Camping it up...

Really, when I think about it, there was only ever a limited time period that I could call it 'christmas pudge' I suppose when I started filling my flat with daffodils, hot crossed buns and semi attempted a spring clean....Christmas weight turned into plain old over weight.

After a failed attempt at becoming a gym bunny, which involved me joining the local gym on a 6 week membership (you can see my  long term commitment to the cause was strong), enduring one session with a personal trainer in which I was made to lift my own body weight, (in all fairness in a bid to avoid the treadmill I categorically stated my only aim was to 'pump up my arms') and then avoiding their calls for the next 5 weeks. Surprisingly, my body type remained far from athletic.

So, back to boot camp for me then. I joined SW Bootcamp last year and successfully lost a  bit of my winter warmer body baggage, unfortunately as December loomed my interest in going outside and moving in general wained....only to resurface from hibernation when the Spring/Summer collections of all my favourite shopping stops were released.

Like most right minded people, the word Bootcamp did not inspire happy thoughts. Images of 5km runs in bad Army Surplus uniforms while some failed TA cadet screams at me filled me with fear and a stronger longing than usual for a bit of comfort cake.

Luckily the lovely trainers, Sam and Jenny make all the sessions cheerful and energetic without the need to turn to nihilistic tactics.  While always physically enduring, each hour long session carefully balances cardio and toning exercises with creative group exercises to ensure a full body workout. Even the occasional game of British Bulldog is used to keep energy levels up and bring back some good old playground competitiveness.



Classes are currently running in Fulham and Queens Park but start soon in Green Park and more other more  central locations. A pay as you go membership is available at £12 per session, or £38 for an unlimited monthly membership. All details are available via the website 

 

Green Park



Of course no new regime would be complete without a shiny new wardrobe to go with it. I've gone for a completely ridiculous magenta theme, this bargain bag from Nike fits the bill with plenty of room, over the shoulder straps and secret extra pockets to house all essentials.

 Hopefully it will grab manage to my attention before the biscuit tin.


Images courtesy of Wikipedia and Sports Direct

Princess for a day...

Here we are, on the brink of a long awaited and badly needed Spring and it's freezing, raining and generally miserable outside. This combined with an early morning gym induction,  and a raging hangover courtesy of some good Spanish wine and bad American Whisky (in the case of Mr Hearn) did not spell merriment for the first day of the weekend.

Thankfully the lovely chaps at The Princess of Shoreditch  made it all better with a slap up lunch meal (lunch being an unexpected treat from the aforementioned Mr Hearn may have helped).

We were welcomed on arrival by a friendly waiter and despite our lack of reservations, quickly seated in a cosy corner sport with a view of the extensive wines and bar fare on offer.

Dark wood surroundings, comfy leather seats and mellow lighting helped us slip into comfort and warm up from the miserable rain soaked walk. A quick peruse of the menu revealed a list of creative dishes alongside the traditional - made up of all locally sourced ingredients from New Covent Garden and Kent (local enough for me, the idea of Shoreditch spuds doesn't fill me with confidence).

 

After a short wait, just long enough to prove there was no 'boil-in-the-bag' techniques being employed, our chosen dishes were presented well and just the right portion size to take the edge of the demon hangover.

I had jumped at the chance to try the pie of the day, Steak & Ale, and was not disappointed. A light tomato based gravy coated succulent and tender steak pieces topped with a separate cheese pastry top and a generous helping of creamy, smooth chive mash. The added  surprise - side of mini croquettes of green beans wrapped in bacon and coated in a bread crumb worked well, the salty bacon wonderfully cutting through the rich potato . My only request would be for a touch more gravy to be added to help wash down the mash.