Wednesday, 29 February 2012

It's been ten days..

... and they've been full of ups and downs!!

I weighed in last Wednesday, and it was a wonderful number. This Wednesday, not so good... I spent a weekend by the beach (Torquay, in Victoria) with family. My mum had organised the weekend for all the women in her family. My Gran has two sisters, and they're all in their 80s. Because of their age, and their various ailments, they are lucky to see each other once every two years. Mum decided to organise a weekend getaway for the three sisters, all their daughters and all their granddaughters, close to where Aunty Dot (the oldest and most frail) lives, so that she could come down for an afternoon.

Needless to say, with an average of 12 women in a room at a time, all cooped up inside as it was over 35 degrees the entire time and we needed the air-con... it was soo noisy!! There were endless platters of cold meats, cheese, bread, lollies, chocolates, homemade slices, biscuits, cut up veggies, dips, crackers.... and alcohol. Loads of alcohol!

I managed to graze quite successfully - every time I wanted something I waited a few minutes before I ate it. I did catch myself mindlessly reaching for food quite often, but I did stop myself more than I usually would have. Because of the heat, I drank like a fish - both soft drink AND water (we didn't have that much bottled water and the tap water tasted funny so I didn't want to risk it), but stayed away from most alcohol. I didn't count calories much, which was weird, and I know I used more than half of my usual daily allowance in drinks alone.

I had the most amazing time! There were people there I'd never met, people I met when I was very young, and some people that I see all the time. There was always someone laughing, people having conversations with other people that they haven't spoken to in ages, and generally everyone enjoyed themselves. I was sad that I had to leave early (Saturday night) as I had a teacher's meeting for calisthenics early Sunday morning..

I was really looking forward to the meeting - Jason Coleman (Judge from So You Think You Can Dance) was a guest speaker and all the coaches were really excited about it. It turned out to be a flop - he spent an hour promoting his new business venture, instead of talking about choreography like he was supposed to. I would have rather stayed at the beach house, talking, laughing and reminiscing with my family.

I weighed in this morning with the full effects of my weekend of yummy cheese and no exercise weighing heavily in my tummy, and my conscience. I was up just over a kilo, but I know that with a week of cleaner eating, solid exercise, and lots of water, I can undo that damage and continue on my journey to a healthier, happier life.

On a brighter note, the BF came to work and had lunch with me today. I really felt the love, and was so excited for the hour before he came, and was on cloud nine for the rest of the afternoon!!

Sunday, 19 February 2012

February 19.... What a difference a year makes!

February 19, 2011.

A group of girls from calisthenics decided we'd form 'Bike Club', where we'd get together and go for bike rides around the local area. Saturday, February 19, 2011 was the day of our first ride. Ash has plotted the course, Mel had organised the baby seat for baby J, and I had put together my new bike (a chrissy present from Mum and Dad). We met at my place, at 9:30 in the morning. I had something at Mum's place at 1:30, and thought 4 hours was plenty of time to get through the 25km that Ash had planned.

We set off. Riding a bike was harder than I remembered. Not harder, exactly, but a lot more bloody effort was required than I remembered from my carefree days as a kid. I reckon it'd been about 15 years since I rode, and I was never awesome at it, but we rode a lot on the weekends around the streets. After about 10 minutes, I was exhausted. I was breathing ridiculously heavily, my legs were burning, my heart was racing, I was sweating like a pig, my legs were burning. I told the girls to go ahead, and I would catch up. I couldn't believe that I was so unfit.

We rode for about 4kms, with the girls stopping every km or so and waiting for me to catch up. I felt absolutely awful, but determined to succeed. I couldn't believe that Mel, who had a baby on the back of her bike, wasn't struggling. I was seriously struggling to catch my breath each time we stopped. I was fighting with my thoughts - my mind was constantly telling me to give up and turn around. Each time I caught up though, and opened my mouth to let the girls know that I was turning around, one of them encouraged me, and I felt that I couldn't give up.

We stopped at the 8km mark, where Ash brought out the muesli bars and informed us that we were halfway. I decided I would turn around, but she talked me out of it. We had taken more than an hour to get there, and I wanted to die. I was feeling faint, my vision was blurry, and I was sweating more than a person should. After about 10 minutes, we got on our bikes and continued on our merry way.

I didn't think it was possible, but I got slower. It took us a further two hours to go the next 10km. There were a couple of hills, but it was mostly flat. We got about 5km from home, and I just couldn't do it any more. I knew that I wouldn't have enough time to get back home at the pace we were going, to get back to Mum's in time. Mel had a bike rack on her car, so she and Ash said they'd hurry home, and then drive back to pick me up. I sat on the side of the road, feeling like a fat failure for almost 45 minutes. The girls got back, we put the bike on the back, and we drove back to my place. The whole time, they both were very positive about how far I'd gone, how much I'd done, and how much better we were going to be next time. I was so disappointed - 25kms seemed like an easy feat, but once we got into it, it was impossible.

The next week, we went again. We went a different way though, past a service station. We looked at my tyre pressure, and it was 11psi. I know nothing about psi, but my tyres said they should be on 35psi. We all had a massive laugh when we realised I had been riding on flat tyres the week before, and that was probably why I was having such a hard time. Well... the tyres got pumped up, and I felt like I was riding on air. We did about 10km that day, in about an hour and a half - still stopping at times for me to catch up, but definitely an improvement.

Over the next few months, I trained. My brother, a keen cyclist, upgraded his bike and gifted me his old one for my birthday in May. I live right on the bike track so headed out 3-4 times a week for that infamous 8km (16km round trip) section - each time, I 'checked in' on Facebook on my phone once I got to the muesli bar spot. I had named it 'The Place Where Kelly Wanted To Die At The First Bike Club Meeting', and all my Facebook friends found out when I had been riding. My time progressively decreased as my fitness got better. The new bike was awesome - it had a much wider gear range, thinner tyres, and felt good under my bum. I developed callouses on my butt cheeks. My tail bone got over it's bruising from the first ride and I began to get my rhythm and gear changes sorted as I got to know the trail.

Then, I saw ads for a ride along Eastlink - a toll road that the bike track runs alongside. The road would be closed to motorists for the day, and we could ride the entire length (75km round trip) or half (35km round trip) to raise money for charity. My brother dared me to sign up for the 35km ride. He would be overseas at the time (riding from Spain to Germany at approx 100km a day...) so couldn't join me, but he wanted me to do it. Ash and her boyfriend signed up as well.

So, on November 13, we got our bikes on the train to the start line, lined up, and rode 35km along a lovely section of freeway, which ended in two gigantic tunnels - a nice downhill followed by a ridiculous uphill... TWICE. I set myself a time limit of two hours - it was definitely a challenge, but I finished in 1:54. I had to walk out of the last tunnel because my legs were just jelly, but as soon as I was out of the tunnel I jumped back on and rode the 500m to the finish, with tears streaming down my very red, sweaty face.

Over summer, I took up the C25K program, got more into the gym/treadmill/cardio, and sort of forgot about my bike. You might recall my post from a last week where I took the old bike for a spin again, and loved it. Today, I realised that it was February 19, so I wanted to relive the horror that was 12 months ago.

February 19, 2012.

The sun was shining, the birds were chirping, and I've spent most of the day in bed catching up on reading, TV shows that I've downloaded, and surfing the Net. I was looking back on the old Facebook page we had created for Bike Club, and realised that we had ridden on this day last year for the first time. It was 5:30pm, and I thought to myself, "Why not? See what you can do..." I put my leggings and tank on, cranked up the HRM and set off.

I flew. I really, really flew. I got to the spot, checked my watch, and saw 22:30. Twenty-two and a half minutes for 8km that a year ago took me over an hour. I set myself a challenge. I would turn around and go home, then turn around and come back and see if I could make it in an hour. I didn't check my watch. I focussed on riding to the beat of the music playing in my ears. I focussed on pushing my legs that little bit harder, on keeping my heart rate up, on breathing steadily. I focussed on how great it felt to be riding, feeling that burn, but not wanting to die. On wanting to keep going and prove to myself that I CAN DO IT.

I got back to the spot, the 24km mark, and glanced at my watch. 1:01:30. I had missed my goal by a minute and a half. I actually didn't give a toss. I grinned, turned around and headed for home. Only another 8km to go.

I think I smiled for the entire 8km. I even sang along to the tunes... which must have been ridiculous to any pedestrians or people whose backyards run along the track. I don't sing well. I don't know all the words. And you know what? I don't care what people think of me any more. Let them think I'm a crazy person... I'm a crazy person who just did what 12 months ago was impossible.

I finished the 33.44km ride in just under 90 minutes. That's almost half an hour off my 35km time in November, and I haven't even been training on the bike since I finished that ride.

My first ride, 12 months ago? 6.5km/h.
Today? 22km/h.

What a difference a year makes.

Saturday, 18 February 2012

Guess what I did today??

I ran for twenty effing minutes without stopping!!! I am so so proud of myself. This challenge has been eating away at me ever since I started the C25K 6 weeks ago. I stupidly looked ahead and saw that I'd have to run for 20 minutes non-stop, and since then I have been convinced that I couldn't do it. The first attempt I lasted almost 10 minutes. The second try was about 5. The third try I got to about 2 minutes and my HRM was playing up so I just gave up.

I ordered a new chest strap for my HRM, and it was still playing up. Overnight, a thought came to me... I haven't tightened it in a while, and when I got my new one I tightened it to the same length as my old one. So this arvo when I got home from work, I grabbed it and tightened it another two inches or so. It's elastic, so of course I haven't lost two inches around my chest.... but IT WORKED. All I needed was to tighten the bloody thing and it was fine. I guess Mum is getting a HRM for her birthday as I ordered a new one as soon as the replacement chest strap wasn't working. I hope she likes it!

Anyhoo... I popped off to the gym to do my SSS and was determined to do 2 hours on the tready. I walked in the door and someone was on MY treadmill. I don't like the other four, just that one, so I was a bit disappointed. The dude looked kinda sweaty, so I put my stuff in one of the lockers and thought I'd do some weights while I waited for him to finish. Doing my weights, I realised I haven't done them in about 3 weeks. SLACKER! Even though my treadmill was free within about 5 minutes, I finished my weights sesh (only takes 20 minutes as I only do upper body) and then jumped on the treadmill.

Another guy there was running, but he was running really really slowly. I'd watched him for about ten minutes while I was doing my weights (I like to distract myself from the pain, I'm so weak in the upper body) and he ran the whole time. I thought... why not give it a go. The last few times I've attempted the run, I've done it at 7.5km/h. I walk at 6.1, and do my sprints at 9.0, so figured 7.5 was middle ground. Well... this time I put it on 6.5km/h. I can walk that fast (faster, actually) but that's about the slowest I can run without looking like a nong.

I got through the first two minutes easily. Broke a sweat, and thought I'd go for five. The Living End were on Channel V doing a live concert at a surfing festival, so I had some good tunes going. Before I knew it, ten minutes had passed, and I had just been jamming along to all my old favourites. I was breathing well, running comfortably, and felt really good. Fuck it... I'll go for the 20.

20 minutes came along really quickly. The pace was good - it wasn't easy, but I wasn't gasping for breath like I usually am. I was sweating heavily (even got some drips in my eyes!) and had to learn how to co-ordinate the drink bottle business while running. I was so proud! Done and dusted, now I can move on with the program.

I only got to about 2.5km in the 20 minutes. I'm signed up for a 5k on the 1st of April, and I want to do that in under 40 minutes. I think if I stay on track (pace my runs well, and not give up), I'll actually have a chance at achieving that. This has been such a mental block for me, and I'm happy I'm over the hurdle. As soon as I'm finished with the phone app C25K, I'm going to take my running away from the treadmill and onto the bike track. I need to train in more real conditions, and I need to learn how to pace myself without the aid of a treadmill going at the correct speed. I also need to learn how to do all this without music - the race has a 'no i-Pod' policy, so it'll just be me and my thoughts. Jeebus... I might be in trouble!

Friday, 17 February 2012

Urgh

The last two days have not been good. Why am I sabotaging myself? Tomorrow, after work (bugger working on a Saturday, but I need the money too...), this is what I promise myself.

I WILL burn over 1000 calories at the gym
I WILL eat well ALL day
I WILL reward myself by looking after my feet - mini pedi (soak, scrub, slather)
I WILL read at least 1 chapter of Gone With the Wind

And on Sunday:

I WILL burn over 1000 calories on a bike ride/at the gym
I WILL see my boyfriend
I WILL make sure my washing is up to date, including folding and putting away
I WILL cook up some scrummy meals to have in the freezer

This week, I have let things slide. I've let some of the old excuses creep back in, some of the old habits sneak back in. THIS CANNOT HAPPEN. I need to remember my goals, what I am doing, why I am doing it, and how I feel when I do it well. I need to remember how I feel when I don't do it. I have to do this. My life actually depends on it.

Wednesday, 15 February 2012

Wednesday Weigh Day

I've realised it's been a little while since I posted, but no-one needs to read about the daily grind (get up, go to work, come home, get changed, go to gym, eat dinner, go to sleep, start again).... at least not every day!

Yesterday was Valentine's Day, and I got my very first EVER Valentine's present from my beautiful boy. We've been together six months (on Sunday!) and he is just gorgeous. This is going to sound mean... but if you knew me, you'd get this next part. He's such a loser! Haha, but so am I so we're perfect for each other. He sent flowers to my work, and I gave him a set of new saucepans. He's so romantic, I just hate his saucepans.

I decided my rest day would be V-Day as I'd planned to cook D a romantic dinner, complete with massage. He certainly appreciated that, especially after I made him replace my tail-lights on my car, fix my toilet, and help fold the washing as soon as he got to my place. We're a team, and he certainly pulls his weight when I'm around. That will change when we're married, he's knocked me up a few times, and I spend all day at home cooking, cleaning and looking after our babies. But while we're both working full-time, he helps me, and of course I help him when we're at his place!

Anyway, there was a point to that ramble.... ummm.. yeah - I weighed in this morning!! First real weigh-in of the 12WBT and I'm down another 700g. Woohoo!!! 107.1kg this morning. Can't wait to see that number go under 100 - definitely will happen by the end of the program but I'm shooting for halfway. A girl can dream, can't she?

Sunday, 12 February 2012

Ahh the wind in my hair!

With all the positive/negative of yesterday's post, I realised that I forgot to mention how amazing I felt on my bike. It's probably been about 6 weeks since I went for a ride, and I really have missed it! That feeling of the wind flowing around me, getting somewhere, enjoying the scenery. It was truly lovely. I mustn't forget that there is a world outside the gym. I can get cardio from other places than the treadmill. Mother Nature has created the perfect workout arena!!!

Saturday, 11 February 2012

A plus and a minus today..

Let's start on a positive note!

Helga's have bought out a new product - sandwich thins. I have heard so much about these goodies from my US friends on MFP, and they have finally arrived in Australia. I gave them a go this past week for breakfasts - spread a little cream cheese and a couple of slices of deli chicken, squished in the sandwich press. Yummo! Then some genius suggested using them as pizza bases... Well, my eyes (and my stomach) lit up at the thought. I friggin LOVE pizza. I whipped up a batch this afternoon:

Makes 12 pizzas
126 calories each

6 pairs of sandwich thins (I used wholemeal)
3 eggs
150g grated tasty cheese
1 onion, diced
1 green capsicum, diced
1 red capsicum, diced
75g mushrooms, diced
1/3 cup Ardmona Pizza Sauce

Preheat the oven to 180 degrees celsius. Separate thins so that you have 12 pizzas, and place them on a couple of baking paper lined trays. Spread the sauce on the sandwich thins. Combine all other ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Top each thin with 1/12th of the mixture. Bake for approx 15 minutes or until cheese is slightly browned.

These can be frozen, so I froze half and will be taking the other half to work for breakfasts this week.

I thought I had bacon bits in my freezer, but I obviously threw them out in the big kitchen cleanout that was task #4 of the 12WBT preseason. I'm sure it would be lovely with bacon bits or ham involved, or even some shredded chicken breast. You can basically put anything in the mixture - pineapple, prawns, olives, tomato. I just used what I had in the fridge!

And now the negative for the day... When I popped to the shops to buy more thins (I only had 6 bases and had heaps of mixture left), I made the mistake of wandering to the chocky aisle where I picked up a block of Black Forest Dairy Milk. I ate the entire thing in the 15 minutes it took for the pizzas to cook. I'm actually disgusted with myself. I did, however, write it straight in my food diary, and as soon as the pizzas were done I threw on my exercise clothes and did the 12WBT fitness test (1km run/walk, wall sit, push-ups for 1 min, sit and reach, and ab test) and then went for a 16km bike ride. I've only burned 550 of the 1016 calories of chocolate that I ate, but I've burned SOME, AND written them in my diary. I am not going to lie to myself any longer.

I plan on heading to the gym in the morning for a 2 hour session as I'll be off to the boyfriend's for dinner and a movie (our 6 month anniversary) and I do NOT want it to ruin my very first official weigh-in. It's also Valentine's Day on Tuesday so I'll probably be having a special dinner then too. I am having it at my place though, and the boy knows that gym definitely comes first when we get home. Then we can play all we like :)