The Aurora Blog
To mark the launch of our new women’s’ Aurora fitness range we’re flagging a few Instagram accounts and bloggers that offer inspiration, advice and insight.
Covering a range of approaches to fitness, from serious lifters, to new mums seeking some advice on exercise, to regular gym users, to those among us that just want to get a bit fitter, feel a bit better and manage the day better with some exercise thrown in.
We’ve highlighted a few people we think might interest you, and yes you might already follow them. They all looked like they’d something interesting to say and their own experiences often gave a little bit of light relief or they’ve said just the right thing at the right time. And to give you a flavour we’ve included a snippet from each. Enjoy. If you’ve any good recommendations, send them in and we’ll include in a future Aurora Blog.
The Food Medic
Dr Hazel Wallace / @thefoodmedic is a qualified personal trainer and a junior doctor and so combines a super overall view on training, fitness and clean eating.
“Launching into the weekend with a solid breakfast of turmeric scrambled eggs on Rye toast with a variety of different tomatoes and mushrooms sautéed in olive oil and a side of rocket. Not sure if a big breakfast before this mornings class is a good idea”
Clean Eating Alice
@clean_eating_alice also offers a unique take on health, fitness and food
“Low impact body weight circuit! TAG your training partner and take your workout just about anywhere with this really simple but effective circuit.
1. Lunge to squats x12 (6 lunges each side)
2. Glute bridge x12
3. Side plank with feed through x12 (each side)
4. Wall sit x45 seconds
5. Bird dogs x12 (each side)
Aim for four rounds of this circuit, taking minimum rest between each exercise and 60-90 seconds rest between each circuit!
Joe Wicks
Joe Wicks has developed quite the reputation for transforming people wherever he goes and his instagram account is full of inspiration and ideas: @thebodycoach “If you train at true maximum high intensity and really push yourself out of your comfort zone then 20-25 minutes a day really is enough to maintain a healthy and lean body. Providing you eat healthy food obviously and create a small calorie deficit”
Emma Forsyth
@emmappd is a Qualified Health and Wellness coach which is complemented both by her Fitness background and qualifications and being a Social Science graduate from UCD
“Always good to turn yourself upside down every now and then. Great start to the day. #handstand #gym #exercise #acroyoga"
Siobhan O’Hagan
Siobhan O’Hagan / @ohfitness_ie offers fitness classes and advice from beginners to more experienced trainers.
“I remember everyone staring at the inside of my Tupperware... wondering why I was turning down drinks after work... setting the alarm for 5am to train every day... going out sober on Saturdays... spending Sundays planning, shopping, cooking... But every single decision has lead me to this point in life. There is no secret. That person you slag for not being good craic? Maybe they are trying to better themselves and more than anything they need your support. Because more than likely they will reap the benefits of their effort and you'll wonder how they managed it. Whatever small effort people are making to help them towards their goals - support them, That is all!
Annie Kirwan
Annie Kirwan's mantra is 'Health For Now, Health For Your Future' and she definitely lives by it. A pilates coach she shows her progress on her Instagram @anniekpilates learning new techniques and what she eats.
“Yoga is one of my favourite things in the world (with Pilates of course!). Beyond the flexibility and the tricks it has been life changing for me in finding peace within my mind and body.”
Fit Bottomed Girls
Today, the Fit Bottomed World, run by Jennipher Walters and Kristen Seymour, is an online phenomenon reaching millions of women (and men!) each month. And, of course, the focus is always on the idea that fit bottoms come in all shapes and sizes — and that you’re more than the number on the scale.
“Just a few days ago, on June 4, Harriette Thompson became the oldest woman in the world to finish a half marathon. She is 94 years old. It goes without saying, but I’ll say it anyway because she deserves it: That’s amazing.”
Faces by Grace
http://www.facesbygrace.com/2015/06/4-week-challenge.html
"Starting Monday I want to exercise on a daily basis, whether it be going for a run, a walk or doing some squats and ab work in myfront room. I want to start incorporating excise into my daily routine. One question I get asked so often is, if exercise is necessary to help with weight loss. For me, the first month and a half was down to my diet 100% I ate properly and avoided all junk food. In the last few months I have tried to be more active and go for regular runs/walks".
Comeback Mamma
“After successfully losing over 50 post-baby pounds and rebounding from post-partum depression twice, I became a successful blogger and personal trainer. Unfortunately, after an injury in late 2011, my anxiety and depression returned. I gained 20 pounds, quit training and blogging. I kept myself completely sheltered for nearly a year. I felt ashamed that I could not “make” myself better. Luckily, with the help of a wonderful doctor and therapist, I am back on the right path toward health and happiness.
I created Comeback Momma to share information about the things that help me be the best women, wife, and mother I can be. My goal is to inspire other women to constantly strive to find the best within themselves.”
Lift Like A Girl
http://www.niashanks.com/blog/
“Everyone should train the squat movement, in some form. The squat movement is as functional as exercise can get. You squat to sit in a chair or get in, and out of, a vehicle. You squat to the toilet. You squat to do lots of things. Like the book Everybody Poops – well, everybody squats. It’s a basic human movement pattern – one that can be trained, loaded, and progressed in numerous ways."
Eat, Lift & Be Happy
http://www.negharfonooni.com/blog/
“I have a meathead confession to make: Contrary to popular opinion in the strength world, I actually LOVE cardio. I know it’s really en vogue to hate on cardio in favor of lifting weights, but I just don’t care. I like to sweat.”
Nerd Fitness
https://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/
“Regardless of where you’re at on your fitness journey today, we’re a community of underdogs, misfits, and mutants that can’t wait to help. After all, as stated in Rule #1 of the Rebellion (the name of our community!) “we don’t care where you came from, only where you’re going.”
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