Big week

So I've had quite a big week this week. Starting the challenge, starting a new diet/exercise regime, being sick and having a friend up for a visit. The first few days were ok. Getting into the diet was much easier when I was in the routine of work. I lost 1.1 on Friday when I headed in for a training session.

Friday was... impossible. I don't know if I can put into words what a struggle it was. Everywhere I turned there was someone eating icecream, or chocolate. I was tired, and hungry. Lunch was an ordeal. I wanted grilled fish, no potatoes, with salad. The waiter wouldn't let me do it. I had to order the salad separately. It came out loaded with oily dressing. Kez sent it back. Had to pick the best thing out of food court menu for a snack in the arvo. I chose the natural yoghurt with berries. It was actually a really tough decision, because I didn't think fruit would be filling enough. And I drank epic loads of coffee. Which was good cuz we used it as an excuse to sit down and watch the slappers, hotties and druggies of Kings Cross go by. I was exhausted by the end of it. Considering that was at 2 am, there's no real surprise there. I estimated that I walked 7-9km during the day, on top of training in the morning.

Next day, being yesterday, we headed out to Jenolan Caves. I seriously heart that place. It was slightly easier to diet there. I picked up a noice salad before we left, and took up some tuna with me. Plenty of fruit and water too. And several naps in the car. We did 2 tours, and a 'little' bushwalk. By little, I mean it was not a lengthy duration, and it was on a path. But that path was all stairs mofo. Up. All the freaking way.

Today I headed back towards the gym. In the past 2 days I'd dropped another kg. A full kg. That's 2.1kg in a week. No wonder I'm bloody tired! It was a good effort, especially since I'm heading away tomorrow and no knowing how I'll be there. But I really couldn't keep up loss like that for 12 weeks.

So. Official weigh in 80.3kg.

First Seminar

So today I had my first group seminar with the challenge. It was ok. I've studied nutrition at uni, so the basic introduction they gave us was a bit boring. But it was good to learn a few tips which will help with the diet.

A few moments of laughter. At people, not with them, which is so much more satisfying. One guy asked if he should give up coffee. When asked how many he had per day, and how many sugars, he replied 'three with three'. FARK. 9 sugars a day. What a waste of kilojoules! When told he should cut down, he asked 'can I have a caramel latte instead?' Fail.

The trainer was going through the signs of overtraining. He mentioned that it can interfere with a 'woman's cycle'. There were boys in the room. Then he mentioned something about a decrease in a mans libido. One guy asked if that was the thing on top of his kidneys. Um, no. That's your adrenal glands. Then someone told him what it was, and the comment echoed around the room - 'sex drive? I got no problems with my sex drive. My sex drive is really high. Really high'. I wonder if that's cuz he can't get any.

Adjusting to a new diet on a weekend is a bitch. I do have to eat a hell of a lot more earlier in the day to compensate for the fact that I use more energy earlier. I gave myself a headache on Saturday; was ok (just a little flat and tired) yesterday; and coped really well today. Its easier to adjust when you have a routine to keep you occupied.

Tomorrow I have lunch with the CEO of my company. Bugger. He's taking our whole department out to get to know us. And I'm gonna be the girl who refuses to eat anything but water. *sigh* I'm going to give it a go. Lunch is a little earlier than I'm used to eating, so I can easily resist the temptation, and have my tuna and vita weats afterwards. We'll see how it goes.

It begins...

Well, it has started. THE 12 Week Challenge. Weigh in, photos and measurements today. Weight was 82.4. Up a fraction on last week, but I'm still happy with it. When my account is all finalised online, I'll grab the measurements and post them here.

I've been so psyched to do this. Over the past 2 weeks I've been getting ready. I bought heaps of meat (chicken, kangaroo, fish, beef) and weighed it all out into 100g bags. Some of it got chopped up and marinated with herbs/sauces. So they're all ready to go. I made a playlist on my mp3 player that I never use. For running when the gym music is a bit dodgy. And I've wanted to listen to it ever since I made it. Been dying to listen to it, but I refuse.

I was so excited to start the challenge this morning, that I woke up at 6:30, wondering if it was time for me to get up and start my day. Being measured was an interesting experience. I'm very ticklish. When she was measuring my belly with the calipers, I was giggling, then she'd giggle, then I'd giggle some more. Then I'd relax (cuz you need to be to have the measurements done properly), and then she'd accidentally wiggle the calipers, and I'd be off again. They also took blood pressure (mine was a bit high) and heart rate. My resting heart rate is 60! A year ago, when I initially joined the gym, it was 90.

I had a session with Simon today. Then on to cardio machines (playlist rocks) for 10 more minutes running, and some cross trainer action. Then a cool down. I'm doing 2 sessions with him a week for the duration of the challenge.

Then I hit the shops. Needed laundry liquid to wash mah clothes. And I realised, just how tough this challenge was going to be. Normally, when I leave the gym on weekends, I have a boost smoothie and a grilled meat/vege wrap of some description. Not anymore. Normally where I'd head down the choccie isle, for a peruse (I very rarely buy), I had to remind myself not to. Walking past the bread - 'Can't buy that anymore'. Cherry Ripes on special? Nup, cannot has. Light and Tasty cereal? Forget it. Going to stick with my muesli. I was really struck by all these things that I can't even look at. Its called a challenge for a good reason.

From now on, this blog will be a pretty much daily record of how I'm going. I'll try not to do exercise regimes/food consumption posts, its more for things I find challenging and the rewards that will get me through on the tough days.

A year on...

So its been a year since I joined the gym. I remember my inital goal was to lose 15kg by new year. I have lost 13. 7kg in that time. I'm still happy with that result.

I can run now. Both fast sprints and sustained jogs.

I have bones. And muscle.

I continue to buy fucking white shirts, and dye my hair red. Which results in pink stains all over the neckline of the shirt.

And I have just joined a 12 week challenge at my gym. Its through all of the franchise throughout Aus. I am aiming for national prize. I don't care about the money. I want the satisfaction of doing it. Its gonna be sooo tough. I'm going to train more often. Probably twice a week. And really, really watch my diet.

Rough meal plan:
1 cup museli for brekky. With skim milk and berries/banana/shredded apple.
tub low fat yoghurt for snack
tuna and vita wheats for lunch.
apple when I leave work
vita wheats with a small amount cheese/lf philly (pre gym)
100-150g lean meat with salad or fresh/steamed veges.
tub yoghurt/bit of fruit if still hungy.
2 squares chocolate as a reward if I get through the day.

Challenge starts in a week. Game on!

I've got a new fave number...

101kg.

I'm sure I'll stop smiling soon.