So just before Christmas I had surgery (a hysterectomy) which meant I couldn't exercise for a few weeks. This, along with the usual christmas season of parties, has resulted in putting on a few kilos which I'm not too happy about. I was doing so well with 5:2 but after I stopped working full time, my routine became erratic and I forgot what I was doing. I managed to maintain my weight for a few months, but have gone from 69kg to 77kg.. a whole 8kg more.
Now that things are sort of back on track - okay, not quite as I'm not working full time, but I'm at least in the right mindset again to focus - I've decided to set myself an 8 week challenge. As part of this I'll be checking in at least once a week around work etc to let you know how I'm going. Now I'm not a big fan of shakes, usually because they are full of sugar, but I've decided to implement them into my routine as a way of helping myself get back onto the 'fasting train'. I have chosen to go with the Nutriway 'Bodykey' Shakes for this challenge because after a comparison, they are the highest in fat content, and the lowest content of sugar (compared to Optifast, Celebrity Slim, Herbalife & Isagenix). And at 118cals per shake (made on water) they will go well on my fast days.
Also, as it is a challenge, I'm going to aim to 'fast' at least 3 times per week. This will vary week to week depending on my routine / work schedule. Generally the best days to fast are days you are busy, then you are more likely to not notice you are hungry. On the other days I will eat 'normally' ('my version of normal'). This means no counting of calories, nor of macro-nutrients, nor will I cut anything out at this stage. As a sugar addict that has fallen off the wagon many times, I know I need to start slow and that by the end of the 8 weeks, it is likely my tastebuds will not be craving it as much thanks to the fasting. So one thing at a time - first focus on getting back into the habit of fasting.
Finally, whilst I do know that weight loss is 80% diet and 20% exercise, I am also going to aim to exercise at least 5 times per week. This will be a combination of cardio and weights, however mostly cardio at a mid to high intensity level doing activities such as running, dancing, rollerskaing and playing badminton. I will aim to do 2 x gym sessions of weights per week as well.
So here are my starting stats - Weight 77.4kg (Chest 42in, Waist 39in, Hips 44in)
Goal weight: 69kg (8kg in 8 weeks) by 14 April 2017
Showing posts with label training. Show all posts
Showing posts with label training. Show all posts
Thursday, February 16, 2017
Tuesday, January 3, 2017
Life as a Suit Character
We have all seen them. Whether at a theme park, a shopping centre, at a sporting or outdoor event or festival, it is not uncommon to see someone dressed in as a Suit Character or Mascot. I'm sure, like me, you have a photo of yourself taken with one, whether you were aged 5 or 50, as it doesn't matter what age you are, we still love these characters!
As an actor by trade, I have spent many years performing and parading as various characters - whether it was popular cartoon characters in a theme park, or company / team mascots at sporting (or other) events. A lot of people think doing this work is great fun, and 99% of the time it is, but it is also hard work and not as easy as it looks. But if its something you've wanted to know more about then read ahead:
You can't be claustrophobic - You are in a confined space and whilst the head area usually allows breathing room, it is often strapped to you and you have limited vision. But you can't let this affect how the character acts or moves.
Be prepared to sweat - most suits are made of a thick padded material. So it's like wearing 5 winter coats all at once. But as they say - if you can't handle the heat, stay out of the kitchen.
Ideally you are only in the suit for a maximum of 20mins at a time, with a 15-20min break - but if you are working for a private or corporate enterprise (that don't really know the rules of suit character / mascot work) they may think it is perfectly acceptable for you to be in the suit for up to 60mins at a time. Whilst this is not really acceptable, unfortunately it is common practice. I personally believe it becomes a workplace health & safety issue - if you pass out whilst in costume because you haven't had a suitable break, then whomever hired you becomes responsible.
You must research your character - corporate mascots may be okay, but if you are playing a particular character that is already established then it is your responsibility to find out more about them. What mannerisms do they have? Do they have any signature moves or habits? Then, as an actor, you must physically overact your character. You have just put on a suit which is larger than life, so when waving to children your moves need to match!
You must NEVER talk when in costume - this is one of the reasons you have a minder / chaperone. Not only does talking in a suit sound terrible, but it also can ruin the image of a character to the audience - especially if you are around children. Your chaperone should be doing all the talking.
You need a great chaperone! We've already established you are hot, you can't see well, you have to be physically energetic - but you can't do all this without a chaperone! A great chaperone should be helping you get in and out of the costume, checking their watch to ensure you have your breaks on time, and also have researched the character. They will be talking to the children for you and sometimes answering questions. It comes across as very unprofessional if they don't know who the character is or can't answer questions. They also need to point out when children are waving or are next to you - as you can't always see them, and ensure that when you are walking / roaming around that the path ahead of you is clear as it would be very embarrassing if you ran into something.
The worst thing about being in a suit is when some member of the public thinks it is funny to hit you on the head (whether they have malicious intention or not), the feeling is like someone is actually hitting you directly on the head. A good chaperone will always be watching you to ensure this doesn't happen, but sometimes even a great chaperone will miss a sneaky hit from behind.
But despite all this, I have always found it a very rewarding role, and absolutely love what I do - to the point where I'm even considering putting together a training course for people wanting to do suit character / mascot and chaperone / minder work. It's not regular work (unless you're working in a theme park - and they have excellent training systems in place), but if you are wanting add this kind of work to your acting resume, it can be lots of fun!
Some of the characters & mascots I have played over the years include:
* Mascots: Care for Kids, St George Dragon 'Happy', Broncos 'Buck', Literacy Planet 'Word Monster'; Easter Bunny; Quest Newspapers 'Questy'
* Suit Characters: Rugrats (Angelica & Chucky), Dora Explorer, Eliza Thornberry, Wiggles (Wags the Dog, Henry Octopus & Dorothy Dinosaur), Ice Age (Sid), Sylvannian Families (Freya), Spongebob Squarepants, Curious George (Man in Yellow Suit), Minions (Kevin), Paw Patrol (Fire Dog Marshall), Three Little Pigs (Red Pig), Blue's Clues (Blue)
You can view some photos on my public facebook page under the acting photo album: www.facebook.com/missrachealleigh
As an actor by trade, I have spent many years performing and parading as various characters - whether it was popular cartoon characters in a theme park, or company / team mascots at sporting (or other) events. A lot of people think doing this work is great fun, and 99% of the time it is, but it is also hard work and not as easy as it looks. But if its something you've wanted to know more about then read ahead:
You can't be claustrophobic - You are in a confined space and whilst the head area usually allows breathing room, it is often strapped to you and you have limited vision. But you can't let this affect how the character acts or moves.
Be prepared to sweat - most suits are made of a thick padded material. So it's like wearing 5 winter coats all at once. But as they say - if you can't handle the heat, stay out of the kitchen.
Ideally you are only in the suit for a maximum of 20mins at a time, with a 15-20min break - but if you are working for a private or corporate enterprise (that don't really know the rules of suit character / mascot work) they may think it is perfectly acceptable for you to be in the suit for up to 60mins at a time. Whilst this is not really acceptable, unfortunately it is common practice. I personally believe it becomes a workplace health & safety issue - if you pass out whilst in costume because you haven't had a suitable break, then whomever hired you becomes responsible.
You must research your character - corporate mascots may be okay, but if you are playing a particular character that is already established then it is your responsibility to find out more about them. What mannerisms do they have? Do they have any signature moves or habits? Then, as an actor, you must physically overact your character. You have just put on a suit which is larger than life, so when waving to children your moves need to match!
You must NEVER talk when in costume - this is one of the reasons you have a minder / chaperone. Not only does talking in a suit sound terrible, but it also can ruin the image of a character to the audience - especially if you are around children. Your chaperone should be doing all the talking.
You need a great chaperone! We've already established you are hot, you can't see well, you have to be physically energetic - but you can't do all this without a chaperone! A great chaperone should be helping you get in and out of the costume, checking their watch to ensure you have your breaks on time, and also have researched the character. They will be talking to the children for you and sometimes answering questions. It comes across as very unprofessional if they don't know who the character is or can't answer questions. They also need to point out when children are waving or are next to you - as you can't always see them, and ensure that when you are walking / roaming around that the path ahead of you is clear as it would be very embarrassing if you ran into something.
The worst thing about being in a suit is when some member of the public thinks it is funny to hit you on the head (whether they have malicious intention or not), the feeling is like someone is actually hitting you directly on the head. A good chaperone will always be watching you to ensure this doesn't happen, but sometimes even a great chaperone will miss a sneaky hit from behind.
But despite all this, I have always found it a very rewarding role, and absolutely love what I do - to the point where I'm even considering putting together a training course for people wanting to do suit character / mascot and chaperone / minder work. It's not regular work (unless you're working in a theme park - and they have excellent training systems in place), but if you are wanting add this kind of work to your acting resume, it can be lots of fun!
Some of the characters & mascots I have played over the years include:
* Mascots: Care for Kids, St George Dragon 'Happy', Broncos 'Buck', Literacy Planet 'Word Monster'; Easter Bunny; Quest Newspapers 'Questy'
* Suit Characters: Rugrats (Angelica & Chucky), Dora Explorer, Eliza Thornberry, Wiggles (Wags the Dog, Henry Octopus & Dorothy Dinosaur), Ice Age (Sid), Sylvannian Families (Freya), Spongebob Squarepants, Curious George (Man in Yellow Suit), Minions (Kevin), Paw Patrol (Fire Dog Marshall), Three Little Pigs (Red Pig), Blue's Clues (Blue)
You can view some photos on my public facebook page under the acting photo album: www.facebook.com/missrachealleigh
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