Fun with dogs

Posted on May 31, 2017 by Maria Matthews

Sometimes a break in a working routine for Ellie, and me, works wonders.

Please note the snazzy jumps.

Bob had a more gentle workout.

It took twenty minutes before she called time out.

Training and more training

Posted on March 19, 2017 by Maria Matthews

It was a wet St. Patrick’s day and a wetter weekend. Still we managed to get a load of training done. As the pictures will confirm…

Outdoors,

And indoors.

Progression report from a 50 something gym attendee

Posted on October 12, 2016 by Maria Matthews

Progression report from a 50 something gym user.

I was persuaded by a friend, Moira G, to take her Kettlebell classes a couple of years ago. I did, she was a tough but great teacher and I enjoyed it. Since then things progressed.

My husband became more health conscious and started coming to T-rex classes with me, then he went on to strength and conditioning. I was persuaded to try these classes and we enjoyed the classes. We thought we were doing well, getting fit, strong and more flexible.

Then we were persuaded to try Crossfit…. which is another realm of fitness entirely. I thought, ‘what the heck, I’ll give it a go and no doubt they will snigger at this hopeless inflexible Irish eejit, I will blush and retire gracefully.’

The first class was an eye opener, learning how to lift correctly, learn new techniques, and learn what a WOD is (basically a fifteen intense – killer- workout). We left feeling very unfit and the next morning very sore. Far from being sniggered at we were applauded by the younger generations for trying it. Yes, we decided we need more of these classes.

Since then I have seen the world from a different angle (standing on my head). Learnt the difference between clean, clean and jerk, snatch, dead lift etc. More importantly I have learnt my limits and accepted them. I am happy to achieve a level of fitness and attempt to stay healthy and fit.

Has anyone else become a crossfit addict?

Because we have and we are not the oldest members in the gym, though we often feel it.

Here is a picture of some of the younger enthusiastic members with the two coaches showing off either side of the group.

Another Year

Posted on May 2, 2016 by Maria Matthews

We, are celebrating another full year of blogging. Thank you to everyone who has connected with myself and my chunky, cuddly dogs.

I was away for a few days and Bob (and Ellie) were being taken care of by my son. He took pity on Bob who does not have a very exciting life and brought him to work with him for a day. The pictures below show a very relaxed chilled out dog, letting the exertions of everyone at the gym wash over him. He was only interested in hugs, or so they thought.

bob and moira in gym

bob and stephen in gym

However, during the afternoon, Bob decided it was time for him to take a little creative walk.

He set off, unknown to those working out.

Another athlete walking into the gym couldn’t understand why his remark created such a fuss. “I have just seen a very nice looking husky sitting patiently outside the cupcake factory door.”

Yep, you guessed it, Bob decided his new best friends were going to be the makers of some very nice cupcakes. And everyone thinks Ellie is the smart one!

Maria’s Stuff: On the topic of diets ….

Posted on August 11, 2015 by Maria Matthews

The word “diet” never sat well with me. As a chunky teenager, I always felt – fat. But joining an athletic club, plus cycling to and from school soon slimmed me down. As a result of this experience I have always, had an interest in cooking, dietary requirements and exercise. I apologize if this sounds pompous but it is the truth, I like food and I like to think healthy, always have and hope I always will do so.

When I stopped coaching athletics in primary schools I decided this extra time should be devoted to me, getting fitter. The main reason is simply, I volunteer with a rescue group and I don’t want the fact I am older than some of the crew mean I am automatically thought of as too old to crew a boat or use Ellie for tracking. So I started going to a gym for classes and this progressed to Cross fit which I am hooked on as it has made me more aware of flexibility core strength etc, which can only mean a fitter me.

Birthday Burpees – what a way to celebrate your birthday.

However I suppose in my long-winded way, the point of this whole tale is in general people do not stretch themselves, we take the easy way out, as I did for years saying I walk every day so I am fit enough. Truth is I have learnt a lot about myself, my body and about the correct way to eat, (for me) and would love to encourage everyone to do the same. There is no magical diet but there is a way to eat (diet) to suit each one of us given our body shapes, our past times and our budget. It simply takes time to discover it. What do you think?

Bob’s Diary: Peace is sought.

Posted on July 12, 2014 by Maria Matthews

I have a hard life and here is the evidence.

I was settling down for a pleasant snooze in the afternoon sunshine when she appeared.

I knew she had a plan

She had it went like this:

You need to play;

Then I thought it was safe but…she nicked my hat!

Eventually there was peace.

Until next time.

Maria’s Stuff: Sunday without dogs

Posted on June 9, 2014 by Maria Matthews

I had a day out with a difference on Saturday, it took a lot of persuasion to get Bob smiling again because I left him at home. Thank you to Meath River Rescue for letting me tag along.

To make it up to him I brought him to the wood searching for an Ogre to chase.

As you can see it took a long time, with many stop offs along the way.

Bob’s Diary: DIY

Posted on April 27, 2014 by Maria Matthews

I decided I’d paint my own background for my blog page;

Trouble is

it was getting hot,

and I was getting tired, artistic block, isn’t that it?

So I decided to leave it for another day,

I don’t think it is going anywhere.

Maria’s Stuff: Life in the gym at 50.

Posted on April 12, 2014 by Maria Matthews

My decision to take classes in a local gym stemmed from the following facts.

For the period of eighteen months to two years before June 2013, my life revolved around my parents. My mum’s strokes meant she needed our support and that was that. However, following her death in June 2013 I began to take a look at my own health.

I’ve always been conscious of my health but never more so than after witnessing the devastation that a stroke, diabetes and heart problems can bring to someone’s door. Add experience with dealing with epilepsy and asthma into the mix and I had good reason to sit and think about my future.

Health is your wealth. Truth.

I decided to step up my fitness regime by doing, Pilates and Kettlebells. All went well and when my husband said he was going to Niall’s gym for some strength and mobility classes I was encouraged to go along.

I have been there once a week for the past five weeks. It has been an eye opener for me.

1 I’m not as unfit as I thought,

2 A combination of working for years at a typewriter or computer has reduced my shoulder mobility and

3 Competitiveness does not diminish with age. (As I quickly discovered when a mini competition began between me and another lady of a good twenty – twenty-five years younger than me.) It was worth the heavy perspiration rate when I noticed the surprised and strained look on her face.

The disadvantages of going into this particular gym are:

1. Niall – Having the trainer tell you “Mum you really don’t need to push yourself into a state requiring an ambulance, do you?” is a bit disheartening.

2. Letting the whole room know you actually gave birth to their personal fitness trainer is not always a good thing.

3. Bribing your trainer (son) with chocolate cake/cheescake and pancakes does not always work in your favor.

But the advantages are still there,

1. I’ve toned up those dreaded bingo wings.

2. I can manage to keep up with the kids I coach athletics to.

3. I can eat the said, cheesecake, chocolate cake with less guilt than ever felt before.