Day 1, Week 6 of Aim to Change

I am so ready to get back on track.  Not that I fell off the rails 'completely' (not far off though to be honest) but I have been complacent and now with only 5 weeks until I get my knee operated on its time to kick some butt - my butt LOL!

I weighed in on my scales this morning and the reading was 86.3kg - you can imagine my devastation.  Anyway then I weighed in this afternoon (after breakfast and snacks and fully dressed with shoes) and I weighed 84kg - WTF?  Come to think of it last week my scales were higher than those at the Lapband clinic too and I weighed later in the afternoon after eating and fully dressed that day also.  TIME FOR NEW SCALES!!

So anyway I have decided to ignore them both and just set myself a mini challenge of 5kg's in 5weeks - anything more than that will be an added bonus!

I have made the following committments to myself:

I will do a min. of 30 minutes cardio 6 days per week

I will do 1 x P/T session per week (resistance training)

I will do a min. of 3 x Gym sessions per week (1 x resistance, 1 x Aqua, 1 x Free)

I will have 1 rest day per week

I will eat lean and clean

I will allow myself 1 free meal per week

I will switch my sugar for natvia

I will drink at least 1 bottle of water per day

Today was a biggie but a goodie, even though Kerri well and truly wore me out with a 1.5hour gym session on top of my 2 Impact Fitness and Wellbeing Training Sessions LOL!  Needless to say that my exercise calories for today are 1055 not including my incidentals like walking to and from school.

Food wise today I am happy that I managed to get in all my meals (although I couldn't stomach my protein (pork) at dinner).  You can view my food diary HERE.

I had a podiatrist appointment this morning for my Plantar Fasciltis and so I am now off to have physio and to also see the orthopedic surgeon.  As much as I am hoping that physio will be the answer it was them that referred me to the podiatrist in the first place hmmm.  If they do choose to operate hopefully they can fix it at the same time as my knee.  I guess we will find out soon enough, in the meantime I will keep on keeping on.

Well I am going to leave it at that for this evening as I want to watch Rescue Special Ops and really need to start getting to bed before Midnight again.

Tomorrow I am heading out to spend the day with Sharon (one of my good friends that I haven't seen in ages) and as excited as I am, I am also nervous about the nutrition side of things as we are heading to the movies....need I say more!  I AM STRONG AND NOTHING TASTES AS GOOD AS BEING SKINNY FEELS!!

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Day 5,Week 5 - Aim to Change

Ok ok so I know that I say this alot but OMGosh where does the time go - seriously; the past week and a bit has flown and I am only just catching up to it.  Admittedly my baby boy turning 6 on Sunday threw me through a loop *sigh*.

So, I'm not going to go into a long boring update but I will say that whilst things on the food/exercise front haven't been perfect, they could be worse. 

I had a lapband adjustment yesterday of .5ml added and so far I have experienced a little more restriction - not as much as I would like though but its something.  My port site is really sore and I'm bruised - different specialist :(

 

I have taken two Yoga classes this week, one of which I shared with Glenn and felt so happy to have him there even though its not his thing because he thinks its not manly enough hhmmm.  On top of the Yoga I have also taken some training sessions and again Glenn was a part of one of them and let me just say if looks could kill - from one extreme to the other LOL!

I have been doing 1 PT session a week of weights - alternating between upper and lower...today was lower so I have a feeling that sitting on the loo in the next day or two will be a little on the ouch side.  Gotta say though that as much as it feckin' hurts I love the burn!

The biggest thing for me this week is the realisation that I can do a Full ROM Push-Up!!  Actually I can do a couple in a row - how awesome is that!  When did I go from not being able to even get out 1 girly one on my knees to now being able to do more than 1 'proper' one and when did it happen?  I don't even know why I decided to do one on my toes rather than my knees but before I knew it I'd done it gotta say that I am so damn proud of me!

Oh I noticed another thing this week (with the help of others pointing it out to me), my body shape has changed - in a positive way :).  I'm thinking its the weight sessions (body composition) or maybe its just that I am holding my head up higher these days due to being HAPPY!

Anyway its time to call it a night as I have a play date with Kerri tomorrow and I can't wait.  I feel as though the universe sent me an Angel just when I needed one most. 

Will blog again soon. xox

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Day 2, Week 4 - Aim to Change

I lost 700grams this week which is better than a kick up the butt!

Today my Step Dad went in to have surgery and as waiting is not something I am too good at I kept myself busy by walking the kids to school, cleaning the house, shopping and then cooking!  Yes, you read that right COOKING!!

Minestrone Soup (thanks to Kerriann for the Recipe)

Serves 4:

Nutritional Information per serve

317 calories / 1326kj

10.6g Fat
14.8g Protein
36.9g Carbohydrates

Ingredients:
(Thinly Sliced/Diced Vegetables)
1 Leek
2 Carrots
2 Celery Stalks
1 Zucchini
1 cup of Green Beans
2 tablespoons Olive Oil
1 tbs Mixed Herbs
400g can of diced tomatoes
400g can of Cannellini Beans
50g Pasta: Plain, dry
6 cups of Chicken (Salt-Reduced)

Method:

Place Vegetables and Oil in Pot and Heat through until sizzling, then put on lid and sweat off.  Add tomatoes, herbs and stock bring to the boil and then simmer for 30 minutes.  Add Beans and Pasta bring to the boil and reduce to simmer for 10 minutes.

Serving Suggestion:

Garish with grated parmesan cheese and parsely (additional calories).

Chicken Porcupine Meatballs

You can find the recipe here at Taste.com
 
Serves 4:

Nutritional Information per serve
333 calories / 1394kj
10.6g Fat
25.0g Protein
32.7g Carbohydrates

Last but not least was some Banana Honey Muffins and the recipe for this you can find on the back of the packet when you buy it at the supermarket.  Cheating I know, but hey...."A packet is a packet regardless" LMAO!!

Well anyway I am exhausted as it has been a very long and emotionally draining day BUT I am happy to report that the surgery went well, long but well....phew!

Read more "Day 2, Week 4 - Aim to Change"

Day 1, Week 4 of Aim to Change

Tonight I went to boxing and struggled big time...to the point of having to run out and vomitt (well as much as I can with the band anyway - its more like yucky thick saliva.  Sorry for sharing that but its fact).

So at first I put it down to my fitness level dropping from the 4 days off but then I thought about it some more and realised that my food intake today consisted of 4 cups of coffee and 2 party pies with tomatoe sauce - that's it!  I did try to eat a couple of slices of margarita pizza both of which went in and came out again.

I am sitting here now munching on some walnuts but overall I will shamefully admitt that its just not good enough and an epic fail on my part.

My aim for tomorrow is to EAT!

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Aim To Change...End Week 3

OK Time really needs to slow down because I feel as though I might blink and miss something, where has the past week gone?  Anyway here is a quick update!

EXERCISE:  I have had 4 days off and am looking forward to getting back into it tomorrow.  After Wednesdays Leg PT my knees were not at all happy with me and so resting them was the plan.  Mind you I didn't think it would be for so long but I have survived and to be honest the break from Gym allowed me more time to spend with my family and friends.

FOOD:  Up until yesterday I was doing pretty good, not perfect but ok (even with a special treat of Sticky Date pudding on Thursday - yummy but oh so sickly sweet).  Yesterday however I well and truly blew it!  I am however paying for it today as my tummy is distended and I am not feeling good at all.  The only consolation is that fact that maybe the calories wouldn't have had time to stay in the body....I will just leave that for you to ponder ewww (hehe)!

EMOTIONALLY:  I am feeling strong right now which is fantastic and in part all thanks to the wonderful people I have spent time with in the past week.  And the other part ofcourse is just because I know I'm awesome enough to achieve my goals because I rock!!  LOL How's that for positive thought!

Well on that note, here's me bidding ye all a goodnight.  

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Day 2, Week 3 - Aim to Change

Well I know I said I wasn't weighing in but I did and the stupid horrible things have gone up by 100grams which sucks BUT at the same time its 'bloat boat' time (LOL - Thanks for the new word Amy) and so I am just going to ignore what it says because after all its only a number and I know it will go down and that I am on the right track!  :oP there take that scales!

Today I decided (well more like my body decided) to take time out to REST!

Yesterday I did my very first Sh'Bam class which I loved and to make it even better I had the wonderful company of my precious friend and new Gym Buddy Kerri - YAY!  I do have to admitt that the knees gave me some trouble in a couple of the moves but I just scaled it back and made it lower intensity!  

So despite not really feeling like venturing out in the cold to go to Boxing I did and still pusehd myself to the limit even though I wasn't feeling 100%.  Yes stupid I know!  By the time I got home I was so exhausted and drained that I fainted - Hence, the reason why today is a rest day. 

Here's a note to myself  - what is it that you tell everyone else?  LISTEN TO YOUR BODY!!  Its a bit hypercritical if you don't take your own advise don't ya think? Huh?  Buck up girly!

Anway enough about that....

This weeks Challenge on the 'Aim Train' is to discuss our strategies on how we keep moving forward when our emotions, excess baggage and other self sabbotaging things try to stop us and I thought that I would share my answers...yes as always its an epic!

Control - For me the internal reflects the external (or is the external reflects the internal either way /either or) so I make sure that everything around me is in order (clean, declutter, to do lists).  "I am in the drivers seat of my life - NO backseat drivers allowed".

Distraction is also a biggie which is especially useful for combatting emotional eating (and helped me quit smoking).  This invloves anything that keeps me busy such as: 

*Playing my Guitar and singing at the top of my lungs - Also a great way to release built up emotions

*Blogging - Writing it down takes it out of my head so that I am clear to assess each 'worry' one at a time

*Drawing, Painting, Beading, Knitting - Anything that lets me 'express' myself

*Exercising - Especially Boxing and Sprinting as they allow me to feel free.

Visualisation is also another technique that I use alot eg. I watch each of my worries, fears, excess baggage dissolve and dissappear OR catch fire and turn to ashes OR I see them being wrapped in a cloak of positivity and transmute from a thing of 'ugliness to beauty'. The mind is so powerful!

Face the Emotion - I also acknowledge when I need to face my emotions and I allow myself to explore them and accept and experience them.  I believe that if we bottle things up for too long that it will turn to dis-ease.  They are a natural part of life and not to be ashamed of.  "I don't hide my pain to save my reputation" 

Scream - One of my favourite things to do when it all gets way too much to handle is going out into a big paddock and screaming my heart out.  I scream until tears stream down my face and then I scream some more until eventually there is nothing left and then I usually laugh!

Quotes/affirmations - These are incredibly powerful for me and everyday I find one quote that 'speaks' to me and I write it down and it becomes my focus for the day! I find that meditating on it really helps because I believe that if you can see it and believe it then you can achieve it!

Laughter is the best medicine - I used to run 'Laughter Circles' where a group of us would all get together and we would laugh....even if we didn't feel like it. We would stand in a circle, hold hands and I would come up with some kind of crazy laugh and when I was done I would squeeze the next persons hand and they would copy and so on and so on. At first it is really hard to let yourself go enough to do it as it really pushes you out of your comfort zone and lets face it if we are in a 'mood' sometimes smiling is hard enough let alone laughing. BUT it really and truly worked, by the end of each session the mood of everyone had lifted dramatically and the laughter was genuine.

I would love for you to try it....here are a coupld of exercises:

1.  Stand in front of the mirror and laugh, not at anything in particular, just simply LAUGH and continue to laugh until you are 'really' laughing!

2.  When you are with your family(or friends) choose a random time to laugh (make it a really wild and silly).  If they look at you wierd stop, wait a few seconds and then do it again.  9 out of 10 times they will end up joining in with you and you will all be 'really' laughing!

Oh maybe I should mention here that most of my family and friends think that I am CRAZY - in a good way ofcourse! I will admitt now that I was laughing as I wrote this Bahahahahahahaha! Bahahahahahaha!

Ok well that's all for now...time for me to go and do sweet nothing for a little while before school tonight - OMGosh I can't believe its my final class...that's another blog in itself!  ;o)

Read more "Day 2, Week 3 - Aim to Change"

Day 6, Week 2 - Aim to change!

So where was I....

Wednesday I did a PT session with Steve which I really enjoyed.  I am now up to the 'big boy' weights and even managed to find my 'high point' which I found to be quite a funny experience.  I don't think my arms have ever shaken (or is it shook?) so much and I was only using 4kg weights.  Well I was until I had to drop to 3kgs to be able to finish the reps (Skull Crushers after 36 Tri Ext's at 15kg - my triceps really don't like co-operating)!  So anyway I have decided that even though finances are really tight I need a weekly PT session so I can focus on some weight training as more muscle burns more fat.

I also doubled up and did a Spin Class with my sister after my PT.  Talk about challenging, my legs were wobbly enough from Tuesdays THT class and our instructor decided to do the NO MERCY program which yes is as gruelling as it sounds!

Thursday I decided to wind things back in order to give my body a rest (and shake things up a little) and so I skipped the Gym and instead went for a 30 minute walk - it was such a glorious day.

Friday I did a group session with IFW at Masons Lane and considering my knee was being a right royal pain in the backside, I still gave it everything I had.  Including, Burpees with a 3kg medicine ball....like they aren't already hard enough!

Today's exercise was a walk with my Mum and my precious boys as well as a play in the park.  It was yet another glorious winter day.

So that's the Exercise side of things which I am happy with, FOOD on the other hand is another story..

Friday was the worst day as I had one of the most delicious Orange and Poppy seed cupcakes I have ever tasted (straight out of the oven and so worth every calorie - thanks Neen).  On top of that we had a family dinner for my Step Dad's birthday which was Creamy Honey Mustard Chicken and Rice (Delicious - thanks Mum) followed by a slice of white chocolate mudcake (thanks Coles hehe) AND Pavlova with strawberry cream and smarties (Thanks Skeet).  Despite it being a total over endulgence I don't feel guilty as it was for a special occassion and not just me binging.

Since I mentioned Binging I will confess to one session this week which I am ashamed off or more to the point annoyed at myself for.  I scoffed a packet of Snakata Sour Cream and Chives Crackers - 416 calories / 78.8g Carbs :(

So anyway thats all for tonight...will update you again soon.

Read more "Day 6, Week 2 - Aim to change!"

No more weekly weigh in's

I have decided that I will NOT be weighing in on a weekly basis during this Aim To Change Challenge as in the past week I have been on the scales 'everyday' and it is doing my head in!

It is only a number!!  and yet, that number was once again determining whether I had a good day or one where I beat myself up just that little bit more than usual - crazyness!

On a plus, I am proud of the fact that I have managed to catch it and stop it before it got as out of control as it has been in the past.

So with that said, I will now be weighing and measuring every 4 weeks (Start of Week 5, Start of Week 9, and End of Week 12).

Read more "No more weekly weigh in's"

Day 2, Week 2 Aim to Change

I lost 500grams, which isn't much but is still a loss and so therefore still something to =) about.

Whilst I am happy that it is a win I know that had I not veered slightly off the track over the past couple of days it would of been a better result.  But, in saying that I know that I am allowing myself to enjoy life and to not deprive myself in the hopes that it will prevent a binge sesh - which has worked thus far.

So let me tell you about my day....

I did my very first Tummy, Hips and Thighs class this morning and survived 60 minutes of ouchiness.  And!! Even managed to do a Boxing Class straight after it where I was praised for a good intensity level - gotta love compliments.  So it was 2 hours of intense exercise and 1294 calories burnt - WOW Go me! 

So if you follow this blog you might be thinking 'but I thought you said no double sessions' and you would be correct in thinking so.  However I made an exception because for the first time in I can't even remember I worked out with my little sister Marketta (Skeet) and I LOVED IT.  We don't get to spend alot of time together and have little in common and so to be able to share something I am passionate about with her was an incredible feeling.

After Gym I went shopping for fruit and vegies but am dissappointed to say that I made a 'moment of weakness' buy at the register of a 'Cherry Ripe'.  It didn't even hit me until it was devoured and then the guilts started.  In the past I would of beat myself up over and over agiain but, instead I decided to just own it, get over it and get back on track. 

It was such a beautiful day today and so I walked to school and picked up the boys.  They weren't too impressed about having to walk (rather than ride their scooter) but we talked the whole way and played a game of not stepping on the cracks and we were home in no time.

Tonights Fitness Class was about Business stuff and I picked up a few good tips.  I only have 1 more class left and then I can just focus on getting my modules completed.  I have to admitt that I am feeling as though I have bitten off way more than I chew (AGAIN) but I will get there!

Well I had better finish up so that I can get some sleep as tomorrow I have a 30 minute PT session and after it I am going to do Cycle with Skeet.

Read more "Day 2, Week 2 Aim to Change"

Day 6, Week 1 - Aim to Change

My body is so tired right now that even typing is a struggle, suprisingly though my mind is still feeling pretty good - proving I don't have to think too much LOL!

Here a quick catch up...

Thursday

Exercise - An awesome 60 minute Fat Blaster class

Food - Under 1200 Calories and had 5 lollies as a treat.  They were delicious and I am so proud of myself for not eating the entire packet.

I wagged school tonight, not for any reason other than I just couldn't be stuffed!

Friday

Exercise - 45 minute workout with IFW which saw me run 2 full laps of the athletic track, do 1200 jab crosses, plus deadlifts, duckwalks, burpees, sprints, squats and ofcourse lunges.  Let me just say that my Hamstrings are killing me!

Food - Not the best of days but not as bad as today.

I had a gig tonight for the NEW HOPE CAMBODIA campaign and so I was treated to a delicious Cambodian 3 course meal which consisted of:

Entree: Papaya, Carrot and Mango Salad Ball

Main: Chicken Curry and Rice

Dessert: Rice Balls with Ice Cream and Berry Sauce

It was a fantastic evening and I came home feeling very fulfilled :)

And that brings me to TODAY!

This weekend consists of an Intensive Massage Workshop which runs from 9am - 4pm and I find them to be mentally, physically and emotionally exhausting but rewarding at the same time.

Food:  My son Ace (7yrs) cooked me 'Egg, Bacon and Vegie Pie' for dinner tonight (with help from Mum) and although it was totally high in calories I couldn't (wouldn't) say "No sorry mate but Mummy can't eat it because shes on a diet".   So I ate it and it was delicious.  I am so proud of him and it felt lovely to be spoilt just because he loves me :)

With that said todays food intake hasn't been the best but, it could of been worse.  I have decided not to dwell on the negatives or to beat myself up because the week as a whole has been positive! 

Exercise:  Despite getting home and just wanting to have a shower and crawl into bed I made myself do a 45 minute workout.  Luckily Glenn agreed to holding the mitts for me and after some persuasion offered some encouragement to push me a little harder.  I have to admitt that I felt much better mentally after it.

10 rounds

5 x Star Jumps

5 x Squats

20 x Jab Cross

10 rounds

5 x Dips

5 x Push Ups

20 x Upper Cuts

200 Hooks

20 rounds

4 x Jab Cross

4 x Uppers

4 x Hooks

1000 Jab Crosses (non stop)

25 each leg Hip Abductions

15minutes - Abs

I have Yoga in the morning and am hoping that someone actually turns up because its getting a little disheartening.

Oh well time to just chill for the evening, will write again soon!

Read more "Day 6, Week 1 - Aim to Change"

Day 3, Week 1 - Aim To Change

Its Day 3 and so far I am doing OK.

I have gone over my 11.30pm lights out curfew once - which considering I am a night owl and usually still up at 2am, that is pretty good.

I haven't been drinking enough water so I plan to be more conscious of that and fix it.

I did my BMR calculations today and it worked out to approx. 1500 calories for a 1kg loss per week.  I am currently averaging 1200 which means that I could afford to come up a little.  You can view my Food Diary  HERE.

Exercise wise I am right on track....

Monday - 45minutes of Impact Boxing

Tuesday - 30 minutes of Swimming, 10 minutes Treadmill (6mins@6kph / 4mins@8kph Jog), 2 rounds of Medicine ball throw downs and Step Ups, 20 Medicine Ball Ab Throws.

Wednesday - 45 minute Spin Class

I am so proud of myself for todays Spin efforts.  Not only because I have figured out how not to get a sore toosh (padded bike pants AND padded bike seat) but also because I was stood up by my Gym Buddies and still stayed and did the class anyway.  I think my 'frustration and pissed off energy' helped as fuel to burn more calories LOL!  I am so glad that I stayed because it was a new program based on cycling to the beat of the music and I really enjoyed it. 

Well thats it for now, got lots of study to get done as I have a Massage workshop this weekend!

Read more "Day 3, Week 1 - Aim To Change"

Day 1, Week 1 of AIM TO CHANGE Challenge!!

Today I joined a 12 week challenge on Facebook called 'AIM TO CHANGE'.  Put simply its an online weight loss group with the focus being on helping to inspire and motivate each other to work towards achieving our individual goals. 

Although I know that I said 'No more challenges', I feel that this one is different in the sense that it isn't a competition against any one else, no fees were paid and no prizes will be won other than reaching my goals.  I am also feeling stronger and am determined not to fall back into negative patterns of self abuse.

One thing that has been playing on my mind though is that its yet ANOTHER challenge and as we all know my track record hasn't exactly been one that has seen me completeing 'all' of them BUT 'No one really fails if they are willing to try again' and so try again I shall!

MY GOALS for the next 12 weeks:

Lose .5 to 1 kg per week (6 - 12kg)

Follow a Healthy Nutrition Plan

Drink at least 1 litre of water per day

Do 5 X Gym/Training Sessions per week 

Get adequate rest (lights out by 11.30pm)

Update Calorie King everyday

Blog Regulary (at least twice a week)

Allow myself a Free Meal each week

Allow myself to enjoy life within reason

No under eating, No overtraining, No binging, No purging.

Celebrate and congratulate myself on the 'wins' (big and small)

Here are the starting stats.  I am so embarrassed to share these and I promise myself that this will be the last time that I ever look this hideous.

You can view my Food Intake HERE. 

Today's Exercise was a 45minute group boxing class which I really struggled with as I am still really sore from Commando Training; but I pushed through and even did squats!!

Read more "Day 1, Week 1 of AIM TO CHANGE Challenge!!"