Just Keep Pedalling

Today was all about pedal power!  I cycled to work today, and it was great to be out on the bike again!  It took me about 30 minutes each way - not bad!!  I also took a spin class with Jax this morning.  It was great - definately feel pushed in her classes and thoroughly enjoy them!!  Of course, when it was  time to ride home, the enthusiasm is never quite the same!! The south-west wind had started to pick up and I found myself a couple of time saying 'just keep pedalling, just keep pedalling'!! 

I am planning to cycle to work as much as possible now that it is warmer and lighter! I am also training for a cycle event in early December (in fact one week after this challenge finishes).  It is the Long Bays Cycle Ride - an 80km ride through the Port Hills.  Eeek! I really need to get training in those hills!

I've started doing a few at home exercises with the aim of doing them (or at least part of them) each day - they include crunches, plank, push ups, bicycles, bicep dips, step ups and free weights.  I usually do these in the evening, as I am watching some tv programme.

Todays tip:  In the weekends I make up a couple of big batches of meals to put in the freezer (chicken risotto, savoury mince, sitfry, casseroles..).  These are great for an easy lunch or for dinner on nights I am home late, or just don't feel like cooking! It is definately a saviour having these in the freezer!

Small Changes, Big Victories

I am happy to say that I am no longer sick, and in fact,  I am feeling loads better - both mentally and physically!

These past few days have been about small changes for me, that can make a big difference!  This started on Friday at morning tea ("Cookie Club") at work.  I went along with my bottle of water and nectarine and didn't touch the food!  I didn't feel like I was missing out and was quite happy to sit there (when normally I just couldn't have resisted, nor stop at one...) without having anything - a small victory for me!

I am also happy to be back into exercise - going to the gym yesterday felt like a breath of fresh air.  It is amazing how the endorphins kick in, even when I don't feel like exercising - I know I will feel better for it!

I have always had a problem with snacking in the evening, often when not even hungry! So, I have to always be concsious of what I am doing after dinner - I find, keeping my hands busy helps and have taken to brushing my teeth earlier so that no food can make it to my mouth!!

The next thing I need to work on, is early morning exercise...eek! I am not a morning person and usually get up at the last possible minute I have to in order to get ready for work and go.  I even eat brekkie at work (because I need an hour or two before I can eat)!  So, I would like to get into the habit of either getting up and going for a walk with my dog before work, or getting a gym session in before work once or twice a week...we shall see!!!

Now that daylight savings is upon us, I intend to start biking to and from work again and am loving the lighter, warmer evenings already!

Down, But Not Out

Well,  i mentioned the burning cough last week...unfortunately it turned into the full blown flu and finally bought me down on Saturday night.  So, for the last 4 days I have been out of action with all the flu symptoms - fever, temperature, rash, cough, nausea, headaches...not fun!

I am so gutted that it has hit me in the middle of this 12 week challenge.  I feel so helpless lying at home, when i should be feeling healthy and out there exercising. But I know full well I couldn't have done anything if I tried.

I am starting to feel better now, no more high temperature or nausea.  The cough it still lingering but that will also be in part because of my asthma.  I am itching to get back into exercise and this 12 week challenge, but am scared if I go out to hard right away, it will just land me on my back again...

I may need to enrol in the help of my motivational voucher for a 1:1 with Ron - to get me on the right track again and make sure I'm doing the right things.

Well, I did manage to get along to Jellie Park tonight for my weight in.  I was quite nervous to say the least as with zero exercise in the last 5 days and not much thought put into my eating, not to mention my lack of water intake - well, the scales could say anything!

Anyway, I had a small loss.  Only 1.4kg...but (I tell myself) it is a loss and it is in the right direction.  I am not planning on letting a flu (or an earthquake) get in my way again, so the next 9 weeks should be obstacle free!

I hope you are all pleased with your results at week 3 and making the most of all the resources out there.

Weekend Warrior

With another week down, I have done my three centre based exercise activities, including a spin class and two gym sessions. It really is great having the gym at Pioneer right on our doorstep - I intend to make the most of it while I am there! I have to admit that I have been a bit sick over the last week with a burning chesty cough, which makes exercise feel as though my lungs are going to catch fire and jump out my throat, but it is important for me to keep going.  Granted, I have to take care of myself and take it easy, but I don't have to let it stop me in my tracks.

With the weekend upon us, I always have great plans to do loads of exercise and things like walks, jogs, mountain bikes, gym cross my mind.  Well, today I managed a big walk with the dog - much to her joy - and tomorrow I hope to do the same again, with possibly either a mountain bike or gym session thrown in as well...I'll let you know!

Food wise this week I have been pretty good - feel like I am getting back on track again so pleased about that. My danger zone is when I get home from work, before preparing dinner, and again in the evening, post dinner.  As long as I am aware of these times and put measures in place, I am usually safe...its not always easy!

With our first weigh ins next week, I am not really sure what to expect in terms of body fat loss, but am hoping for a small decline in the scales - and hopefully there won't be another catastrophic event to throw me off my game!

Today's quote:  "If you always do what you've always done, you will always get what you've always got!"

Back on the Horse

Well, I think it is time I post again, after what has been a pretty big and emotional 10 days. The week after the earthquake struck, I was still in a state of surealism - exercise went out the window and with it, my bad eating habits came back.  It is totally a mindset with me, as I know I am eating badly, but seem to do it anyway like it is going to solve things...it does not.

I started exercising again on Saturday and I had missed it! I have been trying to get back into jogging and so managed a small 3 km jog in the middle of my big walk, it felt good to be able to do that and I only hope it improves. Sunday I decided to get on my road bike and go for a bit of a cycle - well that soon turned in to a frustrating 2 hour walk home after I got a puncture and didn't have a bike pump...not fun (but got my incidental exercise in)! Lesson learnt...ride with someone who has a pump!!!

Since the earthquake, I have been working out of Pioneer and am determined to make the most of the gym and classes while I am there! On Monday, John G took us for a spin class - it just about killed me, but it was great!! 

The first week was great and I was pleased with my efforts and results.  However, I think I put it all back on in the second week  - which disheartens me, but I have to keep going or I will never get there, so....

...I am going to go hard this week and hopefully show something on the scales at our first weigh in next week!

Today's lesson - push through. When life puts up hurdles, keep going - exercise and nutrition is one thing you can control in your life, so use these to make smart choices and surprise yourself with what you CAN do.

Its all about the motivation

Well, its day two of spring and it certainly feels like it.  Its great!  I feel my mood lighten and motivation increasing (it would be great if I felt this way all the time, but it never works that way!). 

In Civic Office we work on the fourth floor and I have made a conscious decision to walk those stairs everytime I come and go from the office - no more lift.  However, we are moving to the 6th floor of a new building soon...I'll see if I can keep my intentions up!!  Just this small change makes a big difference and if I keep at it, I know I will soon stop walking towards the lifts before realising I'm taking the stairs and it will become a habit!

I'm off to Sydney tomorrow - just for a three day weekend - and at first it made me panic a bit about whether I could 'be good' and 'stay on track'.  Then I realised, this isn't really a test and doesn't need to be feared - this is life!!  Being conscious of what I am doing and accountable for my actions means that I can still have a great time, but not strip all traces of fun and relaxation by being ultra strict...that would just end in disaster! So, this will probably be my last post until I return on Sunday night and I will let you know how I get on.  My aim is to walk lots, eat lots of fruit and enjoy myself...as it is my birthday, I will probably have a wine or two, but I'm okay with that!!

There is a lot of support on offer during this challenge, and I intend to use it! The tips and advice from the team is great and the support on offer from the instructors is really motivating (go team metro!!!!), so make sure you utilise it.  I just need someone to come home with me and tell me to 'stop eating that'....yep, thats my downfall - evening snacking!  That is definately a habit I have to break as for some reason I mindlessly eat in the evenings...and then have the attack of the guilts after the fact!  This is something that I am coming to grips with and for me comes back to that whole notion of 'be conscious of what you're eating'.

My tip for today - it is all about moderation.  But just remember, a packet of M&M's consumed over the course of a day is still a packet of M&M's (it took me a while to come to terms with this one)!