My new best workout buddy is Zova!

Anyone who knows me, knows that when I love something, I freaking LOVE it!  Fitness is one thing I enjoy and it helps keep me sane in what is otherwise a busy and exciting life.  I also love tweeting.  I tweet a lot!  I was therefore really excited when I was approached on Twitter about testing out this new fitness app.

I get a few requests to try things out, but a lot of the time I really cannot commit to it.  Partly because I am not keen on the product and partly because of time.  Also, I cannot stand those people on Twitter and Instagram who refer to products that you know they do not actually care about, but are just looking for something in return.

Anyway, wrong tangent!  A few months ago I was hitting a bit of a plateau with my training and since I no longer had BB to motivate me during our weekend workouts, I needed a new workout buddy!  Then along came the request to try out Zova.  I was skeptical at first because I thought that workouts would cater moreso to the beginner level and be boring (reveal: I do not do classes because I have the world's shortest attention span and I get sooooo bored!!).  I was still keen to try it out and given it was founded in Brisbane, I thought why not try and support the local guys.  Plus the benefit of testing out an app is that you get to provide your opinion.  Hey, I am a lawyer opinions is what I do best and here is my verdict:

Zova is freaking INCREDIBLE!!!

(and no, I am not getting paid to say that)

I prefer short and intense workouts and many other professional women would be in the same boat. When I saw that Zova had workouts that ranged from 2 minutes to 20 minutes, I thought this could be the beginning of a great new friendship. When I tried the "Plank It Out" workout, even though it said "hard", I was like please I plank all the time. Yeh, no, the next few days it hurt my core to even breathe. Same with the "Full Body Fitness" workout. It is only 8 minutes, but my gosh I found some new muscles.

 

Successful women are often so busy concentrating on everyone and everything else, that they sometimes neglect themselves. I challenge you all to start finding 10 minutes a day where you do a quick workout for YOU! There is no betting feeling than sweating it out and clearing your mind.

Here are some of the workouts I recommend for us busy #careergirls:

• Killer Legs & Butt
• Toned Arms & Abs
• Weekend Circuit Workout
• Ad-Break Abs
• 5 minute Push-up Pyramid (ok I kind of did this workout in my office yesterday lunch time)
• 7 minute Full Body

I am going to shamelessly plug Zova away (it is getting released shortly - keep a look out!), because I am now fully team #zovagirl. I like to be challenged daily and the endless workouts available on the app, I can be. With my 30th birthday only 6 weeks away, I also need a bit of motivation to make sure I am looking my best.

We have to take our work life so seriously, so working out should be fun!  In the words of Elle Woods 'exercise gives your endorphins, endorphins make you happy'.

Cas

Yes, I am a girl. Yes, I like sports!

I get emails and messages from young professionals around the world about different work situations and asking me now they should best deal with it.  One topic I get constantly is invitations to sporting events. 

The ladies I hear from are either invited to a sporting event as the "token" female or not invited as it is assumed they don't like sport.  Both cases are ignorant and outdated and I have been in both.  Admittingly, the best of the bad situations would be the token female invitation and then being able to hold a conversation about what is happening in said game (just don't be that overly excited female throwing beers at the poor bloke in front of you because he barracks for the other side).

But what do you do if you are not invited because (shock) you're female, and what do you do when you are told the reason why is because they "didn't think you would enjoy the game"? 

The best way to deal with it is to directly address the issue. Say something. However, if you are anything like me, in times of potential confrontation the conversation never comes out as I actually planned it in my head! 

Thankfully talking about attendance at sporting events isn't confrontational (well I hope not). Simply acknowledge what was said, but reference the sport/match/game and how you would liked to come along next time.  Might sound bold, but it works. 

It is also good to make your sporting interests known in the office. I am not talking about pinning Qld Reds flags to your desk and substituting your suit jacket for a Broncos hoodie, I am talking about making conversation with your male colleagues about the games from the weekend. Trust me - it works!!  A lot of companies also have office sports teams which are all mixed.  Joining up for the touch footy or soccer team is another great way to show your interest.

I love my sports and I really enjoying entertaining (or being entertained) at sporting events!  Just because your female doesn't mean you are completely inept with any type of sporting prowess.  A few years ago, I was sent tickets to the Ashes from a male Managing Director because he ended up being wrong on a footy rule that we were debating the weekend before at a Broncos match.  Best thing is I now have a great working relationship with this MD and he even started hosting female only sporting events - organises and pays for a box at the union/afl/cricket, gift bags for everyone going, cabs to and from the stadium and full hospitality at the game.  We need more MDs like this!

My lasting comment to you - don't just sit there and take it, but don't go to the extreme.  Deal with the situation as it comes and take proactive steps to prevent it from happening again.  In an ideal world (which will never happen), there would be no issue with female workers being asked, or attending, company marketing events that are sports related.  Until we get such ideal world, don't throw a private tantrum - DO something about changing it.