The morning after the night before...

I started my course last evening, so yesterday was a mixture of excitement and nerves for me.  I really didn't know what to expect when I strolled on in to Lecture Room 2 at 6.45 at the NTC. To my amusement and relief, we all had much the same look on our faces.

I did a rough head count, and there are about 30 of us 'eager beavers' in the class.  That's more than I, and a few others thought there would be.  And guess what....I'm not the oldest there (but pretty close)! The class is about half 'n half with a few different nationalities present so this should be a really interesting experience. I really enjoy meeting and chatting to new people.

As a little task, we were broken up into two groups and were asked to put a skeleton together and then label the bones. I took charge of the naming and labelling in our group (as nobody else was stepping up) and was chuffed that I remembered all the bones in the body that I did.  My time in the back row of the lab in Miss Gray's biology class wasn't totally wasted :)

We were given our 'school-bags', hand-outs & Personal Trainer t-shirts. I thought it was a bit premature for the t-shirt but hey I just have to earn it now.
I'm glad to get that first evening over with and look forward to starting in earnest on Wednesday evening with a little 'Anatomy, Physiology & Myology Book 1'....don't switch off just yet....I'm not going to bore you with the details....well only if you ask?!

Bring it on....

'The Bells'...(Kettle) that is...

Just in case you've never seen or heard of 'Kettlebells' this is what they look like.

I just have to share with you, in my opinion, the best cardiovascular work-out so far. I train at Westwood, Clontarf and I was introduced to Kettlebell training there about 3 months ago.  It was love at first swing! WOW...if you're looking for a fast tool for fast results, these are for you. This training is ideal for strength, endurance, general toning and overall fitness.

Hands up who wants to burn fat? Thought so...these bells are excellent for the burning of fat.  When you need to burn it off,  the plan is to keep moving for as long as you can and with the bells you can do this and then if you need to add that bit more...just add more speed.
Hip-drive....it's all in the hips! Two-handed swings , one-armed swings, press & squat thrusts and lunges form the basis of most of the current 30 minute work-out. I use a 12kg for two-handed swings, lunges and squats, and 8kg for one-armed swings/presses. I do 3 classes a week and am amazed by the results already.

Soooo, if you want to look good/strong in your bikini or mankini this Summer, the use of kettlebells for a stronger, more athletic & less 'wobbly' you, is highly recommended.
However, if you suffer from a 'bad back' or any back injury, this may not be the work-out/training for you. It's always wise to be assessed by a qualified trainer before embarking on anything new :)

I intend purchasing 2 or 3 bells for training at home on days I cannot make it to the gym, and for storage, they can keep my dumbbells company behind the sofa!

There are sites selling kettlebells from €2.00 to €2.50 per kg
                                                                 Get swinging..

A little about me..

Ok..here goes! It's the end January 2012, which is going to be my year. Here's a little background leading to 'Get Your Fit Fix'.

Stuck in a bit of a rut at the tail-end of 2011, a friend recommended that I read an excellent multi-million award winning motivational book 'Think & Grow Rich' by Napoleon Hill. Not to grow rich but to motivate me to get my brain and thoughts into a positive state whereby I could receive positive and creative ideas and plan for my future. 

I love working out...I love the gym...I love to sweat...I love the endorphins.  I was asked a few times by people who didn't know me well, if I was a personal trainer as my training sessions are what I talk about a lot to my family, friends and on FaceBook.  The question was thrown at me one day..."so when are you going to do your Personal Trainer course"? I stopped and thought about it for a moment and then brushed is off but they asked again, the same question.  Something clicked..it sounded good, it sounded right.  I am going to make enquiries.  I was mainly concerned about my age, 44 next month, "was I too old to start something like this?"..yikes..but I'm fit, enthusiastic and it's what I love to do, so have that in my favour.

I contacted the National Training Centre, Dorset Street (so handy for me), read the details on their website, took some of my 'Rainy Day' money from my SSIA and enrolled on the National Qualification in Exercise, Health Studies and Personal Training evening course (2 evenings and 1 full day) to be exact.
The feedback from everyone I've told about my plans has been so overwhelmingly positive, including from the trainers in my gym, to quote one, "Pam you'll smash it"!  This has given me great encouragement and makes me sure it's a move in the right direction. I am due to start on Monday, January 30th at 7pm. I will be a student again. I can't believe it. This Blog is going to be the journey of a 44 year old wife, mother and woman with something to offer, starting out in a very new venture. It is going to be mentally and physically challenging...I'm going to write the good and the not so good as I'm on this journey..

This book was my inspiration...well worth a read.

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