Holidays Ahead!!

Just touching base on Sunday night as another week stretches out in front of me! Sadly I will only be able to make 2 classes this week...Monday and Tuesday as I am away next weekend and can't go on Thursday as I am at a Dance Festival with my school (does that count !!??!). I'm going to Cornwall next weekend and as I have not seen my friend for over a year I think she will be pleased to see my changing shape...I'm relying on a few walks up and down some steep hills in her lovely village to keep my fitness progress going even when away !! The bigger challenge will be avoiding indulging in too many cream teas, pasties and wine (not all at once I may add!)....
See you at class xxxx

Missing my Thursday night fix !

Sadly I won't be at tonight's class as I need to visit a friend who is about to have a major op, having said that I am still on track to hit the magic number of three classes after circuit, stability ball and then Saturday morning. Weighed myself yesterday (always do it on a Wednesday...not sure why!!) and so pleased to see I've lost 2.5 1lbs...I've now reached a total loss of 46 lbs (20.9 kg).....feeling so good and hope that I can pace myself during the numerous parties I have between now and Christmas. Thank you so much for the positive support and comments-it's great getting to know so many more people through the blog xx

Saying No...

Just as I was leaving for circuit class my gorgeous 11 year old nephew called to ask if he could pop in for some help with his maths homework....deep breath....sorry but I'm on my way to my exercise class....deep breath..I hate saying no !!! Bless him though as he replied...'don't worry Aunty Jayney I know how well you're doing with exercise....we'll look it up on the internet!!'
And so I made sure I put my all into my skipping, running and star jumping in honour of saying NO to homework help !!! A great start to my blogging week and tomorrow is weigh in day...watch this space....
Stability ball next .....

Another 3 Classes Down !!

Well end of the 2nd week of blogging and I've managed 3 classes again. As usual Saturday morning's class helps my body recover from an exhausting week by injecting energy I did not think possible to find-that's what amazes me the most about exercise!

Jane pushed us hard this morning especially with the grape vine move, turn, hop and lunges -wow just typing it makes me fee tired!!

Very excited/terrified to hear that there will be a ball class this week....I found some of the moves quite tough last time but I'm up for the challenge of improving. So the plan this week is Circuit, Stability Ball, Thurs eve and if I'm still moving I'll be there on Saturday....who is this person !

PS I've attached a more recent photo taken with my webcam - bit of a boring shot but at least shows the change in me since July!

Out of my comfort zone...

Having survived the circuit class tonight I felt compelled to 'blog' (if that is indeed a verb!!??).....as Rachel and Karen will also testify to...tonight's class was tough!! In the shock of surviving I have forgotten the lovely man's name who covered for Wendy tonight, but rest assured those of you who worked your butts off with Wendy last night, there was no light relief for any of us tonight!!

Now basically I always panic when there is running involved and sure enough there was plenty of that in the warm up....having said that I kept going other than a few necessary breathers and felt myself gradually moving outside my comfort zone and not collapsing!!! He then cleverly had us working in groups of 4 and we soon realised that we were pushing ourselves even further than when we go it alone around the circuit. Thanks to the moral support of those around me I made it to the end of the class and right now am heading for a long long bath.

Of course as usual exercise did the best possible thing for me which was totally remove the stress of a difficult day so that I can start again tomorrow with fresh eyes...oh and by the way I lost 1.5 lbs this week...going down ....

Saturday Night & Feeling Good!!

Well just got in from a lovely evening celebrating a friend's Birthday and for a change enjoyed dressing up a little as my confidence steadily increases by the day.

Jane's class this morning inspired me as usual as I strutted my stuff and imagined for a brief moment that I was in fact one of the latest additions to Strictly Come Dancing!!!! I loved the funky routine and even when I completely lost my way there was always someone in front I could follow.

I plan to weigh myself on Monday and hope to go to classes on Tues, Thurs and Sat....in between I am looking for what I call incidental opportunities to add a little exercise to my life and although not dieting I plan to keep a close eye on portion control this week.

Lovely to chat to people after class today...this blogging thing is turning out to be just the support i needed this month xxx

Two Classes Into the Week....

I made it to Stability Ball Class last night as I can't go to my usual Thursday night favourite....I was quite nervous but as usual made to feel very welcome. It was really interesting to try something so different...I may not have built up the same sweat as I do at aerobics but my inner thigh and tummy have NEVER trembled as much as they did on that ball !!! Actually I do have a swiss ball hidden in a cupboard at home that at least now I have some idea of how I can use it....
Looking forward to Saturday's class and to adding a little bit of extra exercise on Sunday by taking myself for a long walk with my ipod. I plan on weighing myself on Monday-1 week on-so I'll let you know how I get on.
Tonight's challenge is saying NO to pudding as I am visiting my pupils who are away on a residential school journey....instead I think I'll make sure I join in the talent night by showing off my dance aerobic moves !!!!

Found the disappearing post !!!

Sorry Nina somehow my post that I thought disappeared appeared under your page.....technology !!! I'll stick to exercise as my hobby !!

Tuesday Night and Feeling Good!

I just wrote blog entry and then I think I lost it in cyber space...apologies if it reappears and I bore you stupid !!! Just to say that despite a mad day and not finishing work until 7pm I made it to circuit class where I definitely worked up a serious sweat...really pleased with the fact I can see progress in my cardio workout especially when I can do more star jumps and run more than ever before.
Tomorrow night I brave a new world of Stability ball...watch out everyone...let's hope I don't fall off!!

Jayne Franklin-The Week Ahead!

Well I've planned my week ahead and plan to go to circuit, stability ball (never been before !!) and saturday's dance aerobics...what's great about this challenge is that I can't let work or social excuses get in the way and I really want to use this month wisely. I'm off to a big event on Monday nght so I need to watch the alcohol intake and remember how I want to see the back of the next stone by xmas!
It was great to hear so many supportive comments on Saturday...thank you for your support and watch this space!!

About me

This picture was taken in the summer and is one of very few taken as I have been avoiding cameras for about the last 7 years!!! I won't bore you with the dark days of the last 7 years but what I will say is that I woke up one morning and didn't recognise the person in the mirror...more importantly I didn't 'feel' the same person. I had always loved exercise..I played tennis obsessively & loved aerobics but when life events took over and I stopped putting myself first I quickly slipped out of the exercise habit and before I knew it I was buying size 22 clothes. One thing that never changed though was that people around me cared very much about me and through steady persistence, a wonderful colleague at work (yes that's you Ruth!!), introduced me to Jane's classes. I felt so welcomed and at ease and it has been the catalyst I needed-my week is not complete without my exercise and over the last 3 months I have steadily increased the number of classes I do. It is fantastic to hear people commenting on how my shape is changing and I am 2 stone 12 lbs lighter than when this picture was taken !!! So my aim over the next month of blogging is to try and break the back of the next stone so I'll be giving you weight loss updates and a new picture as we go. One of the things I am particularly interested in is how my sleep patterns and energy levels are changing. Having said that it is time for me to go to bed now.....night night xxxx