CHALLENGES

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I've set myself a couple of challenges and the one that started today was to do some cardio and yoga everyday for 10 days.  After the 10 days I will re-assess and work out where I will go from there. 

Today I went for a walk/jog around the Blue Lake with my good friend Lynne.  It was windy and it rained but it felt so good.

So sorry for the quality of the phone photo!   As you can see we looked rather wet by the time we got back to the cars.

Tonight I did some simple yoga and it felt wonderful, yoga is a passion of mine that seems to have slipped by the way-side.  Not anymore, I will continue everyday even if only for 15 minutes at a time.

PS: I have some exciting news that I will share during the week.

MEET PETE

 

Pete is my new sparring partner and he's pretty damn cool.   I'm so happy to have him in my life and I've got to say that I'm more than happy to beat the crap out of him too LOL.

I've been missing my karate and kickboxing days and I think Pete might just cure me of that and the great thing, he doesn't hit back.

I'm off to beat up Pete.

IT'S BEEN A GOOD WEEK

Lachie got into another cricket squad to play in Adelaide, Country Cup, this is the one he played in late last year.  So that means 2 weeks in Adelaide coming up shortly.

I changed gyms, Jetts just wasn't providing me with what I needed to be motivated so I'm now at a local gym, Squashbrook. For just a couple $$$ more a week I now get group fitness, a pool, sauna and spa as well as everything cardio and weights and my favourite, boxing.   As an ex fitness instructor I have really missed group fitness, I know it's not for everyone but it keeps me motivated and really enjoying a variety of exercise.

 

I started on Monday and this is what I've done so far:

Monday: Combat
Tuesday: Balance
Wednesday: Cardio
Thursday: Sh'bam
Friday: Pump

Oh it's good to be back.

In other news, guess who I'm going to see in July 2013, yay!!!!! After going to her last tour there is no way I'm missing out.

FULL DISCLOSURE

I am overweight!!   There I said it and I'm not happy about it. 

The funny thing about me is that every morning I wake up thinking "this is it, I'm not eating crap anymore" then by 3pm it all goes pear shaped and I give in.   My addiction to Diet Coke came back in a huge way over the last 6 months, that and chocolate, chips and anything else snacky, sugary and crappy.

Darren is on a holiday in Darwin visiting a friend and I've made the decision that this can not go on.  While he's away I'm getting my head right without him enabling me, I'm off the poison (Diet Coke) and snacks are nuts, fruits and if I really want something sweet, a mint chocolate made from cacao, it's delicious.   So while I'm being brave, here are shots of me taken last week and at my heaviest in 11 years.

 

 

Clean eating (as mentioned in an earlier post) is how I am tackling this along with the exercise I love, running, yoga and boxing.   I have given up going to the gym as I have been far to bored there to push myself.   I will post more on the foods I am eating and some recipes, my goal is to loose 10kg and I have to do it now as I've just really put myself out there.

I know some people aren't fussed with weight but I do believe that in order to be happy, healthy in mind and body and to live a long life then a certain weight should be maintained. It's so easy to let it all go especially now I'm in my 40's so I've had a big mind shift and focus and I know it will pay off soon.

BIGGEST LOSER CLUB

This week my friend Julie and I joined the Biggest Loser Club in an effort to tone up and lose a bit of weight. I really want to lose 10kg that never seems to shift and doing something like this with a friend (and sounding board) makes it a little easier I think. The online program I have chosen is as follows: 3 month Rapid Weight Loss program. Exercise: At Home - walk & toned advanced. Menu: The Biggest Loser Express. As much as I would love to re-join at Jetts, for the moment I will try the at home program to save money. After spending some time pulling out weights, DVDs, yoga gear etc from various hiding places around our home, all of my equipment is now in one spot under my overlocker table.

Day 2 is going well, I'm a little hungry right now but am avoiding temptation. I really wish the kids would hurry up and eat the left over chocolate from Easter.

YOGA

I have turned to yoga at different times in my life, be it taking classes, learning from books and DVD's at home and becoming a Les Mills Body Balance instructor.

I have many things that occupy my time but the one thing that is constant in my life is health and well being. I need to nurture my body and soul and yoga makes me feel calm yet energised, happy and confident.

There is so much to learn, it's not just about the poses as some may think, I have been considering taking on a preparatory teaching certificate for a while now, not neccessarily to teach yoga but for my own personal interest and growth.

Today I decided to start my mornings like I used too, with yoga. The sequence I used is from an edition of Australian Yoga Journal.

1. Urdhva Hastasana (Upward Salute)
2. Uttanasana (Stranding Forward Bend)
3. Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward-Facing Dog Pose)
4. Adho Mukha Svanasana, variation (Three-Legged Dog Pose with hip open)
5. Anjaneyasana (Low Lunge)

These 5 poses awaken your body. Upward Salute stretches the front body, forward bending brings blood to the brain and Downward Dog enlivens your limbs and spine. The three-legged Dog stretches the hips and Low Lunge opens the heart.

I repeat this sequence 3 times, following with Sun Salutations.

OH MY!!!

It has been a while since I last posted, sorry about that. I've been trying so hard to get Christmas and birthday gifts made that I completely forgot to chat to you all. The gym is going great, I'm really getting back in the groove and am going 6 days a week. My fitness is once again improving and I'm feeling stronger every day. I've dropped 4kg in the last 3 weeks and am well within my healthy weight range but would like to drop another 4 just as a buffer.

The garden is growing like crazy as are the weeds. We are having the weirdest start to Summer, it's very steamy and tropical, nothing like we are used to down here. I'm busy picking and planting out veges. My cherry tree has 3 cherries on it. YAH!!!! The tomatoes in the hothouse are huge and are taking over and my carrots and lettuces have bolted thanks to this silly weather. I will plant more carrots over the next few days. The next job will be to pull the garlic which is dying off nicely and make a commitment to plant something every week so there are never any empty beds.

GOING DOWN THAT WELL WORN PATH

When I turned 40 a couple of month's ago I fell into a bit of a hole thinking that I was doomed to be 40 and frumpy and feeling pretty yuck inside and out. The last couple of months have not been easy around here, a lot has happened and I have been feeling pretty sorry for myself.
I woke up yesterday morning and thought "this is it, no more". So I have started closely watching what I eat and more importantly how much I eat and I have done something I swore I would never do again. I joined a gym.

After working at a gym training and instructing clients, I never wanted to set foot in one again. Don't get me wrong, I loved the work I was passionate about helping people and was and still am addicted to fitness. It was all of the behind the scenes stuff I resented, I have never met so many vain, bitchy, self centred narcissists in all of my life. I couldn't believe how horrible gym employees could be.

I made the decision to join Jetts Fitness, they are opening down here on Saturday and I am getting what I think is a great deal, no start up fees, no contracts and a reduced fortnightly fee. So for $9.70 a week I can workout 24 hours a day with no bitchy employees around the place. There will be a couple of people there in day hours and that's okay.

So, frumpy 40 will be gone and fabulous 40 will take it's place.

I look forward to my new adventure going into very familiar territory and can't wait to let you know how I'm doing, and it's a lot safer than continuing with full contact karate.

SUCK IT UP PRINCESS - DAY 1/WEEK1

FITNESS
walked, jogged, ran the Blue Lake.
distance: 3.8km
time: 29.5 minutes
heart rate: 145

Stupid heart rate monitor wouldn't work propery, I really need to buy a better one.
Time was pretty bad, less walking more running tomorow.

WEIGHT
I have put on 3.5kg in the last two months. That is scary, I've been stressed out with a few different things and unlike some people, when I stress I eat and eat crap!!!
So I'm now just out of my healthy weight range for my height and need to do something about it NOW!!!

So who wants to suck it up and get on with it just like I am?

EDITED: Darren took apart my heart rate monitor and it works again, just when I'd made up my mind to buy an amazing new beaut one too. At least it's saved me money.

BUTT KICKIN'

Okay, I'm here for some real butt kickin' this week. I've become lazy, yes that's it, plain laziness has led me to feel frumpy, lethargic and just plain blaahhh.

Over the years I have always eaten relatively healthy, nutritious foods but lately the sugary and fat laiden snacks have crept into my diet what seems like every day. Time to be accountable, it's pretty simple really STOP PUTTING THE CRAP INTO YOUR MOUTH!!!!

So today I am making a promise to myself to live the way I want to live and be happy, healthy, green, fit and loving to myself and others.

Starting right now calories and fats will be counted.
Starting right now I will make time for running, weights, kickboxing and yoga.
Starting right now I will make even more of an effort in the kitchen to cook from scratch.

I'm sick of over-thinking everything, actions definately speak louder than words.

So this is my day, how is yours going?

STUDY, WEIGHT, EXERCISE......

It's been a big week. The kids went back to school and I have settled into some sort of a study routine as my Sports Nutrition assignment is due in 20 days. I'm unsure what to study next, if anything. I really did the Sports Nutrition for my own benefit and there are certain people who do ask for my advice on some sports related subjects, so the more I know the better. I find it interesting learning more about the human body and how to improve performance.

I have been really good this week, watching what I eat and exercising. I had put on 2kg over Christmas and the holidays but lost them this week thank goodness, my pants were feeling a little tight.

I'm back to lifting weights and punching that bag. I also did one of my Les Mills balance DVD's this morning, a hard one at that and it felt great.

MY LEGS ARE TIRED

I shouldn't whinge but they are really heavy this morning.

I jumped out of bed at 5:30am to meet my very good friend Julie and drive for 1/2 hour to the beach. We started to jog in the soft sand but quickly realized that a fast walk would be more our pace.

For those of you who love to walk or run on tracks or cement and live near a beach, give it a go in the soft sand. You will feel it a lot quicker, it's hard sweaty work and boy does it feel good.

We had a perfect morning for it today and fast walked/jogged for nearly 2 hours. Next week I'm trying to convince Julie to head up some sand dunes.

LOOSING WEIGHT

Over the last few months I have managed to put on a few kilos. I haven't been exercising the way I usually do and have slipped back into some bad eating habits.

4 days ago the eating habits changed, I feel on track there and the exercise will start tomorrow morning with skipping and boxing.

Time to try and feel better on the inside and outside for summer.

AND SO IT BEGINS ALL OVER AGAIN

Ever since some major teeth problems about 6 weeks ago I have lost my motivation for my fitness. I admit I have been in a lot of pain and on drugs that my body has not tolerated so I have had some excuse I guess.
Not any more though, the problems are pretty much fixed and with the warmer weather we are having I really noticed some not so toned areas that until recently have been covered up hmmmmm.
So tonight I will be writing up a new weights and kickboxing program and at 6am tomorrow morning I will begin. Running up my mountain this time of year is out due to the huge number of brown snakes up there and as I don't take my phone and I run alone it really isn't such a great idea.
I haven't been to karate for 3 weeks, I'm still in two minds about continuing I just wish I could make up my mind once and for all.
So while I procrastinate I will be getting fit again at home.
Have a great weekend
xxxSue

HERE'S THE THING

I used to work as a personal trainer and one thing that really got to me was 20 something year old personal trainers who have had no kids and live at home so everything is done for them who think they can give solid one on one advise to their clients instead of just grouping everyone together and treat them the same. I know this is not the case with all trainers but I do think that more effort needs to be put into treating clients as individuals.

It was an issue I was well aware of when I was working and it was brought to my attention again today by a good friend who obviously had one of these trainers. I'm not saying that they don't know what they are talking about but when you have a 40+ mother of three who is trying her best to get into shape there are ways and means of training her to suit her lifestyle.

It should be more individual, I guess that's what I'm trying to say.

This really is something I think about a lot as even at karate I end up fighting a 20something year old who has no kids and not a lot of responsibilies, is a lot more flexible than me and I am expected to be able to do what she does. That just is not possible for me anymore with injuries that seem to happen all too frequently when I try.

I am fit and healthy and there is no reason what so ever that I wouldn't be able to do what she or he can do, the training however should be a little different. Same goes for my friend, of course she is capable, the training just needs to suit her.

hmmm, can you tell I'm in pain?

A GOOD DAY

When Darren woke this fine Sunday morning he was told "about time, I'm going for a run". So he had the kids and me and my ipod were on our way.
I didn't feel like doing the usual run, so I took an old track I hadn't done for a few years. I'm not sure how far this track was and I don't know what my heart-rate etc was as my faithful workout watch isn't working grrrrrr. (not so faithful it seems).
This track is gorgeous, it's one of the many craters around here and as I was running, I realised it looked very much like Bella and Edward's special place in the woods. Sorry if you are a non Twilight fan, you won't get it at all.
I forgot how amazing this place was and I ended up running it twice and taking a detour on an overgrown path up the side of the crater just for something a little different, which I might add, led me to my usual mountain climb path.
So, me and my ipod had a very invigorating run, then I came home and the kids wanted to take Heidi for a walk, so off to the shower and a change of clothes and off we went again.

SKINS

In case you don't know what I'm talking about....

I bought the full length pants a few weeks back and they are amazing. I have one knee that has always had problems and has never been 100% since being operated on 18 years ago. I also suffer badly from shin splints, very painful. Putting on these very expensive tights has been a blessing when I run, no more pain!!!!
I wear shorts over the top as I'm not one to wear skin tight pants to show off my less than impressive butt, I am even considering getting the knee length skins to wear under my gi for karate.
Skins are not cheap, I had to pay $140 for the full length ones, but I say, worth every cent.

MY MOUNTAIN WAS CALLING

and I had to respond.

After having 2 weeks off any real exercise due to a corked thigh from karate, I was desperate to run up my mountains.

What a beautiful spring day up there, well expect for the gale force winds which are really bad now that the council in all it's wisdom chopped down all of the trees. Don't get me wrong, I think the pine trees whould have gone years ago and native trees planted in their place, but they took the lot native and all and have not re-planted. It's so sad as it really is a beautiful natural area.

The beautiful native birds were out as were the flowers and the butterflies and so were the swooping magpies protecting their nests and the swarms of bees. All in all a great run.

My heart-rate watch stopped working so I have nothing to record there and I did the 4.2km in 49 minutes. Pretty slow for me but I did walk a bit and continually stretched my quad. Towards the end my leg was starting to hurt but I think the physio wrap kept any further injury at bay.

I'm certainly feeling energized now and must go and get ready for work.

Thanks for coming and reading :)

I WONDER

So I wonder how many people are interested in this blog? I mean, health and fitness are my passion but I'm not so sure that too many people feel that way.
Let me tell you about my day....
I have been fighting the flu for the last week, something I don't usually get. I have been running and running for the last couple of months and I know that I have been stressed and not looking out for myself. I'm now working 2 jobs again, although part time, I do feel that I have taken on a bit too much. The flu has made me slow down, my body needed it and it's definitely time to get a little more organised and find some time just for me.
Today I went to our karate tournament, I did not participate in this one as I've found it hard to get to training this term with the extra work and all. I watched the senior girls fight full contact , no gloves and thought "thank god I'm not fighting" It was not the reaction I was after, I wanted to be thinking "I wish I was out there giving it a go". Now I am in two minds about even going back. You see all of the other senior girls are about 15 years younger than me, scary isn't it? I don't think of myself as old and I certainly give as much as I take but I am noticing the injuries and the time they take to heal and I'm starting to wonder if it's all worth it.
I will sleep on it and hopefully when I get up tomorrow and do my skipping, boxing and punching bag workout I might have a little more focus as to what I want in regards to my karate.

PRACTICE WHAT I PREACH

Okay, so I have been a bit bad lately. The last 3 weeks have been insane, I've been working on the nights that karate is on, so no exercise there. It's been really bad weather and my mountain gets pretty slippery when it rains so much, so no exercise there. My punching bag set up is out the back of our house with a tarp over it to stop the rain, so no exercise there either.
Are you seeing a pattern here?
EXCUSES!!!!!!!
I know damn well I could be doing exercise inside, I have Body Balance DVD's as I was an instructor, I have free weights that I can lift, I can do a heap of lunges or push-ups or sit-ups. I have high ceiling, I could even skip inside.
Time to stop with the excuses and do something about it.

I notice that when I stop doing something I'm passionate about, I lose focus in other areas. I haven't been eating as well as I want to and am feeling the effects within and on the scales. Not that I am overweight but being nearly 39, I do know that my body isn't what it used to be and I love to feel healthy and vibrant inside and out.

So, today is the day, not tomorrow, TODAY!!!

I'm getting back on track and giving things a little more thought, how about you?