It’s Interview Time With The Live With Laura Ladies

Who are you locked down with in your household?

My husband Matty, 9 year old daughter Maddy and 3 dogs. Lucky that we have bubbled with my mam so she comes to stay every weekend.

How is this lockdown going compared to the last one’s?

This one seems to be tougher. Think it’s the bad weather plus so many things already cancelled for this year.

Describe your lockdown experience in three words

Challenging, enrichment, emotional

If you are doing either or both how are you finding home schooling/ working from home this time round?

Can’t work due to lockdown regulations. Matty working full time. I’m doing all the home schooling with Maddy. School have been much better organised this time do that has helped.

What are your top tips to get through the not so good days?

Smile, take a deep breath and carry on. No point stressing over things we can’t control. Take some time out for yourself if you can, read a book, relaxing bath, walk/run on your own.

If you have some time out for yourself how do you spend it?

I love to go and train my dogs. I’m lucky that I have my own arena where I can train.

How do you keep motivated with your exercise routine at home?

As soon as the timetable is released I add the classes I intend to do on my weekly planner on my fridge. I try to do 2 classes a day while Maddy does some independent work.

What have you learnt about yourself during this lockdown?

That I need to plan. Also I can easily lose motivation.

Could you share 3 top tips for getting through each week?

Plan – every Sunday I plan the weeks meals, exercise, home schooling and dog training.
Motivation – if you sort of do something it sort of works. Find something you want to achieve for you.
Organise – set up home schooling area and check all resources (pens, paper) etc. Sort independent tasks so I can exercise.

What are the first 3 things you are going to do when lockdown is lifted?

Coffee with friends. Haircut and dye. Dog training classes.

What 3 things will you miss about lockdown?

Family time. My new routine without the school run. No time pressures doing things when I want or can fit them in.

It’s Interview Time With The Live With Laura Ladies

Tell me a little bit about your lockdown world.

I have found it very challenging mentally but fitness has helped me alot.

Who are you locked down with in your household?

Me my 2year my partner but he works so isn’t home Monday to Fridays

How is this lockdown going compared to the last one’s?

I feel alot better in this lock down due to keep up with fitness

Describe your lockdown experience in three words.

Awful, challenging, long

If you are doing either or both how are you finding home schooling/ working from home this time round?

I am not doing any thank God, take my hat off to anyone that is

What are your top tips to get through the not so good days?

Do a workout, go for a walk & take some time for yourself

If you have some time out for yourself how do you spend it?

Having a bath or doing a work out

How do you keep motivated with your exercise routine at home?

I’m not always motivated but I just push myself as I no it will make me feel 100 times better

What have you learnt about yourself during this lockdown?

I am stronger than I think I am and I can push myself to achieve things

Could you share 3 top tips for getting through each week?

Self care, exercising & sleep

What are the first 3 things you are going to do when lockdown is lifted?

Go on holiday, meet all my family & friends & have a party

What 3 things will you miss about lockdown?

The time I’ve had to spend with my son. Nothing else 🤣

It’s Interview Time With The Live With Laura Ladies

Tell me a little bit about your lockdown world.

Who are you locked down with in your household?

Husband who is going to work as normal, 2 teenagers 15 and 13, who work in their rooms from 8.40am-4pm every day.

How is this lockdown going compared to the last one’s?

Bit better in that my eldest son is actually doing his work this time. Last time it took til early August to work through the backlog of tasks. Also support bubble rules changed in December allowing my daughter and her children(new baby) to visit.
Bit worse in that the virus seems stronger this time, and it feels like it’s getting closer to my world.

Describe your lockdown experience in three words

Bloody Exhausting. Vodka

If you are doing either or both how are you finding home schooling/ working from home this time round?

I am on it. I have to go to work 2 and a half days per week so I have to leave them to it. They ring me up and tell me they’re fighting and I have to go sort them out at lunch time.

What are your top tips to get through the not so good days?

Exercise and vodka. Not at the same time.
Make sure you do your stretches after jumping lunges. Or just stay in bed for 48 hours afterwards.

If you have some time out for yourself how do you spend it?

Dog walks, running, sleeping. Bouncing on trampoline!

How do you keep motivated with your exercise routine at home?

The Live with Laura challenges!
New workout clothes
Data tracking – steps, weight, etc.

What have you learnt about yourself during this lockdown?

I am quite keen on PE.
I am quite grumpy without bread and biscuits.

Could you share 3 top tips for getting through each week?

Put lycra on in the morning. Do exercise before breakfast. Go for a walk instead of a mid afternoon snooze. Go to bed early.
Drink more water.

What are the first 3 things you are going to do when lockdown is lifted?

Invite parents round to my house for a meal, visit best friend in Newcastle and go to a concert.

What 3 things will you miss about lockdown?

Online parents meetings.
Meetings and staff training on zoom.
Letting the kids sleep til after 8am.

The Virtual Academy

Well ladies, I can’t believe October is coming to an end and we will be stepping into November at the weekend. Where has this month gone?

This past month at the Academy has been fantastic. The motivation and dedication has been second to non as we are slowly adjusting to the new norm.

For those who are with me virtually I am keep the virtual doors of the Academy well and truly open throughout the winter months for you all.

Also if you’ve never tried the virtual Academy or you want to return over the winter months me and the ladies would love to have you on board. Its still as crazy as ever 😉💪

Every week you will get 15 programs to choose from…

Piloxing
Kettlercise
HIIT
Dance with Laura
Burlexercise
Strength & Conditioning
Bodyweight HIIT
Kettlebell HIIT
Pyramid HIIT
Beginner’s HIIT
Beginner’s Body Tone
Kettlecore
Abs and Booty Blast
Band Burn
PUNCH

As well as your classes you get

🥙 Cooking & recipes with Laura
🥦 Nutrition Advice and Tips
📝 Weekly trackers & planners
❤ Support throughout your Virtual Journey with me and the rest of the group

All this for only £20 (that’s 33p per class)

If you want to come on board with me this November please drop me a message and we can get you through the doors and ready for November

FITMAS Qs&As

ALL YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED
🎉🎉3 DAYS TO GO🎉🎉

🎁 Are the Fitmas class videos sample exercises that you have to repeat or are they full 15 minute programmes that I can follow?

🎄The videos are full 15min sessions that you can follow

🎁 How fit do you have to be to do the Fitmas videos?

🎄I have designed the programme for all levels of fitness. You can put as much as you want into it

🎁 How many times a week should I do each video workout?

🎄This is your programme you can workout as much as you want but I would recommend 3/4 times per week.

🎁 What equipment do I need?

🎄Initially no equipment is needed but if you want to also use the equipment section then I would recommend a kettlebell weight to keep you going

🎁 What kind of food is on the meal plan?

🎄Delicious food of course 😉
I have some fantastic recipes in the meal plan, all easy to cook, all family friendly. The idea of the meal plan is for me to show you how not to over complicate things when it comes to meals. Sticking to something that is sustainable and realistic is the key to success.

🎁 Do I have to follow the meal plan?

🎄No not if you don’t want to. This is your programme and you can take as much of it away with you as you like. Fitness, food and fun 😉

🎁 Do fifteen minute classes work?

🎄100%
15min bursts of exercise are very effective for fat burning and building fitness

🎁 How does the Facebook group work?

🎄You will be added into the group on Sunday where you will receive all your trackers, planners and your first set of videos. Throughout the course of the 6 weeks I will be there to give you my full support.

STOP BEING SO HARD ON YOURSELF

So many ladies have walked back through the doors of the Academy and said ‘I’ve put on so much weight’, ‘I’m so unfit’, or ‘I feel awful’.

Ladies, STOP!

Can I just remind you what we’ve gone through this year, and in fact are still going through.

The stress and worry of our jobs, our family and loved ones, our health, home schooling, adapting our work life in different environments and then trying to figure out when all this is going to end.

Our eating, sleeping and fitness habits might of taken a back burner but guess what, its not the end of the world. And you can take back control. In fact, in this crazy world right now, it might be one of the few things we can take control of in our lives.

And while it might have taken months for you to get to the point where you don’t feel great today… you can start to feel so much better in just days and weeks.

I recently ran a 6 week challenge in my virtual Academy and when the results came in I was absolutely blown away by what I saw.

Which got me thinking…

Right now we need something to focus on, we need something to keep us on track, we need plans to stick to to find our way while this is all going on.

This is why I am bringing back my virtual Fitmas Programme this year.

This year it isn’t about getting into a little black party dress. It’s about taking back control, finding structure, smashing our goals week by week and sticking and focusing on a simple plan that works.

You don’t need to spend hours slogging your guts out in the gym, you don’t need to be eating lettuce leaves and things you can’t pronounce.

The fitmas programme is designed to fit around your lifestyle with short 15min sessions each week, a full eating plan with all the recipes, accountability and weekly check ins.

If you’ve lost your way a little and want to take a step onto the right track then come and join me this November for 6 weeks.

6 Week Results

Virtual 6 week Transformation

Wendy was the winner of the 6 week challenge over in the Virtual Academy and chuff me she’s looking incredible. But how has she done it?

It’s not all weight loss and inches every week. We had a stage when nothing was happening but Wendy didn’t give up. Also struggling due to her thyroid it’s not been a easy ride. But through hard work, determination, listening to everything we have in place and chipping away week by week, BAM here she is after the 6 week challenge and she can’t wait to start the Virtual Fitmas Programme in a couple of week.

Wends thank you for choosing me to be part of your journey, for your dedication in the Virtual Academy and all your hard work, it really has paid off.

I can’t wait to step into Fitmas with you

Lockdown Diary

Week 14

This week I have mixed emotions about the annoucment of things moving forward.

I understand everyone will have their own opinions on the situation but for me and my Academy I’m gutted to say the least.

I will never ever take what I have for granted again. That’s the biggest thing I’ve learnt throughout all this.

Its been a quiet week in the Mckenzie household. Matthew is fully settled at school and absolutely loving it. I’m so happy for him and glad we made the right decision.

I’m spending my days with my youngest son Daniel, teaching classes in my virtual academy and going out to a few of my clients for personal session’s (I love these days).


I’m continuing to focus on my virtual academy and bringing more material to my wonderful ladies (they have been my rock throughout all this).

I’ve been struggling with weight gain personally myself over lockdown (who hasn’t) so I feel like now is the time to get back in the zone and focus on looking and feeling better than I do. Its taken 13 weeks to get my head together but I feel now is the time to focus on myself.

These past 3 months have been mental, and now we have to adapt to the new normal so it’s just a case of doing what you feel comfortable for yourself.

Its going to take time. Don’t pressure yourself into anything.

How are you feeling about the lock down being relaxed?

Lockdown Diary

Week 13

I could say I can see a bit of normality happening? Or the new normal at least.

My eldest boy Matthew started school this week. My god, the first day back was the longest day ever.

I was so scared incase he didn’t like the new way of things (he usually loves school so I didn’t want the old memories fading). Plus the house was so quiet without him and I really missed him being at home.

It was lovely to get some one on one time with my youngest tho, just like we used to before lockdown. All this time is so precious so I’m holding on to every single bit.

The first day of school was a success. Matthew came out of school with a massive smile on his face and with a folder full of work which he was eager to show me.



‘THANK YOU TEACHERS’.

I have the biggest respect to all the teachers out there. It’s been a hard 3 months of trying to teach him and keep up with the daily curriculum.

I swear he acts up because it’s me.

As Matthew was back at school I made the decision to re start my one to one client training this week.

It was a tonic to be honest.

It was so lovely to see my amazing ladies again and get some sessions in. Luckily the weather was lovely as well, so the sessions were quite enjoyable outside.

Have any of your children gone back to school this week? Or have you gone back to work? How are you finding it? I would love to know

Lockdown Diary

Week 12

This week has been a very quiet week with the family. My husband is off work as we were supposed to be leaving for Turkey on Tuesday.

Oh well, maybe next year

It was our son’s 5th Birthday so we enjoyed celebrating with close family, we even managed to have a BBQ dodging the rain we seem to be having this week.

He had a fantastic day and it was lovely to spend it with his grandparents, making it as special as we could for him.

It’s our last week all together this week as we have decided to take the option of putting our eldest back into school.

So we are enjoying all the time we have together before we are back to early starts and school runs (oh how I’ve enjoyed 3 months of relaxing mornings).

We might all be in for a shock on Monday morning.

Wish me luck