Happy New Year

"If you have a body, you are an athlete"
 Bill Bowerman


Just do it!

on the move...

It is time for a change. My feet have been itchy for roughly four years... I needed a place I could still have a  pilates studio and where Beatrice is free to wander (i.e. do you take dogs?). Such a place has been located and secured. An old warehouse conversion, The Gourock Ropeworks in Port Glasgow. Great location for clients as it's straight off the main road and only four miles away from here. Great location for us as four floors up and uninterrupted views of the Clyde. Five massive windows in the main room or the great hall as I shall be calling it so very light and bright. A state of the art kitchen with a built in coffee maker in the wall (who knew such things existed). An open plan ensuite bathroom in the main bedroom so one can enjoy the views as one bathes (four floors up guys, no overlooking neighbours). And because it is in Port Glasgow, an area considered undesirable we can afford to live there. Twenty- five mins on the fast train to Glasgow central station, a swimming pool at the end of the street and the worlds biggest tesco a hop skip and jump away. Brillso thrillso. The port is the new south side. You heard it here first. Come and join us and get more for your money.

the great hall

Ps Yoga weekend guys, we will have a choice of two locations that weekend...

I have been remiss

Sorry to have been missing in inaction for so long. I have been busy trying to write my novel and when I need a break from writing it I design covers for it instead. Here is one I did yesterday. I hope to be back on form soon.

Day three. Done!

So far so good. Almost! Yesterday I had sixteen portions of fruit and veg but there was a slight hiccup. There is an indian themed evening at my house. V or Father India as he likes to be called is making two different curries  for his family gathering. My job is to make these lovely mango cheesecakes. I decided to do it yesterday to keep out of father India's way in the kitchen today (not pleasant, he's not an even tempered cook).
I set about in the afternoon and before I knew it I had eaten two of the gingersnaps that I was using for the base of the cheesecakes. Oh no! On the bright side though I am still alive and nothing bad happened.
I like a detox as much as the next pilates teacher but try not to take it too seriously. I'm not a masochist.
Also yesterday I noticed my skin was looking better and my eyes are more like Beatrice's (the dog). Thats a good sign, bright, shiny eyes.
You may have noticed I'm not recording weight loss. I dont believe in scales. It can become obsessive. Unless you have an obesity issue I'd steer clear. Topshop jeans can tell you all you need to know and if mine aren't hanging off me by this time next week I'll be raging. Actually I wont because I am really enjoying all this juicing and can feel my energy coming back. Also had a great workout this morning and felt really strong. Onwards...

Day Two. Done!

an interesting way to up your veggies

Day two is done without much in the way of fuss or pain. There was a major stumbling block however. As this was a spur of the moment decision I was ill-prepared and ran out of fruit and veg by two o'clock. I had juiced everything juicable.
All that was left in the house was a bag of frozen broccoli and some tinned tomatoes so I made soup. I was disappointed but philosophical. If not fantastically nutritious at least fantastically fibrous.
After work last night I found myself in the fruit and veg isle in tesco. You cannot buy avocados after half nine it seems. So I have had to deviate slightly from jason's recipes this morning. Pineapple, apple Lime and blueberries. Later melon, lemon and cucumber. I had a slight hungover feeling when I woke but it's gone after drinking the juice. Excellent. Back on track.

Day One, Done!

not me! Jason Vale 

Started the juicing yesterday. Had three juices plus a salad throughout the course of the day. This was the equivalent to sixteen portions of fruit and veg. The idea is to flood your cells with easily absorbed nutrients which helps reduce the horrid detox symptoms you might expect. The only symptom was an almost headache in the afternoon but I skipped around it with water and a quick rebound (did you know that according to nasa rebounding is the most effective form of exercise there is- all to do with the push and pull of gravity and the effect that has on every cell in the body)

Results after one day are happily noticeable. Flatter stomach and increased energy this morning. I used Jason Vale's (also known as the juicemaster) super juice recipe.
2 apples
half a lime (peeled)
quarter a medium pineapple
quarter a ripe avocado
You are also meant to add a teaspoon of spirulina and a shot of wheatgrass (I never had any in as it was a spur of the moment decision). So far so good.
ps. dont try and juice the avocado, you need to blend it into your juice at the end with a few ice cubes. It's nice. I promise.

Lose 7lbs in 7days

It's not even one o'clock and already I have had ten portions of fruit!

I cannot tell a lie. It has been a heavy few weeks. Lots of socialising, parties etc. It all came to head this weekend when I attended two parties in one day. That means two buffets in one day! And two (too many) glasses of wine!

I actually felt nailed to the floor in this morning's yoga practice. Either gravity has got heavier or I have! Plus a few too many toxins kicking about.

Time for the big guns. In times of need I call upon Jason vale and his juicing detox. It has worked a treat in the past. All you have to do is have juice instead of solids for seven days and hey presto, you lose weight, your eyes, skin and hair shine and you feel strangely holy and blessed.

So far I have had two juices, loads of water, yoga and rebounding. I use the recipes from 7lbs in 7days, you can get it as an app for your iphone or buy the book. If you stick to the plan you can't go wrong.  I am planning on three full days then my own modified version. Will let you know results.