Progress update

It was the second session with the personal trainer Eliisa today with my good friend Sara up at the gym, at 8am on a Sunday morning!

Since 10th Jan this year I have reduced my belly by 14cm and my waist by 14cm too. I have also lost 7.9kg. Feeling pretty pleased with myself and the progress so far. And so I should be!

Here's the photo proof....I see the change really clearly.  Hope you can too....?

Both Sara and I got an updated training plan from Eliisa which includes two strength sessions a week, one interval session plus one other session such as box, circle-step or a longer run. Feeling very motivated right now.

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? 

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!