This week marks 40 weeks of teaching online, this time last year that wasn’t something I thought I would be doing – I bet you are thinking the same!
Whilst I really miss seeing you all face to face – and for me that’s the best way to enjoy our sessions – I have to admit that I can see there are also many benefits to Zooming from me here to you at home, such as the time and cost saved in travel (and the cost to the environment), being able to do something else immediately before and after our sessions because of that time saved. Having your own personal space to move in with your music as loud or quiet as you want, having a clear and uninterrupted view of me and Daisy as we teach our classes, which are specifically created to fit in to your home space whilst still providing training effect, interest, fun and friendship – and remember, we can see you too and this ensures we can teach you what you need to keep you safe, moving forward and connected. We can also see when you are not completely engaged or are distracted! Most importantly we know that you are safe at home so thank goodness for the technology that enables us to care for our health, physically and mentally whilst staying at home. The inconvenience of moving some furniture (and in my case building a TV studio!) and plugging our device into the Ethernet or TV/speakers is by far outweighed by the benefits to our minds, our bodies and relationships.
Give yourself a big pat on the back (and I’m giving me and Daisy one too).
Christmas Festivities
I’m going to miss our DYBO Christmas Party this year but will try to create a festive feeling in all our classes. I loving seeing your trees and decorations on screen so thank you for putting them up and sharing them with your DYBO family.
I invite you to put on your Xmas T-shirts, and fancy tops or even a bit of tinsel to complete our home based fitness and dance frolics as we build up to the big day.
(Show me yours and I will show you mine!)
The government has eased the Covid restrictions over Christmas and so the ball is now in our court. The scientists suggest it will spell disaster with households mixing across generations combined with lack of social distancing, domestic ventilation, combined with booze and the ensuing hugging and kissing.
We will have a very quiet Christmas here and hope that our cautious actions will keep our loved ones safe.
I know that some folks are already in a pre-christmas tailspin of shopping, wrapping, card writing cooking – even decorating – and often these added stresses on top of regular duties and now a pandemic are enough to tip some folks over the edge. Please be kind to yourself and remind those who are maybe suffering in this way to consider their actions and back off or at least ask for help. One day of indulgence is not worth the cost mentally, physically or financially.
As your trusted fitness and health expert let me tell you that the the key to good health is relatively simple and the momentum created by eating healthily and keeping fit is self-propelling once that ball is rolling and the positive consequences are far reaching.
Of course one day of overindulgence is good for the soul (unless you have health conditions) so go for it on Christmas day – although a good walk is a great de-stressor and moves the digestive system too!
Busy weekend
On Sunday I delivered my first face to face course this year (twice postponed due to C19) and I was nervous (not the presenting bit but managing a group in a venue I don’t know with Covid safety at the forefront of my mind).
Well I needn’t have worried as it went very smoothly and whilst I’m not quite match fit for a full 9 hour day of talking (… yes even me!!!) we got the job done and another cohort of Pilates teachers can go forward with more information, understanding and practical application as to how they can care for their ante and post natal clients.
On Saturday I was treated to some ‘me time’ and a wonderful in-home pedicure, lash and eye brow treatment from Emma Doherty, I can highly recommend her treatments and felt very safe in her hands.
Daisy’s Cards…
Christmas Class Information
Classes are running as usual up to and including the 23rd December, but with some Christmas theming as we get close to the big day.
Classes resume on Monday 4th January 2021 on Zoom. (All Hallows will review external bookings at the end of January).
Covid secure One to One sessions are available up to 12pm on the 24th December, 9am-5pm on Tuesday 29th, Wednesday 30th and up to lunchtime on the 31st, resuming on the 2nd January.
First come, first served for training and sports massage.
Gift vouchers
Remember we can provide you with DYBO Gift Vouchers for loved ones for any of our services.
I have recently taken an order of Stability Balls, Chi Balls and Dynabands, plus large bags of Epsom Salts if you require any for yourself or loved ones.
DYBO Live & Online – This week’s Classes are as follows:
Monday
6.30pm Boogie Fit (Beginners/Returners)
7.30pm Total Tone (All)
Tuesday
6.30pm HIIT (Simple & effective fitness training)
7.15pm Core Power – Complimentary when attending HIIT or DF or £3.50
7.45pm Dance Fit (Intermediate)
Wednesday
6.30pm Old Skool Step (All levels)
7.15pm Barre Fit (All levels)
Thursday
6.15pm Contemporary Stretch (All levels)
7.30pm Dance & Perspiration (Fitness with a Dance focus, more experienced)
Friday
6.30pm Freestyle Fitness Yoga (Relax, Restore and Reboot)
****** All the above classes change and vary weekly! *****
How to prepare your environment
- You need space to move 2 side steps, 4 walks forward, 4 backward. Move trip hazards and furniture as much as you can (get help, be careful!) to give you maximum space for upper and lower body movement. Roll up rugs or secure them so they don’t slip or cause you to trip.
- Plugging your device in to your TV with an HDMI cable is brilliant as it gives you a good picture of you (like a mirror) and me – as well as boosting the sound if you go through the TV/Hi-Fi sound system. If you can place your device under the TV, then even better.
- I know some of you are using your phones – try to plug in to a speaker system (even those little speakers we have when we go on holiday would help) so that you can hear better as you move back from the phone. Angie has tried Bluetooth earphones and it worked well.
- Ensure you have maximum access to your Wi-Fi in the house and as close to the router as is feasible. Take phones off the Wi-Fi system and pop them on to your 4/5G network or place on airplane mode, unless that’s what you are using to join us, obviously. Ask family to do the same for the duration of your class – keep them off the internet whilst you need the bandwidth. The more bandwidth you have, the better the picture and sound and the less likely you are to lose the feed. Your health is a priority at this time and I’m sure they can do something else for that short time!
- Ventilate your exercise space, have plenty of water and towels to hand, keep your exercise equipment close – if you need anything, let me know.
- Wear correct footwear for your activity – putting an old pair of socks over the toes and ball of your trainers will help reduce friction when exercising on carpet (if they are a really old pair, cutting the toes open and then just having them over the ball of the foot is even better). It’s up to you if you want to dance or train in bare feet but be careful if you don’t usually do this as it takes time for the muscles and connective tissue of the feet and rest of the body to adapt to barefoot training.
- Make your own gym equipment. Save laundry liquid or milk bottles – you can fill them with water or wet sand/rice etc. to add weight and make a dumbell/kettlebell. I recommend you make a few in differing weights and you have written on them so you know what they weigh and seal the caps with tape to prevent leakage. Get a heavy duty shopping bag and put weighty items in it, check they can’t fall out and you have a kettlebell alternative. Make your own hurdles, put cushions, pillows, boxes, books on the floor to jump over. Use household items as floor markers for circuit activities. The stairs and outdoor steps are great temporary steps/benches for cardio and upper body work. The garden is a great open space to make an assault course or if you can get a signal, take your class or PT session outside, but do make it safe.
Fees, you have THREE options!
£6.50 per class. Paid in advance please.
10 Class Voucher £55
Membership, unlimited classes, £50 plus a lockdown bonus of free access to all videos of the classes!
(Valid first to last day of calendar month, paid on the first day of the month)
If things get so tight that you can’t afford it then please reach out to me, I want to keep you healthy and happy and help you through this tough time and trust that no-one will take advantage of me.
Bank details are UK Fitness Academy Ltd.
Sort Code 09-01-28, Acc No. 04284324
Please email me when you have made a payment and use your name and what it’s for as a reference.
eg. Jane Smith Class Voucher. As reference, I do have a Paypal account but it costs money to receive and move money.
Christmas Pudding Bliss Balls (Gluten-Free, Paleo, Vegan)
These Christmas Pudding Bliss Balls have the festive flavours of Christmas Pud in one single bite. Packed with vitamins, minerals, healthy fats and fibre they’re a healthier alternative to most Christmas snacks.
Author: Greens of the Stone Age
Serves: 24
Whereever possible go for organic ingredients
Ingredients
For the raw white chocolate:
- 70g organic cacao butter buttons
- 15g coconut oil
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- 80g maple syrup
- 20g organic cashew nuts
- 10g organic coconut milk powder (roughly 1 heaped tbsp)
- Pinch sea salt
For the bliss balls:
- 190g chopped dates
- 95g white mulberries
- 95g raisins
- 50g walnuts
- 50g cashew nuts
- 20g pumpkin seeds
- Zest of 1 small orange
- Zest of 1 lemon
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp almond extract
- ½ tsp orange extract
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground ginger
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- ⅛ tsp ground cloves
- ⅛ tsp ground coriander
- ⅛ tsp ground allspice
- Pinch sea salt
- 75g cranberries
Optional toppings:
- 1 tsp cranberries (finely chopped)
- 1 tbsp pumpkin seeds
Instructions
- Start by making your raw chocolate. Place your cacao butter, coconut oil, vanilla extract and maple syrup over a double boiler on a low heat until just melted. Combine, cashews, milk powder, and sea salt into a bullet-style blender and blend together until powdered.
- Pour the powdered mixture into the bowl of melted ingredients and stir together. Leave to cool for a few minutes then transfer back into the bullet blender and blend on low until smooth. Transfer into a small, microwave-proof, measuring jug and set to one side.
- Combine all of the ingredients for your bliss balls, except for the dried cranberries, into the bowl of your food processor. Blend together until the mixture forms a smooth dough. Blitz through your dried cranberries until they resemble small chunks.
- Remove the mixture carefully and roll into 25g balls. This is roughly 1 slightly heaped tablespoon. Place each ball onto a plate or lined baking tray, then repeat until all mixture has been used up. Place into your refrigerator for 10-15 minutes to firm up.
- It’s now time to check your chocolate. You want it to be thick enough to cover the back of your spoon completely and to only drip from the spoon incredibly slowly. To speed up the cooling process place into the fridge for 2-minute bouts then give a stir and repeat until you get to the right consistency. If your mixture becomes too thick microwave on low for 2-3 seconds bouts and stir until it returns to the correct thickness.
- Remove your bliss balls from the fridge and spoon over roughly a teaspoon of chocolate then top with 2 pumpkin seeds and a few pieces of chopped cranberries or goji berries. Repeat until all of the balls are covered. Leave to set at room temperature then store in an airtight container at room temperature for 3 days or in the refrigerator for 1 week.
Note: Prep time is inclusive of a 1 hour setting/cooling time.
Stay safe, keep your chin up, get that tinsel out and wear it with pride and remember,
I love ya,
Helen x
