I have had probably one of the busiest week’s this week for quite some time. Firstly I was back doing more strenuous fasted cardio and back on my beloved stairway to heaven, which I discovered this week a piece of kit my Dad (who loves his MyProtein tops) was not aware of and had therefore never used. So me being the dutiful daughter that I am took a picture much to the horror of the woman on the other stair master and sent it to my Dad. He is now sizing up the possibility of adding one to him gym setup he has in the shed – I think it’s a bit too big but let’s not ruin someone’s stairway to heaven dream.

I also went back to training legs three times a week with my trusted machine racking assistant/carer Steph (4th British Strongest Woman). The only exercises I missed out were deadlifts and hip thrusters until I get the all clear from the surgeon, which I should get on 14th August.

Inspired by my weight lifting buddy Julie (Northern Natty Gal) I tried Hot Yoga for the first time and although I thought I had entered a furnace, I did in fact enjoy the session and sweated more water than I had consumed that day. It also made me realise how stiff I had become since my operation as I couldn’t even lie down on my back and put my arms over my head. I am also sure that one of the dudes let of a bit of personal air at the start and I was very impressed that I did not get the giggles. I will be attending Hot Yoga every Friday as although I had sweated that much I thought I might get pneumonia when I left the studio, I did in fact feel very relaxed. The picture below shows the sweat accumulated during the session (warning cleavage shot!!)

My eating has been on point this week and my weight is starting to come down, so I decided to allow myself a treat meal with Steph (4th British Strongest Woman) and celebrate her result this weekend. I had my favourite meal pizza but didn’t really enjoy it that much. I was thinking of forgoing my treat meal but I think it is important to maintain that happy medium and have a life every now and then.

I also received my new custom made bikini from @sarahs_bikinis. It is completely covered in Swarovski crystals and I think that in order to see any of my muscles on stage sun glasses will need to be worn due to the potential of severe be-dazzlement. Picture of bikini top (warning extreme boob shot – sorry Dad!)

This weeks Test Tuesday was delayed (as I forgot) and was launched and renamed as ‘Forgetten Test Tuesday Now On Thursday’. This weeks test was all about discovering your personality, so obviously Phil (who is 1 foot taller than me) thought it would be hilarious to see how many personalities I would end up with – this joke of me having a multiple personality disorder is getting boring now. However, the issue was exasperated by Helen (no longer the UN peacekeeper between me and Phil) as Helen decided to tell us about a book she had been reading about someone who had five personalities and each personality had no idea what the other personality had done. Oh how funny this conversation was, all at my expense. It was at this point that the new boy Carl (apparently a scouser who only shops at Ocado) decides to pipe up with the comment ‘will this Niki be able to tell the other Niki’s that she has done the test’. He is no longer on my Christmas card list and is in fact on the waiting list for the giant wickerman in the car park at work.

Back on to a more serious note, I have decided to enhance my skill set and go back to school. I have now started a course on nutrition and studying the behaviour around relationships with food. Hopefully I will be qualified to provide dietary advice, run diet clinics and provide personalised diet plans by January 2018. I am then hoping to complete a further course on sports nutrition and will be looking to complete my Masters in Nutrition in the next couple of years. These courses will also help me understand my relationship with food and what I need to do to fuel correctly and how to adjust foods as i continue to develop my body. Please keep an eye on my website for updates on my learnings;

Total Niki Training

To finish off the blog we have reached the most exciting part which is Facebook ‘Friend’ message of the week;

Facebook ‘Friend’: Hi Niki how are you? I have noticed that you are single, would you consider going on a date with me?

Me: Thank you for asking but I do not have time to date at the moment and am focused on my fitness. Good luck with your fitness journey (standard response)

Facebook ‘Friend’: Well my situation is a bit different and it might interest you

Me: what is your situation?

Facebook ‘Friend’: I am married but like to have girlfriends and share my stories with my wife

Me: Erm well I am actually in a relationship (this is not true but sometimes puts them off) so no thank you

Facebook ‘Friend’: well why don’t you ask them if they want to share you with me? I am happy to share

Blocked.