Health and Fitness
Quite frankly, if I could get away with it I’d try and live off of Krispy Kreme doughnuts – but I know that wouldn’t be the best thing for my health! We have all spent time in the past with different pursuits – the kids have gone to swimming and trampolining, I spent many years studying (and teaching) Japanese martial arts, and we’ve even given good old running a bash (see below). But these are the things that we’re currently into (some more than others).
KickStart is my ‘go-to’ for fitness activities now. It’s a local gym that specialises in functional training (including with free weights), fitness (e.g., Hyrox, DEKA, Personal Training etc.) and martial arts (Muay Thai and Sanda). I use the gym and train in Muay Thai there.
I’d absolutely recommend it to anyone looking for fitness and training for themselves or their family (there are kids sessions too). Alex and Dario who run KickStart are brilliant!
Probably one of the best experiences of my life was going to Thailand with the club for a two week Muay Thai training camp. I did that in 2024 (and carry the honours of going to the most training sessions over the two weeks – nearly all!). We will be going back, and I will be going!
We have nearly all tried Couch to 5K – with varying success! Two of us finished it – I think it’s fair to say only one of us actually enjoyed it at the time! I was made up that I got to the end – but once that was done I didn’t plan on going back unless I had to (running was not my thing really – I was mainly doing it to prepare for a Muay Thai camp – see KickStart). Possibly through that, more regular runs at Muay Thai, and also since Kickstart starting their Doughnut Runs (a social run out – with a doughnut and coffee at the end), I’ve begun to enjoy more, and run much further, than I ever have!
The missus keeps on talking about going back to it – although I think the regular stretching was more helpful that the running itself!
Joe Wicks’ 90 Day Plan is based on a programme of High Intensity Interval Training (HiiT) – with a Meal Plan that is targeted for you, based on details supplied as part of the process. You get 3 Cycles of HiiT workouts and each Cycle includes a new Meal Plan.
The missus signed up and we adapted the meal plan quantities for me. The food options were a mix of ‘Really Nice’ – ‘OK’ – and ‘Ooh No!’. It was generally a good workout system (Joe is good at that bit) – The missus was ‘OK’ with the HiiT workouts – I didn’t really like them as they are too predictable.
The main memory I have is feeling disappointed with the support. You were supposed to be able to contact the Plan Coaches with questions to get support – we tried and never received a reply.
Possibly one of the reasons we enjoyed some of the 90 Day Plan Meal options is because they are very similar in concept to the ‘paleo’ oriented thinking of Mark Sisson’s Primal Blueprint.
We came across his approach some years ago and can see al lot of benefits in his thinking. It’s not that different to many other approaches, as it is a modified paleo. I appreciate the more evidence based approach he has taken and particularly like the 80/20 model (try to be good 80% of the time – and allow yourself to go ‘off the reservation’ 20% of the time). We’re still incorporating these concepts into our life as we find it’s an easy way to manage our lifestyle. to give this another bash – so will keep you updated!
Jeff Cavaliere (physical therapist and strength coach) has run Athlean-X for years. I really like his detailed explanations and demonstrations for good technique, variations, and whole body / lifelong training.
I think I first came across him on YouTube, but he also has a website and Facebook presence.
Now…if you don’t appreciate a direct approach (by which, I mean the odd ‘c’ bomb), then you may not like James Smith. I don’t have a problem with that and really like his no nonsense, informed but easy explanations.
His catch phrase (if that’s what we should call it?) is ‘calorie deficit’ – by which he really tries to simplify weight loss and encourage achievable goal setting and lifestyles (i.e., have fun and eat the things you want). Like Joe Wicks, he offers a paid ‘Academy‘ service. I usually pick him up from his Facebook feed – and most of those short videos are available on his YouTube channel.