I just realised something whilst reading someone's running blog. I like things that are easy & simple.
I love the idea that running can happen anywhere you like. You only need your legs to get it done. There is no need for fancy equiptment or gadgets. Just run!
If you wish to build upper body strength just grab a chair do some press ups or simple push ups on the floor. For strengthening other parts of the body do leg raises, leg lifts, crunches, squats, lunges, skip, jumping jacks, yoga. There are heaps of things you can do without owning a single contraption or DVD!
But I have to say running is my favourite :) I'm very much enjoying the challenge of bettering my time and distances. And those words Half Marathon keep popping into my head and on the computer when I am researching and I have to say they excite me! So I guess I am now slowly in training for a half marathon. I think it is good to have a goal, something to strive towards so I can be a better more efficient runner.
On my next run I aim to achieve a faster run but over a shorter distance than my 8kms I did the other day. I want to time how long it takes me to complete a full kilometre and then to see if I can maintain that time for another 3-5kms! Or at least build up to it. That's going to be an exciting challenge!
All in all I have to say the simplicity of running is floating my boat at the moment. I'm enjoying it, I'm thriving because of it and my body is definitely thanking me for it!
I am now down 2 dress sizes!
Monday, November 14, 2011
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
My Ridiculously Amazing Day
Well who would have thought that after I shared such an inspirational quote that I would have had virtually no sleep and then a craptastic day with my darling 3 year old (someone needs to find a cure for THAT!)
So I began thinking ohhhh great, today was not the day for me to be amazing in any sense of the word.
After willing away time for hubby to arrive home from work and rescue me from this madness at which point he took over and I lay my sorry self down on the couch to recoup before I headed out to my weigh in meeting. If I were not about to go and get weighed I would have drank my body weight in wine (I am totally just kidding and would never condone drinking that much alcohol, but some days you feel like it don't you?)
Well it turns out things picked up at my meeting and I lost a whole ONE KILOGRAM this week! I am unbelievably proud of myself because I haven't had results like that since my week 5 and 6 weigh in's and it's not been from lack of trying. I can honestly say all the exercise this weekend really paid off. Over the whole week I did over 21kms! I promise you all I am so far from starving myself it isn't funny! That's why I love weight watchers, because I love food and I hate diets. But I don't eat the points I earn via activity which can be a lot of points some weeks.
It always goes back to that old saying 'eat anything in moderation' even the healthy things!
Anyways my RIDICULOUSLY AMAZING today was activity related even though I said it does not need to be :) But after my weigh in I went to the gym and got into the pool for many many laps of walking in the water and then I swam some laps as well. I am overjoyed that I made the effort to go because all I wanted to do was forget about my revolting day and I thought swimming will be terrible because I have nothing but time to recap. This was not the case! There were plenty of distractions. Um ok like the young amorous couple in the same lane as me :) She decided to play hide and seek when he wasn't looking and I found it SUPER FUNNY that he though I was she ( his head was under water ) and so he grabbed/rubbed my leg OMG! He popped up after a second and apologised many times. Did I laugh myself silly? Ohhh you bet I did! baahahaha Or after I had finished my swim and made the long walk from my pool lanes past the gym (you know that place where all the skinny people are?) & through to the spa lounge. All whilst holding in my stomach very firmly! Who of you would have done that? I know you would have :) Well anyway I was in the spa lounge and hopped into the spa to relax and let my muscles soak up that lovely hot water when all I hear is natter natter natter next to me sheesh! no quiet here so I get up and pop into the steam room where 3 men grunted their way through the door. And then proceeded to grunt and oooh and ahhhh the whole time I was in there, which trust me, was NOT LONG! 'Ooooooh my back' and 'ahhhhhh urrrrghhhh' then some agreeing 'URGH URGH!' after that. Off I went home to some peace and quiet....the kids are asleep!
Soooo if any of you knew me before my love for fitness kicked in very recently you would know that today there were 100 excuses for not exercising (it was raining as well) and I would have only needed one simple excuse before like 'Im very tired' to not do a single thing.
But I made my day RIDICULOUSLY AMAZING by embracing all the blah and going for it!
Next week I would love love love to have lost another kilogram so guess what that means? Yup I will need to get out and about plenty this week! Wish me luck for a better day tomorrow. I have some new tactics to try on my big boy
So I began thinking ohhhh great, today was not the day for me to be amazing in any sense of the word.
After willing away time for hubby to arrive home from work and rescue me from this madness at which point he took over and I lay my sorry self down on the couch to recoup before I headed out to my weigh in meeting. If I were not about to go and get weighed I would have drank my body weight in wine (I am totally just kidding and would never condone drinking that much alcohol, but some days you feel like it don't you?)
Well it turns out things picked up at my meeting and I lost a whole ONE KILOGRAM this week! I am unbelievably proud of myself because I haven't had results like that since my week 5 and 6 weigh in's and it's not been from lack of trying. I can honestly say all the exercise this weekend really paid off. Over the whole week I did over 21kms! I promise you all I am so far from starving myself it isn't funny! That's why I love weight watchers, because I love food and I hate diets. But I don't eat the points I earn via activity which can be a lot of points some weeks.
It always goes back to that old saying 'eat anything in moderation' even the healthy things!
Anyways my RIDICULOUSLY AMAZING today was activity related even though I said it does not need to be :) But after my weigh in I went to the gym and got into the pool for many many laps of walking in the water and then I swam some laps as well. I am overjoyed that I made the effort to go because all I wanted to do was forget about my revolting day and I thought swimming will be terrible because I have nothing but time to recap. This was not the case! There were plenty of distractions. Um ok like the young amorous couple in the same lane as me :) She decided to play hide and seek when he wasn't looking and I found it SUPER FUNNY that he though I was she ( his head was under water ) and so he grabbed/rubbed my leg OMG! He popped up after a second and apologised many times. Did I laugh myself silly? Ohhh you bet I did! baahahaha Or after I had finished my swim and made the long walk from my pool lanes past the gym (you know that place where all the skinny people are?) & through to the spa lounge. All whilst holding in my stomach very firmly! Who of you would have done that? I know you would have :) Well anyway I was in the spa lounge and hopped into the spa to relax and let my muscles soak up that lovely hot water when all I hear is natter natter natter next to me sheesh! no quiet here so I get up and pop into the steam room where 3 men grunted their way through the door. And then proceeded to grunt and oooh and ahhhh the whole time I was in there, which trust me, was NOT LONG! 'Ooooooh my back' and 'ahhhhhh urrrrghhhh' then some agreeing 'URGH URGH!' after that. Off I went home to some peace and quiet....the kids are asleep!
Soooo if any of you knew me before my love for fitness kicked in very recently you would know that today there were 100 excuses for not exercising (it was raining as well) and I would have only needed one simple excuse before like 'Im very tired' to not do a single thing.
But I made my day RIDICULOUSLY AMAZING by embracing all the blah and going for it!
Next week I would love love love to have lost another kilogram so guess what that means? Yup I will need to get out and about plenty this week! Wish me luck for a better day tomorrow. I have some new tactics to try on my big boy
~ Drink plenty of water & your body will thank you ~
Monday, November 7, 2011
LISTEN UP!
AN IMPORTANT CHALLENGE FOR TODAY!
Say this over and over as you shower, have a coffee, go for a run, feed your children breakfast etc and make YOUR plan!
What actions will you take to make this a reality today?
Leave me a comment about one Ridiculously Amazing thing you have achieved today. It doesn't have to be activity related.
NOTE: Only you have to believe it is ridiculously amazing! Screw what everyone else thinks, we don't walk in your shoes everyday!
This is not my saying but it is one that grabbed me and so I wanted to make us all think about just one thing that we WILL do to make it a reality for today at least. If we do wonderful things for ourselves or even better, carry out acts that are kind and honest then we as people feel wonderful. If we feel wonderful we will BE great, we can DO great things and GREAT things will happen TO YOU!
:)
Sunday, November 6, 2011
If the skirt fits....Wear it!
I had a work skirt that I grew out of well before I was pregnant with my first born son. So that was around 2007 and it is a size 16? I think. I remember when I 1st bought it to wear to work and everyone complimented me on how nice it looked on me. That skirt only fit for about 3 months and then I was wearing it with the zip slightly undone and then sadly not at all (never fear, I wore alternative clothes that DID fit)
Well thank goodness I kept it because I just saw it in my wardrobe and thought hmmmm I wonder..... I tried it on and it is a little bit LOOSE! I flew out of our room wearing the skirt and my bra to show my husband as I was so impressed! I am so glad I kept some of those close that I thought I would never ever fit again, because now they do. But I may have to donate them because they are becoming too loose now! haha who would have thought????
On another good note I did soooo much exercise this weekend! I have walked and run over 21kms over 3 days and I did some yoga as well! Today I was motivated for a walk by my dog Ruby because I had given her a clip in the back yard and then a nice bath so she HAD to get out and prance around in her clean & short summer coat. I don't think she was too happy that we did 9kms though as she only has little legs!
I am actually terrified of a gain because since August when I started I have never gained an ounce! But last night I had my 1st block of dark Lindt mint chocolate and some wine (I do have the wine often as you can't deny a mother of 2 sons her wine!) I tell you what, the choccie tasted SO great and I didn't even feel a smidge of guilt but I really will if I have gained next week! I have worked my butt off with activity so I am crossing everything for a loss.
I will chat to you all again after my weigh in on Tuesday night and hopefully we get some more wonderful results.
Well thank goodness I kept it because I just saw it in my wardrobe and thought hmmmm I wonder..... I tried it on and it is a little bit LOOSE! I flew out of our room wearing the skirt and my bra to show my husband as I was so impressed! I am so glad I kept some of those close that I thought I would never ever fit again, because now they do. But I may have to donate them because they are becoming too loose now! haha who would have thought????
On another good note I did soooo much exercise this weekend! I have walked and run over 21kms over 3 days and I did some yoga as well! Today I was motivated for a walk by my dog Ruby because I had given her a clip in the back yard and then a nice bath so she HAD to get out and prance around in her clean & short summer coat. I don't think she was too happy that we did 9kms though as she only has little legs!
I am actually terrified of a gain because since August when I started I have never gained an ounce! But last night I had my 1st block of dark Lindt mint chocolate and some wine (I do have the wine often as you can't deny a mother of 2 sons her wine!) I tell you what, the choccie tasted SO great and I didn't even feel a smidge of guilt but I really will if I have gained next week! I have worked my butt off with activity so I am crossing everything for a loss.
I will chat to you all again after my weigh in on Tuesday night and hopefully we get some more wonderful results.
Friday, November 4, 2011
So whats a girl to wear?
Yesterday I managed to fit in a 3km run/4km walk and I was once again very proud of my achievements. I can only hope this activity brings more wonderful results on the scales next week.
Although every runner/walker will tell you that your shoes are the most important thing to consider I beg to differ.
I left the house in a singlet, shorts, sneakers and sunnies as it was over cast. However I soon learnt this was a big mistake! I was missing three terribly important things! (well 4 if you count the music that was sadly missing from my iPhone after an update on software)
In our wonderful Australian spring/summer weather you MUST ALWAYS wear a hat, suncream and at least a t'shirt if you are headed outdoors. Thats what I was missing. Overcast or not I felt myself tanning after only 10 minutes which is a problem for me as I am already fairly olive skinned now :)
Well after a great run I was desperate for a sip of water and found the water fountain surrounded by fun loving teens that had water bottles and were drenching each other with them :) Great fun if your not donning a mobile phone that is not even a little bit water resistant! So I avoided them and ducked into the cafe for a quick swill of water from the water station. It is really for patrons and I was waiting for someone to growl at me but I was dying of thirst and so was in and out before they could notice me. Anyway I've brought their crappy coffee before (and waited a long time for it too I might add) so I think Im entitled to a sip of water their don't you?
On my way home I saw a funny sight. An older man riding his bike. Thats great right? Yes except in his trendy rear bike basket he had 4 packets of cigarettes! Good effort on the ride though :-)
Incidental activity comes in all varieties, even riding to the shops to buy your fags! lol
So don't rule out your wildest IA (incidental activity) ideas and just get moving!
And just a couple of TIPS
TIP 1: Leg raises are not easy if your 1.5 year old son thinks its a fun game to push down on your legs when your trying to raise them. My advice is wait till they are in bed!
TIP 2: I don't know the correct name for it but I will call it a standing leg lift, (which are BRILLIANT for reducing thigh muffin tops!) are good fun for a short toddler who can race under your leg each time you lift it!
* This is how I do them and please don't try them without maybe googling or asking a health professional 1st. I stand with my hands on my hips and my feet are slightly apart (for balance) hold in my stomach, think straight and strong in my lower back butt and thighs and then I slowly raise my leg about 45ยบ away from my body and hold for a breath and then slowly lower it down again. I repeat this 20 times on each side or as many times as I can do it. I do one leg and then the other. Add a Pilates elastic band for extra resistance and most importantly Keep Breathing!
TIP 3: Wind resistance is not only nice on a warm day but is natures way of 'helping' us so use it to your advantage!
Although every runner/walker will tell you that your shoes are the most important thing to consider I beg to differ.
I left the house in a singlet, shorts, sneakers and sunnies as it was over cast. However I soon learnt this was a big mistake! I was missing three terribly important things! (well 4 if you count the music that was sadly missing from my iPhone after an update on software)
In our wonderful Australian spring/summer weather you MUST ALWAYS wear a hat, suncream and at least a t'shirt if you are headed outdoors. Thats what I was missing. Overcast or not I felt myself tanning after only 10 minutes which is a problem for me as I am already fairly olive skinned now :)
Well after a great run I was desperate for a sip of water and found the water fountain surrounded by fun loving teens that had water bottles and were drenching each other with them :) Great fun if your not donning a mobile phone that is not even a little bit water resistant! So I avoided them and ducked into the cafe for a quick swill of water from the water station. It is really for patrons and I was waiting for someone to growl at me but I was dying of thirst and so was in and out before they could notice me. Anyway I've brought their crappy coffee before (and waited a long time for it too I might add) so I think Im entitled to a sip of water their don't you?
On my way home I saw a funny sight. An older man riding his bike. Thats great right? Yes except in his trendy rear bike basket he had 4 packets of cigarettes! Good effort on the ride though :-)
Incidental activity comes in all varieties, even riding to the shops to buy your fags! lol
So don't rule out your wildest IA (incidental activity) ideas and just get moving!
And just a couple of TIPS
TIP 1: Leg raises are not easy if your 1.5 year old son thinks its a fun game to push down on your legs when your trying to raise them. My advice is wait till they are in bed!
TIP 2: I don't know the correct name for it but I will call it a standing leg lift, (which are BRILLIANT for reducing thigh muffin tops!) are good fun for a short toddler who can race under your leg each time you lift it!
* This is how I do them and please don't try them without maybe googling or asking a health professional 1st. I stand with my hands on my hips and my feet are slightly apart (for balance) hold in my stomach, think straight and strong in my lower back butt and thighs and then I slowly raise my leg about 45ยบ away from my body and hold for a breath and then slowly lower it down again. I repeat this 20 times on each side or as many times as I can do it. I do one leg and then the other. Add a Pilates elastic band for extra resistance and most importantly Keep Breathing!
TIP 3: Wind resistance is not only nice on a warm day but is natures way of 'helping' us so use it to your advantage!
Thursday, November 3, 2011
"My milkshake brings all the boys to the yard"
Hello everyone,
I have been making some awesome smoothies lately and my boys love them too! Little do they know they are drinking up baby spinach, cherry tomatoes, prunes and all sorts of healthy goodness :)
Whats that? you have never put baby spinach into your smoothie or milkshake? TRY IT! I can honestly tell you that you cannot taste it.
So use a dash of skim milk, no fat youghurt, a drop of honey and then go wild with your imagination! If it is too thick add some ice blocks, cold water or juice to thin it out.
I remember my dad once made us banana milkshakes and they had orange bits floating in top.... yup he had put carrot in them and NO they were not a big hit for a 10 year old! haha but now I may try it again only I will grate them finer so they blend a bit better.
TIP: Use frozen yoghurt/fruits in summer for a colder smoothie
So off you go to try your hand and imagination at some lovely blended breakfast, lunches or after dinner snack! Leave me your smoothie/milkshake ideas in the comments for us all to try :)
PS. I am having a run later today. What activity are you going to squeeze in today?
I have been making some awesome smoothies lately and my boys love them too! Little do they know they are drinking up baby spinach, cherry tomatoes, prunes and all sorts of healthy goodness :)
Whats that? you have never put baby spinach into your smoothie or milkshake? TRY IT! I can honestly tell you that you cannot taste it.
So use a dash of skim milk, no fat youghurt, a drop of honey and then go wild with your imagination! If it is too thick add some ice blocks, cold water or juice to thin it out.
I remember my dad once made us banana milkshakes and they had orange bits floating in top.... yup he had put carrot in them and NO they were not a big hit for a 10 year old! haha but now I may try it again only I will grate them finer so they blend a bit better.
TIP: Use frozen yoghurt/fruits in summer for a colder smoothie
So off you go to try your hand and imagination at some lovely blended breakfast, lunches or after dinner snack! Leave me your smoothie/milkshake ideas in the comments for us all to try :)
PS. I am having a run later today. What activity are you going to squeeze in today?
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
There is no place like home
I have a walking group and we usually head out once a week but you all know how easy it is to cancel if it is raining/too hot. My girlfriend and I made a pact to go rain hail or shine lol The hail may be a little far fetched but you know what I mean. Anytime we have been when its belting down with rain it seems to stop long enough for our walk! Lucky eh?
But tonight my group couldn't make it (raining and life to attend to) and so instead of hitting the gym which I do if Im on my own I decided to just run up and down the street. I never work as hard in the gym as I do outdoors & I don't know why?
With every step I loved my idea more and more! The gentle raindrops twinkled down, the road made squishy noises when my sneakers pounded down, the grass was glistening and smelt divine and the frogs! ohhhh the frogs were croaking their nightly song probably singing sweetly and happily about the cool rain. It's so much more organic and real when you outside and even better when your right outside your own front door!
I'm wondering if a jogging group can be introduced for late night neighbourly mummy runs/walks? I know I am a genius! hehe
My post title came about not only because of my little night time neighbourhood run tonight but also because everyday I do my star jumps right in my very own lounge room. I add 1.5kg weights and after I have done those I do leg raises and crunches. Sometimes I use my swiss ball to do good old fashioned sit-ups. I also recently got myself a $3 skipping rope which I will begin to use outside when my hubby is at his training sessions that way I can do a bit of activity everyday :) before tonight I always thought his training nights are a night off for me but I was wrong. Home is where activity is FREE!
So you see you can do exercise for free and with out leaving the house if your homebound with children, no car etc!
But tonight my group couldn't make it (raining and life to attend to) and so instead of hitting the gym which I do if Im on my own I decided to just run up and down the street. I never work as hard in the gym as I do outdoors & I don't know why?
With every step I loved my idea more and more! The gentle raindrops twinkled down, the road made squishy noises when my sneakers pounded down, the grass was glistening and smelt divine and the frogs! ohhhh the frogs were croaking their nightly song probably singing sweetly and happily about the cool rain. It's so much more organic and real when you outside and even better when your right outside your own front door!
I'm wondering if a jogging group can be introduced for late night neighbourly mummy runs/walks? I know I am a genius! hehe
My post title came about not only because of my little night time neighbourhood run tonight but also because everyday I do my star jumps right in my very own lounge room. I add 1.5kg weights and after I have done those I do leg raises and crunches. Sometimes I use my swiss ball to do good old fashioned sit-ups. I also recently got myself a $3 skipping rope which I will begin to use outside when my hubby is at his training sessions that way I can do a bit of activity everyday :) before tonight I always thought his training nights are a night off for me but I was wrong. Home is where activity is FREE!
So you see you can do exercise for free and with out leaving the house if your homebound with children, no car etc!
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Week 11
Well if you read my post earlier today you will know that I have a Weight Watchers weigh in every Tuesday night and that I was a tad worried about my results this week.
Well I am proud to announce my weight loss for week 11 was .6kgs and I am over the mood about it.
You know what the amazingly great thing about weight watchers is? You can eat a chicken roll and chips or similar and just fit it in with your pro-points allowance, do some exercise and your all good to start again the next day (whilst hopefully making healthier choices ) You are not asked to go without ANYTHING, nor to go hungry or to drink countless milkshakes week in week out.
I don't know about you all but if I had to drink a single days worth of protein shakes I will most certainly binge on some 'real' food the very next day! I love food and can't do diets in the traditional sense. What I can do is weight watchers and exercise.
Sorry for putting this out there but I roll my eyes at anyone who tells me they are losing weight by doing some 'fad' diet and then say, 'and I don't even have to do any exercise' OH HONESTLY!
Physical activity is good for not only your body & soul but also your mind. The way we live and are all so busy these days I for one say exercise is a godsend for my sanity. Cheers to that :)
Tonight at WW we learnt about how the support of your friends/family/partner is an important part of your weight loss journey and that we can be successful if we do the best we can on a daily basis. After all we are only human and I'm sure we all have a little weak spot for treats be it wine, chocolate or something savoury. So now and then make allowances within your allocated daily pro-points and enjoy not feeling the guilt.
Personally I believe it doesn't hurt to do some extra exercise if you are to occassionally indulge a little on foods you KNOW are a tad naughty :)
Just wondering if you have you done some incidental exercise today? Tonight before you go to bed try doing some light stretching and basic yoga. Yoga can be a lovely calm exercise to do before bedtime and ladies it can be done safely without a bra in the privacy of your lounge room ! :-)
Have a wonderful week!
Well I am proud to announce my weight loss for week 11 was .6kgs and I am over the mood about it.
You know what the amazingly great thing about weight watchers is? You can eat a chicken roll and chips or similar and just fit it in with your pro-points allowance, do some exercise and your all good to start again the next day (whilst hopefully making healthier choices ) You are not asked to go without ANYTHING, nor to go hungry or to drink countless milkshakes week in week out.
I don't know about you all but if I had to drink a single days worth of protein shakes I will most certainly binge on some 'real' food the very next day! I love food and can't do diets in the traditional sense. What I can do is weight watchers and exercise.
Sorry for putting this out there but I roll my eyes at anyone who tells me they are losing weight by doing some 'fad' diet and then say, 'and I don't even have to do any exercise' OH HONESTLY!
Physical activity is good for not only your body & soul but also your mind. The way we live and are all so busy these days I for one say exercise is a godsend for my sanity. Cheers to that :)
Tonight at WW we learnt about how the support of your friends/family/partner is an important part of your weight loss journey and that we can be successful if we do the best we can on a daily basis. After all we are only human and I'm sure we all have a little weak spot for treats be it wine, chocolate or something savoury. So now and then make allowances within your allocated daily pro-points and enjoy not feeling the guilt.
Personally I believe it doesn't hurt to do some extra exercise if you are to occassionally indulge a little on foods you KNOW are a tad naughty :)
Just wondering if you have you done some incidental exercise today? Tonight before you go to bed try doing some light stretching and basic yoga. Yoga can be a lovely calm exercise to do before bedtime and ladies it can be done safely without a bra in the privacy of your lounge room ! :-)
Have a wonderful week!
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