Ask Steph

Just recently had a fly screen door installed by Denis , from Denis Around the House. Denis is a self-employed handyman , focussing on the smaller jobs that people just don't get to when they are either super busy - or getting on a bit in age ( he likes to help out the elderly who need a bit of a hand with odd-jobs and a spot of gardening here and there) Anyway - I digress somewhat from the point - which is that I realised fairly early on after immigrating * to Melbourne that flyscreens on windows, and flyscreen doors were far more important than security bars , locks or any other security measures. Damn them flies are a nuisance ! I could swear they lie in wait by the door , and zip inside quickly in that fraction of a moment that it's open when you rush outside slamming it behind you. Our new house came with flyscreens on every "open-able" window. We specifically asked for a security/flyscreen door on the laundry - but clean forgot to get something on the b...

Over the past few years , I've seen a number of adverts,  aimed at curbing domestic and partner violence,  where the premise seems to be " lets attack what men think is Macho, and turn it on it's head " The gist of the adverts , featuring Charlize Theron in South Africa from a few years ago , to some recent ones here in Australia ,all seem to feature this general premise of " Real Men don't ..... * insert undesired behaviour here *" And "Real men do .... * insert required behaviour and attitudes here *" I have to be honest. As jarring , as the ads are to see for the first time, I think the only people they speak to are the victims of violence. They certainly don't speak to my husband, who finds them quite offensive, and he hasn't so much as raised his voice to me in the 10 years we've been together . He's just not really capable of violence against someone ( or something ) smaller and weaker than him. To imply that he ne...

Ah man ... is there any better feeling in life than learning something new , and feeling an affinity for it , like you were born to do this thing? I just discovered that I like to hit things. Inanimate things , that are shaped a bit like giant almonds and placed on my trainers hands (that's Cory Bear , personal trainer at Fenix Fitness Fountain Gate ) . I just did some boxing yesterday in my training session - first time ever , and I loved it. What an awesome way to get a cardio workout without running, jumping, rowing or cycling ? Jab, uppercut and hook. That's what I learnt yesterday - and I punched like crazy for 30 minutes . With some really tough push ups in there as well ( who would have thought that it would HARDER to do a push up with boxing gloves on ? ) It was awesome !!!! I never realised that hitting something could be so cathartic .... fabulous stuff . So looking forward to my next training session - I hope I get to hit things again ....

So here I am - 3 weeks into the new me , exercising under supervision , feeling like a million bucks , and 'BANG' it hits me . A sore back . Some referred pain down my leg, and numb tingly toes when I stretch my hamstring.  To say that I am not a happy camper , would be like saying a few drops of rain is not hurricane . It's an inane, obvious , understatement which cannot possibly tell the full story of my disappointment and frustration. Now those of you who follow my facebook posts , will know that I suffered some back issues late last year , which took me a few months to get over . You may also know that the doctor put me onto heavy doses of vitamin D for my back aches . (As a side note , you should google back pain ,  vitamin D, and Saudi Arabia - it's a very interesting read. ) On with my story - the vitamin D did not help - and once I started with the numbness in my toes and feet , I scooted off to the doctor poste haste for a follow up. After having a CT ...

Sheesh ! Lesson number one of personal training - when your trainer asks you if anything is especially sore or stiff -- you should say everything. In a clear , unpractised and convincing voice. Like you were definitely not rehearsing it all the way to gym. Silly me , I mentioned that my core and ribs and side muscles were particularly stiff and sore yesterday. My arms and legs have been periodically failing on me since that point in time. I think it's deliberate, because they have connected the dots. They realise that immediately following that really stupid statement, they were made to suffer like they suffered when I was training for the 94.7 a few years back. I wish I could get my legs to understand that I have about as much control over what comes out of my mouth when I'm in the gym,  as a dung beetle in a flash flood. I just have to ride that sh*t out and see where I end up.

So I never made it to that Body Balance class I was talking about the other day. But that's fine - because I skipped it for a very good reason. I went to a Personal Training session. Lovely young chap called Cory took me for my first 'KickStart Session'. I must be honest , I don't think he's going to have an easy time with me. I have asthma, a family history of cholesterol, I'm currently on 2 different types of medication, I bruise easily , I get injured  easily , I get bored easily, I loathe just about every possible type of physical activity -except yoga ( and possibly now Pilates as well)  . My husband also says I have an attitude ( he's not wrong , it comes out when I'm severely tired or grumpy, or sore) . Oh yes, and I told Cory I want to lose 10 kilos over the next 3 months. 10 kilos. 3 Months. That's what I said. *Smack palm to head* DOH!  It's moments like those that make me wish I had some control over my brain and my mouth. Bec...

Pilates. That awesome mind-body-spirit exercise,  that conjures up images of serene beauties balanced oh so elegantly and effortlessly on big blue balls . People wandering around with headbands and flowers and perfect posture,  bending and contorting like yoga - but more hardcore,  in that special Zen kind of way. Meh -- not so much hey .... I just did a Pilates class - at a brand new gym , that I joined a week ago. My first Pilates class as a matter of fact. I love yoga. I don't get to do it as often as I'd like at the old gym ( they had 1 class a week, which I couldn't always get to because of work) ,  so when this new gym opened up with promises of Yoga, Pilates and the combo special "Body Balance" at least 7 different times a week - that was me , hooked. Today was the first Pilates class ever, for both me, and for this particular gym. I think it went well for the gym. I'll let you know how it went for me,  when my muscles start talking to me a...