Pearl Howie's Blog, page 16
January 29, 2015
Weekly Newsletter - Terrible Things
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Click to subscribe to my weekly class newsletter http://eepurl.com/U3C3T
Saturday 31st January 2015
Saturday
10 – 11am Zumba® Fitness Vestry Hall £5
Monday
12 - 12:45pm Zumba Gold® Wimbledon Park Hall £6
Please call to book - 6 spaces left
1 - 1:45pm Zumba Gold® chair class Wimbledon Park Hall £3
8:15pm - 9:15pm Zumba® Fitness Wimbledon Park Hall £7
Tuesday
12:30 - 1:15pm Zumba Gold® Wimbledon Park Hall £6
6 - 6:45pm Zumba Gold® Vestry Hall, London Rd, Mitcham, CR4 3UD £5
7:15 – 8:15pm Zumba® Fitness Vestry Hall £5
Wednesday
10:10 – 10:55am Zumba Gold® Acacia IGC, 230 Grove Road, Mitcham, CR4 1SD £5
Please call to book - 3 spaces left
11:30 – 12 noon Zumba Gold® chair Acacia IGC £2
Thursday
12 – 12:45pm Zumba Gold® Wimbledon Guild, Drake House, 44 St. George's Road, Wimbledon, SW19 4ED £3
7:15 - 8pm Zumba® Gold Wimbledon Park Hall £6
Please call to book - this class is almost full!
8:15 - 9:15pm Zumba Fitness® Wimbledon Park Hall £7
Saturday
10 – 11am Zumba® Fitness Vestry Hall £5
Next week - all classes running as normal
Terrible Things
We always say “everything happens for a reason” but sometimes it’s hard to see the silver lining at the time. This was the case last year when I had cover instructors who were either sick or confused and didn’t turn up to teach some of my classes when I was on holiday. It was particularly upsetting when it affected my Zumba Gold chair class and I was hard pressed to apologise enough to them.
The silver lining arrived in the post today! I got my first ever Jury Summons a few weeks ago. I wrote back asking them to consider that my chair class have now asked for me to cancel if I am away as they don’t trust cover instructors (harsh but fair) and they would miss out. I GOT EXCUSED! Hooray!
(Well it may also have something to do with the fact I run my own tiny business - but I prefer to believe it’s about the chair class myself!)
Adios
Those of you who come to my Zumba Fitness and Zumba Gold chair classes will have enjoyed this song this week. I thought I’d share the video as I do like it and it did inspire some of the moves, but you guys are sexier!
Congratulations!
Following on from explaining the new reward program, I forgot to mention that I do have other goodies in stock if you don’t like (or don’t fit into the one-size-fits-all!) socks or T-shirt. I only have one of some of these though, so when they’re gone they’re gone!
15 classes
Bracelets with metal detail
GOLD Bracelet Charm
Party in Pink bandanas
Party bears
Water bottle
Bags
Key rings / magnets
35 classes or more
Grey cut up T-shirt
Zumba Gold vest Small
Kids CDs
Mugs
Wrist sweatbands
Congratulations to all you guys who completed reward cards recently!
Dee completed 5 classes, fanfare!
Elisabeth completed 20 classes, truly awesome!
Angie completed 70 classes, sexy and you know it!
Pearl’s Blog
My Brain Hurts!!!
Avoiding The Crash Diet
The Credit Card Shuffle Part I
Thank You...
...for always being so supportive. Since opening up on my blog about my debt situation I have been overwhelmed by kind words, help and advice. You are a wonderful community and I am so proud, honoured and blessed to teach you (and have you teach me!)
Much love, Pearl
Follow me on Twitter
Click to subscribe to my weekly class newsletter http://eepurl.com/U3C3T
Saturday 31st January 2015
Saturday
10 – 11am Zumba® Fitness Vestry Hall £5
Monday
12 - 12:45pm Zumba Gold® Wimbledon Park Hall £6
Please call to book - 6 spaces left
1 - 1:45pm Zumba Gold® chair class Wimbledon Park Hall £3
8:15pm - 9:15pm Zumba® Fitness Wimbledon Park Hall £7
Tuesday
12:30 - 1:15pm Zumba Gold® Wimbledon Park Hall £6
6 - 6:45pm Zumba Gold® Vestry Hall, London Rd, Mitcham, CR4 3UD £5
7:15 – 8:15pm Zumba® Fitness Vestry Hall £5
Wednesday
10:10 – 10:55am Zumba Gold® Acacia IGC, 230 Grove Road, Mitcham, CR4 1SD £5
Please call to book - 3 spaces left
11:30 – 12 noon Zumba Gold® chair Acacia IGC £2
Thursday
12 – 12:45pm Zumba Gold® Wimbledon Guild, Drake House, 44 St. George's Road, Wimbledon, SW19 4ED £3
7:15 - 8pm Zumba® Gold Wimbledon Park Hall £6
Please call to book - this class is almost full!
8:15 - 9:15pm Zumba Fitness® Wimbledon Park Hall £7
Saturday
10 – 11am Zumba® Fitness Vestry Hall £5
Next week - all classes running as normal
Terrible Things
We always say “everything happens for a reason” but sometimes it’s hard to see the silver lining at the time. This was the case last year when I had cover instructors who were either sick or confused and didn’t turn up to teach some of my classes when I was on holiday. It was particularly upsetting when it affected my Zumba Gold chair class and I was hard pressed to apologise enough to them.
The silver lining arrived in the post today! I got my first ever Jury Summons a few weeks ago. I wrote back asking them to consider that my chair class have now asked for me to cancel if I am away as they don’t trust cover instructors (harsh but fair) and they would miss out. I GOT EXCUSED! Hooray!
(Well it may also have something to do with the fact I run my own tiny business - but I prefer to believe it’s about the chair class myself!)
Adios
Those of you who come to my Zumba Fitness and Zumba Gold chair classes will have enjoyed this song this week. I thought I’d share the video as I do like it and it did inspire some of the moves, but you guys are sexier!
Congratulations!
Following on from explaining the new reward program, I forgot to mention that I do have other goodies in stock if you don’t like (or don’t fit into the one-size-fits-all!) socks or T-shirt. I only have one of some of these though, so when they’re gone they’re gone!
15 classes
Bracelets with metal detail
GOLD Bracelet Charm
Party in Pink bandanas
Party bears
Water bottle
Bags
Key rings / magnets
35 classes or more
Grey cut up T-shirt
Zumba Gold vest Small
Kids CDs
Mugs
Wrist sweatbands
Congratulations to all you guys who completed reward cards recently!
Dee completed 5 classes, fanfare!
Elisabeth completed 20 classes, truly awesome!
Angie completed 70 classes, sexy and you know it!
Pearl’s Blog
My Brain Hurts!!!
Avoiding The Crash Diet
The Credit Card Shuffle Part I
Thank You...
...for always being so supportive. Since opening up on my blog about my debt situation I have been overwhelmed by kind words, help and advice. You are a wonderful community and I am so proud, honoured and blessed to teach you (and have you teach me!)
Much love, Pearl
The Credit Card Shuffle Part I
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Follow me on Twitter
Hi guys,
Well I seriously hope it’s only Part I as with just one little balance transfer (0% for 6 months 3% fee) I’ve saved £45 for those 6 months (including the fee) (and fingers crossed that at the end of that 6 months I’ll be able to repeat the deed).
I’ve also added internet banking to my one non-internet credit card. It’s still one of those irritating ones that I have to go into a bank and pay a cheque for as it’s a bit ancient, but when I do pay part of it off I’ll be able to see and make any 0% transfers without having to ring up their “helpline”.
Even better is the satisfaction that comes with paying money off one credit card then duplicating the interest saving on another. Hoping I can multiply these savings like bunnies!!
I’ve also set up a really incentivising set of “scales” for losing this debt weight: As well as watching the amount of interest I pay each month drop I’m keeping track of the amount of INTEREST I’m saving and this is my budget for going to see the boyf! By next month I’ll already be 40% of the way to the US (without even factoring in air miles and other loyalty points - that’s another afternoon of serious studying - but well worth it!)
Watch this space!!!
Much love, Pearl x
Follow me on Twitter
Hi guys,
Well I seriously hope it’s only Part I as with just one little balance transfer (0% for 6 months 3% fee) I’ve saved £45 for those 6 months (including the fee) (and fingers crossed that at the end of that 6 months I’ll be able to repeat the deed).
I’ve also added internet banking to my one non-internet credit card. It’s still one of those irritating ones that I have to go into a bank and pay a cheque for as it’s a bit ancient, but when I do pay part of it off I’ll be able to see and make any 0% transfers without having to ring up their “helpline”.
Even better is the satisfaction that comes with paying money off one credit card then duplicating the interest saving on another. Hoping I can multiply these savings like bunnies!!
I’ve also set up a really incentivising set of “scales” for losing this debt weight: As well as watching the amount of interest I pay each month drop I’m keeping track of the amount of INTEREST I’m saving and this is my budget for going to see the boyf! By next month I’ll already be 40% of the way to the US (without even factoring in air miles and other loyalty points - that’s another afternoon of serious studying - but well worth it!)
Watch this space!!!
Much love, Pearl x
January 27, 2015
Avoiding The Crash Diet
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Follow me on Twitter
Hi guys,
As I tackle my finances I'm finding that there's no shortage of advice and concern for my bank balance, some of it useful, some of it, well let's face it, not quite my cup of tea.
In that respect it’s exactly like fitness – everywhere you turn there's a new diet or exercise system. As someone who's struggled for years with my weight the one thing I know is that you have to find what works for you. A crash diet might work in the short term but usually the weight just comes back on plus even more for good measure. Since I discovered Zumba it's been so much easier!
So, trying to find my balance, I'm figuring out what are my spending and saving rules, in short – my perfect diet (with, most importantly, my acceptable "cheats").
At the moment I have the mantra of super life change guru Tony Robbins going round in my head as I tackle my finances "Take Massive Positive Action". Take Massive Positive Action and you will see immediate results which make you feel empowered and motivated to continue (Rome wasn't built in a day). However you don't want to throw the baby out with the bathwater, and another thing I've learned from Zumba is that you have to feel successful to feel good, even if it's not with every single move!
I believe that as much as we need to control our spending as a society, if we all stop spending then there is no circulation of money, which affects everyone, especially small businesses. So I'm looking around at the things I spend money on and the places I spend it and asking myself – which of these do I want to see still here in a year's time? I've seen some of the best spas in the world go belly up because they didn't have enough customers, wonderful little independent coffee shops and… yes, we all saw it… Woolworths.
The good news is that as I buy my coffee on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from community and charity cafes where I teach I feel absolutely relaxed about keeping up that habit because not only am I supporting local businesses but I'm also interacting with existing and potential customers and the people behind the counter give me free advertising – not bad for a couple of quid!
I also believe that giving a portion of my earnings to charity is essential and I do believe that it comes back to me – karma comes back around.
Harder to answer is, "when do I cheat?" Add in that a trip to see my boyfriend includes crossing the Atlantic and that becomes a much bigger question. It's something I'm still figuring out that probably has a lot of Tesco Clubcard points involved. At the moment I'm thinking that my "cheat" budget is along the lines of what I manage to save in interest and charges rather than what I've actually paid off debts – the last thing I want to do is ever "put any of this back on!"
But it's important to balance spending just as much as it’s important to have a balanced diet, cutting back on certain things can create costly expenses or stunt business growth – for example making sure I keep on advertising and marketing, and it’s absolutely vital that I keep paying what I owe (it's amazing how many businesses – especially big businesses withhold payment to help their cashflow – which is disastrous when you're the little business working for them!)
The Demotivator (search on the money saving expert website) is a great tool to help you see exactly how much small expenses will end up costing you, so I've given up magazines for now (not that I really bought them). Truth be told I picked up a couple of old magazines from my mum's and the content was exactly the same.
I think as I sort out my rules the most important thing for me is to remain ethical and stick to my own values and beliefs. (According to my own ethics of course!)
I was interested in an article on Money Saving Expert about why Martin feels that not everyone should rush to claim for compensation with late flights (the official compensation is often more than the cost of the original flight) but personally the flight I am considering claiming on (BA) was so late that all the tubes were no longer running and I had a desperate and scary trip back to central London from Heathrow, including at least one expensive taxi. So even if it does mean the airline is out of pocket I think that's the risk you take when you run a transport business.
Ethics may seem to cost money in the short term but if you make earning and saving money your highest priority you will basically end up with the same moral outlook as the big banks - now that's scary!
Much love, Pearl x
Follow me on Twitter
Hi guys,
As I tackle my finances I'm finding that there's no shortage of advice and concern for my bank balance, some of it useful, some of it, well let's face it, not quite my cup of tea.
In that respect it’s exactly like fitness – everywhere you turn there's a new diet or exercise system. As someone who's struggled for years with my weight the one thing I know is that you have to find what works for you. A crash diet might work in the short term but usually the weight just comes back on plus even more for good measure. Since I discovered Zumba it's been so much easier!
So, trying to find my balance, I'm figuring out what are my spending and saving rules, in short – my perfect diet (with, most importantly, my acceptable "cheats").
At the moment I have the mantra of super life change guru Tony Robbins going round in my head as I tackle my finances "Take Massive Positive Action". Take Massive Positive Action and you will see immediate results which make you feel empowered and motivated to continue (Rome wasn't built in a day). However you don't want to throw the baby out with the bathwater, and another thing I've learned from Zumba is that you have to feel successful to feel good, even if it's not with every single move!
I believe that as much as we need to control our spending as a society, if we all stop spending then there is no circulation of money, which affects everyone, especially small businesses. So I'm looking around at the things I spend money on and the places I spend it and asking myself – which of these do I want to see still here in a year's time? I've seen some of the best spas in the world go belly up because they didn't have enough customers, wonderful little independent coffee shops and… yes, we all saw it… Woolworths.
The good news is that as I buy my coffee on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from community and charity cafes where I teach I feel absolutely relaxed about keeping up that habit because not only am I supporting local businesses but I'm also interacting with existing and potential customers and the people behind the counter give me free advertising – not bad for a couple of quid!
I also believe that giving a portion of my earnings to charity is essential and I do believe that it comes back to me – karma comes back around.
Harder to answer is, "when do I cheat?" Add in that a trip to see my boyfriend includes crossing the Atlantic and that becomes a much bigger question. It's something I'm still figuring out that probably has a lot of Tesco Clubcard points involved. At the moment I'm thinking that my "cheat" budget is along the lines of what I manage to save in interest and charges rather than what I've actually paid off debts – the last thing I want to do is ever "put any of this back on!"
But it's important to balance spending just as much as it’s important to have a balanced diet, cutting back on certain things can create costly expenses or stunt business growth – for example making sure I keep on advertising and marketing, and it’s absolutely vital that I keep paying what I owe (it's amazing how many businesses – especially big businesses withhold payment to help their cashflow – which is disastrous when you're the little business working for them!)
The Demotivator (search on the money saving expert website) is a great tool to help you see exactly how much small expenses will end up costing you, so I've given up magazines for now (not that I really bought them). Truth be told I picked up a couple of old magazines from my mum's and the content was exactly the same.
I think as I sort out my rules the most important thing for me is to remain ethical and stick to my own values and beliefs. (According to my own ethics of course!)
I was interested in an article on Money Saving Expert about why Martin feels that not everyone should rush to claim for compensation with late flights (the official compensation is often more than the cost of the original flight) but personally the flight I am considering claiming on (BA) was so late that all the tubes were no longer running and I had a desperate and scary trip back to central London from Heathrow, including at least one expensive taxi. So even if it does mean the airline is out of pocket I think that's the risk you take when you run a transport business.
Ethics may seem to cost money in the short term but if you make earning and saving money your highest priority you will basically end up with the same moral outlook as the big banks - now that's scary!
Much love, Pearl x
January 23, 2015
My Brain Hurts!!!
Find me on Facebook
Follow me on Twitter
Hi guys,
So the last week has been fantastic, such a great response to my admission about being in debt and so many supportive people, so much so that I got the courage to do what I was most dreading and scared of - talking to the banks - ulp!
In order to help me keep on the straight and narrow and also to help me help anyone coming to me with a fitness problem I keep using the analogy of starting January feeling really unfit or overweight and there are some definite similarities between the banking and fitness industries and, sad to say, they’re not good for either customer.
Let’s start with the credit card companies - I got a great first response when I called and asked for a reduced interest rate - I actually got a “balance sweep” which saved me £250 for the year in interest! Yeay! Unfortunately this was the only real win - with other companies who had asked me to call when I emailed saying no (why not say it in the email?) and others saying, “well if you cleared the balance we could offer you a 0% balance transfer, or 4.9% balance transfer...” unfortunately that’s not what I was asking. I also got this wonderful response to “why does my interest payment go up in January when the balance on the card is less than in December?” “Well it’s how we choose to work it out, we base it sometimes on 32 days in the months or 28 - it’s got nothing to do with how many days are actually in the month.” Eh? I’d love to trust that they’re doing it right but unfortunately, we all know the banks are not above doing sneaky things to make more money. “Reputable” companies do disreputable things.
Waste of time moment - calling a credit card on which I actually have a £2.12 CREDIT to try and close it and get the cash. (It’s not much but my attitude is everything helps and also it’s bad for the planet when they send me a paper statement each month.) Half an hour later I was asked to write in to request the closure and balance, at which point I realised it was not worth the time and the price of a stamp. (Note to self: prioritise!)
Then it was off to close one of my business accounts and pay off my commercial card. On the upside I got a free coffee and the advisor told me that if I get a My Waitrose card I get free tea and coffee every day in central Wimbledon - score!! She was very nice but first told me I had to call the helpline to close the commercial card, to which I replied “but I can’t close my account without paying off the card otherwise they’ll try and take the direct debit from a non-existent account”. “Oh yes.” Finally after her calling around for half an hour she got a final balance, er... but if I do owe any additional interest apparently I have to call back their helpline to check. “Can’t they call me?” “Oh, they’re not allowed to make outgoing calls.” I think we sorted it out but I am left with the niggling feeling they might come after me with a fee if there’s outstanding interest. (“Let them come.” she said with a battle cry.)
With a skip in my step I went to my bank to pay in some money and to ask them some very important questions:
“Can I switch my account so I don’t pay a monthly fee?”
“Can you do anything about my credit card interest rate?” - well, if you don’t ask you don’t get.
“Can I stop this charitable direct debit?” I’ve decided to support a micro charity instead because I’m sick of this charity’s chuggers behaviour in central Wimbledon.
Although I had the nicest advisor the HOUR (yes, HOUR) I spent in there was like putting my head in a financial washing machine.
He started to go through all my borrowing and I cut him off, “I just want to know what I asked.”, “But, but, but...” to which I replied “You know when you go into the gym and they want to do a fitness check where they get those calipers to check how fat you are and check your BMI - I don’t want that - I just want to know what you can offer me.”
Takeaways were; why don’t you put it all on your mortgage? “Because I don’t want to.” “But you should.” “But I don’t want to.” I should have said “because I don’t want to lose my house should I have serious financial problems” but you know he might not have liked that.
“Oh, it looks like we could do a loan for you to cover everything you already owe us - overdraft and credit card.” “Okay let’s try that.” “Let me speak to the manager” 15 minute pause “Weeeeeelll... you know if we apply for that for you you may end up losing your overdraft facility because they might score you different because...”
“If you were a bit more well off we could help you, or if you were experiencing more financial hardship but where you are now, we’re not sure, if you hadn’t done this we could do that, or if you had done this...”
I’m glad he was nice because I felt comfortable in saying “you know this is all bullshit right?” “You’ve already lent me the money we’re just talking about changing the interest rate.” His response, “weeeeeeellll.” As I said to him, it’s like letting someone really overweight join the gym and then saying “you’re too heavy to use the treadmill”.
Since when did we become okay with a banking industry that makes the poorest people pay the most (thank goodness I never, ever went near a pay day loan!) It’s like saying to someone in Tesco, “Oh no, I’m sorry you’re too poor to be allowed to buy the Value brand, you’ll have to pay for Tesco’s Finest.” Seriously, what happened?
Unfortunately it’s not the first time my bank has said to me when I’ve asked for help - “oh we might take away your overdraft facility”. It feels so mean and so wrong when you’ve gone to ask for help - and it makes me feel very ashamed of anyone in the fitness industry who treats any newcomer like this.
On the upside I now know where I stand with bank fees - as in it makes little difference to my overdraft but I lose my travel insurance so would probably save me about £100 a year, but I thought I’d better get out of there while I still had enough brain power to find my way home. Oh shoot I need to go back and sort out that direct debit too!
It is enough to put you off ever trying to get a better deal or sort out your finances, but I feel like I’ve been through the worst part and I’m ready to keep on keeping on. (Oh man don’t get me started on automated helplines (or unhelpfullines - which is cleaner than the nickname I came up with earlier).)
And I would like to apologise on behalf of the fitness industry to anyone who has ever gone through a tenth of this trying to take a step forward in getting healthier - so much of these processes SUCK!
But, big drum roll, I made progress (though not in my bank) and have saved today a total of £557 this year in interest and charges so far! Plus I got a free coffee and I’ve applied for My Waitrose (free coffee) and Tesco (free airmiles) loyalty cards! You know how I love rewards!
Much love, Pearl x
Follow me on Twitter
Hi guys,
So the last week has been fantastic, such a great response to my admission about being in debt and so many supportive people, so much so that I got the courage to do what I was most dreading and scared of - talking to the banks - ulp!
In order to help me keep on the straight and narrow and also to help me help anyone coming to me with a fitness problem I keep using the analogy of starting January feeling really unfit or overweight and there are some definite similarities between the banking and fitness industries and, sad to say, they’re not good for either customer.
Let’s start with the credit card companies - I got a great first response when I called and asked for a reduced interest rate - I actually got a “balance sweep” which saved me £250 for the year in interest! Yeay! Unfortunately this was the only real win - with other companies who had asked me to call when I emailed saying no (why not say it in the email?) and others saying, “well if you cleared the balance we could offer you a 0% balance transfer, or 4.9% balance transfer...” unfortunately that’s not what I was asking. I also got this wonderful response to “why does my interest payment go up in January when the balance on the card is less than in December?” “Well it’s how we choose to work it out, we base it sometimes on 32 days in the months or 28 - it’s got nothing to do with how many days are actually in the month.” Eh? I’d love to trust that they’re doing it right but unfortunately, we all know the banks are not above doing sneaky things to make more money. “Reputable” companies do disreputable things.
Waste of time moment - calling a credit card on which I actually have a £2.12 CREDIT to try and close it and get the cash. (It’s not much but my attitude is everything helps and also it’s bad for the planet when they send me a paper statement each month.) Half an hour later I was asked to write in to request the closure and balance, at which point I realised it was not worth the time and the price of a stamp. (Note to self: prioritise!)
Then it was off to close one of my business accounts and pay off my commercial card. On the upside I got a free coffee and the advisor told me that if I get a My Waitrose card I get free tea and coffee every day in central Wimbledon - score!! She was very nice but first told me I had to call the helpline to close the commercial card, to which I replied “but I can’t close my account without paying off the card otherwise they’ll try and take the direct debit from a non-existent account”. “Oh yes.” Finally after her calling around for half an hour she got a final balance, er... but if I do owe any additional interest apparently I have to call back their helpline to check. “Can’t they call me?” “Oh, they’re not allowed to make outgoing calls.” I think we sorted it out but I am left with the niggling feeling they might come after me with a fee if there’s outstanding interest. (“Let them come.” she said with a battle cry.)
With a skip in my step I went to my bank to pay in some money and to ask them some very important questions:
“Can I switch my account so I don’t pay a monthly fee?”
“Can you do anything about my credit card interest rate?” - well, if you don’t ask you don’t get.
“Can I stop this charitable direct debit?” I’ve decided to support a micro charity instead because I’m sick of this charity’s chuggers behaviour in central Wimbledon.
Although I had the nicest advisor the HOUR (yes, HOUR) I spent in there was like putting my head in a financial washing machine.
He started to go through all my borrowing and I cut him off, “I just want to know what I asked.”, “But, but, but...” to which I replied “You know when you go into the gym and they want to do a fitness check where they get those calipers to check how fat you are and check your BMI - I don’t want that - I just want to know what you can offer me.”
Takeaways were; why don’t you put it all on your mortgage? “Because I don’t want to.” “But you should.” “But I don’t want to.” I should have said “because I don’t want to lose my house should I have serious financial problems” but you know he might not have liked that.
“Oh, it looks like we could do a loan for you to cover everything you already owe us - overdraft and credit card.” “Okay let’s try that.” “Let me speak to the manager” 15 minute pause “Weeeeeelll... you know if we apply for that for you you may end up losing your overdraft facility because they might score you different because...”
“If you were a bit more well off we could help you, or if you were experiencing more financial hardship but where you are now, we’re not sure, if you hadn’t done this we could do that, or if you had done this...”
I’m glad he was nice because I felt comfortable in saying “you know this is all bullshit right?” “You’ve already lent me the money we’re just talking about changing the interest rate.” His response, “weeeeeeellll.” As I said to him, it’s like letting someone really overweight join the gym and then saying “you’re too heavy to use the treadmill”.
Since when did we become okay with a banking industry that makes the poorest people pay the most (thank goodness I never, ever went near a pay day loan!) It’s like saying to someone in Tesco, “Oh no, I’m sorry you’re too poor to be allowed to buy the Value brand, you’ll have to pay for Tesco’s Finest.” Seriously, what happened?
Unfortunately it’s not the first time my bank has said to me when I’ve asked for help - “oh we might take away your overdraft facility”. It feels so mean and so wrong when you’ve gone to ask for help - and it makes me feel very ashamed of anyone in the fitness industry who treats any newcomer like this.
On the upside I now know where I stand with bank fees - as in it makes little difference to my overdraft but I lose my travel insurance so would probably save me about £100 a year, but I thought I’d better get out of there while I still had enough brain power to find my way home. Oh shoot I need to go back and sort out that direct debit too!
It is enough to put you off ever trying to get a better deal or sort out your finances, but I feel like I’ve been through the worst part and I’m ready to keep on keeping on. (Oh man don’t get me started on automated helplines (or unhelpfullines - which is cleaner than the nickname I came up with earlier).)
And I would like to apologise on behalf of the fitness industry to anyone who has ever gone through a tenth of this trying to take a step forward in getting healthier - so much of these processes SUCK!
But, big drum roll, I made progress (though not in my bank) and have saved today a total of £557 this year in interest and charges so far! Plus I got a free coffee and I’ve applied for My Waitrose (free coffee) and Tesco (free airmiles) loyalty cards! You know how I love rewards!
Much love, Pearl x
January 21, 2015
Weekly Newsletter - Free First Class er... Fursday
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Click to subscribe to my weekly class newsletter http://eepurl.com/U3C3T
Saturday 24th January 2015
Saturday
10 – 11am Zumba® Fitness Vestry Hall £5
Monday
12 - 12:45pm Zumba Gold® Wimbledon Park Hall £6
Please call to book - 6 spaces left
1 - 1:45pm Zumba Gold® chair class Wimbledon Park Hall £3
8:15pm - 9:15pm Zumba® Fitness Wimbledon Park Hall £7
Tuesday
12:30 - 1:15pm Zumba Gold® Wimbledon Park Hall £6
6 - 6:45pm Zumba Gold® Vestry Hall, London Rd, Mitcham, CR4 3UD £5
7:15 – 8:15pm Zumba® Fitness Vestry Hall £5
Wednesday
10:10 – 10:55am Zumba Gold® Acacia IGC, 230 Grove Road, Mitcham, CR4 1SD £5
Please call to book - 3 spaces left
11:30 – 12 noon Zumba Gold® chair Acacia IGC £2
Thursday
12 – 12:45pm Zumba Gold® Wimbledon Guild, Drake House, 44 St. George's Road, Wimbledon, SW19 4ED £3
7:15 - 8pm Zumba® Gold Wimbledon Park Hall £6
Please call to book - this class is almost full!
8:15 - 9:15pm Zumba Fitness® Wimbledon Park Hall £7
Saturday
10 – 11am Zumba® Fitness Vestry Hall £5
Next week - all classes running as normal
Free First Class er... Fursday
I mean Thursday of course, but my Thursday evening Zumba Fitness class has recently moved time to 8:15-9:15pm and I know people struggle to make it as we get to the end of the week, so in order to really get the class jumping I am making this class free for first timers until it hots up!!
If you or a friend have been wanting to give it a go NOW IS THE TIME!
More than 10% of my profits go to charity
Funnily enough this week I’ve taken my head out of the sand and decided to deal with my finances (specifically my credit card debt) head on! I can’t tell you how much better I feel after just a few days of being honest with myself and others about the problem, but speaking to friends last week who work for charities, I realised I am also not very open about the good side of some of my finances.
Since last January I decided to make sure I donated at least 10% of my profits to charity. I initially thought this would be a big challenge (especially with the credit card debt) but it surprised me when I added it up just how close I already was to that 10% with just my regular charitable direct debits. I love having a little charity budget each month to donate to whichever cause moves me, or to friends who are doing sponsored events (don’t forget to ask me to sponsor you - I want to encourage as many people as possible!)
Beto’s Zumba World Tour
Check out this video from Beto Perez’s (co-inventor of Zumba) world tour and very first trip to the Middle East. (It is a bit long, so if you want to skip make sure you check out the last bit - really beautiful.)
Baked Pears
One last tip for this week - if you are trying to cut down on unhealthy treats but still crave a lovely hot sticky pudding try this...
Simply cut some pears in half, place face down on a baking tray and stick them in the oven (I do about half an hour at 180 but you can play around). That’s it and they come out lovely, sticky, hot and caramelised.
If you like you can also prick them with a fork and spoon over a little mulled or red wine - lots of yumminess, very little naughtiness!
Congratulations!
You may have noticed I’ve revamped my reward program, so here it is in a nutshell:
When you complete 5 classes you get a Zumba band.
When you complete 15 classes you get Zumba socks (or you can pick other goodies I have in stock).
When you complete 35 classes you get a Zumba T-shirt (or you can pick from other goodies I have in stock).
When you complete 65 classes you get £15 to spend on the Zumba website which is usually enough for a vest top, or you can pick from the goodies I have in stock.
So congratulations to all you guys who completed reward cards recently!
Jan completed 5 classes, fanfare!
Mary completed 10 classes, totally fab!
Patsy completed 10 classes, truly awesome!
Debbie completed 10 classes, too fantastic for words!
Jenny completed 10 classes, terrific!
Lee completed 50 classes, fabulous!
and Sarah went all the way to one hundred, woo hoo!
Pearl’s Blog
I’m Not Happy and I’m Ashamed
Thank You...
...for an amazing year! Being able to keep teaching classes, whether they are a specialty or good old regular Zumba Fitness is a huge joy and blessing for me, and none of it happens without you.
Much love, Pearl
Follow me on Twitter
Click to subscribe to my weekly class newsletter http://eepurl.com/U3C3T
Saturday 24th January 2015
Saturday
10 – 11am Zumba® Fitness Vestry Hall £5
Monday
12 - 12:45pm Zumba Gold® Wimbledon Park Hall £6
Please call to book - 6 spaces left
1 - 1:45pm Zumba Gold® chair class Wimbledon Park Hall £3
8:15pm - 9:15pm Zumba® Fitness Wimbledon Park Hall £7
Tuesday
12:30 - 1:15pm Zumba Gold® Wimbledon Park Hall £6
6 - 6:45pm Zumba Gold® Vestry Hall, London Rd, Mitcham, CR4 3UD £5
7:15 – 8:15pm Zumba® Fitness Vestry Hall £5
Wednesday
10:10 – 10:55am Zumba Gold® Acacia IGC, 230 Grove Road, Mitcham, CR4 1SD £5
Please call to book - 3 spaces left
11:30 – 12 noon Zumba Gold® chair Acacia IGC £2
Thursday
12 – 12:45pm Zumba Gold® Wimbledon Guild, Drake House, 44 St. George's Road, Wimbledon, SW19 4ED £3
7:15 - 8pm Zumba® Gold Wimbledon Park Hall £6
Please call to book - this class is almost full!
8:15 - 9:15pm Zumba Fitness® Wimbledon Park Hall £7
Saturday
10 – 11am Zumba® Fitness Vestry Hall £5
Next week - all classes running as normal
Free First Class er... Fursday
I mean Thursday of course, but my Thursday evening Zumba Fitness class has recently moved time to 8:15-9:15pm and I know people struggle to make it as we get to the end of the week, so in order to really get the class jumping I am making this class free for first timers until it hots up!!
If you or a friend have been wanting to give it a go NOW IS THE TIME!
More than 10% of my profits go to charity
Funnily enough this week I’ve taken my head out of the sand and decided to deal with my finances (specifically my credit card debt) head on! I can’t tell you how much better I feel after just a few days of being honest with myself and others about the problem, but speaking to friends last week who work for charities, I realised I am also not very open about the good side of some of my finances.
Since last January I decided to make sure I donated at least 10% of my profits to charity. I initially thought this would be a big challenge (especially with the credit card debt) but it surprised me when I added it up just how close I already was to that 10% with just my regular charitable direct debits. I love having a little charity budget each month to donate to whichever cause moves me, or to friends who are doing sponsored events (don’t forget to ask me to sponsor you - I want to encourage as many people as possible!)
Beto’s Zumba World Tour
Check out this video from Beto Perez’s (co-inventor of Zumba) world tour and very first trip to the Middle East. (It is a bit long, so if you want to skip make sure you check out the last bit - really beautiful.)
Baked Pears
One last tip for this week - if you are trying to cut down on unhealthy treats but still crave a lovely hot sticky pudding try this...
Simply cut some pears in half, place face down on a baking tray and stick them in the oven (I do about half an hour at 180 but you can play around). That’s it and they come out lovely, sticky, hot and caramelised.
If you like you can also prick them with a fork and spoon over a little mulled or red wine - lots of yumminess, very little naughtiness!
Congratulations!
You may have noticed I’ve revamped my reward program, so here it is in a nutshell:
When you complete 5 classes you get a Zumba band.
When you complete 15 classes you get Zumba socks (or you can pick other goodies I have in stock).
When you complete 35 classes you get a Zumba T-shirt (or you can pick from other goodies I have in stock).
When you complete 65 classes you get £15 to spend on the Zumba website which is usually enough for a vest top, or you can pick from the goodies I have in stock.
So congratulations to all you guys who completed reward cards recently!
Jan completed 5 classes, fanfare!
Mary completed 10 classes, totally fab!
Patsy completed 10 classes, truly awesome!
Debbie completed 10 classes, too fantastic for words!
Jenny completed 10 classes, terrific!
Lee completed 50 classes, fabulous!
and Sarah went all the way to one hundred, woo hoo!
Pearl’s Blog
I’m Not Happy and I’m Ashamed
Thank You...
...for an amazing year! Being able to keep teaching classes, whether they are a specialty or good old regular Zumba Fitness is a huge joy and blessing for me, and none of it happens without you.
Much love, Pearl
I’m Not Happy and I’m Ashamed
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So it’s January and I’m not happy and I’m ashamed. I’m scared to ask for help, scared to talk to the people involved in case I make the situation worse, scared to admit what a burden the problem has become, scared of the weight I’m carrying and ashamed to admit the problem publicly.
Deep breath. Credit card debt. Yes. I’m carrying round a great big fat wodge of debt that sucks me dry no matter how much I work. There. I said it.
Wow, I feel better already. I also feel better because I followed the advice on Martin’s Money Advice website (or whatever it’s called) and just emailed three of my credit cards to ask them if they can offer me a better rate of interest. (I’ll let you know.) Perhaps unsurprisingly the very worst one (i.e. rate of interest card) is extremely hard to get hold of - can’t seem to email, can’t seem to get hold of them on the phone...
But... I’ve done SOMETHING! I’ve taken the first step on that journey of a thousand miles.
Being unhappy is not the worst thing in the world and one thing I know is that that January unhappiness, whether it’s work, fitness, finance or dating is absolutely ESSENTIAL to getting to that point of saying “No, no more - I’ve had enough I’m getting out!!” Sometimes that little extra push of negativity is what we need to send us off fighting in a more positive direction.
Unfortunately when we’re already in a bad situation the sense of shame, the sense of being worn down, the sense of being crap at fitness/dating/work/finance can hold us back from helping ourselves. That sense of fear that others will see and judge what we’ve done can be paralysing.
Who else has been in a bad job where you feel you have to stay because “there are no jobs out there”/ “no one else will hire me”/ “I’m not good enough to get a better job” / “how can I explain that I’ve been in this dead end job for 5 years” - then you leave and discover that none of it is true.
Or in a bad relationship where you are so worn down that you don’t have the energy to leave or move out or you don’t want to admit to the world that you’re getting divorced or split up. And so it just gets worse.
When the boat feels like it’s sinking it’s terrifying to rock it - but sometimes we just got to knock that boat right over and start swimming to shore!
There are ways out of shame:
Remembering the courage it took you to even start to deal with the problem.
Realising that others are in the same boat (and you usually don’t have to look far to find people worse off than you!)
Admitting the problem and asking for help.
Taking a step - even if it is a baby one or even just resisting a step backwards.
But the truth is that when you start dealing with a problem you are probably going to bump into people who think it’s okay to judge you. Not everyone, but someone will say something along the lines of “how did you get yourself in this mess”? So, right now, kindly, honestly, ask yourself that same question.
I have a mass of credit card debt because...
I left well paying jobs because they were messing with my health - mental/physical/spiritual.
I left my last job in the middle of the biggest recession and decided to retrain in something I had no previous knowledge of.
I spend as much as I can on looking great, sounding great, training, physio, massage, escapes, marketing materials and eating well to support what I do. (And visiting friends, family and boyfriend too - people are important.)
...and many more reasons I’m proud of but don’t want to brag about.
I also have this debt because I’ve not taken action sooner because I thought I could handle it and chip away at it by myself.
I know that when I have been at my most unfit it was for all the right reasons. I still felt ashamed when an instructor “looked me over” in the gym. I know that you are all on your own journey and I’m not here to judge or scold anyone, just support you on that journey.
That’s my journey - I am where I am and I can honestly look back and say I appreciate my “mistakes” or have learnt from real mistakes, and I think as soon as you can do that you can start to move forward. Leave the shame at the door and start improving the situation whatever it is.
I have two books about money on my desk right now, and there is no shortage of advice online, so I’m going to start taking it, using it and hopefully this time next month (let alone next year) I will be a little less unhappy with the situation and, well, after sharing with you guys I definitely feel less ashamed (thanks for listening).
Much love, Pearl x
Follow me on Twitter
So it’s January and I’m not happy and I’m ashamed. I’m scared to ask for help, scared to talk to the people involved in case I make the situation worse, scared to admit what a burden the problem has become, scared of the weight I’m carrying and ashamed to admit the problem publicly.
Deep breath. Credit card debt. Yes. I’m carrying round a great big fat wodge of debt that sucks me dry no matter how much I work. There. I said it.
Wow, I feel better already. I also feel better because I followed the advice on Martin’s Money Advice website (or whatever it’s called) and just emailed three of my credit cards to ask them if they can offer me a better rate of interest. (I’ll let you know.) Perhaps unsurprisingly the very worst one (i.e. rate of interest card) is extremely hard to get hold of - can’t seem to email, can’t seem to get hold of them on the phone...
But... I’ve done SOMETHING! I’ve taken the first step on that journey of a thousand miles.
Being unhappy is not the worst thing in the world and one thing I know is that that January unhappiness, whether it’s work, fitness, finance or dating is absolutely ESSENTIAL to getting to that point of saying “No, no more - I’ve had enough I’m getting out!!” Sometimes that little extra push of negativity is what we need to send us off fighting in a more positive direction.
Unfortunately when we’re already in a bad situation the sense of shame, the sense of being worn down, the sense of being crap at fitness/dating/work/finance can hold us back from helping ourselves. That sense of fear that others will see and judge what we’ve done can be paralysing.
Who else has been in a bad job where you feel you have to stay because “there are no jobs out there”/ “no one else will hire me”/ “I’m not good enough to get a better job” / “how can I explain that I’ve been in this dead end job for 5 years” - then you leave and discover that none of it is true.
Or in a bad relationship where you are so worn down that you don’t have the energy to leave or move out or you don’t want to admit to the world that you’re getting divorced or split up. And so it just gets worse.
When the boat feels like it’s sinking it’s terrifying to rock it - but sometimes we just got to knock that boat right over and start swimming to shore!
There are ways out of shame:
Remembering the courage it took you to even start to deal with the problem.
Realising that others are in the same boat (and you usually don’t have to look far to find people worse off than you!)
Admitting the problem and asking for help.
Taking a step - even if it is a baby one or even just resisting a step backwards.
But the truth is that when you start dealing with a problem you are probably going to bump into people who think it’s okay to judge you. Not everyone, but someone will say something along the lines of “how did you get yourself in this mess”? So, right now, kindly, honestly, ask yourself that same question.
I have a mass of credit card debt because...
I left well paying jobs because they were messing with my health - mental/physical/spiritual.
I left my last job in the middle of the biggest recession and decided to retrain in something I had no previous knowledge of.
I spend as much as I can on looking great, sounding great, training, physio, massage, escapes, marketing materials and eating well to support what I do. (And visiting friends, family and boyfriend too - people are important.)
...and many more reasons I’m proud of but don’t want to brag about.
I also have this debt because I’ve not taken action sooner because I thought I could handle it and chip away at it by myself.
I know that when I have been at my most unfit it was for all the right reasons. I still felt ashamed when an instructor “looked me over” in the gym. I know that you are all on your own journey and I’m not here to judge or scold anyone, just support you on that journey.
That’s my journey - I am where I am and I can honestly look back and say I appreciate my “mistakes” or have learnt from real mistakes, and I think as soon as you can do that you can start to move forward. Leave the shame at the door and start improving the situation whatever it is.
I have two books about money on my desk right now, and there is no shortage of advice online, so I’m going to start taking it, using it and hopefully this time next month (let alone next year) I will be a little less unhappy with the situation and, well, after sharing with you guys I definitely feel less ashamed (thanks for listening).
Much love, Pearl x
January 14, 2015
Weekly Newsletter - This Girl Can
Find me on Facebook
Follow me on Twitter
Click to subscribe to my weekly class newsletter http://eepurl.com/U3C3T
Saturday 17th January 2015
Saturday
10 – 11am Zumba® Fitness Vestry Hall £5
Monday
12 - 12:45pm Zumba Gold® Wimbledon Park Hall £6
Please call to book - 6 spaces left
1 - 1:45pm Zumba Gold® chair class Wimbledon Park Hall £3
8:15pm - 9:15pm Zumba® Fitness Wimbledon Park Hall £7
Tuesday
12:30 - 1:15pm Zumba Gold® Wimbledon Park Hall £6
6 - 6:45pm Zumba Gold® Vestry Hall, London Rd, Mitcham, CR4 3UD £5
7:15 – 8:15pm Zumba® Fitness Vestry Hall £5
Wednesday
10:10 – 10:55am Zumba Gold® Acacia IGC, 230 Grove Road, Mitcham, CR4 1SD £5
Please call to book - 4 spaces left
11:30 – 12 noon Zumba Gold® chair Acacia IGC £2
Thursday
12 – 12:45pm Zumba Gold® Wimbledon Guild, Drake House, 44 St. George's Road, Wimbledon, SW19 4ED £3
7:15 - 8pm Zumba® Gold Wimbledon Park Hall £6
Please call to book - this class is almost full!
8:15 - 9:15pm Zumba Fitness® Wimbledon Park Hall £7
Saturday
10 – 11am Zumba® Fitness Vestry Hall £5
Next week - all classes running as normal
This Girl Can
Loving the new ads for “This Girl Can” - a campaign to get more women moving (supported by Zumba Fitness!)
Studies have shown that many women are put off exercising because of the jiggle, the sweat, the unsexy workout clothes (that may not be available in the size you need). Hands up who started Zumba as a size 18 - me!!! You can see how we desperately need this kind of thing, because even the Zumba adverts - and my own personal advertising show the results of exercise... not the place where we started - which can be intimidating to a lot of people! It’s one of those questions I always ask myself - how do I give a professional, fun, fit impression with my advertising but not intimidate my target audience? (Suggestions on a postcard!!!)
Congratulations!
To all you guys who completed reward cards recently!
Alex completed 5 classes, fanfare!
Barbara completed 10 classes, totally fab!
Tilly completed 10 classes, truly awesome!
Amy completed 10 classes, too fantastic for words!
Janice completed 10 classes, terrific!
Pam completed 10 classes, talented lady!
Maureen completed 20 classes, ta dah!
Helen completed 50 classes, fabulous!
Thank You...
...for an amazing year! Being able to keep teaching classes, whether they are a specialty or good old regular Zumba Fitness is a huge joy and blessing for me, and none of it happens without you.
Much love, Pearl
Follow me on Twitter
Click to subscribe to my weekly class newsletter http://eepurl.com/U3C3T
Saturday 17th January 2015
Saturday
10 – 11am Zumba® Fitness Vestry Hall £5
Monday
12 - 12:45pm Zumba Gold® Wimbledon Park Hall £6
Please call to book - 6 spaces left
1 - 1:45pm Zumba Gold® chair class Wimbledon Park Hall £3
8:15pm - 9:15pm Zumba® Fitness Wimbledon Park Hall £7
Tuesday
12:30 - 1:15pm Zumba Gold® Wimbledon Park Hall £6
6 - 6:45pm Zumba Gold® Vestry Hall, London Rd, Mitcham, CR4 3UD £5
7:15 – 8:15pm Zumba® Fitness Vestry Hall £5
Wednesday
10:10 – 10:55am Zumba Gold® Acacia IGC, 230 Grove Road, Mitcham, CR4 1SD £5
Please call to book - 4 spaces left
11:30 – 12 noon Zumba Gold® chair Acacia IGC £2
Thursday
12 – 12:45pm Zumba Gold® Wimbledon Guild, Drake House, 44 St. George's Road, Wimbledon, SW19 4ED £3
7:15 - 8pm Zumba® Gold Wimbledon Park Hall £6
Please call to book - this class is almost full!
8:15 - 9:15pm Zumba Fitness® Wimbledon Park Hall £7
Saturday
10 – 11am Zumba® Fitness Vestry Hall £5
Next week - all classes running as normal
This Girl Can
Loving the new ads for “This Girl Can” - a campaign to get more women moving (supported by Zumba Fitness!)
Studies have shown that many women are put off exercising because of the jiggle, the sweat, the unsexy workout clothes (that may not be available in the size you need). Hands up who started Zumba as a size 18 - me!!! You can see how we desperately need this kind of thing, because even the Zumba adverts - and my own personal advertising show the results of exercise... not the place where we started - which can be intimidating to a lot of people! It’s one of those questions I always ask myself - how do I give a professional, fun, fit impression with my advertising but not intimidate my target audience? (Suggestions on a postcard!!!)
Congratulations!
To all you guys who completed reward cards recently!
Alex completed 5 classes, fanfare!
Barbara completed 10 classes, totally fab!
Tilly completed 10 classes, truly awesome!
Amy completed 10 classes, too fantastic for words!
Janice completed 10 classes, terrific!
Pam completed 10 classes, talented lady!
Maureen completed 20 classes, ta dah!
Helen completed 50 classes, fabulous!
Thank You...
...for an amazing year! Being able to keep teaching classes, whether they are a specialty or good old regular Zumba Fitness is a huge joy and blessing for me, and none of it happens without you.
Much love, Pearl
January 8, 2015
Weekly Newsletter - Happy New Year!
Find me on Facebook
Follow me on Twitter
Click to subscribe to my weekly class newsletter http://eepurl.com/U3C3T
Saturday 10th January 2015
Saturday
10 – 11am Zumba® Fitness Vestry Hall £5
Monday
12 - 12:45pm Zumba Gold® Wimbledon Park Hall £6
1 - 1:45pm Zumba Gold® chair class Wimbledon Park Hall £3
8:15pm - 9:15pm Zumba® Fitness Wimbledon Park Hall £7
Tuesday
12:30 - 1:15pm Zumba Gold® Wimbledon Park Hall £6
6 - 6:45pm Zumba Gold® Vestry Hall, London Rd, Mitcham, CR4 3UD £5
7:15 – 8:15pm Zumba® Fitness Vestry Hall £5
Wednesday
10:10 – 10:55am Zumba Gold® Acacia IGC, 230 Grove Road, Mitcham, CR4 1SD £5
11:30 – 12 noon Zumba Gold® chair Acacia IGC £2
Thursday
12 – 12:45pm Zumba Gold® Wimbledon Guild, Drake House, 44 St. George's Road, Wimbledon, SW19 4ED £3
7:15 - 8pm Zumba® Gold Wimbledon Park Hall £6
8:15 - 9:15pm Zumba Fitness® Wimbledon Park Hall £7
Saturday
10 – 11am Zumba® Fitness Vestry Hall £5
Next week - all classes running as normal
Happy New Year!
So here we are... a brand new year, although if you are anything like me there are still Christmas decorations up, lots of Christmas chocolate and wine in the kitchen and a little Yuletide buzz!
Having said that I did turn over a new leaf on Monday, not so much a new diet as trying to get back into good habits - cutting out sugar and yeast because these are what make a big difference to my body and remembering my new resolution to stop overcommitting myself to special events and instead focusing on the core of my life - my weekly classes, family, friends and, yes the boyfriend (still going strong after spending over a week together over New Year)!
I’m also making a note of all the hours I spend working in an effort to create more of a work/life balance and already I’m finding the difference - not doing so much personal stuff when I’m supposedly working, and not letting work creep in when I am doing personal stuff on my laptop - which means I can relax and enjoy that personal time more - it’s just for me after all!
Whatever your New Year’s resolutions are (or even if you just have a general resolution to live more healthily or keep going with your healthy lifestyle) I like to think that we have the whole year to get into our new groove rather than thinking that if we fail just once the resolution is over.
So if I would suggest just one new habit to you (and myself) this year it’s this - don’t ever think of failure as permanent... if you didn’t make it to the first class of the year, make it to the next one, keep trying, if you “break” your diet today, start afresh tomorrow, because a champion is not someone who never falls, but someone who resolutely refuses to stay down when they do.
Would you like a free pdf copy of my Spa Treatments and Massage Guide?
Yes, I have published the 2015 editions of my two spa books, and they are now available on most e-platforms. If you would like to receive a pdf copy of my Spa Treatments and Massage Guide for free then just post the cover photo, plus the link and then send me your email address to pearl@pearlescapes.co.uk
http://www.lulu.com/shop/pearl-howie/seek-your-bliss-the-guide-to-spa-treatments-and-massage-from-pearl-escapes-2015/ebook/product-21945336.html
http://www.amazon.com/Seek-Your-Bliss-Treatments-Massage-ebook/dp/B00R1PKX2M
https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/seek-your-bliss/id950500260?mt=11
There’s Lots Of Ways To Burn 1,000 Calories...
...and I’m lucky enough to get to train with these awesome guys!!!
Congratulations!
To all you guys who completed reward cards recently!
David completed 5 classes, frantic!
Gloria completed 5 classes, fit and furious on your feet!
Gladys completed 5 classes, fabulous!
Denise completed 5 classes, fanfare!
Joanna completed 5 classes, fantastic!
Eleanor completed 30 classes, that’s awesome!
Germaine completed 100 classes, what a triumph!
Veda completed 100 classes, wowweeee!
Thank You...
...for an amazing year! Being able to keep teaching classes, whether they are a specialty or good old regular Zumba Fitness is a huge joy and blessing for me, and none of it happens without you.
Much love, Pearl
Follow me on Twitter
Click to subscribe to my weekly class newsletter http://eepurl.com/U3C3T
Saturday 10th January 2015
Saturday
10 – 11am Zumba® Fitness Vestry Hall £5
Monday
12 - 12:45pm Zumba Gold® Wimbledon Park Hall £6
1 - 1:45pm Zumba Gold® chair class Wimbledon Park Hall £3
8:15pm - 9:15pm Zumba® Fitness Wimbledon Park Hall £7
Tuesday
12:30 - 1:15pm Zumba Gold® Wimbledon Park Hall £6
6 - 6:45pm Zumba Gold® Vestry Hall, London Rd, Mitcham, CR4 3UD £5
7:15 – 8:15pm Zumba® Fitness Vestry Hall £5
Wednesday
10:10 – 10:55am Zumba Gold® Acacia IGC, 230 Grove Road, Mitcham, CR4 1SD £5
11:30 – 12 noon Zumba Gold® chair Acacia IGC £2
Thursday
12 – 12:45pm Zumba Gold® Wimbledon Guild, Drake House, 44 St. George's Road, Wimbledon, SW19 4ED £3
7:15 - 8pm Zumba® Gold Wimbledon Park Hall £6
8:15 - 9:15pm Zumba Fitness® Wimbledon Park Hall £7
Saturday
10 – 11am Zumba® Fitness Vestry Hall £5
Next week - all classes running as normal
Happy New Year!
So here we are... a brand new year, although if you are anything like me there are still Christmas decorations up, lots of Christmas chocolate and wine in the kitchen and a little Yuletide buzz!
Having said that I did turn over a new leaf on Monday, not so much a new diet as trying to get back into good habits - cutting out sugar and yeast because these are what make a big difference to my body and remembering my new resolution to stop overcommitting myself to special events and instead focusing on the core of my life - my weekly classes, family, friends and, yes the boyfriend (still going strong after spending over a week together over New Year)!
I’m also making a note of all the hours I spend working in an effort to create more of a work/life balance and already I’m finding the difference - not doing so much personal stuff when I’m supposedly working, and not letting work creep in when I am doing personal stuff on my laptop - which means I can relax and enjoy that personal time more - it’s just for me after all!
Whatever your New Year’s resolutions are (or even if you just have a general resolution to live more healthily or keep going with your healthy lifestyle) I like to think that we have the whole year to get into our new groove rather than thinking that if we fail just once the resolution is over.
So if I would suggest just one new habit to you (and myself) this year it’s this - don’t ever think of failure as permanent... if you didn’t make it to the first class of the year, make it to the next one, keep trying, if you “break” your diet today, start afresh tomorrow, because a champion is not someone who never falls, but someone who resolutely refuses to stay down when they do.
Would you like a free pdf copy of my Spa Treatments and Massage Guide?
Yes, I have published the 2015 editions of my two spa books, and they are now available on most e-platforms. If you would like to receive a pdf copy of my Spa Treatments and Massage Guide for free then just post the cover photo, plus the link and then send me your email address to pearl@pearlescapes.co.uk
http://www.lulu.com/shop/pearl-howie/seek-your-bliss-the-guide-to-spa-treatments-and-massage-from-pearl-escapes-2015/ebook/product-21945336.html
http://www.amazon.com/Seek-Your-Bliss-Treatments-Massage-ebook/dp/B00R1PKX2M
https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/seek-your-bliss/id950500260?mt=11
There’s Lots Of Ways To Burn 1,000 Calories...
...and I’m lucky enough to get to train with these awesome guys!!!
Congratulations!
To all you guys who completed reward cards recently!
David completed 5 classes, frantic!
Gloria completed 5 classes, fit and furious on your feet!
Gladys completed 5 classes, fabulous!
Denise completed 5 classes, fanfare!
Joanna completed 5 classes, fantastic!
Eleanor completed 30 classes, that’s awesome!
Germaine completed 100 classes, what a triumph!
Veda completed 100 classes, wowweeee!
Thank You...
...for an amazing year! Being able to keep teaching classes, whether they are a specialty or good old regular Zumba Fitness is a huge joy and blessing for me, and none of it happens without you.
Much love, Pearl
December 15, 2014
I done it!! New spa treatment book live!!
Find me on Facebook
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And it’s even cheaper this edition!! I want to share the love even further!
I’m not sure yet if there will be a paperback edition as it’s getting so big that I think the price might not be commercially viable... watch this space for more news!
Follow me on Twitter
And it’s even cheaper this edition!! I want to share the love even further!
I’m not sure yet if there will be a paperback edition as it’s getting so big that I think the price might not be commercially viable... watch this space for more news!
