http://www.thegymandmrsjones.northwalesblogs.co.uk/ Mari Jones gets to the gym as she looks to tone up and improve her fitness in the New Year. en Copyright 2008 Wed, 30 Apr 2008 11:25:51 +0000 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss You may not have heard from me for some time as I've been busily trying to get some results from the gym. Although my stamina seems to be improving (I can now walk up a hill without having a near collapse at the top) I haven't lost any weight. I keep on telling myself muscle weighs more than fat, but as kind hubby pointed out it takes a year to put on a pound of muscle (surely that can't be right?!) I think my problem is it's hard to get three sessions in at the gym a week. Last night I read an article that Gwyneth Paltrow's trainer reckons you need to do an hour's exercise six times a week! Who the hell has got time do to that? That would mean I'd come home to a very fed up husband and a child who'd probably forget who I was. It's fine if you have a nanny and don't have a job but I'd say virtually impossible for the rest of us. She added that if one of her clients went to the gym just three times a week she'd regard them as slackers! Three words love "Get a Life". She's also Madonna's trainer so that would explain the bionic woman body. I've still never met a man who finds her sexy, I think if she looked a little softer they probably would. Anyway, I was born in the wrong era. Last week I played a courtesan in La Traviata at Venue Cymru. The dress was fab as the corset made me look as if I had a little waist, it showed off my shoulders and hid my legs. Women must have looked incredible in the 19th century. Right I’m off to build a time machine..... http://www.thegymandmrsjones.northwalesblogs.co.uk/2008/04/la_traviata_and_me.html http://www.thegymandmrsjones.northwalesblogs.co.uk/2008/04/la_traviata_and_me.html Wed, 30 Apr 2008 11:25:51 +0000 My boys and I have just spent three days munching our way around Stockholm's finest cake shops. Stockholm is my kind of town, I expected to see LA type perfection but instead saw a lot of healthy looking Swedes lustily digging into cloudberry muffins, carrot cake and the hugest cups of hot chocolate I've ever seen. I was in heaven. The healthy eating diet went out of the window and I've missed three trips to the gym arghhh. But as it's an eye wateringly expensive city (we're talking over £20 for a couple of cups of coffee and cake), instead of taking taxis we walked everywhere. It was great, although as my little one refused to get into his pram and spent the entire time pushing it with me steering it (Daddy wasn't allowed to touch it) we must have made quite a comical sight. Especially during one instance when he got tired after a couple of miles and had the biggest tantrum he's ever had. People stopped to gawp and one old man wearing a trilby was so fascinated by this screaming, furious bundle that he stopped, walked past us, stopped again, walked past us and just stared. I nearly shouted some abuse but instead dived into a shop and left my husband to deal with it. (I know, I know it was terrible thing to do) Jack only calmed down when I carried him the rest of the way and he promptly fell asleep. Apart from another episode at passport control where I pretended he wasn't my child (well he was loudly protesting about his life at the time) he was an angel, and helped give me a really good workout pushing that pram up those hills. My legs are still stiff and it was much more enjoyable than going to the gym. http://www.thegymandmrsjones.northwalesblogs.co.uk/2008/04/falling_over_cloudberries_in_stockholm.html http://www.thegymandmrsjones.northwalesblogs.co.uk/2008/04/falling_over_cloudberries_in_stockholm.html Wed, 09 Apr 2008 11:28:35 +0000 The carrot cake is now all but a distant memory as I’ve become a new person. Yes, no more chomping cakes in bed and when I get home all those Easter eggs that have been given to my son are going to be given away. That is apart from the Lindt one as that would be too much torture in one go. Since I’d slipped into a routine of only going to the gym once a week, I knew I wasn’t getting anywhere. I was using all sorts of excuses not to go, it was too cold, I was tired, I’d exercise at home instead (I did five stomach curls) and one night I even deemed it too windy to go! Husband would shake his head sadly at me as he’d head off into the dark night for a 30 mile cycle (true). I’d snuggle next to the fire defiantly thinking there was always the next week. When I did make my weekly pilgrimage I’d be met with encouragement from the lovely Sean at The Quay, and sarcasm from Ed, who’d say “Gosh, are you feeling all right?�? or “I haven’t seen you for weeks!�? It did get boring after a while so for the past couple of weeks I’ve been making sure I’ve been going THREE times a week. I never look forward to it but soon as I’m there I actually quite enjoy it and what makes it a lot easier is I can watch TV whilst I’m pounding away. Most of the torture machines now have TV screens installed so I’ve never watched so much Richard & Judy and The Simpsons in my life. Somewhat strangely I even enjoy the sweating and even Ed couldn’t believe his eyes when I walked in over Easter. Perhaps the shocked silence was due to his hangover (he had somewhat bleary eyes) but it pleased me no end. The results are yet to be seen although I’m sure I saw a shoulder muscle the other day. Anyway, the point is I’m on my way.... http://www.thegymandmrsjones.northwalesblogs.co.uk/2008/03/the_carrot_cake_is_now.html http://www.thegymandmrsjones.northwalesblogs.co.uk/2008/03/the_carrot_cake_is_now.html Mon, 24 Mar 2008 11:58:49 +0000 I haven't updated for quite a while as I've been very bad. I've been to the gym but as everyone knows who has ever been it does get quite repetitive, and there really hasn't been that much to report. Having a domestic goddess type moment I decided to bake a carrot cake for the first time ever. I burnt at least 27 calories grating five carrots, and energetically stirring all the ingredients. An hour later out popped a very impressive cake. I was horrified to find out what went into the cream cheese icing because it really wasn't good for the fitness regime. Icing sugar, butter and cream cheese were mixed up with a few drops of vanilla, and my son and I took it in turns to lick the spoon. The cake undoubtedly was a triumph, but the problem was as I didn't have enough visitors around, husband is a fitness freak, babies can't eat walnuts and I felt a bit blue, most of the cake ended up in my belly. "I hope you're going to put this in your blog," said the kind husband as he caught me in bed (on a very grey Sunday) devouring another huge slice. Moral of the story is, if you lack willpower as I do, don't make cakes or if you do give them away. http://www.thegymandmrsjones.northwalesblogs.co.uk/2008/03/carrot_cake_and_a_jog.html http://www.thegymandmrsjones.northwalesblogs.co.uk/2008/03/carrot_cake_and_a_jog.html Thu, 06 Mar 2008 15:20:26 +0000 In my quest to get fit and wanting to try something new, I thought I'd try some horseriding. What could be better than getting out into the mountains with the glorious weather we've just had? The last time I was one a horse was at Pinewood Stables in about 1991, most children in the Conwy area will bound have been on a horse at Pinewood sometime when they were growing up. Off we'd go up the mountain in a long line, and the better riders would be taken off for a bit of a trot or canter. I loved it, and it was great for the thighs as they ached for days afterwards. So I Googled riding stables in the Conwy area and was surprised to see that hardly anything came up. I knew Pinewood had closed long ago but surely there must be others in the area, especially with amount of glorious scenery we have. How wrong I was. One place I called said they'd been closed two years, another said they run riding holidays but can't have local people coming in because the insurance would be too great. The owner said because of insurance problems, if people want to ride they now have to really buy their own horse and go to pony club meetings! I did find one riding stable who did take beginners but the waiting list is so long, I didn't have a chance. It's an incredible shame that in this health and safety obsessed country of ours, and our increasing suing culture, things like riding stables are disappearing fast. Where is this all going to end? http://www.thegymandmrsjones.northwalesblogs.co.uk/2008/02/is_horseriding_just_for_the_ri.html http://www.thegymandmrsjones.northwalesblogs.co.uk/2008/02/is_horseriding_just_for_the_ri.html Fri, 22 Feb 2008 09:36:39 +0000 I've just been writing the Weekly News Issue on the cheery subject of childhood obesity. During my research I've discovered health experts are predicting that 50% of children in Wales will be obese by 2020! I'm still in shock and after talking to health professionals in Conwy, it seems they are fighting a losing battle. I was having a swim the other day and there was a little girl in the pool, who quite obviously couldn't swim very well. She was just sort of floating around in the shallow end, not quite sure what to do, whilst her mother was lying on a fold down chair busily reading a magazine. The mother seemed oblivious to her daughter and hardly even looked up. Now as a mother myself I know how important a little bit of 'me time' is but wouldn't it have been better if she was in the pool having a splash around with her daughter? The little girl was also quite overweight but obviously wasn't getting anything out of being in the pool. One of the big problems health workers has is to get young people to exercise because many don't want to be laughed at if they are overweight, whilst others just don't think it's 'cool'. Anyway, rant over. I just think some parents need to be more proactive if we are going to avert this national health disaster. Note to Louisa, who seems fed-up of reading about me doing things at the Quay. How about giving me some ideas about what else I can do to get fit or don't read my blog! http://www.thegymandmrsjones.northwalesblogs.co.uk/2008/02/having_a_rant.html http://www.thegymandmrsjones.northwalesblogs.co.uk/2008/02/having_a_rant.html Fri, 15 Feb 2008 15:29:09 +0000 IS it just me or do most people feel slightly uncomfortable when you're there relaxing by yourself in a sauna or steam room, daydreaming about something and then when someone else walks in you immediately tense up? I always feel compelled to say something, usually idiotically about the heat. "Gosh, isn't it hot in here!" The other person invariably nods and gives a polite little laugh and the ice is broken. I'm also one of those typically British people who will never even go into a sauna if someone else is in there. I'm just the same if I travel on the train, I'll do anything to avoid sitting next to someone else, it's that British reserve thing. Anyway, there I was praying no one was going to come into the steam room at the Deganwy Quay Hotel, and in fact was praying quite hard as I had a chipped pedicure circa December 2007, and even worse hairy legs that badly needed waxing. Then in walks in this Adonis of a man. Great hair, voice and perfect six pack. Now, I'm a very happily married woman but one couldn't help but admire this perfect form. I cringed and was grateful the steam hid my blushes. I lay there staring at the hairy legs (mine) mortified and then he started chatting away saying that he had come to live in the area after falling in love with Snowdonia (bless), and it turned out he was mad on climbing (which explained the bod) In the end I was about to pass out with the heat and lust, and got up as gracefully as possible and cooled down in the shower. http://www.thegymandmrsjones.northwalesblogs.co.uk/2008/02/an_uncomfortable_silence.html http://www.thegymandmrsjones.northwalesblogs.co.uk/2008/02/an_uncomfortable_silence.html Wed, 06 Feb 2008 16:07:36 +0000 Cheerleading? CHEERLEADING?! Would I like to do a class in something that only nubile 16-year-olds with long blonde hair and fake tan should do? You betcha! It would make a change from the gym anyway, so off I went to the new dance studio Break-n-Spin, in Builders Street, Llandudno. A place where all sorts of dance have come together under one roof, including street dance, salsa and ballroom. I even wore plaits for the occasion to try and look more Britney like, but since I'm pushing 35 it was a little ambitious. I was as usual late and I was confronted with a packed out class already making a few moves reminiscent of the legendary Laker Girls. I suddenly felt nervous and memories of my PE teacher complaining about my lack of coordination skills came flooding back. Whilst everybody else was waving their arms one way I was doing it the opposite way, and this went on throughout the class. Having Gwyn, our Weekly News photographer pointing his camera at me throughout the hour didn't help. Whilst I was trying not to look ridiculous Gwyn was shouting things like 'smile' or rather oddly 'jump higher'. I comforted myself with the thought that it must be everybody's fourth or fifth class but I was mortified to discover it was their first. Although I had a blast and it looked everybody else did too, I shuffled away into the dark night thinking perhaps I should stick to the gym after all.]]> http://www.thegymandmrsjones.northwalesblogs.co.uk/2008/02/my_inner_britney_comes_to_life.html http://www.thegymandmrsjones.northwalesblogs.co.uk/2008/02/my_inner_britney_comes_to_life.html Fri, 01 Feb 2008 09:42:09 +0000 I've had my gym induction at the Deganwy Quay Hotel and I'm delighted to say that I'm apparently of average fitness. This comes as a triumph, as the last induction I had my fitness levels was deemed very poor. Ed, who hails from the exotic climes of San Salvador, is the gym instructor at The Quay and definitely trained at the No Pain No Gain school of instructing. No mercy is shown as I'm struggling away on the rowing machine or with those giant balls, that make you look slightly ridiculous. When he hadn't seen me for a few days I received a very sarcastic 'long time, no see', comment and a suspicious look when I gently told him that since he wasn't on duty 24/7 he must have missed me. Can't wait to see him tonight as since I've had to work away for a few days I haven't set foot in the gym yet this week. On second thoughts maybe I'll go for a swim instead. http://www.thegymandmrsjones.northwalesblogs.co.uk/2008/01/long_time_no_see.html http://www.thegymandmrsjones.northwalesblogs.co.uk/2008/01/long_time_no_see.html Wed, 23 Jan 2008 15:58:28 +0000 I may not be any fitter and certainly not any lighter, but at least my quest for fitness has been launched with a bang. The Quay Hotel & Spa, in Deganwy, have kindly offered to sponsor me-hurrah! I swam in their heavenly pool last Friday, and have been to the gym twice although my visits didn’t go quite as smoothly as I hoped. On my first visit, I forgot such vital things as a sports bra, deodorant, shampoo and conditioner and the list went on. As any woman knows all the above are VITAL for a successful trip. A big apology to the person who left some Charles Worthington shampoo in the changing rooms, I nicked a tiny bit. I spent my first hour in the gym checking the expensive looking equipment out. My favourite is the step machine, as it gives the whole body a good cardio workout and it burns loads of calories! Yippee. However, my happy state soon came to an abrupt end when one of the trainers came up to me and said: “Mmm, the way you used the step machine was very interesting. I’ve never seen it done that way before!�? Mmm, I thought, how embarrassing, not quite the impression I was trying to make... http://www.thegymandmrsjones.northwalesblogs.co.uk/2008/01/every_little_helps.html http://www.thegymandmrsjones.northwalesblogs.co.uk/2008/01/every_little_helps.html Mon, 14 Jan 2008 15:46:19 +0000 ROSEMARY Conley is arguably Britain's most successful diet and fitness guru, with over 25 years' experience of helping people to loose weight and get fitter. It was in 1986, as a result of a gall bladder problem, that she started to follow a low-fat diet in an attempt to avoid surgery. She discovered that this way of eating stream-lined her body in a way she'd never been able to achieve on previous diets. Keen to share this knowledge with others, she decided to put her experiences on paper. The result was her Hip and Thigh Diet, which dominated the best sellers for many years, in the first eight years she sold over two million copies. She shows no sign of slowing down and at the age of 61 has just launched another exercise DVD which is already racing up the charts as people seek to battle the post Christmas bulge. In this new fitness DVD Rosemary works with Coleen Nolan and helps get her into the best shape of her life. She slimmed from a size 18 to a trim size 10. Rosemary spoke to reporter Mari Jones, who is about to embark on her own fight for fightness. When asked on her thoughts as to why the British population is steadily becoming one of the fattest nations on earth, whilst the diet industry keeps on growing. Rosemary commented: "It's because of lifestyle changes, people have more disposable income now and so dine out more and eat three courses. "Takeaways have also become a huge industry and people cook less and prefer to buy ready made meals which are very often very high in fat and salt. "Portions are also now so much bigger and most people have sedentary jobs, and then go home and veg out in front of the TV. "Twenty years ago everybody would go out and shop and many had to carry their shopping home on the bus or whatever, now even groceries can be ordered online." Rosemary is also not a fan of the supersized meals: "I despair of this supersize age, you see these huge pizzas and huge bars of chocolate and I just think it's madness. "People munch away destroying their shape. I think the Government should do far more to tackle the problem, they need to speak to food manufacturers about their products, and there should be far more education in schools about following healthy diets. "Mixed messages are being given, most schools don't even teach cooking anymore. Then there is this crazy celebrity culture where impressionable young women are constantly being shown pictures in magazines of size zero celebs which is neither healthy or attractive." As for the best diet tips and what Rosemary ate over the festive season she stayed well away from Christmas cake and cream. "I think exercise is vital to a successful diet, you burn fats faster and it helps you to really tone up. "I actually hate going to the gym and much prefer exercise classes as they are far more fun and sociable. "As for what I eat I follow a low fat diet, I drink semi skimmed milk and eat plenty of yogurt, at Christmas I don't even bother buying cream I just replace it with Greek yogurt. "There's also no point buying Christmas cake as nobody eats it in our house but we do indulge in mince pies." And as to Rosemary's secret recipe for having such a long career ? She said: "I'm absolutely dedicated to telling the truth, my DVD's are safe and effective. "I would never do anything for a fast buck, if somebody offered me £10m I wouldn't do it." And with that she was gone on her way to see some family in Norfolk. http://www.thegymandmrsjones.northwalesblogs.co.uk/2008/01/exclusive_rosemary_conley_inte_1.html http://www.thegymandmrsjones.northwalesblogs.co.uk/2008/01/exclusive_rosemary_conley_inte_1.html Fri, 11 Jan 2008 10:31:30 +0000 I NEVER make any New Year's resolutions because since I have zero will power there is simply no point. The last one was probably made when I was an idealisitic eight-year-old in 1980, and that was probably to be nicer to my brother which wouldn't have lasted any more than a couple of hours. So when I came up with the idea of reporters making New Year resolutions and writing about them for the newspaper, little did I think I would be taken seriously. I thought there would be much hilarity and a few incredulous looks and we would have moved swiftly on, but no, the Ed thought it was a great idea. How I have rued that day because now I'm being faced with the huge task of trying to get fit and having to write about it in public. So here goes. I'm a 35-year-old out of shape mother of one. I'm about 5ft 7 inches tall and weigh around nine and a half stone, probably a bit more than that as Christmas has just gone and I'm a huge fan of Christmas cake, those red Lindt chocolates and mince pies. I'm a size ten on a good day, but my skinny jeans are horribly tight. I've never been on a diet in my life because I don't believe in them and I like eating too much, and the lack of will power would mean there is very little point so the gym is the only way I'll achieve my goal. Here's what I'd like to be - a toned size ten and weighing in at nine stone. That's what I weighed before I got pregnant and had my son Jack. At the time I felt great as I had time to go to the gym three times a week and for the first time since I left school I got relatively fit. Now the thought of going to the gym during these dark, freezing cold nights and trying to make it three times a week when I've got a 21-month old baby and a full time job is going to be tough. But I'm going to go for it, I've got myself into this and perhaps by the end of it I'll even be able to look good in my skinny jeans again! I'll be posting an exclusive interview with fitness guru Rosemary Conley later this week, and Weekly News readers can win copies of her latest workout DVD in our January 10th edition. http://www.thegymandmrsjones.northwalesblogs.co.uk/2008/01/why_am_i_doing_this.html http://www.thegymandmrsjones.northwalesblogs.co.uk/2008/01/why_am_i_doing_this.html Mon, 07 Jan 2008 16:34:15 +0000