Why I love Fitness Games

I was thinking about this today while running while playing my EA Sports Active 2.0, I really love fitness games, be it on the Wii or the Xbox 360 (no idea about PlayStation, we don't have one).

 

I own a few for the Wii, and have done so for a few years now, but one of the greatest things about them is that no matter what happens, I can always easily pick them back up and get going again. It doesn't matter that I stop and start (although it is better to just keep doing it, but hey... life gets in the way sometimes!), it will be there any time, day or night and in the comfort of my own home. If I get up early I can fit it in, or (as I have done in the past) exercised late at night after I have 'finished' my day.

 

I am the kind of person who prefers to be at home... a homebody if you will. The idea of running outside honestly sounds terrifying. I can't say I have ever seriously attempted it, and I am not sure I ever will (would one day like to see what the fuss is about... maybe when I have a higher fitness level). Being able to get exercise done that covers all of the different aspects (upper and lower bodies, cardio and core muscles) without having to leave home is just great.

 

The other aspect that I only realised today is that I am competitive with the game.  Today while running, there was no way I was going to let those little computer bastards beat me! Am I crazy... probably! Along with being competitive, I do have perfectionist tendencies and like to complete the full task (12/12 goals as an example).

 

I personally have quite a few of these fitness games, on the Wii I own:

• Wii Fit
• Wii Fit Plus
• EA Sports Active
• EA Sports Active More Workouts
• EA Sports Active 2.0

And on the Xbox we own:

• Your Shape Fitness Evolved 2012
• EA Sports Active 2.0 (it was B's before we were together)
• Nike+ Kinect Fitness

Along with these specific fitness games we also have games for Zumba, Sports and other dancing games.

 

My personal favourite is the EA Sports Active 2.0 (EASA2), it is one that I come back to time and time again. It is the one that has everything I want and gives me a workout that suits me... something achievable for a particularly lazy, I-don't-want-to-exercise kinda gal.

 

I have heard rumours that the consoles might not be bringing out new fitness games, I don't know if this is true, but I sure hope not! In fact EA has already downsized EASA2 by removing the online component... which makes me sad because I love graphs and stats haha!

 

I am hoping for a new game to go with the new Xbox One when it comes out... B has told me not to hold my breath, but if it can do all that fancy pants Kinect stuff, I can only imagine what a new fitness game could do!

 

Some people would say that the fitness games are a passing fad, but for me personally I would have to say that it is something I will probably always try to keep (B tried to get rid of the Wii, but I wouldn't let him lol). I have been using the Wii since I got it in about 2009. I don't use it everyday, but in my single life I used it pretty much everyday when I was losing weight then too.

 

Hopefully it is something that I can build into the routine of my current life as well... because I need to beat those damn runners....

Weigh In and Update

So I have been back on track for over a week now, and other than 1 day I have exercised when I said I was going to... I think that counts as a win!

 

I weighed in yesterday, but was a little too hormonal to actually come in and update the blog. Didn't think I would have really been posting from a positive place (was freaking out trying to fit too much into one day). Don't get me wrong, I was happy about my weigh in. It was probably better than I expected really due to the time of the month.

 

I was hoping for a loss, but would have been happy to maintain this week. While it was my first week back, I know how my body works, so I was really happy to see a 400g loss on the scales. I am still aiming for a 500g loss each week as my goal, and I do need to remind myself of this sometimes as I often find myself hoping for a much larger loss.

 

Once again, I need to get myself in the mindset of slow and steady and no pressure as well as who cares as long as the number is going down.

 

Food wise I have been doing pretty well. I have dipped into my weekly propoints a little for both weeks. I am trying not to, but it is nice to have that buffer there. I think I will be using them all this weekend when a few of my friends come over to kick off the Tour de Fleece. I have been trying to eat filling and healthy foods, but have had a few freddos to help with chocolate cravings.

 

As for exercise, I have started a 9 week challenge on the Wii (EA Sports Active 2.0), and it's so nice to have a variety.  Yesterday B and Miss 5 (yep - 5 now!!) got home not long after I had started exercising and Miss 5 joined in with me! So cute watching her do squats, lunges and running. She even pushed me along to finish!

 

I am looking forward to next weeks weigh in already.  Lets hope I have another good week :)

Hoping to make a comeback!

Over the last few days I have been thinking about how much I miss blogging.  Don't get me wrong... nothing has changed really, I'm still busy as hell, overthink everything, am too hard on myself and feel like I have poor time management skills, but have really missed being able to lay myself bare and reach out to people.

 

I am still (*ahem* back...) doing Weight Watchers, and I am still really enjoying it and  I have met some wonderful women also doing WW who have really helped me and been a fantastic support. I did have a short break from WW, which was about 2-3 months, but in that time we moved house, I changed stores for work, lost my Nana which I am still grieving and also became quite sick (basically bedridden for 2 weeks) and also managed a trip to the dentist (I have a phobia, trust me, that's significant!).

 

I am very proud to say though, that during that time I hovered around the same weight, so while I was off-plan and not eating very well at all, something must have stuck because I at least don't feel like I am back at the beginning, which has been such a big issue for me in the past.  I am currently sitting at my second mini goal which will get me to a loss of 10kg, I still have 4.9kg to get to that, and I am hopeful for a good weigh in this week.

 

Mentally, I actually feel really at peace and confident that I can succeed.  At the beginning of the week I had a bit of meltdown and fully realised just how truly unhappy I am with my weight and just how much my body image and self confidence have suffered because of it.  I am not saying that weight loss will be the miracle cure to fix it, but I do believe it will be a step in the right direction

 

While speaking with some of the WW girls supporting me I came across some older pictures of me where I was at different weights. Usually I would be horrified and ashamed of what I have done to my body, especially after working so hard to lose the weight in the first place, but now I can look at these pictures and see them as inspiration or goals.

 

 

A few of my friends have been running recently, and I have always had it in my head that "I am not a runner", "I cannot do it"... but recently I have been questioning it.  I love the idea of running, but am unsure of whether or not it is for me... at this point in time I am still pondering...

 

As I am technically on uni holidays (although still studying for deferred exams), I am attempting to fit exercise back into my life. I am hoping to do this through fitness videos, free weights and a barbell set and once again the Wii and Xbox fitness games.

 

Also, to save your guys from the continuous onslaught of gardening and sustainability posts, I have started up a new blog here, where if you are interested you can follow me there too!

 

Hopefully I will be around to post more.  Weigh ins, as always, are on a Wednesday... that's a good place to start! If you are still around and reading, please say Hi... I do love getting comments on my blog and always try to reply to each one!

Slapped in the Face by the Wii Fit Balance Board

Since my last post I have finished uni and all my exams, but I am still a little torn about whether or not I want to continue blogging.

 

However, over the last couple of days things have happened that I have wanted to write a post about, so I have decided to come back, write when I want to write and not push it... so lets see how that goes! I am still concerned about having this all public, and falling off the wagon again for all to see, but maybe it could be my driving force? Who knows...

 

Anyway, now I figure I should tell you all what I have been thinking/doing.  I think I mentioned before that my goal was to get back on track once uni was over, so that I would have a bit more free time to dedicate to building up some routines.  Initially I had said that I would start on the 1st December, it seemed like a good place to start and it would give me a week to ease into it all...

 

However... I started yesterday! lol!!

 

I am feeling much more calm about everything, and able to focus on it all, so I figured, why wait if I am feeling like this... better just get on with it!

 

Not long after my last post I decided to jump back on the Wii, the Wii Fit Balance Board told me that it had been 665 days since my last weigh in... and in that time I had put on 22.8kg... Initially I was mortified... but leave it to a computer to tell you what you need to hear and give you that slap in the face!  Funnily enough, it was actually a really good motivator!

 

I used to use the Wii as my main source of exercise when I was single with a mortgage and a limited budget... and it worked really well!!  In fact, that day a few weeks ago when I first jumped back on, I remembered just how much I used to love it!

 

Both yesterday and today I have done at least a half hour workout, using both the Wii and the Xbox, although I have to say that I am leaning more towards the Wii... I think I just feel a little more comfortable with it, and at the moment I am really loving the step programs.  Yesterday I burned 397 calories, and today another 382... and it barely felt like a chore! (BONUS! haha)

Another really big motivator is feeling how much my body is struggling with not only exercises, but also in basic stretches and flexibility.  Not only does it feel a bit 'tighter' but there is a lot more fat in the way. At least I can see/feel the comparison.

 

Food wise, I spent Sunday afternoon organising my Menu Planner app on the iPad again, worked out what I wanted to have for dinners and lunches this week and then used it to help me sort out my shopping list (it automatically builds it for you based on your recipes/meal plan, and then I just delete what I already have).  Yesterday I was right on target for calories, and it looks like today will be the same... at this stage at least! haha!  In my shopping, I did also buy a fun pack of Freddo Frogs and I have popped them into the freezer so that they take longer to eat, and its more of a conscious decision to eat one.

I have also gone back to using Calorie King, it's actually kind of nice to come back to my old faithful... all of my recipes where there from before as well as the lists of my favourite foods. Plus, I know it, I know how it works and can just quickly sort it all out on the computer or iPad.  I love that its all correct and not entered in by the public, I have had a few burns from My Fitness Pal where the data entered was incorrect.

 

Before my exams were on, we basically lived on take away, so I need to tell you all that my weight has gone up... again!!! As of yesterday morning I am 107.9kg... crazy stuff!! However, at least I am feeling more relaxed and a lot more in control, which I am loving. Here's to the weight going down!!

 

At this point in time I have decided to pull down the Goals and Progress sections, as it wasn't working for me in the past... although that may have just been my mindset, but also because it's going to need an overhaul and a fresh start.

Saturday Morning Bushwalk

This morning I went for my bushwalk as planned.  It was great to get out there again with the walking, and I was lucky to have a friend come with me. 

 

As I said in a previous post, I really love bushwalking, there is something about being out in nature that is so relaxing yet invigorating.

 

Unfortunately, the walk didn't exactly go to plan.  Our 2.6km walk which should have taken about 30 minutes, ended up taking about an hour... and was probably about 4.5km... the thing is, we got to a certain point, and then there were no signs and no clear path.  I had a quick look at the gps/maps on my phone and the road would have taken us the wrong way... so being the daughter of a ranger and having learned that only fools leave the path, we turned around and walked back the way we knew, hence the extra time and distance.

 

All in all, it was great.  It was nice to get out in nature, great to catch up with a friend, and an awesome but accidental extra workout.  I ended up burning 450 calories!! Haven't had a workout like that for a while... and the best part is, it didn't even feel like it!!

Fit Bit

Have you guys seen these? They seem to be all the rage at the moment.

I have to admit that I love gadgets!  When I go for walks at the moment, not only am I wearing my Polar FT4, but I am also wearing a pedometer and using an app on my phone to track my walk!!

The Fit Bit, from what I can tell is just awesome!  There are a couple of models, so as you go up in price the more features it has.  The best part about them all is that they are wireless and will actually sync to your computer or phone.  Which means that it's a great way to track all of your activity levels and graphs them out - I am a sucker for a good graph!! You can also 'challenge' friends and it also connects with other trackers like My Fitness Pal so that you can see the whole calories in/out ratios

The one that I have seen everywhere is the Zip, this one offers:

• wireless connections
• connects to the iPhone 4 & 5
• steps taken
• calories burned
• distance travelled

The Zip is about $70.

There is also another called Ultra, it offers:

• wireless connections
• connects to the iPhone 4 & 5 & Android (but what bugs me about this is that there is no Windows app for it!! bah!)
• steps taken
• calories burned
• distance travelled
• stairs climbed
• tracks sleeping patterns

The Ultra is about $120... and I have to say... I want this one!! I love how much that it can do, but I really love the extras.  We have stairs at home which I seem to always be climbing up and down, and I really like the idea of having it track my sleeping patterns as well, as I would just find it so interesting!

One thing I do wonder though, is how it all works, is it like a pedometer where it reacts to movement (although if it connects to MapMyRun it must have GPS in it), and I am wondering if it's better than a HRM... I can't imagine that it is... but I am not sure... I have to say that while the website looks flashy, it doesn't seem to give answers.

But, speaking of gadgets, while I was on their site, I came across a wireless scale called the Aria, now this is about $150, but I love it!! I love that it is a wireless scale!  No trying to trick yourself about when you weigh in - it logs it all for you!!  I just love that!!

It tracks:

• body weight
• BMI
• body fat %

Right now I am dreaming about these little tools, but as I said, I am a gadget girl!!

Walking

Well, I have been getting those walks in!!!

 

Yesterday morning I really struggled to get out of bed... I was just so tired!!  I managed to drag my sorry butt out though (20 minutes later!!) and went for a walk.  I followed the same route, but when one street further.  I still got the pains, but it wasn't until later when I was on my way back home, although after also working yesterday afternoon my legs were pretty tired when I got home!!  In addition to the sore leg and foot yesterday, I managed to get some pains up my shins... hooray for shin splints!!

• I walked for 20 minutes
• I burned 228 calories
• I walked 1.91km

 

This morning I made the decision to sleep, as I had planned to go for a walk this afternoon with my sister.  After an intense study day, I needed the break, so I headed over to her place so we could go for a walk. I don't have accurate measures of time as we also popped in to see my Dad on the way home, but:

• I burned 200 calories
• I walked for 1.8km

So far it's all going well!  Today the shin splints were the worst, but I learned that if I walk on the grass they don't hurt as much.  Tomorrow is a full day at work, so that is about 13000 steps there... so I won't be doing an additional walk as I don't think my body can take it right now.

 

However, on Saturday I have a bushwalk with my friends before my knitting group which will be great!  I love being out in nature (although I wouldn't call myself an outdoors girl!), it really relaxes me and makes me feel so fulfilled.

Accountability

Well, it turns out that telling you all that I am going to get up at 7am and go for a walk actually keeps me accountable!

Who would have thought?!

I cannot begin to describe how hard it was for me to get out of bed this morning... I kept trying to tell myself that I promised to go for a walk, and if I didn't actually go, it just wouldn't happen... followed by, its ok, go back to sleep, you need sleep, it's only walking and you can go for a walk later...

So, at 7:09am I got up and out of bed and got ready, so that I was out the door at 7:20am. I tell you, the first few steps were the hardest!! By the time I got out of bed and got ready, I then had to convince myself to actually leave the house!

But, leave the house I did.  My goal was 15 minutes, but while I was walking I decided I would aim for 20 minutes.  I am not sure if I am just not walking anymore, or what was wrong, but I had some pain in my left leg, and the right side of my right foot was also in a fair bit of pain... From memory I usually have these kinds of issues the first time I exercise in a while, so hopefully tomorrow I will be right to go and will be able to walk more.

Initially I had a time goal in mind (I reverted back to 15 minutes) and then I turned it into a distance goal, so I walked to the end of the block, turned around and walked back.  I am hoping to be able to walk the full 5km that I have mapped out.

In the end, I had:

• Walked for 18 minutes
• Burned 183 calories
• Walked for 1.75km

Walktober - Join Me!

So, as you all know, I have been trying to get my butt into gear and get moving again... and eat better... and well, lose weight!

I bought the latest Weight Watchers mag today, and inside I found a little snippet on how October is "Walktober" in Australia.

I need all the help I can get, and I do love a good challenge!!  So, I thought I would set up a team and anyone out there who would like to join me in this can!  I have set up a group which I have named "Nutritionally Yours Teamsters" and I would love for you all to join me!!

To sign up, go to the website and click join on the left hand side.  When it asks you for a team simply find the one I have created, and enter the password (nutrition).

My goal will be to walk for at least 15 minutes each day... which will basically mean going from nothing to everyday, but I can aim high and go from there!!

Might be a good place for people to get started, or to reassess goals or even just to try something new!!

Just a little update... well... maybe a long one!

Well, I thought I would pop in with a bit of an update... as even though I will be doing the cleaning/organising challenge and will be blogging about it on here, the  weight loss aspect of my life hasn't stopped.

Don't get me wrong, I actually think that having the house tidy and organised will be beneficial for weight loss as hopefully I won't feel so cluttered and enclosed and will feel a little more 'free' in myself, but I am hoping to also find time to continue blogging about my wins/losses and everything in between.

Now, I do have to tell you all that for the last week, I have been... 'off'... with my eating and exercise habits.  I know I was getting better at it, so what happened?! I hear you say... well... in truth... it was the fact that I was being 'good' and watching what I was eating and everything via the Weight Watchers plan... and I wasn't losing weight... I basically maintained for 3 weeks!  Now, I know it seems silly, but at the beginning of changing to eating healthy foods and cutting down portion sizes and bad foods, you would think there would be some kind of a loss right?!

Nope.

So, while I didn't necessarily throw a tanty, I did just kind of go 'meh' to it all and haven't tracked, counted or exercised... in fact, I will admit to losing momentum.

On the plus side, we haven't really had any take away (except for birthday/father's day celebrations) and I have been aiming to cook every night, so I am actually really happy with this, as I am still pretty determined to live a healthier lifestyle. Looks like something stuck!!  YAY!

Two steps forward, one step back.

With the exercise side of things... I have decided that I will definitely be cancelling my gym membership, so I will be emailing them tomorrow.  I do enjoy going to the gym, but I am really just not in that frame of mind at the moment.  We now have both the Xbox and the Wii set up and as I am at home most of the time I am hoping to get a routine in place for using the games we have for exercise (as I have done in the past)... right now I think that simplicity is key.

Also, when I decided to do WW again, I popped down to a local meeting to pick up a pedometer.  I have actually found it really interesting to see how many steps I do when I am around uni, but mostly when I am at work.  Even on a half day at work I can work up 10,000-12,000 steps!!! CRAZY!!  Definitely means I was right when I initially said that I get a workout at work so would just exercise on days when I wasn't working!! No wonder work is so tiring!!

Uni at the moment is about to start week 4... and somehow I have managed to fall behind... it seems that my 'great plan' has failed as I have been out and about and haven't actually done the pre-study that I wanted to do.  However, I have found that this method really does work well for me... I just need to bloody do it!!  I think the key right now (after I actually catch up!!) is to mark out sections that I want to do each night in preparation and tick those off as a task for each day.  One benefit of uni is that each semester I am learning about how I study best, and then learning to fine tune it.

I have also been meaning to tell you all that I have received the blue dress to the right of the screen for the wedding.  As soon as I finish the shrug I am currently working on I may post a sneak preview of the outfit (I will have to find the shoes first!) The shrug is a mauve colour, and I think it will suit the dress well.  I did make a shrug in a teal/silver, but I really didn't like the look or texture of it.  Maybe I will need to do a photo of each to show you all??

I am feeling a lot better since my emotional outpouring the other day, some of those things are still on my mind, but I am hoping that I can fix them or at least work with/around them.

I have just celebrated my 28th birthday, and I had an absolute blast when I went out last night (there will probably be a gain this week though!!) I was able to celebrate it with friends and family and just being able to get out and relax/have fun/get out of the house was some really good medicine.

There has also been a bit of talk in my family of my mother (who passed when I was 8) and a recent death of a great uncle who was a wonderful man, does bring home the realisation that there are worse things out there, and to try not to stress, to live life, love and have fun.  I am not good at living by this, I wish I was, but at least for now I am trying not to stress and to put some routines in place so that things won't be so overwhelming in the future.

 

Wednesday Night Workout!

Well, tonight I ignored all of my "I'm tired!" excuses, and I went to the gym after work.  I'm so glad I had the gym bag packed, and I did think about being accountable seeing as I made a couple of posts this morning.

So... I did it!

Usually this would be my 'walking' day, and considering my quads are still so bloody sore I pretty much stuck to just walking.  I did 20 minutes on the treadmill, 5 minutes on the rowing machine (boy oh boy could I feel my quads then!!) and then another 5 minutes on the cross-trainer and then stretching.  I was only about 40 minutes worth of training, but it was more than enough for me!!  I managed to burn 427 calories!

It just feels so great to be getting back on track!! I am loving it!! I feel like I have control again :)

My muscles are still sore, so I think tonight will be my 3rd epsom salts bath in a row... hope it helps!!!  Tomorrow I am going to try and do the circuit the PT gave me... I am so glad I didn't try to do it tonight, there were so many people!!  Aside from having to do it in front of everyone, it was far too packed!!  I really do like to go during the day!!

Weigh In!

Today is weigh in day, and I am here to tell you all that I gained weight!

I have gone up 1.3kg, but I have a few reasons why I think it happened:

• It's TTOM
• I have eaten out a lot this week
• I have eaten a few things which have a lot of salt
• I have gone over my calories a few days

The last few days I have been a bit emotional about everything, and I think that is has impacted on my eating habits... and let's be fair... I think the Costco pastas haven't helped! haha!!

I am not upset by it all, it was expected and I am still going to be trying and "keep on keeping on" as my Nana says. Plus, I did say I was going to take it slow.

I am also wanting to start walking more on the days I am not at the gym, and I have even mapped out a 5km path!  It's all along a main road so fairly safe to do on my own (for the record, I don't live in a ghetto or anything, I'm just always super safe about stuff like this).

Speaking of the gym... I didn't go yesterday.  I was really struggling to get up and walk from my muscles being so sore from the PT session the day before.  So, I had planned on going for the above walk... and then it started raining... so I got ready to go to the gym before everyone got home and ended up helping my sister over the phone for an hour lol... sadly... it just didn't happen!!

But!  I will be packing my gym bag today so that I can go after work.  I will probably just walk, but I plan on doing the circuit the PT gave me tomorrow.

Mini PT Session: Feel the BURN!

Well, I had my PT session today and OMG... I can feel my muscles!!!  I am 99% sure I will have DOMS over the next couple of days!!

I had a about a half hour session with a PT at my gym, I quite like him.  He is probably the first PT I have felt comfortable around and, well I wouldn't say relaxed, but relaxed as much I could be in that kind of situation.

I gotta say... it was pretty hard!!  Some of the exercises I struggled to get through (really struggled!!) but I think the part that I found the hardest was that, well... I was embarrassed!  It was through no fault of my PT, but I was reminded by how much I could do... and what I really struggle with now. I was also a little embarrassed that I was 'performing' in front of a bunch of blokes in the weights area... A year ago it wouldn't have bothered me, and I would have just gone in and done what I needed to do, but I felt insecure because of what I felt I couldn't do.

However, in saying that, I am really trying to focus on the positives, like "Now I can really see how much I will improve!", "How great will it be when you need to up your weights!" and "At least your not sitting on the couch anymore!"

There were a few exercises I didn't think I would be able to do due to my injury that I am really excited that I can do (namely the rowing machine!) and I am excited that I get to use the assisted chin up machine... for some strange, twisted reason, I just love this machine... no idea why... must be because I have to climb to get onto it, or more than likely cos I just feel so damn tough! haha!!  There was one point though where I did tell the PT "I really hate you right now..." so, he must have been pushing me lol

I am thinking that I might put another tab at the top of this page where I can put in my starting exercise regime and use it as a "milestone achiever" so that I can see how much I improve.

The plan he has given me (below) is for 3 days a week, and he has suggested that on the other days that I go for an hours walk... I might be able to do that around here (if I am going to drive anywhere to walk it will probably be the gym after work lol), but I am tempted to drive 10 minutes up the road in the mornings and walk at Googong... maybe once a week or something... will have to think about it... I spose I could go to the town park... but walking circles around that is a bit too boring for me... and I love doing bushwalks...

So, my current gym work out will be like this:

Warm Up

• 5 minutes Cross-Trainer

Strength

• Deadlifts: 3 sets of 8 (bar only)
• Squats (touch chair): 3 sets of 8 (5kg plate)
• Pull ups: 3 sets of 10 (70kg)
• Wide Grip Seated Cable Row: 3 sets of 12 (10kg)

Circuit/Toning

• Push ups: 3 sets of 10 (4 steps under platform) alternate with rower
• Rowing Machine: 3 sets of 200m (level 6)
• Swiss Ball Wall Squat: 3 sets of 10 (as low as possible) alternate with bike
• Bike: 3 sets of 200m
• Push Press: 3 sets of 10 (25 pounds) alternate with cross-trainer
• Cross Trainer: 3 sets of 200m

Core

• Plank: 3 sets of 30 seconds
• Superman: 3 sets of 20

So it's actually a pretty intense session... well, at this point in time I think it is!! I don't know how I am going to get through it all!!! I only did about half an hour today and burned 276 calories! It's gonna be a good challenge though I think!!  I now have another session with him for the same time next Monday.  I was supposed  to stay today and finish off the session (as I pretty much only did 1 rep of everything), but I found out yesterday that they moved my statistics exam 2 days earlier!! GAH! So I came straight home and got stuck into the study again!

A few weeks ago I came across this picture and filed it away for future reference (I think I may have found it on facebook lol), but this was me today...

Bit of a Crappy Gym Session

This morning I went to the gym for my assessment, and all was going well, I was getting along well with the trainer, had my measurements taken and had started going through the obligatory "how fit are you" bits and pieces - pushups, sit ups and wall sit.

All of that is generally no problem, except just as I started doing a sit up, I managed to get a bloody nose!! WTF!  I never get these!! I have had maybe 5 in my life!! I have to admit, I was more than a little embarrassed... I had blood all over my face a nd a bit on my t-shirt... awkward...

I have been feeling all hot and flustered over the last week and have been 'overheating' when others have been cold, so I think it must all be tied in with that.  The problem is, I wanted to do my gym workout... so I did!

Admittedly I was feeling pretty crappy through the whole thing, and paranoid my nose was going to start bleeding all over the equipment, but I got through it and I didn't do my full workout, I finished with 5 mins on the bike instead of 10. Overall, I burned 253 calories, so that's good enough for me.

Overall my assessment was as I expected (results wise at least!) in that I still can't do sit ups, and it turns out I have lost a lot of upper strength, so I can't do push ups anymore.  My wall sit only lasted for a few seconds, but that was mostly due to my knee I think.

I am going back on Monday to have a bit of a PT and to put a program together.  The trainer has suggested that I do mostly weights there and finish witha  bit of cardio and then walk on the other days that I am not there... While I see the benefit of the walks, I am concerned that this is going to ramp it up a bit too much for me time/stress wise and I am unsure... I want to do it, I just don't want to burn myself out.

On the upside, I am looking forward to doing weights again... I love doing weights!!  I'm not a fan of cardio, but do it because I should! lol

First Week: Off with a BANG!

Well, I had my first weigh in this morning since getting back on the wagon.  I have to admit that I have really been looking forward to weighing in this week - which is a good sign I think!!

My eating hasn't been all that great, but I haven't gone overboard like I had in the past few months, and I have been trying to cook more.  So, this morning I jumped on the scales and I was down 2kg!!! Can't believe it!!

I know that a first week is usually a bit more than what you can expect on other weeks, but 2kg is a lot!!  I'm feeling a bit less bloated, so I think that it's mostly fluid.

Also, yesterday I went and did my workout as promised, I even did it before I drove out to uni.  I think that this is the best time for me to do it, I really like working out in the mornings, because then it is done and dusted and out of the way.  I forgot to turn my HRM on for the first 5 minutes *face palm* so my results aren't completely accurate, but I still burned 326 calories.  Also, I realised the other day that I had actually not updated my stats in my HRM, so my previous results were probably a little out of whack as well.

Tomorrow I have my assessment at the gym. From memory they weigh and measure me and talk to me about what I want to achieve.  I have been thinking about this and I think this is what I am going to tell him:

• I want to build up the strength in my knee again
• I want to complete the C25K
• As much as I love doing weights, I know that I need to do cardio to burn more fat
• I still want to be able to do a sit up!!!

That's all I have so far.  I do have a feeling I will have a bit of a selling spiel on getting PT sessions... I know I have always avoided them in the past... mostly cos I hate exercising! But I have also found that of the ones that I have had, I have never really clicked with the person.... and I think that I need that... Anyone out there swear by PT sessions??

Getting it Done

So... this morning I still had issues with wanting to go to the gym, but I did make the commitment to go on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays... so I dropped Miss 4 to daycare and headed straight to the gym to just get it done.

Today I managed to hit my original target of 10 minutes on each of the treadmill, crosstrainer and bike!  So happy with that!!!  I was able to get into a good rhythm on the cross trainer - which is the one that I find the most difficult.  I had initially told myself that my goal would be to get to 6 minutes so that I would have improved on the last attempt, but I wasn't in pain and couldn't feel a lot of pressure so I kept going.  In truth, I probably could have done more than 10 minutes, but I got a little bored and I just didn't want to push it. I burned 365 calories, which I am also really happy with considering I wasn't pushing myself, just concentrating on having my knee over my toe and just getting it done. 

While I was on the bike one of the trainers came over to speak to me, and embarrassingly he asked me if I had just become a member.... I explained that I joined in July last year, but life had gotten in the way, and then the knee injury, so I hadn't really been in 6 months lol!  We also got talking about the knee injury and he asked me about the physio exercises and then we lined up an assessment for 8.30am on Thursday morning... so it looks like I am officially all in! lol  While I realise that in part he is probably looking for another person to sign up for PTs, I really appreciate that he came over to have a chat with me about my workout and seemed interested in my progress.

Now, I have also spoken to B about me taking Miss 4 to daycare on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays so that I will go to the gym straight after as I accept that one of my biggest challenges is just getting out of the house on days that I don't have to.  Which is a big tick for me as I recognised and found a solution to an excuse :)

Promise Kept!

I finished uni today, got in the car and had an "oh crap!" moment when I realised that I had promised everyone that I was gonna go to the gym today...

Well, I went!

As I said, I was only gonna take it easy, which I did, but I am so glad that I kept to that as while I was fine in the beginning, by the time I got to the last 10 minutes or so I could feel the strain in my knee.

What I was hoping to do was:

• 10 minutes on the treadmill (walking)
• 10 minutes on the cross trainer (walking)
• 10 minutes on the bike (low-medium speed)

What I actually did was:

• 10 minutes on the treadmill (walking)
• 5 minutes on the cross trainer (walking)
• 5 minutes on the bike (low-medium speed)

I know it seems quite small, but I think it was a good start and it gives me something to improve on.

As proof, here is my calorie burn from my HRM

Struggling to get out of the door

I started to write this post last night, but stopped... seems kind of fitting considering the topic! lol

My mindset is so much better than it has been in the recent past, I am feeling a lot happier with myself and I feel more in control and that I can get back onto the weightloss wagon again.  In fact, in a way I have been looking forward to it!

So, what's happened... nothing... It's as though something is still holding me back, I am not sure what it is, but it's like I just can't get started.

I originially named this post to talk about my gym efforts.  I have been going to go to the gym so many times in recent weeks, and have even gotten dressed to go... but just haven't been able to push myself out of the door.

I think I might be scared...

I think I am scared of failing... of not making it, of losing all of the weight again and being back at this point again.

I know what lies ahead, I know all of the hard work that I will need to put in... and in truth, I don't know if I can do it...  But, I also know that without all of that hard work, I won't get what I want.

So, rather than fighting myself on this one, I am going to just get my butt to the gym.  Today!  I have uni classes on today, but I can drive to the gym when they are done and jump on the treadmill or cross trainer. I won't be pushing myself hard for a few reasons; I don't think my body will be used to it, I need to start back at the beginning and build my fitness up, and I need to build up the strength in my knee gradually.

So, my promise to you all is that tonight I will be back with an update on my first trip back to the gym!

Getting Back On Track... And It Feels Awesome!

I have been meaning to write this post since Friday, but have just not managed to do it.  Admittedly, I have been focussing on uni and getting my final report done for biology and with exam starting next week I think it will be heads down, bums up... and probably an iritiable and stressed out student!

However, we started on Lite n' Easy on Friday after our first delivery.  I was hoping to have some photos to pop in here, but the delivery came while I was at work. At the moment, I am doing 7 days of lunches and dinners and so far I am loving it.  It has really taken the hassle out of everything (especially as yesterday I had to work in the morning with a baby shower in the afternoon and barely anytime to get lunch, but B was able to quickly get it ready as I ran around the house getting ready). I have left off breakfasts as I usually like to have porridge or cereal anyway, so it works out well.

I do have to confess that I have had a bit of chocolate as I have been more than a little hormonal, but not as much as I ususally would (we have put the rest of the chocolate in the freezer as I really hate cold chocolate - so I would have to really want it lol!) and yesterday I did have 2 cup cakes at the baby shower, but overall I have been sticking to it and I have already had more fruit & veggies than I usually would - and I love it!

I have decided to keep my weigh ins as Wednesdays, so that it just stays as that in my mind, plus I like the idea of weighing in with everyone else. I think I am still a 12WBTer at heart!

As for exercise, I really need to get back into it, and so far I have been all talk.  However, months ago I did sign up to do the 5km run for the Mother's Day Classic (this coming Sunday), and I have decided that I will still be participating, however I have emailed them and asked them to switch me to the 5km walk for a couple of reasons; a) I haven't been training and I wouldn't be able to run it and b) I don't want to push my knee and do any further damage to it.  I think that a walk would be a good way to see how I go and I am hoping the fun atmosphere will help break my exercise drought.

I have also decided that after my exams are done (or perhaps even before lol) that I want to start going to the gym 3 days a week.  I think right now I want to try and do the C25K.  It has been playing on my mind a bit since my previous post on running. I would love to be able to run in a fun run... I think that in a way, it would be one of those moments that I know that I could accomplish anything, as I have always told myself that I could never run.

I have also considered maybe trying to do another fitness test like in the 12WBT... but I am unsure.  I do like that it would be a great way to measure results, but I am still undecided.

Cracked it... and now it's really time to take action...

By cracked it, I don't mean that I have gone bonkers... I am actually refering to the fact that I now weigh over 100kg... yup... I weighed in yesterday at 100.5kg...

I have come to the realisation that Easter and I do not mix well together... especially in a (now) 3 person household where one is a chocoholic (that would be ME!), one non-chocoholic (B) and one who would be a chocoholic if we let her (Miss 3).  Basically, we got 3 peoples worth of chocolate and pretty much only me eating it... which is really not a good option...

So, last night I had a really good talk to myself (hmmm.... am I bonkers?!) and I have come to realise that I am honestly feeling more at peace with getting back onto the wagon and getting it going again.  I have also decided to come up with a list of healthy snacks (my downfall) and I will be continuing to use the Menu Planner app on my iPad as it has honestly made life easier for us.

This morning I measured myself for the first time in months, and I have to admit, I was more than a little astounded by the numbers that came up!

Week 1
Wednesday 18 April 2012

		Change	Total Loss
Weight:	100.5kg	n/a	n/a
Arm:	30.5cm	n/a	n/a
Bust:	116cm	n/a	n/a
Waist:	125cm	n/a	n/a
Hips:	126cm	n/a	n/a
Thigh:	73cm	n/a	n/a

I have come to the decision that it is time that I start putting myself out there 100%. Owning up to my stuff ups and celebrating the wins.  I am only human afterall!

So, I am very much a goal oriented person, and as B and I have been thinking about taking a holiday (like a cruise) for a while now (I mentioned it a few posts ago that it may be a bit of a reward) I have decided to aim towards that.  I have also come up with a few other goals/rewards to help me along.  Now, I have put away all of the remaining easter eggs, although I do know where they are, I am hoping to use them as more of a reward.  Now, I know that you shouldn't reward yourself with food, but I am hoping that having them there will help to teach me a bit of self control.

I have put together the following list of goals.  I have pinched this idea and format from Mandy over at Fearless, Fabulous, Female... and Forty!! (hope that's ok Mandy!) I may add to this list, as I go along, but at this stage, this is it:

	Heaviest Ever	100.5kg
	Goal Weight	74kg
WEIGHT	MINI GOAL DETAILS	STATUS
99.9	Back to the 90's
95.5	5kg and 5% lost
	Fit into my 'fat' pants comfortably
90.5	10kg and 10% lost
89.9	in the 80's
	Complete the C25K
89.6	Get to Overweight BMI of 29.9
	Size 14 clothes
85.5	15kg lost
	Run a 5km Fun Run
80.5	20 kg lost
79.9	Livin' in the 70's
	Size 12 clothes
75.5	25kg lost
74.6	Get to Healthy BMI of 24.9
** 74 **	GOAL
70.5	30kg lost
69.9	in the 60's

 

 

See - gym bag is packed and is in the car!

I am really missing exercising too... and I am so afraid of injuring my knee further, I have been avoiding it.  My physio has given me a few exercises to do (which I really should do! lol) and overally is really happy with my progress.  I think I find it a bit hard to go to the gym and sit on the bike or the cross trainer for only about 10 mins (as much as I can take at the moment.) - mostly I think it's frustrating, but I need to start somewhere I know. In fact, today I felt so motivated that I actually packed my gym bag and put it in the car!!  Now I just need to get my sorry arse to the gym! I have been meaning to pack it and have it ready in the car... have to admit I am a little proud I did it... baby steps!

You might remember a while ago I set myself the goal of running in 3 fun runs.  Well, 2 of them have gone, but the Mother's Day Classic is coming up and I have recieved my tag and number, and I really think that it will be a good thing to do.  Now, with my knee and my fitness levels at the moment, I won't be running, but I do want to do it - even though it will be the weekend before my exams start.

I am also wanting to get the winter veggie garden up and running, so over the next week I am planning on getting the patch ready and planted. Speaking of the garden, I cooked up some of the most delicious tomato relish the other day using this recipe and tomatoes from our garden.  We have started using a lot more of the veggies we have grown and it's so wonderful to know that we are eating fresh and that we have grown it ourselves!