My best friend Cindy

Following on from yesterday's blog about getting ready for stepping out in my bikini for the first time this Summer, I thought I would fill you in on the best workout dvd I have ever tried. I have literally tried most dvds on the market and although this is one of the oldest, it is still the best.

I found Davina McCall's too aerobic, Elle Mcphearson's dvd didn't contain enough toning sections and although I have sampled a few, I don't really want to work out with anyone from Coronation St, Eastenders or a Pop group.

Good old Cindy Crawford. She powers through the workouts making it look effortless and encourages you along the way. I find her inspiring too because she IS curvy and has a proper woman's body but she is just super toned! There is no point getting ideas into your head that by working out you will end up size zero and fabulous, all you can do is improve your own body shape and that's exactly what Cindy does.

I have always used the first dvd "Shape your Body" It tackles all parts of the body, legs, arms, bums and abs and there are two seperate routines, so I find if I alternate between both I get a good all round workout.


But I have just invested in a second dvd called "The Next Challenge" It's quite different to the first one in that it focuses on the arms quite substantially and I used my 3 pound weights for the excersises. Also this dvd has a good portion of aerobic routines which the other dvd didn't have. All in all It's great to have both so that I can dip in and out and concentrate on certain areas that need attention.

Of course right now I'm trying to be really good because the hols are looming but I have been known to abandon these dvds under boxsets every now and again, when i resort to lying on the couch and eating cake, however for the minute I will use the bikini motivation that i currently have to force myself to stick to it for as long as I can.


Can I work out? Yes I can!!!!!!!

What are your favourite work out Dvds? Can you reccomend me something to pull me away from my Cindy obsession?

Feeling Zen

How come I am the last person in the world to discover Yoga? Any time Yoga came into conversation it always brought to mind superfit, lentil eating models who probably don't need to work out anyway. I never really thought it would be something that I would yearn to do. Plus the fact that I have very lazy tendencies and would be much more likely to stay in and watch "The Only Way is Essex" instaed of doing physical excersise.

When my friend suggested we join a beginners class, I though why not, at least I can say i tried it and it wasn't for me. Well that was 4 weeks ago and I have to admit I'm already addicted. Its the best healthy discovery I've made this year and has actually inspired me to be healthy in other aspects in my life, like diet and trying other types of workout.

It definitey helps that we have the most amazing teacher. She makes you feel at ease and really explains all the asanas to make sure we are doing them right and she is so physically fit that body envy alone is enough to keep me going back for more.

It does take a while to get into the swing of it, it's easy to get your upward dog and your cobra pose confused not to mention the mindbending eagle pose which has me in a knot everytime but what I lack in balance and technique I more than make up for in enthusiasm. So much so that I was pretty proud of myself last week when I achieved my first head stand!

Now all I have to do is make myself brave enough to try Bikram yoga. This is the Yoga style practised in a 40 degree room and participants are advised to drink a litre of water before, a litre during and a litre afterwards! Phew I hope they have a toilet too. It's a slightly scary premise, especially since in the advice to beginners section on the website they say that after a couple of weeks you will no longer feel like you want to leave halfway through!!!!! Scary.

Has anybody tried Bikram before? Can you give me some advice?