This month we're going to chat to Tina Allen . Our Burlexercise Showgirl Instructor for September!
Tell us about YOU Tina, why did you get into Teaching Fitness?
I decided I wanted a career change. I wanted to do something I felt passionate about and would help others. I had a passion for fitness so thought...why not try that as a career? Initially I trained as a Gym Instructor and achieved my Level 2 qualification.... But having danced as a child my real passion was dance fitness.
Since having my daughters I have lived my love of dance through them. I also loved going to Zumba & Barre classes. As well as a boogie round the house. So my next step in my career change was dance fitness. I trained as a BalletBeFit instructor then completed the Total Barre instructor qualification. I started instructing 2 classes a week and loved it.... which was odd as previously I hated standing up in front of people and talking. Clearly I had found my calling so in March 2015 I took the plunge and resigned from my job of 17 years in a bank.
I started working as a Fitness Coach at studying for my Level 3 Personal Trainer qualification. I passed this in July 2015 and made a bigger decision to go 100% self-employed... Burlexercise was my next challenge.
I first heard about Burlexercise in Mar 2015. I loved the sound of the class. The resistance element and the sassy dance cardio really appealed to me. In September 2015 I attended the Burlexercise instructor training day. A fabulous day and I fell completely in love with the programme. Having passed the assessment, I was ready to go. My first Burlexercise class took place in November 2015 and I haven't looked back. I love teaching the class and get so excited when there is a be volume release. I now have a sassy & sparkling future ahead.
Your Showgirl Instructor Secrets...
What's your favourite Showgirl move?
The shimmy of course.
Who's your biggest musical influence?
There are so many to choose from. I am a pop girl at heart and have always been partial to a boyband... The ultimate boyband for me was & still is, after 21 years, Backstreet Boys, closely followed by New Kids on the Block & Take That.
If you were stranded on a desert island in the 1950's with the Rat Pack, Elvis and Marilyn all there together, what 3 Showgirl/Showboy essentials would you have with you?
With all those fabulous artists & the beautiful Marilyn I would need to look the part. So it would be:
1. A gorgeous shimmering gown
2. Bright Red Lipstick
3. And the ultimate showgirl accessory a boa.
Eating healthy daily is important, but when you're treating yourself, what is your most deliciously naughty favourite food?
I have a sweet tooth so when I want to indulge I love nothing more than Chocolate brownie with ice-cream.
Do you have any cool tips on how we can keep active outside of class too?
Put your favourite music on and dance like no one is watching. Burn calories & feel awesome.
Also walk as much as you can. Leave the car behind put on some comfy shoes and go for a walk. Clear your head & enjoy being outdoors.
SEE HER BEFORE AND AFTER PICTURES BELOW:
Sophie has been attending 1 x Burlexercise class per week and topping up during the week with our Showgirl Circuits Home Editions, which can be found on our YouTube channel or Facebook page.
She has made minor adjustments to her everyday diet, such as; cutting back on sugar, swapping white for brown carbohydrates and increasing her vegetable intake (see previous Blog post on dietary adaptations).
So where is she 6 months down the line?
Measurements in Feb 2016:
Waist: 27.5”
(LOST total of 2.5 inches)
Hip/Bottom: 40”
(LOST total of four inches)
Thigh R: 20.5”
(LOST 3 inches)
Thigh L: 20.5”
(LOST 3 inches)
Both Arms: 9”
(Both LOST 1 inch)
So what does Sophie have to say about this?
“ I have loved every minute of Burlexercise, not only does every class leave me smiling ear to ear but it works! I am so much fitter, more toned and healthier then 6 months ago! I am now Hooked!”
So you see Showgirls and Showboys... Not only is Burlexercise darn good fun, it's a ruddy good workout too... and that's why we call it THE ULTIMATE SHOWGIRL WORKOUT!
To find your nearest class, or to join the team and become a Burlexercise instructor, visit our website:
Or email us at: [email protected]
Lots of Love
Katie, Sarah-Lou
& the lovely yummy mummy Sophie!
xxx
"Sophie, you are still breast feeding, so I don’t want you to start thinking about cutting calories , all we need to do is focus on the types of calories entering your body. Therefore – when putting meals together as well as looking at the ‘Good Food Plate’ (diagram shown below), we need to look at the quality of food you're eating."
Next Steps for you:
1 – More variety! It’s hard to grasp over 3 days, but keep a large variety of all components of your diet. Make healthy snacks interesting by mixing it up between fruit/veg/nuts/seeds etc. and get fish/vegetarian alternatives into your meals a couple of nights a week, to break away from meat which is high in saturated fat.
· 2 – More GOOD fat! Your current diet is very high in saturated fats. Include more good fat in your diet e.g. oily fish, nuts as well as the avocado you already include.
· 3 – Less Sugar! You have a lot of processed/sugary food. Enjoy the cakes/brownies but not every day. Try and have at least 4 days within the week where you cut right back on those types of snacks & use low GI healthy snacks instead… & think about portion size, do you need the whole slice or could you share it? (That doesn't mean you shouldn't treat yourself once a week.)
· 4 – Protein & Dairy… Be aware of the amount of protein you are consuming. At the moment it is probably slightly too much and your dairy intake could increase. I know you can’t have cow’s milk but you can get the nutrients from alternatives and certain vegetables etc.
· REGULAR SNACKING – It is better to have a smaller portion for breakfast, lunch and dinner and snack on healthy, Low GI snacks throughout the day than it is to have large meals. The body can only use a limited amount of calories and the rest is stored, so little and often means we’re constantly using, rather than using what we can and storing the rest as fat. Low GI is also important, especially if you feel a slump of energy mid-morning or around 3pm which is where we crave the sugary boost.