Skipping isn't Just for Little Girls

When I was a kid and had stumbled into my local boxing club (Ruskin ABC then, Fairbun ABC now) and had started training there. One of the first things I was taught was how to skip like a fighter and not how a little girls skips in the play ground. This is how Winston the head coach for the juniors had described my first attempts. Where am I going with this trip down memory lane? Skipping is easy. Easy to learn and easy to do. A speed rope will cost you about £3 delivered to your door. All you need is a little space and to make thing interesting sight of a clock.

Currently I try and get at least one 30 minute session (5x 5 min rounds with 1 min intervals for breaks) in as I'm leaving work in the car park. Then wrap up and get on my bike to get home.

Here's a Vid of Ross showing us how it's done



For much more details on the benefits of skipping (jumping rope) here's and article by Ross Boxing

Coconut Oil on the Skin

I've used coconut oil after showering for my skin and hair for over a decade. I use on my skin and hair right after I shower while my skin and hair is still wet.

I get mine from Mother-Natures-Goodies (1 litre for less then £15, right to my door)

Here's what the interweb says...

Light Therapy

Coming to work in the dark and going home also in the dark, not only is depressing, but for me once the clocks change and sunset gets to around 5pm or earlier, my sleep patterns become absurd. To combat the ill effects of the winter blues I use light therapy.

Read more here.

No longer angry at the world

To cut a long story short I was in a very angry and demotivated place a few months ago. Through work I was referred to counseling. In one of these sessions I admitted to being angry with all the injustices I see around me. In response my councilor asked me 'what good does it do you, being angry at the whole world?' I couldn't answer the question. After this session I stumbled upon the following video on you tube.



After this I've decided to accept, forgive and love in my life. With this new outlook and change in lifestyle some very positive things have occurred. Holding onto anger has a very similar negative effect on heath, as high cortisol levels do. More on these positive outcomes in my next installment.

Green Tea, the super beverage.

I’m an out and out caffeine junkie. From triple espresso to ridiculously big lattes I love me a good coffee. Along with iced coffees, cola’s and energy drinks. I even have gurana in powder form which I’d add to my pre work out shakes. And right next to my bed is a plastic bottle filled with caffeine capsules at a whopping 200mg a pop (Proplus only packs a measly 50mg per tab). I set my alarm clock an hour before I need to be up and down one of these. Not really a morning person me. Well after many years of heavy caffeine usage, my sleep pattern is wrecked and I’m not to keen on the increase in cloistral levels. I researched away and came to the conclusion of switching to green tea. It’s way lower in caffeine content, high in anti oxidants (helps decrease muscle soreness after heavy work outs) and a great teromogenic. I even found a green tea with a lower then normal caffeine content. I just mix a small spoon full in a shaker with warm water some times ice water after each meal.

Badshah's message to Mathematist

HMR HIIT (Horse Manure Relocation High Intensity Interval Training)

Just like many others who part take in any amateur competitive sport. I have limited time to put towards training, more so for conditioning. As it’s not as enjoyable as the skills based training sessions. Also requires a higher level of motivation as seldom is it done in a group environment. My personal solution was to combine some manual labour required on my allotment plot and some HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training)



This is how HMR HIIT was invented. It allowed me to stock up on the horse manure just outside the allotment site and place it on my own plot. Armed with a wheel barrow and spade I jog to the manure site load up the wheel barrow and jog back pushing the loaded barrow. Tip out the barrow on my plot and hand over the barrow and spade to my brother who’d then do the same while I jog in front to ensure the narrow path way is free from by passers. After thirty minutes of this we relocate six wheel barrows full of manure. Great work out.



This morning we knocked up the first bed and the horse manure was shoveled on.