Fresh start

Back in London with a good energy

Everything I know I learn from my own experience. I didn't have any coach or mentor. I've chosen the way which is harder and more complicated, with lots of ups and downs. But in the end I learn for life and then I know that as a trainer, I share only the knowledge which is proven by myself. 

beautiful Toruń by night

As you probably noticed I have been off for one week which I spend in Poland.  Main focus of my visit was to spend quality time my family and friends, but secondly I went there to recover. 

Before my short holidays I found myself in a place where my body was tired, my soul was tired and I was n a bad state of mind - suffered from lots of indigestion problems (due to lactose and dairy intolerance) and then from terrible lower back pain due to constant over train. I had to STOP.  

So I took 8 days off from training, sport supplements and take care over my body. Had two 180 minutes massages, walk a lot and eat naturally (with some nice treat meals) food. But, most importantly, I get the connection with my body&mind again. 
There are lots of people who say that you have to love your body in order to see change but I really can say this is true!

After charging my batteries with love, friendship and rest, there was a time for some change with my training approach. 

from my first run this year in Victoria Park

This s what I learned this time: don't focus only only on training, recovery is a important part of a training process. What does it mean in practise? I reduced weight training to 2 split trainings. I will have pull and push days. The rest will be dedicated to Insanity training (twice a week) and cardio. Plus long stretching sessions at least 2-3 times a week and sauna session once or twice a week. More time for cardio and flexibility. And maybe some massage from time to time :)

back to food prep after some time of rest from lunchboxes

Now I feel more in balance with my own body and I hope that my new approach will show results quickly :)

Keep calm and...

Ok, so today is the day when we are doing a huge step into our bright future. We are moving to London! 

Keep calm, I will keep you updated :)

Canary Wharf, last trip to London, as a tourist that time

And these are perfect tunes for our moving out:

Nordic Fitnesss will be in new, UK edition soon!

3 Norwegian things I will miss

Since our moving is tomorrow, here is a time for some summing up.
Besides fiord&friends, which are obvious first point of my 'missing list', there are 3 other things I will miss from Norway (from fitness perspective, of course):

1) Fres - zero calories, energy drink with guarana with red bull taste (from TechNutrition)

2) Bauer's spelt lomper - soft tortillas from spelt flour and potatoes, perfect source of good carbs

3) MyRevolution's MyoProtein - great tasting protein powder, 50% whey 50% casein, a must to my morning oats

Last aerobic hour in Norway

My last aerobic hour in this yellow room

Yesterday I had my last aerobic hour in Sport og Mosjon.. As I have my last day of work on Monday, Friday was the last meeting with my customers for training.
Next time I will work as an instructor in London, where we are moving out next week. 
So exciting it is!

It was just like yesterday when I've got my trainer certificate and started to have my own classes. 

from my instructor's course in Warsaw (September 2012)

Having my own hours was a great experience where I've learned how to work with music, clients, how to compose choreography and made my customers sweat ;) I have mastered my skills in aerobic, step, strength classes, as well as spinn (indoor cycling).

Of course it was a little sad, because beeing an instructor was the best part og my work in Sport og Mosjon in Oslo, but - at the same time - I look forward to new chapter of my traineer career :)

Update

After many days of silence, I'm back. It was only a few days, but significant changes have been made in my life..
 
One week, so many changes:

* one beloved family member less ;(
* one last week in Oslo to go
* one week to a totally new chapter in my and my husband's-to-be life

And from fitness perspective:

* one week out from trainings 
* one week with no strict diet


But still I have one week to go in Norway, which will be full of good workouts and smart eating! Gym will be my therapy in those harsh times.

Unplanned trip and circuit training

Sometimes things are coming unexpected. I had to fly to Poland for few days to spend time with my closest <3 

leg press exercise

I had little time for preparation, but still a day before arrival I had a chance to made a great gym training with my husband to be. We help each other with exercises and it was a really good workout. I took heavier weights, made more repetitions than usually.

one of my favourites back exercises

I trained whole body as I knew that for next 3 days I won't be able to visit gym (some outdoor and indoor cardio only). Diet continuation is always on plan!

Whatever obstacles live comes with, I want to stick to my training routine as it is one of the things which I can have control of. With other things there is not always as easy...

Hardangervidda/Flåm/Jotunheimen trip

As I promised, I am coming back with little update about my recent weekend trip.

As 17th of May is Norwegian national day and it is free, as well as 20th of May, we had all 4 days for ourselves! :)

the beginning of Hardangervidda - national tourist road

We started our trip from passing Hardangervidda - mountain plateau, which - on this time of the year - is still covered in snow and ice. 

Hardangervidda in the mid of may ;)

 Hardangervidda is an extraordinary place, which will be ever more special for me now <3

Stalheim hotel and mountains around it. Photo from visitnorway.com

Stalheim hotel was another destination on our trip. The view from hotels terrace is amazing, as well as the route down (Stelheimskleiva) - the steepest route in Europe!

view from Stalheim's hotel

grill on our way to next trip destination

 

marinated chicken was on the menu ;)

grilled chicken sandwich

Next 2 days we spend in wonderful small city Flåm, which is a Norway in a nutshell for me. 

 

Flåm in the evening

It has fiord, beautiful and high mountains around, little wooden houses and many mountain pathways for hiking, cycling and skiing. 

Up in the mountains with the view on Nærfiord

 We managed to take a proper mountain trip which took us few hours and was approximately 10km long. And found local brewery very welcoming the same evening :) 
We felt so good in Flåm and the weather was so amazing that we had to force ourselves to leave this hospitable place... :)

beautiful view from Stegastein

 Aurland's viewpoint (Stegastein) was the next on our tour. The weather was perfect for climbing up in the hills (with car this time) and admire Nærfiord from above.

grilled salmon - yummy!

grilled salmon menu :)

mighty Jotunheimen Mountains

Last, but not least, we crossed Jotunheimen - the highest mountain range in Norway. This was spectacular! But, I have to admit, very scary at the same time! We were there almost alone and the scope of mountains was even overwhelming! On passing mountain shelters, we met professional Alpinists who were discovering Jotunheimen Mountains by foot (and skies).

waterfall in Jotunheimen mountains

Despite it were only 4 days, I totally relaxed, charged my batteries and had a wonderful, and very emotional :), time. It was all about relax, chill, love, celebration and splurging! Like a proper vacations should be :)

first ice creams this year ;)

"Nordic's kitchen" ;)

Up to the fiords!

And finally moment I've waited for so long, has come! We are about to leave Oslo for few days for mountain trip. Fiords are waiting! :)

Due to weather conditions, our trip to Trolltunga has to be postponed. Actually, conditions are good, but for those who want to ski ;) we were more into hiking, but with 20cm of snow, it won't be possible until mid of June.

So, we are starting our adventure from visiting Flåm - the best place in whole Norway, which is a 'Norway in a nutshell' for me. It has fiord, mountains, little Norwegian houses and outstanding nature all around. We will take for sure some mounting trip from there, since spring has already came to that region.

We are all packed, have lot of food supplies and positive attitude. I am about to relax and enjoy Norway!

For all of you who wants to celebrate 17th of may (constitution day in Norway) with some extra shopping deal  - check out MyRevolution's great offer for upcoming 3 days: 

Supplies from Poland

Tomorrow I have my flight from Gdansk to Oslo. This means that it is my last full day in Poland and the best time to make some supplies.

Everything is cheaper in Poland than in Norway.. but I have limitations in my plane language, that's why I will take only essential things with me which are worth carrying.

On my shopping list you can find:
- different kinds of teas (especially white and green)
- light diary (5% fat cheese, light greek yoghurt)
- polish ham ans sausages (the best in the world!)
- few chocolate products
- Fitness Authority protein powder, raspberry flavour (1kg in price 150nok which is 50%!!! cheaper than in Norway)
- Walden Farm's caramel dip (so sugar, little calories)
- protein bars (different types, not everything is included in photo)

last coffee in the city centre in brand new clothes

Beside that I'm going back to Oslo with a bunch of new cool clothes and great books to read! :) Not mentioning cosmetics which I will use for next few months :)

Swedish criminal and book about Arnold Schwarzenegger are few of my new comers

Norwegian Easter

As far as I observed, Norwegian are all about celebrating and getting into right celebration mood. 
I think it is very good to celebrate tiny little things, to make your life more colourful - Norwegians obviously know that too!

Easter goodies - lots of chocolate and marzipan

Shops were filled with Easter goods for about two month ago. 
Easter treats, Easter eggs, yellow flowers - everything which is yellow, with bunny or egg has its priority place in the shop shelves.

So how Norwegians celebrate Easter (norw. påske)? Few things catches my attention:

present boxes in shape of eggs

• presents (most of the times candies) are packed in egg-shaped packages

• it is a time of cross country skiing and having mountain trip

  

  'typisk norsk' tour kit

• trips to country houses are the standard 

•  Kvikk Lunsj (chocolate waffle) and oranges are THE MUST on that trips

• it is more about celebrating outside than inside

påske krim - also on to-do list during Easter

•  at least one criminal novel has to be read during Easter time 

For me Norwegians are spending their Easter in a very active way which is one we should learn from them! :)

 

 

 

Exploring London

We have a wonderful time, here in London. No time to share everything, but at least I will put some memorable photos from last days. 

Thai kitchen for the first time! Dinner on Valentines Day <3

 

Amazing musical 'We Will Rock You' which we sow on Valentines Day

Exploring the city - China Town

M&Ms shop

Shopping at Holland&Barrett

amazing steak for dinner!