I Need Your Help!!!!

Hey guys

I need some help.... I've realised I have been slacking on the 'writing' department recently! Partly because I wrote so many at the end of November (30 in a day as a challenge!) and partly because I've been busy organising bootcamps and other stuff...

But that is NOT a good excuse! I need to make time, as I manage to do for my training, and as I gently remind my clients and readers on a regular basis regarding their own training...

When I looked a bit closer into my reasons for being so slack recently, I realised I am feeling overwhelmed by information and have loads of things I want to write about, but can't nail it down to actually getting started on any one topic! And I have lots of 'topics' but not more specific questions / problems that would make a more interesting and targetted article...

So, this is where you guys come in! I would really love you all to comment below this post, with a topic that you would like to see covered.

I will then write an article on each and every topic, aiming for one article per weekday...

Of course, I have the right to refuse certain topics, so keep them clean and fitness / health related! But controversy is OK...

So this is your chance to get detailed answers to your most pressing fitness and health related questions. If there is anything I feel underqualified to answer I will forward the topic onto someone I see as more of an expert and get them to do a 'guest' article, so you not only have my knowledge at your fingertips, but also that of the hundred of trainers and coaches I have in my network....

So, what do you want to know?

Post below and I'll get writing!!!

Getting Through the Hard Bit...

Here comes the tough bit! After Christmas and New Year, or at the beginning of any fat loss programme, we are really dissatisfied with how we look and feel and this gives us momentum to start the programme and make the changes we need to make...

But, it doesn't take much to make us feel fantastic again!

And this is what makes the programme get even harder...

I know that it has hit me this week - I put a few pounds on over Christmas and New Year (well, really its been staedily accumulating since my birthday in Nov as I had almost weekly parties and nights out, and guess what, it all adds up somewhere!)

But, a few weeks of clean eating, making sure I'm eating at least 500 cals below maintenance, and ramping up the exercise intensity (I actually took a full training break for 3 weeks in December - highly scary but did me the world of good - everyone should take a week at regular intervals, depending on your exercise intensity, frequency and goals... Most do this naturally on vacation, I don't so had t0 force myself into it!)

So what's the problem, I hear you ask?

Well, sticking to a programme, or a deficit, when you are feeling good again makes it harder! The feeling that we have 'deserved' a treat or two creeps in (although you can of course fit regular treats into any fat loss programme). For me it is the deficit - I just want a day where I can not have to worry about what I am eating!

Luckily, kettlebell training means you can worry a bit less about the calories, as you will be burning loads in your training sessions, BUT you can obliterate any fat loss results without reducing your cals below maintenance - simple as that! The kettlebells / training just mean your maintenance level is higher....

You should also make sure you stay as active as possible throughout the day - it's not just the training that counts, its the daily caloric burn, so training for an hour then lounging around all day really won't do the trick!!!

But what you really need to do at this point, is refocus on your bigger goals!

Make sure you are really clear on what you want to achieve, and while you are pleased to have reached the first few stages of success and you really have to congratulate yourself for that, you also have to stay laser focused on that end result!

For those of you on the 6 Week Love Your Body Transformation Challenge, we are just over 2 weeks into it, a third of the way in! You are already doing so well, but now you need to keep reminding yourself how great it will feel to be a finalist or a winner!

You can ask Nikki via Mission Slim-Possible forum if you like - she has loved the result so much she's going to re-train as a Personal Trainer, so its really had a huge impact on her!

So, reward yourself with a little pampering, and enjoy the fruits of your labours so far...

But also remember that you need to keep pushing on! Persistence, perseverance, consistency and committment will get you the results you have always wanted - and you really can do it!

Why Will Smith is a Legend - Some Words of Wisdom from the Ultimate Bad Boy

Perfect Fit Bootcamps in Southampton (UK) - COMING SOON!

Bootcamps are coming soon to Southampton Common!

Using a blend of bodyweight, kettlebell and other exercises, as well as boxing drills (I trained with David Haye!) I will get you fit and fabulous with these 45 minute outdoor workouts!

More info on my website: PERFECT FIT BOOTCAMPS SOUTHAMPTON

First session FREE (you still need to book) and 100% money back guarantee so you have nothing to lose!

Sign up to the mailing list for more info: morning and evening taster sessions will be running at the end of Feb and then regularly from end March...

FINALLY!!! Prograde Comes to the UK! And we all get to benefit as they're celebrating with a HUGE SALE!

A bit of exciting news I wanted to share with you! I have been harrassing the guys over at Prograde for ages to get it shipped over here to the UK, and finally, thanks to me and plenty of others, they have finally crumbled and are now sharing their amazing products with us non-US citizens!

Everyone I know speaks so highly of Prograde, and these are people like Isabel De Los Rios and Mike Geary who are famed for their high standards when it comes to food - it all must be organic, natural and impeccably sourced, as well as functional and nutritious. Prograde delivers on all of these fronts, and I am excited to be able to get my hands on them on a regular basis (they even autoship to save the hassle of re-ordering - sweet!!)

And the best thing about it, is that they are having a massive sale to celebrate!!

10.9% off everything!!

Yes, that's 10.9 as in January of 2009 ;-)

The offer is running from Thursday, January 8th until Thursday, January 15th at 11:59pm EST.

The 10.9% off will be applicable to SmartShip orders. But it only applies to that first purchase. Not ongoing.

The coupon code you enter at checkout is: 012009

Go to the site: PROGRADE NUTRITION - MEGA SALE!

You don't want to miss this one, well I don't anyway! Some product feedback below:

VGF+25...Highly recommended! I haven't yet used it, but users report huge improvements in skin, nails and moods. The premise is that you that you can get the nutrients of 25 whole vegetables, greens and fruits in a capsule, and while I do not recommend relying on this (you still need 10 portions of veg / fruit a day!) this does mean you get more than just 'insurance'. You get optimal health. And you make sure you are building the best you possible!
There are specific formulas for men and women and the formula uses whole foods. It is NOT a synthetic vitamin created in some lab somewhere, that just gets flushed down the toilet as your body can't actually assimilate the contents (as with most vitamin supplements).

Prograde Workout...Tastes great simply mixed with just water. Perfect for after your workout to giving you the scientifically proven dosage (and ratio) of carbs to protein for maximum recovery, so you are ready to hit the kettlebells hard again sooner (thus burning more fat!). Only one falvour, which is a bit of a downside, but for a post workout shake that doesn't personally bother me too much, as it tastes great and does the job!

Prograde Lean...The chocolate flavour is lush! Highly regarded as one of the best tasting meal replacement shakes - my only criticism is there really should be more flavours. I like vanilla in my protein porridge and pancakes, as well as many recipes, and like a twsit of banana in my shakes, so until they get onto that I won't be replacing my whole stash with Prograde Lean, but as soon as they do, I will!

Now, I've left this one till last as regretably they cannot yet ship it to the UK!! Disaster for me, but all you US / Canadians out there can still benefit. I must admit I am GUTTED though...

Prograde Cravers... I'd get these simply for the taste - loads nicer than any other snack bar and better for you too! All organic ingredients, can get Spirulina, Almond, or the clincher, Peanut Butter! Great when you are craving chocolate (or peanut butter) or just as a healthy snack when you're on the move. I must admit, though, organic, nutritiousness and healthiness aside, the thing I am most excited about it the deliciousness factor, in particular the peanut butter variety!

As I am on a bit of a mission at the moment (as are many of the KettleBelles at Mission Slim Possible) there is no room for the added calories of peanut butter in my diet (healthy fat it may be, but I can't rely on myself to execute moderation when a tub of the stuff is around and it don't take much to kill a calorie deficit, I can assure you!). Prograde to the rescue: Prograde Cravers deliver PB and chocolate (dark, organic of course) in one 180 calorie hit! I can defintely factor that into the equation and know I'm actually doing myself good in the process - a double winner! Anyone up for petitioning the Prograde team to figure out a way of getting these over to the UK?!

There are loads more products available, just have a browse at the store! And let me know if you want me to review anything else, and let me know how you go with the products - the guys would love to hear your feedback!