BOOT CAMP: Live Fit Health and Fitness!! #Special Edition

SPECIAL EDITION: BLOGGERS GET FIT!!

I want to laugh at my blogger friends rightnow but they might chicken out if I do!!

Glitz and Glam aside, Zambian bloggers are coming together for a GET FIT Campaign organized by our very awesome personal Trainer Mr Live Fit himself, Muz and myself! I rounded up numbers and personally chatted up each blogger to invite them for one session of this Campaign! hopefully its something we can do regularly. This is the first session and we hope to have Zambian Fashionistas, Stylists, DJs, Tv Personalities every other week for just one session of bootcamp. So for starters, we chose the bloggers. They always seem to have alot to say about everything, we cant wait to see them in action in their sweatsuits and sneakers.

We are so good at attending events that involve nice wine, great clothes and laughter and really, no sweat at all.. but this time, we take our social selves to bootcamp and hopefully have some fun as we work out *gulp*

I had the most classic responses  as i invited the lot, from, "sorry what? bootcamp?", to "uhmm, ehhhhhhh" and some exclaiming the word "EXERCISE!", some vowed NEVER to show up,lol.. and ofcourse the very classic "il do it only for you" but with-lots-of-doubt response, haha, I could not hold back the laughter. I dont blame them though, I would have said the same thing and probably not shown up - hehe... but I am 4 weeks into it and if I can do it I know these awesome Bloggers can too. After a lot of persuasion, they are very supportive of this movement and are excited and we cant thank them enough for agreeing to venture into the "unknown"!!

Who we have on our list so far;

0. Lulu Haangala, Our Celeb who will be our constant in almost every group! >> http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lulu-Haangala-Fanpage @LuluHaangala

1. The Afrosocialite Mazuba Kapambwe >> http://afrosocialiting.wordpress.com/  @afrosocialite

2. Miss Lee >> http://lsksocial.wordpress.com/ @leelabee - who swore never to show up, haha

3. Scarlet >> missmahogany.blogspot.com @Scarlet_mwanaOK

4. Linda >> unikuemoda.tumblr.com  @MisLenga

5. Joan Kats >> http://www.afro-funk.blogspot.com/ @ghetogal

Hopefully we get a whole lot more for the next sessions.

What to bring;

 

0. Yourself - (Lee this is for you)
1. SweatSuit
2. Sneakers
3. Bottle of water
4. Towel
5. Dont forget your camera and phone for those moments that everyone will be dying to see and hear about.. lol

 That's pretty much it really....

Just dont forget to eat on the day - you will need all the Energy!!

I am super-excited, not only because I clocked a successful 10day boot-camp record but mostly because this will be a good way for these over-active, intellectual and creative minds to unwind (I see all of them shaking their head thinking uhhhh.. No!lol) and No, No cake after guys!

Its definitely something to look forward to!!! hahaha *my ribs*

Count-down begins NOW!!

#Bless

Check out The trainer>> #TeamLiveFit >> follow link below;

http://www.facebook.com/livefitzambia?ref=stream&hc_location=timeline

twitter: @TheRealMuz
instagram @TheRealMuz

BOOT CAMP: LIVE FIT Health and Fitness!!! p6

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

feels like i am looking better than before - could it just be a feeling?!!

Day 10

Looking Back I dint think making it to 10days would be possible. It felt impossible! How do you know this? well, Day 1 pretty much dictates how you feel about boot camp!! Its so much hard work but the thing about you is that you will keep challenging yourself. I mean, some days are definitely harder than others, for instance, if I (conveniently) forget to eat as much as i should and it is boot camp day, i literally feel like i am going to die, my head spins, my heart throbs an extra - whatever hearts throb at and then comes the nausea. You will hate your trainer (sorry @therealmuz) because even as he notices all these symptoms he wont quit, instead, he will ask you what you ate for lunch - which is an apple and punish you further! #MyLife!!

So Day 10 could not get any worse! I ate, or at least I thought I did.. cant remember, but dont know if that was enough to help me get through the ............................no, not Burpees. lol... SUICIDES!!!! What?! Why this?????!!! so basically You sprint and touch a cone and then back to starting point and you sprint to the next cone and back to start and so on and so forth... The trainer said the first would be the hardest *blank expression* as all were a little bit too hard! To think i would be something like a pro by now - 10 days and some things still feel like they should not be legal. But lemme ask you, has anything worth it been easy to get? ( I answer, YES #burstOutInLaughterWithSelf) Maybe Just not this!

I know I should have done this at the beginning of this journey but better late than Never I guess. Its time to take that "After" Picture but seeing as I have No real "Before" image, this might as well be my Before for Next Months After!
Time to get out that Measuring Tape, Note Pad and camera!! The Big Reveal..

Anyway, this post is really about how hard  I have worked these past weeks. My July has been awesomely painful, sometimes emotional but through it all, Boot camp has given me renewed energy to do more than I could in June! And for that I am thankful to my consistent trainer and of course my body for not giving up on me. On to the Next!!

Wishing I could reward myself with a huge unhealthy meal but to be honest, that will just do me more harm than good (and My trainer *hi Muz* might read this post!hehe)

 Ready For AUGUST!!! 

#Bless

Give it a try!! 

Check out my trainer>> #LiveFit >> follow link below;

http://www.facebook.com/livefitzambia?ref=stream&hc_location=timeline

twitter: @TheRealMuz
instagram @TheRealMuz

Fashion Weekend - Kutowa Launch

 KUTOWA DESIGNS - YATATU COLLECTION

I can hardly wait for this evening. An amazing Zambian designer, Towani, and of course a business colleague is launching her new collection, "Yatatu" which simply means Three! 

After my work-out tonight i am headed straight there (of course after a shower and a change of clothes) to secure firstly parking (lol) and a seat at the bottom of the terrace - yes, its terrace seating guys, and it is out-doors so please grab a coat or scarf to keep warm! ( i mean, assuming the weather will be like anything its been the past evenings). Stopped by last night to pick up my tickets and i must say the stage and lights look amazing.

stage and lights and terraces

Zambian Fashion has really sky rocketed and i have to say Towani of Kutowa Designs has to be one of my favorite (ready-to-wear) designers. We have seen the rise (and fall) of many Zambian designers in the recent years but really, some can hardly be called designers - their work is hardly professional  whereas others are full of surprises and entertainment - quite like Kutowa, Mo Creations and Mangishi Love ( to mention but few).  

 I have to hand it to Zambia though, we are doing big things in the fashion industry and the talent is amazing. We have so many gifted young people all full of brilliant ideas. They can learn a thing or two from Kutowa , Mangishi Love and Mo Creations and many other older designers when it comes to professionalism and delivery of a finished product whose 'T's are properly crossed and 'I's dotted. I guess it all comes with experience and patience and handwork and passion.(blah blah blah)

Anyway, this is not a rant or nothing, its simply about how excited I am for the launch tonight!

tickets

  FIRST ENCOUNTER

When I first heard and read about Towani, I quickly wrote her and asked her to feature on some project I was working on back then, I was younger, inexperienced but with a lot of soul and passion for the Fashion industry in Zambia and when she responded, I couldn't believe it.. She was so humble about it and showed up with her own transport, I did not pay her or her models anything ( I couldn't even afford her, lol), all I did was share my vision - which took a long time to come to pass (lol) but she handled me with mutual respect. I have to say even now, she still remains humble, open, happy and very hardworking its hard to not fall in love with that sort of spirit. Towani to me is an inspiration and I remain her supporter. 

 

Raw image from our First Ever shoot with Towani - photo credit: Jamiel Banda Photography

I got this cute skirt from Kutowa which I paired for the first time like that but i am definitely ready to wear it again - hmm, maybe even tonight!! #Maybe

Kutowa designs

This first collection sold Kutowa to me and when i saw the actual clothes at the shoot we had for her, I couldn't be more convinced she was who I wanted to work with. (Models L - R : The gorgeous 'retired' model Jacky, proprietor of I-emerge models, Miyanda and Wika)

For more of her work, please check out her page -Kutowa Designs - Cheers to Zambian Fashion!! See you tonight!

#Bless

BOOT CAMP: LIVE FIT Health and Fitness!!! p5

WELCOME BACK?!

 

DAY 8&9

BURPEES, FROG JUMPS, WALKING LUNGES!! that is just a bit of what greeted me back!! now i have vowed to never fall ill again. When my trailer said he had a good welcome back workout, who knew this is what he meant?!

Even my new workout gear couldn't keep up. My recovery time was pathetic and of course, the frog-jumps were shameful. Things have got to change!! I was sweating like a ..............pig?? ( i have really never seen a pig sweat in my life so I don't know about that) and at first i blamed my very brief illness but then it really hit me - i managed to go through the full workout but with very little energy. the guys at bootcamp were just going and going and soon they were all gone and i was..... yeah, still there struggling with my last walking lunge!!

I remember having eaten nothing for lunch and my breakfast had melted away trying to cover up for a lack of lunch - whooops!! Yeah, and that is the reason for my low energy levels #LESSON1
Not only that, I decided to check my weight and SOMEHOW I am 2kiloz less than I was when I started boot-camp *sobs*, Sadly I have been working out more than I ever have but still eating the same portions if not less. This is a disaster because now I am much smaller than my desired weight!! Things have got to change!! So now i have embarked on a "Eat better - Look Better" diet *cough* Lifestyle! #LESSON2

 

I am focused on getting healthier by eating better than i currently do, and the fact that i am Pesco-vegetarian, I have to deliberately pack up on protein and energy giving foods. The good part is that i love food and i have an awesome chef to help me on this food journey, what with all the recipes and fun ways of cooking - i am super excited!

DAY 9

"Have you heard of bear crawl??" he asked me.. I reluctantly said No!!! but goush.. should I have said yes and faked an injury? I dont even know at this point. You will never hear me vouch for burpees.. but this is worse than Burpees...

How its done - well, you basically crawl like a Bear :o

It looked so easy when he first showed me and i must admit, my first 3 crawls felt like a piece of cake!! You cant imagine how unbelievably painful it really is after the third!

Now i know why babies have super strength - they can bear-crawl :D #interestingfind!

I am totally convinced my trainer is out to get me - Burpees and Bear crawls in one session!! and sprints! I'm sorry, WHY?!

After all is said and done, i am absolutely grateful for an awesome trainer i have. This man has to be by far the best Fitness trainer i have ever met.. and only actually! ( i cant vouch for Anthony Mwamba, ask Esther Phiri!lol) He is passionate about fitness and helping others attain a healthy life-style. He is awesome! They say you cant buy your health - but you can surely pay your way to better habits!

#Bless

Give it a try!! 

Check out my trainer>> #LiveFit >> follow link below;

http://www.facebook.com/livefitzambia?ref=stream&hc_location=timeline

twitter: @TheRealMuz
instagram @TheRealMuz

JEANS!!! and Other Thingz

JEANS

Well-fitted jeans are literally a girl's best friend. The way they hug her bottom just right, fit her waist awesomely she doesnt have to wear a belt to hold they up. Covering just the right amount of skin, kind of like a bra, only bigger.lol..


This is some of my old work that i found looking through my archives;

 Jeans! Jeans! Jeans! They can be dressed up or Down! They have the super power of providing both Comfort and protection and look really awesome whilst doing it.

I absolutely enjoy styling jeans because for one, EVERYBODY owns or has owned a pair of Jeans. Jeans have no class and they are so versatile you can do literally anything in them (except run a marathon bcz that ought to be highly uncomfortable and hard)

I personally wouldn't wear this all white outfit to just anywhere, it has to be well though and I have to be moving in an incubator (like Gaga) or something to remain clean the whole day. Its just something i am not good at, i would be extra conscious and really really uncomfortable. After all is said and done, I might just challenge myself one day - who  knows *stares in sky for sign*

Corals and Turqs are awesomely warm together - so peaceful.

Whereas a darker option of jeans doesn't scare me at all. In fact, i over indulge :D

I love Jeans.

BOOT CAMP: LIVE FIT Health and Fitness!!! p4

DETERMINED?!

 

 DAY 6 & 7

Day 6, I was pretty much feeling like that!!! Tiredness, body ache, Fever, Headache from hell and that sore-throat was the worst!! Felt like I was being punished for something. Its true what they say, the earth has been hit by a new and improved virus that knows how to trick your anti-virus, puts them to sleep and takes advantage of your inability to fight it. Its all true (source: self, lol)

I couldn't go to boot-camp, the headache and fever wouldn't let me, plus I was feeling as cold as a polar bear in some really cold country (save for all that fur to keep it warm)

Determined to turn my luck around, I decided to take matters in my own hands, my dad's treadmill was staring right at me like saying 'come and use me' in a treadmill-type-voice (because they speak you know) and I decided that would be it for the night, exercise in the comfort of my home.

 I told myself I should not go three days without exercise (okay, that's what my trainer says) and I really had no excuse now, I was in a controlled environment which meant if I felt really bad, I could reduce the speed and walk and when I felt better, I ran.


Needless to say it was the most awesome decision ever. I went for 30 minutes with very few short breaks in between to take some fluid. I felt really accomplished afterward and a little better. The warm-down was rushed, I was tired and just wanted my much needed rest.














I went straight to bed afterwards (I showered too, I promise) and the after-burn the next day was uhm, unexpected but atleast it meant the treadmill move meant something to my body.

DAY 7

At this point, I was a little frustrated because I was still down with a cold. Even after all that medication, I was still very woozy.  Felt like my best-friend (my body) was letting me down - we have always been such good friends but now, 3 days down the road and I still have the bug. I wasn't Quitting, Nope! not today anyway.

Shopping felt like the only way to cheer me up, went to get me some new work-out gear, something that speaks 'Im fine' - as in like physically okay.. lol. So I thought pink was the most girly and predictable way to go.. i wanted that!!

I asked the shop lady at the counter if my new Workout gear would make me feel and look like her *points at pic above* and she was right about one thing, the new gear did give me a bit of a boost. As for the body, i think she meant after a few more weeks of working out, I might just look like that!! (just so you know, this conversation happened only in my head!)

Seriously though, a new out fit can fix a number of problems. Was tired of my All black and occassional white, i have to make pink work for me.

Determined again, I went out to the soccer field, jogged alone (in my new kit - *insert huge smile*) and a bit of some leg work that my trainer showed me the previous week. Work-out was not a total fail that day either.
Day 8 though, No excuses, this alien bug has to leave my body completely so I can get back to my tough work - out routine. I AM DETERMINED!!!!

Check out my trainer>> #LiveFit >> follow link below;

http://www.facebook.com/livefitzambia?ref=stream&hc_location=timeline

twitter: @TheRealMuz
instagram @TheRealMuz

FASHION: The Weird, The Awesome, The Absolutely Fashionable!

 Focus: Kelly Osbourne

 

I have to say, I am one of the hugest Kelly Osbourne fans. She has had the most amazing transformation fashion-wise (and physically) and it is still happening. She looks absolutely stunning in 2013. Its hard to recognize her from the dark haired chubby girl she was to the blond and now purple haired Beauty.

She is absolutely versatile and still remains true to her unique style.

Kelly Glamorous:

 I thought she looked gorgeous in the blond until she changed to purple which was awkward at first but now I can't believe she rocks it so well and looks amazing. She has to be one of the few that can permanently rock a massively dramatic hair color like this - well, her and Katy Perry.

Losing weight was a brave and relevant choice. She is gorgeous and has to be one of my favorite style icons.

Kelly Street Style:

Whether she be blonde, Brunette, red, purple or whatever else she chooses to do to her hair next, Kelly has already set her relevance in the fashion world. Kudos to her!! <3

CHIQUE'N YOUR STYLE VIA HIS CLOSET!!

BOYFRIEND CLOTHES

Your Best-friend and Boyfriend (if not the same person) have something in common, they both have incredibly cool stuff you can steal borrow to enhance your style!

BOYFRIEND JEANS

A Great and fun way to dress-up his jeans is with heels and a lot of chic girly accessories. You can either go really classy with a cute blazer or a little more relaxed but still chic with a beanie and a sweater. Just do it your way and stand out.

BOYFRIEND COLLEGE JACKET

 This is such a must-have especially now that they are made in the female version too but who cares, your boyfriend's jacket will be perfect for this.

I went totally bright on this look - what with all the pink and blue_ so flashy and cute. I accidentally left the shoes off of the look with the jeans, haha, use your imagination, you can wear anything on that..... from boots , sneakers to brogues to pretty much anything.

Rihanna again, makes this look her own. I love it!

Your boyfriend probably wont approve of you jacking his stuff but if you can prove you look better in his clothes than him, maybe, just Maybe he might be lenient with you. (*smh* at my logic!)

Steal and share your look!

BOOT CAMP: LIVE FIT Health and Fitness!!! p3

 LIFE-STYLE CHANGE

DAY 4 & 5

When people hear the term "Boot-camp" for some reason they assume you want to lose weight. *blank expression* - (Nothing against weight-loss but i cant be wanting to lose weight  ALL THE TIME??!), once you have attained your desired weight, you have to change the goal, yes?! and when I order the healthier dish over the cheese-sugar-infested meal the next person is having, they assume I am on some sort of 'diet'......... Its a LifeStyle Change!!! 

I keep going because I have a goal. I have only myself to disappoint and that is the worst kind of disappointment ever!!! After Days 2 and 3, I realise more now why I have to continue doing this, I have less pain and more energy. It really is awesome what a few days of intense work-out can do to your whole system. I love it and I am not going back *cough* I really do not want to.. that is not to say I cannot slack a day or 2 (muhaha).


I have been on serious campaign of getting my friends to get with this program, yes, its that awesome..
So Friday I had a couple of my friends try it out for themselves, needless to say they enjoyed every bit of it. Stressful as you do it but the feeling of achievement is so glorifying you feel like you can take over a country ( a very very small country)

Day 4 had a lot of full body workouts - Sprints and Frog-jumps and a bunch of other stuff.... cant say i enjoy frog jumps when done in excess but i guess what pays off is the Results! I might need to practice how to frog jump in my spare time though :/

..competition

Day 5 Burpees Burpees Burpess.... *nuff said* This looks like the easiest thing to do until you start #Lehugehugesigh because my arms and legs felt like they had had enough for the day.

Why Burpees?

Whether you like it or not, burpees are a full-body workout and they burn a lot of calories. Its the things we hate most!! #unfortunately
I am warming up to them though and soon, I will be a burpee champ *looks around for applause* No?! Yes?!

It is really easy though (i lied) try it out today - and No, not once, do as many as you can and enjoy the after-burn tomorrow.

if i say this over 10 times, i will believe it :D

Check out my trainer >> #LiveFit >> follow link below;

http://www.facebook.com/livefitzambia?ref=stream&hc_location=timeline

twitter: @TheRealMuz
instagram @TheRealMuz