Mind Set...failing...

So, I have been struggling a bit of the last couple of weeks.  Mainly in the food department.  I have found myself eating more than usual, particularly at night.  I don't even think I am hungry - more bored and feeling slightly down...I hate that that means I eat. 

I have still been exercising and am pleased that I am keeping that up, but after a sneak peak at the scales this morning, I am dissappointed in myself and nervous about weigh in this week.

I really want to go hard in the last three weeks and really put myself right into this challenge.  I just hope my mind doesn't get in the way.

Food is something I always struggle with.  Even though I know all the nutrition and health facts. I read health mags and am aware of the benefits.  I obviously haven't found my trigger yet, or figured out how to stop myself before it is too late!

I am fine during the day and eat well, but when I get home it is a different story.  I think partly because I am by myself at the moment, I have nothing to distract me and noone to 'suggest I keep out of the pantry'!!

So, from now on, I am determined not to sabotage myself. I will be concsious about what is going in my mouth and I will distract myself in the evenings so that I stay out of the kitchen!

This is the point that I really need to listen to my blog title and CHOOSE MY ATTITUDE

Right, now I am off for the group walk up Rapaki Track

Ooops!!

So, I had a bit of a chocolate blowout on Tuesday night....I'm really peeved off with myself, because I didn't really want or need it.  I think I was just bored and the box of chocolates in my cupboard were calling me. I scoffed my way through about 10 chocolates before throwing the rest out to stop myself from going way too far!

Now, with that small set back over, time to get back on track!!  I must admit that this week has been a bit of a struggle motivation wise.  I don't know if it is a natural lag in the 12 week challenge or I was getting to comfortable with what I have been doing.  I am still exercising, but think I need to push myself again, otherwise I keep doing what I've always done.

Eating wise, I have found the dreaded evening snacking creeping back, and again, I think it is because I am bored...and therefore I eat...

So, for the last four weeks, I want to really go for it and I want to push myself that little bit further.

I did get out for a walk/jog last night and was quite pleased with that.  I am trying to build my running up bit by bit and seem to be increasing in 5 minute increments, with a 25 minute jog last night.  I just need to keep up the momentum,  otherwise its back to square one!

My goals for this week -

• Exercise every day. 
• Push myself in at least two sessions. 
• Avoid chocolate
• Keep myself busy in the evenings and my mind occupied

Push It!!

Well, it has been a while since I have posted, but its okay - I haven't disappeared into the big black hole!  I have still been getting on with the challenge...for the most part!!

Often after I have a good weigh in, I relax a little too much in the days following.  This didn't happen to the same extent after the half way mark, but I will admit that I let my defenses down a couple of times.  What I mean is, there were a few times (mostly when I get home from work) where I have snacked from the pantry without really thinking about it. 

But, I have been keeping on track other than that.  I had my 1:1 session with Ron the other day.  He switched up my programme and took me through the whole thing.  It was a great thing to do - particularly because there were a few things I was doing slightly wrong!!  One thing I am quite pleased about is my ability to do push ups.  Okay, okay they are the girly style ones, but when I first started this challenge, I did 7 in a row before collapsing in a heap...yesterday at the gym, I did 22 in a row (and then 12 and 10 in the next two consecutive sets). It is a really great feeling to see the results from the effort put in - not just on the scales.

Often, people struggle with the long weekend - socialising and chilling out.  Saturday, I will admit to probably eating far too much in what started as a champagne breakfast, followed by pretty steady snacking while at the Band Together concert.  Thoroughly enjoyed though!! I have made up for it with a good gym session, big long walk and a cycle ride through the port hills so far - so feel like I have redeemed myself somewhat!

In our new offices, we are up on the 6th floor.  I have managed a couple of times to walk up the stairs, but need a bit of a rest when I get to the top!! Will aim for at least 2-3 times a week (maybe not every day)!

Hard to believe there is only a few weeks left of this challenge.  Have to make sure I keep my motivation up and go hard right to the end -  at least it is warmer and lighter, which i feel just lifts spirits so much more.  I'm enjoying the salad season and can't wait for strawberries to get cheaper - they are soooo good!!

Half Way Mark

Well, we had our 6 week weigh in tonight.  It was great to get people together and hear the tips from Jax and Dan - its great to know they are there for support and advice.

I am happy with my half way weigh in.  Down another 2.2kg and I hit a wee milestone which had been alluding me for some months now, which has made me feel pretty good!  Just have to keep up the momentum for the next 6 weeks.

Tomorrow is our last day working at Pioneer, which means no more gym on tap!  I have thoroughly enjoyed being able to get into the gym before and after work and get along to one of the classes and will have to make sure I keep this up when we are back at the Civic Offices.  I intend to book in my motivational 1:1 with Ron next week.

I have had a good week exercise wise, finishing off the treadmill challenge at 31.31km.  I am happy with that result and pleased that I managed to get onto the treadmill at least once each day.  I went to a bounce class on Tuesday - a new one for me - and i really enjoyed it.  I took a spin class with Dan on Wednesday - that one really pushed me.  Having not fully recovered from the stair session on Sunday, I found myself pushed to my limits by the end of the class.  I had to have a little lie down afterwards!! 

I suffer from compartment syndrome, which is where the muscles in my legs do not have enough room to contract and become very tight and sore.  I have torn both of my calf muscles and continue to have trouble with my calfs and archilles.  At the moment I am suffering a bit and it gets dissapointing at times when I feel limited by it. 

...I suspect I will be very sore after tennis on Saturday!

I have just watched the silver ferns win gold against Australia - wow, what a game!  Extra time and then constantly equal until the ferms got ahead by two to win gold!  They are such strong athletes - it is really inspiring!

"Shut Up Legs"

Well,  What has been happening in the last few days - another week down and nearly half way through this challenge!

Yesterday morning I got out for a cycle ride - we went from Lyttelton to Diamond Harbour return.  It was great to get out into some hills and push my legs. I really enoyed the ride, except for a bit of wind which came along part way through.  I was meant to have tennis yesterday afternoon, but the rain came just at the right time to call it off!  A little bit of a blessing because my legs were quite sore after the ride!!!

But that meant there was no excuse not to go to the torture session - oops I mean workout session - with Jacquie and Dan Sunday morning. We met at the stairs by Rapaki track and continued to go up and down them until my legs felt like they had detached themselves from my body and turned to jelly!!  I thoroughly enjoyed it and it felt great to be pushed.  The funniest part was the last sprint up the stairs, where I got to half way and my legs literally stopped working!!!  Also quite amusing was the ride home, where my leg was constantly shaking while trying to hold the clutch in!!

Yesterday I made some apricot fudge to send to my husband who is serving overseas.  I had been putting it off because I know how weak I am around it!!!  I will admit that I did have two pieces, and thoroughly enjoyed them - everything in moderation right!! Now I just have to send them before I eat any more!

I went out to dinner last night to a thai restaurant - usually I order a pad thai - yummo!  But last night I ordered a chicken salad, so I was quite proud of that decision...maybe I am making some progress! I also love that it is asparagus season and summer salads - yum!

Today's phrase - "If you want it, go and get it" - reach your goals

(I'm not talking about that piece of apricot fudge!)

Challenge On

The muscles are slowly starting to return to normality after tennis on the weekend - after a few funny looks at my walking technique over the last couple of days!!!

I have had a good week so far, with a couple of gym sessions and a spin class with Jax.  That spin class definately works you hard - I highly recommend it!!

This week's challenge - to clock up as many k's on the treadmill as possible, is off to a good start.  I plan to get to the gym before work each morning to strut out a few k's each day!  While I probably wont win the challenge (I am sure there are people out there who will be running miles), it is a good motivator to do that extra bit of exercise for the week...I'll see how far I can get!!

400 step ups - today's challenge...sounds like a lot!!!  I did them while I was watching the commonweath games tonight - definately made it easier!  I think thats a good tip, if I am watching tv at night, I try to pick at least one tv programme where I do crunches or step ups or some other exercise during the ad breaks.

My victory so far this week - avoiding the chips and dip that were in front of me last night!!!  Thats a biggun for me - and I knew that if I started, i'd get the taste and not want to stop!!

Feeling the Pain!

I am loving this weather and hope that it sticks around!  This weekend was the first match of the tennis season.  The first game is always interesting - as I get back into the swing of it...and then there is the sore muscles the next day!!  I played four matches on Saturday and I definately felt it on Sunday - those butt and quad muscles were definately making their presence known!!

I got out for a nice walk at Bottle Lake with the dog today - I love that we have such great places to get out and about in Christchurch.

The weekends go far to fast though and here we go full swing into another week!  This week I plan to try a new class - I am thinking either a step, bounce or pump class.  I think it is time to mix things up a bit.  I also hear that Ron's circuit last Thursday night was a pretty good workout, so will aim to go to that this week if it is still on (...not sure about the torture though)!!

Right, now its time to do some bicep curls and push ups (anything to avoid the legs)!!