Im feeling much better this month. Lily has improved my fitness in leaps and bounds, almost literally. There is a field alongside a river that she loves to run, and she bounds over logs, so Ive started to run with her. She is really good, she waits, and if Im too slow she will run ahead then come back to me as if to say, hurry up!
I have been taking her to dog obedience classes, and each week she gets better. I can now let her off lead, still with a muzzle on, but she will walk past other dogs now instead of lunging at them. I feel like such a proud mum.
I've been getting up at 6am with her, so have lost some of my mojo to get to the gym so I have dug out my old fitness dvds. my favourite is Davina's Super body workout. Its tough, and has kicked me out of my plateau of just walking and a bit of running. My clothes are feeling a bit looser too, but I havent weighed myself yet. Its just nice to focus on getting fitter instead of thinner.
For the past 3 weeks Ive also been watching the UK version of the Biggest Loser. well, Ive been taping it as its on at 4pm everyday, then watching it at night. Its really inspirational, and makes me think twice about what i put in my mouth, and the value of exercise. The trainers are soo tough, especially Angie.
The asthma is going too, such a relief.
I've been ok this month, lots of walking, some gym stuff, some fitness dvd's. The gym stuff has been pump classes and the dvds have been aerobox/abs kind of stuff. The pump classes were fun and I think I realise I do so much better in a class situation than on my ow.
I get more competitive thinking I can lift the same or my weight than the person next to me, than when I do when I'm on my own. I also know that the class only goes for 60 minutes, and thats a relatively small amount of time to push myself.
Im toying with the idea of entering the next challenge, and just picking one or two goals to work towards rather than lose weight, run faster, build muscle etc and then burnout.
Its summer in the UK and I love waking up to sunshine again. I have birds nesting in the chimney in the roof and they start at about 5 am, so it means Im out of bed at 6am to walk the dog, who loves it. She hasnt clocked on to weekends yet, bouncing on my and DH head on Saturday..
Summer is also great, because you have to wear shorts and t shirts, and you cant hide anything. I also love all the fresh fruit and vegies that becomes available. even the kids clean up the fruit bowl so much quicker these days, that I have to hide a secret stash of cherries and peaches so they dont get eaten. My stash is in the veggie drawer in the fridge, the kids never look there!
Its good to see so many people have made progress in this challenge. I almost thought of starting a new log if i started a new challenge, but my goal is still the same - to bring sexy back! Im 37 this year, which is by no means old, but the vanity is still there that I still like people saying i dont look old enough to have a 15 year old and a 12 year old. I dont want to be looking down the barrel end of 40, and people think, yeah you look as though your body has done time.
My mother in law(who is 70) had a complete knee replacement a week ago and has been in such pain over it, that above and beyond vanity Im thinking i want to be strong when Im in my seventies. I want to be travelling, independent in mind and body. My DH is 7 years older than me, and we always tease each other about who will be the fittest and strongest..
Im still carrying too much weight for my liking, in that I have that 4 bood thing happening when I put a bra on. I kept thinking I would lose the weight through diet alone and then go back to my circuit classes which always wiped me out. but i think i will go back to the circuit classes starting tomorrow night. My ego was getting in the way, because I would be embarassed not being able to keep up with everyone. but what a great way to track my progress, and it is the class environment when i push myself the most.
so, yadda, yadda im back on track
Hey, welcome back! It sounds like you've really been thinking things through and have some great goals. (Old and new!) Yay for being back on track, look forward to seeing more of you around here!
Thanks for the welcome back! I have been lurking, reading in all the forums but felt that because I was just coasting along I didnt need to post. but the posting helps the accountability,
Went to the gym last night and did the circuit class. I was a bit torn as DH wanted to go to the pub and sit out in the garden area. But I said no and joined him later.
the class was tough, all body weight exercises interspersed with jogging and some sprint intervals at the end. The downside seems to be that my bowels have been over stimulated today. too much info I know, but Im wondering if anyone else has a whole lot of bowel movements after doing intense aerobic exercise after just general steady state exercise?
Im taking Lily to her final dog class tonite, and it is the test. Im hoping she will pass as it only basic stuff lilke sit, stay and recall. She has come such a long way since I got her from the shelter. In the beginning she had to go out with a choker chain and a muzzle and not be let off the lead. Now she is fine, just a little exuberant but I love that, she is so full on.
Diet is going ok, lots of fruit and vegies. did have a splurge today and bought a multi pack of kit kats. Ive already had one, and put the rest in the freezer. I know I wont be tempted again because I know the kids will swarm all over them as soon as they get home.
I'll add my welcome back as well. I'm also impressed that you only had the one kit kat. That's my problem with anything like that. I think I can control myself, but I eventually pick at them until they're all gone.
I'll add my welcome back as well. I'm also impressed that you only had the one kit kat. That's my problem with anything like that. I think I can control myself, but I eventually pick at them until they're all gone.
I got home from work today, and guess what, no kit kats left I dont buy too much crap now, so when I do the boys swarm on it. My oldest has sports day at school next week and is entered into the 800m and 1500m. So for the past two and a half weeks he and some friends have been out running after school. He is 15 and does no organised sport but could be good at whatever he wanted to do. So i think his ego is thinking that he wants to do really well in the race, but still be thought of as the cool guy who doesnt do too much. He dyed his hair blonde last week and has a new nickname, the golden retriever.
I was going to go to the gym tonite but my legs feel a bit stiff from Monday and I took Lily for a short 45 minute walk/jog this morning.
Lily passed her dog obedience, yay! I have started watching Gossip Girl, is it just me or are those girls way too skinny?
thanks, I'm so proud of her!
I was really looking forward to the next challenge, but I think I have a good reason to start early now. The other night our landlord turned up on our doorstop, and told us he had sold the house, and we have 3 months to move out as of 1st July. OMG
If worse comes to worst, then we can move back in with the mother in law, but now push has come to shove and we will be looking to buy a house as we can just about afford it now. So I have 12 weeks to pack up the house.. I havent told the kids, as they will be in Australia for 6 weeks and I dont want them stressing while they are away.
Normally this kind of stress would have me face dive into wine and chocolate like I did when our dear doggie passed away in february. But this is life saying, no, that doesnt work, it makes you weaker physically and emotionally. So this time I will suck it up. One day at a time, only 90 days..
So far so good, I had one glass of wine last night, and think that friday night will be time for a cheat meal, as I normally go out to the pub with DH for a few hours.
Took the dog for a walk/jog today, felt great, when I normally would have slept in and got one of the boys to take her.
Did my circuit class last night, it was so hot inside the sports hall, that it was more like one of those heated bikram yoga class. Lots of body weight exercises and running. Im doing Pump this morning, and have already taken the dog out for a walk. DH has warned me to take it easy, as I usually burn out too quickly with upping my exercise. but this time I feel great. Last year I was hammered with cold and flu all year, every time I started to get fit again i would be laid up within 2 weeks. Looking back I think it was the death of my dad in December 07, and my grief just knocked me sideways, as well as the guilt of not being there when he passed away in Australia. But time is making things easier, and Im in contact with my brother a lot which is great.
Food has been good so far, Im a stressed bunny thinking about moving house, but havent let it affect my eating choices. If i crave chocolate, I keep telling myself I can have some on Friday.
The weather is bliss over here the locals say its too hot, and there have been warnings over the radio for the elderly to stay in if they cant deal with the heat. bloody hell, its only 26C. Im used to stinking hot days up to 40C. But I cant take the cold though..
I took Lily for her usual walk at 6am, and this time DH came with me. Ive been telling him how nice it is in the morning, with all the smells of the flowers coming out and the light. We went down to the school fields and even ran up and down the stairs together. So romantic.
I did Pump on tuesday, it was packed with women, who I never see in the regular free weights section. I like to do one Pump and one weights session a week, as pump is good but it doesnt really lead to any real strength gains and there is only so much tricep kick backs you can do.
Food wise things are going ok, but I have to stay strong because DH loves beer and shortbread biscuits. now I have cut up carrots and peppers in the fridge that i can munch on, while the dog and DH munch on their stuff.
That's a good plan to have your own munchies already cut up in the fridge. It's amazing how lazy I can be when I have to *gasp* cut up veggies instead of eating whatever junk food may be about.
I admit I used to buy the big 5lb bags of baby carrots for just that reason. The catch was that I'm not that fond of carrots so it kind of back-fired eventually.
I admit I used to buy the big 5lb bags of baby carrots for just that reason. The catch was that I'm not that fond of carrots so it kind of back-fired eventually.
You could have made carrot cake, with cream cheese and lemon frosting.. but that kind of defeats the purpose.. its amazing how you realise youre really not physically hungry, but emotionally hungry when faced with a platter of raw vegies or no junk to find anywhere...
When the kids go to Australia Im going to purposefully avoid the junk food aisle, I shouldnt even buy junk for the kids, but its my way of subconscioulsy feeding the addiction I guess.
I don't buy junk for my kids (well, practically never). It started out because I was cheap, and four kids and a husband eat $$$ of junk food! Now it's because I want them to eat as healthy as I do--if I believe it's important, it's not just for me, right? That said, there's honeycomb in the cupboard, and tortilla chips on the top of the fridge. But it's considered a treat, not a normal thing...
I don't buy junk for my kids (well, practically never). It started out because I was cheap, and four kids and a husband eat $$$ of junk food! Now it's because I want them to eat as healthy as I do--if I believe it's important, it's not just for me, right? That said, there's honeycomb in the cupboard, and tortilla chips on the top of the fridge. But it's considered a treat, not a normal thing...
/ramble
Yeah... I tried that. DH brings junk home, and tends to make Sunday morning "donut morning" for breakfast .
And once DD got her license... I lost all control over her access to chips and candy...
wow, justchecked in here, seems a lot of logs have moved over to the training log side. not sure if that is done automatically now that the challenge is over. I wonder if people have burnt out some, as only 3 have logged their final pics. I know i have bottled it twice, i seem to be fine for 2 months then motivation wanes, and i dont want it enough.
My hayfever flared up over the weekend, there were some huge storm clouds and then it rained all day yesterday and today.
I took Lily for a run this morning, it was really nice, the air was lovely and dewey. I went for about 40 minutes, jogging and then walking to get my breath back. didnt do circuit class tonite, as im leary of overdoing things
i ordered a book from amazon, its monica seles 'grip', its about her struggle back from being stabbed in the shoulder to her struggle with an eating disorder, and how she overcome that, especially as her background was an elite athlete. i love inspirational stories, so am looking forward to that
kudos to everyone who has stuck with a challenge this year
wow, justchecked in here, seems a lot of logs have moved over to the training log side. not sure if that is done automatically now that the challenge is over. I wonder if people have burnt out some, as only 3 have logged their final pics. I know i have bottled it twice, i seem to be fine for 2 months then motivation wanes, and i dont want it enough.
My hayfever flared up over the weekend, there were some huge storm clouds and then it rained all day yesterday and today.
I took Lily for a run this morning, it was really nice, the air was lovely and dewey. I went for about 40 minutes, jogging and then walking to get my breath back. didnt do circuit class tonite, as im leary of overdoing things
i ordered a book from amazon, its monica seles 'grip', its about her struggle back from being stabbed in the shoulder to her struggle with an eating disorder, and how she overcome that, especially as her background was an elite athlete. i love inspirational stories, so am looking forward to that
kudos to everyone who has stuck with a challenge this year
true, it just seemed like a trend when I logged on last night.
Its pouring with rain here yuk even the dog just stood on the front step this morning, she did not want to go for a walk, but we went anyway, and we both kinda enjoyed ourselves.
taking the MIL to the physio today, she is halfway through her knee rehab, supposed to be 6 weeks but she is still having trouble getting full extension in her knee, though flexion is ok. she is also down to one walking stick instead of the 2 crutches and is slowly getting her confidence back. the big issue for her is the scarring and swelling which doesnt seem to be dissipating although she wears these stockings on both legs that come up to her knees. i really feel for her because she is such an independent person.
off to the gym soon, a pump class today, i need some motivation, and it tends to slide when im on my own, and i never push myself hard enough
I didnt get all the pictures of hamsters that kept popping up in these forums, then I googled a few pics, and they kind of cute in a weird way...
Pump class was fun,makes me realise i can lift more than i think I can, and ACDC's 'thunderstruck' was so cool to grunt away to doing the chest presses. Now I want to go to the gym and do proper barbell chest presses, and proper step ups with db that weigh more than 4kg.
The pump barbell is so short its hard to load it up with more than 20kg as you run out of room, but the lactic acid build up is truly uncomfortable. I usually wuss out of doing shoulder presses, and tend to substitue doing lat raises and rows, but nothing works like a military press, so must work on that.
I have to go to the dentist on thursday for a checkup and Im terrified. the one thing in life that freaks me out is the dentist. when i got to the uk I visited the dentist and fainted,, so embarassing.. so now on my card it is written that im a fainter.. in the uk you automatically get booked in for 6 month checkups. so far I have been in the uk 3 years, had two fillings and one tooth removed, all because i left it too late in australia. i swear i cant handle having people put metal things in my mouth, especially drills and needles,, ahhh... so I have been brushing and flossing like mad this week. so silly, at least the kids dont feel the same way. I've bought a bottle of bachs rescue remedy, so hope that helps.
If you automatically have to go to the dentist every 6 months in the UK, why do Brits get such a bad rap for having bad teeth?
Because they probably wimp out and cancel! No, its because the NHS has a shortage of dentists and there is usually a huge waiting list to belong to one, and I guess its like the US in that private health cover is quite expensive. I got lucky because one opened up just after we moved.
so this is what i was thinking of today, marathon man and the dental scene.. as it turns out it wasnt so bad. I even got complimented on how clean my teeth were.. I was terrifed to begin with though, because I had a new dentist and he was Polish, 6ft tall and smiled a lot. Even my kids thought i was ridiculous because i was nearly hyperventilating in the waiting room.
so, anyway, thats over and done with and i can get on with the rest of the day.
Had a refeed of sorts yesterday, although I wasnt on a strict diet anyway
It was more like an alcohol refeed... A friend had her birthday party on board her boat. Her DH was the skipper, and we sailed up and down the river from pub to pub, with drinks and food on board between stops. Luckily enough I had a drive home, and felt rather seedy this morning..
I initially envied all the other women, because I didnt know them apart from my friend and I thought they were skinnier, younger, richer, lived in a bigger house, yadda yadda. but after a few drinks I realised they all had body issues, parenting issues, relationship issues etc. so I wont be so ready to judge other people so quickly.
I've found a new walking track with the dog, it is a huge hill that kills my calves but it has a wonderful view of the devon fields, must take my camera with me next time
Its embarassing, but I think im addicted to chocolate. be it quality or just the cheap crap you get in the supermarket, i really feel a need to have it every day and get quite twitchy even going into the supermarket thinking its there. it feels stupid to say im addicted, i mean people are addicted to alocohol and cigarettes, but chocolate? I know its full of sugar and fat but that first bite is mindless, and then binge done and its gone. sigh.
i felt hungover today, and at least with alocohol you get an immediate effect, fuzzy head, feeling blah, but chocolate just gives me a bigger waistline..
Gee, I must be getting popular around here now, Ive been spammed by someone selling watches and had stars added, whats that about?
Anyways, it has been a strange week.
DH and I took the boys up to Heathrow, and they have now been in Australia for one week, 5 more to go. I thought I was ok til I rang them on Friday morning, then went into work crying.. My boss is ok though, he ribbed me a bit but was v understanding. Thank goodness for facebook and email so i can keep in contact.
I also have no reason to buy junk, ie the snacky crisps and biscuits I would buy for their lunch box. I realised how addicted I was to snacking, when I would sit down to watch telly and would want something and carrots and chopped fruit didnt quite make me as happy as the junk.
exercise has been good, without the kids at home to cook for I have been going to the gym and doing classes. Im back doing the circuit class which I really enjoy, and 1 pump class and one gym session.
Its raining here, yucko.
My dog Lily is also in season. I have never had a dog in season before, and it is messy and she keeps losing blood everywhere. too much info I know, and I am hoping she has a short season, it has already been a week, and I have to walk her at odd hours in secluded woods to keep her away from other dogs.
I dont buy too much crap now, so when I do the boys swarm on it. My oldest has sports day at school next week and is entered into the 800m and 1500m. So for the past two and a half weeks he and some friends have been out running after school. He is 15 and does no organised sport but could be good at whatever he wanted to do. So i think his ego is thinking that he wants to do really well in the race, but still be thought of as the cool guy who doesnt do too much. He dyed his hair blonde last week and has a new nickname, the golden retriever.
.
Linear Mode
