* Fitness Fun - The Biggest Loser Game *

I recently posted that I had purchased "The Biggest Loser" game for the Wii. Like with most games I was sceptical at first and didn't really expert much. After all its just a game. So when I saw it on Amazon for less than ten quid I snatched it right up. I'm a huge kid when it comes to things like this and I get excited very easily. But I did try to get my mature and more reserved hat on.

So I set myself up detailing my weight, height, age and gender and picked my character (I loved Michelle from the series so I picked my character with ease). Rather than go into a full routine I decided just to browse and pick what I wanted to do. In total I initially used the game for about an hour. But be warned...

Half way through one of the exercises I picked I nearly burst into tears! Yes, that's right. I nearly cried over a freaking game! But no, wait, this is no game. If you take the exercises seriously and put your all into it, it really does get your heart pumping and your muscles burning. I felt the burn like never before.

So baring in mind that I only wanted to "play around" with the "game" I had already done my daily workout and so really had two workouts. Now hand on heart, I woke up the next day and it hurt (although I like having that ache from a good workout) to sit down so much that I nearly peed myself because I had to lower myself down. I must have used muscles in my legs and thighs that I hadn't used in a long time.

I've used it nearly every other day since and I defiantly think that this is a great workout for me. The majority of the routines are around 18-25 minutes long (Note: I'm only on beginner) so I try to work in other aspects into my routine but this is defiantly a start.

Some of the features the game has are recipes, calorie counter (you in put your own calories), tips, routines, quick choice on exercises, challenges and a weekly weigh-in dun-dun-duarrrrr.

Overall I give this "game" two thumbs up and would suggest to everyone. Its a great variation from my other routines and my painful thighs show that it targets other muscle groups that could be missed. For around £10.00 whose complaining?

If you have tried and tested or want me to try and test any other Wii exercise games please leave a comment detailing what it is and let us all know how it is alternatively you can mail me here:)

Roo xoxo

*She's a Maniac - Jogging Journal*

Shes a maniac, maniac on the floor. If your familiar with the song you will know its in reference to dancing but whilst pounding the old treadmill I realised how the lyrics really summed up my journey.

Jogging is something that I always hated as a child. Although I played a lot of sports which involved running around, the idea of jogging just for the sake of it did not appeal to me what so ever. In fact when it came to participating in cross-country at school I always made sure I got my laps double ticked by a friend so I completed my laps in half the time. So it came as a pretty big shock when I suddenly became interested in jogging and running.

I read a lot of blogs and one in particular comes to mind of a beautiful young woman named Tricia who has lost over 120lbs through eating right and initially walking which later turned into running. Whenever I read her blog I always come away with the urge to run around the block. So I thought that I would just put my trainers on and do it. What am I waiting for?

So with my I-Pod in one hand and my heart rate monitor strapped on, I decided to warm up by power walking and told myself that I would jog and walk on and off. I used markers on the clock to tell me when to stop and start running. Now I walk a lot and for long distances but my lungs and throat felt as if they were on fire, but it was so worth it. I ran a lot further than I thought I would or could. I was so overcome by emotions (pain, excitement, nervousness, joy) that I could barely hold back the tears. I must have looked like a maniac!

I really did jog (dance) like I've never jogged (danced) before.

I had so many things just race through my head. I was seriously on a high. It was the most amazing feeling. So I want to thank Tricia for inspiring me to go and pound the streets (in my case the treadmill).

"Maniac" really is a thought provoking song for me and I will also associate this song with my first real run that wasn't against my own will...

A few other lyrics I love...

Its push-shove world but there's always a chance, if the hunger stays the night. - This really sums it up for me at the moment. I have a chance and will succeed if my hunger for my goal is there.

Struggling, stretching for the peak, never stopping with her head against the wind. - Never stop, no matter how hard it gets.

So thank you Tricia for being such an amazing person and mother, you have inspired me to start running. I only hope that my relationship with running will continue to be that of a positive one!

Have a awesome day!

Roo aka Speedy Gonzales xoxo

*Exercise Find - Resistance Bands*

Now I've been hesitating whether to purchase a set of resistance bands for around four months now. That all changed one weekend when I decided enough was enough. Whats the worst that could happen? I either purchase them and they turn out to be a load of crap or alternatively I could purchase them and wonder why I didn't do so earlier. I had already done a lot of research into resistance bands and decided that Ripcords were the ones for me.

So I received my bands and couldn't wait to try them out. I purchased the Power Tension 5 Pack which ranges from 3-42lb of resistance (I found that I could tell the difference in resistance when I moved from the thinner cords to the thicker ones). I tried out a number of difference exercises which are suggested and shown on the provided information leaflet and found that I liked these even more than normal free weights. I can think of many pros of using these:

• They are compact and can easily be stored
• They are actually light to pick-up and move around- Unlike free weights
• I don't hurt myself with them - When I previously used free weights I would constantly bang them against my legs which often led to bruising. Also, when I used certain exercises I would often hit myself in the back of the head with a larger weight. 
• They come with a life time guarantee
• They are relatively cheap- Compared with a gym membership
• The cane be used on a tight schedule- At present I don't have the time (nor the finances) to pay for a gym membership so these are fantastic for sneaking in a workout between my job and degree.

It's still early days but I can honestly say that I am in love with them already and wish that I had purchased them months ago.

I will have arms that Madonna would be jealous of! Watch this space.

Pop-eye armed Roo

          xoxo

*Exercise Tools - Pilates DVD*

I recently posted about my inability to find a balance between exercise and eating within moderation however since then I have also posted how I'm starting to find my motivation towards exercise reemerging whilst trying to follow the Weight Watchers concept of moderation. So with that I decided I would dedicate a number of posts to exercises that I have taken part in.

As I hadn't really exercised (apart from walking) for some time I decided to dust of one of my previous favourites. Pilate's weight-loss workout for dummies is so much fun. I love doing these work outs and at some points it rather challenging however it also gives you options of how to make the movements easier if you require so.

The instructor Tracey has an amazing body and is extremely toned and really motivates you throughout the video.

If your like me you would have thought "that's easy!"  but wait until about 5 minutes into the routine and you feel the burn in your arms and thighs. I have done this a few times since and the ache in my thighs the next day made me realise that I had actually had a great workout and used muscles that I haven't used for a long time.

All in all this is a great workout DVD and I love that its broken down into sections so you can start off with one and build on it as you feel fit too.

The only bad point of this DVD is the fact that its hard to miss the instructors camel toe. I'm sorry Tracey but I had to warn people. If your able to ignore it (please note they do a few close ups) its a perfect DVD for all experience levels.

If you want to give the DVD a go for yourself you can find it at amazon for less than £3.00!

Check you guys laters,

Roo xoxo

Have you any favourite exercise routines or DVDs?

*Stopping the B.S*

Since I initially started my journey in July 2009 (although I since have gained the weight in which I lost and have recently started from scratch again) I really struggled to exercise regularly. Like I have done most of my life, I made excuses not to exercise (and eat right). I could easily rattle off a number of excuses right now that I have used, some of them even being recently. I'm not sure when the excuse making will stop but it is something that I'm really trying hard not to stop.

Here are just some of my 'well known' excuses:

• I have a headache (and no I'm not talking about that kind of exercise either)
• I have just got home from work
• I have uni work to complete
• I'm too stressed out (yes I have used this, what a load of B.S!)
• I'm too fat
• I've just eaten
• It's too hot

Can you see where I'm going with this...?

Any excuse you can think of I'm sure at some point I have used. Writing this now I can easily say that I was just being damn right lazy. I was making excuses for not exercising not only to my friends and family but to myself. At some stages I even believed my own excuses.

On the other hand I do want to put something straight. I haven't always had a negative perception of exercise. Actually it was the total opposite. I loved it! Although I have been overweight for as long as I can remember I had always been very active. I swam for my primary and secondary school as well as competing in local events. I played netball for my primary school and took part in numerous championships. I was also a basketball and hockey enthusiast and worked out everyday. It's hard to believe that as a result of all of the activities I did, I was still overweight however I never got the balance of eating right and exercising.

So why have I lost my motivation to exercise? I believe its partly down to being conscious of how I look in front of other people (whilst walking, at the gym, cycling etc.) but its primarily down to the simplicity of making excuses not too.

Pretty pathetic aye...

I'm much more aware of my art of B.S-ing, I can hear it start to emerge in my thoughts. Its the nipping it in the bud that matters as I'm sure I will make excuses for a while yet.

So to round this post up I think its important to take a step back and question yourself when you say 'I can't do something because...' and determine whether you are in fact B.S-ing. If so stop and remember that you only have one life, if you are going to live your life by making excuses for not doing certain things such as eating right, moving more or even basic day to day activities than whats the point. I now realise that I have wasted years of my life as a result of not doing things I wanted to do. Don't let that be you.

Make a change today,

Roo (aka. the former Queen of B.S) xoxo