November challenge. Day 29

DAY 29!!!!!! We are sooooo nearly there!!!

So back in Lockdown 1 (remember that far back?!) I set myself a little challenge to sit down every day and read a chapter of my book and I kept to it.... for a while.....To "give myself permission" to stop for 10 minutes and read a chapter or two.... and I am resurrecting that plan tomorrow  (I had better - I have book club in 10 days and I haven't started the book yet but don't tell them!) and I intend to see it through December (maybe not on 25/26th !!)....

I have a pile of books next to my bed which is like my own little personal version of browsing Waterstones (which is one of my absolute pleasures) and I have a pile of magazines next to the bath and with Good Housekeeping, Countrylife and Woman and Home, I like to think I am quite grown up.

So how about you join me? Start today and give yourself permission to pick up a book and sit down for just one chapter.... or .... just DO NOTHING

I dont know about you but I am tired and today, I am taking my own advice!!! 

 I need to learn to do nothing. I am the world's WORST at multi screening - watching Strictly while browsing the internet while checking my emails.. while what's apping.....and THAT. Must. Stop ....so .... today - let's do the running around and walking the dog and putting lunch together and all the other things that Sunday requires and then let's just STOP for a point this afternoon and either read a chapter or two or do NOTHING! Just be present and still. That is my challenge to you but also and honestly to me!!

Let me know your book of choice - who doesn't love a good book recommendation ? I'm about to start Amercian Dirt which is my book club book (and I am led to believe is absolutely un put downable) and then I cannot WAIT to start my new Victoria Hislop and I just inhale anything she writes.

Forgive the odd bauble and fairy light but the general attitude is that there are no rules this year (well, apart from all the rules) so get those lights up and what the heck!

See you tomorrow for THE LAST DAY OF OUR CHALLENGE XX



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Members news. Week upcoming : Bank Holiday Monday - class running as usual and this coming Wednesday, 2 x 30 min classes. Details in library. As I am away a few days here and there in May/June, I will continue to put in extra classes now and then to keep everyone topped up. It's all about give and take! Following on from requests this week, upcoming we have a Roll over/Control Balance workshop (Thursday 8am), Back care (Thursday 9am) and Body Conditioning, sculpt and tone style (Wed 8am). All updates will always be in your live calendar. We welcome 4 new members this week and can't wait to see you on the screen! We can now add Portugal to our community! That means that currently, we are beaming into the UK from Cornwall to Yorkshire, Spain, Italy, Greece, France, Germany and now Portugal! We are so much more than Pilates and our community continues to support in so many ways. While a couple of our treasured members are going through some hefty challenges, I am so pleased that you use our online connection as a form of support and to use the friendship of your fellow members. Don't forget you can log in 15 mins early for a natter before class and on Thursdays, I will leave the meeting open after we finish the 9.45am class for anyone to stay on and have a chat. Grab a coffee and log back in even if you weren't in the class. If you would like to join our "Friends of JP's" what's app group , let me know - we are slowly growing and it is a friendly place for a chat and check in, (and a grumble about how tough the class was!). Have a lovely weekend, Jx 
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I want to keep it as on point and brief as I can and here are some cold, hard facts. Doing SOMETHING is a lot better than doing NOTHING! Whatever equipment you use and program you follow is far less important than the fact that you show up. Regularly and consistently. Only 30% of adults meet the resistance training guidelines and this drops to as low 10% for older adults. What is required? Training all major muscle groups at least once a week Aiming for 2 - 3 sets per exercises Using a weight that is getting challenging by the end of the set Moving through full range of movement. Now, why this is good news is that this can be acheived in whatever form of exercise takes your fancy and over here on our Pilates mat, we tick a lot of those boxes. Going into the 100 and wishing for the end, sitting tall in your Spine Twist and pushing for JUST ONE MORE rep is meeting this! We go through full range of movement, we use bodyweight as well as small equipment, so even if you are not lifting weights, you are doing your bit. (N.b. provided this is min. 3 times a week and you are pushing yourself to max ability in each of those sessions in one way or another and bringing in bands, small weights etc for additional resistance) WHAT COUNTS BODYWEIGHT EXERCISES AT HOME BANDS, BALLS, BODY WEIGHT, LOOPS A QUICK EXPRESS SET WHEN YOU GET BACK FROM YOUR RUN/WALKING THE DOG 15 MINS IN THE KITCHEN - YOU DON'T NEED TO COMPLICATE IT IT DOESNT NEED TO BE FANCY, STRUCTURED OR ELABORATE. IT JUST NEEDS TO HAPPEN Generally ALL types of resistance training work, as long as they are performed with high efforts which means that you get to a point where you are almost at failure. In other words, choose what you enjoy as you are more likely to stick to it and work harder at ut. CONSISTENCY IS KEY and the BEST exercise programme to do is the one you enjoy and will be more likely to stick at! MEMBERS. We have multiple classes involving strength and resistance every week. NON MEMBERS - I am just putting dates together for another 4 week strength program. Please email me if you are interested. More details to follow (I am delighted to be starting a 4 week strength training session with my local running club so I really am doing my best to share the love! )
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