06 April 2013

Change is hard but worth it - Focusing on Health and Fitness


It's never too late to make changes in you life, I say this all the time to people and I've only recently
started taking my own advice. I think that no matter the reason, if you're not happy only YOU can make the changes. You may have noticed I have been absent on YouTube and my blog posts have become sparse over the past couple of months. I've made some big colossal changes in my life recently and I'm beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel now. I walked out of a long relationship, left an amazing job and moved. While I had my reasons it doesn't make it any easier but I'm glad I had the strength to realise that I wasn't happy and that I had to start doing things differently. 

I've been focusing a lot on myself, which might sound selfish but I have to put myself first now. Health and fitness has taken over my life at the moment. I've developed a real thirst for it. I'm excited about the opportunities that await for me and I've all sorts of plans for what I want to accomplish. For now anyway I've been focusing on getting fit and feeling great. I wanted to share some of the activities I've been doing with you in the hope that it might encourage even just one person to get up, get out there and start making the changes they want too.

Zumba Classes
Zumba is great if you go on your own or with a group of friends. Zumba is a dance fitness programme, I know what you're thinking but don't worry because I can't dance to save my life and I really enjoy it. I like that it has variety, in any given class I can find myself doing salsa, martial arts, belly dance moves, squats and lunges. The music is great and most instructors make the classes really fun and enjoyable. You don't feel like you're at the gym anyway!

TRX Suspension Training Classes
Now what the hell is TRX Suspension Training you might be thinking to yourself! I didn't have a clue up until two weeks ago. I had never heard of it before. It stands for Total body Resistance Exercise and involves preforming a number of body weight exercises while holding or placing your feet onto ropes. Now, when it comes to trying new things the first time is always the hardest but it gets better. My arms and legs were in bits the day after the first time but it was worth it. I keep telling myself that, ha!

Bum, Tums and Thighs Classes
Tone, tone tone! I'm not actually interested in focusing much on weight loss. I'm a curvy girl and I always will be but there are a few areas I would like to not jiggle so much and that's why I do bum, tums and thighs classes. The class combines standing and floor aerobic exercises with the use of weights and a step. It can be a shock to the system and I look a bit of a fool when trying to co-ordinate myself on the step but I feel great afterwards and feel like I get a full body workout. 

Spinning Classes
I am quite lucky that my brother is a professional gym instructor and he calls me occasionally  daily, yes daily to go to his classes! I couldn't ask for any more encouragement really! After I went to his first spinning class I didn't want to talk to him for at least a week, it was the first class I went too and it made me realise how unfit I was and spurred me on to try all the other classes. I did one of his classes last week and felt bloomin marvellous afterwards! "PICK UP YOUR RESISTANCE" he would shout, and I didn't even want to hit him once! Success. I always thought spinning was for the really physically fit people but I've seen people of all shapes, sizes and ages in my gym doing the spinning classes.

Indoor Climbing
I've only had the chance so far to try this once but boy I can't wait to go again. I went along to Awesome Walls in Dublin not knowing what to expect and honestly a little nervous! I was going with someone who has done climbing many times but I was more worried about looking like a fool and was worried that I wouldn't be able to do it at all. How wrong was I! Again with the spinning I was so surprised to see people of all shapes and sizes, even children as young as six climbing. If you are not a fan of gyms and love to try something different I could not recommend this enough. I didn't have to worry about heights because they have walls of all different heights to start you off. I didn't have to worry about safety because they have equipment you can hire and the most amazing, friendly, helpful experienced staff you could ever meet to guide you if you need help. 

I said before, I'm not on a mission to lose a tonne of weight, I want to tone up, wake up with a spring in my step and have the energy to follow my dreams. At first it was hard but now it's so much easier and I'm....eh...enjoying it. Gah I must be going mad! I've received lots of lovely messages over on YouTube about when I'll be returning to making videos again and that won't be for another while I'm afraid but I will be back. 

Do you do anything that I haven't mentioned above that you think I would enjoy doing. I really want to try everything! I hope this isn't just a phase and that I can adopt this fitness buzz as a new way of living. Wish me luck girls.

Love,
Sarah

Twitter * Facebook * Instagram * Youtube



36 comments:

  1. I loved this post! Go you! I am absolutely hankering to try Zumba even though I have the coordination of a newborn lamb! Can't wait for your return to Youtube, I miss your bubbly vids :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You should so give Zumba a try, I am terrible at dancing but it's fun lol

      Delete
  2. Hey stranger! I was wondering what had happened you! Well done for making decisions that are best for YOU!!!!! It's so hard to get outside your comfort zone but you sound really happy and that's fabulous! Love and kisses Chantelle xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello lovely, I'm still here! Just wondering around, still reading blogs and watching videos but hoping to get back into the swing of things soon :D

      Delete
  3. Fair play Sarah! Such a positive attitude to fitness - an inspiration! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, I am really enjoying it. Lets hope I can keep it up :D

      Delete
  4. I've started going for 30 mins power walking with a friend, its good excercise, great for de-stressing and catching up on general!

    Well done on your great initiative! And a massive good luck for the future to come!

    Having a giveaway on my blog, if you'd like to check it out!

    http://kellinasthoughts.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you hun, I've tried organising walks with friends but they are so busy and I wouldn't walk on my own just encase!

      Delete
  5. How inspiring, first thing tomorrow I'm going for a run :)
    http://herecomesclo.blogspot.ie/

    ReplyDelete
  6. Welcome back! The blog looks great and it's great to see you back & so positive about doing something for yourself, best of luck with your plans & will look forward to reading more about how you're getting on xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are too good to me lovely, I will look forward to doing regular updates on here :D

      Delete
  7. Ah Sarah, I knew you'd been going through some major changes and that's why you were taking some time out but wasn't sure what. It's good to see you back and focusing on yourself is not selfish at all. Sometimes it's exactly what's needed.

    The new look blog looks great too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, there is still time for a few more changes but I am happy at the moment!!!!

      Delete
  8. loving you being back and loving the new blog - look!!
    I am joining the gym next week in a bid to keep me sane while I study...and to get fit, so proud that you are taking some you time -YOU GO GIRL!!!!
    xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You will love the gym lovely :D Thank you so very much for all of your support. It means so much to me. x

      Delete
  9. Sarah I couldn't agree more - only you can make you happy... I'm gld to hear your doing well and looking after no.1 and I hope it all works out amazingly for you xx keep up the hrs work :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I will try my best lovely :D Thank you so much :D

      Delete
  10. Welcome back! I'm glad to see you are focusing on yourself and doing well- keep it up! :)

    x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. :D Thank you lovely, it's great to feel focused I can tell you!!

      Delete
  11. Great to hear you're doing better now and great as well that you're getting into healthy and fitness, I am too... again so we can support each other !x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much lovely, I miss your face and I can't wait to see you again :D

      Delete
  12. Woowwweee! Totally in love with your updated blog. Glad to see you're back and doing well! I've just started getting in to the habit of exercising last week and having a healthier lifestyle - for the first time post pregnancy! Had to wait for the doctor's approval 6 weeks after…became lazy, then decided to get my butt in to gear. :} Yay!

    -Madi

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I sent you a message on your blog. I am so excited for you!!

      Delete
  13. Your doing excellent lady, and your so brave to make all those changes x

    ReplyDelete
  14. The changes you made and the decisions you took were so very brave! There's nothing wrong with making time for yourself, its really important to do it! Keep going girl and we're all behind you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much lovely, I don't know if I could have done it without all the support and encouragement. xx

      Delete
  15. A great post, you are a strong and positive lady with the world at your feet, everything will fall into place for you.. I'm a big fan of spinning, I go twice a week, but this week I'm going to try Zumba and TRX to get out of my comfort zone.
    your an inspiration xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aw thank you so so much for such a lovely message. The world is my oyster and I'm going to grab a hold of it with both hands! When you try Zumba and TRX let me know what you think. Don't hate me after TRX lol x

      Delete
  16. i simply love tour post..and i do believe in better late than never..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Better late than never is right! Never to late to do what you want to do :D

      Delete
  17. Great post Sarah and massive congrats on all the healthy changes you're making - I'm trying to make a few myself and it's not easy. Where do you go to Zumba? Looking for a good class myself xo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I would love to know what you think of Zumba when you find classes :D

      Delete
  18. Sarah great post. You are one brave lady; fair play to you and I wish you all the best on your new path in life xxxx

    ReplyDelete
  19. I am really impressed by the way you detailed out everything. It is really going to help me a lot. Thanks for sharing your thoughts so clearly. really appreciating work . Thanks

    Health Store Ireland

    ReplyDelete

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...