Changing

It really feels like I am changing. I feel healthier, happier, more energetic. I have started wanting to cook new things after losing all imagination. ..and the kids and my other half are appreciating it (I think! ).

Last week I got a shock when I measured my waist and tummy. I had lost 10cm off each! Take a tape measure around your tummy, by your tummy button and then let it out 10cm. I couldn't really quite believe it. Talk about feeling inspired to carry on!

On Sunday I will be taking my one month photos. If I decide not to put the photos up yet then I will write more detail on what has improved and how. The machine that the personal trainer has even gives you a body age - I was not happy.  Am keeping everything crossed that I have improved this number with all my efforts.

Motivation is great right now. Why wouldn't it be if I am feeling so much better and seeing results already?  Need to have a look at my goals again.  They may need updating... 

Back on track!

Yes, I am officially back on track with my training after my cold.  Did box session on Wednesday, strength on Friday,  intervals and tummy on Sunday and went to a circle step session today.

If I am not beach-ready this summer then there is something really wrong with the world!

But it isn't just exercise that I am doing,  I have adjusted what I am eating and drinking.  Drastic reduction in intake of carbs and am eating low-fat products too. I can't get my head around how LCHF can be good for you even though I know a few people who swear by it. It just goes against everything I know!

So moderation and not 100% exclusion is the way I am handling my food and drink.  I am definitely NOT on a diet. Diets are temporary.  I have changed my eating habits, permanently this time. And this is why I am not excluding anything.  If I want that wine at the weekend then I will have it.

The truth right now though is I am not even feeling tempted to eat treats or drink alcohol. With my increased efforts with my fitness I am thinking much more about how to properly fuel this body I live in and am trying to change.

Actual weight loss isn't my actual target after a certain degree. I am much more interested in centimetres lost, how I look and how I feel. This being said, finding I'd lost 2.5kg in the first two weeks of my new lifestyle is very motivating!

First of March is the next official measuring and photo taking.  I wonder if there will be any visual changes by then. Or is that adking too much? 

Power walking and colds

Well I can confirm that I have a cough and cold. Not a bad one, but bad enough to make me go easy on the training. Will have to make up for it later in the week!

Power walk it was yesterday and same again tomorrow I think. 

But why exactly is it called a power walk? Is it because you use lots of energy i.e. power when on one? Or is it because it's an empowering way of saying going for a walk? Why did we start calling it a power walk in the first place? Maybe it's because a brisk walk sounds more like something your granny would do than something a wannabe fitness addict would do.  

Spinning - fitness training or torture?

So, I tried a spinning session on Friday with Sofie (my fitness addict friend, who is a real miss motivator) for the first time in my life. 

How can an innocent looking stationary bike turn so quickly into an instrument of torture?! Well I did the sprints and generally cycled a bit, but I totally failed on the standing up and pedalling bits. I don't think my legs have ever felt like that before! Ouch!

New mini-goal: to make it through a whole spinning session!

I am now nursing a cold so will take it easy a day or two. I took a power walk in my lunch break at work today and due to the weather will take a long walk  on the treadmill tomorrow. Box group again on Monday if my cold has mostly gone.

Bit of a progress update: 6cm off my belly since 10th Jan! Real spur to keep me going. Maybe I need to start saving for a new wardrobe too? 

A little more about my training plan

I work shifts and today is my day off which I am spending with my youngest (who just turned 5). But before we venture out into the snowy winterland I thought I'd write a few more lines about my training schedule and how the box class went.

Yesterday evening was my second go at the box class....Incredibly tiring but what a buzz afterwards! I was there with three other girls who all work at the same place as me and it was the first time for two of them. So thankful to Sara for introducing me to this group training and so thankful to Sofie who, when she saw I was starting to flag, shouted "beach 2013!". Somehow I managed to dig deeper and carry on. If anyone needs to relieve stress, this type of exercise is perfect!

After the box class Sara took some more "before" photos of me. I WILL post them....but further down the road.

So, I said I was going to add a bit more info about my training.  In addition to the four parts I mentioned yesterday I am also using an app on my phone which helps you work towards being able to do 200 situps. This all within six weeks, three times a week! I am currently on week 3, day 2 being my next session. Week 3, day 1 was a total of 110 situps but not done straight off. You do a certain number that the app tells you to then rest one minute. It's tough but a good challenge.  I even have a couple of friends doing it too!

The other element to my training is generally being more active like, for instance, taking a brisk walk on my break at work - note to self here: stop chickening out just because it's snowing!

Have a good day one and all!

Training

So, I thought I'd write a little about my trainings plan. If it's out there then I really need to make sure I stick with it!

In essence I am going for four sessions a week, roughly as follows:

(1) Intervals and then focus on tummy and back using a couple of machines at the gym followed by doing sit ups and three different forms of the the dreaded plank!

(2) Strength training using machines at the gym with focus on legs, arms and shoulders. Some hand weight exercises are in there too to finish off with.

(3) A longer run.

(4) Box training or some other similar group training with all round fitness and strength. When the spring comes this could be Crossfit Outdoor.

That's the plan.

When I feel brave I will put up my before pictures....but that may wait til there's some after pictures too!

Thanks for reading - off to box class later after work!

New beginnings

New beginnings. Well that's how it feels right now. I made a decision a couple of weeks ago to really make 2013 the year that I get to be the fittest and healthiest me yet. I even started with a personal trainer one session a month for six months with a good friend to get some extra support and serious butt-kicking as appropriate.

My goals are to:

1) Run a 5km race in under 30 mins
2) Lose the belly
3) Get down to 73kg

I am going to do this through hard training at the gym, reducing the carbs, eating more fruit and veg and generally getting my lazy off the sofa and doing things!

Please follow me on my journey ....who knows whererit will take me!