We are Personal Trainers NOT Salesman!

Tonight I really needed to write this Blog as it has angered me since starting a career in Fitness how many Gyms treat Personal Trainers as their Sales People. I understand that a Personal Trainer does need to make money and obviously we require financial stability like everyone else but when it comes down "How good are your sales skills" instead of "How good are your fitness skills" it is a joke! 

Now, I take my career seriously and fitness is something you really need a PASSION for or else you will not succeed. It's a continuous path of knowledge, skills and training but when you adapt there is no turning back. I love what I do regardless of how tired I am feeling or the guilt I experience when I must leave my son to go to work. There are ups and downs with every career but you work around them if you really want to achieve your dreams.

My experience working in a Gym left me quite disheartened. There was very little direction, other Trainers trying to ruin your reputation and "STEAL" yes "STEAL" your business and the Gym expected way too much of your time for FREE. They make you feel like they are helping you SOOO much when all they are doing is concentrating on that dollar sign CHING CHING $$$$$ Why would you bother you ask? Well, I didn't bother for longer then I had to believe me!

I don't want people in or out of a Gym looking at me thinking I'm hunting your cash but it's what the industry has unfortunately turned us into. My idea of being a Trainer is someone who loves what they are doing, wants to help others become stronger and more confident while learning more as they grow. I don't want people avoiding my Business or s=Services because they see me as a "SALES PERSON" when I'm far from it! 

I want people to see my hard work, dedication and results and say "You are someone that I need to change my life around. I need your motivation and want you to give me your time to help me" They are the words I wish I heard. Instead, I'm questioned straight away "So how much do you charge?" You know what..... I don't blame anyone for that because this industry again has made it very difficult for anyone to put trust in us when all they have seen are Trainers in Gyms SELLING and UP-SELLING their services, doing and saying anything to make that SALE! 

We are not all honest, loyal and caring people. I have stumbled and worked with a couple of very "Money Hungry" Trainers who have no guilt into tricking clients into expensive sessions or programs that don't honestly work. These Trainers ARE Sales People and I do look down on them because they are the cause of our society losing control with their health and fitness. Shame on them for treating something so important as a gamble on people's lives. 

I highly doubt I will ever find a Gym facility or Gym Manager that will want me on their team without something financially in their favour. The requirements are ridiculous especially for a Trainer with a family like myself. Free Gym Floor Hours up to 12hrs per week, up to $250 for rent p/wk and splitting your session charges with them. There is just no point hence why Trainers like myself are concentrating on running their own businesses to avoid these cut throat deals. You want a Trainer to be focused on your session not   stressing about how many sales they need to make ends meet at the end of the week!!!!!!

I'm thankful I have found my confidence and am able to instruct Group Fitness classes now. The only thing I must do is prove my skills to management and they pay me to assist their members with exercise. I have my own mobile PT clients who I visit on a regular basis and hopefully with a new Boot Camp running by October 2013 I can still be what I always wanted to become - A successful Personal Trainer

Hopefully my in-site and opinion on Gyms and how they operate will give you a better understanding of what we face when we first step into the Fitness Industry FRESH and BRIGHT EYED. Nothing is as                                                                             good as it seems and that is why you must confide in a                                                                         Trainer for what they can provide you and not how they                                                                           can persuade you. 

Trainers who are confident, successful and know that their time is valuable will charge you more but just ensure that this is the case. Check out their experience, qualifications but most of all how they connect with you. If you are uncomfortable or not feeling energetic about your sessions then maybe you just need to look further for a Trainer to better suit you. Most of us want the best for you, this I promise you.

Playground Workout Tips

PLAYGROUND WORKOUT TIPS

As a Personal Trainer we are always looking for new ways of exercising especially for our clients. A lot of our clients are usually mum's trying to get back into shape since having their baby. 

As a mum myself I know how difficult it can be to even train at home as our toddlers are very "curious" and assume our exercise equipment are toys or our aerobic exercises are mummy being silly so LETS PLAY!

Have you noticed how good a child is if you take them to the local park or playground. They are settled and happy to just play so why not fit in a workout while they are amused with these exercise tips I'm going to share with you.

1. Tricep Dips

Benefits 

Improving your upper body strength and toning your arms especially in the tricep region

Instructions

1. Find a park bench or equipment such as a step and sit on it. 

2. Place hands on edge of the bench shoulder width apart, slide away from bench with arms straight and knees bent or straight out resting on heels. 

3. Lower body by bending arms, feeling the stretch in your chest and shoulders. 

4. Return to position, keeping the resistance by not sitting on the bench in between sets. Try doing 3x12 sets

Tip

The closer you are against the bench and the higher it is the easier the exercise. Slowly move away from the bench to make the exercise more challenging

2. Elevated Push Up 

BenefitsStrengthen Upper body and toning arms and shoulders. 

Instructions

1. Find a park bench. Place your hands slightly wider than shoulder width apart on the edge of the bench with your body out straight, feet resting on toes

2. Bend arms to perform the push up until chest is resting or close to the bench and then straighten arms to extend body back into starting position.

Tip

Keep your core section tight during the exercise. The lower the bench the more challenging the exercise.

3. Declined Push Up

Benefits

Targets the chest area and being in a declined position adds more intensity to the exercise and works out your triceps as well. 

Instructions

1. Find a bench or anything you can elevate your feet onto

2. Position your hands slightly wider than shoulder width apart. Place feet up onto the bench with your body out straight.

3. Perform your push up by lowering your upper body towards the ground, arm bent at 90 degrees and straight arms to return to starting position. Try 3x10 reps 

Tip

The higher the bench the harder the exercise. Only do these

push ups when you are comfortable with your regular push ups

 4. Jump Squat

Benefits

Great exercise to work your legs and core muscles. It will also improve on your strength and Balance. If you have joint problems I wouldn't recommend this exercise to you for the fact that you are landing with some force.

Instructions

1. Find a step or log etc

2. Standing tall with feet shoulder width a part, arms by your sides. 

3. Get into a squat position, swing arms back and then reaching up above your head as you jump for more power.

4. Bend your knees as you land so as not to hurt your knee joints. Drop your arms as you land.

Tip 
Stay in the landed position with knees slightly bent for two seconds. This gives your ankle muscles and core time to stabilise.

5. Step Ups

Benefits

Great for toning the lower body area and focuses on strength, stability and balance. 

Instructions

1. Find a bench or lower platform to step up onto

2. Place your first foot up onto the bench and lift your body with the second leg up onto the bench.

3. Step back down using the last leg you used until both legs are both flat onto the ground. Keep hands either up in front of you or beside you, whatever helps you stay balanced. Try 3x12 reps

Tip

Gently come back onto the ground after stepping up onto the bench to prevent injuries. For beginners always start on a lower platform and then progress to a higher step.

6.  Pull Ups

Benefits

Works on your upper body strength. Best to start on your feet to perform pull ups before attempting them off the ground

Instructions

1. Make an underhand grip on a bar which is around chest height. 

2. Slide your body horizontally under the bar keeping a firm grip and standing on your heels

3. Use your strength to pull your chest up towards the bar and lower back down in your starting position keeping the resistance throughout the set. Do 3x8 then slowly increase the reps

Tip

There are many variations for a pull up. Even though the above example is suggested to be a beginner exercise you will still gain benefits from performing them including toning, strength and great to fit into an interval program

7.  Lunges

Benefits

Good for toning and firming your lower body. When you are comfortable with normal lunges you can use bench lunges as a more advanced exercise

Instructions

1. With this exercise you can either use a swing (which requires more balancing skills) or just a bench

2. Stand in front of the swing/bench and place one foot behind on it at the edge, the other leg keeping it straight and balanced.

3. Have your hands on your hips to balance and slowly lunge down placing the pressure on the front leg. Go down as far as you can and then return to position. Complete 3x15 reps 

Tip

You can add hand weights to this exercise if you want to add more intensity or make it more challenging.

8. Knee Ups

Benefit

This is a variation of a PUSH UP where you are horizontally pushing outwards. It builds strength in the upper body.

Instructions

1. Balance your body weight on both hands, slightly wider than shoulder width apart and place feet up onto a swing seat. 

2. Bring your knees towards your chest staying on the swing. Then push the legs back out straight and repeat.

Tip

Practising your regular pushups will assist in gaining the strength to do this exercise better. Keep your core nice and firm throughout the exercise to form stability throughout the body.

9. Chin Ups

Benefits 

A full body exercise targeting the back, biceps and forearms. Another strength building exercise

Instructions

1. On the monkey bars or straight bar place hands in an overhand grip. You will need to stand up straight with arms up above you on the bars

2. Pull yourself up in one motion so your chin is just below the top bar and lower your body back into starting position

Tip

Ensure your stretch before performing chin ups especially your back region as it could lead to injury if you are not warmed up

You can also practice these with a box or bench underneath you then try them on their own once you are confident

10. Seated Squats

Benefits

Squatting assists with toning your legs and glutes. It's also a great way to get used to doing squats 

Instructions

1. Find a bench or step at the park. Stand in front of it feet slightly apart

2. You can have yours arms folded over each other or out in front. 

3. Keep your core section tight and squat down onto the bench and then return to standing position. Do 3x15 reps and increase the reps as your body adapts to the exercise. 

Tip

The lower the bench the harder the exercise. You can also do squats on their own if the bench becomes too easy

Also, you can do a jump squat in which you will leap

up into a jump and land back down onto the bench. Continuous jumping adds more intensity to the workout

Christmas Survival Guide

Christmas is approaching..... 

We all love Christmas. It's a time to celebrate, enjoy time with family and friends as well as taking a break from our busy lifestyles (if we are lucky)! But when we are conscious about food and trying to focus on our diet and exercise goals it can get a bit tricky BUT ONLY if we let it. 

TIPS ON STAYING ON TRACK

1. Count your Calories

How can we still enjoy our Christmas feast with a few extra treats without it effecting our diets too much? We simply keep track of the amount of calories we are consuming. Most of us have an idea of how much we should be eating throughout the day or use a calorie counter app. If you know you might be having a few more calories than usual it might be a good idea to burn it off the following day with some exercise. 

2. Substituting Food & Beverages

There isn't much of a choice if you are at somebody else's place over Christmas but if you are holding the celebrations at your house try to give yourself substitutes such as diet fizzy drinks, low fat desserts, fruit platters and salads using low fat cheese and dressings. This will keep you feeling guilt free throughout the day.

3. Portion Sizes

Ensure you keep your portion sizes at lunch and dinner reasonable. If you are losing weight make sure you are balancing out your protein, carbs and fats. Choose either the potato salad OR the pasta salad rather than placing both on your plate and doubling up on your carbs. You could also choose to have a tablespoon of each carb dish so you don't miss out on anything. Eat your protein without the fatty skins especially with chicken and pork. 

4. Alcoholic Beverages

Most of us enjoy a drink or 2 when we are out mingling but try your best not to fill up on TOO much alcohol as most beverages include a high amount of calories. Light beers and spirits seem to have the lowest amount of calories and you can always mix your spirits with a diet drink. If you are a wine drinker or prefer your full strength beer try to consume some water or other non-alcoholic drinks in between each glass/bottle. 

5. Have an Exercise Plan ready 

Your local gym will probably be closed for a couple of days, enough time to have a nice break but get back into it  as soon as possible! Have a plan to return to your exercise regime after Boxing Day. Gym classes are a great way to get you motivated again and assist in burning off those extra calories over Christmas ;) Get your ipod ready with a fresh new playlist as well! 

6. Donate or Share your Chocolates! 

The most common gift is receiving chocolates or other similar treats. Why not open them on Christmas day and share them around so you aren't tempted to binge out on them later when no one is around. You could even donate them under a wishing tree for someone who can't afford a treat as often as we can. Take them to work....ANYTHING is better than having them at hand! Yes you can put them away for when you are in need of something sweet but if you are someone who battles with binging and weight, it's often best not to have such temptation available to you. 

7. Wear a pedometer

You might be surprised at how much you are actually moving around especially when preparing for Christmas Day. Wear a pedometer and calculate how many calories you burn throughout the day. It might be enough to cover you for those extra treats you might decide on having. Knowing how many steps you should be taking daily will get you in the habit of perhaps saying "I only need "X" amount of steps to reach my target so I might just go for a quick walk around the block to achieve it" A very handy device to have on hand.

8. Keep Summer on your Mind

Our Christmas falls in Summer and where do a majority of us want to spend our Summer.....at the beach or in the pool!!! You want to feel comfortable, confident and enjoy wearing your swimmers rather than wanting to cover up. Keep this on your mind when you are faced with all the food and beverages during Christmas. 

9. Have a special outfit ready for New Years

If you have been losing weight and are fitting into smaller clothes than usual then how about going and finding a new outfit to match your new physique. This will keep you on track over Christmas especially if you want to be looking your best in it on New Years! Little things like this keep you focused.

10. Your Health is a Gift to Yourself

This Christmas, give yourself a healthy new YOU! You have made such great progress and making it through Christmas without putting your hard work and effort to waste. This will be the best gift of all to give to yourself. 

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR! 

MAKE 2013 YOUR YEAR TO SHINE AND KEEP FOCUSING ON YOUR HEALTHY NEW LIFESTYLE

Stay Tuned....

I'm planning on posting to this Blog more regularly in a couple of weeks so stay tuned. I've been flat out with exams so I'm really looking forward to making some new posts that will hopefully give you some useful tips and advice.

If there is anything that you are wanting more information on please feel free to ask me and I will definitely do my best to include it on my page :)

Day 1 - Training

Today is the Beginning of a new Me!

For the past few months many things have impacted my motivation and determination to get back on track with my training sessions. As a person who is passionate about exercise it's quite hard to understand why it becomes such an effort to make time for it each day. When you are dealing with other issues in your life it can easily distract you which often leads to you not recognising who you are any more. 

Speaking from experience my last few months have been exactly that. Although my priorities and heart was in the right place I neglected the one thing that made me feel alive everyday, exercise. How can you be the best you can be if you lack in something that helps you be that person. Not everyone is the same of course but this is what has given me my drive back....wanting to change back to the person I was happy with and who made others around me feel good about being in my presence again. So follow me on my journey with getting back on track :)

Diet plan

I love my food and that's why diet is as important to monitor as my exercise. I have a sweet tooth and I enjoy all those meals that unfortunately contain lots of carbs such as pasta and rice. 

For me I have noticed that cutting out my carbs and eating more protein, grains, fruit and veges assists me with my weight loss goals. Just be aware though that cutting out carbs completely is not recommended. Ensure you do include GOOD carbs in your diet as your body needs them especially for exercising. I will make a post about that soon. 

Below is an example of the diet I will be following: 

Morning :  Uncle Toby's Oat Flakes with Skim Milk or

                Eggs (Poached or Omellete with veges and ham)

Snack: Piece of fruit, Small fruit salad or Low fat smoothie with fruit

Lunch: Protein (Grilled or baked, no oil) and Salad or Vegetables. 

           Include a dressing or sauce for extra flavour but ensure it's not fatty

           Also, wraps are great for a change

Snack: Handful of nuts, Dry Fruit mix or Arnott's Snack right (to help with the cravings. They are great). 2-3 squares of dark chocolate is fine as it provides antioxidants and usually helps if you are wanting something sweet.

Pre-workout: Banana or Apple, Handful of Almonds, Peanut butter on Vita wheat, can of tuna. Great for fuel!

Dinner: Protein (Grilled or baked, no oil) and Salad or Vegetables

Post-workout: Protein Shake after training

PLENTY OF WATER!!!!  No soda drinks, cordial or fruit juice. Tea is great if you are feeling hungry again. I always have a cup of tea in the afternoons. 

         

Supplements I'm using

Lipo 6 Black for Women

A fat-loss formula that assists you with a correct diet and exercise plan. It suppresses your appetite so I take 3 capsules 30 mins before breakfast and again in the afternoon 30mins before food. It's a thermogenic and assists in burning fat. It will also increase your energy levels as it contains caffeine. Some people may experience side effects so it's best to just trial these products yourself and choose which one works for you. Please not that you should have at least a 6-8 week break in between bottles to give your body a rest. 

For more information on the product click the link below

http://www.australiansportsnutrition.com.au/shop/products/2456.php

MYO Fusion Protein Powder

I have tried so many different protein shakes on the market that people have recommended me but this one is by far the best tasting and effective. It's smooth in texture and mixes easily with milk or water. The flavours are so good, I have milk chocolate at the moment. It contains Whey which is the most superior form of protein due to it's ability to assist in muscle building, strength and recovery. It's fast ingesting meaning it goes into your system quite quickly. So important to take when you are training consistantly. 

Effects whey protein has on performance:

1. Increased lean muscle mass
2. Decreased recovery times and faster muscle repair
3. Reduced post-workout muscle breakdown
4. Increase metabolic rate

For more information on the product click the link below

http://www.mrsupplement.com.au/gaspari-nutrition-myofusion

Multivitamins

There are many types of multivitamins on the market. I chose Swisse for Women only because these seem to work best for me. I have low iron so I have found this assists with my energy levels and really gives me a boost during the day. I take 2 tablets a day after food. 

For more information on the product click the link below

http://swisse.com/products/women/swisse-womens-ultivite-f1

Exercise Program

To achieve results we know that burning calories is going to be the key to achieving our goals. I am working out to an aerobic workout on DVD during the day for 45mins and attending the gym in the evenings for a cardio and weight session. I have booked a Personal Trainer at my gym once a week to help me stay focused and provide me with some workout tips as I progress. 

I have always questioned the advice on weight training only every second day due to the recovery process our bodies require afterwards. In my opinion it's what your own body can handle. People who want more muscle definition and tone faster will lift weights days in a row but you will notice in their programs they focus on different muscle groups on each of those days. 

DAY 1

Turbo Jam - Kick, Punch and Jam

This was such a fun but intense workout that kept me going! I used weighted gloves for more intensity and I handled it well. Had to take a couple of water breaks but that's normal if you are just starting a program. Nobody expects you to do the entire thing straight away without breaks! 

Check this link out. I have posted Turbo Jam on here in a previous blog but this actually shows you the Kick, Punch and Jam routine. You'll see what I mean by INTENSE and FUN!

GYM SESSION

Day 1

Cardio - Cross Trainer 10mins

              Bike 10mins

              Treadmill 10mins

Weights -   Upper Body Workout: Biceps, Chest, Shoulders 2x Sets of 12

                  Dumbbell Chest Press 

                  Barbell Bicep Curls

                  Barbell Deadlift

                  Dumbbell Shoulder Press

                  Lat Pulldown

                  Shrugs

               

                  Lower Body Workout: 2x sets of 15

                  Barbell Squat

                  Dumbbell assisted Lunges

                  Hip Adductor

                  Hip Abductor

                  Sumo Squats

Abdominal -  3 x 25 crunches with legs raised

                     3 x 15 Leg Raises

                     3 x 45sec Planks

                     2 x 20sec Planks (each side)

                     3 x 30 (15 each side) medicine ball twists

STRETCH

                

Keeping on Track - Part 2

4. Motivation is the Key!


Many of us find it easy to get out and about each day and do some form of exercise without any problems. Whereas others struggle finding the motivation to do something on a daily basis as it can often feel like a chore rather than an enjoyable part of the day. A few tips to keep motivated so you find yourself looking forward to your daily workouts instead:

* AIM FOR WEEKLY GOALS rather than a long term goal that may take months to achieve. Smaller steps will keep you on track and more likely to stick to your program

*CHANGE YOUR ROUTINE each day so you aren't getting bored. Walking on the treadmill for 30mins a day would turn anyone off getting fit. Include it as part of your cardio for a session but not for your entire workout. Use weights, equipment, aerobic classes etc

*READING MOTIVATING QUOTES always helps me when I'm not in the mood to exercise. Words with meaning always stimulates your mind to get back on track. Even photos of people who train regularly are great to admire when you are wanting to transform your body

*CREATE A PLAYLIST on your ipod of all the songs that make you want to MOVE! Always great when you are working out alone or in groups. Ever wondered why the gym plays background music....to keep you motivated of course ;)


5. Facts Vs Myths 

Wouldn't you agree that it's often confusing with the amount of conflicting advice we read about or are given when it concerns our health and fitness? I always suggest that if you are unsure about something you have read to check with a health professional beforehand. Do your research but do remember that a lot of what you read online isn't always correct. People also have different ideas on diets and nutrition. Although they may work for one person it may not work for another.

Also, which foods to eat and what to avoid. Many studies scare us into thinking there are so many things on the market that could give us health risks but again I stress to you don't take it all as biblical and seek professional advice before cutting things from your diet or starting a new eating program. It's the safest way.

6. Dress to Feel Good

How good does it feel to put on an outfit that you look and feel great in! I believe that it makes such a difference when you have a few outfits especially for your workouts to wear. For those who are just starting an exercise program, a new wardrobe makes it worth while. You don't have to spend a lot to look good. Try ebay, department stores and clearance sections of your sports stores. You can usually find a bargain there. I love going into Lorna Jane or Rebels to see what the latest trends are as well. Always good to see what you may want to buy down the track as well. Tips for gear to purchase

* Shoes - Ensure you have bought comfortable and supportive shoes specifically for exercising in. Nothing worst than feeling blisters halfway through a workout and having to stop. In my experience when I have purchased a good branded sports shoe I have never experienced sore feet. If you get sore you might need to look into a shoe with extra cushioning on the sole and a different arch.


*Comfort - Some outfits may look appealing but remember, you need to be able to run, jump and reach in most exercise sessions. You want to be able to push yourself completely without distractions :)


*Compression clothing - Even if you aren't exactly an athlete, compression clothing helps with circulation, keeping dry during workouts and assist you with body temperature. Skins are one of the more popular brands but you can also go for an alternative which does the same job

Keeping on Track - Part 1

Unless you are someone who is passionate about keeping fit and enjoy a challenge, most of you will see exercise as a chore! We all know by now that a healthy lifestyle includes eating the right food and exercising but statistics show that many more people especially in Australia are battling with their weight leading to diseases and major health risks.

The fact of the matter is that even though we have this knowledge and awareness, without motivation and the assistance of getting on track and staying on track most of us will avoid and fail to follow a healthy routine. Below I have listed some points for anyone who is wanting to change their lives, finding the motivation and help they require to start taking control again.

1. SPEAK TO A FITNESS PROFESSIONAL 

It might seem simple to start exercising and eating right but lets face it, there are so many helpful tips and facts that a fitness professional is able to provide you with. They will introduce you to new programs, meal planning ideas and give you the guidance that will keep you on track.

If you can afford a personal trainer you can contact either your local gym (bare in mind some gyms require you to become a member for personal training sessions), leisure centres and even online. If you don't have the time to see a personal trainer or simply cannot afford one then there is another option that is FREE! 

Get Healthy is a program that the NSW state government have created for people wanting help in starting a program, food coaching and assisting with their goals for 6mths. This is fantastic and we really have no more excuses ;) Your GP can also provide you with contacts if you are finding it difficult to locate someone in your area. 

http://www.gethealthynsw.com.au/ 

Phone: 1300 806 258

2. CLEAN OUT YOUR PANTRY!

We all know how it feels when our diet is going so well in the mornings and by that afternoon we are searching high and low for that naughty snack we kept at the back of the cupboard for emergencies. Usually a handful leads to the entire packet. 

I, myself will binge eat especially if I am bored, stressed and wanting some sort of comfort food. Best solution, clean out your pantry of anything that you know will be tempting. If you are new to dieting then the EAT IN MODERATION motto simply won't work unless you are dedicated on changing your habits. 

Eliminate everything containing empty calories meaning food that has no nutritional value in it. Once you have cleared your pantry and refrigerator start a shopping list only including those items required for your weekly menu plan which should include drinks and snacks. 

If you make a habit of ONLY purchasing what you need rather than over buying on groceries it will make it easier to stick to your diet and slowly break those cravings. Once your body adapts to all that freshness it will certainly be more of a choice filling your pantry with goodness.

3. CHOOSE AN EXERCISE PLAN

When we think of exercise we often relate it to the Gym. Many people find that a gym is incredibly motivating especially since everyone in there is focusing on getting fit. They have all the equipment you require to enjoy a varied program and fitness classes to guide you through new exercises while having fun! Just be careful of gym contracts. Although we appreciate the help of our fellow fitness friends we also know that they are there to also make SALES. Find out all the pros and cons before locking yourself into a fitness facility. 

Outdoor training is perfect for anyone who prefers being outside in the fresh air. You can fly solo and take a walk around the block or in a park. Take a friend or train in a group to avoid failing your exercise plan. Boot camps sound scary but there are so many variations that you should be able to find one that best suits you. Booty camp is a good example of a boot camp specifically for women focusing on the areas of their bodies they need to work on most (I'm sure we are aware of which areas they tend to be)!

Why not train in the comfort of your own home :) Most routines don't require much equipment if any! DVDs are a great way to feel like you are participating in a group session without having to be there in person. If you are a parent sometimes you don't always have the time or resources to just up and leave the home. This way you have your own personal trainer and friends helping you through. 

One of the DVDs I often work out to at home (big thanks to my good friend Emma for recommending them to me) are from Beach Body. An American based team focused on group fitness training. Turbo Jam is one of our favourites, a combination of aerobics, kickboxing and dancing all in the one program. Absolutely love it! Find the link below 

                                                         http://www.beachbody.com/

To be continued....