Group fitness training

Had my first session in learning how to be a freestyle group fitness instructor. All I can say is that I need to do my homework- and fast!!! You have to think of about 5 things at once- maybe I was a man in a former life, I just know it was really difficult. It's the counting, cueing, knowing the blocks of music and where it all is and finally the movement that has to be done. EEEEKKKK
On the calorie count- I had banana bread at Maccas ( when I was caught short and NEEDED something) I normally would have had the cookies but figured that maybe the banana bread had some nutritional value and hopefully no trans fats. I just checked it on calorie king and it had a whopping 600 + calories!!! Better make sure I'm prepared next time.

the same 12 week challenge!

3 posts in one day!! That's a bit much but I did have to share this article with you . After becoming slightly paranoid about the calories I was consuming and looking at everything with 'calorie' eyes, I turned on the pc and loaded up Yahoo and found this article about fitness and weight loss that made me laugh- perhaps the yahoolians were watching me and decided I needed to read it!

12 week challenge!

I have NEVER counted calories before and don't intend to go down that path BUT I thought it would be good to have some idea of what I have consumed today ( or will have by the end of the day) to my horror- I will be at least 277 calories over based on a 1200 calorie intake. I have done NO exercise today so that won't help but it has shaken me a bit. I didn't realise that I consumed so much. As I said- I'm not really going down that path and I don't vary much in weight and don't really need to lose much- but it has shattered me a bit- at least for the next 5 minutes until I have my next 'snack fix'!!!

12 week challenge- here I come!

Met my good friend Cheryl this week for a start for our 12 week challenge that we are both going to do! It's something we've both thought of for some time so now was the time to begin- hopefully we will inspire each other and keep each other honest!. She is extremely fit and certainly doesn't need to lose weight- I guess for both of us it's a matter of improving our diets and being consistent and getting to be the best we can. So........ for the past two days I've been pretty good diet wise. Trying to eat sensibly and snack on GOOD things. Found out that a pkt of liquorice all sorts has about 900 calories in them!! YIKES!!!! Gotta resist them! The exercise part isn't nearly as difficult. I'll keep my progress posted on here and she and I are meeting each week to discuss how we are going. We meet about 4 times in the week to run/walk/cycle and swim so now I can add 'discussion' as well. Wish me luck- I'm not too good at consistency.

Kerryn's Day!!

Had a really interesting afternoon on Saturday- went to see the body building comp. which was quite amazing! All those brown bodies!!! The best of it was Kek. It made it all the more interesting actually knowing ( well sort of knowing) someone up there and realising all the hard work that has gone into the preparation. Kerryn looked amazing and the bikini was dazzling!! I want one! I want one! I also want the body that was in it!!! I'd love to think I had the determination to follow a goal like that to the end, but not sure I could stay the distance. I haven't even completed a 12 week challenge- I think I only made it to about 3 weeks if that!
You looked fantastic Kerryn and I really admire your dedication and perserverence. It was great to talk to you and actually meet you.

The dress!

I'm on a search for a 'dress'! Have you any idea how hard that is? Found one that I really liked only my two sisters didn't think it was all that good and husband finally said in desperation ( cos he didn't like it) that it made me look 'fat and frumpy'!!)
I think I've found another that seems ok- only it was too small! They are never too small around the top- but it was rather snug around the hips. They're getting a bigger size in - so.... in order to comfort myself and to aid the cause... I've been busy eating liquorice allsorts! That's really going to help. If I get this one I'll post a pic on here of it- only NO ONE is allowed to say they don't like it!!

Goals!!

After reading Kek's blog about setting new goals it prompted me into action! I've been fluffing around it seems - doing bits and pieces of fitness stuff but nothing really systematic or working towards anything in particular. I'm really pleased with my running now. Although it doesn't seem much, for me at this stage it's a huge improvement. I can now run 3km without stopping and WITHOUT hurting my foot! YAH. So as far as running goals- I think I should probably just have maintenance for the present time. Swimming is an area where I could definitely improve!! However I'm enjoying now and don't want to end up hating it which would just make me want to give it up completely. Biking is going well and steadily improving- but don't want to go in any events at the moment. So- that leaves me gym/weights as far as I can see or body improvements. So- (again) what I'm going to aim for is to be able to do the assisted pullup on 10kg for at least 2 x 10 reps. This shouldn't be too hard. Then to be able to do unassisted pullups - at least 5 reps. I can do 2 and half so I only need to double my previous best! lol We'll see how I go with that one. In retrospect- I think aiming at running a 10k sounds a lot more fun but I MUSTN'T!!!!!

Footy Day!!!

Footy Day on Monday for my guys at TAFE. Guess I'll stun them with my regalia!!. Poor D's haven't really shone this season have they?

It's all a bit of fun and none of us take it really seriously- except that 'black and white ' crowd!

Anyone out there a footy freak??

Foot Update

My foot is going so well. Not perfect- but managing to withstand the running I'm doing ( which isn't a huge amount , but more than I have been) Last week my calves got sore, especially one of them and I can't for the life of me think of what I did to cause it!! However that too is improving. I read about how others train really hard and wish I could too- however I know if I did then I'd suffer the consequences. Getting old is a real buggar sometimes!!!

This and that

I've found a new swimming pool ( new to me and new as in just opened!!) It's a 25m and therefore seems much more achievable. The other pool I swim at has a dome shaped soft roof , a long draughty corridor to get to it and you might as well be in a big hole as there is no way you can see out! Well this new pool is full of glass windows which lets in light, sunrise and green outside. It's just a lovely place to be, I'm sure I swim better in it.
This afternoon I had a rare day at home. I was so industrious- cleaned and tidied the house more or less from top to bottom ( as long as you don't open any cupboards!) a really good feeling.

Sore bits

I have sore - lats, traps, tri's, bi's, glutes, hammies, abs, pecs...now let me see... are there any other bits of me that I've missed out????? Nope- I think that's it! Yes...that's right.... I got trained!!!! I specified that I didn't want heavy weights ( ever mindful of my injury list) but wanted to incorporate more balance exercises. I was a bit apprehensive- being a princess like creature at the best of times. However I LOVED it!!! Felt really good and was great to have someone else correcting technique. I did pushups on the bosu- apparently I was dropping my hips. Well... let me tell you - raising them up a bit sure did put more weight on my poor little arms! Tuesday is rolling around again and I'm feeling a bit apprehensive again- lol

Running in Mossman Gorge- Far North Qld. I always manage to run here despite injuries. It's my 'therapeutic challenge'!! Never failed yet!














While all you other 'Melbournites' were freezing in snow conditions- here I was- basking in the sun at Cairns! That's right- I know you hate me!!! lol
















Couldn't possibly resist using this glorious sand at Cape Tribulation for a gym. It just 'begged' to have some activity on it! lol


We were happy then! And aren't we clever to have managed the 'automatic
function on the camera!

I'm now done with showing off and skiting. That's it folks for another year!!!

A very boring mish-mash of unrelated information

Where has my holiday gone???? It seems like it never happened!! Not fair!! I've been very slack with blogging too- just survived this week with nothing really to report. I'm getting personally trained tomorrow so hopefully will survive that. The best thing that happened this weekend ( lol- I've just remembered) is that I ran 3 km straight ( ie no walking inbetween) and my foot has survived!! Yaaahhhhh- on the way back to recovery! I think I'll keep it at 3 km for a while and just see how it goes- the temptation is ALWAYS to go further so we'll just see how disciplined I can be!!

Where's the food!!

You promised me I could have something to eat!!!

Here at Last!

I'm sitting here in my shorts and tshirt with sunnies and hat on my head and it is AWESOME!!!! So lovely and warm and more importantly- I'm on holiday which sweetens everything. I believe this weekend it will be 11 degrees, rain and cold in Melbourne!!!! YAAAAHHHH- that makes it even sweeter!

Up Up and Away!!

2 more sleeps and counting!!!

Busy busy week to countdown!!

Only 4 more sleeps! And heaps to do it seems! I'm working late Monday and Wednesday and I think we'll need to leave about 5.30am on Thursday. I was going to pack tonight but somehow the night has escaped me and the thought of bed is far more enticing. I've prepared work for the Tafe classes for when I'm away and gathered stuff together for the two 'fifties' classes I do at the gym. Phew- all I need to do is get through the week ( and make the church soup) and get on that plane. Can hardly wait!!!

buying online

Do many others buy things online? I've only ever bought two ( now make that 3) books online. The first was a pony book that I loved when I was a kid and couldn't resist getting it again ( and YES I did reread it!!) Had to get a postal order to pay for it- and that caused me a bit of grief and a few trips back and forth to the PO with the address etc! The second was a fitness book from o/s - so to pay for that we had to get my sister in law to write a cheque ( from England) and we eventually repaid her when we went over! I've now bought my 3rd book ( meditations) and being a more enlightened buyer- I used my mastercard which I got especially to buy stuff on here. It's far too easy though, just a few numbers and 'pooff'- I've bought it!!

Love my Saturdays!

I have got a really good routine going here on Saturdays. Start with a run/walk ( and have been doing this for years!) Ran about 4kms today and walked about 8kms. Then we've been going to the gym and working out and in the afternoon it's a bike ride! Had the most lovely bike ride today. We rode about 12km to Warburton and then joined the 'sidewalk set' and had latte and ( in lowered voice so Kek can't hear) a muffin! Then we rode the 12km back. I feel fabulous! A hot shower and then raring to go again. We often go dancing Saturday night and then off for a walk in the morning ( 6.30am with a friend) I love my active weekends!!!

Shopping

I seemed to have done a bit of shopping lately. Went shopping with my older sister and her daughter and was taken firmly in hand with comments of - stop wearing so much black- don't be so unadventurous- try different things- stop wearing trackky daks. Consequently I came home with a 'foofy white shirt' which I don't think I will ever wear!! However, I did try to take heed of some of this advice and since then I have bought a pair of GREY trackky daks and a beige t-shirt, both of which I know I will wear. I also tried on a purple DRESS ( my goodness I'd almost forgotten I had legs!) for my nephew's wedding in November. Didn't buy it but will go back and have another look. It was really nice with no 'foof' or frill in sight! I would have loved wearing all the latest fashions ( ie babydoll foofy styles etc) 30 years ago and I don't really like tailored or jackety type things so I guess I'm somewhere inbetween- lol- in good old trackky daks and windcheaters!!