I have always preferred weights as opposed to cardio, I want a strong body not a skinny body.
Within each day split there are roughly 10 different items exercises, I perform 10 reps, 3 sets for each item. These workouts take around 40 minutes to complete.
Roughly every 6 weeks I change those 10 items around and alter things so that my body doesn’t get too used to it.
I use a variety of different equipment, e.g. dumbbells, ex bar, leg strap, weighted ankle straps, weighted gloves, gym ball and event bodyweight.
Despite my back I can still do most exercises but I am always aware to not lift too heavy and always aware of my posture. There are a few times of the year my back pain does flare up and during these periods I use that time to have a rest for a few weeks.
I tend more so to train at home then a gym, because I have my own business to run and also I have a 12 year old son it is hard to make time for exercise.
My son is now getting at the age where it interests him, so he has joined me on my workouts a few times but I also aware that he is almost a teenager and if he does heavy weights this will damage his growth plates.
All the supplements I use are all from Women’s Best I feel their products work best for my body.
I have tried a few other brands and found My Protein products to be just as good. I am open to try new products if more sample versions were available.
Whilst I train I always have a bottle of Women’s best amino and energy drink on the go. I find it helps with energy levels to keep me going. I have a fitbit and I use this to track daily steps, heart beat and calories burnt.
I don’t really have any favourite exercises, my favourite body part to train is abs followed by legs, and cardio in general is my least favourite.
👊 How do you keep going and push harder?
The key it to do the things you love when training and make it fun.
Everyone has days where they lack motivation, I know I do sometimes. When I feel like this I tend to push and force myself to do it anyway.
Every workout day I get up at 5am and train until roughly 6am, then it’s get ready for work, breakfast etc. I find that when I do my workouts first thing in the morning I’m completely awake afterwards and I feel so good about myself and ready for the day ahead.
Morning is the only time I can do this with full attention, its hard work having a business, a child alone, plus finding time for family and friends.
I’ve carried on training for all these years because I have found workouts that I love. If I had to only do cardio for a year I definitely would hate training, so the key it to do the things you love when training and make it fun.
Sometimes doing a workout on the gym ball is more fun trying to balance and perform an exercise, it’s a method of changing the workout slightly and incorporates a fun side to it.
Every day I face challenges on workouts due to my back, it’s not been easy with the amount of events that have happened in my life, but what doesn’t kill you definately makes you stronger.
The biggest challenge I have had to face is to be able to train in its entirety with a metal rod in my spine, I have no idea how I’ve managed to train all these years, I just love working out, I always feel so happy that I am a body which I love (always room for improvement).
It’s an achievement on its own.
🏆 How are you doing today and what does the future look like?
Today training at home is going amazingly well, and that’s due to the fact we are all in self isolation.
I now have the time to do this easily, so for me self isolation is improving my health as well as between the population we are reducing the risk to everyone for Corona virus.
The disadvantage is the clean eating side, food is not as easily available at the moment and self isolation is in place. I have been eating as clean as I can put I’m adding more carbohydrates into my diet and not by choice.
My goals for the next 5 years is to be consistent and keep continuing as I am, I just want my body to be more toned and to be fit and healthy. I hope to inspire more people along the way by being me. My entire fitness I have had to take it slow and steady, but I feel for me slow and steady won the race.
I am currently single so I really hope one day I meet a nice guy who shares the same fitness hobbies and hopefully settle down one day, all I really want is to be happy and healthy and I hope in turn my son is happy and healthy
🤕 How do you recover, rest and handle injuries?
Because of the metal rod in my spine I do have to be careful in the amount of weight being used, and always warm up/cool down. Because it has been in my spine for over half my life now I am fully aware of my limits and I know my body enough that I very rarely injure myself.
If injuries do occur, I take a complete timeout from training for however long needed and when I return to training I always half the weights I know I can do for a few days then gradually increase.
I am a terrible sleeper, always have been, so the maximum I sleep is 6 hours, more is needed to recover after a day’s work and workout, but my body just won’t let me.
All supplements I take are from My protein and Women’s best. I love Women’s best Amino and Energy to drink during a workout and at any point in the day that I feel a bit worn out and tired, I use their burner tablets twice a day and I also take ZMA from My protein which helps with sleeping,
I have a hot tub at home, which I use at least twice a week which I find helps with any aches and pains from DOMS.
🍎 How is your diet and what supplements do you use?
Diet wise I try to balance out each meal plan according to the correct macros. It tends to be 1400 calories a day.
For breakfast I either have My Protein pancakes with Greek yogurt, omelette or Oats and chocolate protein powder porridge. I find the porridge cures my sweet tooth whilst keeping me on track. I
I don’t compete in any competitions so I do not cut and bulk, I am only consistent with training and food. I try to have a treat everyday up to 100 calories which again helps to keep on plan.
I don’t eat out very often whatsoever so when I do rarely go out for meals I eat whatever I want and have no restrictions.
As mentioned earlier I use My protein and Women’s Best supplements, I have tried many others but these two brands I find to have the nicest shakes, tablets, drinks etc
I always have a coffee when I wake up I find it gives me to kick to wake up a little, and as I try to do workouts first thing I always find this works best for me. It’s all about finding what is best for yourself and the only way to do this is trial and error.
👍 What has inspired and motivated you?
I always read Women’s Health magazine and each month I try the recipes and workouts, it’s the variety and realistic workouts/recipes that work with my busy family and working life.
There are no specific books that have inspired me, I do like the BeachBody company especially Shaun T for his T25 and Insanity workouts.
I always listen to music working out with weights, it definitely gives me motivation!! When I do my occasional cardio, I use my spinning bike in front of the TV and have a catch up on soaps.
I follow and am influenced by the Women’s best girlies definitely, it’s one of my dream company’s I would love to be involved in and represent.
✏️ Advice for other people who want to improve themselves?
Incorrect forms can cause serious injury.
We are all living in a social media world and for good reasons more so than for bad. I would advise anyone starting out to keep posting pictures from the start of their fitness journey to their current position and use the good feedback as the push to keep going!!
The gym is always a scary place to start training, but the key is to always remember that everyone started there and be proud of yourself for starting the journey.
All gyms offer an induction which I would always advise to use and the instructors there will always help you if you are struggling with anything and for a friendly chat, take advantage of this, it is a great help!
So many people in the gym do not use the equipment correctly and I think it’s because people are intimidated in a gym, please don’t be, incorrect forms can cause serious injury.
You are what you eat they say, so make sure you are eating healthy at least 80% of the time, drink a lot of water, cut down on alcohol and keep up the training consistently and you will see the results.
I would advise using a personal trainer if you specifically want to bodybuild and compete, as they will be able to set you food plans and exercise plans to suit. It will be a bulk build phase and then a major cut phase.
My so called hack that works for me is to exercise first thing in the morning before your head and body has time to think about the day ahead. First thing workouts can also be fasted.
🤝 Are you taking on clients right now?
I’m not taking on clients no, as I use fitness as a hobbie now and not teach. Although I do help out friends and family with all their health and fitness needs.
Never say never on teaching again, the money is Cornwall is just not there, and with my son to raise, I returned to Quantity Surveying full time and now have that as my only business.
Never say never, if the right opportunity arose I would definitely reconsider teaching again.
📝 Where can we learn more about you?
Fitness wise I currently use this as a hobbie and no longer teach, but I’m on Instagram.
My Quantity Surveying business is my sole business JDQS SERVICES which is on LinkedIn and on Facebook. I cover Devon and Cornwall, so anyone looking for assistance [email protected]
