Hello 2024.......and a very Happy New Year to you!

I do hope you have had a wonderful and relaxing festive break, and managed in the main to avoid the seasonal bugs and sniffles. We  started back with classes on Tuesday morning following the New Year Bank Holiday...I've missed you! 

All the timetabled F2F classes reconvene and places can be booked up to 6 weeks in advance via Bookwhen as before. Online LIVE sessions are back and the library of replays are available as always. Those booked for the January Reset are 'primed' ,ready to start with me this coming Monday  with our preparation week.

I hope you are as excited as me to get started and I can reassure you that this time next month you will be feeling AMAZINGLY DIFFERENT and incredibly proud of yourselves and all YOU WILL have achieved.

 A reminder that I will invite all those signed up into the private Facebook group that we will be working together in on Sunday morning.

. The Running Club also  starts back on Sunday, and with the London Marathon just 16 weeks away  the long run training continues in earnest for some with the Welwyn Half Marathon this Sunday. Others are focused on a variety of other events this year too. There is nothing like getting entered for an event to give you the focus to get out and train whatever the weather. 

How about you? Have you a health of fitness goal I can help you with this year? I'd love to know , get in touch I am always available for an informal chat.

Also in this newsletter...

• Willpower is NOT a thing!
• Kickstart your 2024 Fitness with a FREE Walkfit Class
• Commit to your Fitness book your next 6 weeks of Lindsey Fitness Classes
• Clean up your nutrition with a protein packed, anti -oxidant delicious chicken stir-fry recipe.
• Lindsey Fitness Running Club  long run trainnig schedule

There is No Such thing as Willpower......

The start of a New Year for many traditionally heralds or represents the start of something fresh , different, or new . A clean sheet to begin or start something new or different.  Anything maybe from a new job or hobby to eating better in order to lose excess weight or a new exercise regime to get fitter. Many believe none of this can or will be achieved without having willpower..... but what is 'willpower'?  Willpower is not a thing as such, you only have to tell yourself and/or anyone else that you've 'lost it' and hey presto you've excused yourself from whatever it is you set out to do and you're back doing the 'same old, same old' thing you wanted to change from. So how do we actually achieve something we plan to do......

The key to succeeding at anything is DESIRE....How much or how badly do you want to achieve something?

You have to know without a shadow of doubt that you want something more than or over anything else. How often in your life have you set out to do something you really , really wanted or needed to do ....the house you wanted to buy, the holiday you wanted to go on, the person you wanted to marry....... You went all out to achieve it didn't you? You imagined living in that house, going on that holiday, marrying that person.....and it happened, because you made it happen!! That wasn't willpower ... that was DESIRE. Your brain doesn't know the difference between what's real and what's imagined. When you imagine, and keep imagining what it is that you want, and how amazing, wonderful and exciting that will feel having achieved it - then everything you do physically, practically and mentally will lend itself to achieving just that!! So what is it that YOU want this New Year?  Have a think and let me know if I can help you with that. 

Set your intention and start imagining how it will feel to achieve it....go on, I dare you.

Need to exercise?... Here's how and where to start for FREE!

Saturday Mornings Monks Walk School - 9.30am - 10.15am

Low Impact, fun group exercise for everyone from beginners to regular exercisers. If you can walk you can WALKFIT - SIMPLES!

 5000+ steps and over 2 miles without leaving the hall in just 45 minutes!

Give it a try for **FREE in January - Just get in touch and we'll go from there!

 (**New or returning members)

Lindsey Fitness Members can  book their classes up to 6 week in advance. Book your New Year Sessions NOW!  (thereby setting your intention to keep up with your fitness in 2024)

FOOD MATTERS >>>>

Protein-Packed Chicken Stir-Fry with Veggies

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced into thin strips
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 red pepper, sliced
• 1 yellow pepper, sliced
• 1 green  pepper, sliced
• 1 medium-sized broccoli head, cut into florets
• 1 medium-sized carrot, julienned
• 1 cup sugar snap peas
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
• 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup (optional)
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
• 1 teaspoon crushed red chilli flakes (adjust to taste)
• Fresh coriander or green onions, chopped (for garnish)

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. In a large skillet or wok, heat olive oil over medium-high heat.
2. Add the chicken strips and cook until they are browned and cooked through. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
3. In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and grated ginger. Sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
4. Add the sliced peppers, broccoli florets, julienned carrot, and sugar snap peas to the skillet. Stir-fry for about 3-4 minutes until the vegetables are slightly tender but still crisp.
5. In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, honey or maple syrup (if using), sesame oil, and cornstarch (if desired).
6. Pour the sauce mixture into the skillet with the vegetables and stir well to coat evenly. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
7. Add the cooked chicken back into the skillet and toss everything together to combine. Cook for another minute to heat through.
8. Sprinkle crushed red chilli flakes over the stir-fry, adjusting the amount to your preferred level of spiciness.
9. Remove from heat and garnish with fresh coriander or green onions.
10. Serve hot over steamed brown rice or quinoa for a complete and nutritious meal.

ENJOY this protein-rich chicken stir-fry packed with colourful anti- oxidant packed veggies, aromatic herbs, and spices as a healthy and delicious way to kickstart your New Year!