Exercise the YouTube way

I am not doing good on the healthy eating. So I thought I would try sort out my lack of exercise. My twitter friend/buddy Erin Huggins offered to make a Pilates DVD for me. It is just under 10 minutes and is a full body workout. I thought what the heck, 10 minutes I can fit that in. When I got up I really felt my stomach muscles. The only problem it seems the muscles in my lower back are a bit tender. I do not know why that is. Either too much fat, child birth or something. Pulling at straws huh. Anyway check out the video and have a go. Know that I am not flexible but I can do this exercise routine within my comfort zone.

Check out Erin's YouTube Channel for more Pilates and other exercise routines.

The Afro Hair & Beauty Bible

I read about the Afro Hair & Beauty Bible whilst skimming some UK blogs. One of those blogs was Vex in the City which gave a nice overall review of the book and the author Alison Husbands whom she met at the Afro Hair and Beauty show in London. So when I saw that the same blog was hosting a competition I thought why not.

So glad I entered as I won my very own copy! I was so excited I replied as soon as my berry blinked to let me know I had new mail. It must be a sign I must enter more competitions on blogs and twitter. Who knows, one day I will win my own home.

Anyway I absolutely love the cover picture of this book. It either looks like the model is wearing an afro hairpiece of her own hair is slicked back at the front and the back left loose and flowing. The book covers Hair care for women with both natural and relaxed hair. It gives a breakdown of how to care for your hair with some basic principles such as understanding protein and protective styling. Ladies who wear extensions are not left out either. There is a section on skin care and make up as well as body care from skin conditions to exercise. The book also includes a product list of suggested products for each of the areas discussed in the book.

Overall I would say this is a good starting point for a beginner who may not have done much research of their own or someone who would like to increase their knowledge. It would also serve as a nice companion alongside what you know already and other books in your collection. My only bad point is that it only talks about the Andre Walker hair typing system. Andre’s system limits type 4 hair which is Kinky curly hair to types just 4a and 4b. Whereas some would rightly state that there is a 4c. It would have been nice to include the LOIS system which some ladies have found easier to use. However that does boil down to personal choice. This book is still worth a read and I will refer back to it.

For more information on Alison Husbands check out her website The Afro Hair & Beauty Bible

1st Tutoring Session

So my son had his very first 121 tutoring session with Ms Z. She was so so lovely as my friend who suggested her said she would be. My son who I will refer to by his initials so not to confuse with his brother who in a years time enters the school system. So just for clarification AD is the oldest who I am paying for extra 121 tutoring and TJ is his litte brother who is very keen to learn new things as well.

Anyway back to the session. Ms Z began by checking to see what AD had already learned and what he knew already. She went through the phonic sounds singular than double. He was then tested to see if he knew the names of the alphabet from a jumbled up list. He had to state them in order and point to them. He did very well. I cannot remember how many different stages of phonics there are but she said he was at level 3. The next task was spelling three letter words using these letter pebbles that look like giant Smarties. After a bit of research I found that they cost around £12 and are Smart snacks ABC lacing sweets by Learning Resources. From this exercise it was clear that he could spell some basic words but when putting them together he often went for the second letter first. When prompted he managed the correct order.

Final task was reading a level one book from the Oxford Learning Tree. He was asked to describe what was going on in the story from looking at the pictures and then he was given a chance to read the book. For each word he sounded out the letters as the phonics method teaches and then tried to piece the sounds together to get a word. He still needs practice but was able to work through the whole book. He did not stop and tried really hard.

So from this very first session I feel he is going to benefit from it. I went back over the book with him and he is starting to already recognise some words that are new to him and be able to read some of the book. I now understand why these books are written with so much repetition. AD said he enjoyed his session and is happy to have more. I thought 30 minutes would have been too short but it's turning out to be the perfect amount of time.

Ab Circuits ~ Defining my core

My friends are always trying to get me to join them on their fitness ventures. I always say no because my fitness is well below par. The promises I made to myself years ago on this blog have ye to be fulfilled. My fitness DVD's , Wii games and mini home gym has grown a little. I just need to use them. So surprisingly to myself my friend wanted to do some ab circuits.

Thankfully this was just an intense core workout and not a sweat bath. During the class I grimaced at my lack of stomach muscles, my inability to pull my belly button into my spine or keep my bum in the air long enough. You would think having a weight placed on your back while your lifting your body through your stomach in some form of way would have done me in but no. It was at the start where we laid on our backs with knees bent doing sit ups. All I could hear the instructor saying was keep your chin off your chest. 

My chest is full of bosom as you know from my last trip to Bravissimo. Let me tell you my chest was giving me problems I felt like my bosom was choking me. It was just too my pressure for me. I was so relieved when we moved onto exercises on our sides and stomach. Lesson learned I must invest in a proper sports bra. Hopefully it will keep my bosom at bay. Can you imagine if this was a cardio session.

The instructor was a lovely lady who told me to keep coming back and it will get easier. She even gave me a core exercise to do when driving. At a red light suck stomach in pull through belly button towards back and release on green. You need to have your car seat upright which is how I drive anyway. 

I think I will keep doing this class until my work circumstances changes. Bonus discovered I can join a scheme that gets me discounted classed and free swimming. If only I could swim. At my age I have no idea how long that will take to learn.

Black Girls Run

I spotted this over on CNN and thought what an amazing concept. From two friends Toni Carey and Ashley Hicks wanting to be healthy to a nationwide campaign in the USA that has encouraged many women to change their mindset to exercise.  I find this interesting as my friend has asked me to join everyone on the next 5k race. I will only be able to power walk but being able to run with ease would be such an achievement. You can read more about Black Girls Run on the website.

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