Another weekend, another weight gain to offset weight loss. Its the same old story....
If only my nutrition could be on par with my workouts, I may need to have my jaw wired shut.
Love x
Monday, 28 February 2011
Sunday, 27 February 2011
Soul Warming
A very sleepy girl tonight after a long journey back from Louth. I spent this weekend in the Lincolnshire countryside and I really can't articulate how great it was. I'm going to regret this saying later but it felt soul cleansing and its warmed my heart. No phone, no work, no gym, no worrying. Fantastic!
My weekend feels like it fell right out a Hollywood movie. Take a enormous country house, fill it with a granny, grandad, an uncle, a mum, 2 little people, a pooch and me! Louth is a small town deep in Little Britain country which is looks like something out of a post card. My judgement may slightly be impaired as my host for this weekend is the towns vicar, and I stayed in his home the amazing Rectory which is just, well really I can't put into words how amazing this house is. Here is a picture I took back in October.
My weekend feels like it fell right out a Hollywood movie. Take a enormous country house, fill it with a granny, grandad, an uncle, a mum, 2 little people, a pooch and me! Louth is a small town deep in Little Britain country which is looks like something out of a post card. My judgement may slightly be impaired as my host for this weekend is the towns vicar, and I stayed in his home the amazing Rectory which is just, well really I can't put into words how amazing this house is. Here is a picture I took back in October.
How lucky am I!!
We (the whole gang!) took a trip to Mablethorpe a small run down seaside town and walked along the beach eating hot chips. We played fetch with Miss Sanaa the dog, built sandcastles and sand angels, had long jump competitions. We all stopped off on the way home for an ice cream and even thought the hours outside in the cold were beginning to set in we happily bunched together and ate our ice creams at an outside table so the dog wasn't left out.
I baked cakes with the little people and somehow managed with my limited culinary skills to pull off cooking for 5 people, including a vegetarian and no one was poisoned :-)!! Ran around in that glorious garden playing with the dog and climbed trees with the little people. Without fail every morning said little people and the dog would come bounding into bed to say hello, even at 7.30am on a hungover Sunday I didn't mind. We read stories in front of the fire and sat around the large kitchen table to eat, all the family, I sat back a few times and just enjoyed the loud and lively debates that were taking place.
This afternoon I had the absolute honor of spending a few hours with grandad - 97 years old!!! I use the word honor because truly that's how I felt. I listened intently to his tales of life at 97 he's lived more that my 28 year old mind can imagine. He served in the Navy during two world wars and I gazed in amazement at the clock kept in a wooden box - a clock he took from a Nazi U boat in the second world war when he was an officer in the Navy which captured the vessel. He spoke about the twists and turns in life and it really was like listening to a book being read. He's a religious man and whilst myself I am not I took incredible comfort in hearing about him speak of "the lord let me know it was time" and "we don't know anything, but we're not supposed to that's the lords job".
A control freak worrier that I am it was a completely different perspective. I guess some may call it intuition, listening to your gut, or in grandads case the lord letting him know. I'm struggling to make decisions about an area of my life and listening to this amazing man and also speaking with this family, it gave me an entirely different perspective. I'd just like to point out that my own family too are amazing so don't get cross mum :-) xx
During these conversations the GI came out with a corker. In reference to being on foot patrol in Afghan but I reckon it applied to life in general "you spend you entire time worrying about where to walk, but you soon accept that it doesn't matter where you put your feet, you'll never be in control of what may come".
So on that note I better sign off before I reveal any more of my hippy side. I took plenty of pictures but can't find my cable to upload them, but I'm sure you get the jist.
Well done also to Laura who completed her first half marathon on Saturday!
Love x
Wednesday, 23 February 2011
Must Be Prepared!
I'm off down south for a few days so won't be blogging. I have such good intentions to stay motivated, keep eating well and at least make it to a gym twice (or go for a run but doubt that will happen!). After an intense leg session tonight with my PT Craig, back & biceps on Monday and chest & triceps on Tuesday I'm feeling more than ready for a rest day tomorrow. I'm knackered! But I don't want to let this turn into a rest long weekend!!! I've checked google maps for gyms nearby so fingers crossed they allow casual sessions.
I'm thinking the only way to avoid falling off track this is to be prepared so not only are the gym clothes packed I've prepared meals 2, 3 & 4 for the journey. I'm gonna have to run into the service stations for breaks with my eyes closed and a peg on my nose so I don't pig out in Burger King. The last thing I need is another fall off the wagon because I'm not sure I would recover from another big slip up. Its going to be such a challenge but I am going to try my best to stay on course with my nutrition. Its pissed me off to the max this week setting myself right back to square one.
My friend Claire put me onto a cool iPhone app called myfitnesspal. I started using it this week to log my food intake and it definitely helps keep me on track when I know I have to input the details - there's no hiding. We've sync'd up too - like a facebook friend which is cool. The app will also calculate your daily calorie requirements - mines came out at my rest day calorie intake and I don't agree with the macro nutrient split but its a good indicator never the less.
So, I've generally avoided posting workouts or exercises but with my butt in pieces tonight and definitely wanted to pass this on. Whenever I change my lunge or single leg deadlift stance to have my back leg raised it really gets deep into the glute and feel it the next couple of days way more intensely! I've used botsu balls and steps to raise my front leg heaps in the past but just discovered this method in the last couple of months. LOVE IT! Tonight Craig had me lunging using the smith machine with my back leg raised about 5 inches off the ground resting on a bench. The key here was to keep my back leg underneath the bar and my front leg way out in front. I kept trying to make it easier and bring my forward leg closer to the bar so watch out for this. 15 on each leg trying to keep each one nice and deep. If you don't feel this shoot into your glutes then your booty is bionic ;-)
I love working out with Craig, I lift heavier than I ever do even with a training partner. I surprised myself at managing to knock out 15 reps on my heaviest set - when I first took the bar I yelped out "OH JESUS" under the weight. I thought there is NO WAY I'm going to manage this, but I did :-) Don't be scared to lift heavy chicks, just make sure you're being safe. I'd never train chest press or heavy squats or lunges without support on hand. Oh and if I'm doing something new, with a trainer or on my own, I take the time to make sure I've got my technique as close to perfect using no weight. Bad technique = waste of time or worse, INJURIES! I may look like a tool but its worth it.
Ok lastly anyone that knows me knows how dear the kiwis are to my heart. I heard the news about the quake but it wasn't until after speaking to my kiwi friends and watching the footage I got just how bad it was. Its pretty emotional! Please spare a few pennies and donate if you can to help the rescue effort - many people are still trapped.
Have a lovely weekend
Love x
I'm thinking the only way to avoid falling off track this is to be prepared so not only are the gym clothes packed I've prepared meals 2, 3 & 4 for the journey. I'm gonna have to run into the service stations for breaks with my eyes closed and a peg on my nose so I don't pig out in Burger King. The last thing I need is another fall off the wagon because I'm not sure I would recover from another big slip up. Its going to be such a challenge but I am going to try my best to stay on course with my nutrition. Its pissed me off to the max this week setting myself right back to square one.
My friend Claire put me onto a cool iPhone app called myfitnesspal. I started using it this week to log my food intake and it definitely helps keep me on track when I know I have to input the details - there's no hiding. We've sync'd up too - like a facebook friend which is cool. The app will also calculate your daily calorie requirements - mines came out at my rest day calorie intake and I don't agree with the macro nutrient split but its a good indicator never the less.
So, I've generally avoided posting workouts or exercises but with my butt in pieces tonight and definitely wanted to pass this on. Whenever I change my lunge or single leg deadlift stance to have my back leg raised it really gets deep into the glute and feel it the next couple of days way more intensely! I've used botsu balls and steps to raise my front leg heaps in the past but just discovered this method in the last couple of months. LOVE IT! Tonight Craig had me lunging using the smith machine with my back leg raised about 5 inches off the ground resting on a bench. The key here was to keep my back leg underneath the bar and my front leg way out in front. I kept trying to make it easier and bring my forward leg closer to the bar so watch out for this. 15 on each leg trying to keep each one nice and deep. If you don't feel this shoot into your glutes then your booty is bionic ;-)
I love working out with Craig, I lift heavier than I ever do even with a training partner. I surprised myself at managing to knock out 15 reps on my heaviest set - when I first took the bar I yelped out "OH JESUS" under the weight. I thought there is NO WAY I'm going to manage this, but I did :-) Don't be scared to lift heavy chicks, just make sure you're being safe. I'd never train chest press or heavy squats or lunges without support on hand. Oh and if I'm doing something new, with a trainer or on my own, I take the time to make sure I've got my technique as close to perfect using no weight. Bad technique = waste of time or worse, INJURIES! I may look like a tool but its worth it.
Ok lastly anyone that knows me knows how dear the kiwis are to my heart. I heard the news about the quake but it wasn't until after speaking to my kiwi friends and watching the footage I got just how bad it was. Its pretty emotional! Please spare a few pennies and donate if you can to help the rescue effort - many people are still trapped.
Have a lovely weekend
Love x
Tuesday, 22 February 2011
What's Wrong With This Picture??
Could hardly believe my eyes when I spotted this at the side of the lat pull down machine.....
Wait a minute.... is that really what I think it is?? Cadbury mini eggs!!! Good confectionery choice but really, on the gym floor, while you're working out?? Maybe he had heard about my theft and knew the gym lockers were no longer safe for such precious goods. I wanted to tell him "sharing is caring" and grab a few but thought better off it and took a picture instead.
Got me thinking about Easter, yum yum, can't wait for an excuse to eat lots of chocolate without any guilt. This is what I want.
HINT HINT!!
Love x
Wait a minute.... is that really what I think it is?? Cadbury mini eggs!!! Good confectionery choice but really, on the gym floor, while you're working out?? Maybe he had heard about my theft and knew the gym lockers were no longer safe for such precious goods. I wanted to tell him "sharing is caring" and grab a few but thought better off it and took a picture instead.
Got me thinking about Easter, yum yum, can't wait for an excuse to eat lots of chocolate without any guilt. This is what I want.
Love x
Monday, 21 February 2011
Fix Up, Look Sharp
Keeping my man Dizzee's words at the forefront of my mind, I refuse to give up!
I am still cross at myself for slipping up so badly. But not even the realisation that along with my wallet the thief took off with my new wrist wraps is going to deter me or get me down. I'm a tougher cookie than that! Eating well, training hard, keeping my chin up.
This sums it all up :-)
Picture courtesy of Neil Currie @ Tractor Factory. Check out his site, the blog and pictures are wicked!
Love x
I am still cross at myself for slipping up so badly. But not even the realisation that along with my wallet the thief took off with my new wrist wraps is going to deter me or get me down. I'm a tougher cookie than that! Eating well, training hard, keeping my chin up.
This sums it all up :-)
Picture courtesy of Neil Currie @ Tractor Factory. Check out his site, the blog and pictures are wicked!
Love x
Saturday, 19 February 2011
I've Faced the Scales....Uh Oh!!
So I faced the scales - I'm back to my original weight and my body fat has rocketed to 23.4%. Oh.dear.god!
I've had a horrid week nutritionally, I'm not one of these people who can stand there with a straight face and say oh I just don't know how it happened. I know exactly how it happened! I done a quick calc and on average I think I've been eating somewhere between 3500 - 4000 calories a day and a scary amount of fat grams. Everyone should treat themselves now and again but that's a binge by anyones standards and unless I do something about it I'm going to do it again, and again, and again!
Truthfully some days I did enjoy being a piglet. I'm no food snob, give me a sausage roll and a jam donut from Gregs and I'm a happy camper. But the last couple of days I definitely have been comfort eating and feeling rubbish for it too! Now here comes the excuses.... I've felt poorly, had my wallet stolen and my account cleaned out and my iPhone went on the blink to top it off. Oh poor me - wah wah wah...
Actually I am pissed off, my wallet was stolen from my gym locker whilst I was training - cheeky bastards!
Except for the obvious aesthetic reasons I'm totally gutted and really annoyed at myself. I've done some research to try and educate myself on the negative effects this weeks binge will have had on my health. I'm a very logical person and very analytical so need to understand why something isn't good before I will even consider changing my behaviour. So ok... except for the substantial arse I'm lugging around what I've found is this....
* Spikes in insulin levels can put me at risk of type 2 diabetes - eeeeekkkk
* A high fat diet can lead to heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol - goodness don't those only effect old men??
* Digestion problems - boak!!! I think they mean it gives you the pumps - not cute!
* Acne! Yip, I have developed a few spots
* Lower libido... eeek I'm too young for that!!
Whilst my body fat is still in the healthy range for a female such a dramatic gain in body fat is very very very bad for me!
Right, ok ok, that's my telling off. Now for some positives.
........
........
........
I'm thinking.......
Oh - kept up my workouts - very good!
I'm stronger than I've been in the last two years - good good!
I've helped one friend get back on top of his nutrition after a horrid knee injury and unable to train for a long time, and gave some advice to another friend who knew she needed to eat more but didn't know how to go about changing her habits.
Yes, ok so i can help others that's a good thing.
This has been a hard post to write because I don't like to fail and I don't like to admit defeat either. But I hope my honesty is appreciated and I do hope to post positive progress next week.
Have a lovely weekend angels xx
I've had a horrid week nutritionally, I'm not one of these people who can stand there with a straight face and say oh I just don't know how it happened. I know exactly how it happened! I done a quick calc and on average I think I've been eating somewhere between 3500 - 4000 calories a day and a scary amount of fat grams. Everyone should treat themselves now and again but that's a binge by anyones standards and unless I do something about it I'm going to do it again, and again, and again!
Truthfully some days I did enjoy being a piglet. I'm no food snob, give me a sausage roll and a jam donut from Gregs and I'm a happy camper. But the last couple of days I definitely have been comfort eating and feeling rubbish for it too! Now here comes the excuses.... I've felt poorly, had my wallet stolen and my account cleaned out and my iPhone went on the blink to top it off. Oh poor me - wah wah wah...
Actually I am pissed off, my wallet was stolen from my gym locker whilst I was training - cheeky bastards!
Except for the obvious aesthetic reasons I'm totally gutted and really annoyed at myself. I've done some research to try and educate myself on the negative effects this weeks binge will have had on my health. I'm a very logical person and very analytical so need to understand why something isn't good before I will even consider changing my behaviour. So ok... except for the substantial arse I'm lugging around what I've found is this....
* Spikes in insulin levels can put me at risk of type 2 diabetes - eeeeekkkk
* A high fat diet can lead to heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol - goodness don't those only effect old men??
* Digestion problems - boak!!! I think they mean it gives you the pumps - not cute!
* Acne! Yip, I have developed a few spots
* Lower libido... eeek I'm too young for that!!
Whilst my body fat is still in the healthy range for a female such a dramatic gain in body fat is very very very bad for me!
Right, ok ok, that's my telling off. Now for some positives.
........
........
........
I'm thinking.......
Oh - kept up my workouts - very good!
I'm stronger than I've been in the last two years - good good!
I've helped one friend get back on top of his nutrition after a horrid knee injury and unable to train for a long time, and gave some advice to another friend who knew she needed to eat more but didn't know how to go about changing her habits.
Yes, ok so i can help others that's a good thing.
This has been a hard post to write because I don't like to fail and I don't like to admit defeat either. But I hope my honesty is appreciated and I do hope to post positive progress next week.
Have a lovely weekend angels xx
Thursday, 17 February 2011
Week 3 Update
I'm poorly
I refuse to face the scales
Gregs the bakers will be my ruin
That is all
Love x
I refuse to face the scales
Gregs the bakers will be my ruin
That is all
Love x
Wednesday, 16 February 2011
Guest Post: First Half Marathon
The poor wee lamb had an awful tumble aka 'the incident' and split her head open on Valentine's Day. Not whilst running I must point out! A minor set back....eeeeekkk!!, but you can't keep a good girl down, even when the doctor orders it.
Just like Tony the Tiger, I think she's grrrrrreat! :-) and sure you will enjoy. Good luck to Laura and all the other runners xx
This morning I wobbled up to my fridge and looked closely at the 'Beginners Half Marathon 12 week Programme' which I had printed out and stuck to the front my fridge at the end of November. I looked at it closely and NOWHERE does it say WEEK 11: split your head open. I sighed.
Until yesterday's 'incident' I had been following this programme as closely as possible and I was loving it. I always knew it would be a massive challenge because a) I’ve never run more than 10k in any one session and b)WHO DOES A HALF MARATHON IN FEBRUARY? A 12 week programme meant Christmas/New Year and a sh*t load of snow would wreak havoc in the first 4 weeks. Needless to say not much training was done until the start of January ;o).
Up until 2 years ago I used to look at people who ran in the streets (especially at weekends when they could have been in the pub!) and thought they were crazy. I could literally think of a hundred other ways I would rather ‘keep fit’. But I am also someone who gets bored easily when exercising and tend to pick one form of exercise and stick to it for months until my body gets too used to it then change. So in the past I’ve done 1 year of no other exercise other than swimming, 6 months of nothing but spinning, 1 year of nothing but cardio and circuit training in the gym and then.... I signed up for my first ever 10k run.
Let’s get one thing straight.... I do not find running an easy form of ‘training’ (I soon realised that the phrase ‘keep fit’ went out in the 90s along with step classes). Infact I am all too aware that I am CRAP at running. I am pear shaped for heaven’s sake... I do not ‘rock’ running shorts and I have ZERO natural running ability. I remember refusing to take part in cross-country at school fearing I would be rumbled as a big buffoon runner. For those of you who are familiar with Friends... my running style is not dissimilar to that of Phoebe’s http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_0Ta_DIWuU . RUNNING IS BLOODY HARD. Even now as I face my first half marathon there are days where after just running 1 mile I am shattered...legs like jelly and breathing like I’ve never exercised a day in my life. But I am a competitive wee lassie and once I started telling people that I had signed up I knew I had to do it.
Training in minus temperatures in Jan/Feb has been nothing short of hell on earth. My lungs have GASPED freezing cold air, snot and saliva have flown out of my nose and mouth in all sorts of directions (sorry Mr!) and wind/rain/hail has pounded my poor wee face. I was about to give in when one day I ran past the ‘corner where I allow myself 30 second break’ and I just kept going. And going. And going. Before I knew it I had ran 6 miles without stopping. I felt fantastic. Every run I have done since then I have had more and more confidence in my ability and I’ve stopped saying to myself "how fast am I going?/OMG I’m such a sweaty mess/what noises am I making?/how many people have overtaken me?" and just enjoyed it. It’s such a cliché but running for an hour after work totally de-stresses me and relaxes my usually hunched shoulders.
I am DEVASTATED that my training has been interrupted by the 'incident' less than 2 weeks before the half marathon but I am determined that I will do it even if it takes me twice as long as everyone else and I will LOVE it because *whispers* I might be in love with running.
For now.....
x
Until yesterday's 'incident' I had been following this programme as closely as possible and I was loving it. I always knew it would be a massive challenge because a) I’ve never run more than 10k in any one session and b)WHO DOES A HALF MARATHON IN FEBRUARY? A 12 week programme meant Christmas/New Year and a sh*t load of snow would wreak havoc in the first 4 weeks. Needless to say not much training was done until the start of January ;o).
Up until 2 years ago I used to look at people who ran in the streets (especially at weekends when they could have been in the pub!) and thought they were crazy. I could literally think of a hundred other ways I would rather ‘keep fit’. But I am also someone who gets bored easily when exercising and tend to pick one form of exercise and stick to it for months until my body gets too used to it then change. So in the past I’ve done 1 year of no other exercise other than swimming, 6 months of nothing but spinning, 1 year of nothing but cardio and circuit training in the gym and then.... I signed up for my first ever 10k run.
Let’s get one thing straight.... I do not find running an easy form of ‘training’ (I soon realised that the phrase ‘keep fit’ went out in the 90s along with step classes). Infact I am all too aware that I am CRAP at running. I am pear shaped for heaven’s sake... I do not ‘rock’ running shorts and I have ZERO natural running ability. I remember refusing to take part in cross-country at school fearing I would be rumbled as a big buffoon runner. For those of you who are familiar with Friends... my running style is not dissimilar to that of Phoebe’s http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_0Ta_DIWuU . RUNNING IS BLOODY HARD. Even now as I face my first half marathon there are days where after just running 1 mile I am shattered...legs like jelly and breathing like I’ve never exercised a day in my life. But I am a competitive wee lassie and once I started telling people that I had signed up I knew I had to do it.
Training in minus temperatures in Jan/Feb has been nothing short of hell on earth. My lungs have GASPED freezing cold air, snot and saliva have flown out of my nose and mouth in all sorts of directions (sorry Mr!) and wind/rain/hail has pounded my poor wee face. I was about to give in when one day I ran past the ‘corner where I allow myself 30 second break’ and I just kept going. And going. And going. Before I knew it I had ran 6 miles without stopping. I felt fantastic. Every run I have done since then I have had more and more confidence in my ability and I’ve stopped saying to myself "how fast am I going?/OMG I’m such a sweaty mess/what noises am I making?/how many people have overtaken me?" and just enjoyed it. It’s such a cliché but running for an hour after work totally de-stresses me and relaxes my usually hunched shoulders.
I am DEVASTATED that my training has been interrupted by the 'incident' less than 2 weeks before the half marathon but I am determined that I will do it even if it takes me twice as long as everyone else and I will LOVE it because *whispers* I might be in love with running.
For now.....
x
Tuesday, 15 February 2011
Climbing Back on the Wagon
I've well and truly fallen off the wagon for the last couple of days. I just can't be bothered to tell you the truth. I've not been feeling 100% and a little stressed out so the last thing I wanted to do was cook brown rice and chicken.
I fear I may have set myself back a week or two but thems the breaks. After an amazing meal at Nonna's Kitchen last night I've decided enough is enough gave myself a bit of a talking too
Your life's problems will not be sorted with a jam donut from Gregs Miss Burgess!!
So today I'm back on the programme and accepting that I have a lot of ground work to make up. Silly Billy!
I know I really shouldn't be encouraging others to be naughty but if anyone is looking for a good restaurant in Edinburgh I really can't rate Nonna's Kitchen highly enough. It was amazing! Gorgeous Italian food, great wine and a lovely atmosphere. You can see the family walking around and taking a seat with the regulars and the staff treat you like you're an old friend. My kinda place. I honestly couldn't decide what to have it all looked so amazing!
Oh yum.... my mouth is watering reminiscing....
So back to the gym tonight after 2 days off but its back and bicep day - my favourite!
x
I fear I may have set myself back a week or two but thems the breaks. After an amazing meal at Nonna's Kitchen last night I've decided enough is enough gave myself a bit of a talking too
Your life's problems will not be sorted with a jam donut from Gregs Miss Burgess!!
So today I'm back on the programme and accepting that I have a lot of ground work to make up. Silly Billy!
I know I really shouldn't be encouraging others to be naughty but if anyone is looking for a good restaurant in Edinburgh I really can't rate Nonna's Kitchen highly enough. It was amazing! Gorgeous Italian food, great wine and a lovely atmosphere. You can see the family walking around and taking a seat with the regulars and the staff treat you like you're an old friend. My kinda place. I honestly couldn't decide what to have it all looked so amazing!
Oh yum.... my mouth is watering reminiscing....
So back to the gym tonight after 2 days off but its back and bicep day - my favourite!
x
Monday, 14 February 2011
Happy Valentine's Day
I'm shamefully still off the wagon but wanted to wish everyone a Happy Valentines Day!
Luuuurved up I hope you all have some lovely plans in store for today.
Single - its Happy Me Day! Take that money you would have spent and spend it on yourself!!! I had an awesome Valentines Day by myself one year - bought loads of things I never usually would have and had a nice evening tucked up in bed with a take away watching Lady and the Tramp. Actually come to think of it my two best friends crashed the evening that year and I ended up having to rewind the DVD and share my take away three of us all squashed in my bed.... ha ha, good times girls :-)
Lots of hugs and kisses to you all....... MWAH! x
Luuuurved up I hope you all have some lovely plans in store for today.
Single - its Happy Me Day! Take that money you would have spent and spend it on yourself!!! I had an awesome Valentines Day by myself one year - bought loads of things I never usually would have and had a nice evening tucked up in bed with a take away watching Lady and the Tramp. Actually come to think of it my two best friends crashed the evening that year and I ended up having to rewind the DVD and share my take away three of us all squashed in my bed.... ha ha, good times girls :-)
Lots of hugs and kisses to you all....... MWAH! x
PS - lets forget the diets for today and have ourselves a good time x
Sunday, 13 February 2011
Eat, Drink & Be Merry
Happy Sunday boys and girls, hope everyone had a lovely weekend!
Mines has turned out to be worse than last week in terms of discipline and sticking to my diet. If I fell off the wagon last weekend, this weekend I think I bungee jumped off it.
I felt delighted on Friday with the progress I've made and celebrated with a gin & tonic in Elbow. Raaaaandom pub but was had a good time and met some nice peeps. I was fairly well behaved and took myself off home early to avoid total carnage, there was a scent of Jagerbombs in the air and the excitement was growing. I had trained shoulders at night and ate well all day so I popped into Margiottas on the way home and treated myself to a packet of picked onion space invaders,a slice of carrot & passion fruit cake and a copy of Vogue. Drool fest over the amazing clothes a bit taken aback at Rosie Huntington-Whiteley's bare boobies out for all to see. Shocking!
Saturday started off with such good intentions. Alarm went off early to make porridge and eggs for myself and my very hungover companion....(I like to snare them when they're wankered :-) ....JOKE!). I had a legs session with my PT which I'm suffering for today and set about my day innocently enough. This turned into a lunch of fish & chips, nutella waffles & ice cream and 2 lager shandys.... WOOPS! Oh well.... Later that night my naughty side took over and I shared a pizza and carbonara for tea and a bucket, yes a BUCKET of wasabi peas. Did I feel guilty, NOPE! It was lovely. With a full belly and a bit of a shandy haze I fell asleep mid way through Black Hawk Down happy as a calm.
This morning again started with such good intentions - porridge and eggs for breakfast, gym clothes on, bag packed.... I seen nothing of the gym, instead I went shopping along Multrees Walk and nebbed around John Lewis wolfing down a Gregs sausage roll to keep me going, shopping can be so draining.... I ended up along at The Basement afterwards for chicken chimichangas, sticky toffee pudding and a glass of wine.
I'm no doubt going to regret this tomorrow when I'm sure the full extent of my weekends munching becomes reality with a huge swollen gut and lots of spots but for now I don't give a rats ass.
Eat, drink and be merry folks!
x
Mines has turned out to be worse than last week in terms of discipline and sticking to my diet. If I fell off the wagon last weekend, this weekend I think I bungee jumped off it.
I felt delighted on Friday with the progress I've made and celebrated with a gin & tonic in Elbow. Raaaaandom pub but was had a good time and met some nice peeps. I was fairly well behaved and took myself off home early to avoid total carnage, there was a scent of Jagerbombs in the air and the excitement was growing. I had trained shoulders at night and ate well all day so I popped into Margiottas on the way home and treated myself to a packet of picked onion space invaders,a slice of carrot & passion fruit cake and a copy of Vogue. Drool fest over the amazing clothes a bit taken aback at Rosie Huntington-Whiteley's bare boobies out for all to see. Shocking!
Saturday started off with such good intentions. Alarm went off early to make porridge and eggs for myself and my very hungover companion....(I like to snare them when they're wankered :-) ....JOKE!). I had a legs session with my PT which I'm suffering for today and set about my day innocently enough. This turned into a lunch of fish & chips, nutella waffles & ice cream and 2 lager shandys.... WOOPS! Oh well.... Later that night my naughty side took over and I shared a pizza and carbonara for tea and a bucket, yes a BUCKET of wasabi peas. Did I feel guilty, NOPE! It was lovely. With a full belly and a bit of a shandy haze I fell asleep mid way through Black Hawk Down happy as a calm.
This morning again started with such good intentions - porridge and eggs for breakfast, gym clothes on, bag packed.... I seen nothing of the gym, instead I went shopping along Multrees Walk and nebbed around John Lewis wolfing down a Gregs sausage roll to keep me going, shopping can be so draining.... I ended up along at The Basement afterwards for chicken chimichangas, sticky toffee pudding and a glass of wine.
I'm no doubt going to regret this tomorrow when I'm sure the full extent of my weekends munching becomes reality with a huge swollen gut and lots of spots but for now I don't give a rats ass.
Eat, drink and be merry folks!
x
Friday, 11 February 2011
Week 2 Weigh In
I can hardly type I'm so delighted! Stepped on the scales this morning and the results are in.....
I've lost 2.3kgs this week and my body fat has gone down from 22.9% - 21.0%.
OH YA DANCER!!!!
At first I thought the machine was broken...
"F*ck!ng wideo Morrisons piece of sh!t"
But no, it would seem that I have indeed lost weight after being such a disgrace at the weekend. I'm DELIGHTED!!! I'm very self critical but I had noticed my abs "popping" far more than they have done in a long time. Oh Jessica hen you better watch your back I'm coming for you!! Ha ha.
After the weekends descent, the past four days I have been spot on with my nutrition, noting everything down and preparing my meals for the day keeping the calorie and macro nutrients in my healthy consumption range. No more than 1600 on big muscle group days and NEVER falling below 1250 calories on rest days, anything below this for my profile is considered starvation and will shut down my metabolism. To be fair I'd like to see me try and eat less than 1250, if I ever say I have its pure lies!
(For those that care I'm working on a 40% carbs, 40% protein, 20% fat split)
Importantly yesterday I had a rest day. During my first blog post I rattled on about how this challenge for me was about regaining some balance and not over working my body and mind. My friend Keith rightly reminded me of that yesterday and threw back in my face my own words "rest days are just important as training days". I feel so much better for it now and slept like a baby last night. Oh and I might have snuck a few spoonfuls of curry in my mouth last night....and maybe a few crackers and cheese too but its alright I lost weight :-)
This week I have struggled with the nutrition, and probably lost a few readers due to my constant moans but I want to keep this blog as true to life as possible. I can't stand when you get those smart arses...
"Oh I'm naturally like this".
"Aye, are you.... very good!"
Its been the support of my friends that's kept me going and all the lovely comments and emails I've received. I've found motivation watching my awesome friends working hard at their own goals - Laura smashing it on course for her half marathon, the GI leathering himself for his return to service, Matt turning into the biggest unit ever, princess becoming a super model - loads more but that's enough for now! We're all training differently but the spirit is still the same, pushing your own physical and mental toughness to the limit and offering words of encouragement when its getting too much.
Ok, so learning points from this week:
* I have chilled out with the protein bars and it seems to have worked - real food is always best.
* Even if I slip up keep on going, keep training and get back on track.
* Rest days are good!
Improvement points for next week:
* Tighten up on post workout meal & supplements, I've still not really been disciplined consuming this meal straight away.
* I want to try something new like yoga or pilates. We'll see!
I think I'm going to treat myself and book in at Space for a sports massage. Gillian is awesome if anyone is looking for someone in Edinburgh.
Happy Friday gorgeous peeps x
I've lost 2.3kgs this week and my body fat has gone down from 22.9% - 21.0%.
OH YA DANCER!!!!
At first I thought the machine was broken...
"F*ck!ng wideo Morrisons piece of sh!t"
But no, it would seem that I have indeed lost weight after being such a disgrace at the weekend. I'm DELIGHTED!!! I'm very self critical but I had noticed my abs "popping" far more than they have done in a long time. Oh Jessica hen you better watch your back I'm coming for you!! Ha ha.
After the weekends descent, the past four days I have been spot on with my nutrition, noting everything down and preparing my meals for the day keeping the calorie and macro nutrients in my healthy consumption range. No more than 1600 on big muscle group days and NEVER falling below 1250 calories on rest days, anything below this for my profile is considered starvation and will shut down my metabolism. To be fair I'd like to see me try and eat less than 1250, if I ever say I have its pure lies!
(For those that care I'm working on a 40% carbs, 40% protein, 20% fat split)
Importantly yesterday I had a rest day. During my first blog post I rattled on about how this challenge for me was about regaining some balance and not over working my body and mind. My friend Keith rightly reminded me of that yesterday and threw back in my face my own words "rest days are just important as training days". I feel so much better for it now and slept like a baby last night. Oh and I might have snuck a few spoonfuls of curry in my mouth last night....and maybe a few crackers and cheese too but its alright I lost weight :-)
This week I have struggled with the nutrition, and probably lost a few readers due to my constant moans but I want to keep this blog as true to life as possible. I can't stand when you get those smart arses...
"Oh I'm naturally like this".
"Aye, are you.... very good!"
Its been the support of my friends that's kept me going and all the lovely comments and emails I've received. I've found motivation watching my awesome friends working hard at their own goals - Laura smashing it on course for her half marathon, the GI leathering himself for his return to service, Matt turning into the biggest unit ever, princess becoming a super model - loads more but that's enough for now! We're all training differently but the spirit is still the same, pushing your own physical and mental toughness to the limit and offering words of encouragement when its getting too much.
Ok, so learning points from this week:
* I have chilled out with the protein bars and it seems to have worked - real food is always best.
* Even if I slip up keep on going, keep training and get back on track.
* Rest days are good!
Improvement points for next week:
* Tighten up on post workout meal & supplements, I've still not really been disciplined consuming this meal straight away.
* I want to try something new like yoga or pilates. We'll see!
I think I'm going to treat myself and book in at Space for a sports massage. Gillian is awesome if anyone is looking for someone in Edinburgh.
Happy Friday gorgeous peeps x
Thursday, 10 February 2011
Is It Worth It??
I'm flipping sick of
Does everyone go through this pain? Am I crossing over to the dark side of mental? Will I ever get to the finish line?
I ponder....
I think I need to go to the shops and buy something pretty
x
- Eating eggs in the morning
- Doing the dishes for 5 meals a day - 24/7
- Washing 2 loads of laundry a day
- Falling asleep at 9pm like an old lady
- Food envy
- Having to "explain myself" why I'm eating the way I am
- Carrying around packed lunches and cutlery
- Feeling sore ALL the time
- Setting my alarm to eat
- Setting my alarm to eat at the weekend
- Forgetting to take supplements and then feeling guilty - WTF
- Craving foods that I'd never normally be interested in but for some reason they're all I can think about
- Looking at fruit like its a treat
- Speaking to or hearing about people on similar programmes and them say its not a chore. ARE YOU FOR REAL?!?!?
- Cod
- Green Beans
Does everyone go through this pain? Am I crossing over to the dark side of mental? Will I ever get to the finish line?
I ponder....
I think I need to go to the shops and buy something pretty
x
Wednesday, 9 February 2011
SOS
Peanut butter requires confiscating as a matter of urgency!!
Send help quick, said peanut butter has been spread on a chocolate cookie protein bar. Downward spiral is in effect.
Reese's peanut butter cups eat your heart out.
Send help quick, said peanut butter has been spread on a chocolate cookie protein bar. Downward spiral is in effect.
Reese's peanut butter cups eat your heart out.
Tuesday, 8 February 2011
5am & Legs = RUDE!
Morning gang. Just a quick, very smug, post. Today I'm busy with a graduate event at my old university, Heriot Watt. I'm excited to go back to the campus and sure its going to evoke some good memories.
Not sure what time I'm going to finish up today or what mental state I'll be in so I did my legs session this morning. My alarm went off at 5am so I could eat, I sat in bed in the dark eating porridge with this little beauty on trying to motivate myself to face the hardest training day at such a rude time in the morning.
I've been avoiding pre workout stimulants for a while, it got silly at one stage and I never went anywhere without a serving of V-Pump in me - to the shops, to meet friends, silly silly silly! But this morning a Red Bull was most certainly called for and I definitely think it helped.
I'm feeling shattered now especially after a HIIT sprint session last night (where I managed to increase my max speed from 14.5 to 16 woop woop!). I'll be glad to get home tonight and chill out on the couch.
So food is prepared and packed for the day, workout done.... I feel a little too organised. Now all I need to do is keep away from the sweets and crisps in the university shop which will be a task!
Have a lovely day x
Not sure what time I'm going to finish up today or what mental state I'll be in so I did my legs session this morning. My alarm went off at 5am so I could eat, I sat in bed in the dark eating porridge with this little beauty on trying to motivate myself to face the hardest training day at such a rude time in the morning.
I've been avoiding pre workout stimulants for a while, it got silly at one stage and I never went anywhere without a serving of V-Pump in me - to the shops, to meet friends, silly silly silly! But this morning a Red Bull was most certainly called for and I definitely think it helped.
I'm feeling shattered now especially after a HIIT sprint session last night (where I managed to increase my max speed from 14.5 to 16 woop woop!). I'll be glad to get home tonight and chill out on the couch.
So food is prepared and packed for the day, workout done.... I feel a little too organised. Now all I need to do is keep away from the sweets and crisps in the university shop which will be a task!
Have a lovely day x
Monday, 7 February 2011
I'm a Disgrace!
This weekend started off with such good intentions. Lots of healthy food in the cupboards, workouts planned, gym clothes washed and ready to be used. I had arrange two social events but had mentally prepared myself to say "no thank you, I'm driving I'll have a diet coke" and enjoy myself without jeopardising my diet or training.
Weeeeeeell.... that didn't happen!
Saturday night I arranged to meet an old friend. I've known Robin for a decade now, but we never see each other and it was getting worrying that my mum and dad bump into him in bars more often than I do. So with a lot to catch up on I arranged to meet him in Le De Vin wine bar, being all grown up and sophisticated. It started off so innocently, allowing him to buy me a glass of bubbles since its been so long.... "Oh go on then just the one" 4 drinks later my light weight self was playing the air guitar along with the band in the Ghillie Dhu. I don't quite know how that happened but I do remember walking home past McDonalds feeling ever so proud of myself for resisting a Big Mac or 5. I have been known to put away an impressive amount for a girl. I woke up Sunday morning hanging, trying to piece together the evening and then guilt when I spotted the empty carbonara box and half a pepperoni pizza on the floor. Disgusting! But personally I blame Dario's - delivery services and drunk people are not a good diet combination!
Even though I felt like a turd I stuffed a couple of home made protein bars down my throat and hauled my ass out of bed and went to the gym. I grabbed a powerade, my workout hangover cure all. If anyone ever spots me in the gym drinking a blue powerade you now know the craic. I had a surprisingly good session considering I was hungover and felt so proud of myself eating well for the rest of the day. Brown rice and chicken just doesn't cut it when you're hungover but I resisted all my urges to pig out and stuck to my meal plans. The evening rolled around and a group of us went to the cinema to watch Neds (don't go and see it, unnecessarily violent!). I sat and ate my protein bar whilst the wine gums were being passed around and the smell of popcorn wafting under my nose. Torture!! But my resolve soon faded in the pub after the movie.
What you drinking?
Diet Coke
Diet Coke?
Yes please
You sure?
Yes!
You not fancy a proper drink?
Yes I do but I'll have a Diet Coke
Sure?
Yes
Sure?
No, Corona please
2 Corona's, 2 G&T's and more crisps and wasabi peas than what is really necessary. Today I feel really peeved off at myself, I look bloated from all the alcohol, sugar and salt and throw in a bit mortified too that I'm posting my spectacular fall off the wagon.
I've resigned myself to the fact that I'll not have lost any weight this week and success will be managing not to gain any weight. But I started all over again this morning and ate my porridge and egg whites with the usual struggle. I just wish I could at least have the memory of eating carbonara and pizza.... mmmmm
I've trained already and I feel much better than I did first thing this morning, perhaps its the endorphin release after a hard back and biceps session or perhaps that I feel that I'm still trying and moving forward. I know I said I wouldn't but this week I'm going to have to do a couple of days of 2 workouts a day. So I'm off to prepare meal 3 of the day and mentally prepare myself for a mean cardio session later on.
Weeeeeeell.... that didn't happen!
Saturday night I arranged to meet an old friend. I've known Robin for a decade now, but we never see each other and it was getting worrying that my mum and dad bump into him in bars more often than I do. So with a lot to catch up on I arranged to meet him in Le De Vin wine bar, being all grown up and sophisticated. It started off so innocently, allowing him to buy me a glass of bubbles since its been so long.... "Oh go on then just the one" 4 drinks later my light weight self was playing the air guitar along with the band in the Ghillie Dhu. I don't quite know how that happened but I do remember walking home past McDonalds feeling ever so proud of myself for resisting a Big Mac or 5. I have been known to put away an impressive amount for a girl. I woke up Sunday morning hanging, trying to piece together the evening and then guilt when I spotted the empty carbonara box and half a pepperoni pizza on the floor. Disgusting! But personally I blame Dario's - delivery services and drunk people are not a good diet combination!
Even though I felt like a turd I stuffed a couple of home made protein bars down my throat and hauled my ass out of bed and went to the gym. I grabbed a powerade, my workout hangover cure all. If anyone ever spots me in the gym drinking a blue powerade you now know the craic. I had a surprisingly good session considering I was hungover and felt so proud of myself eating well for the rest of the day. Brown rice and chicken just doesn't cut it when you're hungover but I resisted all my urges to pig out and stuck to my meal plans. The evening rolled around and a group of us went to the cinema to watch Neds (don't go and see it, unnecessarily violent!). I sat and ate my protein bar whilst the wine gums were being passed around and the smell of popcorn wafting under my nose. Torture!! But my resolve soon faded in the pub after the movie.
What you drinking?
Diet Coke
Diet Coke?
Yes please
You sure?
Yes!
You not fancy a proper drink?
Yes I do but I'll have a Diet Coke
Sure?
Yes
Sure?
No, Corona please
2 Corona's, 2 G&T's and more crisps and wasabi peas than what is really necessary. Today I feel really peeved off at myself, I look bloated from all the alcohol, sugar and salt and throw in a bit mortified too that I'm posting my spectacular fall off the wagon.
I've resigned myself to the fact that I'll not have lost any weight this week and success will be managing not to gain any weight. But I started all over again this morning and ate my porridge and egg whites with the usual struggle. I just wish I could at least have the memory of eating carbonara and pizza.... mmmmm
I've trained already and I feel much better than I did first thing this morning, perhaps its the endorphin release after a hard back and biceps session or perhaps that I feel that I'm still trying and moving forward. I know I said I wouldn't but this week I'm going to have to do a couple of days of 2 workouts a day. So I'm off to prepare meal 3 of the day and mentally prepare myself for a mean cardio session later on.
Friday, 4 February 2011
Treats!
Its very important to give yourself rewards I reckon. I used to reward myself for turning up to work everyday with the £15 fee to park in the carpark opposite my office so I didn't have to take the poverty wagon known as the 37 bus!! I kid you not.
I'm a brat, but a self sufficient brat I may add.
For losing my 1st kg I got myself this little beauty. Boys (other Trev Dog) you may as well stop reading, this is a girly post.
The Reiss SS11 lookbook has just been published online. I drooled over it in the shop yesterday and there are a few lovelies that haven't made to the online version including a whole pink on pink theme. I'm off to reorganise my budget for the next few months and figure out how I can afford to get these into my summer work wardrobe.
I might have to look into selling a kidney...
Happy shopping x
I'm a brat, but a self sufficient brat I may add.
For losing my 1st kg I got myself this little beauty. Boys (other Trev Dog) you may as well stop reading, this is a girly post.
£39 available from Reiss
The Reiss SS11 lookbook has just been published online. I drooled over it in the shop yesterday and there are a few lovelies that haven't made to the online version including a whole pink on pink theme. I'm off to reorganise my budget for the next few months and figure out how I can afford to get these into my summer work wardrobe.
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| Monday |
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| Tuesday |
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| Wedneday |
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| Thursday |
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| Friday |
Happy shopping x
The 1st kg
I got on the scales this morning and I am pleased to report the first kg has been lost! :-) And I have reduced my body fat from 23.7% to 22.9%.
I'm slightly dubious about the accuracy of my scales body fat and muscle mass measurements, £10 from Morrisons I can't really expect too much... But it would seem that no muscle mass has been lost. Yipee!!! I wanted pure fat loss, that's the design of my diet so happy days.
Best keep it real here.... first feeling when I seen the number, disappointed. Ridiculous hey! I've felt since Tuesday in particular, AWESOME! Not in a god look how hot I am, just feeling healthy, strong and can see a noticeable difference in the weight I was carrying, especially around my mid drift (where fat from sugar in particular gathers for a party). I didn't care so much what the scales said and was telling myself that last night in my head as I went to sleep. I know I've made progress regardless of what a machine tells me.
I had to check myself and wind my neck in, WTF I've done so well and I should congratulate myself. If my friend came up to me and said "oh I've only lost a kg" I'd give them a slap! A good solid weight loss that's sustainable and realistic. Anything over a kg would surely be muscle wastage.
Improvement points for next week:
I'm slightly dubious about the accuracy of my scales body fat and muscle mass measurements, £10 from Morrisons I can't really expect too much... But it would seem that no muscle mass has been lost. Yipee!!! I wanted pure fat loss, that's the design of my diet so happy days.
Best keep it real here.... first feeling when I seen the number, disappointed. Ridiculous hey! I've felt since Tuesday in particular, AWESOME! Not in a god look how hot I am, just feeling healthy, strong and can see a noticeable difference in the weight I was carrying, especially around my mid drift (where fat from sugar in particular gathers for a party). I didn't care so much what the scales said and was telling myself that last night in my head as I went to sleep. I know I've made progress regardless of what a machine tells me.
I had to check myself and wind my neck in, WTF I've done so well and I should congratulate myself. If my friend came up to me and said "oh I've only lost a kg" I'd give them a slap! A good solid weight loss that's sustainable and realistic. Anything over a kg would surely be muscle wastage.
Improvement points for next week:
- Tighten up on post workout meal, making sure I consume this within 15 minutes of finishing the session. I've been a bit lazy with this one. That should help promote muscle growth although I read somewhere that natural (no drugs) muscle growth for women is extremely hard to exceed 0.5lbs per week due to our lack of testosterone therefore not going to be hard on myself. That's like under 0.2 of a kg so can't really stress about that.
- Oh and calm down on the protein bars, real food is best!
Thursday, 3 February 2011
Big Sigh...
I've not had a rest day in......mmmmm, can't actually remember. And its showing. I've mentally struggled through my workouts for the last two days and if my minds not focused and "in the zone" (I do apologise that is a wanker term but can't think how else to describe it) then I just don't have a good session. Good in my head means walking out the gym muscles aching and sort of shaking, a tingly feeling I guess. I've just not had it the past couple of days, since my PT session on Tuesday night, but I have been walking out of the gym feeling knackered. So to get to the point, I'm going to listen to my body and take tomorrow off, stick with the diet but rest my body, not even a cheeky walk on the treadmill. Zilch.
I had devised my programme with a rest day on day 4 but haven't been sticking to it. Instead, I've moved legs to day 4 and stuck in a cardio session on day 3. Rest day 5 - which I didn't follow this week and went into the gym for a 60 minute power walk and abs. Its just too much and there's no point in sticking with this because I'm not putting the right level of effort in. I just feel like I'm going through the motions and I'm easily distracted nebbing at what other people are doing. Tonight I was even irritable at other gym users, well they were being knobs and walking right in front of me during walking lunges...
HELLO I HAVE WEIGHT ON MY BACK I CAN'T DODGE YOU
Usually it would bug me but not distract me. I left the gym feeling deflated even though I had completed a hard legs programme and that's not right. Shame really, I woke up this morning feeling great.
Cardio on Wednesday was a HIIT hill run on the treadmill. A short warm up gradually increasing the incline at a walk speed then into intervals on 10% incline and around 10.5 speed. Blowing out my arse, this then got taken down to 1% incline and increasing the speed to around 13.5, then back to a power walk on 10% to finish. I struggled through some core work muttering to myself this shouldn't be this bleeping hard and dragged my tired ass home. I did meet with some friends later in the evening for my cheat meal and have to be honest other than the pudding, passion fruit creme brulee which was incredible, didn't really enjoy the food and ate less than half of my sausage and mash. But lovely to catch up with friends and have a good chin wag.
I was really naughty today and had protein bars for meals 1&2 then a late meal 3 before training. Indigestion on top of feeling worn out = miserable face :-( I've just had a protein bar for meal 4 but going to force myself to cook something for my last meal of the day because that's just appalling! If anyone else had told me that was their diet for a day I would be horrified and seeing back in black and white isn't nice reading. I know better, and on a legs day too - silly cow. I guess that's the purpose of this blog, making myself accountable. Boo!
I have noticed a different in my body already and have received nice complements. I can see more definition all over including my stomach, my worst area by far and my muscles are popping far more than they have in a long time when I'm training. Happy days and I just need to keep this in mind on nights like this when I feel like throwing in the towel and heading off to bed with a box of crispy cakes and a chippy.
I think its time this grumpy little princess got fed and went to bed, night night x
I had devised my programme with a rest day on day 4 but haven't been sticking to it. Instead, I've moved legs to day 4 and stuck in a cardio session on day 3. Rest day 5 - which I didn't follow this week and went into the gym for a 60 minute power walk and abs. Its just too much and there's no point in sticking with this because I'm not putting the right level of effort in. I just feel like I'm going through the motions and I'm easily distracted nebbing at what other people are doing. Tonight I was even irritable at other gym users, well they were being knobs and walking right in front of me during walking lunges...
HELLO I HAVE WEIGHT ON MY BACK I CAN'T DODGE YOU
MOVE!!!
Usually it would bug me but not distract me. I left the gym feeling deflated even though I had completed a hard legs programme and that's not right. Shame really, I woke up this morning feeling great.
Cardio on Wednesday was a HIIT hill run on the treadmill. A short warm up gradually increasing the incline at a walk speed then into intervals on 10% incline and around 10.5 speed. Blowing out my arse, this then got taken down to 1% incline and increasing the speed to around 13.5, then back to a power walk on 10% to finish. I struggled through some core work muttering to myself this shouldn't be this bleeping hard and dragged my tired ass home. I did meet with some friends later in the evening for my cheat meal and have to be honest other than the pudding, passion fruit creme brulee which was incredible, didn't really enjoy the food and ate less than half of my sausage and mash. But lovely to catch up with friends and have a good chin wag.
I was really naughty today and had protein bars for meals 1&2 then a late meal 3 before training. Indigestion on top of feeling worn out = miserable face :-( I've just had a protein bar for meal 4 but going to force myself to cook something for my last meal of the day because that's just appalling! If anyone else had told me that was their diet for a day I would be horrified and seeing back in black and white isn't nice reading. I know better, and on a legs day too - silly cow. I guess that's the purpose of this blog, making myself accountable. Boo!
I have noticed a different in my body already and have received nice complements. I can see more definition all over including my stomach, my worst area by far and my muscles are popping far more than they have in a long time when I'm training. Happy days and I just need to keep this in mind on nights like this when I feel like throwing in the towel and heading off to bed with a box of crispy cakes and a chippy.
I think its time this grumpy little princess got fed and went to bed, night night x
Wednesday, 2 February 2011
Money Well Spent
My personal trainer is worth his weight in gold, or more aptly worth every penny of the hourly fee.
How do I know this?
I screamed "I hate you" at him last night. And meant every word of it, spewed out with absolute venom and loud enough for a near by PT and his client to hear and have a good giggle at.
Well he was being evil but all for my own good. At the end of a chest and triceps session, which I was pushed to my strength limit, he decides to grab my legs and make me do a tricep dip even tho I was in bits. EVIL!
Me: "No I can't, no I can't, no I can't"
Him: "YES YOU CAN!!!"
And I did!
I don't really hate him, I think he's awesome. Body conditioning, motivation, belief, honesty and a bit of banter. A good personal trainer is essential in my book.
Craig Mason at Virgin - get booked in!!
How do I know this?
I screamed "I hate you" at him last night. And meant every word of it, spewed out with absolute venom and loud enough for a near by PT and his client to hear and have a good giggle at.
Well he was being evil but all for my own good. At the end of a chest and triceps session, which I was pushed to my strength limit, he decides to grab my legs and make me do a tricep dip even tho I was in bits. EVIL!
Me: "No I can't, no I can't, no I can't"
Him: "YES YOU CAN!!!"
And I did!
I don't really hate him, I think he's awesome. Body conditioning, motivation, belief, honesty and a bit of banter. A good personal trainer is essential in my book.
Craig Mason at Virgin - get booked in!!
My Nutrition Plan
I've had a couple of requests for my nutrition plan so here it is - this diet is designed to reduce body fat whilst fueling workouts, maintaining muscle mass and muscle growth . Apologies in advance this is a long post! It may need to be tweaked as the weeks progress, I sat and did the maths yesterday and think I need to up my carb if the scales don't respond this weekend.
This diet plan was born after my cousin Sandy asked for some advice at my mum's 50th birthday in December. The first thing that flew out of my mouth was get your nutrition sorted, all the rest means bugger all without a good diet. Funny how its so easy to pass on advice but not take it yourself hey.... I've amended it for my own nutrition needs based on my profile and activity levels.
NB: Sandy has lost just under a stone and Claire his girlfriend who's just had a baby has lost half a stone without exercise - SMASHING IT!! :-)
I'm no nutritionist but I do know the basics. I did a nutrition class a few years back which I can say I only took out of it an understanding of low/high GI foods but a good principle foundation none the less. Then it was Scottish Slimmers a few years later where I watched the weight literally fall off my friend and the scales barely move for me. From that experience I learned that unless I am honest with myself about what I put in my mouth and record EVERYTHING I eat then I won't lose weight. Just because no one was around when I ate something didn't mean it didn't count.... As my interest in fitness grew so did my interest in nutrition and supplementation. Hours of reading on the internet, asking questions to friends and a few tried and tested methods and here I am - this is my plan.
This has been ran past my friend and training partner Olly who is a personal trainer specialising in sports nutrition, so I have had the all clear from someone in the know. If anyone is looking for a plan tailored to their own needs drop him and email - prices are awesome so get one now before the celebs get a hold of him and they sky rocket!!
Firstly The Rules
* No sugar - sugar serves no purpose and doesn't metabolise so turns to fat. See fruit exception below.
* No alcohol - alcohol is sugar. Clearly we're all going to trip up here but be aware of the consequences of consuming alcohol. My friend Lindsey's trainer put it best - each glass of wine is a white bread sandwich, do you really want to have it??? The answer sometimes will be no, or in my case "Yes! And I'll take the sandwich too!"
* No simple carbs - white bread, potatoes, white pasta
* Complex carbs are good -oats, brown rice, quinoa, bulgar wheat, brown pasta, sweet potato
* Avoiding fruit except pre or post workout to fuel or replenish glycogen stores and then only blueberries, raspberries, apple, pear or banana
* Good fats are essential in small doses to burn fat - salmon, avocado, flax seed, almonds, peanut butter.
* Personally I avoid dairy as it don't agree with me and use Lactose Free milk or Soya milk.
* Red meat and salmon once a week - full of lovely goodness like iron and omega 3 but need to restrict due to high levels of fat.
We're aiming to eat "clean" here. This is the diet banded about the in fitness world at the moment and from what I've been reading many people claiming to have come up with the method. Don't buy into the hype, its easy - eat everything in its most natural state as often as you can. Cook your own food so you know whats going into it. READ food labels - look at the sugar, saturated fat and sodium content. You want these as low as possible.
The Method
5 small meals a day between 250-300 calories each. This roughly brings me out at 1500 calories per day. This may have drawn gasps from some dieters as I have seen the plans that are in the magazines. The biggest hurdle I had to overcome was you NEED TO EAT. But you need to eat the right food. Use a calorie calculator based on your own height, weight and activity levels but for my profile I cannot go below 1250 a day and I shouldn't go above 1600 for fat loss. On days where I train large muscle groups such as legs I will go up to the top end at 1600 and on rest days stay around the 1300 mark.
Eat meals at regular intervals - between every 2 1/2 to 3 hours. This not only keeps your metabolism active but also stops you feeling hungry or bringing out your inner Mildred!! And ensure that all meals contain both protein (approx 25g) and complex carbs (approx 30g) except for meal 5 where I cut it to vegetable carbs only.
My Typical Day
Meal 1 - 30g of instant oats made with water with a tablespoon of ground flaxseed. 6 egg whites and 1 yolk scramble made with a dash of soya/lactose free milk.
Meal 2 - Home made or shop bought protein bar
Meal 3 - 1/2 packet of Food Doctor Organic Quinoa, chicken breast cooked in cider vinegar with few dashes of Nandos sauce, tomato and cucumber
Meal 4 - This is post workout for me so I have a protein shake immediately and an apple
Meal 5 - Birds Eye Baked to Perfection Pollock Fillet with green beans & broccoli
Not for the faint hearted but EVERYONE can do this plan! You just have to be willing to give up sugar and comfort food which you will see from my previous posts I'm mentally struggling with.
This diet plan was born after my cousin Sandy asked for some advice at my mum's 50th birthday in December. The first thing that flew out of my mouth was get your nutrition sorted, all the rest means bugger all without a good diet. Funny how its so easy to pass on advice but not take it yourself hey.... I've amended it for my own nutrition needs based on my profile and activity levels.
NB: Sandy has lost just under a stone and Claire his girlfriend who's just had a baby has lost half a stone without exercise - SMASHING IT!! :-)
I'm no nutritionist but I do know the basics. I did a nutrition class a few years back which I can say I only took out of it an understanding of low/high GI foods but a good principle foundation none the less. Then it was Scottish Slimmers a few years later where I watched the weight literally fall off my friend and the scales barely move for me. From that experience I learned that unless I am honest with myself about what I put in my mouth and record EVERYTHING I eat then I won't lose weight. Just because no one was around when I ate something didn't mean it didn't count.... As my interest in fitness grew so did my interest in nutrition and supplementation. Hours of reading on the internet, asking questions to friends and a few tried and tested methods and here I am - this is my plan.
This has been ran past my friend and training partner Olly who is a personal trainer specialising in sports nutrition, so I have had the all clear from someone in the know. If anyone is looking for a plan tailored to their own needs drop him and email - prices are awesome so get one now before the celebs get a hold of him and they sky rocket!!
Firstly The Rules
* No sugar - sugar serves no purpose and doesn't metabolise so turns to fat. See fruit exception below.
* No alcohol - alcohol is sugar. Clearly we're all going to trip up here but be aware of the consequences of consuming alcohol. My friend Lindsey's trainer put it best - each glass of wine is a white bread sandwich, do you really want to have it??? The answer sometimes will be no, or in my case "Yes! And I'll take the sandwich too!"
* No simple carbs - white bread, potatoes, white pasta
* Complex carbs are good -oats, brown rice, quinoa, bulgar wheat, brown pasta, sweet potato
* Avoiding fruit except pre or post workout to fuel or replenish glycogen stores and then only blueberries, raspberries, apple, pear or banana
* Good fats are essential in small doses to burn fat - salmon, avocado, flax seed, almonds, peanut butter.
* Personally I avoid dairy as it don't agree with me and use Lactose Free milk or Soya milk.
* Red meat and salmon once a week - full of lovely goodness like iron and omega 3 but need to restrict due to high levels of fat.
We're aiming to eat "clean" here. This is the diet banded about the in fitness world at the moment and from what I've been reading many people claiming to have come up with the method. Don't buy into the hype, its easy - eat everything in its most natural state as often as you can. Cook your own food so you know whats going into it. READ food labels - look at the sugar, saturated fat and sodium content. You want these as low as possible.
The Method
5 small meals a day between 250-300 calories each. This roughly brings me out at 1500 calories per day. This may have drawn gasps from some dieters as I have seen the plans that are in the magazines. The biggest hurdle I had to overcome was you NEED TO EAT. But you need to eat the right food. Use a calorie calculator based on your own height, weight and activity levels but for my profile I cannot go below 1250 a day and I shouldn't go above 1600 for fat loss. On days where I train large muscle groups such as legs I will go up to the top end at 1600 and on rest days stay around the 1300 mark.
Eat meals at regular intervals - between every 2 1/2 to 3 hours. This not only keeps your metabolism active but also stops you feeling hungry or bringing out your inner Mildred!! And ensure that all meals contain both protein (approx 25g) and complex carbs (approx 30g) except for meal 5 where I cut it to vegetable carbs only.
My Typical Day
Meal 1 - 30g of instant oats made with water with a tablespoon of ground flaxseed. 6 egg whites and 1 yolk scramble made with a dash of soya/lactose free milk.
Meal 2 - Home made or shop bought protein bar
Meal 3 - 1/2 packet of Food Doctor Organic Quinoa, chicken breast cooked in cider vinegar with few dashes of Nandos sauce, tomato and cucumber
Meal 4 - This is post workout for me so I have a protein shake immediately and an apple
Meal 5 - Birds Eye Baked to Perfection Pollock Fillet with green beans & broccoli
I snack on 2-3 teaspoons of almond butter (available from Holland & Barrett). Usually at night waiting for meal 5 to cook. I was recently put onto almond butter as a better alternative to peanut butter. Its not bad but need to keep it in the fridge.
I take a multi vitamin & fish oil in the morning and at night and post workout have started taking glutamine to aid recovery.
Not for the faint hearted but EVERYONE can do this plan! You just have to be willing to give up sugar and comfort food which you will see from my previous posts I'm mentally struggling with.
Some Tips
* Use chili and garlic to flavour your food.
* Lemon for fish, fajita seasoning for chicken/beef, low sugar ketchup (Heinz do one) for eggs, Nandos sauce on meat etc…. Lemon pepper (Sharwood's do it in the spices section) is lovely on chicken.* Cinnamon in your porridge for flavour and added benefit of its antioxidant effects.
* If you don’t have something in eg. chicken use mince or tuna or fish or eggs, keep the cupboards stocked up.
* Don’t use oil to cook!!! Cider vinegar is good to cook chicken in (make sure to keep the heat low), mince will be ok in its own juices if you make sure to stir it.
* Drink heaps of water! Carry around a water bottle with you at all times. Use sugar free diluting juice for flavour.
* Take a multi vitamin to ensure your getting enough on a limited diet.
I may edit this post but for now here's my nutrition plan that I am trying in vain to stick too.... darn those jam donuts!
I may edit this post but for now here's my nutrition plan that I am trying in vain to stick too.... darn those jam donuts!
Tuesday, 1 February 2011
Loudons Cafe & Bakery
I'm sitting in Loudons Cafe & Bakery ironically drafting post about my nutrition plan. This cafe is new in Edinburgh and I can't get over how gorgeous it is and how life really has a sense of humour sometimes. Filled with an eclectic mix of people - business meetings over coffee, a student working away on his laptop, yummy mummies meeting for lunch, it has a gorgeous feel about it - cool but relaxed and very airy Just a lovely place, and they even accommodated my request for a soya flat white and went out back to find some sweetener as I gazed longingly at the cakes.
I really want to steal this pillow but don't reckon its going to fit in my bag.....
There's a chap outside taking professional pictures which I can only imagine is for a piece in i-on Edinburgh, so I urge you to check this place out as soon as you can before the hoards arrive. Oh, I almost want to shed a tear that I won't be having brunch here this weekend.
Ch-ch-ch-check it out x
I really want to steal this pillow but don't reckon its going to fit in my bag.....
There's a chap outside taking professional pictures which I can only imagine is for a piece in i-on Edinburgh, so I urge you to check this place out as soon as you can before the hoards arrive. Oh, I almost want to shed a tear that I won't be having brunch here this weekend.
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| MONKEY! |
Ch-ch-ch-check it out x
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