My legs don't work so well anymore

I am now feeling every bit of exercise I have done in the past 24 hours! Last night's PT session left me very sore, and I followed up with a spin class at lunchtime. All was good til I sat down for an hour and tried to get up again! I feel like I am 80 years old!!

All for a good cause though :0)

The exercise plan for this week...

Monday - 30 min run
Tuesday - 1 hour PT
Wednesday - 45 min spin class, 30 min run
Thursday - 1 hour PT
Friday - 50 min Balance Class, 30 min run
Saturday - 2 hour walk
Sunday - rest day

Size 12 Jeans!!!

I was so excited yesterday when I bought size 12 jeans. I started with a 16 - too big. Got a 14 - too big. Then 12 - yay!! They're a bit tight, but I think with one wear they will stretch a little and be just perfect! I'm not kidding myself that it is a real 12 – in some shops I couldn't even get a size 16 done up. But I'll go with it for now! Giordano rocks!

After looking in the mirror at gym on Thursday night I decided my fav trackies need to be donated. They are so baggy and bunched up around the waist where I tie them up that they don't do me any favours whatsoever! So I went to Rebel and spent an hour trying on pants and tops. I had a ball cause it all fitted! All I had to do was make a decision. So here's what I came up with.

Spent Australia Day at the Rocks. It was awesome - lots of live music all for free! Here's a pic of Hirst & Greene - my fav for the day. The guy on the left is Rob Hirst from Midnight Oil. The Oils were the first band I ever saw live! Anyway they were great. Also saw Diesel and Alex Lloyd.


And here's the kangaroo we met at the pub....


With all that excitement I almost forgot to mention that th scales are definitely moving in the right direction again. Official weigh in on Thursday so I'll save the results to then... but the sneak peak is looking good!

Have been thinking...

Just spoke to Nathan about Cath’s thing (see post earlier today). First he hasn’t known L-Cartinine to work for anyone. I’m averaging 1kg a week anyway (if you discount xmas) so shouldn’t need any extra help. The other thing is that he pointed out the marketing side of it - that I would be getting results for them, and for them to cash in on it. They would be promoting it as if I had lost all this weight by using their products when really it is because I am sweating it out at the gym every day. On the other hand he said it could be good to talk to their naturopath and get some advice. I don’t think I’ll do it, but I'll sleep on it tonight anyway.

I'm back!!

The scales are moving again! Yay!! (Donna, still got 2kg to 25 - you're catching me!!). All this exercise is paying off – I feel great! Got heaps of energy.

I emailed my friend Cath about my possible plateau, cause she is very fit and works for a certain company that produces supplements and protein shakes etc.. She came back with some suggestions which included L-Carnitine. Here's what it's all about...

1 tsp. L-Carnitine
L-Carnitine is a fat transport molecule. L-Carnitine, in supplemental doses, helps to move fatty acids more efficiently from your bloodstream into your muscle cell mitochondria, the energy powerhouse’s of muscles. Once fatty acids are mobilised, L-Carnitine transports them into muscle cells where they are burnt up and used as energy. The obvious advantage of this is, not only do fatty acids not get stored but they get used up as a source of muscle energy giving you greater endurance to run that extra mile, swim that extra lap or play out that extra set. A real win-win situation! Additionally, L-Carnitine has been shown to increase the pumping efficiency of the heart. The end result of this is that oxygen delivery to muscles is also more efficient making for greater endurance capacity - perfect for endurance athletes.

Then she came back with another email....


******
"Not sure if you would be up for this, but I was talking to the Marketing crew here earlier about your progress, because some of the girls are only just getting *Company* programs written up for them now and we were all talking about our goals, and that our friends ask us what’s good etc, but if we are to recommend, then we must try for ourselves!! I spoke about you, and your dilemma, and they asked if you would mind being used as a “real life” case study… ie lost 20 kilos, then hit the wall, then started using *Company*, and suddenly it all drops off? What a success story!! What would happen is our naturopath, and head trainer (the one that works with our AFL footy team head fitness trainers etc) would put a program together for you, and we would monitor your progress. We could run this with Nath – so with his help, and guidance etc.

Not sure what the advertising would involve, it may be more results driven. Ie numbers & graphs, but also a before and after pic?

What do you think?? I am assuming if we want you to be a case study for us, we could organize a special rate (possibly free) Musashi products?

Let me know how you feel about it, and whether Nath would be willing to assist and we can take it from there!!

Love ya lots!! Keep up the good work."
*****

I told her I would think about it. I am really flattered that she asked, and it could be a good incentive to keep me on track. Just not sure if I want to be that “public” about it all. Going to talk to Nathan about it - he has been my trainer for 6 months and is the best trainer in the world! LOL! So anything I do must involve him.

Lean, mean walking machine!

Here's my spiffy new shoes. I needed something comfortable and cool to walk in for Thailand so this is what I came up with. Apparently you can't wear open toed shoes into some of the temples, so needed something with a closed toe. They'll be getting plenty of use before I go as well!

This Week's Plan

A new week, a new exercise plan. Here it is....

Monday - 30 min run, 1 hour walk
Tuesday - 1 hr PT, 1 hour walk
Wednesday - 45 min spin, 30 min run
Thursday - 1 hr PT, 30 min swimming
Friday - 2 hour walk, 30 min run
Saturday - 30 min run
Sunday - rest

Aiming to run every second day, and to train twice a day and see if that makes a difference to the scales. I increased my running distance last week which was a great feeling - so going to increase it again this week! Dropped 0.4kg since Thursday which is the first movement on the scales in over 2 weeks. Still not enough though. I want to average 1kg a week so I can lose 10kg before I go to Thailand.

The Secrets of Skinny Chicks

Bought myself this book last night. I was feeling like eating crap so went for a bit of a stroll up to the shops, and my fav bookshop was still open. Have only just started it, but it's really good so far. It really hits home with where I am at at the moment. It's all about eating and exercising to get the body you want - the one that makes you feel good about yourself. It doesn't matter if that body is a size 6 or a size 14 - as long as it is healthy, and YOU like it. It is written by someone who has 'been there, done that' with losing heaps of weight, and has now become a personal trainer.

City 2 Surf

I have set myself a new challenge. I am going to run the City 2 Surf in August this year (date TBA). I have sooooooo much training to do - but it gives me a new focus. A new goal, other than to lose weight. If I did it now, with my current run-some, walk-some pace I estimate that I could complete it in just under 2 hours. So I want to get that time way down. My plan is to run most of it - maybe walk Heartbreak Hill.

So, in 8 months time I will be one of the 60,000 people running their way to Bondi. Body paint is optional - so I think I may pass!

My scales are stuck

Could this be the dreaded plateau? My scales have been the same for 2 weeks. I lost 2.4kg over Christmas (surprising, but I wasn't going to question it), and then NOTHING. They've been within 0.5 of that for the whole 2 weeks. I've eaten pretty well and exercised 6 out of 7 days a week. I'm not sure where to go from here. The only thing I have changed is I have replaced one snack with a low carb protein shake. But I count it in my daily allowance. Will have a chat to my trainer today and see what he suggests. It is so disappointing when you work hard and don't see any results.

New Year's Resolutions Still in Place

16 days in to 2007 and I'm still going strong! I haven't bitten my nails (yay!) and am back to my usual food and exercise routine, if not a little improved from last year.

I was planning on going alcohol-free for January - but that didn't happen! My PT and I were going to do it together, but last Wednesday night I caved and went to the pub with a girlfriend and misbehaved a little. I confessed all on Thursday, and guess what the response was... "so did I!" Too funny. We both caved on the same night. However he wasn't going to tell me. Lucky one of us is honest! So I'm back to my usual one night a week plan.

This Week's Plan

Well after sticking to last week's plan I am feeling good, so I am going to continue with the planning! I am loving the exercise again so going to ramp it up a little bit. Only 2kg to go til 25kg lost - bring it on!!!!

Went off the plan a little with the food yesterday, but still nothing too bad. Tried Kangaroo sausages last night - they're great! Only 1g of fat - pretty much the lowest of any meat I think. Go the Kanga Bangers!

Here's the exercise plan....
Monday - 2 hour walk hills and stairs
Tuesday - 1 hour PT
Wednesday - 45 min spin class, 30 min run
Thursday - 1 hour PT
Friday - 45 min balance class, 45 min swim
Saturday - rest day
Sunday - 2 hour walk

The Weekend

Was getting ready to go out last night and got a bit of a surprise when I looked in the mirror. I had one of those moments where I actually saw how much weight I have lost. My PT (and best friend) has been saying for ages that I need to see what he sees - and for the first time last night I saw a glimpse. So that called for a photo moment!

Motivation is back! I have been following my eating and exercise plan and I feel really good. Hopefully the scales will reward me this week.

Another new T-shirt

I am going through a bit of a t-shirt phase! This one is going to the gym as well! Got it from Miss Shop (it's been a while since I was able to shop there!!!) - there was heaps of other cool ones, but I think I have enough for now. I can go back when I get to size 12!

Plan, plan, plan

I have decided to go back to basics and plan my menu and exercise. I'm going to go back to tracking everything. I've done my menu for the next 3 days, and am writing a shopping list. (It might even save me some money cause I am only going to buy what I need, so no wastage!). I planned the exercise earlier in the week, but it has changed a little, so here's my updated plan:

Monday - 5km walk/run (DONE)
Tuesday - 1 hour PT weights (DONE)
Wednesday - rest day
Thursday - 1 hour PT weights (DONE)
Friday - 40 mins walk, 45 mins swim
Saturday - 2 hours walk, 1 hour pump class
Sunday - 2 hours walk

My meal plan is based on salads, fruit, vegies and fish and lean meat. Extra healthy and easy to prepare, cause it is in the preparation that I am falling down at the moment. I am really good all day, then I get home and can't be bothered cooking. Last night I had breakfast cereal for dinner. I know, it could be worse! I'm going to go shopping this afternoon and chop up fruit and vegies into little containers to keep in the fridge. So then I have no excuse! And as I am going out Saturday night I have even factored in 4 small glasses of champagne as my treat for the week.

Lunchtime walking

Can you tell work is very quite today? My third post so far!!! Went for a walk at lunchtime, but came back via the plaza. Whoops! Bought the Lonely Planet Thailand book so I can read up about all the wonderful places I am visiting. Having Sumo salad for lunch...mmmmm yummy!

Some Statistics

Hadn't checked my BMI for a while so decided it was about time. I've gone from 44 to 35!!! Wooohooo! Still not healthy, but hell of alot healthier than before. I want to lose another 10kg before I go to Thailand (12 weeks) and that will give me a BMI of 30 which is classified as 'overweight' instead of 'very overweight'. Sounds alot better to me!

My new t-shirt

If you can't read it, it says "Ignorance is Bliss". I love it! I bought it to wear to gym, but decided to wear it to work today instead. I have another one that says "I love shoes". All part of the xmas shopping spree that I had!

I need to be accountable to my exercise this week... so here's the plan
Monday - 5km walk/run
Tuesday - personal training - weights
Wednesday - swimming
Thursday - personal training - weights
Friday - 5km walk/run
Saturday - 2 hour walk
Sunday - rest day

Done. It's in writing now for you all to read so I HAVE to do it!

Happy 2007!

Well it has been a while since I posted cause I have been on holidays. I have had two whole weeks of doing not much at all - just catching up with friends and family... and it has been fantastic! Haven't been to the gym once, but have been doing a bit of walking and running. Not nearly what I usally do though... but guess what. I lost 2.4kg over xmas and new year! Yay!!!! I needed to though cause I hadn't lost much for the first couple of weeks of December. But I'm an 80s girl now! Yay!!!

So here's a pic of me and my friend Cath from NYE 2005 and NYE 2006. Imagine what next year's will look like. I'll be at goal by then.



So what's in store for 2007? Well I go to Thailand on 31 March for 10 days. Only 12 weeks to go. Hopefully they will have stopped throwing bombs by then :( I want to be at goal weight by end of May. Need to keep averaging 1kg a week to do that, and I know the last 10kg or so are going to be alot harder, but I'll just keep plodding away. I made a new year's resolution that I would stop biting my nails. Haven't bitten then since 17 December and they're starting to get pretty long... actually they are annoying me as I type now. Here's my new nails...