Category: Body Boss

Bodyboss week 12 – the final reckoning!!
Body Boss

Bodyboss week 12 – the final reckoning!!

Su Melville14 Comments

Here it is, at last, the final week!!


Yep still don’t look like the girls in the book… good job my expectations were never that high!

It’s a ridiculously busy week this week loads going on at work, and at home, not to mention getting everything ready for our first trip back to the U.K. after moving to Connecticut nine months ago – my goodness the time has flown!

So far this week I need to:

  • wrap presents for god-daughters, 
  • paint a portrait to deliver back in the U.K. (I’m not sure if I’ve mentioned the fact that a paint in my not-so-spare time…), 
  • start a business plan for a nursery I still support in the U.K., 
  • do my forty hour a week day job, 
  • see Neil Gaiman in Hartford – I admit this is very far from a chore, I love Neil’s writing especially how varied his genres are, I can relate to being interested in a large variety of seemingly unrelated topics! 
  • Dye all the grey out of my hair,
  • fly to the U.K. 
  • and of course complete the Bodyboss program!! 

Who needs to sleep? 😆
So let’s get going!

Monday – legs and booty!

I really am fired up, it’s the last legs and booty, I will totally nail this, I am amazing, I can do anything!!!

Although maybe not Reverse Butterfly Kicks… by the time I get to the Squat Cross Jumps I can barely move, it’s taken me nine minutes to do the first set… I blame the 10 miles of walking round New York we did yesterday, my legs are like lead!

I do three rounds and I will admit that I ditched the Ski Moguls for the last two (I still don’t have a box to jump on so they were plain Ski Moguls not ones onto a box) – I manage a super speed shower and we’re straight out the door to go and see Neil Gaiman!

I’m glad it wasn’t a meet and greet as I don’t think my colour went back to normal until half way through the show!

If you love reading I would totally recommend reading some of Neil’s work, my favorite books of his are Neverwhere, The Graveyard Book and American Gods (which I believe has been televised) and if you like audiobooks he co-wrote Good Omens with Terry Pratchett and there is an excellent audible play version of it by Radio 4 which is the best I’ve ever heard, very funny!

The evening itself was brilliant, very inspirational especially as I can totally relate to his feeling of being ‘found out’ at any time, after all we are all winging it in some respects! 

I survive Monday…

Tuesday – Yoga Day!! Ah no, they’ve done it again, I should’ve guessed really with it being the last week that it would be a challenge day…

Six exercises, start the timer!!

Ok I can officially do all but one of the exercises… guess which one… yep it’s those pesky push-ups!

However I stop the clock, write down the time, and…

First week of Bodyboss pre-training this challenge took me 8 minutes, week 2 of the main program it took me 7:10 minutes, week 12… drumroll please…. 5:40 minutes!!! Get in!!!!

I think this is a hashtag happy bunny moment 😄

I take my euphoria up to the easel and paint a portrait of a dog. I do love painting 😊



Wednesday – Arms, Abs and Core… I’m glad it’s the last one!

Oh my goodness! I think I may pass out.

However I can do Plank Rotations, I can do Jack Knives (sort of), I can’t do Spider Planks – well I can do a version that doesn’t envolve the push-up element so I do that… 

I face plant on the final Down Dog V Press.

Thursday – Cardio, and the next few chapters of American Gods on Audible!

On the basis that I’m at the hairdressers at 5pm this evening which means getting there straight from work I set the alarm to stupid o’clock and get up at 5am to do 40 minutes of cardio before work, how’s that for dedication!!

To be fair if it wasn’t for the fact that I’ll be on a plane and then traveling on Saturday I would’ve shifted the workout a day and finished on Saturday – this week that’s not an option! 

After the hairdressers I wrap gifts and sort the business plan out – all that’s left to do tomorrow is do the Power Up workout and pack!

The Final Power Up Friday!!

Oh blimey they don’t make this easy!!

Four exercises two of which I need to do modifications for and one is swapped out completely – it’s only the Butterfly Kicks with Clap that I can do!

I modify Aeroplane Push Ups to Plank Rotations, I swap Box Jumps with Bench Hops and try my best with Reverse Butterfly Kicks…

Ok now for the reckoning – how did I do?

Well I went to the doctors to weigh myself before we left and I’ve lost a total of ten pounds! Which considering there has been zero dieting going on is amazing!

I can now fit into the clothes I came to the USA with – result! The downside of this is that I’ve been working really hard and when I saw my friends and family for the first time in 9 months they didn’t notice a difference as I was back to where I was when I left!! It’s a good job I have a sense of humour 😄

But here is the photographic evidence of all the hard work – the before and after shots!


I am so happy!!

However now that I’ve completed the program what do I do?

I don’t want to let all this good work go to waste, one thing I have really enjoyed about this program is that it’s progressive but I want to have a change – I think I will return and do the program a second time, but not yet…

I have been thinking and researching whilst having a couple of weeks off – I have been doing tons of walking in the Lake District so I’ve not been sitting around!! And I have decided that the one thing I found I loved during this program has been the Tuesday yoga days…

So…

The next thing is…

Yoga Burn! Another 16 week program (if you include the extra four weeks of advanced training) let’s see what happens here!!

Bodyboss – week 11, I know, week 11!!!
Body Boss

Bodyboss – week 11, I know, week 11!!!

Su Melville4 Comments

Only one more week to go and I will have completed the Bodyboss program!!!

I feel like the end is in sight, it’s been so hard but I know I can make this last step – I don’t have a flat stomach, I can’t do push-ups but my goodness I feel better!

We’re going back to the U.K. for a week next week, which is perfect timing as I’ll be able to do Friday’s final power up before heading to the airport and writing this blog on the plane 😊

I will be having a week off the exercises while we’re there – I would start something new but it’s going to be such a busy week as we’ll be visiting family and friends not to mention working – so it will be back to a regime when we get back as I don’t want all this hard work to vanish – it’s taken too much effort.

I am so looking forward to seeing everyone, especially my little ones, I know they’re coming out here in the summer but I do miss them so much. I’m also really looking forward to seeing my best friends, my aunt and my very special Dad – there’s not going to be a moment spare!!
Even less as it turns out there is a festival in town on the Saturday (there’s always a festival in Ulverston – google it, it’s an amazing town!) this week it’s the Retro Rendezvous festival and so my Dad will be out performing the Flea Circus (an amazing street theatre act from the amazing town!) and Daisy – yes that’s me – will be making a guest appearance! How well this will go bearing in mind I will have been up for about 30 hours by then, is anyone’s guess… I just hope Dad has some coffee on the go! 


Feel free to check the Flea Circus out on Facebook – the new website is currently under construction – Uncle Tim’s Flea Circus

But I am back to my procrastination! On with the Bodyboss!!

Monday – Legs and Booty

My goodness I am tired today… this was a real struggle… lots and lots of jumping, I’m officially rubbish at jumping! I used to think Frog Jumps were my worst, but today it was definitely the Squat Cross Jumps, simply zero energy. But, I carry on…

And Single Leg Glute Bridges?! I mean really that’s just mean! I’m supposed to do 50 three times… I do 30 of the proper ones and 20 straight glute bridges…

Thank goodness for the cool down and an opportunity to jump into the pool for a few lengths to cool off, we are so fortunate to be living here, ok it’s only temporary but it feels like we’re on holiday every day!

As tomorrow is the 4th of July it’s a day off work, which means a well needed lie in!!!

Tuesday – happy Independence Day to all Americans!! 

Tuesday is normally yoga day but as I have a day off we decided instead to take little Nya and go for a walk to Bluff Point – such a lovely place, Nya was a little tired after the first mile and so we had to stop every hundred yards for her to have a sit down! We keep forgetting she’s only six months old!

      
I wish I had taken extra holiday now… but on the plus side most of the office did and so it will be nice and quiet and I can get some work done undisturbed!

Wednesday – Arms, Abs and Core…

It’s the last push so I knew this was going to be tough but good grief!!!

Aeroplane Push Ups, or just Aeroplanes as I like to do them – even without the push up bit they’re still rock hard!! One exercise in and I’m already my delightful shade of puce…

Jack Knives – yep these still elude me so I modify to ‘v’ sit-ups and hope they’ll do!

Power Plank, Spider Plank (minus the push-up element – well, I do a bit of a dip down but to be honest not on all of them) and Down Dog V Press not pleasant but done – not only am I a delicate shade of puce but I am literally dripping – nice!

Side Plank Lifts – I really feel I should be able to do these, they don’t look as if they should be that difficult but my goodness they are I still only manage 20 out of the 40,

We won’t mention the minute skipping, a five year old would’ve been ashamed of my attempt…

Thursday – Cardio Day!

I’m really looking forward to today, I’m starting a new audio book – Neil Gaiman’s American Gods (it seemed appropriate given that it was Independence Day this week!) I love Neil’s books, there aren’t many authors who can write across the genres with the success he has, and we’re going to see him talk next week, I’m more than a little excited!!

If you’ve never read any of his books I would totally recommend ‘Neverwhere’ or his collaboration novel with Terry Prattchet ‘Good Omens’, and then go from there…

40 minutes flew by and I can’t wait for next weeks session! 

Friday – Power Up!!

Oh great lots of jumping and jack knives – or rather ‘v’ sit-ups!

Well now I am completely shattered!!! But week 11 is done, tick, completed, only one more week to go!

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I’m doing pretty good on the headstand too… 😊

Now for a weekend of jobs to get ready for next week, including a trip to New York to get presents for my beautiful Goddaughter and her lovely sister, happy days!

Bodyboss – week 10 – officially Boss Level! Eeek!!
Body Boss · Uncategorized

Bodyboss – week 10 – officially Boss Level! Eeek!!

Su Melville4 Comments

This is it, the last cycle, the toughest cycle, I am still in the game!! All be it on the ‘b’ team…

I don’t know if America has the concept of a ‘b’ team but essentially it’s the team that puts as much effort and work into their game but don’t quite make the grade… I’ve come to the conclusion that I’ll never be able to do a push-up, well, not before the end of this program. Maybe in another year or so, possibly.

I’m feeling a bit like that at the moment, don’t get me wrong I feel tons better than I did when I started and I’m so much stronger but I definitely don’t have the body that the girls in the pictures do, not even close.

Girl in book:


Me:

 
But… me at the start:

  

I need to focus on the positive:

  • I may not have a flat stomach, but it’s better than it was.
  • I have kept up with the program and not given up – that’s a huge plus!
  • I have to admit that I have enjoyed it more than I thought I would, even when I get stuck, I can modify and keep going.
  • I can do a headstand! Ok that wasn’t part of this program but without bodyboss I wouldn’t have even attempted it!
  • I can do a V sit-up.
  • I have lost a bit of weight – and that’s without any form of diet, which living out here is a minor miracle! In the U.K. I was always told to clean my plate, it’s a bit of a culture shock being able to ‘box up’ what’s left and take it home!
  • I went clothes shopping and was a size Small – still makes me giggle! As to whether I can fit into the clothes I brought over from the U.K. or not… we’ll find out after week 12!

After writing down all the positives I already feel better, it’s very easy to put yourself down, much easier than complimenting yourself.

I try to always be kind to myself, a very important lesson learnt by experiencing some tough times, basically there are enough people and things that will try to erode your confidence – don’t join them!

Monday – legs and booty! 

Oh my goodness… but I’ve got this! Well apart from the reverse butterfly kicks… and it takes 9 minutes and I am so rubbish at ‘jump rope’ especially when I’m cream krackered, all I seem to do is basically whip my ankles!!

My thighs hate me…

Tuesday – yoga day!

I love, love, love yoga day. I especially love it as my wonderful husband joins me.

This week is my choice so we’re doing a fundamental basics with Adriene, it’s great, looking at focusing and grounding your basic balance. I love how you concentrate on working and stretching, becoming aware of you muscles and then the wonderful relax at the end… a workout that leaves you completely stress free… I think I could get into yoga…

Wednesday – arms, abs and core – hmmmm

Ok I’ve now got the bench hops right, apart from not quite getting the height – twice – not pretty but I keep going! 

Leg lifts – again I think I’ve cracked it, I was having serious issues with my back arching when I tried to lift my legs but now I put my hands under my bottom which prevents my back arching and forces my stomach to do the work, boy do I know I’ve worked my stomach!!

Still can’t do push-ups. I have a theory though, I’m going to start stood up and doing push-ups on the breakfast bar, I then intend to lower the height to the bench building up my strength until I can do a full on push-up… it’s a cunning plan, so cunning you could put a tail on it and call it a weasel! (If you’ve never watched Blackadder – you should!)

Side planks are also still an issue, I manage 20 out of the 40… three times… 

I have decided to practice my headstand after each workout, I’m trying it against the wall – again I figure if I get comfortable against a wall I can start to try to balance slightly away until I eventually can do them properly.

Thursday – cardio day!

I’m quite looking forward to today, it’s the last hour of my book ‘The Elementals’ by Michael McDowell it’s great listening to a book whilst on Satan (my running machine) as you don’t realise how long you’ve been walking/jogging – forty minutes goes in a blink of an eye and it was quite exciting! 

It’s a really good book, based in Alabama it’s a slow burning, gothic horror, although I felt it was more haunted house than horror… it worth a read/ listen! 

Neil Gaiman’s ‘American Gods’ next, he’s one of my favourite authors so I’m looking forward to the next fourteen hours on Satan – not all at once though!!

Friday – Power Up!!

Hmmm only four exercises but two of them are tricky I.e. currently impossible…

Box Jumps – slight issue being still no box… still no intention of getting one, it really would spell disaster!! I substitute with bench hops…

Push-ups – I start my experiment and do push-ups against the side shelf thing, it’s sort of breakfast bar height but it’s a random shelf in the basement… anyway it’s hard work but I can do them! 

Here marks the end of week 10 and my goodness me I am certainly feeling it this week!!

I can hold a headstand against the wall for about thirty seconds and get down without breaking my toes – bonus!! I may get my wonderful husband to video it next week!!

Two weeks left before the final reckoning and I’ll see if I can fit into the clothes I brought over with me… I really don’t know if it will be a success… 

Bodyboss – cycle 3, week 9… I think I’ve reached the top of the wall!!
Body Boss

Bodyboss – cycle 3, week 9… I think I’ve reached the top of the wall!!

Su MelvilleLeave a comment

I can’t believe I’ve made it this far! Especially after the last two weeks…

This week not only am I doing Bodyboss but I’m also doing a daily yoga challenge – it seemed a good idea at the time.

Funnily enough the challenge has given me a new confidence in my abilities to do some of the bodyboss exercises, after all who would’ve thought I could do a headstand (ok it was only for a nanosecond but that’s not the point!) I would never have even attempted it without the last 13 weeks of Bodyboss! 


So on with the program!

Monday – legs and booty – I can so do this!!

Frog jumps, extra effort put in, a whole 40 of them, 3 times… good grief I certainly know my thighs exist!

Plank leg lifts – got it!

Reverse butterfly kicks – what on earth?!! I’ve been doing really well actually doing exercises I couldn’t do at the start but these? I mean seriously how do you lift both legs up when lying face down on your yoga mat? I can lift one leg up at a time… that will have to do…

Squats with side kicks – I can do these, although my side kicks are more waist height than shoulder height, still, they’re off the floor so that’s technically a kick!

Bench hops... ahh…. after looking at the instruction photo more closely I’ve realised that I’ve been doing these incorrectly… I’ve been holding the bench near the end of the bench and sort of hopping from side to side lifting my feet about a foot off the ground… apparently I should be the holding the bench at the top of the bench and actually jumping my feet over the bench – to be fair it makes more sense now… 44 is an odd number to do, 40 would be neater, or maybe 30? I’m good though and go for the prescribed 44, three times… I only tripped over the bench four times – success!! 

The rest of the exercises go without a hitch, although I’m absolutely cream crackered!

Tuesday – yoga day 😊

My wonderful husband has picked another video to help his back – it was really relaxing and helped with my yoga challenge. I do love yoga… 

Wednesday – arms, abs and core… oh good…

With the extra yoga challenge I’m certainly feeling my muscles this week!!

We start with Butterfly Kicks – the right way up!! That’s a relief!!

Followed by Plank Rotations – which I can now do – yey!!! 

It then goes a tiny bit downhill… meet Jack Knives – these are the big bad cousin of V Sit-ups, I’ve just got the hang of V Sit-ups, Jack Knives are practically impossible – in fact at the moment they are impossible! My legs don’t straighten… oh well I guess I’ll just have to keep trying… after ten I swap to V Sit-ups…

Spider Planks – I can do half spiders… the legs are there(ish) but I can’t do the dip down bits, but I do the best I can!

All the rest is totally do’able! I put all my energy into doing all three circuits! I think I may pass out…

Thursday – cardio day!

40 minutes on Satan listening to my book, I can do all 40 minutes at 4 miles per hour with about 4 minutes jogging at 5.5 miles per hour – not too shabby!! 

Power Up Friday!!!!

Totally nailed it!!! Although I did swap out the Aeroplane Push Ups with Plank Rotations…


Cycle 3 complete! Only three more weeks left and do you know,  I really think I can do it… 

Cycle 4 – Boss Level next, it says ‘Disrupt Yourself’ hmmm….

Bodyboss - cycle 3, week 8 – still with a wall but I’m trying to scale it!!
Body Boss · Uncategorized

Bodyboss - cycle 3, week 8 – still with a wall but I’m trying to scale it!!

Su Melville10 Comments

This is tougher than Toughy McTough on a tough day!!!

But I am soldiering on in true British style, there have been several strong cups of tea required this week, a small weep and the saviour – a pool! I will explain…

This is the picture that greeted me this week – after last week I was tempted to go back a cycle…


Don’t get me wrong, this is inspirational, however I didn’t look like that in my teens, so my mojo is still not quite on track. 

But then I had a little ‘chat’ with myself, at the end of the day I’m 46, I’m never going to look like I’m in my teens again – I’m dammed sure I didn’t appreciate it at the time! 

I dug out a photo of me aged 17 to prove to myself that actually I was ‘ok’ and realistically I am actually ‘ok’ now, I just need a rather overdue tune-up…

Me at 17, behind the scenes of a production of ‘once a catholic’ waiting for my cue…


It was quite a good show even though I had the worst line EVER “you will still respect me in the morning, won’t you Cuthbert?” I still cringe at the thought of saying that with my dad sat happily in the audience!! 

So on reflection I need to pull my socks up, get a grip and get on with it!

Monday – legs and booty (this used to be my favourite day…)

Ok I’ve done a long day at the office and I don’t want to exercise. So much for my pep talk. I phaff about until my wonderful (I wasn’t quite thinking that at the time) husband told me to jolly we’ll get on with it as tea wouldn’t be ready until I was finished! Food, unfortunately, is always a good motivator – it was a healthy tea so that’s ok! 

Oh my goodness… most of the exercises I can do to be fair, I just seem to have zero energy… I have to say ‘single leg glute bridges’ are as horrific as they sound… I do normal ski Moguls rather than ones on a box as I don’t have a box and if I did I’d probably have an accident!

I do three sets as required, they take 9.5 minutes rather than 8 and that’s with only managing 30 squat cross jumps and 20 squats with front kick… I am not impressed with myself… I have two strong cups of tea to rebalance – I’m sure most of you would think this is herbal to balance my inner energy, it’s not, it’s proper Yorkshire tea strong enough to stand a spoon in. I am reasonably good and don’t add sugar (I really want to add sugar, really).

Tuesday – yoga day, my new favourite day, and breathe…

My wonderful husband has picked today’s class, it’s the beginner one for back pain (I have a little smile to myself that he’s finally realised that the beginner class is the best place to start).

It’s lovely, we have a none challenging, really good stretch courtesy of ‘yoga with Adrienne’ she had a new studio space – I don’t know how old the class was but it looked a lovely space 😊

Wednesday Thursday – arms, abs and core.

Yes I know, Wednesday turned out to be a bit of a disaster. I knew I had a hair appointment at 5:30pm and the likelihood of me getting back from work in time to do the workout before the appointment was slim (i.e. None) so I set my alarm for 5am to do them before I left the house at 6:30am. I get up with the alarm and put my workout stuff on (I’m not awake so the fact that it’s on the right way round is a success!) however on the way to the basement I have to pass our puppies crate… she wakes up… seriously who could walk pass this cutie!


Thursday it is then…

Rock bottom (at least that’s what I hope it is!) has officially been reached with the introduction of not only ‘aeroplane push-ups’ but also ‘side planks’ even the spider planks involve a partial push-up!!!

To say I struggle is a mahoosive understatement!

I manage two cycles with 10 out of the 24 aeroplane push-ups (and by push-up I mean dip-down) and 10 out of the 40 side planks…

This is the part where I need a moment to have a little weep… I find myself saying I can’t do it… And I really believe that…

But that’s when I think of my granddad whose favourite phrase was “there’s no such word as can’t”. Grammatically he is completely correct. 

I know that most struggles can be overcome with positive thoughts (admittedly not the easiest thing to master) but it is right, if you believe you can’t do something you won’t. 

My favourite poem is by Roger McGough and I memorised it as a teenager, I often think of it to help me ground myself, it’s called ‘missed’:

Out of work,
Divorced,
Usually pissed,
He aimed low in life,
And missed.

The motto being – aim for the highest and if you miss you still end up somewhere pretty good 😊

I decide not to skip a day but to shift a day and only have one day off at the weekend, after all if I keep trying I will get better!

Thursday Friday – Cardio day!

I’m quite looking forward to this, my book ‘The Elementals’ is getting interesting! 

I decide to do ‘as much as I can’ then work on seeing if I can get better at push-ups, I do 30 minutes of fast walking (4mph) with the occasional jog and then spend 10 minutes trying to teach my body to do push-ups, it’s not a resounding success but I think I’m getting better…

The filter system in our pool (we rent, it’s pretty cool and I’m going to miss it big time when we go back to the U.K.!) has been fixed today which means that although it’s a tad chilly (it’s not heated so it’s around 24 degrees C) it’s the best feeling ever to jump in when you’re extremely hot and sweaty!! I feel 100% better 😊

Friday Saturday – power-up!!!! 

Yey I’ve made it! Ok I’m a day late, but I made it!! 

I’m extremely happy and I manage to do the whole routine (minus a box for the jumps) – twice as instructed! 

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I have also joined the ‘yogaclubchallenge’ which involves doing a set yoga pose every day for a week, hopefully it will inspire me and help with my core muscles… puppy Nya has decided that it looks fun…


Have a great week and here’s to carrying on regardless!! 

Body Boss

Cycle 3 – week 7…. the wall!!

Su Melville7 Comments

Ok I knew this day would come… 

Whether it’s because we’ve come back from our marvelous mini break and courtesy of some amazing food and drink I’m feel I’ve put on a vast quantity of weight (I don’t possess scales, quite deliberately!) or whether we did so much walking – at least 5 miles a day! On balance I’m sure it’s the later… maybe… 

Monday – legs and booty, normally my favourite day… normally…

Anyway I look at Monday and realise we’ve stepped up a gear and my legs don’t appear to be co-operating!

I mean seriously look at this! – 


8 minutes!!!! Three times!!! 

And have you seen the height of that box!! I’m over forty, I’m a lot stronger than I used to be but still overweight and jumping has always been a struggle. 

As I don’t have a box I take a look at my bench… it looks about the same height as the box in the picture… I try to jump on it just to see… it’s not pretty, I hit my head on the low ceiling and nearly fall off, I decide that I can probably step up and down in reasonable safety but I’m not 100% convinced… 

Ok, health and safety checks complete I start… 

Walking lunges (with knee lifts) are brutal, followed by glute lunges and my legs are having none of it! 

I manage 30 reverse butterfly kicks and by now I’m dripping with sweat, Plank leg lifts are ok – by now ok means ‘omg my legs are on fire!’ I swap the running step ups for high knees due to the lack of a step… I manage 30.

Side kicks – done, but I think I may throw up.

I try the step ups onto the bench instead of box jumps but I’m so unsteady I do 10 before fearing for my life (aka face planting the wall) and moving to skipping… I’m so pleased my brother bought me a skipping rope for my birthday, not! 

I rest for three minutes and attempt it all again… the wall is hit, my legs don’t work, I don’t do the final set… I’m so glad tomorrow’s Tuesday!

Tuesday – yoga day, yey!!!! 

My husband wants to try a ‘do yoga with me’ video focusing on backs – my husband has a bad back and his chiropractor has said yoga can help.

I think I may have broken my wonderful husband… the intermediate class may be too much… don’t worry he’s fine, at least he is now! 

We’ve agreed to focus on balance next week! 

Wednesday – arms, abs and core.

Ok, other than it’s 3 lots of 8 minutes it doesn’t look too bad… ish…

Wrong again!!

Bench hops are ok although I don’t jump as high as the picture, I do jump though.

Leg lifts – the only way I can do these without my back arching is to put my hands under my bottom… I’m assuming this is ok, I check – it is. Chuffing hard still!

Point planks, I can do two in a plank the other four I’m on my knees, my balance really does need improving…

Push ups – I do the requisite number but they’re more dip downs than push ups!

And now another wall moment…

Side planks… I mean really how on earth do these work!! I can’t seem to get my body to do these, I struggle to do 10 out of the 40 and that’s a miracle! 

Butterfly kicks – sounds good so far – add a clap under the leg, yep there it is upping the ante… good grief they’re hard!!!

Bent over reverse flys, I do them with 1lb weights – they suggest 2-4 thankfully I don’t possess anything heavier and I have no intention of rectifying the situation! Squat cross jumps… I literally have zero energy… the 8 minutes has taken 9.5…

Repeat, twice… errr nope – I manage one more repeat.

Thursday – cardio

I now think this is my second favourite day after this week! 40 minutes of fast walking with the occasional run on Satan listening to my book – it’s getting quite good! It certainly takes my mind off the actual exercise!! 

Power Up Friday!

Box jumps, leg lifts, squat cross jumps and push ups… 6 minutes, twice…

Thank goodness this week is over, I have more than struggled, it’s the first time I’ve thought of giving up.

The exercises have stepped up considerably and I’m not sure how I can cope, I can do a cut down version and I’m certainly working I just don’t seem to be able to push myself enough to complete the sets in the time available…

I’m going to continue but I may need to go back a few weeks and I’m certainly coming to the conclusion that things would be easier if I dropped a few pounds… 

let’s see what next week brings…

Body Boss

Body Boss – cycle 2 week 6 – I’m still here and I’m now half way through the main program!!

Su Melville2 Comments

Another week gone already, I really don’t know where the time is going it just seems to be getting faster and faster, remember when you were little and weekends were long adventures and summer holidays lasted literally forever? Not anymore!

I do have a theory about this… you knew I would!

It revolves around the the fact that time is relative.

For example when you’re four years old a week is 1 out of the 208 weeks that you have been alive, which is quite a long time relatively speaking. Whereas when you’re forty years old a week is 1 out of the 2080 weeks you have been alive therefore it’s a much smaller portion of you’re total existence which makes it appear to go faster… I hope I explained that ok? Let me know if not and I’ll try again, with pictures! 

Anyway, on with the week… this week is another ‘check your progress’ week – I hope I’ve made some! – It’s also another busy week for life in general, I could do with about another two hours a day…

Monday – legs and booty!

Starting with frog jumps… ok I can do these and either the basement is getting shorter or my jumps are getting longer, I still don’t like them though!

Side lunges are a positive break but to be followed immediately by squats with front kicks is a bit mean!

However my plank Jacks are amazing – I do thirty straight without stopping (I am puce in colour and dripping sweat but that is irrelevant) I am as happy as a barely breathing about to pass out thing, next stop half burpees… hmmm… in theory I need to do thirty, in reality after the plank Jacks I’m amazed I manage twenty.

Glute lifts and high knees with skips to finish, and I finish in seven minutes fifteen seconds – that’s a record!

Now I just have to repeat it all, twice.

Tuesday – yoga, this is now my favourite day… 

Dressed in my wonderful yoga outfit which makes me feel marvelous and with my husband who also makes my feel wonderful we ‘do yoga with me’ we’re repeating the balance class on the basis that I still can’t do the point plank… 

I am getting better, my half moon pose is now done balancing on a yoga block lying flat rather than on its end, without falling over!

Wednesday – arms, abs and core.

Surprisingly it’s not too bad, although despite the yoga I still can’t do point planks… I do it on my knees (that sounds so wrong! Lol!).

Also I’m not sure about the bench hops… my feet hop up but not higher than my head! I think I manage up to my knees… it’s higher than the floor though and I can’t speak by the time I finish – you can guess my colour!

Thursday – cardio day, also my wonderful husbands birthday!

Today my alarm is set for five am so I can do my cardio workout before work as we have an exciting weekend ahead (more on that later!) – and a meal tonight… unfortunately I simply can’t manage five am… it just doesn’t work for me… we elect to do present opening instead! Which is far better!

I rush home from work and do cardio (loving listening to my book!) before dropping our gorgeous puppy dog at the kennels and going out to a particularly lovely restaurant (Bistro Mediterranean in Westbrook Ct – if you’re ever in the area it is well worth stopping by!) – I do love my husband as I’ve not had time for a shower and I’m darned sure I do not look my best!! 

Friday – Power-up and results day… eeek!

Ok today I really do need to be up at five because we have to be at Bradley International Airport for 8:15am – we are going on a mystery weekend holiday, we have no idea where we’re going – on the basis that I’m more excited than an excited thing that’s just way too excited, I get up and power up at five am!!!

I don’t remember the power up session – I didn’t wake up fully until the cool down stretches…

Ok inches and photos…

On start, end of pre-training, end of week 3 and end of week 6… only the pictures are the other way round!



Ok I can actually see a difference!!! Inch wise Waist 36 inches, Hips 33 inches and Thighs 23.5 still…. I’m a little disappointed that I don’t see that much of an inch difference however I’m feeling so much better in myself and the pictures are definitely showing that my shape is changing! 

Roll on week 7!

However before then…. airport time!!!! Courtesy of the amazing travel agents Pack up and Go!


I will write a blog to let you know what happens next!!!! 

Body Boss

Bodyboss – cycle 2, week 5!!

Su Melville7 Comments

Well this is a mixed week, my gorgeous son has returned home to the U.K. which always makes me a little sad as I miss my kids loads out here… but the summer flights are booked for my son, daughter and adopted daughter (well not in reality but she’s treated as a daughter so that counts in my book!) which gives me loads to look forward to and to plan, they have a one week overlap when there’re all here at the same time and I’ve always wanted to visit Dollywood – not sure how they will feel about this, they’ll never read this so I won’t know till we get there! Yes I know, but they would never go if I told them and I’m 100% sure once we get there they’ll love it!

There are also other exciting things happening, it helps that I’m the sort of person that gets excited over the littlest of things, we had a HelloFresh box delivered – now the idea behind this is to eat healthier and to take the planning out of meal times – it’s also getting us out of a meal time rut (you know what I mean here, you have about seven recipes that you just keep doing because after work and workouts the last thing you want to do is think what to have for tea).

I have to say we’re both very impressed, especially my husband as he does most of the cooking – he’s very good and so I’m quite happy being in charge of baking bread etc. 

The food is delicious and the recipe cards are ace too and each day is in a convenient box that you can pull straight out of the fridge!


So on with the week!

Monday – legs and booty followed by Spanish style Cod with chickpeas!
I still dislike Mondays hugely, but I know it’s just until I get going – so I get going!

Today could be worse… I don’t know why but I do struggle with the jumping exercises, Ski Moguls should be quite easy – nope, but I do them!

Mountain Climbers are also tricky due to there still being more ‘me’ in the way, preventing my knee getting near my elbow… I’m hoping with the heathy eating (note Not dieting) this should improve!

We also have a breakthrough…. I feel there should be a drumroll here… I hold the two point plank for 10 seconds!!!!!!! I am mega happy with that – I’m also mega shaking! But I did it! 

Tea is five star delicious, I wouldn’t have put chickpeas as a main carbohydrate in a meal, I will now though – yummy!

Tuesday – yoga day, with YogaClub outfit! 

My husband has kept to his word and set up the TV in the basement so that I can watch the ‘doyogawithme’ class on a big screen – I have to say it’s better than squinting at the iPad, it’s very difficult to do yoga and wear glasses – one head down dog and they’ve fallen off!

He has also joined me for class – apparently this is not so that he has a good view of my improving booty but so that he can learn to stretch – I’m not so sure… I’m just happy that he enjoyed it 😊 

I do love my yoga outfit – just saying as I’ve had the same workout gear for over seven years and have always thought that as long as it served the purpose then it would do. However it does make you feel so much better when you look nice! 

Creamy chicken pasta for tea – yum!!!!!

Wednesday – arms, abs and core….

Oh these are still the worst… push-ups – I’m still doing them on my knees rather than toes and I simply just don’t get them, I try but I just don’t. I’ve asked my husband to show me how he does them, this doesn’t help – mind you that may be due to our fluff ball dog proceeding to jump on him which was highly amusing! Upshot is I can still only dip down about three inches, however it’s still better than nothing – I ‘press’ on (sorry!!).

What I also don’t get is why you would follow tricep dips (I can now do these – hurrah) with Plank Rotations? I mean my arms are just, well, ooooowwwww!!!!! I delicately decend to the floor! 40, 20 each side… I manage 10.

Turkey Burgers for tea – totes delish, I do love turkey burgers anyway but these were really good and the chips were really nice too!

Thursday – cardio

Thirty minutes of dedicated me and Satan time… is it weird that I think I prefer the circuits? Circuits are much harder! 

I am enjoying my audio book which makes the time go faster and I am now in a walk four minutes run one minute cycle, which is a massive improvement from when I started!

Soy marinated steak for tea – along with a sneaky glass of red…. simply heaven!

Power-up Friday!!!! = another week complete!

I had to pop to the doctors today, don’t panic – totally routine, but while I was there I asked them to weigh me… 174lbs fully clothed which means that without dieting, (and trust me I have a ‘healthy’ appetite!) I have lost seven pounds! 

However we have Ski Moguls and Plank Rotations on the power-up circuit… but, check this video out… I can do Plank Rotations!! (It may have something to do with not doing tricep dips beforehand…).

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Right I now have ten minutes to make myself look like I’m not about to have a heart atack and head to the cinema – we’re seeing the latest Pirates of the Caribbean – you can’t beat a good dose of swashbuckling fun to start your weekend!

Bodyboss – week 4!! 
Body Boss

Bodyboss – week 4!! 

Su Melville4 Comments

This weeks motivational quote – ‘Do it for yourself not for the likes’ 

Hmmm…. totally agree, however it does sort of clash with me blogging to keep going… I can live with this on the basis that I know myself really well and ‘doing it for myself’ will only work until I find an excuse to stop, and trust me I am brilliant at finding excuses!! 

So, week four, this is going to be such a tough week as my son is visiting – he’s at university in London (the U.K. London not the Connecticut one!) it’s so lovely to have him to stay for a bit but it is also the biggest excuse not to exercise yet, especially as he’s only here for a week!

However Monday is here and as number one son is ensconced in front of Netflix – apparently there are shows in the USA that he can’t get in the U.K. – I take the opportunity to head into the basement…

Monday – Legs and Booty, thankfully I tend to like the legs and booty days which makes it easier to get started.

Except for walking lunges, I really struggle with these – basically they hurt! I suppose that means they’re good for me but when they really hurt my balance is rubbish and I end up staggering around the basement whilst doing the lunges, it’s not pretty. I’m just thankful no one can see me!!

I can’t get the height on the bench hops that are on the photo in the book – but I’m hopping and my feet are definitely off the ground 😊

Monday done, tick! My thighs are killing me!

Now off out to find a Chinese for tea – at the request of my son so I couldn’t possibly refuse, I’ll try dieting next week…

Tuesday – yoga day!

Today my husband agreed to do yoga with me, I’m really chuffed, I love being able to share things with him and we love doing things together – good job I’ve got two mats – he has no idea what he’s letting himself in for!

Unfortunately it seems the internet in the basement that I use for streaming the yoga program isn’t fabulous, normally it’s fine however add a teenage boy who’s simultaneously watching Netflix, playing games on his phone and trawling through the internet, means that the yoga program keeps buffering… yoga has been abandoned, the BBQ has been lit instead.

I’m a bit gutted, I like yoga a lot… I have decided to order a yoga box from the yoga club – I know this seems a bit random but I only have two exercise pants and one tee shirt and I think after all this effort I deserve a little treat, once it gets here I’ll do an extra yoga session – I’ve ordered a size M, this may be an error as I’m pretty sure I’m more of a large… 

Wednesday – oh goody arms, abs and core = my worst day!

But how is this for commitment, I’m taking my son for a trip to New York for the day and I know we’ll not be back in time to do this in the evening, so I’m up at 5:30am to do the session before we catch the train!!

That is what I call true dedication! What is more I actually find it easier – that may be because I’m half way through before I wake up and realise what I’m doing…

But other than the push-ups – even though they’re the ones on an incline, I still struggle – I actually find the sets ok, and what’s even more surprising I can do the set in seven minutes instead of taking eight.

I wonder if being tired after work affects the workout? I was worried that doing them on an empty stomach would mean I would have no energy…

I don’t suppose anyone has a view on this? I’d love to know what everyone else does!

Thursday – cardio!

Normally this is a nice fast walk/jog for twenty minutes while I listen to my audiobook – I now know what the ‘step up’ in the title of this cycle means… it’s now thirty minutes! 

Now the idea is to get up early again and do the cardio before work… except the alarm kept going to snooze… no idea how that happened…

Today is also the day I take my boy back to the airport, now there’s an experience, driving to and from JFK… I had my first iced dunkin coffee for the drive home – I can see why people rave about them, good coffee and a much needed boost – which is indeed needed when trying to negotiate New York traffic. My goodness me it’s ‘interesting’, how I made it back alive I have no idea!!

Unfortunately I get back from the airport so late that cardio was missed, I have very mixed feelings about this and very nearly fibbed in my blog – after all you’d never know – but I need to be honest. I need to be very careful not to make this a habit…

Power Up Friday!! 

Yes another week completed! (If you ignore Thursday, and Tuesday…)

I really put my back into this Friday’s Power Up! I think it’s the guilt – six minutes later I’m completely regretting it and dripping with sweat (attractive – not) I finish the week!

Saturday and my yogaclub box arrives – very exciting!!!

It’s beautifully packaged and ok I need to have less of a stomach, but the outfit fits and it’s so gorgeous!! I actually can’t wait to do loads of yoga just to wear it!! 

Body boss – week three!
Body Boss

Body boss – week three!

Su Melville2 Comments

Wow week three!! That means I have now been exercising five days a week for seven weeks – to say that’s an achievement is an understatement!!

Do I have a super fit body? No.

Am I fitting into my old clothes? No.

Do I feel fitter? Yes!

Will I keep going? Absolutely!!

This week is the next photo check point. I’m dreading this one as although I feel loads better and my shape is changing (the overhang on my lower tummy is very noticeably less – possibly more information than you need…) I do think that if I want to fit into my old clothes I may actually have to bite the bullet and diet… I know, I know, I have always vowed not to diet but I’m starting to think that I need to kick start me into the right place and that looks like it may involve a form of diet.

Naturally I don’t mean starve myself, I need plenty of energy to cope with these exercises! But more of an ‘eating healthier’ plan, cut out the pitta chips and avoid the office doughnuts sort of thing… or actually following the Body Boss instructions and avoid processed food – I’m not going down the avoid alcohol road though, these health things need to be done in moderation and a glass of wine on a Friday and Saturday (ok and maybe Thursday) are the things that keep me marginally sane.

My son is home at the end of this week, did he notice a difference? No – but then he is a boy and they’re not exactly known for their observational skills. 

So week three – bring it on!!

Monday:

Totally love the leg and glute days! Apart from frog jumps, I’m not keen on frog jumps… my basement is six frog jumps long however the low ceiling may become an issue when I get better at them!

Tuesday:

Please be yoga, please be yoga…. yes it’s not a challenge day, yoga it is!!

I’ve discovered a really cool looking yoga site that I want to try out called ‘do yoga with me’ it’s got a beginners video called ‘better balance’ with Melissa Krieger – after last week I figure I need this…

Oh my that was really difficult – half moons need some serious balance – but so good! 

I love the way the program flows and the half hour went so quickly! I feel balanced, calm and genuinely really good 😊 I will do that one again, I may even persuade my husband to join me next week.

Wednesday:

Oh dear Arms, Abs and Core day…

Push ups on an incline – still not good with these, I don’t think I’ve improved since the last time, only three inch dips… better than one though and I still have a horrid cough thanks to tree allergies so once that goes I may get better?

Butterfly kicks – can totally do these!

V sit-ups – not balancing in between the sit-ups but I can do v sit-ups! Ok not 25 of them but I’m up to 15!!! 

Down Dog V Press – hmmm I’m not totally sure I’m doing these right… help required – please! 

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Mountain Climbers – I like these, even though my knee doesn’t get near my elbow due to my tummy getting in the way!

Shoulder Fly – these should be easy, I’ve only got one pound weights! However thanks to all the previous exercises my goodness these hurt!!!!!

Sumo Squats – compared to the previous exercises these are positively nice…

Thursday:

Cardio day! I’m liking cardio days, fast walking and the occasional jog (I know this is getting to be a habit!) while listening to my latest book on audible, at the moment it’s ‘The Elementals’ by Michael McDowell, I like reading lots of different novels in all genres, this is a really slow moving book which fits in with the southern setting and well written, I’m intrigued to know where it’s heading… subsequently twenty minutes fly by!

Power Up Friday!:

Yes I’ve made it to the end of another week! Oh no, Down Dog V Press and Frog Jumps… I have a feeling I’m not going to manage too many reps… I needn’t have worried – this week we have to do it twice!! Eeek!

Picture times – more of the reckoning.

Ok these are from week zero, week four of pre-training and this week. In that order. Lets see how this goes – fingers crossed…

  

  

  
Well I’ll be! I really don’t notice the difference on a day to day basis but the photos do seem to prove that it’s working! 

I’m really, really chuffed – I couldn’t see the change until I posted the pictures side by side on here… it’s certainly an incentive to keep going!

Inches result: hmmmm no inch change in the last three weeks but then I do think I’m changing in other areas so let’s see what happens if I watch what I eat for the next few weeks…

Cycle Two – Step Up next… not sure about the step up bit but bring it on!