You never forget how to ride a bike......or twirl a baton!

Remember the days when you used to call for your mates on your bike, head off for the day and only come home when you were hungry or you needed a plaster as your wheelie went wrong!?

Being young and learning new things is exciting, however as we get older we either forget how to do things or for most of us get out of the habit of taking part in different activities.

Now I don't know about you guys but I don't think I have ever used or had the need to use trigonometry since I left Secondary school!

However there are things we learnt as a child which we never forget even as we get older.....riding a bike is one of them. Once we learn we have those skills for life.....we might be a bit rusty but with a bit of practice they soon come back.

This is something which me and some friends have had the experience of recently.....no we haven't started doing wheelies in the park......we have dusted off our batons and learnt to twirl again.

Majorettes is an activity which I did on a weekly basis from the age of 10 to 17. Now without giving the game away....lets just say we are providing some special entertainment at my 40th Party ;) Our twirling skills maybe rusty, however, they are skills that we will have for life, plus the fun we have had over the last few weeks has been great!



Exercise is something which some people seem to forget about as they get older, you may have been active as a child and got out of the habit of doing exercise or adult life just got in the way? Whatever the reason, it is never too late to get back on the exercise saddle and start over. Exercise has the feel good factor and I think anything that makes you feel young again or gets you away from the grind of daily life is a must.

At Fit 4 Force not only can we help you to get back into exercise, we can provide the feel good factor, make you feel young, have a laugh with other members and provide 60 minutes of escape from the daily grind.

We are doing a FREE training week w/c 3rd December, so if you want to try us out then sign up below.

https://www.facebook.com/events/289106831738858/

So dust off those trainers and click one of the links below

Click here to get back on the exercise saddle

Click here to fuel your new routine

Andrea (midlife majorette) Springthorpe

07949 959 547
info@fit4force.co.uk
www.fit4force.co.uk

Whatever you do make sure you are happy!

Today I did a careers workshop at a local school and the last question I asked them 'did they think that my job made me happy'? 100% of the children said YES.......which I was pleased to tell them that they were all right.

When I questioned them why they thought my job made me happy, one child said was because I was happy and that I looked happy through-out the workshop! As I was driving home, what they said really struck a chord, being truly happy is something you can't hide and saying you are happy when you are not is something else you can't hide.

Now I am not saying that I am 100% happy all the time and there are things which I wish I had in my life. However the things I currently don't have are things that I want to enhance my happiness not solve it. We live in a world where we always want what someone else has, or we stay in the same situation because we are too scared to do anything about it.

• If you don't like your job, change it.
• If you are in an unhappy relationship, leave it.
• If you are unhappy with how you look, then take action

Everything we have or don't have can be changed by one person.....YOU!



Christmas is nearly upon us and so many people moan how they can't fit into their favourite outfit, or how they feel unfit and unhealthy over the Christmas season. Now is the time to change. I am not saying miracles will happen over the next few weeks, however, small changes now will make 2019 a fit and healthier one.

We are doing a FREE training week w/c 3rd December, so if you want to try us out then sign up below.

https://www.facebook.com/events/289106831738858/

If something scares you then it is most likely worth pursuing!

Click here to train out of your comfort zone

Click here to for a healthier 2019

Andrea (happy that I look happy!) Springthorpe

07949 959 547
info@fit4force.co.uk
www.fit4force.co.uk

When Numbers Lie!

We live in a world full of numbers...........

• How many likes we get on facebook/followers on instgram
• How much money we earn
• How many designer clothes we have in our wardrobes
• How many gadgets we have
• How big our sky package is
• How fast our cars go
• How much GB of data our latest phone holds 

Unfortunately the society we live in seems to define a person by superficial numbers. What about the numbers that define happiness, health and well-being?



Today I want to talk about a set of numbers which we associate with health and fitness.

A couple of weeks ago I did the Leeds Abbey Dash and that day was a day where I became both obsessed and relaxed about numbers. The year before I had a shocker of a run and did a time which I wasn't pleased with, so my aim was to beat last year. I would love to have got another PB, however, I think my sub 45 minute 10k's are well and truly over.

I was obsessed with my time and beating last year.......a couple of things differed from last year which made me relax and enjoy (as much as I could lol) the race.

1. I had a relaxing weekend pre race (which last year I had a girly night away which helped towards my 2017 shocker!)
2. I didn't have my GPS. Some people may say that this more of a hindrance than help, which I would normally tend to agree. I am getting a new one for my birthday and was disappointed when I couldn't have it early for the race. However what I did do (which I had to do pre GPS) was listen to my body........run fast when I felt good and slow down when I felt like death ;0

I am not slating a GPS as I loved mine and can't wait to get my new one. However, what I do in races is constantly check my pace, try work out what time I will be finished and stress over all the numbers! By not having one I relaxed and let my body run its course....literally!

The other numbers which probably 99% of the population seem to get obsessed with is the number on the scales. I am guilty of this too! For years I defined how good I looked by how much I weighed (crazy I know). Now it is easy to lose weight, we can starve ourselves, lose water, lose muscle mass and if we are lucky some fat. However if we lose fat, lose inches, fit into our favourite pair of jeans and like how we look, does it really matter how much we weigh?

If we train and build muscle we might weigh more, however that doesn't mean that we aren't losing fat and inches.

If you want to quit your obsession with the scales and concentrate on burning fat and losing inches then click one of the links below.

Don't let the numbers on the scales define you!

Click here burn fat and lose inches

Click here to eat healthy calories

Andrea (quitting my obsession with numbers) Springthorpe

07949 959 547
info@fit4force.co.uk
www.fit4force.co.uk

You grow old when you stop laughing!

The below picture is part of the inspiration behind today's blog.........the rest of the inspiration came from my friend and I reliving our youth last week.



Many people ask me if I was into my fitness and sport when I was at school, now I always tell them that my passion for exercise came later in life, however, after Thursday I can now say that I did actually find exercise at an early age....it just wasn't the typical activity you would associate exercise with. For many years I was in the Majorettes, which because it was fun, it never felt like exercise! For those who don't know what Majorettes is, it is basically cheer leading/dance with a baton (a big stick which you twirl!)

On Thursday, after nearly 23 years of leaving the Majorettes, me and my friend dusted off our twirling skills to practice a routine (now I am not giving too much away, however, those who will be attending my 40th will find out lol). Well I can honestly say I have not laughed as much in ages, it is a good job that I am turning 40 and not 60 otherwise I might have needed some tena ladies! The surprising thing was how quick the skills came back, after one hours practice we had half of the routine done! I forgot how much it made my arms ache!

It is 23 years since I left the Majorettes, however, I didn't leave exercise, it might not have been in the same guise but I have still kept active, which meant I could still lift my leg high enough to throw my baton under! One thing that any exercise regime I have carried out has in common is that I enjoy it, it has brought laughter, friendship, health, sometimes tears and I think it has kept me young! When we were in the Dance studio on Thursday I felt 17 again (well until I saw my crows feet lol).

Now I am lucky enough to not only find enjoyment in the exercise I do, but also the sessions I teach, there is not often a session goes by where I don't laugh at something my clients have said or the random groans they make when they are in pain lol. Last night was the best when someone brought a butternut squash for their Halloween work-out as they couldn't get a pumpkin!

One of my goals before my 40th birthday is to help 40 people to preserve and enhance their health and fitness. So if you want to do something which makes you laugh, keeps you fit & makes you feel young then click one of the links below........

NEVER STOP LAUGHING!

Click here to preserve and enhance your fitness

Click here to eat away the 'half time' spread

Andrea (still having a laugh) Springthorpe

07949 959 547
info@fit4force.co.uk
www.fit4force.co.uk

Its not too late to start!

Hello Troops,

Hope you have had a good weekend and a good start to the week?

Last week was out of the norm for me as we launched a PR campaign for our other business 'Sporting Age'. We had a slot on Look North and also did a live interview on Radio Leeds.......slightly nerve wracking to say the least! For those who don't know, Sporting Age is a product we deliver in Primary Schools to help improve Physical Literacy of students.  Visit www.sportingage.co.uk to find out more.

Helping children to be physically active at a young age will help give them the foundations to stay active later in life. Having said this, if someone hasn't been an active child it doesn't mean that they can't be an active adult......it is never too late to start!


You all probably know by now I turn 40 at the end of the year, and the countdown is getting nearer! Over the years I have heard people say that life begins at 40 and I am starting to think this is true as exciting things seem to be happening this year! 

A few weeks ago I launched our new package #MISSION40 as I want to help as many people as I can improve their health and fitness. Now I know I am far from ready for the scrap heap, however, I have started to notice that I don't bounce back from things as easy as I did when I was in my twenties/early thirties........nights out being the main one lol! It is the same when it comes to doing new training programmes, not having enough sleep, even a weekend away takes more recovery the week after! I often think how would I cope if I didn't eat healthy and stay active!?

If any of the above relates to you and you want to make improvements to your health and fitness then click one of the links below........

You are never too old and it is never too late!

Click here to be a fit adult

Click here to energise your body!

Andrea (bring on turning 40!) Springthorpe

07949 959 547
info@fit4force.co.uk
www.fit4force.co.uk

Mini Adventure has come to an end!

Hi Guys,

Hope you are all having a happy & healthy week?

This weekend was a sad one for me as I said goodbye to my Mini Cooper L. For years I had a picture of a blue mini on my computer screen as it was my dream car. Two & half years ago I was lucky enough to come across my blue Mini Cooper S and finally get behind the wheel on a daily basis.



Now when I got my car it was 7 years old and had a fair few miles on the clock, however, I knew I would look after it and enjoy it whilst it lasted. Over the last 6 months it has been giving me signs that all was not great under the bonnet! I have had a few issues which needed fixing and over the last few months I have had two mechanics tell me to get it traded in as soon as possible! Now as much as I love that car, you have to listen to the experts!

Sunday was the day when I went to do a trade in! On the Saturday I washed and cleaned my Mini and when I went to get my Dad on Sunday morning I felt quite sad that I was letting go of my ‘dream car’. My new car was in Birmingham so we had a very wet journey down on Sunday morning. I was in two minds about whether I was doing the right thing………then with about an hour to go on our journey my engine warning light came on! My mind was then made up and I drove my Sirocco home!

Now the one thing about my Mini was that it looked in great condition on the outside, however, the things happening under the bonnet were a different story!

The same can be said for people, we may look good on the outside and think we don’t need to exercise or eat healthy, however, it is what is going on inside that matters! Often like cars, we may have small warnings which flag up every now and then, which we often tend to ignore and hope will go away. We have the luxury of trading cars in, however, we only get one body! Two things which are precious are time and health….the things which can’t be reversed!

Now I listened to the experts and was in a fortunate position that I could trade my car in………….bodies are a different story.

So if you think you need to maintain your chassis before it is too late then let the experts help and click one of the links below.

Click here to be healthy inside out

Click here to eat the right fuel

Andrea (can't park my new car for toffee) Springthorpe

07949 959 547
info@fit4force.co.uk
www.fit4force.co.uk

Red eye reduction

Hi Guys,

A couple of weeks ago I mentioned about a recent hot tub party and how I would write my next blog on it.....so after another weekend celebrating friends 40th's I thought this was the ideal time.

Now obviously what happens in a hot tub stays in a hot tub, however I do want to talk about the after effects of me thinking that I am still 21 on a night out!

I went to my friends hot tub party with all good intentions of having a couple of drinks then coming home as I was at a Wedding the day after.......best laid plans! Lets just say it didn't take me till 1.30am to have 'only' two drinks. I had a great day at the wedding the day after but the Sunday I felt like I had been run over by a bus!

Fast forward a couple of weekends and I was feeling the same this Sunday after a great night out for my friends birthdays. I am human and I love it at the time, the day after and the day after that, and sometimes the day after that is a different story.

I woke up Monday morning and my eyes were all red and swollen......I looked awful, now at nearly 40 years old I cant get away with puffy eyes like I could in my twenties! So instead of hitting the gym like I normally would I had to stay in bed with cucumbers on my eyes so I looked presentable for work. I actually googled causes of red puffy eyes, (because like most people I like to self diagnose lol) it is actually a reaction to alcohol!

I don't know how people do it week after week, it takes me longer to get over a night out than it does to get over minor surgery. One reason is probably because I don't drink that often so my tolerance levels are really low (and I think I am 21 when I am out).


This got me thinking that the less you practice something the harder it is. Before you get excited this blog isn't about practicing drinking skills.......it is however about exercise, the more we practice the easier it gets.

How often have you started something new and felt like you cant walk for over a week? I have clients who come to their first session, or clients who try some new training and they ache for days afterwards. I am exactly the same when I start a new training plan. It is so easy to then delay the time between sessions, however the longer you leave between training sessions I think it makes the recovery process harder.

For example if you do a training session on a Monday and ache like hell, we often tell ourselves that we can't train for the rest of the week. Monday comes around again and we do something different and have the same response, this can often lead to people quitting or only training once a week. However if we trained three/four times a week, our recovery time would get easier. Now I am not saying you are never going to ache again, however, as we get fitter the aches get less.

Consistency is key, if we practice something often it becomes part of our routine and we form habits.....like brushing our teeth!

So if you want to form healthy habits and save money on a night out because you can't drink a lot ;) then click one of the links below.

Click here to get consistently fitter

Click here for a 'toxin' free diet

Andrea (hangovers from hell) Springthorpe

07949 959 547
info@fit4force.co.uk
www.fit4force.co.uk