He Aint Heavy, He's My Brother

You may be wondering what a report on interest rates and employment is doing on a fitness blog, but I had the opportunity to catch up with one of my brothers today - he works in financial analysis and is usually behind the camera. Sometimes he has to get in front of the camera as well. I think he has done and is doing an amazing job. Way to go Dan!

Forced together via marriage

Yup, this is a post about in laws - I've heard the saying that you inherit another family when you get married whether you like it or not. Plus you're forced to spend time with each other regardless of whether you've made friends or not. I did not grow up with Step siblings so I can only imagine the stress of moving in with a ready made family or inheriting a ready made family as such.

I must say that I've found blending with DH's side of the family extremely stressful. They are nice enough but I feel like if I had never met DH, I would never have been part of their Universe due to differences in interests, personality etc. Today, my MIL kindly offered to look after the girls whilst I did my BOSU course today - unfortunately we got our wires crossed - she thought I was coming back an hour and a half earlier than I had thought I had mentioned - however nothing was specifically said, only implied and I was left with a sense that I'd done something terribly wrong, only I wasn't sure. I mentioned this to DH who then phoned his parents who told him the error - then, angry he phoned me - to which then I took the bull by the horns, phoned them and apologized profusely for the error -I thought I had told them that I would be later.... only I just wished they'd mentioned it when I turned up - would have saved me a lot of indigestion. :(

Anyway, there's always a lot of unease around DH's family - I know they think my passion for all things fitness is a little bit weird but I have to tread my own path and realize that not everyone has to like me, just as I don't like everyone either.

The BOSU course was great though - DOMS is beginning to set into my thighs and my abs and I'm looking forward to waking up tomorrow knowing that I did something worthwhile..

Other workout today: 2 x Spinervals "sets" 30 minutes

Fun with the kids

First photo is of Miss S's "Crazy Hair Day". I am seriously dreadful at doing hair, which explains why I keep mine so short, but I was really proud of my efforts.

Second photo was taken by Miss S making me and Miss G "cry". I don't know how successful that was but the girls thought this photo was hilarious.

Miss S helped me work out with Cathe the other day. She was using the resistance band and suddenly she stopped and asked me very seriously, "is crying during this workout an option, Mum?". My resistance band nearly ended up over on the other side of the lounge room.

She is turning from my baby into a proper little girl. She was discussing her friend situation at school, how Friend A was no longer mates with Friend B... "They're not friends anymore, it's a break up, OK?"

I had trouble trying not to laugh!

This morning I went for a 50min walk and did 3/4 of Hardcore Extreme: Hi - Low Intervals. It's amazing that even the low impact blasts get my heart rate into the 160s. My latest game is trying to touch the roof on all the jumps :)

Dance of Joy!

Ooh yeah baby, I am doing the dance of joy because the relocation process is starting to creak into motion. I am so happy to be going home! I have learnt a lot from being out here, what drives me, what makes me happy and how to be innovative!

Poor Miss G is still unwell. Despite this I managed to sneak off and do Cathe Gym Styles Chest and Triceps - the DOMS I complained about last week lasted until Saturday, so it feels like my triceps have only had a day of respite! I also got in 45 minutes of Spinervals Aero base builder on the bike.

Speaking of aerobic work, I am noticing from many proponents of losing fat fast that there is no place for long slow aerobic work, HIIT is the "way to go". I don't think these people are looking at the value of aerobic training to condition and prepare the musculoskeletal system for hard work. Would I recommend HIIT to a rank beginner who was desperate to lose body fat? Probably not, a) I don't want the client injured and b) I want the client to work up to what hard work should feel like. Everything is based on a continuum of progression, not what the "flavour of the day is". That said, the power of interval training can be profound and is maximized by beginning with a good aerobic base.

I could philosophize all day, but I promised the girls we would make muffins. Miss S loves "cooking" and she will happily chop up vegetables, fruit and all sorts of things as well as make the sweet stuff. I could see her being a chef one day!