Riot City Ravens!

My amazing team are going from strength to strength.

We had our first games against Wrexham and Bath and have lots lined up, as well as being part of the British Championships!!

Bath Roller Girls

Me Jamming!

Lead Jammer!

Blocking!

We have lots of new members and lots of newly qualified freshmeat who are sooooo nearly ready to play.

We were in the paper recently and have had lots of interest from the publicity, and have some fundraising activities coming up - this weekend we are bag packing at Sainsbury's in Newport.

South Wales Argus article: Weekend Magazine

Keep up to date with us here: Riot City Ravens Website & Blog

Bout day!

I got to play in a mixed opener for Swansea Roller Derby on Saturday.

I was on team back (AKA Team Snail) along with a couple of other Ravens and girls from across SE Wales (and the lovely Greta from Croyden Roller Derby).

We didn't play so well in the first half and were loosing by about 100 points, the second half however, things came together, our blocking was immense and our jammers pulled us back to within 14 points! So we were really happy!!

Here's me in action!

Photos by Stein Kiran

Not every day is a good day...

I had a great time at the Summer Mixed Scrim on Friday, here we all are afterwards...

I saw some friends who left CRG a while ago to join Bridgend Roller Derby, so it was great to play with them and catch up. I also got lots of amazing comments about how slim and different I looked, which is always motivational!

The Scrim was made up of a mix of players from all our local teams, Brawlers, Ravens, DVV, NPT, Swansea...the lot. A mix of abilities and so a great challenge. It was so satisfying playing against and along side some of the girls you watch at bouts and think are awesome. It was especially satisfying blocking those players and realising you can stand up to them! Yay!

Saturday I turned up late for my gym HIIT session, so made up the lost time by doing some weighted squats and deadlifts, I hadn't done them for ages and it was hard work! (I am still sore today, Monday).

Then, Saturday and Sunday were family days. Lots of eating out, treats and even a McDonald's!!! I know! I haven't eaten like that since before April, so it was kind of nice and also kind of scary. Thinking you'll wake up the next morning and be the old you! But, no. It's OK. I'm back on it today!

Me sporting my new top and denim jacket I got over the weekend.

Accountability...

One of the ways I have kept on with my weight loss and fitness drive is by involving other people (Roller Derby team mates) and also started an Instagram account to track my progress, @laurasfitjourney

Seeing progress visually is what does it for me. I love seeing how much healthier I look, slimmer and fitter I look in my 'selfies' and the roller derby photographs that get taken at bouts and training...here are a few from oldest to most recent..can you notice any difference?

5 1/2 months pregnant with baby #2

First scrimmage after baby, October 2013

First Open Bout March 2014

Bootcamp March 2014

April 2014 (just before I started my healthy eating)

Second open bout May 2014

Most recent friendly scrimmage July 2014

Health and fitness....

On April 4th this year I decided to make a change to my habits, to get fit and healthy and to loose my baby weight....

I have been on and off the healthy eating waggon since then, and have been exercising as much as possible! Gym and weights was my first thing, along with roller derby and now extra roller derby fitness and a personal trainer lead 6 week fitness course at my gym.

I have been juicing lots and drinking lots of water, as well as eating less chocolate, sugar and junk food! I still indulge now and again (I have eaten plenty of Ben & Jerry's, Pizza and Curry) but in moderation rather than every day.

Here are some of my favourite foods at the moment:

Green Juice: Spinach, Kale, Green Apples, Kiwi, Cucumber, Broccoli (Any mix of these)
Fruit Smoothies: Banana, water melon, strawberries, raspberries, frozen spinach, mango (Any mix of these)
Nuts and Seeds: mixed nuts (almonds, hazel nuts, Brazil, cashew, pecan), chis seeds, sunflower seeds hemp hearts, gogi berries
Other stuff: Eggs! Coconut water, almond milk, fresh fruit and veg, protein powder (soy or whey) to add to shakes, natural peanut butter, hummus, lots of water.

I have stopped eating and drinking so much of the following: diet coke and fizzy drinks, fruit juice, squash, chocolate, take aways, chips, crisps, sweets.

I need to look up my before measurements, then I will add them here:

Starting Weight: 159lbs (4th April 2014)

Current Weight: 140lbs (7th August 2014)

Before and after picture...

Sept/October 2013 (Size 14)                                                               August 2014 (size 10/12)

New beginnings...

Well. A lot has happened in the last 10 months...

I've returned to skating after having my little boy.

Irv, 10 months old now!

I've played in my first open bouts.

CRG v Swansea

CRG v Plymouth

I can transition stop at high speed!

I've been to a Rogue Runner Bootcamp.

I've trained with one of the men's Team America players Abe Drinkin'

I've scored some points while jamming in a scrim for the first time!!

And I have left Cardiff Roller Girls to set up a new team with other for CRG team mates.

It can only be onwards and upwards from here!

Exciting times ahead

Laura Face-Palmer xxx

I'm back!

My little boy is already 7 ½ month old! I've been back on skates since 3 weeks after the birth! So 7 months ish.

I've played 3 closed games and my first open bout already, as well as attending a boot camp with Rogue Runner from London Brawling. It's all go!

Since 4th April I have also started focussing on clean healthy eating and getting to the gym twice a week to do some weight training.

I'm aiming to get fitter, loose some weight (my target weight is 9.5 stone, current weight 11 stone) and feel happy in my own skin again.

I'm still breast feeding at the moment and will be going back to work on 10th June...so a few months to loose a few pounds and feel good for work.

As for 'Derby I'm aiming to get stobger, braver and better at stopping at speed!!