A question I get asked all the time....the answer is yes definitely!

I believe that having a mix of weight training, cardio and some sort of pilates/yoga style class in your routine is spot on ✅

Women worry that if they lift weights they will be bulky or that as they have heard muscle weighs more than fat they will put weight on which concerns them.....

Here's my opinion.....its hard for most women to bulk, women who want to bulk will work really hard to achieve that...most women doing something like Kettlebells or Body Pump will get a lean toned look.....and yes muscle does weigh more than fat but having more muscle will boost your metabolism and help you lose inches...leaving you looking and feeling better and stronger ✅✅ win win!! Much better to be strong, healthy, looking and feeling great........
 
As we get older it is really important too.......using weights will improve your muscle tone and also build up your bone density...so there are so many reasons why using weights is a GREAT IDEA....
 
 
I have weights based classes on my timetable if you want to try one.....
 
8pm Tuesday Kettlercise
10am Thursdays 50+ Kettlebells
6.15pm Thursdays Kettlercise
 
Do you lift weights? Are you concerned about becoming too bulky or it affecting that number on the scales?
 
Kelly x
www.keepfitwithkelly.com

5 Top Tips to have a healthy March .......

We are into a new month...which is great..and how great could it be if it was your healthiest month yet??? Here I share my top 5 tips to have a healthy March..
1. Do yourself a food plan and make sure you have the right foods in the cupboard

2. Move your body more...go for walks, try new classes....the nights are getting lighter so let's get more active!

3. Are you drinking enough water? Treat yourself to a new water bottle and some nice herbal teas

4. Have a look at your favourite foods and see how much sugar is in them....you might be surprised where it is hiding

5. And finally get some me time this month.....can you treat yourself to a massage or a lunch out with a friend
Have these tips helped? I really hope they have....let me know if you have any questions...you can watch a video about this over in my FREE Facebook group 
 
Kelly x
www.keepfitwithkelly.com

​I would love to know if you are.........and what you are giving up if anything..

My son Jude announced he is going to give up broccolli.........nice try Jude!!!!!!

I don't usually give anything up...but this year myself and my husband are giving up chocolate and crisps.....crisps no problem for me...but I love my chocolate so wish me luck....

Kelly xx
www.keepfitwithkelly.com

First of all I want to say that I totally get that it can be a really daunting experience to walk into any fitness class for the first time......so what can you expect in one of mine...
 
1. To be greeted by me with a welcome and a smile...I am always on the door when you arrive.....to say hello and chat with you if you need to tell me about any injuries or concerns
 
2. A non intimidating atmosphere...all my venues are church halls or school halls....we do not have mirrors or egos!!!
 
3. A mix of people......you will find all ages, shapes and sizes exercising together....working at their own level....I encourage and motivate but don't push beyond peoples means
 
4. You won't find the same thing 2 weeks running, I mix up music and moves so that you hopefully never get bored
 
5. A good atmosphere..the music is a massive part of my classes...and I believe music can really be used to enhance the mood...whether that is cranking it up in Kettlercise or chilling out in Pilates.
 
If you want to come and try a class check out my timetable HERE or drop me a message and we can chat about which classes might suit you....
 
Kelly x
www.keepfitwithkelly.com

I have seen this on the news this morning and I would love to get your thoughts on this......
 
Do your kids or grandkids take packed lunches or have school dinners?
 
The news is reporting how kids packed lunches are still filled with unhealthy things...sugary treats etc however they did also report (but it was snuck in  not a headline) that sugar levels in packed lunches have dropped...
 
I think that lots of us are aware of the importance of feeding our kids as well as we can.......someone did say on the news when interviewed that her view was that it was expensive to get healthy snacks for her kids lunchbox.......what do you think?
 
My son is in year one and so he gets free school dinners at the moment which we have gone with...most days he tells me has had fish so who knows...BUT he always has a dessert........so is that healthy?
 
Its a minefield isn't it.....how to feed your kids healthy food that they will actually eat and enjoy.........my daughter is at secondary school and has her own money to take...so that becomes another minefield as I have no control really as to what she spends it on
 
As always I continue to feed them as best as I can at home.....giving them an appreciation for home cooked meals....but everything in moderation....and always referring to foods around health...so the language I use is " good or bad for your skin, teeth, muscles etc" never using language around making you put weight on etc..
 
Also my kids are active, they do lots of exercise so thats important as well...
 
I would love to get your thoughts on this.....do your kids take packed lunches? How do you make them healthy? Do you worry about your kids diet?
 
Kelly xx
​​​​​​​www.keepfitwithkelly.com
​

January...the telly is full of programmes about diets isn't it....I can't help watching them even though I have probably over the years done pretty much every diet going!!!
 
I find them compulsive viewing even though I absolutely know that the only way to lose weight and keep it off is to burn off more fuel than we take on board through food..
 
There are many different ways to do that and it really is not one size fits all,  and that is why in my weight loss groups we try a different theme each week to see what works best for every individual, however the simple science always boils down to the fact you lose weight when you are in a calorie deficit
 
So how many diets have you done over the years.......what has worked and what has not? Are you currently on a "diet"? Or does the thought of dieting make you reach for the biscuit tin????
 
I don't like to deprive myself of anything...that is why I am not doing dry January...it just makes me want the thing I have given up even more....that is why on my course we don't deprive ourselves of anything completely..everything in moderation....
 
Would love to hear your thoughts as we go into 2020......
 
Kelly xx
www.keepfitwithkelly.com
 
PS: My brand new podcast The 40 Something Female launches tomorrow on ITunes and Spotify....the first 3 episodes will be published tomorrow...looking forward to seeing what you all think........

Mine is my best friend all year really but especially at this time of the year...
 
I use it to cook whole joints of meat, stews, curries, chilli......so many different things
 
It is great if you are busy and don't get home until late some days......what is better than walking in to that delicious smell......
 
I find if you have people coming home at different times it works well too as you can all just eat from the pot when you need to...
 
Have you got a slow cooker? What is your favourite thing to make....share your favourite recipe with me and I will send out a few of the favourites on Friday..
 
Kelly x
www.keepfitwithkelly.com

​So many women ask me this question?
 
They see things written about weight training being good but do not really feel confident or know where to start....
 
So yes weights are a great addition to your workouts, for women to bulk up it is very difficult, so never worry that you don't want to be muscly, using light weights and high reps will increase your muscle mass, improve your shape and do wonders for your fitness without bulking you up.
 
Most of us want to look better......so it is best to stop obsessing about the scales and start to think about your body shape and muscle tone...using weights as we get older is brilliant for combatting menopausal weight gain as well
 
Resistance training with weights or bands can be extremely effective at preserving or even increasing lean muscle mass, which normally declines with hormonal changes and age
 
So now to getting the confidence.....attending a weights based class or perhaps using a trainer is a great idea as you then know that you are doing things correctly...
 
I run 3 weights based classes on my timetable if you are near enough to me..
 
Tuesday - 8pm Kettlercise Coppice School
Thursday -10am 50+ Kettlebells Holy Cross Church Hall Walmley
Thursday - 6.15pm Kettlercise Falcon Lodge Community Centre
 
Please hit reply and feel free to ask my any questions about working out with weights
 
Kelly xx
www.keepfitwithkelly.com

​It can be hard to stay motivated when the nights draw in....the temptation to just stay on the sofa rather than go out to exercise is HIGH..I get that!!!!
 
Also the shops are already starting to fill their shelves with the Xmas goodies.......soon the coffee shops will have their specialty drinks in......I was behind 2 ladies in a queue in Aldi this week both buying mince pies....
 
BUT IF WE START EATING ALL THE GOODIES AND HIBERNATING NOW.......WHAT WEIGHT WILL YOU GAIN AND HOW WILL YOU FEEL BY THE NEW YEAR
 
I love this time of the year...this run up to Xmas is my ABSOLUTE favourite and I am no party pooper...
 
BUT
 
If I start on the mince pies and baileys now then I will gain a stone by January...FACT!!
 
And I do not want to do that!!!!
 
​​​​​​​So my message today is stay motivated.....make good food choices.......avoid the SUGAR and rubbish and keep up with the exercise routine...it only takes 2 weeks for your fitness levels to start to decrease!!!
 
 
Kelly xx

And if you do...why shouldn't you!
 
We only get one life and I believe in living it...whilst being as healthy, happy and active as I can be
 
AND SO
 
If you like to eat out...go on holidays and have a drink at the weekends....I encourage all my clients to carry on doing that!
 
I always tell them never to cancel social occasions they just need to learn how to create the right balance........I eat out, drink alcohol and eat chocolate.......but I also follow some other simple rules to stop me from gaining weight...and this is the sort of info I share on my 6 week Kick Start Home plan.....
 
It doesn't have to be all or nothing...there is another way!
 
Kelly xx
www.keepfitwithkelly.com