I'm ba-aack!!

Well I’m back from my trip into North Queensland. The weather was just lovely… no rain in sight. I got in fairly late on Tuesday night, and then had trouble sleeping (as I always do the first night).

Set my alarm for 5.20am for Wednesday morning, got up, got dressed for my jog, shoes on, looked out the window… bummer… still dark outside!! Not sure what I was thinking really by getting up so early (habit I guess) Anyway, since I didn’t totally know where I was going, I decided that I needed to wait until it got at least a little brighter outside. So I did my ironing!! Finally managed to get out at about 6am, walked to the Esplanade and jogged from there. Quite happy to say that I beat my previous time of 33 minutes, did it in 30 minutes. I’m surprised at that though, because I had to change my route slightly as they are doing some construction on the footpath at the moment, and I had to veer onto the road at one point, and onto the grass. I even slowed to a walk for a minute cos I developed a stitch. Then I nearly choked on a few bugs that flew into my mouth - d’oh! And I still beat my time. Think its cos I had my ipod with me, and I was able to use my jogging playlist to get me into a rhythm and up to a certain speed (slow that it is).

It was a lovely sight though - just watching the sun come up over the mountains… jogging along the ocean, warm weather, lots of other people out walking their dogs and jogging too - what a great way to start the day!

I had to start work at 6.30 on Thursday morning, so no chance to attempt to better my jogging time - next time I guess. Just as well though - I had 3 hours sleep! My hotel was across the road from a backpackers, and they were yahooing up and down the street all night! Grrrr - some people!!!!

On Wednesday afternoon I met Hilde - it was so nice to meet her! We had a coffee and talked about everything… fitness, photos, spray tans, weight training… she has some fantastic ‘after’ photos, and it was such a buzz to meet someone with similar interests too!

After my chat with Hilde I have decided that I need to set myself a new set of goals… and a new deadline. For the last couple of weeks I have been sort of aimlessly wandering, with no particular fitness goal in mind. This is causing me to be not-so-strict when it comes to my nutrition. So I’m going to have a think about it for the next couple of days what I want to achieve, and use this blog as my “accountability journal”.

So back to the gym this morning - I had to cram in chest, biceps and triceps into one workout today - then I jogged 3km. My little border collie is hopping around on 3 legs today, so no walkies for the dogs this weekend!! I'm not sure what it is - poor little baby, but I think it seems to be her back paw. Will have to watch her closely and see if it improves. Poor puppies will howl when they see me go out for a walk without them!

Its the start of another long weekend for Queenslanders... labour day holiday on Monday. Then I'm off to Canberra on Friday for another long weekend (and I'll be meeting Bel and Ali) - how cool is that? I could live with having a long weekend every week... dream on, huh?

So thats about it for my little adventures. Off now to read what everyone else has been up to!

Heather Green...

How is this for a hot body - Heather Green - 2005 Ms Bikini America. AND... she's had two kids! My BF thinks her arms, particularly her shoulders are too big - huh - men are just so fussy! I think she looks pretty damn amazing.

Well I'm about to be off to the airport... Cairns here I come! I've heard that its finally stopped raining, so fingers crossed I'll be out jogging tomorrow morning. Last time I jogged the esplanade (5km) in about 33 minutes... I'm aiming to beat that!

While I'm there I get to meet one of Sue's clients - Hilde! Cant wait!!

I fly back home on Thursday night, so I probably wont be back here until Friday at the earliest. Have a great week everyone!

Crappy weekend

I'm not having the best weekend here, things just keep getting me down. I havent done any exercise this weekend and I dont think that helps either.

I think I'm just going to have to write this week off as a bad emotional week, and start afresh tomorrow.

I went looking for "New You" magazine on Friday - I went to 4 newsagents and none of them had it yet. One woman behind the counter looked at me like I had two heads when I asked if they had it. Anyway, seems that although the publication date was the 21st of April, we are a bit slow in Brisbane and probably wont get it until next week sometime. (That from the one newsagent who was helpful and had heard of it) I just wanted to see myself in print!!!

Now I'm going to Cairns on Tuesday night, and I've heard that it hasn't stopped raining there since the first cyclone (Larry) - so that probably puts an end to the 'jogging along the Esplanade' plan. Next thought is that I'm going to have to run up and down the stairwell a few times. I've never done this before, and the thought of it is kinda spooky actually. Other than that its going to have to be pushups, dips and ab-work in my hotel room!

So this week coming I've only got two days at my normal office, and then the following week is only 3 days (Labour day holiday and then I've got the friday off as we're going to Canberra!!) and the week after that I've got a weeks holidays!!!! Now thats something to look forward to!

Time to do a big cook up (even though I wont be here - Scott has taken to eating the same lunches as me) and do some of my dreaded ironing.

Positive thinking

Naawwww arent these just the cutest?!!

I'm feeling much better and more positive today - Thanks everyone for their lovely comments... you guys make my day! I think I'm just going through a few days at work that have been less than positive - it just gets you down sometimes. Thankfully the sore throat disappeared after a day - so yay - hopefully I've avoided the bug!

I got up on Wednesday morning thinking "man I really HATE leg day" and then I had to keep changing it to "I sooo LOVE leg day!!" because I hate it when I get negative thoughts. But I just wasn't in the mood, and kept catching myself being negative. Of course I still went and did my workout, all the while telling myself that I just LOVE leg day (but still not really believing myself). Not sure if it worked. I've been a bit lacking in energy this week, so that didn't help. Mind you, I couldn't sleep last night because both my quads and hammies were aching like you wouldn't believe. They're sore today, but I'm not crippled. Oh well.

Now that the weather is turning a little cooler I'm having a bit more trouble getting out of bed. I'm like - nooooo just 5 more minutes sleep!!!! Thankfully I have set my alarm clock a full 5 minutes fast, so I lie in bed thinking "its 5.15am - I have got to get out of bed" and then when I get up and get dressed and look at the clock in the bathroom, its still 5.15!! Clever huh?!!! :-)~ Luckily I'm not smart enough to figure out that 5 minute difference while I'm still in bed (cos I'm still 75% asleep at the time!) The things we do!

I found out yesterday that I have to go to Cairns next Tuesday night for work (yes I have to give up part of my public holiday) for two days, and I'll be in a hotel with no gym, and I'll have no car!! So - jogging along the esplanade it's going to have to be!

I've got a bit more travel on the horizon too - I'm having a weekend in Canberra in a couple of weeks time to visit my brother and his little family, and where I shall be meeting Bel, who was my first successful mentoree with Sue - cant wait!! Then in June I'm going to be somewhere in Victoria (the place is yet to be decided) for two weeks helping out one of our branches when we go-live with our new computer system. Yes I get to experience Winter in Victoria again - love it!

Time to go visit some blogs!

Back to work

Back to work and back into my routine, trained this morning but had to do my back workout in reverse order, because someone was already using the lat pulldown. This always throws me - I never feel like I'm lifting to full potential when I cant start where I want to!!

I'm feeling a bit down this afternoon. Sort of deflated and sad. Nothing specific, just one of those "girl" things I think. I have a job where I have to train people on new processes, and it usually requires me to be "up" and cheery - even when you're facing constant negativity. Sometimes it takes its toll and I need some down time. Anyway I guess we all have days like that!!

I woke up with a sore throat this morning.... I am not getting sick!! See, the power of positive thinking!! I'm dosing up on all things herbal, Echinacea, Garlic, a herbal tonic, lots of fresh veges, so that should see me right. There seems to be a few nasty bugs going around at the moment, so I'm trying my best to avoid them.

Anyway, not much to report today! I probably should go feed the animals!

Happy Easter!

Hope everyone is having a fabulous weekend, and enjoying those chocolates and hot cross buns in moderation of course!!

I've had a fun day today... took the dogs for a biiiiig walk this morning, then came home and cleaned all the windows inside and out, vacuumed, cleaned the house, washed the car, baked a cake (for Scott, not me!!) and now I'm halfway through doing my nails!

Noooo chocolate for me today... I'm being good. I just keep forgetting to drink all my water when I'm not at work.

Hope everyone enjoys the rest of their weekend!

Good Friday

So much for plans to sleep in! No such luck this morning. Stayed up last night to watch the Brisbane Lions get thrashed by St Kilda... very frustrating for a Lions supporter! I didnt even watch it all the way through - switched it off in disgust at the beginning of the final quarter (and it was after 11pm anyway, which is very late for me). Scott had already gone to bed sick, and he was coughing half the night too, poor thing.

Woke up at my usual time of 5am!! Grrrr. Dozed on and off till about 7, then got up and took the puppies for a MEGA walk. I took a different route today in order to get more hills in (its super hilly where I live) and Shavez (the boy) was so excited that he had to stop at every tree to have a sniff and a raise of his leg!! I've got a sore hand from pulling on the lead to make him hurry up! Then for Elke's turn she decided that it was a race up the hills, and my heart rate was up to 176bpm trying to keep up. Feels good to have gotten it out of the way though.

Had a lovely leisurely breakfast of an egg white omlette and wholemeal toast (a nice break from my oats and protein powder - but much more filling) and now I'm getting stuck into the housework. Everytime I read Em's blog I feel like I should be cleaning the house! So washing is half done, floors mopped, now its time for a break on the computer. You cant rush these things!!

Hope everyone is having a lovely day.

Sore legs and muscle cramps

Yay its Thursday night and its the start of 4 days off!!!! Yippeee!

Ooooh I'm still so sore today from my fabulous leg workout on Tuesday... I'm hobbling around, getting up out of chairs involves me using my arms to hoist myself out of the seat! Love it! My quads arent too bad, the real soreness is coming from my hamstrings.

Having said I love that muscle soreness, it does have its downside... which I found out today. I did my tricep/calf workout this morning (as the gym is closed tomorrow) and I had some bad cramping in my right calf muscle when doing seated calf raises. I kept getting up to stretch, but as soon as I lifted again it cramped like crazy. So I had to drop the weight right back so that I could do it at all, and didn't really get a workout. When it was cramping it went right up from my calf up to my hamstring, so I think perhaps my sore hammies prevented me from doing my best. I've read that magnesium can help with muscle cramps, but I wonder if it had anything to do with my hamstring fatigue. Does anyone have any thoughts on this? I have never cramped DURING a training session before.

At work today I had a little mini easter egg, and it really just didn't taste like anything great. So then I had 3 more just to make sure!!! heeheehee! I cant believe I'm saying it, but chocolate just didn't do anything for me today. Maybe tomorrow will be different! lol!

I need a sleep in...

Had a terrible nights sleep last night. Just couldn't get comfortable, kept getting too hot, then too cold... then there was a noise outside so Scott jumped up to look out the window... why does this always happen on a Sunday night when there's no chance of a sleep in?

Seriously did NOT want to get up and go to gym this morning, even tried to talk myself out of it. But good old habit kicked in. I got there 5 minutes late, but I got there and had a pretty good back/shoulder workout. Gotta love these habits!

I didn't do any exercise on the weekend! I seriously meant to take the dogs for a big walk (poor puppies have been a bit neglected lately cos of the rain) but I was HUNG OVER on Sunday morning and just couldnt do it!! Had half a bottle of wine on Saturday night with my friend and boy was I feeling it! Bleugh.

Bella and Jadey - I wish I knew the name of that hotel in Santorini, I would go and book my holiday right now! I've got some more photos of this place though - will try to post a few more. Jehanne those choc chip hot cross buns are just toooooo tempting!!

Thanks girls for your vote of confidence re my eating blunders! The problem is, once I have sugar, I just start to want it more and more! Thats why I need to stay away, and once I slip up I start to want to nibble more sugar!

Need to get an early night tonight - tomorrow is leg day and I need all the energy I can muster!!

'Night!

I wanna go to Santorini!

How's this for a holiday destination? Hmmmm I could sit and dream looking at this photo all day!

My bi's and tri's are screaming at me today... love it! Had the best tricep and calf workout yesterday, and there was no way I could blow off my calf session, cos it was half of the entire workout! So I'm hobbling around a bit today.

Was a bit naughty and had a hot cross bun for meal 2 yesterday (with a protein shake). Had planned to have a diet yoghurt, but gee, that hot cross bun was just there. Man its so easy to fall back into old habits... then we had takeaway for dinner - Aaaauughhh!

Anyway, still training hard, so hopefully I havent done too much damage. Scale weight actually dropped a bit this week, but I want to be careful. It took me 12 weeks of hard work to lose 3 kilos, and there is no way in hell that I'm going to put them back on again!

Danger time for me is when I'm in the house alone - which I am now, so I'm now going to spend time reading everyones blogs to keep me focused.

We're having dinner with a friend of mine tonight - I'll get to see her 11 week old baby, the first time I'll have seen him since he was born!

Jogging again!

I'm having some computer problems at the moment. We had a big storm here in Brisbane the other night, and since then my ADSL connection is erratic. I seem to be able to connect in the mornings but not in the evenings! Was on the phone to my ISP last night, rang them 4 times and still couldn't find the cause, and now this morning I've been able to connect straight away! Grrrrr.

Anyway - happy to say that I'm jogging again! Yay! Its been about 3 weeks since I've been able to jog at all... so yesterday when I managed to jog for 20 minutes at 9km/hour, well I thought, thats not too bad! Its funny how quickly you lose your jogging stamina, even though I've been killing myself on the elliptical, its just not the same I guess. No knee pain (I think that my stretching and massaging of my quads and the muscles around the knee have been helping) so now there is no excuse for me not to improve on my jogging time and pace!

Its been inspiring for me to read Beki's and Selina's blogs, they're doing what I want to do - all that running training!!

Well back into the gym full on this week. I had an awesome back session on Mondays, can still feel those lats hurting, so it must have been good! I tried a new approach, something that I read on a Tom Venuto website I think, where you play with the tempo. I do sets of increasing weight but decreasing reps, then on the last two sets I drop the weight back to the starting weight and do 10 slow reps, then 8 fast reps straight away. It really gets your heart rate up, and the fact that there's no pause between the last two sets means you are really burning at the end. Its good to mix around these different techniques, makes the workouts more interesting.

Anyway, I must finish getting ready for work or I'm going to be laaaaate!

Massage...

One of the photos taken this morning and submitted to the magazine. This is me and Miss Elke - what a poser! (her, not me!!)

Thanks everyone for your comments on the magazine news...! I'm still very excited. Sue, they are going to use the original story, but use some updated pics.

Well I went and had my massage today, it was a package that was given to me as a birthday present back in January, and I used it today as my reward for finishing my 2nd challenge. It included a back massage and facial, and a foot scrub. Found out that I actually have quite dry skin on my face - found it hard to believe after all the water I drink!!

Photos got taken this morning... its just weird having all these photos done! I got a whole heap done in our gym room too - one of me doing dumbell flyes, and I kept saying to Scott "hurry up... take the photo" cos I had to hold the position and wait for him to take it! Feel like I got a workout in, and all I did was hold the weights! And its really hard to get our puppies to stand still long enough to take a picture with them! I wanted to submit some photos with both Elke and Shavez, as they are my afternoon training partners after all!

Back into training tomorrow - cant wait!! I hope to have very sore muscles when next I post! Happy training everyone!

Hil