Not so (Cross) Fit

It will come to no surprise by now that exercise and I are not the most compatible of couples, however after agonising about whether to rejoin the gym recently, I was invited to a free circuit training session this evening so I jumped on board and thought why the hell not! Of course, how I interpreted it, and what actually happened are two very different stories.

Picture the scene: a friend contacts me on Facebook after my random status update about rejoining the gym and mentions one I didn’t know existed in Northampton called Crossfit. When I spoke to her about it, I managed to interpret it as a chance to catch up with someone I haven’t seen for months and have a good old natter in between circuit exercises. Now, when I think of this, I think 10 sets of press ups, 10 sets of star jumps, maybe a few weight sets and running from one side of the room to the other. Not so shabby really! Of course, somewhere in my blonde infested brain, what I was told and what I actually experienced was a whole other ball game.

After agreeing to pick me up, we drove round to said Gym, not far from my house, which seemed to appear out of nowhere. I wasn’t too fazed to begin with but it did cross my mind where the big building was and why we were driving into the smallest car park a gym has ever seen. Still, I didn’t really question it. On approach I saw we were walking towards what I can only describe as a huge converted garage and I soon found myself distracted by Mr Fittie and his sexy legs and was too busy checking him out to notice what was happening around me. Why oh why did I choose to wear the most horrific pair of cropped leggings and old t-shirt today? I really need to take note when going to the gym – men will always be there!

It took me a few minutes to register where I was, but once I managed to compose myself I looked around the room and I thought I had entered some sick and twisted red room of pain, and I was convinced Mr Grey was going to appear in his joggers and riding crop in hand and beat the crap out of me. Unfortunately he never showed, however the latter was still true, just not in the masochistic way I had first thought!

Grey thoughts aside, we began our training starting with a warm up which included a gentle run around block – yes outside and in the rain – something I was not prepared for. We then made our way back and started on 5 sets of 10 kettle bell swings, box squats, bunny hops, ring pull ups and more squats with weight bars on our back which we alternated for about 15-20 minutes. By now I was looking more like a heart attack victim than an Olympic champion! From there, we then went onto our 5 set circuits (and finally a chance to stop and breath I hoped) but no, we were pushed to our limits once more. Wall and floor climbs, kettle bell lunges, swings and to top it off a 50m sprint outside, still in the rain. Thankfully I wasn’t the only newbie there so we were given a little more grace and were told to do only 3 sets which to be honest, I’m not sure how I even managed that but I did, and I have to admit it felt good.

Had it been described to me like this before hand, it is without a doubt I would have said no, but in hindsight, I’m really glad I didn’t know what was coming because despite the pain, the body shakes, the red face, and the ridiculous amount of sweat seeping from my pores, I have to admit, I loved every minute of it. The people in the class were pleasant and so friendly, the trainer was really motivating and supportive, and despite being the slowest and probably most unfit there, I didn’t for one minute feel intimidated or stupid. Everyone was so focused on their own workout and that helped me to keep my focus too.

I’m really glad I had the opportunity to go and although I was aching before we even finished, and knowing full well I will be in agony tomorrow, part of me feels really smug but also quite proud of myself. Although the ultimate goal is to get fit, it definitely is the kind of workout that involves a lot of mental strength, but it seems to have triggered something inside of me because I'm feeling really good now, almost buzzing, and for that reason I don't think Crossfit has seen the last of me!

What a bummer!

Whoever said being a girl was easy probably wasn’t female, in fact in an image obsessed world, it’s a bloody nightmare! Choosing the right hairstyle, getting the best makeup, ensuring your grooming is up-to-date and wearing the right clothes actually sounds like fun when you’re trawling through magazines and looking in shops, but sometimes for me, it’s a disaster.

I don’t dislike being a girl; on the contrary I actually love it. The flirting you can do when your out to get a drink off the fit guy you’ve been eyeing up or buying accessories, shoes, bags…the list is endless, but what about those off days? You know the ones I mean, the days when you go into every shop possible and nothing looks right. That dress you love so much in the window looks more like a tent when you try it on, or after four weeks of eating only chicken and drinking green tea, you still can’t quite do up the zip on those skinny jeans. This has happened to me on so many occassions and the complex I already have about myself seems to be going from bad to worse!

I do tend to get the odd compliment here or there, usually about the size of my cleavage, which lets face it if you know me doesn’t go unnoticed, but from out of nowhere I seem to have developed this ridiculous obsession about the size of my arse! Now I know Sir Mix-a-Lot likes a “juicy double” and to be fair, I have been known to shake my “healthy butt” on a night out, but for some reason unbeknown to me, I have found myself wishing my callipygian curves, were….not so in your face. It’s enough with the cleavage; I don’t need the derriere as well!

I know I should embrace my curves and be that all powerful female unfazed by what others think of me, but in reality, their opinions really do matter and with a backside the size of black beauty, I’m starting to think I need to get help before I get mistaken for a bike rack!

Time to get onto the squats I think.

Published article: Whiteroom

I am very happy to share with you another article of mine which has been published with Glow Magazine. I decided to put my writing skills to the test and have written a review on a local Northampton Band called Whiteroom. Please take some time to read it and check them out. You won't be disappointed!

http://www.glowmagazine.me/whiteroom-covers-northhampton/

Tanya :-)

Chocolate

This is a silly poem I made up today in honour of my housemate, Miss Chelsey Howe who is the world's biggest chocoholic, and for myself, who is dreaming of the day when real chocolate won't make you fat, no matter how much you eat!

Chocolate by Tanya Shirley

Chocolate is just lovely
I eat it everyday.
I really wish i didn't, but
the cravings always stay.

Chocolate on my cereal
Chocolate for my lunch.
And when it's time for dinner, I

think you have a hunch!

I cannot stop, I always think
Of chocolate all the time.
I wish I didn't do this, but
oh look, a yummy Daim!

I often wish I didn't eat
chocolate everyday,
'cause maybe then, the pounds I've gained
Will simply fade away!

Get over it, Tanya!

Multi tasking seems to be something I’m good at. I can easily juggle five different tasks at work with confidence despite by head feeling muddled, I can handle tidying the house whilst keeping up to date with what’s going on in Eastenders and I can even dry my hair and do my makeup at the same time (true fact even if I do look like a clown afterwards!)  However, I have noticed lately that when my life gets taken over by one thing, I somehow manage to lose focus on everything else, and by that I mean my diet.

With a recent promotion giving me a step up the career ladder, I have been thrown into a brand new role, which after spending nearly seven years in my previous job, has been a bit of a shock to my system but I have been putting all my energy into learning and getting settled and neglecting the focus I had with my diet and realise now I need to do something about that now before I undo all my hard work. Whilst talking to my sister about it last night she said ‘only you can do something about it’ and she’s so right. It was a matter of fact comment which has stuck on my head ever since. It’s easy to lose track and spiral into a whirlwind of self pity when you’re having a bad day, but I should be looking at the bigger picture. I’ve been promoted so why am I feeling so sorry for myself? I realise there is always going to be learning curves in a new job but I seriously need to stop putting myself under so much pressure and just go with it instead of using it as an excuse to comfort eat and step off the diet wagon. I know it’s easier said than done, especially if you’re like me and turn to food with any emotion you go through, but at least I have acknowledged what I am doing and that’s got to be a good start, don’t you think?

With that in mind, I woke up this morning and did an intensive 30 minute session on the cross trainer, watched The Biggest Loser and Fat Families on TV and I suddenly feel like I’m back in the game and it feels good. I've got a lot going for me at the moment so as of now I’m giving myself a well deserved talking to and pulling myself together. I’m back people so let’s get this party started!

An appeal....

Sometimes being single can be tiring. Going to bed alone, waking up with nobody to kiss you good morning, drifting through your day worrying about things and not having someone at the end of the phone to tell you to stop over reacting and to calm down. It’s tough being on your own. People always seem to ask me why I don’t have a boyfriend. I wish I knew the answer because then maybe I can shine some light on why I am still single. I don’t think I’m all bad. I know I can be a bit down on myself at times, but everyone goes through phases like that. I’m not a bad person; I’m caring, sensitive, look out for my friends and family. I can cook. Surely I have potential? So why can’t I seem to find myself a nice man?

I have perhaps been over analysing this weekend and am probably starting to sound sad and desperate, but what’s wrong with wanting to curl up to someone at the end of the day sharing a bottle of wine and watching crappy TV? Nothing! The big question is, where do I find said man? All of my friends seem to have managed it, so why can’t I? I’m not that bad am I? Maybe I need to enlist the help of my friends and get them to do the dirty work for me. Maybe I need to step away from the situation and let someone else take control and see what happens. Now there’s an idea!

So this is me putting myself out there asking for some help! Friends, if you are reading this, do me favour because being single sucks!

Much Love! xx

God Save The Queen

This weekend has seen a significant event in British history, marking the Diamond Jubilee of our Queen’s 60 year reign as Monarch and the people of Great Britain are rejoicing after being given an extra day’s holiday to celebrate!

As a country, we perhaps don’t have the best reputation when it comes to underage drinking, corrupted media and even the weather, but what we do have is a great understanding of comedy, a love of music and sport, and if there is one thing we Brits know what to do best, its party!

More than 1.2 million spectators gathered in London yesterday to watch the flotilla where the Queen made her way down the River Thames on a Royal barge along with 1000 other boats to commemorate her time on the throne. For those who couldn’t make it to the Capital, took to the streets to hold their own parties, indulging in pimms and lemonade, enjoying picnics and even listening to live music in local pubs. With towns and cities laden with Union Jack bunting there has been an exciting atmosphere surrounding us and despite the disappointing pour down of rain, it hasn’t stopped anyone having a good time. The country is covered with flags, novelty memorabilia, fancy dress and a lot of people wearing red, white and blue!

People have sung, danced and toasted the Queen and once again, we have enjoyed every minute of it. There has been an atmosphere so inviting and electric, we have proven to the world that Britain is a good country and so are the people who live here. We have united today and I am proud to be British, and that my friends, is why we are so great!