It's been a while hasn't it?

Hello hello hello!

Yup you guessed it! I lost my blogging mojo a little ways back and I am very very sorry to all of you that were reading my blog and finding inspiration in my efforts.

I am back and you will all be pleased to know I have not lost my running mojo! WOOHOO!

I have been running 2 to 3 times per week still and totally loving it. I love the sweat, the distance travelled in such a short time frame and how it keeps my body and mind happy and most importantly HEALTHY.

I won't bore you with every single run I have done but I will proudly tell you about my last run which impressed even myself. I started with one small goal in mind. To do the big bridges run that I have done twice before. Its not big to 'real' runners but for me its a pretty hearty run. A return trip from home, around the bridges and back is about 8kms.

So I set out to get that done and my head was messing with me the entire way. I was talking to myself the whole way because my brain would not switch off and just get the job done. My weaker self was whinging and whining about being puffed, tired, lethargic, ohhh we will just do half etc etc So I had to slap that self around a bit to get my goal done.
Now I know I sound like a crazy person but am I? Does anyone else have to have a chat to their weaker self on a bad day? You know that side of you that would cancel the entire run if given even the slightest opportunity of having a 'good excuse' like its too hot/cold, I am far too worn out or better still when you pretend your actually cancelling for the good of your own health.... 'I'm tired and don't want to get run down by running in this state' hahahahaha Gosh I hope I am not the only crazy woman that thinks these things!

Now when it comes to my actual weight loss I was doing tremendously well until my sons became sick and then I fell off the good eating band wagon. So although I have not put on any weight I also have not lost anymore. I feel disappointed that I have been wasting all this time when I could have been loosing more weight by simply eating correctly.

BUT! I am good to go again now and I am ohhhh so close to my goal weight! So with my holidays in mind ( and the new bikini I bought for an itsy bitsy sum of $6 on sale ) I will keep on keeping on until I hit that magic number which just so happens is the same as my year of birth 75 :)

Wish me luck and keep reading! I will be doing some running in Broome, WA soon if I can bare the mosquitos which seem to love my legs. OUCH! Maybe if I run fast enough they won't get me?

Need inspiration and a kick up the bum

I have still been running up until last week when I got sick and haven't done a single thing since as I feel my head will surely explode if I jump even once.
What I actually need a kick up the butt for is my eating which has gone right down the tubes. I know with so little activity (none) that I simply can't afford to eat that way. I don't know what has gotten into me.
When I look at my body, the way it has changed and the way my clothes (which are now 2 sizes smaller) now fit me I am overjoyed and PROUD! But I am going to ruin all my hard work if I don't pull my head in SOON.

I guess I know what I need to do so I had better get it done ASAP!

Feel free to leave butt kicking comments below...

My Favourite iPhone Running Application

Last night I was chatting to a friend about the C25K app. I mentioned that I thought I should do it but rightly so she mentioned what is the point when I can already run 5kms? Hmmm So that got me thinking that maybe there is a 10km training app or similar and there is! It is called 'Gateway to 8k'
But I found an app that is even better and has three programs in one! C25K, GW28K and One hour runner! I really liked the look of the one hour runner so I downloaded the app last night and could not wait to do my run with it this morning. This 3 in 1 app is called 'Interval Run'  and yes it is fantastic!

I started the One hour runner program on the 2nd week, workout #2 as I ran yesterday for 30 minutes as well. I asked for an alert at the half way mark and a smooth mans voice said over the top of my music 15 minutes, half way mark...
It was very encouraging to know I only had to do that same time again and I would have completed my 30 minutes :) At the end when I completed the 30 minutes a little subtle beep sounds so you know to start warming down. However I wasn't puffed or tired yet so I just kept going and that felt so awesome. I ended up completing a run of 5.8kms and then on my way home I walked an extra 5kms!

I am looking forward to my next run on Wednesday

What distance have you been running? and what have you done recently to challenge yourself exercise wise? For me I'm thinking a trip to Jacobs ladder/Kokoda Track is in order this weekend :)  Anyone care/dare to join me?

My current 2012 running total is now down to 367kms and dropping! 

Back to the Gym!

Hello everyone! 


My hubby is finally back from his work trip to Dallas for 10 days. This trip meant I would have to juggle the kids a bit to get some runs in. The fact that the weather here hit 40ºc here in the second week he was gone meant there was no chance I would be doing any running. I could not bare the thought of taking my shoving my children in their pram and going out in that sort of heat. It was still 38ºc at 6.30pm which is almost their bedtime! Sheesh. Sometimes you just have to admit defeat...
Needless to say I was hanging out for hubby's return so I could hit the running HARD! 
However, I did stay active with some exercise DVD's that I did in the comfort of the air conditioning at home. But I also ate revoltingly whilst Hubby was away. I have the biggest guilts on for those fails :( 


No point in wallowing, onwards and upwards I say. I did a run today at the gym and smashed it! I did 5kms on the treadie which is awesome for me because I usually run terribly on the treadmill and I normally cut the run short with such a lack of mojo. But today I listened to my audio book "A Tiny Bit Marvellous" by Dawn French and giggled my way through my 10kph run with a 2% incline as well! So so so pleased with myself. 


I really can't wait to get outside on the pavement though. 


My current kms is now 370.8kms  Had I remembered my total I would have done an extra 0.8km to wipe that little pesky amount out! Next run I will do that :) 

My positive affirmation for you all today is 

I am happy with the way exercise makes me look and feel 

Come on, say it like you mean it! 




***

Music to my ears

I don't know about you but I love to run to music and sometimes when I am walking in the pool I can't help but think Gee I wish I could listen to music in the water... Well now I can!

I have found a waterproof MP3 player that hooks onto your swimming goggles and you can swim/walk in the pool with it! Excellent? Um YESSSS! :) 

And I had a breakthrough the other day when I was asking lots of people what music is great to run too? (Like what is the name of some new fast songs I can add to my workout list?)  I only had a few people get back to me.... I was hanging out with my nieces yesterday and voila! I only mentioned it to my oldest niece and she was on the job you-tubing and googling songs for me and writing down the titles. I now own a huge list of songs! She also lent me all her CD collection so that I can get the ones I need from there. What a GEM and why didn't I just think to ask a 13 year old in the 1st place? lol 

I can't wait for my next run with my newer funky tunes! 

At last! I did Jacobs Ladder

A week or so ago I agreed to climb the steps of Jacobs ladder http://www.perthwalkabout.com/Great-Outdoors/jacobs-ladder-at-kings-park.html with some girls from my 12 week challenge here in Perth. 

I had a struggle with myself last night (the whole week if I'm going to be honest) thinking ohhhh I might not go, I can always do it another time, I have my nieces party the night before & will probably be tired... Far out, so many excuses! The main reason was not that I didn't want to do the hard yards, I was really more nervous about meeting everyone and/or failing in front of my new group. 

As I drove back from my nieces party last night I had convinced myself that nope I'm not doing it.  But I had already told everyone I am doing it and people we cheering me along and wishing me luck. Damn it I HAVE to go. 
So when I got home I packed everything I would need, froze some water and layed out my gym gear all ready to go. There were now no more excuses, I was doing this thing.  


(this is my son's small contribution to my post)  m u   '''''''''''n ll

I got up this morning and swiftly got myself out the door and I arrived there 40 minutes early for a warm up and stretch. Then the other girls rocked up and I went over and introduced myself. EASY AS! Everyone was lovely, friendly and just as pumped as me :) YIPPEE! 

We all had a quick warm up and a quick getting to know you chat and then we were off down the 242 odd steps of Jacobs ladder then a 1km run up the road to Kokoda Track steps http://www.bgpa.wa.gov.au/kings-park/walks/kokoda-track which was STEEP and I would say harder than Jacobs ladder! 
Then we did a fast walk back to Jacobs from Kokoda and I proceeded to stomp my way down then up, down then up, down then UP!  To be honest I probably could have pushed myself to do one more but I figured it was really becoming stinking hot outside plus it was my 1st time. Next time I will up the ante. 
I did not expect it to be so busy. I couldn't believe how many different people were there all doing the same as us. I love to people watch but taking my eyes off my feet was a challenge in itself because my feet are so big and the steps are sooooo small! I am not a fan of stairs anyway and I also had to deal with being a little off balance the whole time. I don't know that I will be running it anytime soon. Maybe 'one day' 

My current kms are now 375.8kms 

Gas Bag

I went to the pools late last night. I had already planned for my water walking session earlier in my day. I am really finding all my planning works wonders for actually accomplishing my daily workouts. Even though yesterday was one of those days where I could have easily come up with 3 good excuses ( in my mind they were excellent reasons ) to not go at all. I struggled with it for ages until hubby texted me he was on his way home and at that point I pulled on my bathers that I had layer out earlier in the day and got myself ready. I even motivated myself by saying I will stop and grab a bottle of wine for later :)
Anyway I got out the door and into the car making sure I had my purse with me for the 'incentive' along the way. But then suddenly I thought oh its 5 to 8pm and I said I would do an hour... I don't have time for detours, I will go straight to the pool and do my hour. I was so proud of myself!

At the pool I loved every minute. I only wish I could have some waterproof earphones so I can listen to music. In the next lane of the girls talked SO much and I was pretty sure she would pass out from lack of air. Take a breathe woman! lol She must have been powering herself with hot air. I talk a lot but she even impressed me. I did feel sorry for her friend who only managed a nod in agreement every now and then :)
So yes some music would be lovely and I may google waterproof headphones or similar. Unless you have a suggestion?

I did my hour of walking and was really happy I did it. Tomorrow will be a day of rest for my body plus it is very hot outside today and whatever I do will have to include my sons. I don't fancy taking them out in the heat. Tomorrow I will be going for another nice solid run.

Keep moving everyone and have a nice day/night.

My weight under the microscope

These are my personal weigh in's I have done each week at Weight Watchers.  Of course life happens sometimes and I have missed a few odd weeks plus I actually started on the 23rd August @ 91.7kgs. As you can see when I started I was on a roll and kept loosing every week. I did not gain a single ounce.... until the 6th of December when I got back from a trip to Bali (my 1st time there) and had that massive +1.2kg oopsie daisy. I had no intentions of going to Bali and thinking about what I ate or drank. I so needed that kid free holiday with a couple of great girlfriends after nearly 3.5 years of being a full time stay at home mum to my two gorgeous sons :) 

I pulled myself together straight away and lost 1.1kgs the next week. This only took me about three 1 hour sessions of running/walking in the pool and eating fairly well ( I did not give up alcohol ) So yay for all my success! 

Hmmmm then Christmas happened. I was SO sure I was going to be ok throughout Christmas but alas I was not. I did not exercise like I should have (or at all really) and I totally lost the plot when it came to clean eating. So hello to my +1.6kg weight gain over Christmas *gasp* 

Once again I pulled my head in and did an hour of exercise everyday bar one because life happened on that day and I was unable to get out but I did some some crunches and leg raises. As you can see by last nights weigh in I lost a HUGE 1.4kgs!! To say I was pleased would be a massive understatement. To say I am over the moon, feel fantastic and driven toward another big number kg loss? YES! YES! YES!

And you should all say "I'll have what she is having" because even I know I did awesome this week :)

So feast your eyes on my real numbers as of the 23rd August 2011 to date and don't get down on yourself for the smaller losses. Seriously, 250 grams is like the size of a small tub of margarine and that's NOT to be sniffed at! Rome was not built in a day and 250grams over a period of 8 weeks is 2kgs! 

Drink loads of water, eat as clean as you can, cut down your normal alcohol intake and make a plan to include an hour of cardio exercise everyday. Include stretching and don't kill yourself doing the exercise, take it easy if you have to. As long as your doing some activity for an hour daily and include one day of low intensity so you can rest up a bit :) 


If you do all that, I'm pretty sure you will see big results too! Let me know how you go? Good luck

12 week challenges galore!

The newest crazy in weight loss seems to be 12 week challenges and yup you guessed it I'm jumping on the wagon! Not for just one but TWO challenges running at the same time. I am a sucker for punishment but also I really want to succeed this year in my weight loss and fitness journey.

I love the forums for my 2 challenges because the people are so inspirational and motivating. On one forum in particular people invite others in the group along to public workout challenges and events within your area. So I decided to join in on one coming up to do Jacobs Ladder. Now I have no idea if we are running up it/down it or if its just a fast paced walk but I will be there :) I am helping out the night before with my nieces 13th birthday slumber party which should be fun!  Hopefully I will get an early night so I'm ready to  rock Jacobs Ladder. I love the motivation and friendships that seem to develop from our one common goal.

Well I hope I am successful with both of my challenges and that they will help to keep me motivated through the hotter summer months that we are about to enter. I certainly feel pumped and have so far kept my goal of doing an hour of exercise everyday!

I got my sons some takeaway for lunch today and decided not to even have the healthy option because I have perfectly good clean food in the fridge at home. I had to feed them as they were hungry and there was still the walk home. But I could and did wait.

So my updated total of kms to go for 2012 is
382.6kms

Keep up the exercise people and if you need to join a 12 week challenge to keep you motivated DO IT! If you can't afford to pay for one then set one up in your area.

INSPIRE AND BE INSPIRED!

Planning

'Failing to plan is planning to fail' 

I just read this in a health magazine I got recently. By the way they are way better to read than goss magazines full of ads. Very inspiring!

So anyway in regards to planning I actually made one. I went to the 'notes' section on my iPhone and wrote my plan for today from the minute I woke up until just after lunch. It went something like this...

Plan
Just say yes to the kids more today!
Let them fight :)
Get up 7.30am and shower
Brekkie 8am
Walk 8.30am-9.30am
Morning Tea 10am

Kids play outside until lunchtime, I do the dishes and washing

Prepare lunch 11.30am
Lunch 11.45am

Movie after lunch until 12.30pm
Bed 12.45pm

Wake the boys up at 2.30pm

Afternoon, play doe, drawing, put bedspreads on the beds

Cook dinner 4-4.30pm

Dinner 5pm

Bath/Teeth 6pm

Bed 7pm (WOOHOO)

Me sit ups and leg raises for 3 sets of 20 each

Dinner 8pm

Vege out on the couch after that!

As you can see, my whole day revolves around the boys and what they need for the day. I planned my day with my walk 1st thing so that I knew it would get done. There would be no side distractions. Get it done and then I can get on with my day before it gets too hot.
The boys were happy to sit in the double pram whilst I went for a walk and when we were half way I let them play at the park for 20-30 minutes. Getting them back in the pram wasn't to tricky because I communicate to them beforehand that this is a quick play and we won't be staying very long. They understand more than we think they do. I also let them know as we are leaving the house that this outing is a pram outing and that it is for Mummy to have her exercise. This way they know its about me and to not expect a walk home as my older son normally likes to walk home on their outings and the younger one stays in the pram.

I should explain that 1st bit about 'let them fight' and 'Just say yes'
I find my days more stressful when I am constantly yelling at the boys to stop fighting over this or that and I say 'no' a LOT! So by including these in my plan reminds me that I should where possible let them sort out some of their own grievances. Plus saying yes more often results in happier EVERYONE!
I won't be spoilling them but sometimes saying "NO" can become a bit of a habit and you later think "hmmm they really could have done/had that why did I make a big deal and say no?"

So far the plan has worked well and the best thing about it is my 1 hour of exercise is done AND I added the boys weight in a double pram!

I'm feeling organised and ready for tomorrows plan!

Keep moving and drink some water. No really, lunge your way into the kitchen right now and have a drink of water :)

My Goals for 2012

Happy New Year!

I hope you all had a lovely new year and of course a fun filled Christmas. Now its all over and we are back to reality of work, normal food, exercise.... Um yes my exercise seems to have taken a holiday over the Christmas break and I have reached for a few too many naughty foods that I could well have done without!

I am rectifying all that as of now and getting my mind in the right place again. A few runs will fix that right up!

Okay so this year I have a fun goal...

*Run 400kms by the end of this year. It is something I CAN accomplish and it will keep me running each week so I can mark down my weekly kms completed :)

*To have lost 8-10kgs by May this year

*And to plan my exercise week so that I know what I will be doing each week and when/how I will accomplish it

*Eat well (this always falls into place for me when I am really exercising)

Today I had my 1st run of the year and it HURT. I got nasty stitches in my side plus my mind and body fought me the whole way. I took a different route because I knew it would not be my normal distance and I needed something different to look at. I included a few hills which was STUPID because I had to stop as I couldn't breathe anymore haha Whatever the case and my hurdles, I did it and I was incredibly glad I did.

My back up plan is I may have to invest in a treadmill in November if I have many kms to go. I can run whilst watching my favourite TV shows :)

I will write down the bottom of my page how many kms I have left at the end of each week, feel free to join me

So as of today I can say I only have 397kms to go!