My second spin class

I had my second spin class on Tuesday and I'm pleased to say that it went well and I really enjoyed it.

My first spin class was on a Monday and the instructor was male.

This weeks class, as mentioned above was on a Tuesday and the instructor was female.

I preferred the class with the female instructor as did my step-daughter.

It was more varied as the instructor had us spinning forwards and backwards, crouching down and spinning, hovering and spinning, standing up and spinning.

Plus we did some press ups and ab work toward the end of the class.

My step-daughter and I both agreed that we'd be going to Tuesday's class from now on as that's the female instructors class!

It was more motivating as she shouted words of encouragement throughout, plus we 'raced' the people alongside us.

It made the class more fun and the time really flew by!

I'm really looking forward to my next class!

An update on my goals

So far I think I've made quite good progress on my goals.

My goals for 2015 are:

Lose weight

Lead a more healthy and active lifestyle

Complete a first aid course

Read one book a month

Complete Cancer Research UK's Race for Life

Improve my photography

Learn to speak Italian

Spend more time outdoors

With regard to losing weight and leading a more healthy and active lifestyle, I think I've done quite well so far.

I've lost 3lbs this week, took part in my first ever spin class and I've definitely been more active mainly because I've spent a lot more time outdoors then usual. More about this below!

First Week Results

It's been a really good week in terms of healthy eating, exercise and weight loss.

After my first spin class on Monday, (read more about this here), I'm really looking forward to my next class on Tuesday.

I've eaten well all week and I'm very pleased to say that this week I have lost a total of 3lbs!

Starting weight: 10st12

Current weight: 10st9

Total weight loss: 3lbs

Food wise, I've been eating a mixture of salads, beans on toast, cous cous, pasta with tuna and jacket potatoes.

Here's hoping I'll see another weight loss next week!

My First Spin Class

On Monday I went to my first ever spin class which was 45 minutes of non-stop exercise!

It was pretty much what I expected it to be like. 

My step-daughter came with me, which I'm grateful for as we were both beginners to spin.

When we arrived I told the instructor that we were new and hadn't taken part in a spin class before.

He helped us to set up our bikes and thankfully he put us both right at the back of the class!

Spin bikes are a bit different to your normal exercise bikes. They have quite large, thin wheels and the resistance dial is a lever that you move up for low resistance and down for more resistance.

Your feet are strapped into the pedals, although it took me a while to get used to this as my feet did slip out a few times!

The lights were dimmed, disco lights turned on and the music started to play loudly!

To start off we sat down and cycled or 'spinned' for a while gradually getting faster.

I found this part the hardest because there was no resistance at all so my legs were just spinning around and my knees buckled a few times so I was literally just supporting my entire lower body with my arms!

As the class progressed and we put our tension up I started to get a bit more used to it, although on a few occasions I didn't up my resistance as much as I should have, so the instructor came over and upped it for me a few times!

We then alternated standing up for a few minutes and then sitting down for a few minutes getting faster and with more resistance.

It took me a while to get into it, but when I did I didn't find it too bad and I actually enjoyed it!

Even though about ten minutes in I swore to myself that I wouldn't do it again!

Having said that both me and my step-daughter have booked onto spin class next Tuesday again!

I just hope we're at the back again and that I'm a bit better at it second time around!

Oh and here's proof that I did actually go! My red, sweaty face afterwards!

My legs and bum we're aching a bit the following day and my arms were a bit bruised from where I was leaning on the bike! 

I'm really looking forward to going again!

Adidas Cess Bra and Prime Tank Top Review

Thanks to my husband I'm pretty much sorted for my first ever spin class tomorrow.

He bought me a beautiful pair of Adidas Galaxy Elite trainers, Nike Dri Fit leggings and a Nike gym bag for my birthday. 

Initially I was just going to wear a t-shirt, but I changed my mind because t-shirts can get clingy when you work up a sweat!

Today I went to my local sports shop and bought an Adidas Cess Bra and an Adidas Prime Tank Top.

Adidas Cess Bra

The price for this was originally £18.99, but I got it for £16.00 in the sale.

I wanted a dark coloured bra and this black one is perfect!

It's racerback, adjustable straps and elastic band under the bust help to make it really comfortable. 

Adidas Prime Tank Top 

This top has ClimaLite Technology to help keep moisture away from the skin, which will help to keep you cool during your workout.

I love the feel of this top. It's soft and feels like cotton and has the Adidas logo on.

Like the Cess Bra this top also has a racer back for a sporty finish.

I'm usually a size 12 so I opted for a medium and it fits perfectly. This top was £15.00.

All that's left to do now is to put it to the test!

I was not gifted these items, we bought them with our own money. All opinions are 100% my own.

Making Progress

I was planning on starting my healthy eating on Monday, but I started yesterday.

I won't tell you what I eat everyday, but today I had Special K with semi-skimmed milk for breakfast, tuna and light mayonnaise pasta for lunch and two chicken drumsticks with rice for tea.

Snack wise I had some dried strawberries and a yoghurt. If you have any tips for me and eating healthily I'd love to hear them!

Moving forwards and I will be adding more fruit and vegetables to my diet.

Spin Class

I'm all ready for my first spin class on Monday! I'm both excited and nervous!

If you're following me on Twitter (@mummysretreat1) you may have already seen this photo.

My husband bought me a pair of Adidas Galaxy EliIte trainers, Nike Dri Fit Leggings and a gym bag for my birthday as well as some other presents.

I just need to buy a good sports bra and top for the gym too.

Starting Weight

My starting weight is 10st12. Eek!

My target weight is 9st7. 

Here I am.

Bleurgh!

I can't believe I've just put that picture on here!

Hopefully though in a few months time it will be good to look back on to measure my progress.

I'd like to lose weight, tone my tummy and arms too. I'd also like to tone my legs up a bit too. 

The Plan

Initially my first goal is weight loss. This will then be followed with toning up.

I'm going to try a range of different classes from spin, kettle bell, circuits and more to legs, bums and tums!

My final aim is to start running too! I'd like to run 5k without feeling like I'm on my last legs!

One book a month goal

I've started reading my book for this month which is 'The Hundred Year Old Man Who Climbed Out Of The Windoe And Disappeared'.

I'm really enjoying it so far! 

It's about a man called Allen who lives in an old peoples home.

He's sat in his room waiting to be collected for his one hundredth birthday party.

Allen has other plans though and as the title suggests he climbs out of the window and makes his escape!

I'm on chapter four now and I've really not been able to put this book down!

So far Allen has turned out to be quite a mischievous man! Aside from escaping from the old peoples home, he's also stolen someone's suitcase and hopped on a bus to a place he's never been before with no idea where he'll be spending the night!

I'm intrigued as to what's inside the suitcase and I don't think it'll be long before I find out! 

Diary Writing

In a recent post on my other blog I explained that I would be starting a diary this year so that I can write in it every day about our family life. 

I chose a diary I liked (from Paperchase) and my sister bought it for me for our birthday. 

The idea is that should anything happen to me (touch wood) my girls will have something to look back on when they're older and not just photos. Although I do have a lot of photos!

So that's my progress for now!

I have also seen that my local NCT group is holding baby and child first courses in my area in March so I'll be signing up for that too.