hope of making it to the top walking. So took the challenge and decided to do it for charity, Safer Places. I went to the gym, did the Spinning classes and made it to the top...

No, it was not easy, but the money raised kept me going. Met this wonderful lady who had gone to something similar and she was walking up Snowdon in 6 different paths in 6 different days to celebrate her 60th!! Amazing woman!! I made it and I could not walk for 3 days after that... ached for longer.

Came back and I needed something more...

Luckily, next to where I work, there is a Crossfit gym (or box, as those in the know call them). I went in and signed up. This was in June 2014.

Oh WOW!...... you have never worked out hard enough until you have been to a Crossfit lesson (or WOD, as those in the know call them).

A few months later I was slacking and it was evident that I needed another goal. Since I was approaching 40 I decided it should be celebrated by doing several challenges. Ii signed up for ToughMudder in September 2015. However, Christmas came and a long trip away gave me a break from exercise.

So here I am, inspired by my friend's journal, I shall write every week what I have done.

I have been going to Crossfit now for 10 months (on and off) and I am still in the lower 10% of the fitness table... (yes... working progress).

I only have 6 months before Tough Mudder... so I cannot not afford to take any breaks on my fitness regime any more. I must continue.

Think that is enough for this week... Next week I shall share a bit more.

Enjoy the exercise... keeps you alive!