Latest News from Little Mis-Fit - Exercise Classes in Consett, Stanley Durham

Blogmas week 1

Festivities were well and truly in full swing this week . On Friday night my friend Palmer-Vi had invited a few of us round to her house for a Christmas Jumper and Prosecco night. Hello – Friday night with Friends, Christmas jumpers and Prosecco???????? I was so there!. We had a brilliant night , and we got a brilliant photo –

Then Monday night OMG!!!! , so along with my sister Lynsey and a few friends , we had tickets to go see the Shires. They were playing the Sage at Gateshead. If you have never been to a gig there before and you get the chance, it is an incredible venue . Lynsey and I went armed with our Cd’s in the slight hope we may get them signed. We had just the most brilliant night. First off Myself, Lynsey , Emma and Joanne started in the Pitcher and Piano on the Quayside for a couple glasses of Prosecco – hey it is Christmas after all!. After that we went off in search of food and found ourselves at Sabatinis – a lovely Italian restaurant on the Quayside.

We then had to race along the Quayside and over the Millenium bridge to meet our other friends Joanne and Jonny as I had all the tickets. We had fab seats in a Box on the side of the stage. The band were amazing !!!!!!!. After it finished, Joanne D and Jonny headed home. Meanwhile Emma, Lynsey, Joanne N and I headed to the bar for a final glass of Prosecco , we were really hoping to try and catch the band. No sign of them however and the girl on the merchandise stall, said they had left already.

We then went off in search of our taxi and whilst looking, we walked past the stage door and we saw a big bus, Joanne jokingly said “well we can just get a ride on the tour bus”, I just glanced at the stage door and saw Ben from the band ! well I was like they are there and off I went , with the others following . Both Ben and Crissy were there and were sooooo lovely despite my fan girl babbling eek , we got our photo taken and got our cd’s signed! – even now a couple days later I am still on a high from meeting them!.

A brilliant week and I’m almost done with my Christmas shopping, just a couple more to get and then I am done!. next week it a super busy one , with lots going on. check back next week for my next blogmas update.

meanwhile what fun Festive adventures are you guys having?. comment below I love to hear everyone’s Christmas adventures

Joanne xoxo

Countdown to Christmas!

Can you believe it’s the 1st December???? 24 sleeps until Santa . Seriously where on earth has 2016 gone?. It really has flown over!.

The festive season has already kicked off here at Mis-Fit HQ, it was our Christmas party last Friday night. , The Mis-fits all swapped their workout clothes and trainers to get our glam on , dance shoes were polished up to dance our way into the party season. We had a brilliant night . I love seeing everyone come together and having a good time.

Then on Monday it was the turn of my little Yogis to get into the festive spirit , We had a special festive yoga class, and Santa sent one of his elves along to join us!. Its a very hectic time for Elves and the pressure is on, so Santa though a spot of Yoga for Chocolate the Elf would be just the tonic. Chocolate came into class as we were warming up, you should have seen the kids faces! I think they were a bit speechless at first, but they all welcomed Chocolate . The kids were loving it, and I think Chocolate did too :-).

so many fun things planned over the next few weeks , I’ll be keeping you all updated on all the goings on here at Mis-Fit HQ. I’d love to hear about your fun festive adventures too , so come follow me on Instagram @littlemisfitjojo using the #misfitfestivefun or come visit us on Facebook – www.facebook.com/lilmisfit1 plus we’ll be doing a little vlogging including some workouts over on YouTube channel little mis-fit.

Happy Holidays!

xoxoxo

The day I got to be a pin up model!

So a couple weeks ago, I got to tick off an item from my bucket list – I got to be a Pin up girl!!! . And I LOVED it!!!!!!.

I can literally while away hours watching make up videos on You Tube, a few years ago I came across Cherry Dollface. Cherry is actually a Bona Fide pin up girl, and does Vintage style hair and make up tutorials. She came to the UK on tour last year, but I had my friend’s hen do around the same time and the nearest city was Leeds. However this year, Cherry announced a second UK tour, and this time – Newcastle was listed!!!. Hurrah – it was actually at Frankie and Gerry’s Retro pin up studio in Sunderland and Gerry Roxby owner of the studio , herself was our photographer. Gerry is also the designer behind Glamour Bunny clothing line and even Dita Von Teese herself has been seen rocking one of Gerry’s designs!. You know I love my fellow girl bosses and Gerry is a truly inspiring Fellow girl boss.

I packed my little suitcase with a few of my Vintage/vintage inspired outfits , and off I went. I managed to get to Stadium of light fine – well I Have seen Bon Jovi there, plus I’ve done the Sunderland 10K a couple times. But from there I had to find the studio – being directionally challenged , of course I got a little lost. I swear the people at the Enterprise car rental place , thought me and my Cow print suitcase were casing the joint 😂. A call to Gerry, though and she directed me to the studio – just look for the Throne in the window , she instructed – now this sounds my kind of place haha. I arrived and met fellow pin up girl , Lou. Lou was lovely and we got chatting right away. I have to admit when I first saw Cherry, I was a little star struck! And she is like a little doll in real life so super teeny tiny, ! . She was so lovely aswell, very personable and just chatted away with us . Helen was the next girl to arrive , followed by Dawn. We had all travelled from various parts of the North East , and we all bonded over our love of Vintage clothing and accessories . One by one, Cherry performed her hair and make up magic on each of us. I’m sure for her bless , it must have been a little odd as we all knew about her life from watching her videos, so for us it was like meeting a friend, but to her we must have seemed star struck strangers haha, but it didn’t take long for me to feel amongst friends with all the girls, they all had such positive and welcoming vibes.

As Cherry made us each over, we each got to then have our own individual shoots, cheered on by the other girls. Gerry was brilliant, none of us really had any modelling experience, but she somehow magically managed to turn us into Pin up models for the day. You did feel a bit daft at first, but after a bit you start to get into the spirit and pout like the pin up girls we were trying to be. Have to say though new found respect for models – it really is hard work – So many photos just to get a perfect shot! .

It was an incredible experience and I would do it again in a heartbeat and I made 5 lovely new chums – Cherry, Gerry (yeah that didn’t get confusing on the day 😂) , Lou, Helen and Dawn thank you for making the day such a blast! 😘.

Right now do we think I can possibly squeeze in being a pin up model along side Little Mis-Fit and my travel job I wonder ……….. ??????

Joanne xoxo 💋

Check out The Cherry dollface channel on You Tube!

Frankie and Gerrys retro pin up Studio is based in Sunderland -http://frankieandgerrys.com

my outfits on the day were from my lovely friends at Like Sadie did – http://likesadiedid.co.uk

Dawn I met on the day also does Vintage Hair pin ups – you can check her out on Facebook and Instagram – lips hairdressing

read Lou’s blog of the day here – http://www.thevintage-vixen.com/a-cherry-good-day-🍒/

Plan and prep tips to keep your nutrition on track!

Fail to prepare, prepare to fail (Image Pinterest)

This is a quote I often use with my small group girls, when they embark on their healthy lifestyle journey.

These days we are all just so busy and if you are not prepared with your Nutrition , its really easy to just reach for the quicker and often much less healthier option of take out or something “quick” from a jar /packet that tastes far less tastier than homemade. But with just a little bit of organisation , you can head into the week, armed and ready to stay on board the healthy nutrition train – now get ready to jump aboard – choo chooo! (heehee you made the choo choo sound didn’t you? , maybe even did the arm action like you’re ringing the bell? 😜 )

Ok so here are a couple of tips that hopefully will help :-

Before you do your food shop, take a little time to plan out a menu for the week ahead. Take out your diary and see what you have going on so you can work your meals around that. For instance on a Tuesday if you’re working all day and even working late /or the kids have activities after school , its no good planning a meal that takes loads of prep time and ages to cook – you’ll be too exhausted and it will be time consuming, so you are more likely to give up and reach for take out or something quick and maybe much less healthier then if you planned ahead and had something pre- prepared!.

By planning out your menus in advance, when you go shopping – you can stock up on the ingredients that you know, you are going to need, that way you know you have them to hand already and don’t need to waste time revisiting the shops. . plus this actually helps to save money in the long run as you only buy what you need! – limiting food and money waste!.

Pre prepare where you can in advance. At the weekend or on your day off, or anytime you have an hour or so to get in the kitchen and prep . Cook up some meals in advance and pop them in the fridge or freeze them, so they can be taken out on busy nights. Or peel and chop up vegetables etc that you can then pop in food bags in the fridge – a huge time saver, you just get your little food bag out with all the chopped up ingredients, as and when you need them. Tupperware and food bags become Kitchen staples! – but can I just ask does anyone else have a Tupperware elf in their house that seems to like to mix up the lids and then you just simply can not find the lid that actually fits that box???????? . Bulk Cook – when you are making things like Bolognese, Chilli, curry etc – make extra so left overs can be used for lunches the next day , or a tea later in the week.

Life is an adventure and there are some weeks even the best laid plans go awry – keep some key ingredients in the cupboard/fridge and have a little list of go to quick, healthy meals that take little time and effort to cook that you can reach for , on the days when you

Useful kitchen gadgets to make life a little easier :-

Slow Cooker – I love my slow cooker, I work from home Wed-Fri at my day job and then Wed/Thurs I only have a little time between finishing and then going out to teach classes, so I usually get the slow cooker on , then it feels like a little elf has cooked tea as its all ready for when we finish work. Its also great on a weekend – meals an be cooking as you’re getting on with other jobs.

slow cooker

Chicken broth cooking today for tea!

Soup Maker – One of the best Kitchen gadgets we bought!. I have no idea how many Blenders I have managed to break in my time – its a fair few!, so when my mam mentioned soup makers (she’s a QVC addict is Christine!) , I thought I would investigate them. I’m more of an Amazon girl so I headed to their website. I found a Morphy Richards one – it got great reviews and was £60 (some of them on QVC are over £100 yikes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) . so I purchased . OMG its amazing – basically I just need to cut up the veg , add in some stock , a bit of oil in the bottom , put the lid on and press the button – you can chose smooth or chunky and voila 20 minutes later – its cooked and blended!!!. Plus its super easy to clean – who does not love easy to clean equitiment!!. You just need hot water, washing up liquid and a sponge and clean it out and leave to dry – fabulous! . its also a great way to use up any left over Veg – I once made up soup – with peppers, sweet potatoes and Chickpeas as I was using stuff up – its one of Martin’s favourites now .

soup maker

These are just a few of my tips and tricks that I find useful. I would love to hear your tips and tricks you use and your go to quick healthy reciepes – come visit us at Facebook www.facebook.com/lilmisfit1 or Instagram @littlemisfitjojo .

May Favourites

J-Lo once said you have the skin you are born with until you are 20 and after that you have the skin you deserve . I am a firm, believer that a healthy balanced diet including lots of water , plus Vitamin D , exercise and sleep all play a massive part in the health of your skin but i’m also a bit of beauty product junkie -( a beauty counter sales girl’s dream – If it promises me a J-lo glow – i’m pretty much sold :-).

So here are just a few of my favourite products I’ve been loving this month – I’d love to know yours too ! – come say hi over at Facebook www.facebook.com/lilmisfit1 or tag me on Instagram @littlemisfitjojo

May faves

Origins High Potency Night a Mins Moisturiser Since my early twenties , I have suffered with Acne flare ups so I am incredibly fussy on my skincare and need to investigate throughly and read reviews before I purchase anything!!! . I have the Origins – A perfect world age defense day mosturiser and I love that, so having done my research , I opted to go for the Night a mins oil free one. Quite a few reviews mentioned the fact that it helped reduce the appearance of acne scarring and that it contained sleep inducing aromas, and it made your skin appear brighter, ( hello J-lo glow – sold!!!!! 😄) I’ve been using it since April and it really has help reduce my acne scarring without aggravating my skin at all – a definite firm favourite.

2. OPI nail varnish. – got myself in a Jam balaya from the New Orleans range. I just always feel more polished when I have my nails done and though in Autumn/winter – I love my dark colours, I just fell in love with this peachy colour for summer and it really compliments my skin tone.

opi

3. Michael Kors – sexy Amber perfume . I was at my God son’s birthday party recently and one of the other guests came in and she smelled gorgeous, I asked her what perfume she had on and it was this one, so I totally copied. Thanks Gemma!.

4. Super drug Coconut Ice Body Butter – I’m on my second Tub already. I got this as a gift for my birthday and it smells divine – a beach holiday in a tub!!! .

5. Christian Dior Forever foundation – again very fussy on my foundation as a few do make me break out . When I work out I opt for bare mineral foundation as I find it doesn’t block my pores. I just wanted a new one for when I go out , I have a Mac one I like but my skin is not so keen on it and I’m not sure the colour suits my skin tone now the warmer weather has arrived – well you know at least decides to put an appearance in now and then 😜. I wanted one that looked natural , stayed put and didn’t make me look orange. The sales lady in Boots ( hello advantage points – don’t you just love those ! ) was lovely and was really knowledgable and she helped me pick the right product. I originally went in for the Dior star foundation, but the lady recommended the forever one for me after asking about my skin and lifestyle . It was a great choice .

And ok so not actually a beauty product but hey taking time out to recharge the batteries is super important too so at no 6 is the Nashville Box set . I Love a good Box set marathon and having made my way through Hart of Dixe ( also brilliant!) I started on Nashville. I got season 1 for my birthday and am now up to Season 2 and loving it!!! Please no spoilers though 🤐 shhhhh.

Wishing you all a fabulous Bank Holiday weekend xxx

My Top 5 Exercises

So these are my top 5 exercises – you can jazz them up and make them even harder. But just in their simple form these 5 moves will give you an effective full body workout!

1 Squats – make sure all the weight is in your heels, feeling nothing in your knees. Aim to get parallel to the floor, keep the length through spine. Knees in line with toes – don’t allow them to creep over!. This will target legs, bum and stomach.

2. Press ups. Start on your knees , and build up to full press ups on your toes 😄. Hands wide, chest between your hands, aiming to get chest down to the floor. This will target arms, shoulders, chest and abs.

3. Burpees. Start in a standing position, jump and then bring hands to the floor and jump the feet back into a Plank position, wrists, elbows, shoulders all stacked, abs pulled in, keep hips level with the shoulders – never let that butt sink down or else you’ll hurt your lower back. also don’t let the bum stick up – we’re not doing down dog . Jump the feet back uptoward the hands and come back up to standing. One of the best all over body exercises!

burpee 2

4. Lunges . Target the legs and bum. Step one foot forward, and lunge keeping knee in line with toes – imagine a right angle , back leg as close to the floor as you can. Keep abs in, and back straight, . Chest and head up tall . lunge

5. Plank hold.

Keep wrists, elbows and shoulders stacked, so weight is evenly distributed through the arms. keep abs pulled in – imagine pulling bellybutton through to spine. Keep the length through the crown of the head through to the tailbone, keeping hips level with shoulders. I should be able to balance a glass of Prosecco on your back without spilling a drop!!!. This will target shoulders, arms, and abs.

Try this little workout :-

20seconds on , 10 seconds rest

Squats
Press ups
Burpees
lunges
Plank Hold

x 4 rounds

I’d love to hear how you get on!, come follow me on Instagram @littlemisfitjojo or visit me on facebook – www.facebook.com/lilmisfit1

Joanne xx

Its a Girlboss Life

So there I was plodding away ,quietly building the Mis-Fit empire, when my friend Michelle Rose who runs Custard and Bear Marketing asked would I be interested in doing her marketing for Mummies course . I was like Michelle that sounds great but I’m not a mammy, she assured me though I didn’t have to be, I just had to be a girl with a Dream and a penchant for cake 🙂 . Michelle is so so lovely and always makes you feel like you can take on the world and makes anything seem possible , any Girl bosses out there running their own business, I highly recommend Michelle’s marketing for Mummies course, it really pushes you outside your comfort zone, but that is where all the Magic happens! . She has the best catchphrase – it doesn’t always have to be perfect just get S$it done in otherwords, don’t just think about doing it, just bloody go do it! . I signed up and it was like this little door opened and I found myself in a community full of inspiring Girlboss’ and it felt so amazing. All these women, a lot of whom were mothers tired of working inflexible hours had taken their passion and talents and created a small business that they could fit around their family life and find a work/life balance that worked for them.

Here are just some of the friends I’ve made along the way – though there truly are countless more .

Lulu Charles Jewellery

My Girlboss Bestie Jayne , fate and our mutual friend Daneka brought Jayne to classes. Jayne runs Lulu Charles alongside her Husband Ashley and her dad and they make the most amazing bespoke pieces. I had gold jewellery, I had from my 18th and 21st birthdays. It held sentimental value for me, so I never wanted to sell it, but at the same time it was just sitting in a drawer. They took that gold and made it into a Joanne necklace. I love it and wear it loads . Jayne kept me in the loop from the early design to the finished piece. They also made me a a gorgeous stacker ring recently .

We had both done Michelle’s marketing for mummies , though in seperate groups and as we became friends, we decided to join forces and help each other on our respective paths . we have regular meet ups and just share the victories and the struggles and Jayne has become a true Diamond friend.

Like Sadie Did

I knew sisters Laura and Sara from my classes. Laura had been running when she spotted my bootcamp, she searched in google and got it in touch and came along to classes about 3 or 4 years ago. She started bringing her sister Sara. now their mam Judy and auntie Lesley come too! – The universe really does seem to have a knack of bringing people together. when Laura and Sara set up a Vintage clothes business – Like Sadie did with their cousin Maggie, I was so excited. I love Vintage style , (as you can probably tell if you follow me on Instagram) . .A lot of my outfits are from Like Sadie did. They are doing lots of pop up events so keep your eyes peeled! – The clothes are gorgeous and I always get loads of compliments when I wear one of their dresses or skirts.

Vitality Pilates

Marie and Jill from Vitality Pilates, our paths crossed at the Academy , and it was Marie I met first and she was just such a positive, genuinely lovely person. I then met her business partner Jill who was also really lovely and and though we have our own individual fitness business’, we’re also working together too on a few things . Just because we’re all instructors doesn’t mean we’re in competition , we learn a lot from each other and its a brilliant example of women in business supporting each other instead of competing against each other.

Pet Lamb Patisserie

Katie and Kay from Pet Lamb Patisserie , seriously if you are in Newcastle and fancy a sweet treat – these girls make the most amazing cakes – their salted Caramel Brownies are divine! I first came across Pet Lamb a few years back when I still worked in town, they had a little shop in the green market with Fairy Lights – you know I LOVE fairy lights and they just drew me in . They were both so friendly and even though now I don’t get in very often , when ever I find myself in Newcastle, I always head there for a sweet treat and they always have a friendly word and they remember what I like . They have done so amazing they had to move to a bigger shop still in the green Market and still with those all important fairy lights , so def pop in if you are nearby.

Whilst on the marketing for mummies course I was recommended a book called 12 Lessons by Kate Spencer – it was amazing!!!. All about how what you put out in the universe, is what you get back, and how the universe will send you little signs to guide you on your path, if only you just stop, look around and listen once in a while. if you’re putting positivity, kindness and well wishes out in the universe, that is what the universe will bring back for you. if you’re all negative and why me , that is what you get back – its the law of attraction! .

I am a bit of a bookworm , and after reading 12 lessons , Amazon then suggested a book called #Girlboss by Sophie Amoruso which was so inspiring, all about Sophie’s journey from hopping from job to job and even a brief flirtation with being a fregan, to now founder and CEO of Nasty Gal – a muliti million dollar vintage clothing business in the States, a business she started from her little apartment. After #Girlboss I also read Girlcode by master Life coach Cara Alwill Leyba creator of the Champagne diet. Cara used to work at MTV and had a very stressful life , she was complaining one day about having tried so many diets, when a colleague said have you ever tried eating healthy and working out? , Cara said actually no but i also like a drink now and then. Her colleague suggested drinking champagne as it had less calories . Cara realised , that small act of holding a champagne glass made her feel special , and she deserved to feel like that all the time, and thus The Champagne diet was born. Its not so much about the nutrition side , its more the symbolic meaning of Champagne – its a very Glamorous drink and we associate it with celebrating. Its not even about being girl with her own business , its just about being a Girlboss of YOUR own Life!!!! . Havimg a job – employed or self employed that makes you want to get out of bed on a morning and not just wait anxiously for Friday and or pay day to come round. Life is far too short to live for just the weekends. Create a life that feels good on the inside, not just one that looks amazing on your social Media sites . Surrounding yourself with the people who make you feel happy, loved and supported , Positive people who lift your spirits . Its about making the space around you, a haven , I have lots of Fairy Lights in lanterns dotted around our house , it makes the house look so enchanted and cosy on winter nights – I’m just trying to convince Martin we also need some in the garden …… 🙂 .I adore Bombay Duck and Mirabella Gift company for the little home touches ( my lanterns are Bombay Duck) / – https://www.bombayduck.com/ and http://www.mirabellegifts.bigcartel.com/ – Both companies are ran by fellow Girl bosses too . Find what you love though, my mam’s house always smells gorgeous as she loves candles – it’s just creating your own little Haven with things you love. Like Cara says in the Champagne Diet Just a few small little actions , that inject a little glamour to everyday life. drink your water out of a wine glass or a cup of tea out of a cup or saucer rather than a mug. Wear Clothes that make you feel a million dollars as feeling happy and content and fabulous on the inside , will reflect out on the outside too . Throw out or donate anything that does not make you feel anything less than fabulous . Execise – find a work out you love – a healthy body leads to a happier mental and emotional state of mind, that in turn makes it seem anything is possible – if you can dream it, you can live it!!! .

– Cheers to all the Girlboss’ out there, creating and living their own fabulous lives, leaving their sparkle on the world and those of you not quite living it yet , go create your very own Girlboss life. -. I would love to hear your girlboss stories – maybe you’ve treated yourself to a fabulously expensive bag or shoes, you’ve paid for yourself, or maybe it’s just as simple as getting your nails done that makes you feel glamorous and ready to take on the world girlboss style – whatever it is let me know you can find me on Instagram @llittlemisfitjojo using the #itsagirlbosslife Or tweet me @mis_fit1 using the same #. 💋 Xxxxx

girlboss

Building a Community!

For years I contemplated getting my fitness qualification, and teaching Fitness classes. However courses can be expensive and way back in the dark ages before the phenomenon we now have called the Internet , not so easily accessible . Back in 2009 In a moment of Serendipity though , I had joined a new gym –

so there I was in Body Pump with a fantastic instructor Stephen Smith who every week would regale us with his hilarious weekly exploits . His classes were so popular, you worked hard, but they were fun too , I’m still not sure if it was the class or all the laughing we did that left you with sore muscles the next day. I came to learn that Stephen also ran a training facility, where you could get your fitness instructor qualification. I decided to take the plunge and sign up. When I started the course, I think I just assumed I would wind up working in a gym or leisure center, but as the course went on, I started to think hang on why can I not just set up classes in a local hall and bring classes out into the community ? . You know when you walk into Gyms and there are some people all Reality TV esque – tanned, full face of make up , perfect hair even after their workout???? – then there was me – hardly any if no make up, hair as unruly as ever, sweat dripping , and I thought there must be people who would feel intimidated and hate going into gyms as a result or maybe like me , they preferred classes to the actual gym and wanted to feel part of something. Stephen’s classes were always such fun and everyone was welcome, I wanted to create the same kind of atmosphere in my own classes. How lovely would it be to create a little community of classes, where everyone felt welcome, it didn’t matter what fitness level you were, it would just be a place where the focus was on making fitness classes fun and accessible and you would have the added bonus of making new friends :-).

I found the number for the local church and rang and asked about hiring the hall out one night a week on a Monday for a fitness class. I started with Aerobics as my base qualification is in Exercise to music. I rounded up family and friends and asked them all along to this first class. I was so nervous , what if no one came, what if people came and hated it! , what if no one came back again ….

So many What If’s , but hey far better to try and fail then always wonder right ,. I decided to opt for an 80’s theme – it was the decade that brought us aerobics after all plus 80’s music is so infectious and just makes you want to dance – seriously who didn’t want to be a kid from Fame!. That first class we were in a little room and I had about 12 people show up, whats more quite a few of those were back the next week, and 6 years on some of those same people are still coming to my classes now!. 4 months after that first class , I decided to add another class – this time I found a Village Hall at Delves Lane in Consett and I added a Thursday class . A handful came along and again a couple of those ladies are still with me today and I’m still teaching in the same two venues. Since those early days, I’ve gained a few more qualifications , you never ever stop learning as a fitness instructor. little by little and lots and lots of hard work later , Word of mouth spread and today my classes are busier than ever and those two classes have now grown into 14 classes a week!!!. Apart from some cover work in the early days , I never did go work in a gym or leisure center, I fell in love with teaching community classes from that first class and I just knew that was the road for me. I’ve watched the classes build and seen friendships formed , – some people come and they go, life, circumstances etc but the majority stay- they are there week in, week out . As new people come , the feedback I recieve the most is how welcoming the classes are , how the class members go out of their way to make newbies feel welcome and included and welcomed into the tribe. I”ve had the privilage to share in special milestones – I’ve seen some of the girls get married and become mammies. I’ve watched them grow stronger and fitter and do things they never thought they would ever achieve – including people who have never ran before , run half marathons!!!, i’ve seen us team up and crawl through tunnels of mud for “fun” and raise money for the British Heart Foundation . in March of this year , we took part in a 3 hour Boxercise class to raise money for Ovarian cancer.

I truly believe “your Vibe attracts your tribe”, what you put out to the universe, you get back – as I look out at my tribe of Mis-Fits and I see so much Positivity, cheerfullness , friendship , kindness and love radiating , I feel I must be putting those same vibes out into the Universe to be lucky enough to have them come back to me in such abundance.

As Cindrella says “A Dream is a wish your heart makes” and I’m living mine – the Dream I had of creating a community of fun fitness classes and bringing people together is now my reality thanks to my community o Mis-Fits. xxxxxxxx

Fitness conventions

So this weekend, I travelled to Blackpool for the International Fitness showcase convention (IFS). I’ve been teaching for 5 years, but never been to a fitness convention. However this year, I had some little chums to go with – Jill and Marie who own Vitality Pilates studio in Durham and their friend Carol. I take classes at Jill and and Marie’s studio – yes even us instructors like to go to classes ourselves. We hired a car, booked a B&B and off we went. It was Awesome!!!!!!! , The event was held in the Winter Gardens in Blackpool

So basically every hour there were around 10 sessions – classes/workshops/lectures going on. You picked the ones you wanted to do – we were sent the timetable for the weekend in advance and you had to select first, second and third choices of sessions. The sessions were really busy but I did mange to get a couple of my first choices hurrah

My favourite sessions were

Booty Barre – I actually was lucky enough to do the two master classes on Saturday with the Booty Barre creator Tracey Mallett. Tracey was lovely , though she worked us hard!. she had flown over from LA and was really feeling the cold wind of Blackpool !.

Freestyle fitness Yoga – you guys know I love me some Yoga and I loved this session

I also took in a lecture, how to flatten your abs forever focusing on nutrition, which was really interesting.

i took in some Dance aerobic classes too, which were so much fun. Though I took one aerobics class – you know that episode of Friends, where Monica gets her credit card stolen, and she takes a tap dancing class to try and find the woman who has stolen her identity?. All the class are in sync apart from Monica who just freestyles – well I was totally Monica in this aerobics class haha. I had to totally freestyle as I was soooo bamboozled!!!. (see and there is another Friends reference – the episode where Joey audtions to be the presenter of a new Game show called Bamboozled – do I watch too much Friends maybe???? nah never its like my life bible lol – anyone else??).

There was a drinks reception on Friday and a gala dinner Saturday so we could also swap our trainers and workout clothes for our heels and dresses hurrah.

All in all an amazing weekend with a group of lovely girls, We all came away buzzing with new ideas for class sessions and we all agreed bring on IFS 2017!

our Box to Beat event – Sunday 28th February

The Mis-Fit family never cease to amaze me. As a boxercise instructor, we were invited to organise a Box to beat event. – a joint campaign with Boxercise and the Ovarian cancer.org – it would be a 3 hour long Boxercise class. It was an event created to raise awareness and much needed funds for research during March which is Ovarian Cancer month. I asked the Mis-Fits if anyone would like to take part and got lots of yes’s :-).

So we organised our event for Sunday 29th February. Mark at the North Durham Academy in Stanley, where we have some of our classes, very kindly allowed us the use of the theatre for the event. Thanks Mark!!!!.

3 hours is a long time to workout – ha the guys are usually moaning 5 minutes into a regular class (though they love it really heehee). So I knew I needed to make it a fun filled session.

I think I achieved it – the guys were laughing throughout it all and they all agreed they had had fun and the time just flew over . I’ve had some of the guys requesting to do it all again next year!.

We set ourselves a £500 target – as of today though we have actually raised over £900!!!!!!!!. our little community has come together and supported one another and raised an incredible amount of money for a brilliant cause.

A HUGE thank you to all those who took part and to all of Mis-Fits, and our family and friends who have donated so so generously!.

the 2016 Box to Beat Mis-Fit team! Marie and Tracey Sowerby, Tracy Walton,Gillian and Tash Corney, Clare Tilney, Pamela Smith , Deborah Wyatt, Joanne Neilands, Daneka Adams, Andrea Gray, Bev Charlton, Jayne Emma Turner and of course our very own Martin Greensitt.

Check out how much fun the guys had – thanks to Tasha Corney for the Flipogram!

https://flipagram.com/f/lCsxkF3IYE.