((BOUNCE))

One evening I came out of my BodyAttack class to see a group of ladies in fantastically garish leggings making their way downstairs to the gym creche. Drawn like a magpie to the brightly-coloured patterned spandex, I investigated, and found out they were there to do ((BOUNCE)). The latest fitness craze, involving bouncing on mini trampolines, has been deemed by NASA to be the most effective type of exercise...something to do with gravitational pull, or something. Now, I'm no scientist, but unfortunately I disagree.

I wanted to love it, I really did. Bouncing around to music wearing rainbow leopard print leggings sounds like a great way to burn (supposedly) 700 calories. But it just wasn't for me.

The first 40 minutes of the 1 hour class was 'choreographed dance-cardio jumping routines'... yet I barely broke a sweat.

In my usual aerobic Les Mills classes or Zumba, I feel my heart rate increase, get out of breath and sweat buckets, but in ((BOUNCE)) I felt no more exerted than when taking a walk.

The routines involved jumping left, right, forward and back on the mini trampoline, performing squats, star jumps, kicks and hops. But I found it impossible to bounce in time to the music (which for someone with relatively good rhythm was incredibly frustrating - perhaps different weights bounce at different speeds?!)

I was also anxious of landing on the metal trampoline frame as there's only a small surface to safely land on. I felt unsteady on my feet and therefore not confident enough to go for it and get a proper workout.

On top of this, the noise of 20 trampolines squeaking (all out of sync, might I add) wasn't the most pleasing to the ears, and pretty much drowned out the music.

Of course, practice makes perfect, and I'm sure enough practice would enable me to get more of a workout, but to be honest I just didn't enjoy it enough to want to go back.

The final 20 minutes of the class focussed on toning and I preferred this section more, as I could actually feel something working. The tricep dips on the edge of the trampoline were the most effective move I did all night.

((BOUNCE)) classes are incredibly popular; always fully booked and a committed 'BounceArmy' of followers, so clearly, it works for some. But for me? I think I'll stay safely on solid ground.

I'll take a pair of jazzy leggings though.

Have you ever tried ((Bounce)) Fit? 

I love eating out, so I'm always on the look out for healthy places to sit and enjoy a meal that I haven't had to cook, without being tempted by cheesy carbs. One of the latest healthy eateries on my radar is the Body Fuel Cafe on Church Road in Hove, that serves breakfasts, lunches, snacks and smoothies, with your waistline in mind.



After sweat two classes on one rainy Saturday morning, I made the excursion over to Hove to refuel with something delicious and nutritious. Despite the amazing looking hot food and salads, we arrived at 12.30, just in time to order off the breakfast menu - and I'm a sucker for brunch. It was a toss up between protein pancakes, homemade granola or eggs - but I can't say no to sourdough, so eggs it was.

on sourdough, with smoked salmon

on rye, with rump steak

I had my perfectly poached eggs with smashed avocado, fresh chilli and smoked salmon, on the most gloriously chewy sourdough bread. Rich chose the same, but he had rye instead of sourdough and steak instead of salmon.

And to wash it down, I ordered a smoothie called 'not naughty, definitely nice' which contained; almond milk, banana, nut butter, raw cacao, vanilla, honey and cinnamon, with optional added protein (but I decided to go without as I'd already had a protein shake before the gym). This was delicious too, although similar to one I had made at home earlier in the week, so I kinda wish I'd picked something different.



After all that, I was absolutely stuffed, but I picked up a homemade dates & cacao flapjack to take home.

Although the location of the Body Fuel Cafe is a bit of a trek from my house, it was worth the trip and I definitely want to go back to sample some of the other yummy things on the menu. But, please Body Fuel - open a second cafe on London Road!

What is Body Pump?

But I don't want to look like a female Body Builder...

Oh déjà vu! It's January, the button on my jeans no longer closes over my cheese belly, and there's only toffee pennies left in the Quality Street tin. My days of wearing pyjama bottoms all day are numbered, and I'm concerned about what I'm going to fit into for work on Monday. It's time to get back on it, and frankly I can't wait! 

When I've fallen off the wagon in the over indulgence of Christmas, it can be tricky to get back into a healthy routine. Here are a few little hacks that help me stick to a health kick...

SWEAR PIZZA JAR

Exercise isn't my downfall - but pizza is! Rich and I have agreed that every time one of us suggests a takeaway, we'll have to put the money we'd have spent on it in our savings account. We'll put some money away AND stay on track - win win.

THROWBACK

Last summer was the first time I'd ever let anyone take a photo of me in a bikini - I was far from perfectly toned and skinny, but I wish I still looked like that now! I've set my desktop/phone backgrounds to holiday pictures as a daily reminder of why I am going to the gym in the rain at 6am and eating broccoli stir fry instead of pizza for dinner. It may seem a bit narcissistic, but I prefer having inspirational photos of myself rather than fitness models, as I know it's an achievable image!

SET A ROUTINE

Whether I'm going out for a run, going solo in the gym or going to a class, I like to plan exercise into my weekly routine. I'll do Zumba on a Monday, Boxing on a Tuesday, gym on a Wednesday and so on. That way, exercise just becomes a part of my routine and I don't have to try and painfully drag myself off the sofa.

NEW GYM STUFF

Sportswear is slowly taking over my wardrobe space; there's nothing like a fresh new outfit to get me down the gym. I got a few Sweaty Betty bits for Christmas, and treated myself to someH&M sportswear in the sales. New Look's sports range is also on point, and Fabletics (although a little pricey) has some gorgeous designs and is great quality.

SCHEDULE YOUR CHEAT MEALS

...for when you'll need them - birthday parties, weddings, etc. You'll avoid having to sit there feeling miserable and deprived when you're friends have their heads in a bowl of creamy carbonara AND you'll know that there's something to look forward to when you're really craving junk food.

HAVE A GOAL

...but break it down in to achievable chunks. The more little victories you can celebrate, the more motivated you'll feel to carry on.

For anyone hoping to lose some weight or just lead a healthier lifestyle in 2016, I hope you find my tips useful! They work for me, and I hope they work for you too. Do you have any other ways to keep motivated? Let me know!

I'm on a bit of a mission to try out every class on my gym's timetable, and thought it might be useful to anybody interested in trying out a new fitness class, if I reviewed my experiences. Just call me your sweaty little guinea pig.