Burn Fat Fast with Burpees!

OK! So who knows what a Burpee is?  Well I never knew what one was! And let me tell you, when you start doing them you will NEVER forget them! LOL! But here's the thing - they BURN FAT FAST! Sure they are no picnic but they get easier as you work on your technique. I have included a link from YouTube which provides footage of a "beginner burpee". (link is at bottom of this post) I feel its important to know that its ok to start with the beginner version as the normal version is practically impossible to do if you're overweight, unfit or never done one before! I had a PT session once and I'll never forget it, it involved a LOT of burpees and a lot of tears but I persevered and now I can do the normal version. Sure I'm not busting them out like Commando Steve but I can do them and I dread to think what I used to look like doing them! But that's just it, persevere and never, never, never give up! Burpees will become your friend because YOU will see the benefits! Good luck, study the footage and GET TO IT!  nb. This is just one example on YouTube - there is probably a gazillion of pieces of footage but this one is great for the beginner!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CIQx1FiQt50

Fun Runs are Fun!

So I did my FIRST FUN RUN last month!  And it was great fun! Why did I always think you had to be an elite athlete to enter one of these things? We made it a family event and my gorgeous cousin, Lauren was up from Brisvegas so she was excited to join Team McGhie!

WOW! So many people of all shapes, sizes and vast age groups. We realised we had been missing out! What a wonderful way of getting outdoors with our kids and doing something together as a family amongst the community. 

So my point is - please don't feel you have to be super fit or an elite athlete to compete in your city's annual fun runs! Who knows you might just get hooked! Check your local guides and papers for upcoming events and commit to it! The entry fee usually supports a local charity or foundation so it's WIN WIN!!!  Oh yeh, you can walk it too! There's no pressure! It's about getting out and giving it a GO!  Zoom! Zoom!

RPM - Feel the Fire!

Undoubtably my true passion in any kind of fitness / exercise routine is RPM (Les Mills). From the time I start driving to the class the anticipation kills me! For the record, RPM is a high energy indoor cycling class choreographed to loud (very loud) music! It incorporates a lot of resistance and interval training. It's about pushing those pedals through the floor and turning and burning and feeling the fire within. The endorphin high you feel is indescribable! Can you tell I love it?!!! So much so, I got up and shadowed with the instructor tonight, the lovely LJ!

Now I will not sugarcoat it to you, the first 4 or so classes are torture and you are left wondering what everyone is on! However! Persevere my friends, you get immediate results from these classes and you'll crave it more and more. Set yourself the challenge and watch your fitness levels fly through the roof.  If you keep it up, you will blast your cellulite, gun off the weight and shape your legs and butt like nobody's business! But there is one condition, you must put your heart and soul into each class and never cheat on the resistance dial. Why bother going anyway if you're not going to commit to it 110%! Be true to yourself and always empty the tank and you will reap the benefits! I promise you that!!!

I can honestly say that I am a self-confessed RPM addict now. I do three to four classes a week.  It's in my blood!  I don't necessarily go now for the reason of weight loss, I go because I love it and I obviously want to maintain my tone. But more than anything, I will continue to always go because it makes me happy!!! It makes me ALIVE!!! Some people choose pokie machines but I choose a stationery bike! LOL! I love it so much that I have heart palpitations on the drive there for fear of missing out on a front row bike. This has never happened but I'm not prepared to risk it! Now that's dedication!!! 

Here's a Tip! Find something to focus on in your RPM room. At my gym, (DCF!) we ride in the dark and the walls are painted like the Sydney Skyline at night including the Sydney Harbour Bridge and all the skyscrapers are lit up shining brightly! For me, there one light on a particular skyscraper I used to (and still) focus on and when I would feel like I was going barf up a lung I'd focus on the red / pink light on that particular skyscraper (see pic above) and chant to myself "sass + bide, sass + bide". It was my way of keeping my eye on the prize! Sass + Bide refers to my jeans that I'd had for 6 years and had never really fitted me properly. So I'd chant that to myself and tell myself I was not giving up and no one was going to take my "prize" away! Well I am happy to report not only did the jeans eventually fit me they actually look like MC Hammer pants on me now. Ridiculous isn't it! But freakin' awesome! Sooooo find something to focus on and think of yourself reading this blog. Imagine me sitting on your shoulder! What would Dee say? What would she want me to do? Turn and Burn baby!!! Feel the music in YOU...Go for it!!!