Hmm, well for those of us with kids and a job and no conveniently located grandparents, it’s more of a sinking, than uplifting, feeling that’s brought on by school holidays. We even have the added “bonus” of an inset day this time. Great!

So, here I am with my three boys – A, Y and B – and so far their holidays have been – erm – riveting. We’ve had an exciting talk on pelvic floor exercises (always a winner with my boys), a trip to see the business banking advisor (they disappeared out of the main entrance, which was a blessing), an outdoor buggy workout (they romped around in the undergrowth, so that was fine), an interview with the national pole vaulting coach and a future Olympian (Ben: “can we go now?”), and tomorrow – a real treat – the accountant.

By mid-morning yesterday I could feel a creeping tension in my neck and jawline, my brow was furrowed (note to self: stop frowning. It causes wrinkles), my temper was frayed and I found myself trying to remember why I hadn’t booked a sports/art/drama/cooking/anything camp for the week.

Having packed everyone off to bed last night, I leapt into the car and headed for my local gym. An hour and a half’s worth of heavy weights, swinging plates – the gym has banned me from using kettlebells but that didn’t stop me swinging! – and speed skipping and – ahhh – I felt human again, almost good humoured. Beware the male gym goer who crosses my path at the end of a working half term day and asks me “are you using those weights?” when it’s blindingly obvious that I am…

Back home and I’ve recovered my zest for life – only another 6 days to go!

I might moan but I love it really

          Thursday 28th July
          Thursday 4th August
          Thursday 11th August
          Thursday 1st September
          Thursday 8th September

The cost of all 5 sessions is only l£29.50

Email jayne@zest4lifeuk.com to register your place.

Older siblings will be welcome to come along, and so it will very much be a family atmosphere! Tea and coffee afterwards at the Curzon Arms… all very sociable

Cost for 3 week, twice-weekly BuggyBabies course is £37.00

Email jayne@zest4lifeuk.com to book your place!

If you’re on my mailing list you will have received my newsletter, including a plan to keep your fitness ticking over during the Easter period. So, pull on your pumps, get out the gym gear and either head outdoors to burn some calories -  bike rides, power walks, buggy pushes, running (if your baby is over 6 months old) – or take yourself to the gym to push some weights (free weights please).

Food wise, think about keeping things light and summery and if you feel an irresistable urge to consume chocolate, how about trying one square of Lindt 90% cocoa chocolate – it goes a looooooonnnnnngggg way!

Most important of all: get yourself on track fitness-wise by booking onto at least one of the Zest courses that starts the week of the 9th May. if it’s calories you want to burn, then how about combining FitMum and BuggyBabies? If it’s flatter abdominals you want, then go for Pilates, and BounceBack. For the biggest fat burner ever, try KettlebellFit!

Happy Easter and go easy on the chocolate!

FitDads in the Leicester Mercury on Tuesday 5 October 2010

http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/news/Dads-feeling-benefit-trainer-s-buggy-workouts/article-2718079-detail/article.html

Ever cautious when it comes to the media I amswered the questions very carefully: yes, one has to wait 8-10 weeks before exercising following a C-section and, of course, every person’s recovery is different and should be treated so. What kind of exercises post-delivery? Well, pelvic floor exercises, of course! I would say that, wouldn’t I? And so the conversation progressed remarkably smoothly with my youngest son only interrupting on three occasions. Yes, three occasions, but it was better than the previous time when The Daily Mail interviewed me and the boys made so much noise that I couldn’t even hear the questions being asked…

I can only suppose that it lends a certain authenticity to what I have to say….