Category Archives: Sport & Fitness

You Don’t Have to Love Your Body, Just Don’t Hate it.

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pregnant, woman, pregnant woman, Catherine Balavage

Me when I was pregnant with my son.

It is fair to say that at some point most of us have had a complicated relationship with our body. Women in particular get a rough ride. The media constantly tells us we are not tall enough, thin enough or tanned enough. Yes, the body positive movement has happened, but it is being sold to us by the same people who made us feel crap about our bodies for decades, and do not get me started on how their tagline is usually about ‘real’ women. It is so condescending. There are no fake women. Airbrushing women within an inch of their lives, while those women were already over five foot ten and a size eight, does not make these women an ideal that ‘real’ women no longer have to aspire to because you are woke now.

The beauty industry is still trying to sell us cellulite creams. In 2019 I was still seeing articles on how to get rid of cellulite. It is truly shocking. Babies have cellulite, children have cellulite, even men have cellulite, but for some reason only women are told that it is somehow not normal and we have to spend our time and energy getting rid of it. God forbid we work on our brains instead of our thighs.

P.S: dimples are cute.

Yes, I rant a bit but I have my reasons. As a teenager I thought my body looked awful. All I saw was flaws. Now I am in my thirties and I think it truly is amazing. There are parts I am not keen on, the bits of fat that accumulate around my C section scar and are hard to shift, for example, but I refuse to hate it. My body has made two beautiful children and been through two very different births: one emergency C section and one VBAC. It has been pregnant four times but only has two children and it has endured two traumatic surgeries.

The last few years I have been the fittest I have ever been in between my pregnancies. I am at my lowest weight in ten years and I am proud when I manage to make healthy choices, and gentle on myself when I do not. It makes me sad when I think about how long it took me to love my body on my good days, and not hate it on my bad ones. When I was a teenager I was ill with glandular fever. I was bedridden for years and it took a lot of time to get healthy again. My education was affected and it is only now I am managing to find the time to rectify that. You would think it that was an important lesson but I spent my twenties working fourteen hour days, going to parties and over-exercising. Turns out you can not exist on canapés and champagne alone. My main food groups were pasta and cereal. It is embarrassing to think about now that I try to make sure I have at least five-a-day and that I do not exert my body to much.

What I am trying to say is that your body is amazing. YOU are amazing, and while you do not have to love every part of your body, do not hate it. It is a miracle.

A SPORTING STORY SELDOM TOLD

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Jane Cable reviews Keeping Up by Michael Bates and Tom Huelin

So why am I reviewing a book about cricket? More than one reason, but mainly because this autobiography tells a story seldom told; that of a brilliant young sportsman who fell by the wayside. Not because of accident or injury, but because he it came to the point he simply couldn’t get a job. As an honest portrayal of what went wrong it should be required reading for any youngster aiming for a career in professional sport – and their parents.

This book is important because it’s the story of a career that didn’t work out. And not because of lack of talent, lack of professionalism, or lack of hard work. These are the stories we don’t hear. Especially in an everything’s perfect candy floss world dominated by social media. We need to know it’s OK if you try your best and it isn’t enough. It’s a lesson for us all.

I first met Michael Bates in late 2008 when he was part of an exceptionally talented group of youngsters in the Hampshire Cricket Academy. At the time I was freelancing as a cricket writer, working for the club’s website and I was keen to write about these youngsters. Michael came across as confident and mature (he’d have just turned eighteen), with a burning ambition to play for England.

Humour me for a few sentences while I wax lyrical about his keeping, because in order to understand this book, you need to understand just how good Michael was. That’s hard if you’re not an out and out cricket badger, but if you watch any sport at all, you’ll know that the best of the best move in a way that sets them apart, and have such confidence in their ability they make the almost impossible look easy. And that was Bates behind the stumps.

The book charts his progress from school cricket, through, and beyond, the professional game. For me it was absolutely fascinating to see the club I knew so well from one angle revealed through another. I totally relate to Michael’s descriptions of the macho environment where admitting weakness was practically impossible, but at the same time, in one day cricket at least, it was a period when Hampshire were very successful.

So what went wrong for Michael? In simple terms, these days wicket keepers need to be good batsmen as well. Now while he could undoubtedly bat, it was never in the same class as his keeping. But I was of the school of thought that maybe he didn’t score so many runs himself, but add the runs he stopped the opposition from scoring and the equation more than evened itself out.

But the powers at Hampshire didn’t agree and after Michael being a key part of the team that won Hampshire two trophies in 2012, they brought in a keeper with a better batting reputation over his head. Hampshire members were outraged. And although no-one knew it at the time, Michael Bates’ career was effectively over at twenty-two.

The one thing this book doesn’t do very well is draw comparisons with the wider world, perhaps because it’s fundamentally a book about cricket. But the authors have missed a trick here. Not just the angle that it’s OK to talk about failure, but also the inherent lessons for modern teams in the world of work in general.

The book does, however, have a happy ending. Michael Bates is now coaching at a high level in the cricket world, being part of the backroom staff behind the England Women’s World Cup win in 2017. He’s been able to take the harsh lessons he learnt and apply them to help others to succeed. At twenty-eight years old, that’s quite something.

 

Keeping Up is independently published. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Keeping-Up-Surviving-specialist-multi-dimensional/dp/1090420161/

WHY HOMOPHOBIA HAS A STRONGHOLD IN SPORT

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By David Ledain, the latest addition to the Frost magazine team, writing on LGBT issues

Sport is a phenomenon which can both bond and divide in equal measure. Tribal instincts and loyalties are challenged and revered, and in football especially, young men can be empowered and at the same time hidden from view.

Homophobia and anti-gay violence seems to crystalize young males in football tribes and gangs. It proves their heterosexuality and obliterates any secret homosexual desires of their own they may have. Targeting gay men is not seen by the perpetrators as hatred towards the individuals, but rather as an extreme expression of society’s expectations of them – that they are conducting themselves within what they have learned as acceptable male behaviour. They are in part driven by fear. The potential of any young man, regardless of his sexual orientation, to be labelled as ‘gay’ and weak, and ostracised from his family and the surrogate families of his football tribe, schoolfriends, work colleagues or neighbours, for being or unknowingly presenting anything other than the heteronormative, is so damning, even dangerous, that men are pressurised into characterising themselves to a very narrow set of male gender stereotypes. Owen Jones, the columnist, author and social activist, concurs, saying that the majority of homophobic abuse is ironically directed at straight males, and that almost all men will have been subjected to some sort of malicious homo-name-calling in their lives and been told in no uncertain terms what sort of a man they should be.

Photograph by kind permission of Altrincham FC

‘You grow up hearing people use what you are as the ultimate derogatory insult,’ Jones says. ‘Society tells you you should be heterosexual. It’s even subtler than that. There’s that awful patronising thing when people say, “Oh, I never would have guessed that you’re gay”, and you’re left feeling almost flattered that your leprosy isn’t publicly obvious.’

The potency of the idealised masculine heteronormative which captivates and imprisons young men especially, through its facade of power and place in the world, even when those same young men whose circumstances gives them no real power at all, is the derisible falsehood that is so destructive. Males who aspire to this gender stereotype, yet have no means of ever realising it due to factors out of their control, and not always economic or social, may feel their only way to make a mark in the world, to stand out in their community, is to carry out attacks on vulnerable groups, particularly, homosexuals – easy targets which they see as the antithesis of who they are and who they want to be.

Altrincham FC recently made the headlines by tackling the issue of homophobia in football by going out on pitch in a rainbow coloured kit, and in 2017 Stonewall backed the Rainbow Laces campaign to get everyone who plays sport to support LGBT equality. Cricketer, Joe Root, has also been widely applauded for his response to alleged homophobic abuse, telling the West Indies bowler, Shannon Gabriel, ‘There is nothing wrong with being gay.’

Things are slowly changing both on the pitch and in the dressing room but getting to a place where LGBT equality and anti-gay abuse from the terraces is not a topic of discussion any more is difficult to imagine because of the deep-rooted traits of the hetero-biased tribes. But if sport and particularly football continues to move towards diversity and inclusivity, one day we will get there.

You can follow David on Facebook & Twitter @Davidledain

And visit his website www.gaydad.co.uk for more information and his blog.

 

Fernando Alonso Celebrates His F1 Retirement At Amber Lounge Abu Dhabi

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Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, 24 & 25 November, 11pm-6am
Amber Lounge Abu Dhabi, Yas Links Golf Club, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi

It was a night that will go down in history as Amber Lounge welcomed the Formula 1 drivers, teams and party-loving international guests for the celebration of the year.

Photo credit:  Amber Lounge

F1 drivers entered Amber Lounge’s luxury oasis on Sunday night and let their hair down for one of the greatest end-of-season parties to date. Fernando Alonso, departing from the Championship after 17 years, was joined by his fellow drivers Max Verstappen, Kevin Magnussen, Carlos Sainz, Esteban Ocon, Pierre Gasly, Stoffel Vandoorne, Marcus Ericsson, Brendon Hartley, Sergey Sirotkin, Antonio Gionivazzi.

International cricketer Chris Gayle and former pro football player Michael Brown were also spotted in the crowd.

Photo credit:  Amber Lounge

When the time came to say goodbye to the Spaniard, the club plunged into darkness for the ‘Black Out’ moment, then lit up with 17 specially designed bottles of Moët Champagne filled with sparklers and flashing lights. Each bottle signified a year he has competed in Formula 1.

Emotions ran high as Sigala announced the exclusive bottle moment which was delivered in true Amber Lounge style, fueling the euphoric atmosphere. Joining Sigala on stage Alonso soaked up the elated vibes as the superstar DJ revved up the ecstatic crowd with an ultra-energetic performance. 

Photo credit:  Amber Lounge

To add to the electric energy, the Grey Goose bar illuminated the exclusive party. The ‘For The Hunters’ inspired terrace area was a favourite for partygoers after a chic but relaxing vibe.

Max Verstappen

Kevin Magnussen

Esteban Ocon

Sergey Sirotki

Marcus Ericsson

Fernando Alonso

Photo credits: Amber Lounge

Amber Lounge will be back in 2019 bigger and better than ever, with parties and luxury events and experiences both inside and outside F1. The next event, Amber Lounge Monaco on May 24th, 25th and 26th, will offer the ultimate in luxury race viewing on the trackside Celebrity Yachts, terraces or Paddock Clubs combined with a unique party experience and Amber Lounge Charity Fashion Show.

Sonia Irvine said: “It was one of the most incredible nights we’ve ever had at Amber Lounge. Although it was sad to see a much-loved driver as Fernando end his career in F1, we were honoured to hold the official celebrations for him. I think what we created was worthy of an F1 legend.”

Photo credits: Amber lounge

For more information on Amber Lounge, visit: http://www.amber-lounge.com/abu-dhabi 
To book tickets and tables, call: +971 55 291 4013 or contact abudhabi@amber-lounge.com

About Amber Lounge…

Amber Lounge was founded by Sonia Irvine, who has worked in F1 for two decades. Sonia is regarded as a pioneer of F1 nightlife experiences and continues to create the most sought-after events on the F1 calendar.

The Amber Lounge experience consists of Formula 1 race viewing hospitality options as well as post-race afterparties, dining, charity, fashion and tailor-made events throughout the year. In 2018 it took place in Monaco, Singapore and Abu Dhabi. http://amber-lounge.com/index.php/tickets/

AMBER LOUNGE 2018/2019 EVENT SCHEDULE
Abu Dhabi 24/25 November | Monaco 24/25/26 May 2019 | Singapore 21/22 September 2019

La Maison Rémy Martin are the Hosts with The Most

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RemyMondrian00107

To celebrate the buildup of hotly anticipated private members’ club La Maison Rémy Martin, we were invited to The Rumpus Room at Mondrian London for “A Night of Olympic Talent”. The evening is one of many to be hosted by La Maison Rémy Martin where the element of surprise and exploration of craftsmanship is very much at the forefront, much like the mystère of the brand itself.

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We had the privilege of meeting Olympians Jade Johnson, Dalton Grant and Peter Wilson MBE to hear their unique and insightful stories on their Olympic journeys and current lives whilst enjoying a selection of specially curated Rémy Martin cocktails including Rémy Grand Tonic, 1738 Royal Side Car and XO Old Fashion. All cocktails were a Rémy take on old classics and were a welcome change to the old favourites. Created with the iconic Rémy Martin we were immersed in the brands allure of luxury and surprise. Whilst kicking back on the plush leather sofas of the Rumpus Room, it was a joy to hear the Olympians’ highs and lows as well as hearing Peter Wilson MBE answer our burning question of how much partying he did after winning, needless to say, he couldn’t recall much from the week after. The evening was a relaxed affair and incredibly inspirational to hear such wise words from these winning athletes. If this is how La Maison Rémy Martin do all their events this is certainly a club I would love to be a part of. We finished our evening perfectly with Rémy Martin neat providing a gold finish to an already winning evening.

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For more info and for upcoming events visit;

http://www.remymartin.com/uk/

Capturing Mumm’s Daring Spirit with New Grand Cordon Bottle

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Mumm Grand Cordon bottle shot

Maison Mumm have continued to pride themselves on their innovation and their daring spirit. Being sponsors to a host of sporting events throughout their production including The Vendée Globe, Formula 1 and Le Mans to name a few, Mumm have recently become proud sponsors of The Fia Formula E Championship. In 1876 Georges Hermann Mumm decided that he would pay homage to all of his prestigious customers by adding an iconic red ribbon to every bottle representing the highest of all French Honours and encapsulating the motto of GH Mumm of “only the best”. The red sash aka the Cordon Rouge has now become synonymous with the extraordinary achievements Mumm supports today and marking their latest sponsorship with Formula E and 140 years of the iconic red sash, Mumm have revealed a brand new revolutionary bottle, Grand Cordon.

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Frost were honoured to be invited by Mumm to the Formula E final and witness the new bottle in action at the infamous Victory Podium. The origins of the Champagne spray started all the way back in the sixties where Le Mans winner Jo Siffert accidentally sprayed the crowd due to a Champagne bottle which has been left out in the sun causing a build up of pressure. The next year, another racer deliberately re-created the happy mistake and thus was born this momentous tradition. Having upgraded to Mumm’s Jeroboam bottle which is a staggering 3 litres, there is now double the amount of Champagne to soak the anticipating crowd.

Having arrived at Battersea Park with not much knowledge of Motor Sports we were given the low down on what Formula E entailed by the fantastic hosts and representatives of Maison Mumm.

Jean-Eric Vergne and Bruno Senna Mumm Grand Cordon champagne sprayEssentially, Formula E is The World’s first auto race which uses electric cars. Formula E represents a vision for the future of the motor industry and being the sponsors of the tournament, Mumm are proud to back the efforts of sustaining and maintaining a cleaner and greener future. The series started in 2014 in Beijing and is contested by ten teams of two drivers each. This year, the contest was comprised of ten races with the final being in Battersea and it has recently been revealed that next year will consist of fourteen races with the final being on the streets of Brooklyn. The drivers are divided into four groups with each group having 6 minutes to set their best lap. The five fastest drivers then go out again to determine their grid position. The race itself is over within 55 minutes with each driver changing cars once throughout, after all, they are electric cars. One of the most interesting features of the Fia Formula E is the Fanboost which allows the fans to have some power over their favourite drivers by voting for them using social media channels. The three most popular drivers receive an extra energy boost potentially changing the outcome of the race. Points are then awarded using the current standard FIA system with drivers who set the fastest lap being awarded two extra points. This years final was won by Sebastien Buemi after a thrilling final race taking the lead and spraying the anticipating crowd with GH Mumm Jeraboam.

Mumm Grand Cordon

Mumm produce Champagne’s which capture the essence of adventure and victory and their constant celebration of this has been their inspiration for their Limited Edition Victory Bottles. Each of the Mumm Champagne bottles are uniquely produced and turned by hand to remove any sediment and are monitored for over two years before they are released. The Grand Cordon bottle designed by multi-award winning designer Ross Lovegrove is inventive and creative to say the least true to Mumm’s daring style. Breaking the convention of the original bottles, the bottle has no front label, instead the G.H. Mumm signature and eagle emblem are printed in gold directly on the glass. The neck of the bottle is also unusually longer designed to encapsulate the development of the aromas of Mumm’s legendary Cordon Rouge Cuvée. The most striking addition to the new bottle is that the iconic red sash, only altered twice in as much as two centuries, has now been transformed into a genuine red ribbon which has been indented into the glass. A true celebration of over two centuries of excellence and tradition.

So if you would like a slice of victory on your wine rack;

Mumm Grand Cordon is now available to buy;
www.sohowine.co.uk
RRP: £39.99

Top Tips on Reducing Sore Muscles after Your Workout

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Whether you’re a Gym Bunny or a Fitness Newbie, you may have heard the term DOMs floating around the gym a fair few times. Yes, that achy feeling you get the day after a workout when you can’t go down the stairs without assistance or as I like to call it, a Muscle Hangover. As a Personal Trainer, this has become a word engrained into my vocabulary on a daily basis and for numerous reasons. Top of the list is that it is the number one excuse from clients, especially beginners to training who complain this is why they no longer wish to carry on with their workout regime and on the flip-side, others claim to be not working hard enough if they don’t have DOMs. So let’s debunk DOM’s or as it is more widely recognised, ‘Delayed Onset of Muscles Soreness.’

Firstly, DOMs can occur anywhere and to anyone no matter how experienced or beginner you are. Some can’t live with it, some swear by it, in any case, if you have been recently exposed to unfamiliar or intense physical activity, chances are you will experience this soreness. Let us dispel the myth that this is a build up of lactic acid in the muscles, that’s generally not the case and even so, does this really answer your question as to what DOMs are and how to get rid of it? Probably not. So let me start with an explanation which is easier to digest, DOMs appear to be the product of inflammation caused by connective tissue micro trauma, the small tears we make in our muscles when training. This in turn can be productive if you’re trying to build your muscle groups however, extreme soreness can also be counterproductive and hinder your training abilities… in training much like your diet, there is an everything in moderation approach. Despite the fact that we may not be able to get rid of DOMs completely we can certainly help to reduce them and with summer coming up and many a marathon to be run, we popped in for a masterclass with Nelsons® arnicare® arnica Cooling Gel and Top YouTube expert Lucy Wyndham-Read, to provide us some much needed muscle relief tips.

Lucy Wyndham-Read

Lucy Wyndham-Read

Cool down stretches are a must and exercise expert Lucy Wyndham-Read advises us on a few crucial cool down stretches.

IT band stretch – It’s very important to carry out this stretch after exercising as it helps to realign the body and avoid the risk of injury. Stand up straight with one leg crossed over the other and then lean towards the top leg. You will feel a stretch along the side of the other leg, so hold for 30 seconds and then repeat on the opposite leg. Remember to breathe deeply the whole time.

Hip flexor stretch – This stretch is similar to a lunge but requires you to leave your knee on the floor with your opposite foot out in front. Make sure your hips are aligned, pointing straight ahead to avoid any rotation in the pelvis. Press the toes on your back foot into the ground as well as your knee and your front foot to activate the lateral hip stabilisers. Hold for a minute and then repeat on the other side.

Sitting calf stretch – Sit on the floor with one leg straight out in front of you. Place a towel around your foot and gently pull your toes towards you until you feel a stretch in your calf. Hold for 30 seconds and then repeat on the other leg. You can also rub Nelsons arnicare arnica Cooling Gel into your muscle, as it contains grapefruit and menthol which help to cool and revive.

Standing calf stretch – This is a classic stretch for the calf muscle which is ideal for doing after you’ve worked on your legs. Stand facing the wall, just under arms distance away from it. Hold your arms out in front of you and place your palms against the wall. Keep your feet parallel and take one leg back as if about to lunge. Bend your front knee and press through your back heel. Hold for approx 30 seconds and then switch legs.

And if you want to stretch along with Lucy, check out her YouTube channel;

 

As well as stretching, you can also help to reduce DOMS by using soothing creams or gels. We recommend specially formulated Nelsons® arnicare® arnica Cooling Gel. This non greasy formula is ideal for massaging into tired legs after a workout combining the natural benefits of arnica with the refreshing sensation of grapefruit oil and menthol to cool and soothe the skin. We just loved taking the time out to pay our body some much needed stress relief and being allowed to indulge in a little massage after a heavy workout to relieve our tired limbs.

Nelsons® arnicare® arnica Cooling Gel is priced at £5.40 for 30g and is available from Holland & Barrett, Superdrug, Boots and Amazon. Visit Arnicare for more information.

So no more excuses guys. Don’t forget your stretches, arm yourself with Nelsons® arnicare® arnica Cooling Gel and love your workout.

What’s On This Weekend

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A round up of another glorious four-day week with a host of spectacular activities in and around The Capital. Our top picks include;

LOGO

The London Whisky Weekender 1-3rd;

Starting today, The London Whisky Weekender will transform the East London venue, Oval Space into a Dramtastic dream. With Whisky’s to try from all around The World this is the perfect day out for any Whisky Lover of any degree. Enjoy a dram of something you love or something brand new amidst a backdrop of blues music and some quality street food.

For tickets and info;

Whisky

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Saturday Brunch at Gaucho’s Electro Brunch;

From 11am-3pm every Saturday, work your way through Gaucho’s impressive, unlimited brunch menu complete with cocktails and sparkling wine. Available at their Canary Wharf, Piccadilly and Smithfield branches and priced at £45 this is the absolute perfect way to start the weekend.

For more info and booking;

Brunch

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Feast of Rugby takeover Urban Food Fest 2nd April;

This year’s HSBC London Sevens will be celebrating their partnership with Urban Food Fest by hosting a ‘Feast of Rugby’ takeover at the Shoreditch street food market on Saturday 2nd April.The market will be fully HSBC London Sevens themed and there will be special guest appearances from the England sevens team – who will be helping vendors cook up a storm on the day. From France to Fiji, think Sweet and Savoury Crêpes, slow roasted and pulled pork burgers and Venezuelan Maize arepas. Yum Yum.

Entry is free just turn up;

Euro Car Parks
162-167 Shoreditch High Street, Shoreditch
London, E1

For more info;

Food 

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The cosiest “Night In” at Pillow Cinema.

This Saturday, snuggle up to a loved one… or two in a stunning Tudor House setting in the heart of Hackney and enjoy a screening of either Romeo and Juliet or The Danish Girl. Complimentary blankets and fatboy beanbags provided. All you need to do is turn up for a super chill Saturday Night at The Movies.

For tickets and info;

Cinema