The Diary of a Pole Addict: Health & Fitness Blog, Vegetarian Recipes & Pole Dance! - Diary of a Pole Addict

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Forget Doing It Like a Dude

1/7/2014

Lets Do it Like a Girl

Share This, Like this SPREAD THE MESSAGE. From a young age we're told we're "girly" - that becomes a bad thing. What does it even mean?

We're girls. Yep. Damn right. Stop denying what we are. Lets change perceptions sisters, we're Lionesses.

Originally spotted here - YouTube link courtesy of "Always"

The Pink Shorts of Power Ride Again!

25/6/2014

#sweatpink - it gives you superpowers...honest...

Tuesday is pole day.

Tuesday is the best day of the week.

The excitement when you realise what day it is, the building tension waiting to get working out, the slight but sweet apprehension of what your instructor will be asking you to do... (yes Karen, I've not forgotten what it was this week :p), the budding expectation of having an awesome hour and the peace of knowing you're going to forget anything was bothering you and let it all go into what you're doing.

If you're lucky you might even get a cool photo or video to show off to your partner and/or friends after the session and if you're super lucky you'll have all of the bruises to show exactly how hard you worked this week! (yeah, I have one in the very joint of my knee and I feel cool....).

This week was no exception.

Tom and I very quickly realised that we'd been moved onto a big pole....eeeek! The pole we've been working on has been pretty short. As in, I can reach and touch the top. Inverting on it always left our feet near the very top - almost hooking around the top of the pole. This week though, the pole seemed HUGE. And, we had Abi with us. Abi was one of our first instructors and talked us through our first inverts, through Crucifix and tentatively onto Butterfly as she occasionally swapped with Karen on our instruction.

As I've said before, all of our instructors make it look easy. Very easy! So to share a pole with Abi was a bit daunting - especially when she took to the pole for the first move of the evening and Tom and I watched with that sickening sense of....oh goodness, she's good! My growing sense of suspicion was also confirmed when Karen got me into Marley and told me to start removing that bottom arm. "Don't worry", she said, "Abi will catch you". Hmmmph.

And with that dash a panache, the class started. Abi naturally made us feel really comfortable and Karen was as thorough as always, watching very keenly. Watching so keenly in fact that she realised I'm inverting by kicking up onto the pole. I've known for a while that a true invert shouldn't need a swing up, but by golly, I'll be damned if I can work out how to do it! I ended up doing some approximation of a hip thrust, with only my hips rising. Apparently that looked funny.

Time to work on the leg-raises methinks. Ugh!

The class delivered the usual amount of amazingness. Progress and practice simultaneously, which is something I really love about the classes. Always something old to work on, always something new to work towards.

Some of the older inverts we did seemed silly easy now, inverted Crucifix was a breeze, even though a few weeks ago it seemed like I was gripping with my thighs for dear life. It was so easy that I even had time to realise that Tom wasn't actually watching my crucifix after inferring that I wouldn't be able to do one. Boy, I can hang there all night - you better be watching :p

From that, I even managed to get a decent inverted fly-hold (finally). And I have video proof! It even looks sort of smooth! :D

Obviously still lots of work to do, but it's getting there :D It's always nice when you get to the point that you can actually video it without lots of embarrassment!!

The other benefit to pole is of course the weight loss and strength. And the abs. I have abs coming through. Yes, it's coming slowly, but they're coming....squeeeeee!

Pre-pole

Pole 19 weeks in!

I'll keep you updated as they come through - it's like some sort of blossoming, if you look at the left hand photo, that is where my abs were in January before Tom and I started pole.

Now, I think it's fairly obvious that I don't *just* pole, but pole IS the new addition to my routine (along with an increase in calories from 1700/day to 2000/day).

So, a pretty good Gemini (which I'm still not showing you guys :p), a much improved Inverted Fly-Hold, a few Marley's which need some improving; Tom's Gemini is getting there, he's convinced himself he can't do it - so he won't be able to until he realises he can (and HAS!), a couple of great Marley's (I'll see if he'll let me post pictures of him xD) and MUCH better knee holds from Tom's camp we're both showing some great signs of progress!!

I love pole ;)

I mentioned last night that PoleFreaks have accepted me as a guest blogger, I'm super excited about it and am currently drafting a blog on "The Fear". I thought I was the only person who felt afraid of the pole (you'll probably remember I mentioned this a couple of weeks ago in my "Don't Fear the Reaper" post). Letting go of that fear was pivotal and although sometimes the nerves attack, it's nothing like it was. So I've decided to explore that particular issue!

Anyway, it's time to be off. Keep clicking peeps, remember, every PENNY from the legitimate ad clicks goes to Oxfam and remember #sweatpink - it gives you super-powers :D

All donations welcome :)

If you like this site and have a few pennies spare we are grateful for every donation - we've had them ranging between 30p and £100 and everywhere in between. So don't be shy - you'll even get put on the wall of fame :)

If you have a few pennies to spare here's the link to get on our wall of fame!

Week 5: Longer, harder, faster...

23/6/2014

Think you can take the SS girls on?

Click here to take part in this weeks challenge

I did three sit-ups first thing this morning.

I know it doesn't sound like much, but there is only a certain number of times you can switch your alarm on to snooze...

Ah Monday. My nemesis.

This morning my alarm didn't go off. Well. It might have. I might have rolled over and turned it off. Several times.

Either way, I woke up when I'd normally start walking to work. Oooops. Queue a quick protein shake, putting my knickers on backwards and grabbing a pair of decidedly questionable socks.

I spent the rest of the day feeling like my eyes were on fire. Seared shut in fact ;) How is it that you feel that way until the final bell goes and you're ready to go home? I was raring to go at home time!

After yesterdays 30k I expected to feel a bit worse for wear, but actually, I feel fine. It's so tempting to take myself off for a run whilst the house is quiet, but I *know* it's important to rest (starts chanting). I think I may also eat everything in sight. Including the cat. I'd probably eat my keyboard too given the amount of food in it....TMI? I am RAVENOUS!

Anyway, that's enough of that. Who wants to hear the ramblings of a madwoman....(aw c'mon, someone could have spoken up *sob*).

This week's challenge:

Starting today: Add 10km to your training this week.

The rules:

It can be done in one go, it can be done in little bits - but it has to be done
It can be walking or running
You need to take a photo or a video of yourself doing whatever it is!
If you miss a day YOU FORFEIT

This week's forfeit:
You will be asked to go into a busy town centre and whilst you're walking along, suddenly stop and start dancing. Remember, you need to video your forfeit too for it to count. *grin*

If you need a recap on how it works, check out my blog from 23rd May!

If you've been playing along and would like to renew a previous challenge remember for every ADDITIONAL week that we complete a set challenge we will donate £1 to our charity!

There have so far been NO forfeits.

Previous challenges:
Week 1: No fizzy drinks for the duration of the challenge.
Week 2: Complete (at least) 10 minutes of running every day of the challenge.
Week 3: Try at least one new thing every day.
Week 4: Say "yes" to anything you're offered to do for one week.
Week 5: Try at least three new things in the week.

Remember: You can either renew a challenge or pick this weeks challenge up. Members of the challenge can choose to take the ultimate challenge and run challenges together....!
(For every renewed week we will donate £1 to our fundraising - for a maximum of 5 weeks per challenge).

*excuse the typo in the title. It is actually week 6 of our challenge!

Michelle
Week 1: accepted
Week 1: complete
Week 2: accepted
Week 2: complete
Week 3: accepted
W3 "e" -
additional challenge:
eat 1g carb/1g protein
Week 3: complete (and Week 3: "e" renewed)
Week 4: accepted
Week 4: complete
Week 3"e":
completed
renewed
Week 5: accepted
Week 5: complete
Week 3"e":
completed (£1)
renewed
Week 6: accepted
Week 3"e":
Completed (£1)
Renewed

Tash
Week 1: accepted
Week 1: renewed
Week 2: accepted
Week 2: complete
Week 1r:
completed (£1)
renewed
Week 3: accepted
Week 1r:
completed (£1)
renewed
Week 4: accepted
Week 4: complete
Week 1r:
completed
renewed (£1)
Week 5: accepted
Week 1r:
completed (£1)
renewed
Week 5: complete
Week 1r:
completed (£1)
renewed
Week 6: accepted
Week 3"e":
Completed (£1)
Renewed

Amber
Week 1: accepted
Week 1: complete
Week 2: accepted
Week 2: complete
Week 3: accepted
Week 4: accepted
Week 4: complete
Week 5: accepted
Week 5: complete
Week 6: accepted

Additional challenges (personal challenges)

Tash: won't be eating anything from the kebab shop she works at for another week!
Michelle: will only have fizzy drinks on the weekend and I will be trying to make sure I try at least 3 new exercise things this week!! :D

Want to take part? Want to accept our challenges? For everyone who takes a challenge and completes a RENEWED week (so two weeks of a challenge) Snailstalkers will donate 50p to our charity (for a maximum of 5 weeks renewal). Maybe you could make it about your own donations to charity and match our donation?

You'll also get mentioned in the blog (of course!!).

Want to think of the forfeits we do? For suitable forfeits submitted (and approved) we will film ourselves doing them and put them on the website. Please though, nothing that will endanger health or anything that is outrageously inappropriate!

And some photos to show you the progress of our challenges so far!! :D

Si doing his bit!

FASTER TASH FASTER!

First time you say Amber?

What a slacker...

gym #workout #physical exercise #fitness #you #challenge #fernwood fitness #humour #blog #fitness blog # fitfam #news #bbc news #free weights #resistance training #training #trailwalker #Oxfam #fundraising #money #free #you #donate #charity #charity shop #jewelry #bitch #boobies #girls #funny #weights #bro do you even lift #lift #physical #personal trainer

Sometimes it's just about surviving today so you can kick ass tomorrow!

16/6/2014

It was Monday today.

It was Monday today.

Do you know how I know that?

It was nothing to do with the calendar, or the start of the working week. Oh no. Today was Monday in every sense of the word.

As I reached into my fridge today the hinge broke. No big deal right? Except that the fridge door has to weigh a good 20kg and I was now holding the door in my left hand and my breakfast (blueberries, a yoghurt and the milk for my protein shake) in my right hand.

It's daily I thank weight training for making my life easier ;) (yes, things like this happen on a daily occurance, you get used to it). After juggling the fridge door (which I might add had a further 4 pints of milk, several packets of cheese, some chillis and a litre of apple juice in it) I managed to wiggle it back onto the hinge, all the while desperately trying not to drop my breakfast.

It was a hard decision.....do I drop the breakfast or the door? The counter is too far away for me to put the food down, but oh, the door is balanced just so against my shoulder...I chose to drop neither and did a trick worthy of a master magician.

After I left the fridge alone, very carefully replacing what I hadn't eaten I walked to work. Naturally I was late.

I got an email titled "Your Mother-in-law" which is always cause for concern and was informed by someone else that I'm on a trip next week. Ooops. Had forgotten that.

Of course the wind drove everyone crazy and there were kids running around like feral cats on a full moon, zig-zagging and practically climbing the walls. Just another day.

To top it all off it was "uppers" day. I have to admit at this point I have a varied relationship with uppers. As you're trying to bench those last two reps it's like your head is going to explode. Once you've re-racked you could take on the world!

There were some (what I can only describe as) children doing some sort of bizarre initiation ceremony involving the barbells in several weights and bopping up and down in time with each other. I can only assume they were doing calf raises. What I couldn't work out is how the 15kg barbell came into it.

The gym was packed. There was an amazing looking woman there, who is one of my gym-idols! She just looks great and lifts like a beast. Always motivating :D

We lift like beasts to look like foxes, oooh yea.

Tom also decided that I needed to man up. So I got a honorary penis for the session. I walked with a swagger and made good use of the 17.5kg dumbells. I was happy.

That is, I was happy until we decided to do some HIIT. I thought it would be "fun" to subject Tom to Sophie's HIIT pyramid....

I still ache. And my lungs hurt. Thanks Sophie :p

Anyway, in the shower after the gym I discovered that I've swapped the Zombie shuffle for the Zombie grab. You know the one, where your arms won't come above chest level.

Given I'm still bending like an old lady the zombie grab should be fun instilling "fear" into my class tomorrow. Ha. As if. Apparently the thought of me being scary is funny to them. I'll have to do my Yoda impression. That will get them.

Anyway, short and sweet today. I'm starving. I'll leave you with this though.

gym #workout #physical exercise #fitness #you #challenge #fernwood fitness #humour #blog #fitness blog # fitfam #news #bbc news #free weights #resistance training #training #trailwalker #Oxfam #fundraising #money #free #you #donate #charity #charity shop #jewelry #bitch #boobies #girls #funny #weights #bro do you even lift #lift #physical #personal trainer

The day after the day after legs day - it hurts so good!

15/6/2014

Do the zombie shuffle with me....you know what i mean!

zombies hate fast food

Legs day followed by a 10k run = zombie shuffle.

I went shopping to Tesco earlier and as we were leaving the store something dropped out of one of the bags.

I went to pick it up and had to do the whole wide feet, bum out bend at the hips thing to retrieve the item whilst groaning like an old lady about "oooh, me legs dear." After a few failed attempts at retrieving the item I managed to hook it up on my foot and deliver it back to the bag after quite a bit more maneuvering.

At this point it was quite busy and I managed to get quite a queue behind me trying to leave the store. Can't say it was my proudest moment. I need a shirt saying "I'm not 90, I just squatted like a boss yesterday". That'll learn the skinny blonde behind me for trying to push past me and almost overbalancing me. Goodness, if I'd gone down the whole entrance to the store would have had to be cordoned off and the cranes bought in to get me back up whilst observers look on lamenting about the way whales are treated these days....

You know, I can't enter Tesco these days without being drawn to their Race for Life display. It's got so many pretty pink things....today I indulged in a new pair of hot pink hotpants. Simon took one look at them and declared that "they're not the right material for pole (are they?)". I don't know what he thinks we do at pole....dragging myself up the pole by my groin isn't generally one of the moves I practice. Jus' sayin'.

I generally make sure to do a Race for Life but this year it was decided within the team that we would rather dedicate our fundraising to Oxfam than try and split our efforts. It's lamentable - I feel strongly about the work Cancer Research does and would love to fundraise for them by running the 5k here at Crawley. I will have to dedicate my efforts to their fundraising once the Trailwalker is done. Maybe a 10k in the autumn.

Anyway, 10% of the money made by each item goes to Cancer Research, so I got a pretty pink star top too (I might add, 100% of everything we raise here goes to Oxfam).

Fundraising Updates

Speaking of what we raise here - our Google Ad-Sense has £3 towards our fundraising ready to go! Thank you to everyone who is checking out the ads round here, remember they're all through Google and we get a % of every click you make - so don't be afraid to check them out!!

Today we have had a custom order for one of our owl bookmarks!! She has to be pink, pink and bronze - will keep you updated on that one xD With a couple of bracelets and a voluntary donation that's a further £4 into our fundraising pot!

Tasha and Amber were at the Shoreham Flyover Bootsale today - they raised £50 for Oxfam today which is awesome news, our totals are creeping up :D

And again, massive thanks to our WoW friend and golden man Lewis for his £40 donation to our cause!!

New stuff round the website?
You may notice we update the content round here daily - check out our #fitspo if you need motivation or our funny meme pages if you need a laugh!

We also have our stock all up, so if you want to know more about our customisable owls visit our current stock page or our Etsy shop! :)

So, onto tonight's main event......

The challenge
last weeks challenge was felt, by all team members that it was too vague to really make anything of. Being a sucker for new things, like an oversized fitness magpie I have discussed (slightly debated and also quelled a small mutiny) this week's challenge.

I love this challenge, every day I'm reminded that life is there to be taken and lived and this gives me the excuse to do it!!

Try at least three new things this week.

They should be new to you but you can try variants of things you have already done.

Tash has set herself her own challenge: To not eat from the Kebab shop she works for for one week.

The rules:

It should be exercise based
You have to complete it - if you don't, you need to try something else out
It has to be NEW to you
You need to take a photo or a video of yourself doing whatever it is!
If you miss a day YOU FORFEIT

This week's forfeit: (as we had no one from last week forfeit!)

You will be asked to go into a busy town centre and whilst you're walking along, suddenly stop and start dancing. Remember, you need to video your forfeit too for it to count. *grin*

If you need a recap on how it works, check out my blog from 23rd May!

If you've been playing along and would like to renew a previous challenge remember for every ADDITIONAL week that we complete a set challenge we will donate £1 to our charity!

There have so far been NO forfeits.

Previous challenges:
Week 1: No fizzy drinks for the duration of the challenge.
Week 2: Complete (at least) 10 minutes of running every day of the challenge.
Week 3: Try at least one new thing every day.
Week 4: Say "yes" to anything you're offered to do for one week.

Remember: You can either renew a challenge or pick this weeks challenge up. Members of the challenge can choose to take the ultimate challenge and run challenges together....!
(For every renewed week we will donate £1 to our fundraising - for a maximum of 5 weeks per challenge).

I'll update you all on the combatants challenge standing tomorrow but for now I'm just going to leave you with this...

Bro do you even lift funny dog

Oh, and this...

Exercise makes you strong and sexy funny fitspo motivation quote

#gym #workout #physical exercise #fitness #you #challenge #humour #blog #fitness blog # fitfam #news #bbc news #free weights #resistance training #training #trailwalker #Oxfam #fundraising #money #free #you #donate #charity #charity shop #jewelry #bitch #boobies #girls #funny #weights #bro do you even lift #lift #physical #personal trainer #bum #weighttrain #lift heavy #weight loss plateau

6 months of weight training, how to break a weight loss plateau and how to get you some guns!

14/6/2014

don't stop when you're tired. Stop when you're done.

6 months ago I started weight training. I mean, "properly", weight training.

When I started this endeavour I wondered about the possible consequences of what taking a load of cardio out of my routine would do to me.

I've always watched the debates on the forums on MFP where the newbie female weight lifter/possible weight lifter is having the benefits of weight training explained to her whilst also having the concepts of muscle VS fat density and why "muscle doesn't weigh more than fat" and trying to explain why she won't get "bulky" there is always someone who throws their toys out of the pram and exits the conversation.

The effect is always somewhat diminished by the plethora of silly gifs and memes that follow the declaration that everyone in the world is stupid and that they are going to lock themselves away forever.

I enjoy watching these debates but I try not to get involved in them. I've identified myself as a "lifter" for over a year now, but today marks my 6th month "properly" weight training. Properly weight training. Whoa, loaded phrase huh. What I mean by this is being consistent and working my ass off lifting weights that always look far to heavy to bother lifting up in the first place.

This year I discovered the benefits of having a gym buddy. We train hard. Six months ago I believed that my arms were too weak to do a bench press. Now I'm sitting on a PB of 50kg. Maybe that's not so much compared to what you lift, maybe it's loads - that's not my point. My point is that until you put the effort in you never know what you're capable of.

I don't see the reason in leaving the gym until I'm covered in sweat, you all know this - I like to be "positively amphibious" before leaving the gym and this time, working with a partner I've made real gains.

I actually upped my caloric intake for a while, putting on in total 10Ibs mass. 10Ibs. You should have seen my face when I got on the scale after bulking. I would like to say that I took it in my stride and accepted some of that would be muscle. I would be lying.

I then panicked a little bit (and by panic I mean sobbing wildly that I'm "too fat to fit anything" and by little bit I mean "give me an Oscar people, it was a performance worth watching") when it didn't start coming back off with a caloric deficit but with Kenny's challenge (thanks Kenny!) the increased protein diet appears to be shaving that excess fat off nicely.

I have to confess, I had been plateued for over a year when I started weight training (weight loss plateaus SUCK). And then I gained 10Ibs. Not selling the weight training so well am I - but when the water weight had settled it was a mild (MILD....MILD?!)
8Ib gain but the most important discovery for me was in that balanced macros are more than essential in weight loss!! My 60% carb diet was just leading to increased fat stores. No matter how much I worked out it wasn't working. Play with your macros till you hit something that works!

Anyway, I've been dying to have "guns" to show off and finally some of the largest gains can be seen in my arms. According to my darling hubs I could pass for a 15 year old boy now. Thanks hun.

Anyway, thought I'd show some progress pictures - the first picture (top left) was taken on 15th January this year and the last picture (bottom right) was taken today....

Go for those boy arms :P

Today I said "yes" to a 10k run :D

After finishing the 10k run (ok, when I say run I'm REALLY using that term loosely - what I mean by run is more "run for about 5 minutes and then disintegrate into a puffing heap of sweat dragging my feet behind me") and an uppers session at the gym I have to confess that my bum is totally dead.

It's the same muscle you need for handstands....I swear....if I could just find that muscle I'd train it but I've no idea where it is in my body ;) It's like a magic muscle - I only know it's there when I try to do handstands or do legs day followed by a run. Otherwise it just doesn't exist!

Anyway, that's me done for today. I'm going to take my bottle of frozen milk that I'm currently sat on (apparently it needed defrosting and my pain is helpful for that....) and nurse my bum muscles with another protein shake and some football. Hopefully it'll rain again. I like it when it rains in the football....

Before I go lets do all of the important announcements:

HUGE thanks to Lewis - I'm amazed that you'd sponsored us again and you're one of our largest benefactors. Your support means so much <3 £40 is a massive chunk of fundraising done and the whole team sends massive virtual hugs. We're also waiting for that video of you doing a handstand...(and Kel has assured us that this would be good entertainment ;) ).

Also, we're £2.50 into Google Ad-sense funds so keep checking out those links, it's all for a good cause!

We're also adding stock to our handmade gifts/jewelry so please keep checking out our shop here or on the Etsy site here!

We also have some great #Fitspo, funny memes, current health news and lovely quotes - not just a pretty blog peeps check em all out!:)

#gym #workout #physical exercise #fitness #you #challenge #fernwood fitness #humour #blog #fitness blog # fitfam #news #bbc news #free weights #resistance training #training #trailwalker #Oxfam #fundraising #money #free #you #donate #charity #charity shop #jewelry #bitch #boobies #girls #funny #weights #bro do you even lift #lift #physical #personal trainer #porn #bum #weighttrain #lift heavy #weight loss plateau

It's the end of the world as we know it....

13/6/2014

it was legs day today.

Oh it's Friday it's Friday gonna get legs day on Friday....

Evening all, I thought we'd go for a picture book format tonight! :)

But first, I need to say a few things!

Thanks again to one of my year 13s for donating another 20p - Hi Colette :P You're now famous - officially!
Thanks for all of the advert clicks, keep investigating peeps - it's all for fundraising!
If you want to talk about sex roles and babies, check out today's health and fitness article ;)
And finally, the whole team will be at Horsham Boot Sale tomorrow - check out the details on our events page (here) and come buy some stuff and contribute to our fundraising whilst getting cool stuff!! We'll have all of our arts and crafts on display - all hand made, excellent cheap gifts and free sweeties!

So...today was legs day :D Whoop.

When I got home I looked at Simon and said...

And he said "aren't we supposed to do some cardio today?"
So I responded...

He even suggested we skip legs day...

So I explained the rules of legs day

And as I left the gym...

But it had started after the deadlifts and was recognisable now as I walked across the car park....

Climbing up the stairs to the flat....

And this is what I'll be like tomorrow at our boot sale event!

But always remember people...

Sometimes it's hard to say goodbye, but even the smallest changes you make will echo into eternity

10/6/2014

What will be your legacy?

Sometimes its hard to say goodbye to people.

This evening I had the news that my (great) Uncle Vic passed away earlier today. It's been a long time since we last saw one another, but it's hard to know that that amazing man has gone from this world. He was my grandads best friend and the lifelong support of my grandmother (his sister) and for that I can only thank his memory and commemorate him as leaves us to go and do whatever it is that happens when we pass on.

I'm just sad that I never got to see him that one last time. I think we never realise how quickly things can change, how quickly people can be gone never to be seen, or spoken to again and once more I'm reminded of the utter frailty of our lives. We are simply a speck in the running of the world, yet each of us has potential to change everything. Even the smallest changes can echo into eternity. So what will you leave behind when it's time to move on? Who will miss you? What will you have achieved with your eye-blink of a life?

I know for one that I want to be able to stand before those "pearly gates" and say that I have lived my life. That I don't regret the things I've done and I've lived a life well loved. I hope that's how my Uncle felt as he approached the unknown.

For a while now I've been resolving that life is for living. Each passing year a testament to the year we've left behind, our own fingerprint on the life we're leaving behind, every second of the day.

I want to live a life where, in the words of the great "Blue Oyster Cult" I "(Don't Fear) the Reaper" because I know that if my life is to be gone in a second, then I need to take every opportunity I can with open arms. The challenge we set this week has been based on this resolve and today has helped me clarify that I want to TRY EVERYTHING!

Life may be fleeting, but in the moment everything is an adventure. People leave you, people come into your life. Every moment you change into the person you wish to be. I am me.

Today several lovely things happened, which I feel is appropriate to move on to, because what is death without life? Those little things that make every day worth waking up for and I'll share some with you, just so it's not all doom and gloom from my corner!

Firstly one of my lovely year (almost) 13's donated 30p into the fundraising we're doing - very sweet :) Every penny counts!! Thanks Colette!
I have also made an application to be a #sweatpink ambassador, which is really exciting! I love spreading the message, I love telling you all how amazing it is to be fit, to be healthy, to be unafraid of myself. So basically on that note: squee!
Pole this evening was amazing!! I'll blog more about that tomorrow (I have an awesome video to share!), but tonight I feel it's appropriate to leave you with one last thought:

In the words of Heather Small - What have you done today to make YOU feel proud?

gym #workout #physical exercise #fitness #you #challenge #fernwood fitness #humour #blog #fitness blog # fitfam #news #bbc news #free weights #resistance training #training #trailwalker #Oxfam #fundraising #money #free #you #donate #charity #charity shop #jewelry #bitch #boobies #girls #funny #weights #bro do you even lift #lift #physical #personal trainer

Long story short - we've all done this before! Yes, even you ;)

10/6/2014

As I went to the gym I normally walk past....kind of sums up last week's challenge!!

Time for your lunch time funny :)

This basically sums up for me every new class I've started. Save the KO. Well. Depends on which classes....

Credit to "Almost Cool" for this video - I love them xD

gym #workout #physical exercise #fitness #you #challenge
#fernwood fitness #humour #blog #fitness blog # fitfam #news #bbc news #free
weights #resistance training #training #trailwalker #Oxfam #fundraising #money
#free #you #donate #charity #charity shop #jewelry #bitch #boobies #girls #funny
#weights #bro do you even lift #lift #physical #personal trainer #google #google
ad-sense #computer #meme #photo #team #hiking #walking #ninja #gerbilenge

What a day. A challenge for you. A challenge for us. Get fit, be healthy!

9/6/2014

Dave the cat wants to know why we're cross he runs around the house at 4am. Apparently it's just his morning HIIT.

Today I'm going to scoot my food bowl around until you can't bear the sound any more and then I'm going to meow pitifully like I haven't been fed in oh, about 2 hours.

No. Wait. That's my cat Dave.

Dave the cat is on one of my fitness programmes. I've been getting him to jump through hoops to get a treat.....wait, am I missing something here? ;P

j/k

but really.

Thanks to everyone today - we've raised £0.85 from Google Ad-Sense so far TODAY! Whoop, keep those clicks going. Check out the ads, they're all through Google :)

Thanks also to Lesa, who is my ninja inspriation - today I will be trying to make tiny, ninja gerbil bookmarks :D Keep an eye out for them in our store!! Whoop, go ninja gerbils!

Remember, day 1 of this week's challenge starts today - say yes to any opportunity that comes your way!! :D If you want to join us on the challenges all you need to do is let us know that you're playing (pm or the comments box) and then send us proof you did it!!

So today was the day after the biggest training walk so far. Did it hurt? Well, not so much for me, although I got a volley of abusive Whatsapp messages from my dear sister Tasha regarding the blisters she's formed. Hmph.

The worst pain for me was in my burnt shoulders. I'm talking crispy roast Squidgey. Sheesh, who'd have known. Ok, fine. Most of you. But who wants to wear sleeves when it's a million degrees celsuis outside!! ./melodrama

Anyway, I know you're not here for me...you're here for the photos from yesterday.....I'll admit to being the OUTSTANDING photographer here ;) (you can follow our photos/products on squidgeypaws @ Instagram!!)

And a few minutes later....

It was shortly after this that there was a small mutiny regarding the camera and me talking.

Some people.

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