Achievement Blog!

2011-06-19T16:48:00.007+08:00

FINAL POST.....NEW BLOG UP.....!!!

Howdy!

These pics are from today, - this morn after brekkie. Sis said she was keen to see them and now that I got round to taking them I'm glad I did. I didn't weigh in today but yesterday saw my lowest at 62.4kg/137.6lb, (since early 2002). (Am 1.71m) I went out to a BBQ and a few drinks last night so if I looked it may have been a couple of hundred grams up today! So I said total ultimation was 62kg but this is pretty damn close and in the range I decided I want to maintain which is ideally 60-63kg, orange light to 65kg but to not get above 68kg.

So these pics will mark the end of this blog. Right now I feel it's been a productive time.

As for how I lost the weight: - for me it seriously wasn't that hard. Consistency and no bingeing was the key though. I didn't give up carbs, I didn't 100% give up sugar, I don't keep to strict portions/macronutrients or mealtimes, I didn't take any fatburners or supplements, I didn't follow the 'intuitive eating' guidelines, I didn't keep a food log.

For me pretty much is was common sense. Such as treating food more like a ration. Eating till say 6/10 instead of 9/10. We can have another 'ration' later! Meat portions are generally around deck size of playing carbs, - slighly more with fish or maybe 100g-150g meat and always cooked in a non too fatty way! Green veg are pretty much as much as I want. Gourmet low fat muesli or oats is pretty much totally heaped third of a cup and is served with a serve of fresh fruit and 100g or so of a low fat/low sugar kinda natural yoghurt. I still like my scooped out multigrain baguettes with salad and protein and dijon for lunch, fruit or portioned yoghurt for snacks as needed, 1-2 small skinny flat whites/no sugar per day, lots of water. Then healthy but not oversised meal at tea. I'm not that strict though and love going out and tend to work on balancing things out.

Not always easy cause the day after a good party when I maybe indulge in an extra drink and an extra bit of meat, - the next day the temptation is there to wanna go all out and binge, - but I haven't given into that yet. Am definitely enjoying this fitter slimmer leaner thingie going on!

My new blog is http://passions-hobbies.blogspot.com

So please come over for a look. It will keep you up to date with my doings and visions. However I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with this blog...............but I feel time to say to say goodbye.

Pip :-)

2011-06-13T20:41:00.002+08:00

WHAT'S WITH THIS...........???

Just before I get around to setting up and opening up my new blog I will state that I went Levis shopping! Thought I'd take advantage of the current sales. My size 12 jeans seem to be on the big side now and slightly dowdy! Even my size 11 Lee's are on the loose side.

Today's purchases = one pair of '27's demi curve stretch black skinny legs AND one pair of maxi curve higher waisted mid blue '28' bootlegs. And they fit good right now! 62.9 this morn or 138.4lb. Glad now I went on a big walk yesterday morning and resisted a greasy feast after attending a big party on Saturday night and feeling slightly hungover, - instead just had a skinny flat white and came home to rye toast topped with cottage cheese, cracked pepper, cherry tomatoes, spinach leaves and a smear of vegemite, - 2 slices only! Then an apple.

Talk soon,

Pip :-)

2011-06-12T19:38:00.002+08:00

BLOG CLOSURE.....BUT CERTAINLY NOT THE END AND MUCH MORE TO COME...

Hello,

I've had this blog since 2007 and have basically decided it's time to update somewhat. Over the years I have deleted many of the repetitive sounding blog posts and particularly those posts in which I've felt I've complained about feeling overweight, make statements on what I say I'm gonna do.........but don't!

As my posts have stated............my long term goal of many years was to get under 68kg and stay there. 60-63kg is ultimate if it can be managed without either too hardcore or health endangering methods! And also to stop binge eating, (the biggie) and stay committed to reasonable regular training and to permanently hold a fitness level I'm proud of.

I have spent many years formulating plans for this, stating them, slipping, making more plans and eventually decided to think............this yoyo thing is normal and decided to try not to worry about it. But the desire to be at optimal health, fitter, sharper etc still persisted so I guess I did what I needed to do!

I believe I'm about 140 lb, 10 stone or 63.4kg these days. The non digital scales can tell me close to 62kg. I wouldn't mind sharpening up by a couple of kilos but don't want to start seeing numbers below 60kg either! 50's just sound too small! But I certainly don't wanna go up either! 60-63kg sounds ultimate to me, - orange light up to 65 and to never get above 68kg!

However moreso, I want my new blog to talk about more than weight. I intend to talk about my fitness pursuits, travel, I want to get a bit more up to date on blog designs, how to get the best out of a computer. And maybe occasionally just day to day life for Pip :-) I am feeling good and confident that my binge eating days may be over for good but do realise it's a lifelong project. I am a foodie, forever will be I think but for now it's under control. I may slip up with say a bit much wine one night, - the next day may feel like a blow out but can somewhat rein self in.

The new blog will be up soon, I will leave this one here but just feel it's time to update! I will keep reading all the regular blogs I read and I'm sure still will talk about my body composition from time to time, (just don't want it to be the main theme).

Till next time,

Pip :-)

2011-06-09T18:40:00.002+08:00

'ULTIMATION' approaching and it feels unreal!!! :-)

Howdy! Firstly I'll explain my explanation of 'ultimation' for me it fatloss/weight and fitness terms.

The easiest way was target one being 68kg or under on me with equates with getting my body fat down to maybe 27-28%. Or at least under 30%. I must say getting body fat % to under 30% is a huge thrill when in the past it's been 40% plus at some points. And 3 years running I reached 68.something for a day before letting it slide. And for the past few years before that didn't see much below 73kg at my fitter points. The idea at target one of 68kg was to feel thrilled, stay below it, lose a few more kg if poss without too much hardcore effort so I could use 68kg as a 'cut off' point if I went on holidays or something.

However I considered 68kg as 'target one', - very pleasing. And considered 60-62kg as ULTIMATION! Body fat % would be in the low 20's, even possibly slightly better if I built some muscle. Size 10 would be closest general clothes size, (occasionally 12's for designers or even '8's believe or not for the bigger generic type brands! I didn't know if my 'ultimation' goal was realistic so decided to let the satisfaction of letting 'target one' set in and not allow myself to slip up on that basically, - ideally be well under it with a bit of a buffer if poss without overly obsessive effort!

And since have been getting fitter, running ability has improved. Nutrition wise I feel it's been rounded. I've given up the daily weighing but do still have a peek every 2-3 days or so.

As for getting close to my ultimation definition:
* I've seen the high '62's' twice over the past week on a morning first thing naked after a big run the day prior, a couple of wines but a light tea! Today was one of those.
* If more hydrated (ie no wine) of if bowels don't feel quite empty in mornings it's closer to 64.

At ultimation I think body fat is in low 20's for me, (if it gets lower I won't complain but am happy at this). Decided 60-63kg is 'ultimate'! Up to 65kg is 'orange zone'. But 68kg now is the number to not get above. I don't think I want to get much below 60kg though, - would rather build muscle if I want to get fitter or leaner. The fact it's so close if not here is awesome.

Thing is I've been 'relatively' discplined and have balanced stuff out but have done nothing particularly hardcore or unsustainable to get here! I do train hard, - run on average 25km per week over 3-4 sessions, one other intense cardio, maybe a 15 min resistance workout cause I'm slack on doing two each week. Work is active and on the go which may help contribute. Calorie wise I reckon I average 1700-1800 a day with a 300 cal a day average of wine or low carb beer cals! However have not binged once recently and I've made sure social meals at others homes or restaurants haven't turned to personal binges.

Talk soon,

Pip :-)

2011-06-08T20:54:00.002+08:00

19.2km run of today..........

G'day!

Firstly I'll announce I did train on Sunday, - a 12km run in the Hills. Saturday was 30 mins on the turbo followed by a short 15 min run before we headed to watch the footy. Friday was a day off training. Last Thursday was a 9.6km run effort around 'The Bridges' run. Anyways I'm getting in about 4 good intense cardio workouts a week on average and maybe a piddly resistance workout once a week, - ya know push ups, sit ups and various crunches, plank, lunges, sit against wall thing, tricep dips, walking lunges with not much rest in between various exercises. With the resistance at this stage I just make sure I last 15 mins and usually do some stretching after.

Early Mon morning I COULD have done some training but was still quite pleased with the run the day prior and just bummed around kinda till 10am which I headed out for the days activities. Yesterday after work I blew off a swimming training session to undertake another un-mentionable mission I felt held priority at the moment :-)

Work has been busy and active as per norm.

Anyway it has occured to me a few times that I'm doing a 21.1km half marathon in just over 3 weeks now. Since my last half marathon in 2008 on the Gold Coast my longest run since has been 14km, (which was 'Run for a Reason' race this year and last year). And if running alone my 'long' runs have still been no longer than 12km. 'Short' speed runs are generally around the 5.5-6km.

If I tried 2 laps of my 12km run or 9.1km run in the Hills close to home I know I'd be discouraged by times.........in seeing how I could improve on my current half marathon PB. 1 lap at the fastest pace I can manage is sure enough!

However for being a slacker in regard to organising training the last 2 days and to see how far 'off pace' for half marathon I am I decided to run 2 laps of the 9.6km 'Bridges' run today to see how I went. Not just the one lap where I hold a PB of 51 mins. Obstacles for me were two flights of steps for going up and down, the other cyclists and pedestrians out on the route such as trying to pass a pedestrian on a bridge while looking out for cyclists in all directions, also stopping and jogging on a spot at a couple of intersections till walking lights turned green.

I formulated this plan yesterday and it worked wonders.

The only time available for this run was after a very busy energetic work day on feet. So at the time the last thing I felt like doing! Nutrition had been OK, not magical. Rest, - on feet so not really rested.

And on a 12km run I wouldn't take a water bottle. But on a new 19.2km run I thought I better take a screw top Mt Franklin 600ml bottle as that was all I had on me. So I carried that in one hand and a building swipe card and shop keys in the other.

In general I HATE running carrying a water bottle! I feel lopsided, lost in stride somewhat and slower than I'd like. However my goal was to consume the bottle over the first lap, then ditch it by start of second lap, then speed up on the second lap just carrying swipe card and key.

Successful!!! I had to deal with head winds the first lap, mostly over first 3km! I didn't go out too hard as I knew I had 19.2km to do. Carrying a jiggly water bottle was awkward! I could tell my pace over the first 9.6km lap didn't feel fast, (but it didn't feel hopelessly slow either). I clocked in at 57 mins 30 for the first 9.6km lap and felt like that was just a warm up as I ditched my empty water bottle. 10km/h feeling like a warm up was a tops feeling! For the first few kms of lap 2 I sped up, feeling mighty pleased with myself. At about the 14-15km mark I felt a bit sore, slight cramps but nothing major. I did expect it but I still maintained my pace. In the final 2km or so I guess what, - SPED UP! I was trying to finish under a various time and managed it.

Anyway my time for today's 19.2km run was 1 hour, 51 mins, 54 secs. And I don't feel as if I have particularly gone hard at race pace, - such as I could have put on my 'sprinting' pace earlier rather than reserving. I don't reckon I will be sore tomorrow like I was after 'Run for a Reason 14km'. My first lap was a bit slower cause of holding a water bottle, a min or so in total would have been cause of traffic, I was somewhat tired at starting after a busy work day plus I was running on my own rather than trying to topple my ability.

So today I finished slightly over 2 hour half marathon pace. But I feel I could have gone faster and would have etc if in racing conditions. I felt at the end of today I could have held a decent pace for another 1.9-2km to complete a half marathon! Today's run felt like a training run more than a race................yet if I raced at this pace I would be pleased!

And to get where I needed to go I had an easy 3km or so of walking after finishing my run.

Weight wise I haven't been on the digital to 100g scales but the others show I'm around 64kg these days.

Talk soon,

Pip

2011-06-01T22:23:00.002+08:00

SKINFOLD PROGRESS.................

Howdee!

It was skinfold day today. Two years ago I was seeing a trainer for a good few weeks. Anyway I managed to get my skinfold total over 8 sites down from 183mm down to 115mm in I believe 8 weeks. When I was over 90kg I believe skinfold total would have been over 300mm which is mighty scary.

And I remember dropping about 9kg in that timeframe two years ago as well and feeling pleased with my progress at the time.

Lately however I have felt I've reached yet another 'new better' level so was keen to actually see what my skinfolds were now rather than just assume they were 'about something LOL'.

Anyway today came out with my skinfolds totalling 89 mm over 8 sites, my weight sitting on 64.6kg. Seasoned pro triathletes and runners may peak in the 50-60mm range I believe. Body builders maybe in roughly the 30-40mm range. But now I'm not sitting in an 'overfat' place, - instead an 'acceptable' era! Yay yay, - it's feeling good and will pro improve bit and bit over time :-)

However

2011-05-28T16:15:00.003+08:00

LIFE 4 WEEKS ON FROM FINALLY HITTING MY TARGET WEIGHT................

Firstly yep, it was 4 weeks ago to the day today that I finally saw a number 68kg or 150lb or under. 4 weeks ago I saw 2 dehydrated reads of 67.5 and one of 67.9 and 149.2lb. The reads depended on how the scales were positioned on the tiles or other stupid factors. I say I was dehyrdrated as I'd consumed quite a bit the wine the evening prior while watching the Royal Wedding on 29 April and I note I can weigh anything up to a kilo less the next morning following some wine! I therefore hit target on Sat 30 April 2011. I hit under 70kg first time this year on 18 April.

Secondly I'm proud to report I haven't seen a number above those ones since either.

Today I decided to take a visit to the scales after almost a week of keeping off them. No wine last night and infact a late but lightish tea last night. I therefore felt powerful enough to perform a decent 5-10km run rather than depleted or dehydrated or in dire need of a good brekkie before a run. I saw one read today of 65.4, another of 64.9 and another of 65.0kg. As for pounds I came up as 143.5lb.

I am not really an overly analytical precise person but this has been fun.

I will note another pleasing experience last night was taking a rushed visit to the shop 'Cue'. I had noted at 70-72kg my most regular size had been a 12. OK, sometimes I needed a bigger top to fit across bust etc but average close to a 12. Infact when getting under 76kg I remember being pleased to be able to get into size 12 pants instead of bigger from shops such as Cue, Target, Country Road, Colorado. As you could imagine my size 12 Cue suit I bought last year at 75-76kg is now rather big.

Basically I wanted to go in there to see if I could get away with a size 10 suit! I believed I may have been able to. Until last night I hadn't bought any new clothes since reaching target. The size 10 dress pictured above was a purchase! Infact it was a non stretch size 10 and the pics were taken an hour ago today.

I did try on a beaut grey suit and the assistant looked at me and gave me a 10 jacket and believe it or not size 8 grey suit pants! I put them both on over a beaut lace size 10 fitted top and paraded out feeling comfy! She then told me the pants were an '8' and I thought she was joking! I tried on the '8' skirt but felt that was a bit uncomfy and tight with the 10 being much better. Still seriously, - I think they must be big fitting '8's as my waist at smallest point is still a comfy 29 inches, not tiny or anything. OK, maybe 28.5 inches first thing in morning over bare skin before brekkie. I found another size 10 black mini and other tops to try on. I was advised it's the fashion and often a better look to tuck non bulky tops into skirts. That's a first for me but it was great to feel I looked acceptable in doing so!

I didn't buy then and there. I went and swithered about it while doing my fastest treadmill 30 min run at gym. I achieved my fastest 30 min run for ages at 5.75km in 30 mins so decided um.............stuff it! I'd buy the dress, black mini skirt and a navy lace fashionable formal top. Being sweaty and all I didn't try it on again!

I have decided upon achieving under 68kg..........I sure wanna stay under it. I always used to say 68kg was target one and 62kg was ultimation. I still think along those lines. For example finally getting my body fat under 30% after being 40% was fantastic and I have taken time to feel thrilled but 20-25% body fat is awesome!

I remember via a DEXA scan 3 years ago lean mass was 46.something kg. I maybe able to do slightly more pushups but I just hope it hasn't decreased. If I put on a kg or 2 of muscle, - fantastic. I've decided to make my ideal fitness range 60-65kg.............but if I go travelling etc NEVER to get above 68kg. By keeping up a small amount of regular challenging resistance training as well as my other stuff I believe this is actually achieveable. That will have me maintaining a nice maintainable body fat of 20-25% in the 'fitness' but not 'athlete' range. If I get into the 'athlete' range I'd be stoked but believe that is a bit seasonal etc. I'd be stoked to get and maintain in the fitness range!

SO, WHAT HAVEN'T I BEEN DOING:

* Following a 'no' carb or even 'low' carb diet
* Having set precise mealimes and eating 5-6 mini-meals
* Sticking to my training regimes religiously
* Banning alcohol
* Keeping a food diary
* Following a precise plan
* Prob sleeping enough
* Being strict
* Ringing up restaurants scrutinising their menus in advance or electing to only eat my own food if visiting others

WHAT HAVE I BEEN DOING

* Mental rough calorie, nutrient balancing
* Common sense
* Often but not religiously sticking to about 3 meals a day during week, 1-2 snacks if needed. At weekends may have a good brekkie, train an hour or two later then not eat till tea if going out unless I feel hungry which is then often something light like fruit.
* Staying away from bingeing
* Have been keeping sugary options out of day to day life. But if it's occasional and I really want something I can plan for it, keep to a moderate portion and budget it in. Not that hard once ya start.
* Getting in at least 3 hard intense training sessions of at least 30 mins each week, a couple of good short resistance workouts and am just generally active with my job etc day to day.
* Really keeping an eye on portion sizes. If out etc I may have a bit more than normal, even dessert as well if say at a dinner party and it's specially made but must feel I'm in control and whatever I do I can't let it turn into getting 'off track'.

Wine is the next big thing I must get a bit stricter on regarding moderation :-)

What I have wanted to achieve since getting under 68kg was:
* staying comfortably under there, (it not being a fleeting one day visit)
* not getting (or appearing) to others too obsessed or completely hardcore about it either.

Talk soon,

Pip :-)

2011-05-24T20:47:00.002+08:00

5.23 min/km time.................!!!

I received my offical race stats from '14km Run for a Reason' back today.

My net time is 1 hr, 14 mins, 7 secs. My average speed was 5 min, 23 sec kms!

Last years net time was 1 hr, 28 mins, 15 secs so I'm well and truly proud :-) I was anticipating being a total happy queen if I got under 1 hr, 20!

Family: - if you are interested in seeing my race pics or finishing video please visit
www.hbfrun.com.au

Then check out 2011 results and under 'search' type 'Pip Dodds' There is a video of me finishing and some running pics of me. I'm the one with the pink headband.

Talk soon!

Pip :-)

2011-05-22T16:18:00.002+08:00

2011 14km RUN FOR A REASON.........22 MAY plus LEANEST ABS SINCE 2002!!!

OK, firstly today was race day. 14km Run for a Reason 2011!

I guess I will start with my GUN time. I crossed the finish line just a small tad under 1 hour, 15 mins, (maybe 1 hour, 14 min, 50 sec or so). I would guess my NET time to be 30 secs to 1 min faster, (you know the time it actually takes to get from your place in the starting herd actually to the start line where the race actually takes place from).

Now to say I'm stoked with that is an understatement! I'm super mighty impressed. It's a shaving of about 14 mins off last years time. My goal this year I was shooting for was c) to beat last years 1 hr, 28 something, b) to beat 1 hr 24 so I average 10kmph, and a), - I decided I'd be super pleased if I could get under 1 hr 20. So you may understand that sub 1 hr 15 is extremely thrilling!!! The day started at 5am when BF and I got up. I didn't get lots of sleep due to anticipating the run for some reason. It was a cold night by Perth standards and a cold morning. I reckon well below 10 degrees at 6.45am if not below 5 degrees LOL.

Alrighty: - I must say that my last few runs have been pleasing. My long run 'cruising' pace seemed to have increased. And I'd had a few consistent 'good' runs! That is despite a cold a couple of weeks back and then a lightly sprained/turned ankle. I hadn't got all the runs I'd wanted to get in, (that being 4 per week). Quite often I'd only got in 2 runs, a swim or two and my bit of resistance training. However work has been very active and busy, (ok not quite sweat busting that often but just in general flat out, on the go with lots of bending, lifting, constant movement for many hours on end)! If overtime is needed it's hard to get motivated to train after an active work day!

The other pics in the bra, dark grey trackkies are from Thurs morn this week before putting on work top and having brekkie. Just thought I'd have a look. I would have to say that is my flattest stomach and leanest torso since 2002! I didn't weigh in that morning but yesterday morn was 65.3 first thing before brekkie. That is my lightest since 2002 as well.

Anyway I've kept under the 68kg now for 22 days and have been under 70kg for 34 days. I don't weigh daily but haven't seen numbers above these since then. And I want it to stay that way. Infact ideally I think a maintenance of between 60-65kg would be awesome to forever maintain. That would roughly be between 20-25% BF unless I gained a heap of muscle. So I will exercise my cut off point to still be 68kg but will aim for the lower half of the 60's to get and stay with!

A bit to do, - talk soon. In my run photo I was wearing a sports bra, - hence possible lack of chest definition!

Pip :-)

2011-05-16T20:52:00.003+08:00

NICE RUNNING HAPPENING AT THE MOMENT!!!........

Well, - I completed the 'Bridges' 9.6km effort in just on 51 mins today. I'm sure that is a PB for 'The Bridges' and probably almost betters my 50 min 5 sec PB on my 9.3km effort back in 2006. It's a mainly flat run but there are a couple of flights of steps on it, - down one and up the other!!! If I could keep up that pace, (or close to it) for my 14km run this weekend and my looming half marathon I would be super stoked now.

Just recently I've noted my 'cruising' pace to be at least 10kmph and race pace is slightly above that which I'm super pleased with. I'm sure losing weight and body fat and getting the nutrition mix suitable has helped. However it takes time and patience.

When heavier when trying to eat less and notably cut carbs..........it can effect running pace at times as can not enough sleep or water or too much alcohol the night prior!

I am still tentative with how I place my injured ankle last week with each foot strike. By that I slow down slightly when turning corners suddenly and make sure I place foot/toes squarely on the ground. If doing all that it's not sore.

Another thing I am pleased with is that I resisted temptation to be a 'pig' after my social yummy lunch/dessert yesterday. After my moderate amount of dessert, lunch and wine yesterday I did feel like over-eating on all types of yummy sweet things followed by lots of cheese when I got home till I'd consumed an insane quantity and got over full! I know once I lose control, - it's a bugger to get back and can take a while and too much self loathing!

However I resisted, stuck to a sensible tea, woke up without a 'junkfood or overeating hangover' and was fully on track today nutrition wise and trained hard, (see run story above). I didn't weigh self though incase I was a couple of hundred grams more than yesterday morning cause of Sunday lunch and didn't want to start bloody Monday with a defeated attitude about that!

Another thing I will mention is:
* I'm suddenly not overly worried about how others perceive me.

For sure I'm still a natural people pleaser to a degree and like to impress others and make life easier for them if I can. But that's to a degree as well.

Also I guess lots of the time I haven't had lots of confidence in myself. Admittably I've thought of myself fat, (to different degrees at various times), someone who wastes/undos any hard work or effort I make therefore can't maintain control. Have thought of myself as a bit (or quite) clueless/hopeless at times. On the positive I did always know I'm relatively friendly, helpful, (or try to be) means well, reliable and do at times perservere with stuff. But I shot myself in the foot thinking I wasn't that talented or good at anything.

Amongst all that I did crave validation that I'm cool, worthy etc.

However lately I'm suddenly not so bothered at all about validation. I may certainly not be 'perfect' but am a reasonable worthy person with strengths and weaknesses like most of us!

2011-05-15T19:25:00.002+08:00

15 MAY 11 TALK..........

G'day,

Short update time here.

Firstly with ankle, - it's nearly good again but I'm still a bit tentative with it. Yesterday morning I did a 12km hilly run with it. I didn't push myself as hard as I possibly could because of ankle and the fact that 12km is a reasonably long distance. When turning corners or on uneven surfaces such as gravel I slowed down to watch every stride. I stood on a big rock at one stage on run and for that split second felt my ankle but it was fine thereafter. However my slower comfortable running pace has seemed to increase. I averaged 6 min km or 10km/h at that run where I wasn't really pushing myself to full and lots of uneven surfaces and uphill was included so I'm happy with that.

I did intend on a sprint 5km this morn............slacker Pippi didn't get organised and didn't get up and do it early!

BF's Mum picked me up today late morning to attend BF's cousins baby shower. It was a great fun day, a beaut spread for lunch was had by us. BF's cousin is due in 3 weeks. The party was at her sisters and she is an awesome cook, - always has been!

All her mains and salads are beautiful. However........if you are having dessert she's the dream! Wbatever type of cake, slice or dessert you are having, - she seems to make it better than any shop/cafe ever and it's presented in an immaculate manner. Over the past 3 years I've tasted and have eaten a few of her delicacies. Her fruit cake is laden with fruit, brandy stuff and is MOIST! Her choc mud cake as I had her make for my 30th last year is so moist and rich! I had a bit of her lemon meringue cake today and the lemon flavour was bursting, - the best lemon meringue cake I've ever had and I've tried a few! Awesomely tangy! Her cupcakes are moist, fruity with tangy icing.

With my mission of fatloss/fitness gain/weight loss or maintenance I generally try to now keep away from all sugary stuff on a general day to day basis. When in the mindset it's not that hard. I knew today would be a special occasion and did budget myself to indulge with a 'reasonable' amount of sweets from the sweets table! They did taste awesome! Particularly after a beaut lunch with champers!

Now the Pippi challenge begins. I'm not worried about what I ate at lunch. I didn't binge. I had a moderate plateful of healthy choices at lunch and a small bread and butter plateful of fresh fruit and a few but moderate amount of bite sized delicacies for dessert. I've had a couple of extra glasses of champers this evening and 2 slices of wholegrain toast with small amount of low fat cottage cheese, slither of avocado and vegemite with chopped fresh tomato and cracked pepper. Am now on water.

I'm not physically hungry but am in mood morso than for a while for chocs and mini cupcakes from today in fridge, thickly cut cheese and icecream in large quantities. However I know I will be happiest if I don't go there and won't do it. Instead I will do some resistance work, drink water and get to bed at decent hour for a Sunday. Then normal brekkie, lunch, snack, training and tea tomorrow.

I did get on the metal monsters this morn and was shocked but stoked to see the number 65.8kg! I had 3 glasses of wine yesterday evening, - otherwise trained hard and was on track food wise. I know if I eat and train well but don't drink any wine, (just more water) the day before I'm often a few hundred grams heavier haha!

Unbelieveably I'm wearing awesome size 10 Just Jeans mid blue jeans with a slight stretch in them today and wore them out. They fit great just now. In 2006 I slipped into the 66's for a day or two before a huge slip up and bought those jeans then. So today is first day of wearing them since. I will note today is the first time since 2002 that the 65's have been seen! Infact at the moment I'm proud to say I have no items at all in my wardrobe that are too small for me. Either clothes fit perfect or they are slightly big but I wear them anyway or they are far too big and in a bag at back of wardrobe! My winter coat from 2003 is a size 14 when now I'd get a 10-12 depending on shop However I cinch it in with a stretch size S womens belt! That works nicely over cocktail dresses to show off a waist too. (Me wanting to show off a waist is saying something!)

So I definitely need to keep under the 68kg for mark for good. I've always said 60-62kg is ultimation. I don't want to push myself to un-natural or unsustainable measures to reach ultimation. I do want and need to maintain a fit lifestyle, am happy to watch how clean my diet is along with portion control but don't want to take it to precise hardcore standards on social occasions and want to feel whatever I do can be maintainable.

I'm looking at starting a distance learning course with Cengage Education over the next few years. Maybe a sports nutrition certificate or nutrition certificate or retail pharmacy certificate or dental assistant cert 4 or a business or tourism/travel course. I've done no study since the 90's and can't afford to leave full time work. But gaining new skills would be great. Will let ya know the outcome.

Talk soon

Pip :-)

2011-05-12T21:40:00.001+08:00

MAINTENANCE UPDATE AND DOINGS...........

G'day,

Am just doing a late evening quick report again lol!

Firstly I had what I considered an awesome training session on Monday. After a busy work day I did my 9.1km outdoor hilly run. That includes hills all the way, - some down, some downward steps but lots of continuous uphill. Completion time was just on 51 mins which I was super stoked with!

Work is hands on, active and busy as per norm!

HOWEVER, - due to slight disorganisation on Tuesday morning I was out the door 2-3 mins later than norm and felt uncomfortable about it. Maybe left the house at 5.47am rather than a more comfy 5.44am. I had my swimming gear backpack on back as well as my general handbag over shoulder. I decided to sprint to the bus stop incase the 'thing' was early lol!

Alas, - these surfaces are uneven, potholes and stones to navigate which I forgot about at that time of the day without coffee! So I turned on my ankle and luckily (only slightly sprained or rolled it). Crapola!! I did make it to the bus though but ran the rest of the way slower!

Ankle was an inconvenience at work that day. I googled light sprains/rolls later that evening and freaked out! A couple had told me...........all my hard work for nothing!

It feels slightly sensitive today and my cardio was a good swim session. But it's impoving and I feel confident of able to do next weeks 'Run for a Reason'.

Weight wise have hit the 66's and now sit around 147 lb! And torso is improving by the week/fortnight or so! Awesome! Getting and staying under 68 was always the main target I'd assigned myself and it's awesome to be there! 62kg was what I considered ultimation and it's unbelievable to note that I'm less than 5kg away from that! There is still a bit to go so I could do it. I still wanna keep up my resistance work though! Keeping active, some hardcore training, keeping away from most sugar, portion control over time seems to be doing it. Have now been 12 days under 68 and 24 days under the 70kg mark.

Talk soon,

Pip :-)

2011-05-07T09:55:00.005+08:00

PICS FROM THIS LAST WEEK...........

G'day all! Sorry about all the pics. The bikini ones are there cause I always said I'd take some when under the 68kg or 150lb mark. The bikini ones were actually taken this morning, - one week officially after hitting 68kg or under! I think I should have got a spray tan! Last Saturday was 67.9, this morning 67.1 even though I should learn to stay off them! But have stayed under 68 all last week and under 70 for 3 weeks on Monday. Not sure of my body fat %. I'm confident it's under 30% and would love to get it under 25% permanently!

The bikini is a Roxy size 12 one purchased back in 2006 which was the last year I got under 68kg for a short tad of time.

The boots were purchased earlier in the week, - my first pair of tan boots that come up quite high. I also own a pair of black leather ankle boots with high heels which I got for my 24th birthday and still wear. The jeans are stretch Lee ones, - I've had them since 2006 I think. And my lil sis Diana got me the blue singlet and gold hoop earrings.

I've done no training for almost a week. I came down with a cold. Last Sunday and Monday had the sore throat and went from sweating to cold and back a few times. And then it turned into a head cold and the sore throat luckily went. Still went to work etc every day and went hardcore there. No cough or chest infection though so need to get back into consistent training for the half marathon in 8 weeks and my 14km run in 2 weeks! Yay to me though, - despite a cold I didn't give in to any gorging or comfort eating on chocolate, sugary foods, comfort Boost Juice or Wendy's smoothies, icecream or cheesy savoury stuff. I know if I start, it's harder to stop so am training myself to be satisfied with suitable stuff.

My diet these days varies but very often brekkie is
* a heaped 1/3 cup oats with some boiling water over top and left to steam for a bit. Then I stir in a teaspoon of goji berries, a teaspoon sultanas, a few grapes or grated apple and cinnamon OR about 100g non fat greek yoghurt, a heaped 1/3 cup bircher museli and a chopped up bit of fruit.
When at work generally have a medium skinny flat white, no sugar.

Lunch is mostly a long skinny multigrain crusty baguette with inner dough scooped out with hand, then spread with a bit of dijon mustard, then good serve of full garden salad, (sometimes a bit of avocado) and either a 95g tin tuna OR cold chicken from home OR 50g smoked salmon from work and cracked pepper. (Free at work).

Probably throughout day I'd have another small skinny flat white, (1 coffee shot and no sugar) and also a bit of fresh fruit or yoghurt.

Then in evenings it's 100-150g serve of lean protein, (steak, lamb, chicken, fish, kangaroo or egg white omelette) and quite a few vegies or salad and mostly a small carb serve such as some microwaved then grilled sweet potato, 1/4 cup steamed basmati or brown rice or one small jacket potato. I have a few variations on how I construct these dishes, I like herbs, lemon juice and BF and I eat lots of onion and garlic! As for water I like to have at least 3L throughout day.

Talk soon,

Pip :-)

2011-05-06T22:25:00.000+08:00

2011-05-05T20:58:00.001+08:00

Just a couple of quick pics here of hair style and the new boots bought today on sale at Zu, (a shoe shop here in Perth). I could have tried a bit longer to get better angles etc but here goes, things to do!

2011-05-04T23:26:00.002+08:00

SHORT HAIR, COPPER HIGHLIGHTS, FUN FUN FUN!!!

Howdy! Yesterday had a haircut. Now I have a short rather layered but not concave bob! And bright copper highlights throughout! I do like it! After looking at myself from all angles I decided long hair didn't suit me optimally unless I spend a great time either trying to straighten, curl and style it. So back to short. Pics will be up soon. Still under the 68kg. 67.2 today in though I shouldn't have looked. And have been under the 70kg mark for 17 consecutive days now. Keeping busy and all, - I enjoyed watching the Biggest Loser Finale, - dunno if I got my short hair again inspiration from Emma the winner or Lara or Bec, - they all did look fab.

Talk soon,

Pip :-)

2011-04-30T16:10:00.004+08:00

THE DAY HAS ARRIVED, THIS WILL GO DOWN IN MY MEMORY!!!

Wait for it! I got on the metal monsters. 67.5 at first glance! WOW, first time I've seen 68 or under in many years!

I then moved them to a different area of tiles and turned mode to pounds. 149.2 lb!

I then shifted them and turned dial back to kg. 67.9 this time. I moved them to another area on the tiles. 67.5 again.

Now for me that is a great feeling of accomplishment! 68kg or under or 150lb or under!

Am about to head off for a run now! BF and I then went out for tea, I cracked the expensive bottle pictured and shared some. Run was good. All pics with this post are from today!

2011-04-27T22:17:00.002+08:00

27 APRIL 2011 RAMBLE.............

G'day! Gee, wasn't it sad to go back to work after a 5 day break! I reckon it sure sucked!!!

I have failed with my goal of keeping away from the metal monsters till 1 May. Therefore today was 68.3 which was exactly the same as last Thursday morning so I am very happy to have not let loose over Easter. Of course they bounce around by a few hundred grams but 10 consecutive days under 70 is good. And also the fact that 68.3 wasn't a one off fleeting visit to the 68's not to be returned to for a year or so. I've infact seen that number 3 different days recently which is the lowest for the year. So times are a changin'!

I had a very pleasing treadmill workout today. 5.60km in 30 mins which absolutely pushed me to the max. I was planning on the 9.6km Bridges run but Perth was actually having very rare rain, a few sudden strong downpours, some wind, some puddles and I guess that's not an excuse. I just didn't want to risk getting my 3 week new runners muddy already or slip.

Am swimming tomorrow after work and am gearing up to watch the Royal Wedding after work on Friday.............prob dressed up slightly with maybe some champers just at home haha! So after maybe a bit much wine at Easter I'm holding out till then for wine.

Bedtime now, Easter was a good one.

Pip :-)

2011-04-24T09:29:00.002+08:00

EASTER SUNDAY< MUM'S BIRTHDAY, A WEEK IN THE 60's!

Hello, Happy Easter Sunday all! Happy Birthday for today Mum!

Oh and I've been a bit obsessed with the scales and have got on them each morning this week, (naked before brekkie of course). 7 consecutive days under 70kg achieved!
The 68.3 in my last post last Thursday was a fleeting visit and looking at it I think I was a bit dehydrated that morning due to 3 largish glasses of wine the evening prior. After eating exactly the same, (as it was convenient) on Thursday as I did on Wednesday I somewhow managed to be a whole kilo heavier on Friday morning. The only difference was more water and less wine on Thursday haha! 69.0 today,
(152 lb).

I do want to stop the daily weighing though. I think once a month weigh ins would be good. Such as the 1st of every month or as close to it as convenient. Now that I'm under 70 I REALLY don't want to get above it again. I feel somewhat leaner when I inch into the 60's so need to be here for good, (not just a week or so each year). The big thing is I still want to consolidate under 68 and stay there but under absolutely no circumstances see the 70's again.

So.........can I keep off the scales for a week, (until 1 May)? That's my first goal. And I still intend on being under 70. Maybe I could be under 68 as well? I want to train hard and eat well and drink enough water next week but I'm not prepared to starve and dehydrate for a day or two before weigh in or take a laxative for the first time. Then for the 1st of June and first of each month after the objective is that my weigh in figure is under 68kg/150lb.

I am liking my shoulders, arms, legs, calves. Midriff could still lean down a bit but improvement has been great. I tried on the Cue size 12 suit I bought in August last year. I definitely would now need a 10 in the trousers or to have these ones tailored. The size 12 jacket is roomy, can get buttoned up with extra room rather than there being a slight strain to get up buttoned up, (on the occasions I wore it I found it best to leave the jacket open).

I did the Bridges run in 56 mins, 30 secs on Wednesday, (9.6km). I did a 9.1km rather hilly run with gravel etc involved in 54 mins last week. Yesterday I did a 13km run, lots of hills on it as well. Hard work but made it! The rain has pelted down for a bit this morning but has stopped for a bit so I'm off to try and do my 5.4km run as fast as poss. Would LOVE to achieve under 30 mins for that, (there are a few hills!) I enjoyed my swim this week.

4 weeks till Run for a Reason.
10 weeks till Gold Coast half marathon.

Talk soon,

Pip :-)

2011-04-21T21:37:00.002+08:00

RUNNING, DOINGS, HAPPENINGS.............

First news first. 68.3kg today, (151.0lb). Last years lowest read was 68.6, the year before the lowest was 68.4, back in 2008 my lowest read was 68.5. In 2006 I think I may have actually got under 68kg for a couple of days and in 2007 I didn't make the 60's.

The thing is..........the pattern is that I seem to have managed to just see the 60's most years for about a week before they somehow seem to slip away. And the joy of hitting the 60's is awesome. Size 12 waistbands are comfy if not a little loose sometimes! Today I fitted into and comfortably wore some Target size 10 work 3/4 pants that a mate gave me a year ago brand new as they were surplus to her requirments. First time they have been wearable! Gosh, I bought a size 12 Cue suit last year at 75.3kg which fitted well at the time. I wonder if now 7kg down I could manage a size 10 haha! The sizing must have been on the biggish side as I would still consider myself more a 12 than a 10 mostly.

Admittably I've been weighing myself daily this week and have been training well, haven't felt too carb depleted or dehydrated.

Hmm, I'm luvin the 60's and my big target is to get and stay under the 68kg/150lb. Easter weekend may prove a slight challenge. I have had a 2kg or so drop in the last week which has been a bit uncharacteristic of late and running performances have improved! I think it may be best to keep off the scales for a few days/week or two as I don't want to feel disheartened at a 400g gain or something. However sub 68 it will be soon. Then want to head at aiming for under 66kg. Then I want to drop my weigh ins to once a month or so with the target of staying under the 68kg. If I miss the 68kg crack down by a whisker, - I MUST not get above 70 and must crack down harder! So 70 is the final absolute cut off point but ideally wanna get/stay under 68.

Am stoked it's now Easter break. Training is going well, sorry for all the numbers talk haha.

Talk soon,

Pip :-)

2011-04-18T20:07:00.002+08:00

69er's finally arrive!!!..........

Haha, wonder if that may have grabbed someone's attention!!! I'm sure most of you know what I may mean, - here today!!!

I had a quick Monday jump on the metal monsters this morn. I wasn't expecting much change from my last visit of 70.5 read. I'd done some training but had kind of a restful weekend otherwise. However I didn't overeat, (just a couple of extra wines on Sat night). I kept out of the iced coffee and sugar. So just thought I'd take a peek.

First read was 70.5 again which I was OK with and if similar to last weigh in such as within a kilo my scales often jump back with the same read. Then for fun I changed the mode to pounds and noticed I was about 1.5lbs less than my last read, (the same time I last weighed 70.5). So I switched it back to kilos thinking I may see 70.1 or something and got 69.9 jumping back at me twice.

So I've seen it this year, now am on track to consolidate the 60's, get fitter and get under 68kg or 150lb!

Had my first swim session today which was fab. I have a bit to work on before the tri season starting next summer!

Talk soon,

Pip :-)

2011-04-16T19:34:00.009+08:00

.............AGEING.................

Firstly 2 posts from me in one day! It looks as if just today I may have some free time haha! Okey Dokey, I'm writing a bit on ageing today. A kinda sombre, (however that is spelt) topic for me and prob a few people. Dunno why I'm feeling brave.

Anyways...........over the last few months I've noticed a couple of permanent creases that seem to stay on my face, (still rather small and faint hopefully). One on the forehead and 2 vertical frown lines just above my eyes with one being a bit more prominent than the other. They seem to look worse without any makeup, - ie a moisturisor and liquid foundation on. Luckily light to moderate makeup disguises maybe 80% of the ageing lines.

I also colour my hair. My natural colour is a dark brown. It still is.............but I see a few single grey strands now in every square cm once the re-growth gets to about 2 months. By 3-4 months I REALLY feel I need to put a colour in, - (today was one of those days and I coloured my hair today). My hair maintenance is still rather cheap at about 4 colours a year at about $15.95 a pop and 4 trims at about $19.50 a pop. But over the few months I notice the volume of greys aren't decreasing as re-growth pops through.........instead increasing slowly and surely. I either use supermarket shampoos or take advantage of cheaper salon shampooing/conditioning packages and specials. But I really need those colours! I used to get lighter foils in my hair at a salon...........but in an effort to try and save money for other things I've moved away from that the last 20 months or so. I've thought about a fringe to cover the forehead line and pulled my hair over that way to check it out. But I still see the faint vertical lines and I'm not prepared to have my hair covering my eyes!
Dammit, - maybe I can't pass for 18 anymore!!!

I remember as a kid and in my teens I was told I had perfect vision, - sharp and all! Last year I noticed it took my eyes a bit longer to fully focus early mornings, (I get up early for work). Small print looked a bit blurry in a distance. I put my head down a bit closer to read tiny print. Therefore I decided to take advantage of free optical tests on offer last year. I had a great assessment and the conclusion I was told was my vision wasn't perfect, (but still good enough not to warrant contacts or glasses). But it would diminish ever so slighly over the years so in about 10 years I would need driving/reading glasses.

A few years ago I actually spent a bit on expensive skincare regimes in the belief I may always look just a 'bit' younger than my age. But I accumulated credit card debt back in those days in doing so amongst other careless spending. Today I use mostly Nivea Visage from Woolworths and make sure I use either/and a moisturisor/foundation/sunscreen on my face with at least SPF 15 each day, (SPF 30 if outdoors for long periods). Finances are in better order these days.

The thoughts of Botox I can't afford have crossed my mind, (I haven't contemplated having it, just wished I've had the money I was able to consider it and keeping it up). However that sometimes is all a bit vain..................no-one important is gonna like ya better for it.

What I am grateful for is I'm now not in the position where I feel I need to lose huge amounts of weight. A couple, - 5 kgs nice.........yep, getting fitter and a bit more toned.......yep. But not oodles. My thing of lowering my cut off point, (of rebounding weight gain) has been successful for a few consistent years.

So as a result I am more worried about trying to cover up/use sunscreen/hats etc rather than getting a tan, I don't spend money I can't afford, (chopped up credit cards maybe a year ago), my weight fluctuations have become lots more minimal and actually my BMI is a couple of kg under 25 now.

I don't want to settle here though................I've entered two races as per above post in the nearish future and wanna be happy with my prep! However.......it's fun to acknowledge progress! And I'm on track for my overseas big holiday/adventure in a few years.

Guess I can't get too caught up in greys/permanent facial lines and realise I've kinda grown up LOL! BTW I turn 31 on July 19 this year. The pics at top of this post are of today and there is one with no makeup or nothing. Today I went a shade lighter with my hair colour, - a 4.0 instead of a 3.0 but don't notice much difference :-)

Finally, - I can't really figure out how to delete the right photo. The one of me in my maroon top with my mate are from a Christmas party last December, not to be disturbed with this post. The one with the pink top of me 2 weeks ago was the one I was meaning to put here.

2011-04-16T10:44:00.002+08:00

ENTRIES DONE AND DUSTED..............

Howdy gang!

Well, as of this morning I actually entered the HBF Perth 14km Run for a Reason on 22 May. AND I secured my spot in the Gold Coast Half Marathon held on 3 July 2011. So all is on. Sometimes I wonder why I do this to myself! But it's all good!

I did the HBF run last year and reckon it was more 14.5km rather than 14km as there was about a 500m finishing bit to run after seeing the 14km sign. My time last year for that was 1 hour, 28 mins. Therefore I need to beat that this year, - at least I aim to finish under 1 hour, 24 mins to keep above 10kmph pace. I remember I was 74-75kg when I did that race last year and training hadn't at all been consistent. This week I put a reasonable effort in and have another 5 weeks to produce some consistency for that race.

Oh yeah, I weighed in @ 70.5kg this morning, (155.5lb). Lightest this year to date and can tell in my clothes now just a bit. Still flabby around the middle......but improving! Good to be a comfy size 12 now in general.

Talk soon

Pip :-)

2011-04-12T22:12:00.002+08:00

QUICK UPDATE..........................

G'day! I see I haven't blogged in close to three weeks! This hasn't been intentional......................just guess I haven't had lots of spare time and it's bedtime now pretty much so will try not to go on too long now!

So what's been happening?:
* Work has been rather full on, - doing some overtime and have been going full steam at the fastest pace I can muster most of the time haha! Nah, I've been working hard!

* BF and I have been having quite a social life the last few weekends and have a dinner out with BF's family planned for this weekend. BF is planning on some overnight motorbike trips with his mates and is eventually planning for a really big 3-4 week type one incorporating heading up north to Broome, maybe across to NT even before heading back to Perth. We caught up with his mate's family for tea last weekend. His wife swam at state and national level a few years back, she knows I occasionally attempt triathlon and came forward to help me with swimming which is fantastic and of great help to me. She has written me out a 5 day program with each day looking to incorporate 3-5kmish a hit! I'm to do a swim session twice a week and rotate the 5 days. She has offered to come, help me with my stoke etc. That's a lot of swimming, - more than I'd ever do without a program but if I improve and get stronger at it I will be stoked!

* 9 days ago the work team went to play Supa Golf in the Swan Valley, - lots of fun. Bigger balls and bigger clubs than regular Golf. I'd get frustrated with golf and my hits but could see myself really getting into Golf. This was my first attempt at any Golf bar mini Golf!

* I've booked my accommodation on the Gold Coast for the half marathon on 3 July. Have yet to book the race and part of me is wanting to just do the 10km but I still want the satisfaction of doing the half marathon so intend to enter that event. I still am striving to go under 2 hours! My excitement would be unstoppable if I did that! However finishing under 2 hrs, 6 mins would be awesome as I would have maintained 10km/h pace or 6 min kms! My PB is 2 hrs, 15 mins, 14 secs in the half in 2008 so I guess I'd be pleased to improve on that. In theory that shouldn't be hard as I was 13-14kg more then than I am today.

* I have quite a bit of work to do with running but! I did 30 mins as fast as poss on the treadmill yesterday achieving 5.56km. So that's just over 11km/h pace. The last 7 mins or so though I felt physically sick, stuffed and everything and just wanted to get off but thought of those Biggest Loser contestants and went minute by min and was glad to get to the end of 30 mins without slowing down the treadmill. Scary thing is I have to do almost 4 times that distance at a similar pace to that to do the half in under 2 hours. However I was happy with yesterday's treadmill run as it was my fastest in almost a year on the treadmill. I managed the turbo trainer today for 30 mins.

* Lately I've been maintaining my weight rather than it going down, (or up for that matter) either. Just up and down but about a kilo depending on my focus for the week but it's done that a few times. Just a bit more consistency would get it down another few/couple of kilos and help with a bit more core toning, - easy in theory haha! Was surprised/pleased to be told I was more a 12 than a 14 when using BF's Chrissy voucher to get fitted for bras last weekend! 12DD -12E! I fitted into a nice pair of demi curve size 12 Levis from the Levi shop recently but left them on the shelf.
71.4kg or 157 lb today.

* Oh, I decided to take advantage of the strong current Aussie dollar and ordered some sunglasses from USA! They retail for $320 here in Sunglasses Hut in Aussie but I am paying $183 all up to get them sent to me from the States, ($US189)! Should get them soon, - whoohoo :-)

So that's about it, till next time,

Pip :-)

2011-03-20T14:44:00.002+08:00

RECENT DOINGS AND HAPPENINGS...............

G'day all! A while since I've written I know. Just seem to have been crazy busy of late, (not totally in an organised way mind you).

First mention is that unfortunately I knew of one of the victims of the Christchurch Earthquake. She was in my year at school in 1997, (my last year of school and I changed schools and stayed in a hostel that year). She infact boarded in the room beside mine along with about 10 of us from my year. She was lovely, someone I looked up to in terms of being organised, into everything, great at sports and also an A student. She was much more popular than me so I didn't get to know her really closely but she was nice and friendly to me and many others on a general level and the group in my year at the hostel had many good times together. She unfortunately left behind a husband and a 3 yr old and 1 yr old daughter. The whole situation makes me shudder to think of. Not to mention the Japanese disaster since then. But onwards and upwards, I can't use her as an excuse to be a drain on others however it again illustrates that we can't take our lives for granted.

Work has been mega busy. We've had some bad luck with machines breaking down. Also we had no water for 2 mornings last week and had to carry cold water in buckets a block away to wash the produce etc we use. The water was turned off due to roadworks and re-construction of the city directly outside our building.

I don't have much to report regarding training. I'm going hard at work with moving, walking fast, bending, lifting etc trying to think ahead and be as productive as possible. Have been doing some overtime which is very helpful at the moment too. And just general jobs. However outside of work have been a little disorganised but flat out otherwise. Eating wise, um, not the best but 2-3 coffees a day and constantly being on go must have kept metabolism ampped up enough to at least not gain weight. I braved the scales this morning at 72kg. I was 71.8 at the beginning of the month feeling rather hungry and dehydrated before the scales mind you. I had a decent tea and quite a bit of water last night and didn't feel at all famished when waking up so I will say I weigh the same.

I really need to kick it to the next level to fine tune organisation. Work will still be flat out but still need to fit in training. 15 weeks today till Gold Coast half marathon. And that requires 15 consistent weeks of prep and really cutting back the alcohol to just social occasions again.

I've been mindful of getting my accommodation booked for the Gold Coast. I'm there for 4 nights. I arrive on 1 July, the race is 3 July and I leave on 5 July. I'd normally be happy to stay in a backpackers but with race relaxation, early starts etc I prepared myself to check into a cheapish apartment, hotel or motel for those 4 nights. I didn't want all the cheapies to go to be left with only options costing $500 a night or more. Anyway I found somewhere today! It's called 'BreakFree St Tropez' and is located on Orchid Ave in Surfers. They have a current deal of 'book 4 nights, pay for 3' and the total cost is $381 for those 4 nights. They required a $200 deposit to guarrantee the room which I could afford to pay today without shifting money around and cheating on my budget. It's also less than 500 metres from nearest free shuttle to take us to start of race. (Race starts at 6am but I wanna be there at least 30 mins prior).

Starting tomorrow my training prep will go something as follows:
* 1 long run every week, (prob Sunday) Maybe start at one hour, adding another 5 mins on each week

* 1 session of interval training per week, (either outdoors or on treadmill) covering 30 mins minimum

* either a 5km speed run or as far as poss on treadmill in 30 mins.

* Some weeks will want to add another run, maybe a 5-10km effort.

* Still need to do my 15 mins resistance 3 times per week.

* Still need to get a 30 min turbo bike ride in every week and a swim at least every second week.

Gosh it's lots hey! Most half marathon and marathon training programs seem to recommend running 4 times a week, (some are lighter effort/recovery weeks) plus some other cardio and resistance work is recommended.

So I plan on aiming for 3-4 runs per week, (sometimes 3, sometimes 4). A challenging ride every week of at least 30 mins to keep those legs turning over. A swim at least every fortnight focussing on developing an effective technique working toward triathlon season next year. The resistance stuff is painful at times but I think great with muscle tone, strength, and I hear to help with preventing some injuries.

Gosh, if I can pull off completing the half marathon under 2 hours and being comfortably under 68kg, (72 now) having body fat at or under 25%, I will feel like I'm floating on clouds after that race! My last attempt at that race was 2 hrs, 15 and I was about 85kg then.

Talk soon,

Pip :-)

2011-03-07T20:39:00.002+08:00

SHORT POST TONIGHT.............

Howdee!

Just decided to post to say I'm back safely from my trip to South Aussie. I had a fantastic busy fun time and was very lucky to stay with and be shown around by Kristy. Also I was very lucky to meet Magda.

I have just posted 75 new pics with descriptions of each pic on facebook.

I feel very lucky to have taken that trip. I have learnt heaps. I've started making a photo album with the pics I've developed and am writing captions with each pic.

I will be back with a SA report very soon. I feel very much on track as the first thing I did today, (after returning home at 11.30pm last night) was to infact go on a 9km hilly run today. This involved quite steep hills, gravel, steps, very skinny pathes on route etc etc. Anyway I knocked off over 4 mins since my last attempt. I was pleased to see it was still possible for me to run 5km in 26 mins, 50 secs on a flat track in Adelaide, (my best outdoor 5km in ages). Now if I can maintain that pace for just over 4 times that long I will easily get under 2 hours in my half marathon in July! And found out I can still even do 20 pushups, plank and the rest.

Will be back to talk soon.

Pip :-)

2011-03-01T19:03:00.006+08:00

MARCH 1 WEIGH IN...............

Righteo, I weighed in at 71.8kg today before brekkie today.

We compare that to 72.5 on 1 Feb and 74.5 on 31 Dec 2010.

Not that weight number is the most vital thing at all, (but it's an easy accurate immediate gauge). I'd love to get my skinfolds done or know my body fat %. In general when around my weight my BF is about 31-32%. Physically what I can see on me is that my shoulders, upper arms, calves are toning up rather nicely, even to the point of seeing a small bit of muscle definition in photos when just looking casual. Nice to perhaps see the arms and shoulders as a new area to aquire definition through the hard work of pushups, dips, some weights and training resistance work as well as my normal lifestyle. Thighs aren't bad, they are in proportion but not lean enough to see muscle, still a couple of dimples lol! I can see face is leaner than when 10-15 plus kg heavier, same with neck, - all good! Torso is the last to go. It still has quite a bit of annoying flab although it has definitely reduced. Actually upper back is kinda looking better. Just area around stomach is most stubborn and is a while from looking anything lean but tape measure says it's reducing. So there has it.

Something I noted last night was I tried on my sis's original size 12 bridesmaid dress. It actually fits enough to the point of in my way being acceptable to wear out in my view. My stomach still shows through a bit, I've gotta be careful of how I move my chestline however in my opinion.......it's OK! Now I can't wait to find an excuse to wear it out. When I was actually a bridesmaid for my sis in Nov 2009 I was about 10kg more and wore a different homemade dress in about a size 16ish. A couple of months ago I was 75-76kg but just felt sis's original bridesmaid dress didn't yet look 'wearable'. I may post a couple of late night pics of me with it on all done up properly, no make up and they are a bit fuzzy.

So.............Feb started off great, we had BF's birthday party. I was a bit slack for the 2nd and 3rd week of Feb, firstly with bushfire disasters in Perth and BF's party leftovers, then having a sore back for a week. Training almost stopped, nutrition was a bit slack but work was very busy and full on. However only went up by about 1.3kg those 2 weeks. This past week have gotten back into training and better dietary control. So I guess a big win is being able to rein it in sooner or not let things get out of hand in the first place.

Anyway: Goals for March:

* No weighing till 1 April!
* Shooting for below 70kg by then!
* Keep to training standards unless of injury or reason I'm satisfied with and ideally improve strength and see some speeding up on run, bike and swim times.
* Keep to alcohol goals.
* Be happy with my eats for a month.........I'm not that strict either.

BF gave me a lingerie voucher for Christmas that doesn't have an expiry date. When I see 68.0kg or below I allow myself to use it! And at that point want to get either my skinfolds done or body fat done to see where it stands and am hopeful of not being too far off 25% BF at that point!

I've decided to stop one guideline too. That is the one about only eating confectionary based sugar on social occasions where I feel rude if I don't blah blah blah............ It's mostly quite an easy thing to stick to at times when I do. However I decided to break that rule 2 weeks ago when I bought a takeaway skinny flat white from a shop that is also famous for local handmade chocolates. I avoided them choccies. However on top of my coffee I was served one homemade choc button about the size of a 20 cent coin as part of the service. I wanted to try it...........but was hesistant about my rule of breaking not eating any confectionary by myself. I could have thrown it........but I ate it.

Not a bad thing though! In the past deciding off hand to have just 'that' would likely have resulted in heaps of self loathing, it would have erased self confidence, I would likely have felt 'burnt'. I may have dug deep and with a huge effort got back on track at times.........only to a few days/weeks later do the same and totally lose focus and feel a um kinda failure for a bit. The result being mega bingeing, putting off stuff and putting on 10-15-20 plus kilos in only a couple of short months before 'getting serious' again. My 'cut off point' used to be 90kg, it got lowered to 85kg successfully for a year so I made the goal of lowering it to 80kg and succeeded at that one all last year.

This year cut off point is 75kg, (successful to date). My little episodes of getting 'off track' seem to be heaps shorter, (however still long enough to gain 3kg or so and lose momentum) if I allow. Also I find I just can't shed the kg as quick as I used to but then again it's not so out of control these days so that's cool.

So the message of my post rigmarole etc is:.........no rules about food other than if I'm gonna feel good enough/in control/ok with my choices I can go ahead with what I consider a controlled amount I'm happy with. If feelings like........'I shouldn't be eating this', 'I'll have to pay for it next week but can't be bothered controlling myself now' then yep.........no! Water and control! Less ways for mishaps!

Pip :-)

2011-02-27T19:59:00.003+08:00

ADELAIDE THIS WEEK............!!!

Almost here now, am feeling excited. 2 days of work this week so I can't wait till I finish on Tuesday!

I have quite a few things to do in the next 2 days.............will get them done though! I got a run of just over 9km over heaps of hills and various terrains in on Sat morning. I'm eventually aiming to get that down under 50 mins but it took an hour exactly which is a bit long! However it was already 33 degrees by the time I started just after 7.30am, (it got to 38!) I managed 20 pushups again on toes, a real struggle!

Today I got in 31 mins on the turbo, hardcore! Again in warm weather and no aircon and I went hard so am happy with that effort while drinking lots of water. Should go and do some resistance now before I have a quick shower before bed!

I did the stupid thing of misplacing my ATM card on Friday evening but didn't realise till yesterday arvo as I was about to do food shopping! Urrgh! As I don't have a credit card these days (a good thing) I have no way to access money till tomorrow and I don't carry much cash in wallet! So that meant pantry food such as tinned tuna and frozen veg nuked in microwave, toast and cottage cheese and finishing up the fruit! Can't wait for some fresh produce! BF got into the frozen pies in the freezer. So I will order another card, withdraw cash and do banking the old fashioned way for a few days.

Food hasn't been too bad otherwise. I confess to 2 beers both days as well as heaps of water but still think daily cals were around 1500 and felt in control.

Can't see msyelf getting time for a workout tomorrow with particularly long workday and food shopping! However Tuesday, Wed morning there really aren't any excuses!

My thoughts are with the terrible situation in Christchurch.

Over and out,
Pip :-)

2011-02-24T21:32:00.006+08:00

QUESTION THINGIE...........

I followed Magda's list and thought I'd try to do the A to Z thing as well.

A: Age: 30
B: Bedsize: Queen
C: Chore ya hate: Scrubbing grouting......once I start I hate to stop till there is a big difference and it takes too much time! Don't like leaving it half done!
D: Dogs: BF has one!
E: Essential start to day: Breakfast and coffee if doing anything physical or important!
F: Fave colour: Aqua blue/turquoise/ocean blue colours!
G: Gold or silver: Both have their place that I like! Gold is very special but!
H: Height: 1.71m, (5 ft 7)
I: Instruments I play: Used to play piano as a kid, could prob still play a few simple songs and read really simple piano music
J: Job: Cafe/bakery/catering outlet/coffee shop assistant type manager
K: Kids: None
L: Live: Perth
M: Mum's Name: She is a very private person and I'd be in trouble if I let it slip!
N: Nicknames: Pip, Pippi, Pipster
O: Overnight Hospital stays: Yep one night when I had gas burns to face in 2005!
P: Pet Peave: No-one dare better try opening a toilet door that says 'engaged' when I'm in it! I just wanna punch them when I come out!
Q: Quote from movie: 'Run Forrest Run'
R: Righty or lefty: Righty
S: Siblings: 1 younger sister, 1 older half sis
T: Time you wake up: 5am alarm these mornings generally, later on weekends, (better than the 3.30am ones I used to do!
U: Underwear: I mainly wear it!
V: Vegies I dislike: I love them all! Just don't over boil then, then over salt them, then smother them in butter or some white thick type of sauce!!!
W: What makes me run late: Disorganisation by trying to do too much at once but not concentrating.
X: X-rays I've had: teeth, knee, breasts.
Y: Yummy food I make: Lots! Sushi, salads, a healthier lasagna version, hopefully most things I do!
Z: Zoo fav animal: Toss between giraffe and zebra!

2011-02-24T21:10:00.002+08:00

UPDATE.............

Firstly: Am in total shock still about the Christchurch earthquake, ..........all the people missing and all the destruction and the heartbreak of all involved.

Luckily all my family and relatives have survived, no injuries. I just hope I don't recognise any names when I read the dreaded list. Being trapped, not being able to get out, sore, not being able to be heard, still alive....................the worst.

Today hit the treadmill again. Couldn't beat my 5.47km on treadmill but not through lack of trying. 5.45km today. I started the treadmill at 11.1kmph and maintained that pace for 25 mins, (I really struggled after 15 mins haha). But I think I reached my max at 25 mins at that speed so dropped the pace down to just over 10kmph to slog out the rest of that run! Will head for some pushups and plank etc before my shower! I skipped a workout yesterday..............hmmmm. Very busy and active at work this week, it's a challenging game at the moment there!

I checked out my weight thing, 74.5kg on 31 Dec 2010. 72.5kg, (160lb) on 1 Feb 2010 72.9 (160.6lb) today.

I went hard the first week of Feb, got down to 72.0, then had back injury and a few more party leftovers and limited training other than being very active at work for 2 weeks. Climbed back up to 73.2kg last weekend. I don't weigh daily and the numbers bounce around by a few hundred grams due to how body has digested food, hydration levels etc. So no real change...........but it would be nice not to see a number above 72.5kg on 1 March haha! As of 1 March I will really give it a go to only weigh in once a month on 1st of each month or as close as poss. A drop of 2kg or more a month will be the target.

Holding my own but. Can't wait till Adelaide!

Pip

2011-02-22T19:16:00.002+08:00

EARTHQUAKE DESTRUCTION..........

I dunno what to say here really..........just so awful. Another addition to a long string of natural disasters. My family are located 500km south but I know quite alot of people from my school moved to Christchurch to work. I dare hope all of them, (and my relatives who live in Christchurch are safe). My thoughts go out to everyone involved and to those who have family and friends near the area.

After that horrible unwanted distraction in the day and another busy one at work I will say I hit the gym, (instead of wine bottle) and actually had my best tempo running workout in months. 5.47km in 30 mins, increasing the speed by an increment every few mins. I felt as if I could have even done a bit more even though I ran the last min at 12.8kmph just to finish me off. And hit the rower for a 5 min blast thereafter. Still feel a bit of backstrain, particularly after being at work on feet, bending etc after a few hours but it seems to be getting better. Guy at bus stop this morn was asking today and still thinks I should have seen some specialists etc and gave me a concerned look about soldiering on and reckons I'd be really pushing it to run in the Gold Coast half marathon in July..................hmmm. He sounds like he has had some unfortunate back probs over time.

Not sure of tomorrows workout yet...............will decide and then hopefully do it.

Pip :-)

2011-02-21T20:32:00.003+08:00

PERTH BOMB SCARE..............

Howdy, my plans to visit the gym today didn't eventuate due to reasons out of my control.

After a busy day at work, feeling a slight ache in back (but less than last week) I hurled it toward the gym. I walk down one arcade to make it to the necessary mall. I noticed exit to the mall was blocked off and many security guards, police etc were around so I then walked around the long way, still the mall was blocked off! Police etc were ushering us away, I did note ALL businesses in the mall were closed just after 4pm......hmm. So I turned back and headed for the bus, police speeded down footpaths in cars and all us puzzled people out and about had no clue what was happening. The bus was late, trip home was slow, then I turn on the news as there was a dodgy looking package somewhere near David Jones with some dangerous note attached to it which obviously caused great alarm. Apparently it turned out to be a scare, nothing yet but it sure caused lots of caos. There were weird people on the street trying to introduce themselves and shake our hands............creepy! I could have gone on a run tonight outdoors but a) it was late, b) I wanted to catch the news regarding terroists before heading outdoors, c) it was still about 34 degrees at 6.30pm just before it started getting dark.......I love the heat so that wasn't really a pertinent issue! d) sore back, gotta ease it back kinda slowly and today was sure busy and active! A beer and cooking a healthy tea was more inviting. Full of excuses aren't I??? Haha!

Pip :-)

Definitely a gym visit is on agenda after work tomorrow provided the mall isn't blocked off due to bomb scares...........

2011-02-20T20:51:00.002+08:00

BACK UPDATE AND TRAINING PLANS...........

Howdy team!

Firstly I will say that I still feel some back strain.........enough that I'm aware it's there, particularly if on feet for too long or bending in various positions. However I feel it's lessened a bit since early/mid last week. In all fairness this back pain isn't diabolical, (however that is spelt) but a bit annoying and I have a fear about aggrevating back pain.

Also I'm on a budget and as ya know if ya visit a doc, they seem to refer to to either a physio, osetopath or similar and order you to have x-rays somewhere else, then there are recommended follow up visits and the end result is many hundred $$$ spent if not more! If I was in total severe pain and couldn't move..........there would be less choice. But for me I'm doing stretches, carrying on as norm etc.

Today I decided on my first run for a week. Did a 5.3km hilly outdoor run and while I felt my back, nothing abnormal etc was felt. I didn't time myself and pace felt about norm for now. I could pick up the speed somewhat when wanted. Came back and did many core exercises and stretches and tried on the pushups. First set on toes I only managed 10 but on the second set I pushed out 15 consecutive! As a couple of weeks ago I managed 20, I want that to be a regular thing and now to work on going lower and absolute top controlled form! The plank make my strain feel the stretch I think but in a good way!

I weighed in today, - result was 73.2kg. Am alright with that for now as while last week was totally/active/busy at work I seemed to make excuses up and get into the mindset to eat muffin scraps, chocolate bars, skinny mochas instead of skinny flat whites and a bit more cheese than norm and tried a couple of crusty new white bread rolls as they came with fillings for a couple of lunches instead of my home lunch or 'doughed out crusty multigrain roll'. The day of BF's party I got down to 72.0kg, (ok actually 2 reads of 71.9 and one of 72.1kg, - it all depends on how scales are positioned on tiles!) Party leftovers and a bit of slackness occupied the first week, back injury last week and dietary disorganisation! No big bingeing, just less than desirable habits started coming to the forefront! This morn I also felt as if I could have gone for a number 2 but not quite.............2 weeks ago I felt rather starved at the morning weigh in due to not wanting to mess up the kitchen the previous night after sorting for BF's party, (so tea then.....an apple and a small 95g tin tuna).

However still need to organise training schedule, - will get that up tomorrow. At this stage think back is on the mend and strain should leave soon :-)

2011-02-17T21:09:00.002+08:00

SPANNER IN THE WORKS...............

As you may gather from my training updates this week.....................you can prob guess and would be indeed right, no ticking stuff off!

On Monday I woke up with a notably sore lower back. I can't think of anything I did to injure it outright.

I do know that about a year ago I did hurt my back worse than what it is hurt now. I think the injury a year ago may have been the delayed aspect of road cycling with heavy uneven loads on my back! Anyway a year ago I woke with a bad hunched cripple, could only walk slow, took a few mins to do such things as get out of bed, in or out of the shower etc thinking.......whoops, this way won't work! Because I would have been lucky to be even 30% of my normal capacity I had to take 2 days off work a year ago. I had to get a doc's certificate and he recommended rest then physio etc. I didn't do physio or anything due to cost but did my own stretches and within 5-6 days my back felt back to norm, - pretty much anyway. Over the past year or so my back has felt pretty much OK, a little sore every now and then but not enough to stop my normal regime or think about it further and the following day any slight pain seemed to ease. However I guess I wasn't always diligent about looking AFTER my back.............that kinda invicible feel, thinking I'd deal with it later, wanting to think of myself as TOUGH!

This week my back pain wasn't as bad as last year, it hasn't gotten any worse since Monday but no better. I can walk pretty much at full pace, have to think about how I bend and bend at knees all the time. Jogging 20 metres aggrevates it. Work has been frantic this week for various reasons, have done some overtime and feel aware of my back all day at work, (making faces when bent down where customers wouldn't see). Am in slight pain, more at times but I manage to plod along and work at mostly full pace I think, (maybe with slight exception to bending and picking stuff up). The stop start nature frustrates me LOTS at the moment but bit by bit have sucked it uo. I just didn't expect or call for this to happen............but as much as frustration at times hits I can't really whinge I guess!

However diet hasn't really been on this week either...............that..................and doing rehab stretches etc needs to improve! Despite charging around in some pain at work feeling frustrated about it............my middle gets larger if I habitally eat sugar and cheese as a daily thing............and lollies, muffin scraps etc etc. That's what's gotta stop for good!!!

2011-02-13T13:19:00.003+08:00

ALRIGHTY< WEEK 4 UPDATE and WEEK 5/1/DOINGS...........

Alrighty gang, I dunno how to score myself for last week! If I had The Commando from 'The Biggest Loser' or even a personal coach/trainer I'm sure I'd get a score close to a big fat ZERO!

On self analysis: I didn't pull myself back from BF's b-day party. On Sunday after the party I ate a modest, (or slightly more than modest but not binge worthy) portion of leftovers and had no real prob about that. In Perth (but not me personally) there were some fire disasters. BF is a firefighter and was out for 2 nights helping to fight them. The first night I didn't manage to keep to my non-negotiable behaviours.............I found it just too hard to pull back into line, (but it would have been possible). Not the best place to be. I found excuses to pick at muffins, skinny mochas, cheese, chocolate, un-needed extras for rest of week to a degree where I felt slightly too full to train at end of day. After consuming a little confectionary that 'I know it was best if I didn't'...........I just wanna gorge!

When not having it............I'm fine, don't think about it and do like healthy nourishing type options.

So.........no excuses, beating oneself up sure doesn't help. However I know if I had a pro trainer monitoring me............there would be hard questions!

To re-iterate........my main goals/behaviours aren't that hard and need to be non negotiable if I'm to head toward my objectives. They are:

* confectionary sugary products and deep fried or pastry laden products are only acceptable in social situations in moderation, (where I feel out of place if I don't have a little), - on average once every 4 weeks or so. That means no buying for self, eating leftovers non socially etc etc Iced coffees and soft drinks etc and any similar sweet tasting stuff..banned!

* the alcohol one is and stays non negotiable: That is: I'm not allowed to drink anymore than 3/7 days in a calendar week Mon to Sun. Maximum quantities allowed in a day are either: 2 glasses/400ml wine OR 2 beers, (stubbies, pints, schooners etc) OR 60 ml spirits. Up to 12 times a year I can exceed these amounts............but not more often. These days and amounts must be recorded! Unsused drinks or drinking days can't be saved up. If on annual leave holidays I can drink more days if I want but must keep to general day drinking limits, (no more than 400ml wine, OR 2 beers OR 60 ml spirits per day) except for the 12 day a year allowance.

Rules above are the non negotiables and I feel need to be adhered to for the rest of my life. They are strict enough but not overly strict! It's better to feel a little annoyed at not overindulging occasionally then the annoyance from overindulgence after the party has finished and thoughts about further un-needed indulgences are!as I found out yet again.

I know I CAN do this..............it's not a question of that. It's keeping it up as a lifestyle without the annoying fluctuations in these areas!

Other lifestyle rules are doing upmost best to my satisfaction regarding keeping to training standards, also to keep in line with organisational standards and to keep to budget and do my best to keep to goal of being in bed, lights out at least 7 hours at least 5 nights a week.

Scales and body tell me I've put on 1.5 to 2kg in the last week:-(

However onwards and upwards and tomorrow marks day one of 20 week half marathon training plan for the Gold Coast half marathon on 3 July 2011! Most half marathon training plans at an intermediate level seem to have 4 running sessions a week and up to 2 cross training sessions if wanted. I've been debating whether to follow one to the letter OR get a personalised plan or coach OR whether to make up my own plan from the base plan which sort of gears toward triathlon building as well.

In the end I've decided to make up and follow my own plan and see where it gets me! I intend to give myself at least 3 running sessions per week with one of them being a long run. Then also at least one bike and one swim session, (maybe more) and at least 2 resistance sessions weekly.

Performance goal for half marathon is completion under 2 hours! Wanna feel good for this holiday and also Airlie Beach kayaking etc and skiing in NZ after that! Wanna keep self in line for triathlons the following spring/summer.

Weight goal before leaving Perth is under 66kg, (with intention of staying under 68kg for good thereafter), (73.5-74kg now).

With body fat % goal is under 25%.

WEEK 5/1 TRAINING PLAN :-)

MONDAY 14 FEB: Treadmill 30 mins as fast as poss running. 15 mins resistance (pm) workout

TUESDAY 15 FEB: Rower 15 mins, Body Pump class performing best as poss (pm)

WEDNESDAY 16 FEB: Turbo trainer 30 mins as fast as poss (pm)

THURSDAY 17 FEB: Either 5.3km run outdoors OR treadmill 30 mins as fast as poss, 15 mins resistance (pm)

FRIDAY 18 FEB: 30 min swim session somewhere, no matter what it takes me!

SATURDAY 19 FEB: turbo 20 mins followed by 20 min run, (am)

SUNDAY 20 FEB: Run around block which is just over 9km, (am)

2011-02-06T14:56:00.009+08:00

UPDATE AND TRAINING WEEK 4 PROGRAM:

Howdy, first up the pic of me is just a random I took quickly 30 mins ago using the self timer mode for the first time with this camera. So please excuse the background mess, I do like the wide angle on this camera now. Hair is getting longer I see and these are jeans I haven't gotten into for a few months! Size 11 Just Jeans ones but I'd have to say they are a big fit cause I'm still more a size 12 in most bottoms and more a 13 I think in most Levis. I can see arms and shoulders toning up.

Now regarding last week I'd give myself a 7/10 again. Am still disappointed I haven't gotten to the pool but that situation is gonna change! One of BF's and now my friends has offered to give me some swimming training and she is an elite swimmer who used to represent Australia. We've just got to organise a time we are free.
Am very happy to have got to Body Pump last week and very happy to manage 20 push ups on toes. I still need to work on organisation and prioritising training but am liking my discipline to do at least 80% of what I set out to do! Last night was BF's 30th party which was a fun night at our place with just over 30 guests. He had a rissole party, (he loves them and made a heap!!!) We had beef ones, chicken ones and lamb ones. Also heaps of ham, BBQ cold chickens, a big garden salad with all sorts of goodies, heaps of potato salad, nibblies, pavlova, cheesecake and lemon meriange cake for dessert with heaps of beer and wine. So I had a bit more than norm to eat yesterday night but not out of control. There are heaps of leftovers so need to be very careful not to overdo it and stay in control! Now that's a challenge! With the wine leftovers I want to limit it to one bottle a week ideally to be enjoyed over 2 nights, (Friday/Saturday) and no more than 2 beers a week unless there are social functions. I weighed in yesterday morning at 72.1kg but I'm sure that would have spiked by a kilo or so today.

I think for the eventual goal I'm looking at getting down to the range of about 64-68kg and under 25% body fat. If I comfortably go under that and get near 60kg I'd love that too but if I maintained that 64-68 range while feeling fit with body fat under 25% I would be stoked. I want to maintain a minimum of at least 3 intense cardio workouts of at least 30 mins each, and a minimum of 2 resistance intense sessions of at least 15 mins each every week. When training for events or wanting to reduce fat or in the mood I will do more but if I ever slow down I need to keep to my minimum workout requirements unless of really proper reason. And of course keep up clean controlled diet with lots of water.

3.5 weeks till Adelaide! I'm really looking forward to that! Waitangi day in NZ as well!

TRAINING PLAN AS PER FOLLOWS:

MONDAY 7 FEB: 30 mins treadmill as fast as poss and 15 min resistance workout

ACTUAL: DID 30 MIN RUN ON TREADMILL. MANAGED 5.37KM TODAY, A BEST FOR A WHILE, THE FINAL 10 MINS ALMOST KILLED BUT DID IT. HAVE STRUGGLED TODAY, BEING A MONDAY ETC AND AT WORK. AM SAD TO HEAR AT THIS STAGE 59 HOMES HAVE BEEN BURNT DOWN BY PERTH HILLS LATEST BUSHFIRE, ANOTHER 28 HAVE BEEN BADLY DAMAGED AND THE NUMBERS SEEM TO KEEP INCREASING AT THE MOMENT. BF WAS OUT FIGHTING FIRES ALL LAST NIGHT AND IS AGAIN TONIGHT AFTER A 5 HOUR SLEEP IN THE DAY. DISASTERS WHERE PEOPLE EITHER LOSE LIVES OR ALL THEIR POSSESSIONS/LIVES SEEM TO BE KEEPING ON HAPPENING AT THE MOMENT. IT'S A BIT OF A FEELING OF 'WHAT'S NEXT'? I'VE BEEN FEELING LIKE DOWNING HEAPS OF THE PARTY FOOD LEFTOVERS...........A BIG GLORIOUS INDULGENCE I DON'T NEED TO PAY MORE CASH FOR! AND SWEETS AT WORK HAVE BEEN MORE MENTALLY INVITING THAN FOR A WHILE! I DIDN'T WEAKEN TO ANY MORE CAKE LEFTOVERS BUT MOST OF US FELT FLAT AT WORK AND I DID EAT HALF A MUFFIN MID ARVO. THEY HAD MY FAV FLAVOUR OF DOUBLE CHOC/CARAMEL AND I WEAKENED TO HALF, (OR MAYBE EVEN JUST A THIRD) OF ONE MUFFIN SHARED WITH OTHERS. HOWEVER AM PLEASED I MADE IT TO GYM FOR A HARD SLOG AND DIDN'T ALLOW MYSELF TO INDULGE IN LEFTOVERS WHEN HOME. THEREFORE STILL AM ON TRACK AND DIDN'T GET OUT OF CONTROL. REGRETS ABOUT MISSING RESISTANCE TRAINING...........VOUCH TO MAKE UP THIS SESSION LATER IN WEEK!

TUESDAY 8 FEB: Body Pump class and 10 mins rower

ACTUAL: CRAPOLA DAY, NO TRAINING, MUFFIN SCRAPS, CHOCOLATE, SKINNY MOCHAS AND CHEESE POPPED INTO DIET. HMM, TOO MUCH WINE LAST NIGHT AFTER MEANING ONLY TO HAVE A GLASS TO RELAX IN HEARING ABOUT BUSHFIRE DISASTERS, TOO MUCH EATING LEFTOVER CHEESECAKE AFTER WINE AT NIGHT AND CHICKEN AFTER WINE WHICH I BARELY BUT DO REMEMBER. FELT TIRED, LIKE CRAP ALL DAY WITH THOSE SELF LOATHING/UNDOING THOUGHTS ARRIVING! THE MORE I TRY NOT TO DWELL ON IT, THE MORE I SEEM TO BUT MUST BE BACK TO NORMAL TOMORROW

WEDNESDAY 9 FEB: Outdoor Run 9km hilly route

ACTUAL: HMMMM...............YOU PROB GET THE PICTURE!

THURSDAY 10 FEB: 30 mins turbo, 15 mins resistance training

ACTUAL:.................30 MINS TURBO. THIS IS CRAP............I VOW TO STICK TO MY NON-NEGOTIABLE RULES WHERE I CONTROL FOOD RATHER THAN THE OTHER WAY AROUND. OCCASIONALLY HARD WORK BUT SO WORTH IT! ENOUGH SAID. AIM FOR NO WEIGH IN TILL JUST PRIOR TO ADELAIDE AND WOULD BE STOKED TO BE DOWN UNDER 72kg AGAIN BY THEN AND STAY ON TRACK!

FRIDAY 11 FEB: Day off

SATURDAY 12 FEB: Pool, swimming 30 mins focussing on freestyle. May look up some drills but wanna keep heart rate up consistently

SUNDAY 13 FEB: Brick session of 20 mins turbo followed by 30 min run

* Thursdays resistance session can be transferred to Saturday if I really want!

2011-01-30T17:11:00.012+08:00

TRAINING PLAN WEEK 3............AND WEEK 2 UPDATE.....

Howdy all! Week 2 I'd give about a 7/10 in effort. I went hardcore in the week, had the unfortunate phone drama on Thurs, Fri and Saturday. If tri training or half marathon or fitness training in a half serious mode..........carbs can't be substituted for alcohol either as a way to try to lose or at least control weight.
Prioritising and organisation to get things done needs to be key! Also I think I'm best to vary my training. IE, at least on the treadmill do intervals sometimes rather than just as far as I can in 30 mins. Swimming, - I blew off the session cause I heard the pool was busy but didn't find a way to fit my session in for the week. I have progressed well with resistance, my less fav training! Have now got pushup on toes PB up to 16!!! I reckon arms and shoulders are toning up nice. Weight was down at 72.9kg on Thurs but was annoyed to see it at 73.6 on Sat when still going hard............that's why I should keep off scales too much LOL! A big challenge for me is still to not let a little laziness turn into alot of laziness and bad habits and I'm succeeding with that. But still can do better to get more athlete like! Another thing as well as fatloss and fitness gain is I want to get resting heart rate down! I've always had a highish heart rate, (90-100bpm resting as a kid) and now can get it to 210bpm when I train at my most intense! Resting is about 75-76bpm when I first wake up. I'd like to get that well down into the 60's if poss. My heart rate monitor sometimes tells me I've trained at 98% of my max after a 50 min run when I log in my age etc! I do go hard but don't know if that's possible! Also maybe one or two morning training sessions a week could work on days I start at 8.30 or 9am.

Oh, a trainer would be nice...............but time to keep on trucking on....... Major goal is to get all sessions done at allocated time slots unless of a real decent reason, (disorganisation and moods don't count). Actually I forgot to get all my shift times so will update all week sessions tomorrow. However I will list tomorrow's.

WEEK 3 PLAN:

MONDAY: 30 min swim at pool swimming freestyle as best as poss! Not an option to skip it this time! 15 mins resistance workout in evening.

ACTUAL: OKAY, I STILL DIDN'T MAKE IT TO POOL! DIDN'T FIND GOGGLES AND CAP IN TIME BEFORE WORK AND BUS THIS MORN AND FORGOT ABOUT THEM LAST NIGHT, JUST REMEMBERING TOGS AND TOWEL! BUT DID 5.3KM OUTDOOR HILLY RUN FOLLOWED BY 18 MINS RESISTANCE TRAINING. I IMPROVED 1.5 MINS FROM THE SAME RUN TWO WEEKS AGO COMING IN WITH A TIME OF 32 MINS, 16 SECS. (GENERALLY I CAN RUN FASTER ON TREADMILL BUT THAT IS NORMAL) IMMEDIATE GOAL IS TO KEEP IMPROVING AND GET THAT UNDER 30 MINS. RESISTANCE TRAINING WAS HARD BUT IS COMING ALONG WELL! I BETTERED MY TOE PUSH UP PB AGAIN COMING IN WITH 18 CONSECUTIVE, (ALMOST 20)! THEN DROPPED DOWN STRAIGHT AWAY FOR 22 ON KNEES, THEN WASTED! THEN NORMAL SIT AGAINST WALL THING, PLANK, LUNGE VARIATIONS, VARIOUS CRUNCHES, TRICEP DIPS AND REPEAT! I DIDN'T GET BACK TO TOES BUT STILL MANAGED 30 CONSECUTIVE PUSHUPS ON KNEES SECOND ROUND. EATS ETC ON TRACK!

TUESDAY 1 FEB 2011: Plan to get out of work on time and make Body Pump! I'm excited about maybe being more supple this class with my improved pushup, lunge and plank ability and will ensure I try class with good weights. Am planning on at least 10 mins on rower after this class before bus! Will weigh in tomorrow morn being 1 Feb.

ACTUAL: COMPLETED THE 1 HOUR BODY PUMP CLASS, I NOTED GREAT IMPROVEMENT IN MY PUSH UP, PLANK AND LUNGE ABILITY IN PARTICULAR THIS CLASS WHICH WAS PLEASING AND GAVE CLASS HEAPS! DIDN'T MAKE IT TO ROWER, DECIDED ARMS WERE FAGGED AND DEAD FEELING! INSTEAD FOLLOWED PUMP WITH A 20 MIN RUN ON TREADMILL BEFORE HAVING TO GET BUS, - 3.65KM. ON TRACK WITH NUTRITION ETC.
FEB 1 2011 WEIGH IN THIS MORN WAS 72.5KG, (160lb). THAT COMPARES WITH DEC 31 2010 @ 74.5KG. 5CM OFF EACH WAIST AND STOMACH IN LAST 15 DAYS AS WELL!

WEDNESDAY 2 FEB: After I logged off yesterday I realised I hadn't posted up a training plan for today but it was too late to log into do it. Mentally I decided on running my 9km hilly run block. Actually it's a short tad over 9km.

ACTUAL: COMPLETED THE RUN! HEADED OFF AT 6PM AND IT WAS STILL 29.9 DEGREES SO I CARRIED A FULL WATER BOTTLE AND HOUSE KEYS. WOW, I'D NEVER RUN WITH A WATER SUCKER BOTTLE AT ALL AND I MUST SAY IT SUCKED! AFTER ABOUT 5KM I'D FINISHED THE WATER BUT WAS STILL CARRYING BOTTLE, KEYS AND EVENTUALLY SUNNIES AS THEY GOT SO FOGGED UP IN SWEAT! RAN IT ALL, PUSHED UP THE MANY RATHER STEEP HILLS QUITE HARDCORE, THE DOWNS WERE NICER! JUST ON ONE HOUR FOR COMPLETION TIME TODAY. EVENTUAL AIM IS TO GO UNDER 50 MINS FOR THIS BUT I EXPECT IT TO TAKE A WHILE. NUTRITION ON TRACK. FEEL A TAD GUILTY HAHA OVER THE 1 TEASPOON OF SPICY RED BOTTLE SAUCE I HAD WITH THE CHICKEN, VEG STIRFRY. I ALSO HAD LEMON JUICE AND CRACKED PEPPER AND WATER IN THE SAUCE BUT DID ADD ABOUT 15G FOUNTAIN SPICY RED SAUCE TO WHOLE DINNER MIX TO SIMMER FOR A BIT NOT TO FREAK BF OUT ABOUT TOTALLY CLEAN FOOD YET. WE HAD IT WITH BASMATI RICE, (ME JUST A TINY BIT).

THURSDAY 3 FEB: 30 min ride turbo trainer as hard as poss. 15 mins resistance training all major muscle groups.

ACTUAL: I DID DO THE 30 MIN TURBO RIDE, INFACT 31 MINS! I KNOW I PUSHED HARD, CAN FEEL DEFINITE IMPROVEMENT WITH SPEED AND REVOLUTIONS. IT WAS A STRUGGLE TO ACTUALLY START TODAY AND I NEARLY BLEW IT OFF! BIG DAY AT WORK, HOME LATE, STILL 32 DEGREES IN EVENING AND I HAD 1 CAN BEER WITH BF, THEN HEAPS WATER!. THEN ONTO COOK HEALTHY TEA, WATCH BIGGEST LOSER. THEN WATCHING MICHELLE BRIDGES I HAULED IT ONTO TURBO..............NO EXCUSES! STILL 30 DEGREES WHEN TRAINING BUT THIS IS GOOD TRAINING I THINK! I DO ADMIT TO BLOWING OFF 15 MIN RESISTANCE.........IT WAS NEARLY 9.30, I KNEW I'D GIVE IT SHORT OF MY BEST. HOWEVER...........I DON'T GET A DAY OFF TOMORROW! INSTEAD I HAVE TO DO JUST THAT AND SHOULD BE FIRED UP AND FRESH WHEN I DO! IN AND OUT FOR 15-20 MINS TOMORROW! OTHER THAN MY 1 CAN MIDSTRENGTH LOW CARB BEER, ALL ON TRACK! By the way, I won't go into big spiels on the Biggest Loser and my opinions but I can't believe Michelle Bridges weighed in at 65.5kg after her week with the family. She isn't overly tall and I know she is muscly but she is the leanest smallest 65.5kg person I think I'd seen. Maybe the weigh in numbers are fudged but wow! Now I think hitting under 70 or 70.0 will be an achievement but I'm up for getting and staying under 68kg!

FRIDAY 4 FEB: WAS GONNA BE A DAY OFF BUT AT LEAST 15 MINS RESISTANCE TRAINING IS COMPULSORY!

ACTUAL: HAD FULL DAY OFF AND A FULL BODY MASSAGE! HMMMM! ON TRACK BUT LIGHT TEA AS DIDN'T WANNA MESS UP THE KITCHEN AFTER A BIG ORGANISATION FOR PARTY SATURDAY!

SATURDAY 5 FEB: BF's 30th b-day party! However before I get into prep as it will be a big one I'm to complete a brick session of 20 mins turbo followed by 20 min run!

ACTUAL: NAUGHTY PIP DIDN'T DO THE BRICK SESSION. BUT DID START WITH A 20 MIN RESISTANCE WORKOUT STARTING OUT WITH 20 CONSECUTIVE PUSH UPS ON TOES!!! NEW RECORD, NOW I'M FOCUSSING ON GOING LOWER AND IMPROVED FORM!!! I FOLLOWED THAT STRAIGHT UP WITH A 5.3KM RUN. RUN WAS A BIT SLOW AS WORKOUT WAS BEFORE BREKKIE AND AFTER A LIGHT TEA YESTERDAY. NUTRITION, - WELL HAD BF'S 30TH PARTY THAT NIGHT, THERE WAS AN OVER ABUNDANCE OF FOOD AND DRINK! SO DID EAT A BIT MORE THAN NORM, (AND PROB HAD TOO MUCH WINE) BUT NO BINGEING!

SUNDAY 6 FEB: No promises for any significant exercise today! If I manage anything it's a plus...........however just must make sure I keep control, no overconsuming resulting in guilt of possible leftovers if slightly hungover!

ACTUAL: DAY OFF TRAINING, HAD NICE PLATE OF LEFTOVERS OF SALADS, COLD MEAT FOR LUNCH AND RISSOLES FOR BREKKIE! GOT TO WATCH MYSELF WITH THESE LEFTOVERS!!!

2011-01-23T20:48:00.007+08:00

TRAINING PLAN......WEEK 2!!!...........AND WEEK ONE UPDATE

Firstly I'll give a small re-cap of week one. Over the week was extremely disciplined. I trained to my full which made me set high standards for myself. I bettered my lifetime ever PB in toe pushups 3 times, unthinkable in the past! PB used to be 10 but on Mon I did 11, Tues did 12 and on Thurs somehow managed 14! I dislike the turbo. (but it's effetive). Just ran out of time to get my rowing in at gym after run on Wed but I couldn't have given it much anyway. On Friday I had a vague idea of hitting gym for rowing and weights on day off but really hit a wall, (as work is fast on feet all day) in final hour so allowed myself the day off. Saturday I just wasn't as organised as I could have been, no excuses! I could have and should have got to pool that morning! Today, (Sun) I missed workout too but am not so hard on self about that today as it's BF's actual 30th b-day and he had a few visitors throughout day. All in all good first week all up, am happy! However if I slip high standards slightly for a day I know I need to be careful not to give up and slip completely which for me is a big challenge, (instead just get back to norm the next day). No bingeing has happened though, just not the cleanest food for a couple of social meals.

TRAINING PLAN WEEK 2:

MONDAY 24 JAN: 30 mins treadmill session as far as poss, 15 mins body weight resistance work

ACTUAL: HIT GYM AND TREADMILLS WERE ALL FULLY IN USE FIRST UP SO STARTED OFF WITH 5 MINS AT CHALLENGING INTENSITY ON ROWER, THEN TREADMILL WAS FREE! IN TODAY'S 30 MIN RUN I MANAGED 5.31KM IN 30 MINS AND THAT WAS VERY MUCH EXTENDING MYSELF. THE LAST 5 MINS I EVEN STARTED FEELING NAUSEAUS ON THE RUN BUT DIDN'T WANT TO ALLOW MYSELF TO STOP UNLESS IT WAS REALLY URGENT! I EVEN PUT UP SPEED IN FINAL MIN JUST TO REALLY HURT! ONCE GETTING OFF TREADMILL I FELT NORMAL STRAIGHT AWAY LOL! AFTER TEA TONIGHT I GOT ONTO THE RESISTANCE TRAINING DOING 17 MINS BODY WEIGHT STUFF. NOW I'M UP TO 15 PUSHUPS ON TOES FOLLOWED STRAIGHT AWAY WITH 20 KNEE ONES. THEN CRUNCHES, SIT AGAINST WALL AT 90 DEGREE ANGLE THING WITH LEGS CLOSER TOGETHER, (OUCH), VARIATIONS OF LUNGES, PLANK, TRICEP DIPS AND REPEAT! EATS ON TRACK! ACTIVE DAY AGAIN. I JUMPED ON SCALES YESTERDAY MORN WHICH I SHOULDN'T HAVE WITH READ OF 74.4KG, 164lb.

TUESDAY 25 JAN: 30 min swim @ pool going as far as poss

ACTUAL: DIDN'T MAKE IT TO POOL YET AGAIN!!! FOUND OTHER ODD JOBS TO DO AND HEARD POOL WAS REALLY PACKED TODAY FOR SOME REASON WHICH DETERRED ME AS I WANTED A HARD WORKOUT. HOWEVER DID DO 31 MINS ON TURBO TRAINER TODAY, GOT SATURATED IN SWEAT ETC AS PER NORM BUT CAN TELL ALREADY I'M BUILDING MORE OF A FITNESS BASE WHICH WILL BE GREAT FOR TRIATHLON AND EVERYTHING! I DEFINITELY HAVE MORE LEG, CORE AND ARM STRENGTH AND ENDURANCE THAN EVEN A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO AND WAIST IS DOWN 4CM IN 9 DAYS! DID SOME PUSHUPS, DIPS, STARJUMPS FOR A BIT, ANOTHER ACTIVE DAY. EATS ON TRACK.

WEDNESDAY 26 JAN: 15 mins resistance body weight workout followed by Brick session of 20 mins turbo followed by 20 min run..........then can enjoy Australia Day!!!

ACTUAL: DID AS SAID BUT RESISTANCE TRAINING LASTED 17 MINS, HARD WORK AS PER NORM! 16 CONSECUTIVE PUSHUPS ON TOES FIRST UP BEFORE DROPPING TO 20 ON KNEES. SECOND ROUND DID 30 KNEE PUSHUPS. PLANK, DIPS, LUNGE ABILITY IMPROVING LOTS TOO! 2O MINS ON TURBO WAS HARD WORK! TALK ABOUT JELLY LEGS ON 20 MIN RUN TODAY DIRECTLY FOLLOWED BY THE RIDE AND RESISTANCE! MAY NEED TO LOOK AT SLIGHTLY MORE CARBS IF TRAINING MUCH LONGER THAN THIS IN FUTURE AS ON RUN I STRUGGLED SOMEWHAT ON RUN JUST TODAY! YESTERDAY AND BREKKIE ENDED UP BEING RATHER LOW CARB. WEIGH IN TODAY: 73.0KG SO AS OF THIS MORNING A BIT OF A 'WOOSH' FINALLY HAPPENED! ALMOST CAN WEAR THE CARGO SHORTS WITH A SINGLET OR FITTED TOP WITHOUT A MUFFIN TOP! HOWEVER I CAN TELL I'M NOT LOSING MUSCLE MASS FROM A FEW YEARS BACK CAUSE OF A) SUPPLENESS AND BETTER STRENGTH RESULTS AND B) I FIT OLD CLOTHES I USED TO FIT WHEN A KILO LESS. STILL A DECENT AMOUNT OF FAT TO SHED AND FITNESS TO GAIN!

THURSDAY 27 JAN: 30 mins turbo trainer as best as poss

ACTUAL: VERY FRUSTRATING DAY TODAY! WORK WAS CRAZY MANIC, JUST NOT ENOUGH STAFF, WAS VERY ACTIVE AND WE COULDN'T EASILY KEEP UP, NOT FUN! MUSCLES SORE AT WORK ALL DAY TOO! FELT LIKE I WAS HITTING A WALL MOST OF THE DAY, JUST WANTED A REST! THOUGHT I HAD KINDA PUSHED THROUGH IT BUT HIT THE GYM ANYWAY! IT WAS TIME FOR A RUN AS I DID TURBO ON TUES AND THE BRICK SESS AND RESISTANCE YESTERDAY. SO HURLED ON UP FOR A 30 MIN RUN AS FAST AS POSS ON TREADMILL. I PUT PACE AT 10.6KMPH TO START WITH LIKE MON. HOWEVER I WAS TOTALLY EXHAUSTED AFTER 12 MINS WITH NO FEELING OF POWER MUCH LEFT IN ME. IF AT 27 OR 28 MIN MARK I WOULD HAVE KEPT PUSHING ON BUT NOT FOR ANOTHER 18 MINS! SO I DROPPED PACE DOWN TO A WALK FOR MOST OF THE REST OF IT WHILE INCREASING IT TO 10KMPH FOR LAST 2 MINS. UNHEARD OF FOR ME AND ONLY COVERED 4.44KM IN 30 MINS TODAY. I THINK IT'S A RESULT OF THE RECENT HARD WORKOUTS, DAYS AT WORK AND NOT MANY BUT A FEW CARBS IN LAST COUPLE OF DAYS. I CONFESS, I'VE HAD WINE TWICE THIS WEEK, A COUPLE OF GLASSES ON SUN WITH BF ON HIS 30TH AND ALSO 3 LARGE OF SPARKLING YESTERDAY ARVO ON AUSSIE DAY WITH A MATE. BECAUSE THE WINE PROB WAS 600 CAL I ONLY ATE ABOUT 1100 FOOD CALS YESTERDAY AND LESS CARBS WHICH MAY NOT BE THE BEST FOR ENDURANCE TYPE ACTIVITY! HAD 1/3 RAW CUP OF BROWN RICE WITH CHICKEN AND VEG AND LEMON JUICE TONIGHT. OTHER FRUSTRATION, I WAS RUNNING FOR BUS EARLY THIS MORN ACROSS PARK. HAD BACKPACK ON WITH GYM GEAR. I REMEMBER PICKING PHONE OFF CHARGER AND PUTTING IT IN WHAT I THOUGHT WAS BAG BUT COULD HAVE BEEN POCKET. I LOCKED UP DOOR AND RAN FOR BUS TO MAKE SURE I DIDN'T MISS IT. I NOTICED PHONE WASN'T WITH ME WHEN I GOT ON BUS BUT DIDN'T STRESS, THINKING IT MUST BE ON LEDGE AT HOME. HOWEVER WHEN I GOT HOME I DIDN'T SEE IT SO TRIED RINGING IT FROM LANDLINE. IT WENT STRAIGHT TO VOICEMAIL. IT WAS DARK AND I DON'T FANCY GOING OUT TO PARK BY MYSELF WALKING SLOWLY WITH TORCH LOOKING AS IT FEELS DODGY! BF IS AT A FIRE TONIGHT. SO UNLESS I FIND IT TOMORROW OR IT'S BEEN HANDED INTO COPS I WILL HAVE TO GET ANOTHER NEW PHONE AND SIM CARD AGAIN, GRRR! I HAVE 6 MONTHS LEFT ON PLAN THEN CAN'T WAIT TO GET PRE-PAID. NOT SURE HOW PHONE PLANS WORK IF YA LOSE YOUR PHONE COMPLETELY! SO THAT'S MY GRIPE AND ANNOYANCE AND AN EXPENSE MY BUDGET DOESN'T NEED!

FRIDAY 28 JAN: Day off

ACTUAL: YEP, DAY OFF, GOT CAUGHT UP IN PHONE DRAMA

SATURDAY 29 JAN: 15 mins resistance workout followed by 30 minute outdoor run

ACTUAL: DID 30 MIN OUTDOOR RUN BUT WASN'T ORGANISED ENOUGH TO DO IT EARLY MORNING, I HAD MORE DRAMA WITH NEW PHONE AND DIDN'T PRIORITISE AFTER WEEKEND SLEEP IN. HENCE LUNCH TIME RUN WHEN 36 DEGREES BEFORE STORM. I DIDN'T CARRY WATER BOTTLE AND DIDN'T GO HARD. NIGHT OUT TONIGHT!

SUNDAY 30 JAN: 30 mins turbo trainer as best as poss.

I HAVEN'T GOT THERE YET, HAVE DONE A FEW HOUSEWORK JOBS AND DONE 15 MINS RESISTANCE WORK. A TAD HUNGOVER FIRST THING. GOT A BIT MORE TO GET DONE TODAY, AM ON A ROLL!

2011-01-21T21:26:00.003+08:00

CLOTHING AND THE SCALES............

Hey there, you may have noticed I've been updating my actual workout every day so far this week alongside the planned one in my last post that I wrote last Sunday.

Now to the scales, - I haven't actually weighed myself so far at all in 2011. My last weigh in was 31 Dec 2010 which said 74.5kg. My main reasoning for lack of weighing is that this years new 'cut off point' is 75kg so I don't intend to see anything 75 or above which keeps with my trend of minusing 5kg from my cut off point each year which has worked so far for the last 3 years.

The first couple of weeks this year I admittably wasn't as focussed as I could be regarding portion control and training so wasn't confident of seeing under 75, (however I know I wouldn't have put on more than a couple of kg max).

So................I have decided on a solution. I have a pair of size 12 cargo shorts with no elastic waistband I've had for years which I know are meant to fit and sit just under the belly button. I know I comfortably wear these out around the 70kg mark and under about 72kg historically can start to feel comfy enough to wear these out with a fitted cotton singlet top. Last weekend I could do these up, but had a HUGE muffin top so can't wear them. Today I still have a big muffin top but it's reduced a bit this week. Once I don't have a 'muffin top' in those shorts I will first brave the scales this year!

This evening I tried on some clothes I was thinking of wearing out last Saturday but I thought my flab on my back showed through my fitted tops and the tops also showed my poking out stomach too much for comfort and skirt waistband was real tight............so change of clothes it was! I thought............a kilo or two are just holding me back here! WELL, I tried these same clothes on tonight for fun and would class them 'wearable' now! Visible back and stomach flab has gone! There is still quite a bit to go of course but it's nice to see a difference in clothes (which haven't been worn or washed or in dryer). It's great to notice an improvement even if slight in 6 days! I must say I've busted my arse in training this week, have had no sugar, diets been spot on and as much as I'm hanging for wine tonight, (bit of a crap day on a couple of regards) I haven't relented.

Talk soon,
Pip :-)

2011-01-16T20:44:00.009+08:00

TRAINING PLAN..............WEEK ONE!!!

Howdee all! I've decided to post up my training plan for the week ahead over the weekend working a Monday to Sunday week. I can either fill in my training realities on a Sunday weekly OR every day.

Training has been very inconsistent, - infact I actually did my first run for 2011, - a run just over 5km on Saturday morning. Yes, I can still complete it in one hit even if slow.

My major objectives for the next bit are: * sprint distance triathlon 3 April, 14km Run for a Reason late May and Gold Coast half marathon 3 July under 2 hours, a few days skiing in July and losing a shitload, (10kg or thereabouts) of fat and becoming stronger and more flexible. My training plan will vary week to week but I expect to complete it and treat it as importantly as other appointments, not optional. My minimum training standard I must complete weekly is at least 3 intense cardio workouts of at least 30 mins each and two resistance sessions of at least 15 mins each. But for fat loss and when training for events this may increase relative to current goals etc. Keeping to my dietary standards, getting enough time in bed and keeping up efficient incidental activity is paramount too!

I've successfully completed 9 consecutive days alcohol free. Last night was a challenge at BF's fathers 60th birthday where the wine was flowing and I was offered it but I sober drove home, and drove in a new scary for me area so that's another tick! 19 days to go alcohol free! Today I had a great day boating with some mates on the Swan River, going ski biscuiting and attempting to waterski. Had about 3 or 4 attempts but a no go still but something I'd love to accomplish if someone is patient enough sometime! Awesome fun!

ANYWAYS TRAINING PLAN WEEK ONE:

MON 17 JAN 2011: PM: Run of at least 30 mins outdoors steady pace followed 15 mins body weight work resistance training variables

ACTUAL: DID 17 MIN RESISTANCE BODY WEIGHT SESSION INCORPORATING PUSHUPS, PLANK, AB MOVES, WALKING LUNGES, SIT AGAINST WALL AT 90 DEGREE ANGLE THING, TRICEP DIPS, WITH STAR JUMPS IN REST PERIOD, PB ON PUSHUPS ON TOES BEFORE DROPPING TO KNEES OF 11!!! THEN 20-25. WENT THROUGH CIRCUIT TWICE BUT DIDN'T ATTEMPT TOE PUSHUPS SECOND ROUND. HELD PLANK 1 MIN 10 SECS BOTH TIMES and SAT AGAINST WALL OVER 2 MINS FIRST UP. DID 5.25km HILLY OUTDOOR RUN FOLLOWING THAT IN 33 MINS, 10 SECS.

TUE 18 JAN 2011: PM: Turbo trainer 30 mins challenging pace

ACTUAL: YEP, SURE DID JUST OVER THE 30 MINS ON THE TURBO, IT WAS HARD GOING AND WAS SATURATED IN SWEAT AT THE END. PLANK FOR JUST 1 MIN, 15 SECS AND STRETCHES AS WELL. NUTRITION AND ALL GOOD TOO SO FAR. COMPLETED DAY 11/38 BOOZE FREE. VERY ACTIVE DAY WITH LOTS INCIDENTAL ACTIVITY TOO.

WED 19 JAN 2011: PM: 30 min treadmill run followed by stretching and 10 mins rowing at best pace I can manage

ACTUAL: DID DO THE 30 MIN TREADMILL RUN, 5.23KM AND THAT COMPLETELY STUFFED ME, COULD HAVE NOT GONE ANY FASTER! HOWEVER GOT OUT OF WORK 20 MINS LATER THAN HOPED AND DIDN'T WANT TO WAIT LONGER TILL NEXT BUS AND NOT GET HOME TILL 8.30 AS I HAD A FEW JOBS TONIGHT. SO SKIPPED THE ROWING AND WENT STRAIGHT TO BUS AND JUST MADE IT! NUTRITION ON TRACK AND DAY 12/28 ALCOHOL FREE. ANOTHER BUSY DAY, OTHER THAN TIME ON BUS AND A LITTLE BIT IN EVENING I MOVE CONSTANTLY!

THUR 20 JAN 2011: PM: Turbo trainer 30 mins challenging pace followed by 15 mins body weight resistance training variables

ACTUAL: I WAS DREADING TODAY AS I'M SETTING HIGH STANDARDS IN ACTUALLY DOING LOTS OF WHAT I SET OUT TO THIS WEEK. I'M CONSTANTLY BEATING MY PB WITH TOE PUSHUPS. HAD A QUICK GO LAST NIGHT AND DID 12. TODAY'S RESISTANCE WORKOUT STARTED OUT WITH 14!!! THEN 20 ON TOES AND A REPEAT OF MONDAY'S RESISTANCE TRAINING GOING THROUGH THE ROUND TWICE. CAN DO PLANK FOR 1.5 MINS, STILL MANAGED 26 KNEE PUSHUPS AT ONCE SECOND ROUND. THEN COMPLETED THE 30 MINS ON TURBO, A REAL STRUGGLE AND I WAS POURING WITH SWEAT AND SORE AFTER 3 MINS BUT DID IT! DAY 13/28 ALCOHOL FREE.

FRI 21 JAN 2011: Day off

ACTUAL: HAD DAY OFF. AT START OF DAY I HAD HALF AN IDEA OF HITTING GYM AFTER WORK FOR THE 10 MINS ON THE ROWER I SKIPPED THE OTHER DAY AND A FEW MORE WEIGHTS. BUT HIT A WALL AT WORK AND DECIDED TO TAKE DAY OFF TRAINING. AM VERY FOBBED OFF TODAY AND DISGRUNTLED! HOWEVER ATE NO CRAP OR EXCESSES AND AS MUCH AS I'D LOVE TO CRACK OPEN A BOTTLE OF WINE I HAVEN'T SO HAVE MADE IT 14/28 DAYS ALCOHOL FREE. I WILL DO A LITTLE REPORT ABOVE IN NEXT POST ABOUT SOME CLOTHES I TRIED ON TONIGHT.

SAT 22 JAN 2011: AM: Swim steady pace freestyle 30 mins, 15 mins resistance training and stretching variables.

ACTUAL: THE PLAN WAS TO GET TO THE POOL BUT I DIDN'T SCHEDULE MY MORNING AS I COULD HAVE AND TREAT TRAINING WITH THE SAME IMPORTANCE I WOULD HAVE FOR WORK SO GOT PRE-OCCUPIED AND MISSED BUS. I THEN DECIDED TO DO SUNDAY'S WORKOUT TODAY AND GOT MY FIRST 15 MINS DONE ON TURBO............HOWEVER BF GOT HOME IN THE 13TH MIN, THEN ALLOWED MYSELF TO GET DISTRACTED AND TALK TO HIM AFTER 15 MINS..............HOWEVER I EMBARKED ON A 18 MIN RUN ABOUT AN HOUR LATER SO NOT QUITE A BRICK SESSION. 15 MINS RESISTANCE WORK UNFORTUNATELY GOT DISCARDED. RESTAURANT TEA AT CHINESE RESTAURANT FOR BF'S NANNA WAS HAD, VERY NICE!

SUN 23 JAN 2011: AM: Small brick session of 15 mins turbo trainer followed by run of at least 15 mins.

BF'S 30TH BIRTHDAY TODAY, - A 30 MIN SWIM AND 15 MIN RESISTANCE TRAINING SESS WAS ON THE CARDS BUT NEITHER HAPPENED. I DID A WEIGH IN THIS MORN WHEN I SHOULDN'T HAVE, - 74.4KG. NO OVEREATING HAPPENED, A GOOD FUN DAY BUT JUST WASN'T ORGANISED TO PIORITISE TRAINING!

Talk soon!

Pip :-)

2011-01-12T20:56:00.002+08:00

ON TRACK WITH ALCOHOL BAN AGAIN>>>>>>>NOW TIME FOR THE REST!

Have completed day 5 from 28 alcohol free. How I wanted a drink today! After a long hard busy day in this warm weather a beer or wine (sometimes leads to a few) is awesome. Even more so if I've been training and eating on track. If I'm full or have eaten sugar.............beer or even wine doesn't have the same temptation.

Of course eating nutritiously and not too much and training is important as well. Alcohol sure can't be substituted with eating too much or too much crap food!

So..............successful strategy is get a glass of tap water with icecubes and pretend it's a beer or wine! Maybe not the same but the thrill of saving money, (free) and not drinking alcohol for no reason plus the fact water has no calories is all good! A glass of water or two with ice cubes before tea can tide over an otherwise beer or wine choice! I did 6 weeks straight last year, but BF's b-day party is in 23 days and I plan to enjoy a few after that. Am undecided if from then on I'll just keep it to social occasions or go back to attempt my usual old guidelines I used to try to stick to.

However if my triathlon, half marathon goals, fatloss, weightloss and lifestyle standards are really going to happen..............I need to be much more committed to making my all round lifestyle standards more non negotiable. (Not optional and thinking, ahh, tomorrow, I'm not as bad as I could be.....etc.....crap LOL). It's a bit repetitive talking about it all here as well.

Right:
11.5 weeks to sprint dist triathlon. Major goal is to complete this distance, - longest ever, ideally not come last and from now be happy with my effort of sticking to my self set training regime.

24.5 weeks till half marathon. Completion under 2 hours has always been a pipe dream and I believe sure achieveable and I will strive for that. My PB for the half is 2hrs, 15 mins, 14 secs and that was at about 85kg with very inconsistent training and rapid weight gain for the 2-3 odd months leading up back in mid 2008. However even more important than the time is my dedication to actually not talking shit and doing what I say I will.........consistently now till then and being as committed to it as I am to work etc. Of course obstacles may arise, that is prob norm but I would want to be happy with the controlled way I deal with them rather than throwing in the towel if adversity etc strikes. If I have a poor race or even don't finish or start the race, I will feel contented as long as I've handled my preparation to my standards. AND after the half marathon, I get a day on the Gold Coast/Brisbane area, then head to Airlie Beach before some skiing in NZ! All much more fun if I'm happy with my fitness and shape and don't sabotage myself in ways I don't want to.

Now to all affected by the floods, - the pics look horrendous and unbelievable! Very cruel looking and my heart goes out to all involved.

Now time to be vigilent about sticking to the standards I aspire to. They aren't out of the way too time consuming or tough.......although hard work at times.............but just need to be consistent with them.

Talk soon
Pip :-)

2011-01-09T12:54:00.003+08:00

HERE'S TO 2011!!!

G'day! Sorry it's been a while between blogs!

However it's cause I've been rather busy of late! I had the awesome but unexpected surprise of having my lil sis come and stay with BF and I over New Years for 5 nights! And we had lots of fun..........and spent quite a bit of money! Over New Years weekend I had the weekend and Monday off work but was lucky enough to score New Years Eve, (Friday) off work as well!

Activities we got up to included.........shopping, sightseeing, beach visiting and swimming, tiki touring, drinking and catching up and trying to cram as much in as poss really! She is a really confident driving and drives around anywhere in Perth no probs, - unlike me in regard to driving! She put up about 125 photos on her facebook which can be found on my facebook of this holiday. Now I think she knows the ropes of Perth so if she brings her hubby over she will have some idea where to go and what to do! We even did a day trip cramming in Mandurah, Bunbury, Busselton, Yallingup, Gracetown and Margaret River.

In between that there has been Christmas and working so have been busy. The week before Christmas was totally flat out at work with me doing long days. We had to open 3 days between Christmas and New Year which were quieter but still busy enough as there were less staff. I only worked 2 of them as I had the Friday off.

I did end up weighing in on 31 Dec @ 74.5kg. So nice to finish the year off even if only just under 75 and to not see 80 the whole year.

I haven't weighed in yet this year, - guess I'm still around 75 or prob even slightly over as I still haven't really cracked down this year. But as long as I don't SEE over 75kg lol!

It's about time I really cranked up the fitness and start getting leaner and fitter though than I have been for years and staying that way because:

* I'm doing a sprint distance triathlon on 3 April, - 12 weeks from today which will be my longest yet!
* I'm doing the Gold Coast half marathon in 25 weeks today on 3 July! I would like to focus now and stay focussed and be happy with my consistency and efforts in preparation when the time comes around to race! The total icing on the cake is if I can complete it under 2 hours!
* There is a sprint distance triathlon in 7 weeks today which I'm undecided about. I will keep you posted about that but may enter if I'm happy with progress and staying consistent!
* There is the 14km Run for a Reason race toward end May. I did it last year and it would be awesome to smash last years time this year!

Consistency is the key...........it mustn't elude me haha!

I have a bit of excitement planned for this year at this stage.

Firstly is BF's 30th party on 5th Feb, (4 weeks yesterday). I started another little challenge to drink NO alcohol (and stupidly announced it) from yesterday until this date and am successfully up to day 2. Of course I intend to enjoy some at the party though!

Next is my trip to Adelaide from 2nd to 6th March, (maybe after doing a triathlon the weekend prior). Have never been to Adelaide and can't wait!

3 April I intend to do the last sprint triathlon of the season, (750m swim, 20km ride, 5km run) and secure that accomplishment.

Over Easter long weekend end April I think we may have 5 days off this year. I'm thinking of a road trip to Kalgoorlie, Esperance, Albany and back home. I've been to Albany once but never Kalgoorlie and Esperance!

Toward end May I haven't comfirned it but think I may participate in the Run for a Reason 14km run again!

1 July 2011 I head to Brisbane and down to the Gold Coast. 3 July I intend to race in the half marathon. 5 - 9 July I intend to head up to Airlie Beach and hopefully catch up with relatives, do a day kayak trip and a cruise or sailing in the Whitsundays! 9-11 July I head to Sydney, then 11-19 July I will head to NZ to catch up with family and hopefully get some skiing in!

I booked it recently to get the cheaper flights.

So things look rather busy! Not sure about further overseas travel/holidays. Am thinking where I wanna go may just be too costly for a few years so am trying to shelve the idea for a while.

Talk soon,
Pip :-)

2010-12-27T20:57:00.002+08:00

2010 ROUNDUP............

Heya all! I'm writing this now as I think I may not have much more time this year!

Christmas Day was great! BF and I spent it down at his parents place down at the beach! His family, Nana and a couple of others were there. It was a great day. The temperature hit 39.9 degrees and we spent lots of time in the water mucking about. Xmas lunch was yum. We had cheese, salami, crackers to start, then rumballs. The main was Xmas hot ham, cold chicken, roast potatoes, pumpkin, carrots, peas and a tomato/onion bake. Then after another swim it was dessert time.........plum pudding. We pay $5 to eat it and the person to find the coin with the hole drilled in wins $50! We all got some awesome pressies, - it was a fun day!

Yesterday BF was confined to the house as he was on standby for his work so he put his technic lego together till he got called out to a fire! I went out to another great gathering!

Today I got stuck into a bit of housework. It's always good to get done!

I decided to brave the metal monsters/scales today after keeping off them for the last 3 weeks. I wasn't expecting an exactly good reading as I'd been flat out, (but very active I reckon) at work so not eating the best options and not being consistent with training, (no excuses) and I feel I look flabby but that isn't new at the moment. 3 odd weeks ago I was 75.1kg. I was tentatively expecting about 78, (hopefully not 80 or above) and had spent lots of time lately wearing elastic waistbands from being so busy and not wanting to check out what I expected the reality to be! Then on Xmas day and yesterday I wore a size 14 Levis mini denim skirt. I used to wear that at about 80kg with it sitting firm just on the navel line. I noticed it was definitely looser Xmas day and yesterday with it sitting right down on lower hips with about 2 inches of extra room in it which was good. So...at weigh in this morning........I was stoked to weigh in at 74.5kg today! I'm still not the most toned around the torso and wanna smash off a good bit more fat but now I can stay true to lowering my cut off point to 75kg for 2011. I've successfully stayed under 80 all of 2010, (I won't weigh self again this year). First time I'd achieved that since 1999! Last year cut off was 85, before it was 90! I didn't touch any chocolates today and lost total desire to after I found out I was 3 odd less kg than expected! Being flat out may count for something sometimes! I still intend to improve my habits, all round fitness, reduce fat and kilo wise wanna get under 68kg.

In brief some things which happened this year:
* Did my longest triathlon
* Moved in with BF
* Got a car, can drive somewhat in quieter areas
* Had a decent 30th party
* Did 14km Run for a Reason race
* Started a triathlon course till I hurt my back.
* Gave up alcohol completely for 6 consecutive weeks
* Poor Granny passed, I spoke at her funeral

Will be back soon to for a New Years talk!!!

Pip :-)

2010-12-19T13:29:00.002+08:00

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!..........

Hello! Just thought I'd do a check in! Hope everyone has a good festive and holiday season. I reckon it sucks to work too much at this time of year but some of us have to haha!

Now, I've been thinking about holidays and travel quite a bit of late. Infact I think about it lots but unfortunately don't action it quite so much.

I am really excited to be going to Adelaide early March next year for 4 days, - I look really forward to it! I've never been and it will be great to catch up with Kristy and hopefully Magda.

As we have 5 days off in a row at Easter this year, (usually it's 4) I'm thinking of taking a road trip. Am thinking of heading off to Kalgoorlie on Good Friday after getting up early. Will stay there a night or two. Then head down to Esperance for a night or two. Then Albany for a night and back to Perth. I've been to Albany briefly once but not Esperance or Kalgoorlie. Will camp or stay in cheap accommodation. Hopefully BF can come too.

As for overseas travel to new destinations its just so hard to decide.......and I always feel limited on funds and time. I'd love to explore Europe. The other places I'm really keen on at the moment are Hawaii, America, Canada. Other places that interest me are Mexico, Thailand, Vietnam for cycling and kayaking and believe it or not but Alaska! Ideally I'd love to do a mixed cycling/hiking holiday with some canoeing or kayaking thrown in. I also really want to go on a cruise for part of it. Also I'd like to cover lots of area.

Best value for money for what you can see appears to be Contiki. However I don't know if hanging out with the majority of the group in it's early 20's, late nights, hungover days and coach touring is totally my ideal way to spend a holiday in a new destination.

It's all so costly............but new and exciting.

I did develop an idea for July 2012 where I flew to Gold Coast, did the half marathon, went to Airlie beach to see cousins there, down to Sydney to catch up with a cousin for a night, then off to America for 2.5 weeks, Hawaii for 1.5 weeks, NZ on the way back to see family, then Perth but it appears far too undoable when researching it further. Then I decided to try and cull either Hawaii or America and both are too hard and it STILL appears costly after my research. Then I looked at the idea of leaving that holiday plan till 2015 or so and instead looked at flights and trips around Europe mid 2012 culling NZ and the Gold Coast half. I'd really struggle to make a 4-5 week trip to my style under $10-$11000.

To save that type of money I have to be very choosy about proceedings and continue to save $100 a week consistently.

I just had a look on line and pretended I was going to do the Gold Coast half marathon next year. Flights are cheap at the moment for early July next year. I found that I could fly from Perth to Brisbane, stay there or Gold Coast 4 nights while doing Gold Coast half marathon, then head up to Airlie Beach for 2-3 nights to see my relatives, then head off to Sydney for a night or two to see my cousin, then back to Perth all for about $600 at the moment which is rather good. I can even add a flight to Christchurch from Sydney return on appropriate dates for just over $300. In Airlie Beach I'd like to do a full day kayak trip and found one. Maybe on another day do a full day sailing trip or cruise. If I added NZ in this way I get it all.........racing, ocean, kayaking, sailing/cruising/good weather/snow/skiing if I hit NZ and catching up with family all in one trip for maybe $2000. Or could cull the NZ idea and just make a holiday of skiing in 2012 which would cheapen next year further. From another point of view it's harder to justify spending $10000 a pop but then it's always exciting exploring new destinations!

Will let ya all know the outcome soon..............and put up my planned events for 2011 soon!

Pip :-)

2010-12-10T16:27:00.002+08:00

CURRENT DOINGS.......TRAVEL IDEAS.............

Howdy! Hope everyone is having a great week!

After my triathlon last Saturday I prepared to take the drive down to Busselton to watch the Ironman!

That meant I was up early and on the road by 5.30am on Sunday morning. I arrived in Busso about 8.30am. The race started at 5.45am so I missed the swim but saw the competitors going hard lapping it up on the bike!

To anyone who doesn't know:
* a full ironman is a 3.8km swim followed by a 180km push bike ride finished off with a marathon 42.2km run so a distance of 226km is covered all up! A great ultra endurance event! Therefore thats lots different than my 400m swim, 16km ride and 4km run I did last Saturday!

The atmosphere down there was unreal. The dedication of the athletes was mindblowing. People come all over the world to race in Busselton and some entrants were over 70 years of age! There was section for the pros then all the age group categories. The winning guy completed this feat in 8 hours and 14 mins and I think the first female was about an hour behind that. The winning female went in as a bit of an underdog but worked so hard and built up a lead of a few minutes in the run. She crashed in the last few hundred metres of the run and infact had to crawl over the line but still kept her lead and won the girls race!

One of BF's mates has been very dedicated with training for this event for many months or longer. Such training for him involved at least 2-3 hours on weeknights and weekend trainings involved such things as a 200km ride followed by a 20km run on say Saturday and some mammoth swim/run on Sunday. Therefore it was great to see him cross the line in just over 11 hours. All competitors have their name on them and it's amazing seeing them keep coming past. Lots of them look to be going well but totally crash in say the second half or even last 10km of the run. Getting so close to the end but totally crashing would be really frustrating I think......................but these types of athletes don't seem to let disappointments affect them for long!

I didn't stay until the end of the race, (11pm as there is a 17 hour cut off time which means if there are competitors still out on the course after 17 hours they aren't allowed to finish). I left it too late to try and find accommodation unless I fancied paying over $500 a night so I drove back. I didn't want to leave the drive back home too late either as these are unfamiliar roads still.

Now to put these distances into perspective for me...............the longest bike ride I've done in one day is 108.4km almost 2 years ago. Now that was a huge effort and included a few stops. I was buggered at the end of that. More recently, (about a month ago) I did a 90km bike ride one day covering quite a few hills but when I got home from that, - I was had! No way could I do double that, then run a marathon not to mention the swim!

I would like to do an ironman, - maybe someday! But for now I'm working toward a couple of Sprint Distance triathlons which will become my longest efforts and I would love to do these in good form (for me). There is one at end of Feb 2011 and one early April 2011 I'm thinking about. They include a 750m swim, 20km ride and 5km run. Will keep you posted! Probably these are more suited for me for now as my ideal training time is about 5 hours a week.

I have been getting quite excited about the prospects of holidays of late! My proposed plan of a 'round the world trip' in mid 2015 for about 8 weeks is still sounding so far away. I've been contributing funds weekly and consistently and have actually just reached the $2000 mark in my holiday fund. It's in a high interest account and I've been aiming to have a minimum of $25000 but ideally $30000 for this trip. I'm quite excited to have made the $2000 mark as I normally spend money in this fund on other stuff before it reaches $1000. However I'm far too excited when this is still in the much distant future as you can see!

Therefore I'm thinking of making this into two trips. The first one brought forward to mid 2012 and the next but biggie in 2015 and am doing research.

I'm aiming to have total of $10000 minimum by late June 2012. Am now thinking of firstly heading over East to kick the trip off with the Gold Coast half marathon which is always first Sunday in July, then heading up to Airlie Beach for two nights to see relatives in their new home there and do a days kayaking, then down to Sydney for a night, then off to LA where I'd like to bus it up to San Francisco, then do a round trip one week tour covering Vegas, some of the amazing Canyons, hiking and much else. Then want to curtail it over to Hawaii, (somewhere I've always wanted to go). I'd love to do a 2 week tour covering at least 4 of the islands but would need to work out further details. Of course kayaking, swimming, cycling, hiking (and relaxing) would be on the wish list in Hawaii, (and seeing some the the amazing attractions there).
Next I'd head to NZ, catch up with family and want to give the ski slopes a quick whirl again for at least a couple of days. There is lots more I want to do but think that's about how far I can stretch my money and time!

Maybe the 2015 round the world trip I'd have more time to get to more of America and Canada and some European countries. If I knuckle down for a trip in 18 months time I reckon that's doable and not to far away!

Am about to head to work staff party tonight! Have a good one all! :-)

Pip :-)

2010-12-04T14:22:00.002+08:00

HELLO, yep, I did it! My longest triathlon to date! I arrived at the venue at Champion Lakes at 6am when registration opened to set up for the race starting at 8am.

There were two events, - a 'short' and 'long' course. I did the longer one. We had various wave starts all 3 mins apart from each other. I was in 30-39 for 'long' of course.

The water for the swim was a nice temp, not too cold. But it was a bit murky and I found out I needed new goggles. At one point I got about 80 metres off course after putting my head down, swimming hard etc! Shit! In the end I pulled my goggles up so I didn't lose any more direction. But I still did the 400m swim in 8 mins something which isn't too bad.

I had also got over using sucker water bottles because no matter what, they leaked and generally leaked onto things like mobile phones, passports, documents or whatever. But screw tops have always been safe.

So I had a 1L bottle Mt Franklin water with a screw top on my bike cage on the bike. About 5km into the bike ride I slowed down slightly to open it for a gulp or two. After a couple I decided to attempt to put cap on and put bottle back into the cage on my bike. I slowed down a bit, tried to put the bottle in, (with intention of then screwing top on). BUT alas, bottle slipped out of my hand onto ground and I lost all my water! Therefore I had to hang out till 800m into the run till I could get some but it wasn't too bad, just annoying! Not sure of my overall time but about 1 hour 17 or 18 mins. Wasn't last either, (not that holding up the rear end is a bad thing). I think some finishers were finishing about 15-20 mins after me.

Pics at top are from today just after I arrived to rack up bike and set up, (before most people came!)

Talk soon

Pip :-)

2010-12-03T20:37:00.002+08:00

TRIATHLON EVE............and SAME OLD STORY...............

Just thought I'd do a quick update for now!

Firstly yes, I intend to do that triathlon tomorrow at Champion Lakes. It's a 400m swim in the lake followed by a 16km bike ride then a 4km run. My bike is packed into the back of my car...........and to my delight it fits in without even having to remove a wheel! I just fold my back seat forward then lay my bike down and it doesn't obstruct my driving vision or anything. I'm rather dyslexic with manual tasks unfortunately which sure isn't due to lack of trying. To correctly take my wheels on and off my bike (with all the knobs turned and facing the same way) has taken much time and frustration which is embarrassing to admit.

Training, (or lack of) and nutrition has been rather shite this week. Why? Early in the week I unfortunately blew off a turbo training cycle session and instead opted to finish off a half bottle of wine when then lead to bingeing on leftovers in fridge..........then 2 beers but no training! Then out of whack and overfull the next day, then a busy work week ladeda! Last week I trained awesomely and last Saturday weighed in @ 75.0. I also have been feeling disappointed in myself as like often, I have put in some hard work, start to go places just to totally undo it. To grasp new fitness and drop fat I need to be consistent for longer these days to see results as I'm now in my 30's. I'd love to think I'd put in a good few weeks or months of consistent training and satisfactory nutrition and to see where I'd be.

Anyways can't dwell. Lets see what I bring to the table tomorrow. I'd be happy to finish and as a bonus, - not come last! There is a Womens triathlon again next March. I'd like to go for the sprint distance, (750m swim, 20km ride and 5km run). I'd ideally like to put a consistent effort I'm happy with in regard to sticking to my training ideals. If I don't perform as I hope on raceday I'd be OK with that and may learn stuff. What would make me happy is being happy with my training and nutrition efforts in the weeks/months leading up. This time I'm not!

I'm a bit nervous about the swim infact! Tomorrow the high is only forecast to reach 22 degrees celcius for a max. It may be rather windy down there and the race starts at 8am so may be cool. I intend to cycle in my wet clothes, (then run). I don't have a wetsuit as I've never dreamed I'd require one at my level!

Am thinking of wearing sports bra, then one piece bathers, then lycra knee length black shorts and a rashee top, (black with fluoro pink writing) as my attire. Hmmm!

Tomorrow I'm planning on being out the door by 5.15am. Sunday I'm planning a road trip down to Busselton to watch the Ironman! Jules is in it as is one of BF's mates. He can't come cause of his work but that will be a big drive for me!

Talk soon,

Pip :-)

2010-11-24T21:04:00.002+08:00

LOOMING TRIATHLON and FITNESS UPDATES...........

G'day! Firstly I will report further regarding my last post. I haven't had any wine since and intend to keep up my resolve and give it a rest for a bit anyway. Last Sunday evening I had 3 midstrength low carb beers and didn't wake up with heart palpations or anything. Infact had a great sleep that night. Since then I haven't had any alcohol.......cutting back for now. Early Sunday I replied to Craig Harpers's post and said I was going to go 28 days drinking no liquid calories, (ie nothing but water). I have to say I haven't given up my morning skinny flat white, (free to make at work, organic coffee beans too). But other than one of them daily all other liquid intake has been water. It's been a busy week so far.

Have stepped up the training the last few days. BF has a turbo trainer in which he attaches his mountain bike to. It has 5 resistance levels with 5 being the hardest. When I get on that I make myself go as fast as poss for 30 mins on level 4 which is a challenge and produces an all over sweat in only 4-5 mins. Tough, yep! At the moment am doing the turbo every second day alternating with either a 30 min run on treadmill or an outdoor run of at least 5km. Today was treadmill run day, I managed 5.36km in 30 mins and that really hit my 10/10 level, I couldn't possibly have done any more! Then stretches and a few mins on the rower. I did a mini brick session on the turbo followed by a bit of a run last weekend and managed. Still haven't been to a pool for a while, I think the local one has just opened as it's only open in summer but it's an outdoor 25m one I hear. There are other pools around but they take a bit of organisation to get to. I love the beach and would love to do ocean swims but am petrified of sharks if out swimming on my lonesome at the moment. That's cause there have been numerous recent reports of shark attacks and beach closures. I know I can swim but not in a fast or efficient manner. But I can plod through a couple of kms at once if I want to.

So um 10 days till the triathlon. Am still in the 'longer event' of a 400m swim, 16km bike ride and 4km run. The aim is to finish and if I'm not the last finisher I will be even more stoked! Usually in run events I'm in the top half of finishers, (excepting half marathons). But in 12km, 14km and 7km run events I generally manage this. But in the first triathlon I did.........I was first from the back, the second I was 7th from the back! Most competitors here seem all serious you see. My looming triathlon will be my longest to date yet!

I weighed in on Tue morn at 76.5. That's 100g down from 10 days prior at 76.6. However it's taken till this week to really up the ante. Have been on track with food too with having no excesses or confectionary so far this week. I seem to have to be seriously on track consistently for at least 2 weeks now till the numbers start to head down so intend to try to keep off scales for a few days! Still am successful with not seeing 80 this year so need to keep to that! I've decided my aim is to be 'comfortably' under 75kg on 31 December 2010 so again next year I can cut another 5kg off from my 'cut off point'! Cut off point used to be 90, last year was 85kg, this year 80kg so to carry on the trend will have 75 next year! When I finish 2010 without seeing 80, - again that will be the first year I've triumphed with that since 1999. (Started year at 78.8 on 1 Jan, highest reading since was 77.4 in Sept 2010, lowest read for 2010 was 68.6 in April, - whoops!)

Enough crapping on so till next time!

Pip :-)

2010-11-21T10:22:00.003+08:00

WINE......HEART PALPATIONS.......COFFEE REACTIONS......

Howdy. Hmm, I'm in a predicament. Lately, - more so the last month or so I have noticed different effects that wine have on me. Problem is I luv wine however maybe it doesn't like me!

Lately after drinking more than say 2 medium sized glasses of wine I feel the effects 4-6 hours later. If my last glass is finished at 9.30pm about 2-2.30am I wake up with my heart racing fast and strongly and am in a sweat like I've been training. Forehead, hairline and back of neck is often dripping in sweat. I then drink lots of water and take a couple of hours to get back to sleep if I do and if I make it to sleep it is very lightly and I have some weird dreams or doze off and on. If course I don't like to get up or make lots of noise as I don't wanna wake BF up. I don't feel particularly drunk or anything while drinking the wine, and feel fine when I get into bed, but then this happens. Last night I had about 3 glasses of wine, (3/4 bottle I guess over 2 hours) but stopped drinking at 7.30pm but woke up at 11.30pm in this predicament. OK, - I know this is still prob too much wine and maybe 5 standard drinks. I get that. But this reaction is new when I don't consider I've had THAT much and haven't over indulged food wise. A year or two ago this happened occasionally, (such as twice a year or so) but that was after more than a bottle in one hit followed by too much food straight before bed so while I felt mad at myself when waking up, I knew I had only myself to blame. I've even had the sweating thing happen on nights when it gets down to 4 degrees, (but of course after the sweating I get cold). I've only noticed it after wine. Not with beer but I only drink midstrength beer when I do, (3.5% alcohol, - either Hahns 3.5% super dry or 4xxx Gold lower carb). But I generally stick to 2 cans or stubbies at most if I have beer.

Now with coffee, - up until about 3 years ago I never drank it at all, - never liked the stuff! Now however I do like it, - but only freshly made coffee with coffee beans ground on the spot and steamed skinny milk........aka skinny flat whites cafe style, no sugar. I don't like instant coffee so much at all. However now I seem to shake, feel flat, tired etc till I get some coffee into me in the morning! Hmmmm. I may sometimes have another coffee at work, (as we get them free) mid arvo but only sometimes.

Now I prob feel anxious to drink wine cause of what may happen at night. Feeling anxious about what may happen may be part of the problem too. I guess I could cut down to one glass, (or 200ml max) to see if the same thing happens with wine. I would be gutted to have to give up drinking wine but may have to consider it. I have googled it and have found others experience this problem too.

I'm not sure, - maybe should consider a big detox from alcohol and coffee completely for a few weeks. Then gradually on occasion when out start allowing myself one glass of wine again. If the same heart thing occurs then maybe give up alcohol or at least wine altogether. Not sure about coffee or exchanging it for green tea. I already drink loads of water.

I had recent routine health checks at doctor, - ie liver function, cholesterol, sugar levels, pap smear, iron levels, breast check, STD's etc and all come back normal which was good.

Holiday fund is now up to $1835. That is toward my round the world trip scheduled for about 2015. YAY! And in another online account am managing to save $80 a week toward investing which is something I've kept up since March this year.

Hmm, talk soon all

Pip :-)

2010-11-15T20:43:00.002+08:00

HEY-YA...........

It's been a couple of weeks since an update I see! So what's been happening? And how is 'Nail It November' going you may wonder?

Well I had a couple of training sessions last week. An outdoor 5km run and yesterday smashed out a 90km road bike ride over several hills. I have a bit of sunburn and a tender butt today. I rode to the beach and back. Weigh in on Saturday was 76.6 which is up 900g from two weeks ago. However can't complain as I can say I haven't been the most disciplined with food and training over the last couple of weeks haha.

However am all good, making a decision on my job/work one way or another has been something I've given some great consideration to but I have come to a resolution about it for now. So hear we have it, - and I notice I often do better with my goals if I don't talk so much about them LOL :-)

Have a good one!

2010-11-01T19:27:00.002+08:00

'NAIL IT', - DAY 1!!!

Howdy! Today has been somewhat of a challenge. I'm really not enjoying work at the moment and can be known to make slack decisions out of frustration cause of that. And Mondays I particularly hate work wise. Had to bite my tongue and get on with it as per norm. Also today a company that I gave my e-mail address to got in touch with me, trying to talk me into a financial opportunity that sounds far too good to be true. I asked questions, listened hard and worried if I'm missing out on a huge opportunity if I didn't sign up and put a deposit on. I also worried it was a scam, therefore didn't sign up. The guy on the phone was trying to talk me around to not miss out for 16 mins today before I said a DEFINITE no and he believed me. After that call I felt un-easy that I may be missing out on a good opportunity!

Unfortunately I felt pissed off and fell victim to some spare chocolate muffin, a skinny hot chocolate and a savoury pastry to round it off mid arvo. Whoops! However the small win is I went for a 40 min run when I got home, (which was a bit uncomfy and slow as I was too full) instead of finding an excuse to carry on and have beer or wine on the couch. I was thinking of my rules, - ie the punishment ones for breaking my rules and have come to think of them as un-useful. These are lifestyle rules that apply 24/7 so if I deviate slightly sometimes I don't want to think it's the end of the world then really deviate. I know I prefer to keep to my objectives but if I stray slightly, I'm to mark it down but make sure I get back on track fast and carry on no matter what rather looking at it as a major blow.

I was trying to clean the taps last night with Jif and get them shiny..........but I broke the tap off. Oh dear! BF has spent the last few hours trying to fix them!

Today:
Alcohol: nil
Training: 40 min slow run while too full
Bed: - just over 7 hours last night

Talk soon
Pip :-)

2010-10-31T13:07:00.002+08:00

'NAIL IT NOVEMBER' PIP STYLE............

Hi! I'm following Liz's group/lead here and decided I'm in need of a 'Nail It November' month.........for a few reasons! Therefore I'm on the team!

My objectives:

* NO ALCOHOL! Yep, I'm in the game for a completely dry November! I did it for 6 consecutive weeks earlier in the year but it's time for a re-do! I have a triathlon on 4 December to do and I know my prep could be better/more consistent if there is no alcohol consumed........at all!

* NO WEIGHING! I intend to work to get fitter, my body fat reduced and for the scale needle to go down. When I'm confident the needle is on the way down I seem to get on them at least twice a week. If I know the needle isn't going down I can easily keep off them for a few weeks straight. Yesterday morning I weighed in @ 75.7kg which is pretty much my average for the last 5-6 months. Am aiming to keep off scales till 1 December and be at least 2.5kg less than this!

* ENOUGH TIME IN BED! At least 7 hours lights out time a night at least 5 nights a week. The more the better though!

* NO FLAGGING OFF TRAINING CAUSE OF LAZINESS/POOR PLANNING! I have a triathlon on 4 December and want to feel I've put in at least a month of consistent training. The aim is still to finish and ideally not be the last finisher! I need to swim at least 1km each week, do 3 runs of at least 5km each week, go on a bike ride of at least 20km each week focussing on speed and do 3 resistance training sessions of at least 15 mins each every week. Of course injuries are to be worked around if they occur but general slackness, - no!

* KEEP TO ORGANISATION AND BUDGET! My savings for investing are on track. I've saved $1555.28 toward my round the world trip which I schedule to depart about June 2015. Maintain general organisational standards!

* NO BINGEING, CONFECTIONARY ONLY ALLOWED IN SPECIAL SOCIAL SITUATIONS VERY MODERATELY, (not likely to occur more than once a month anyway).

Will keep you informed!

Oh yeah, I've booked a trip to Adelaide using specials from Jetstar! I leave on 2 March 2011 and return 6 March 2011. Am looking forward to this!

Also after my triathlon on 4 Dec I am planning to go down to Busselton to watch Busselton Ironman on Sunday 5 December!

Pip :-)

2010-10-25T17:31:00.003+08:00

TO FOLLOW ON FROM LAST INSTALLMENT.....plus......TRIATHLON AMBITION!....

First up as of yesterday I entered into a triathlon. It's a Womens triathlon fundrasing for breast cancer held at Champion Lakes near Gosnells/Kelmscott. It's on Saturday 4 December and kicks of at 8am. Registration opens at 6am so I aim to be down there then, will set up bike in transition area etc and attend the briefing at 7.45am. I intend to drive there. It's near an area I've driven to before so the drive doesn't scare me too much and it will be in the early hours when there is not much traffic about.

Now I had two choices regarding distances. Firstly there was a 200m swim, 8km bike ride and 2km run OR you could choose the long one with double the distances.....a 400m swim, 16km ride and 4km run. I was swithering thinking the short one was much more sensible for someone who hasn't been swimming in a few months and has only done about 2 bike rides in the last 2 months and the odd run but even in the last couple of weeks I got lazy with running again. But sensibility didn't cross my mind and I signed up for the longer affair! The aim is to complete it............and hopefully not be the last finisher haha! I'd be happy I think with a 400m swim in 14-15 mins, the 16km bike ride in about 45 mins and the 4km run under 24 mins with a couple of mins for each transition. I don't have clipless pedals or bike shoes but I'm sure I will be fine. But training must start now..........and stay! Completing that will be my longest one to date! I was going to enter Triathlon Pink in 2 weeks but am not confident driving to and from the location where that is!

The rules talked about in post below kick off again for good tomorrow 26 Oct 2010 and I really wanna stay focussed with them for a year to start with. Day one tomorrow! Gotta do it!

2010-10-19T19:48:00.002+08:00

HO-HUM.......TRUSTING YOURSELF INTUITIVELY OR RULES OR GUIDELINES..

Hi! This seems to be the question which many ask! Which of these suits us best? I do think that it depends on where we are in our lives and what we want out of life at this time as needs could differ throught life. Also it differs I think depending on the person. Those addictive/driven personality types may thrive better with some rules or guidelines. However the less goal orientated person with a maybe a less addictive personality may feel able to trust their common sense better and thrive to a level they are happy with.

We are all made to believe 'diets don't work'. Ok, they may in the short term if we persist for long enough but as soon as they are unsustained they won't. However if a 'diet' or better words 'nutritional guideline' is practiced forever it is likely to work forever. This in where in which a maintainable approach is required as we all know.

For me I have sort of been doing the intuitive common sense thing for a while.........which for me works to a degree but can come unstuck very easily too. I can very happily live without any confectionary for a few weeks and feel great after a few days refinding that groove of course. But after unplanned somewhat uncontrolled overindulging I'm not happy with..........that leaves me feeling winded, bloated and lethargic there is the big battle of 'getting back on track again' with a tighter waistband. Often then followed by cheese and salt and the like. What I am grateful now for is that I only get about a week/10 days off track and maybe up 2-3 kgs more before reining it in rather than 3-6 months later and 15kg plus more. Alcohol can be a problem sometimes too, just having a couple too many as the affects and sometimes overeating hit an hour or so later! But drinking wine of course feels and tastes so good at the time! Budget is also a big thing. I hate to think of wasting too much $ on wine, 'off track' food, from time to time bigger more comfy clothes I'd prefer not to buy and the like. I'd rather save money, go on overseas holidays and adventures, spend my money on new and fun experiences in this life and do want to get to some fitness levels I like........and something not that far from a 6-pack haha!

I have thought about how I really wanna live and think that self imposed rules may be best for me! The rules are in my best interest, to help me toward my objectives. They aren't there to deny.........I've tried to work toward an achieveable and flexible balance...........cause I'm flexible! I just function best if I keep to these rules! And I've made up penalties if I break them as I think a bit of military style is good! Wanna know my rules anyone haha???

Pip :-)

2010-10-12T19:31:00.005+08:00

WHOOHOOOO,.............THAT'S IT!!! :-)

Firstly, photos above are from last Sat, (9th Oct)

I've made a decision. I'm no longer a work in progress on the weight and fitness fluctuation front. We only get one chance. I'm over it and over making excuses about it unless I'm heading for something exciting!

Firstly I must admit I've seen an improvement in a round about way of present. For the past 6 months my weight has stayed and swayed between a low of 73.2kg and hit a high of 77.4 but the majority of the time when I've hit the scales in the am they have said 75.something. (Height 1.71m and body fat still 33 - 35%). That's size 14 in general, (sometimes 16 across boobs and 12 on hips and in pants). My Cue charcoal suit I bought recently before my last NZ trip was a size 12 which I was stoked about, it fits perfect and 14 was too big! As for training, sometimes I put in a couple of great weeks of at least 4 rather intense cardio styled sessions and maybe 3 intense 15-20 min resistance workouts plus am generally active and busy all day. Along with this I'm reasonably clean with my diet, cut alcohol down to about 2-3 days a week max without overindulging too much! Then I may slacken for a week, drink wine 2-3 drinks say five days a week, train hard maybe only once or twice, eat more cheese after finding an excuse for sweets for a couple of days before making the mental challenge to rein it in and just generally slacken for a bit. After a slack few days and extra couple of kilos I rein it in..........but nowdays it takes longer for the scales and fat to drop though it does with persistance. I always drink lots of water.

I took note of the 6 month after update of 12 of this years biggest loser contestants in this weeks New Idea. Most have done well with pretty much maintaining their new lower weight and lifestyle with finding a balance to suit them. However I'm dissapointed that at least 3-4 of them don't seem to have found that balance yet to be where they want to but do realise the factors involved!

On one hand I'm pleased to be able to rein overindulging in lots sooner and binges are lots smaller than they used to be. Good, - yep!

BUT...........I can do better and from now on will make it my commitment to! One reason is for the reasons listed in the above post and two..........life is all round better if we keep to some self respect standards we are proud of! I'm not talking ultra strict, - I still look forward to a drink or two up to 3 nights a week. I don't want to take my own food to mates houses the times I go or I don't want or ever plan to ring restaurants in advance to check menus on the occasions I may go out. Of course moderation and self control is the key when these occasions do arise. I am confident of getting and keeping off at least 5-10kg for good which I'd be stoked with!

Pip :-)

2010-10-07T21:17:00.003+08:00

'KEEP AT IT'!!!..................

Howdy!!! This week has shown some improvements in my fitness levels..........nice improvements, infact I'm stoked! Am faster, (5.46km in 30 mins on treadmill, big effort and these treadmills equate to my speed outdoors). Amount of pushups I can do on toes has increased from 3 to 9 in 3 weeks. I have gone up a level in most dumbell, barbell and weights exercises and can do or if I get a chance superset with something else 2-3 sets of 12-15 reps. I seem more agile, am better on the plank and other core stuff such as feeling smoother and stronger. I was starting to think since turning 30, I may be past it, have to settle for less or have to work harder for longer to achieve anything small fitness wise!

One thing I have realised is now my body doesn't bounce back quite the same as a few years ago if weight is gained. Hence I don't want to gain weight unnecessarily or I don't want to lose weight if I gain too much to only be left with loose skin after much slog therefore things can't get out of hand.! And it's also not just about weight/fat losses, it's about fitness targets and setting maintenance standards if not striving for something!

Thinking about this and biceps/triceps/shoulders and maintaining calve tone, lifted firm butt (rather than heading for that 'tuckshop look' or 'lowered butt' has motivated me in being reasonably regular and consistent with resistance training/getting stronger and really supple as well as achieveing cardiovscular objectives.

I have drastically reduced sugar intake, - infact sugar consumed in last couple of weeks amounts to about 5 tic tacs to freshen breath, - (in sweet tasting food anyway). It's a little tough initially but after a while the rewards outweigh the momentary taste indulgence and the lingering hankering for more indulging of that nature.

I don't say 'NEVER' for sugar etc but in general I'd save it only for special social occasions where I'd feel a bit of an outcast if I don't have a bit of birthday cake. Or very occasionally, I just may...............but would ideally like to weigh it up first and make sure I feel happy about it and it feels controlled...............Getting old or sensible or what I say??? That seems to have led to no out of control indulging at all other than a couple of extra wines occassionally.

Anyway 3 days ago I weighed in at a new low for a while of 73.9,........thinking, WOW, cool, am on the way to shooting down the kg's finally now and things are starting to happen! I stopped drinking wine, was clean and controlled diet wise, was training hard to max and drinking lots of water and training was telling me good results! Today I got on the scales for some stupid reason..............75.0! Then I remembered...........I was prob a bit dehydrated after getting on scales 3 days ago as I had 2 larger glasses of wine that night but none since. It was also that it was that time of the month, (not that time of the months normally reflects for me on the scales). However training hard, drinking lots of water after a hungover day has made the scales climb a kilo in a day in past-times so I can't be too horrified! Am still 2.4kg down from 3-4 weeks ago but and AM fitter! I am feeling good about staying under 80 all 2010 still!

BTW when I say hardcore training, I'd say it's about an hour 4 days a week at present plus lots of other general work activity, daily jobs and walking so there is still room to increase but am happy with doings and progress at present............seeing body fat drop regularly would be good but!

I bought the Blockbuster Estee Lauder makeup kit for $120 and the Pure White Linen White Breeze Estee Lauder perfume tonight at David Jones where store profits were said to go toward helping the Breast Cancer charity. That's me done for makeup and perfume for at least 2 years! I wanted to buy the Elizabeth Arden Intervene skincare special again but am trying to cheapen up my skincare and now use Dove 2 and 1 cleanser/toner and either Invisible Zinc SPF30 moisturisor sunnscreen then Body Shop SPF 15 liquid foundation or Invisible Zince SPF 30 + tinted moisturisor. I also use Nivea night cream at night with some eye cream morning and night.

It's a tough choice,..........to have big overseas holiday sooner or with more money or to now spend more on skincare to possibly perserve skin for later life. I've gone for saving more for the holiday and trusting cheaper brands and some sun sense!

Talk soon, bedtime now!

Pip :-)

2010-10-04T19:59:00.002+08:00

OCTOBER ALREADY!!!!!.........................

Howdy! Just am here for a quick update today hopefully.

SEEDLINGS: The spring onions are starting to germinate. However with the seedlings I realise I now have made a mistake of planting a whole packet of each, (spring onions, parsley and chives) in a too confined area. OK, read............I planted a packet of each per pot with about 30cm diameter! Some thinning may be in order but I do know that our consumption of the plants mentioned above is rather large so I'm sure not much will go to waste! I will see in due course I'm sure.

Saturday was a cruisy day for me as I worked on Sunday. Just odd jobs, a small drive to buy groceries, some training and chillaxing.

Had a good thrashing at gym tonight with a 30 min run as far as poss............5.31km tonight was a struggle to manage and my best in a while. Then stretching etc.
At home at least 3 nights a week I have made up a little regime of doing as many pushups on toes as poss, then dropping straight away to 25 on knees, following by 25 of a type of crunch, then 15 tricep dips against chair, then plank for as long as poss, (at least a min) then repeat once! That's in addition to ideally one body pump class most weeks and some challenging weights at least one night a week at gym. Still need to start some swimming and more cycling but have at least found out where nearest heated pool is, maybe may bike there on Sat morning for a swim, the bike ride there is a good 9km each way with uphill on return. Am pretty happy with food choices etc but the only thing is that I should and will cut my wine consumption down a little more and keep it that way. 2 days ago scales were sitting at 75.1.

Talk soon all,

Pip :-)

2010-09-29T20:15:00.002+08:00

NEW SEEDLINGS, DRIVING and DOINGS...............

G'day, firstly tomorrow is the last day of Sept, then 3 months of 2010 left, - wow, sorry to remind ya!

Last weekend I did buy some seeds, potting mix and some pots to attempt to grow some herbs. I tried a packet of Yates Chives, a packet of Yates Parsley and a packet of Yates spring onion. Yesterday I put some fertiliser seeds on each of the pots when watering. The spring onions reckon they are the first to germinate, 10-14 days the packet reckons so I will see what happens. I'm interested in trying to grow some cherry tomatoes as well and found I that I need a stick in the soil to tie them to as they grow. All this is completely new to me but that's the news there haha!

I've done a couple of drives of recent. I went ot a party 20 mins away on Sunday and that was OK. I've driven to a couple of new simple to most people locations and yesterday drove to the fuel station to put fuel into car amongst all traffic in different directions then. No stalling gears and am feeling less nervous! Good to see improvement. (I was a more confident driver in NZ, even on my Uncles auto a few years ago. But I learnt in a manual and it's good not to throw the manual driving ability away, even if a bit scary to get used to in busy hilly areas again!)

Have done a few worth mentioning runs since the last post. One was a rather hilly run for an hour and my heart rate monitor says I hit 206bpm in some points and my average heart rate was 98% of the normal projected max for my age. I'm 30 and the average max heart rate is 220 minus your age. I did a 30 min treadmill effort
the other day, went as hard as poss! I did a 5kmish hilly 30 min run last night and felt fast for me which was good, (that was after a busy active day at work. Have done a bit of resistance work a couple of times a week, (am working toward increasing this still) and have been active/busy at work etc.

I confess to getting on the scales, I seem to about twice a week. The day after I got back from NZ I was 77.4, 1.5 weeks ago was 77.3 and this morn 75.8. Under 68kg by Christmas 2010 and New Year 2011? Am feeling on track to give it a decent shot and to see my fitness continue to improve! However I MUSTN'T see 80 this year, I haven't so far and have 3 months to go. If I achieve that feat this year it will be the first time since 1999 and last year my cut off point I succeeded with was 85. Many years before that it was 90! Again I only saw the horrid 90 once but on many different occasions saw 89.something or 88.something before cracking down! I will let you know new goals for 2011 when the time comes. I did probably overindulge slightly on Sun night at the party food wise, (yummy steamed prawns, salad, beaut cheeses, cooked cold roast chicken THEN yummo woodfired pizza and birthday cake) but didn't go haywire for days afterward, infact back to norm the next day which was good. I even did the 10km run a few hours before party so felt good about that haha!

Talk soon all, till next installment whenever that is!

2010-09-23T21:25:00.002+08:00

UPDATE OF DOINGS...........

I'll do my best to keep this short as I'm heading off to bed soon!

Firstly Happy Birthday to my sis in NZ, she turns 40 on Sunday, - have a good one! As they say 40 is the new 30!!! Hopefully 30 is then the new 20!!! :-)

Weather is hotting up in Perth, we are hitting the late 20's here now for a daily high, it's beaut, warm and sunny. It's great that it's lighter in the mornings and evenings. Perth needs rain badly but. Sprinkler bans for watering gardens are now down to one day a week so lush green lawns etc are out of the question here! NZ has been getting some cold weather of late though, rather cold and wet and windy of late! My parents last weekend even had snow at their place in NZ, - at least 6 inches on the ground which is close to sea level for them. The photos looked unreal..............however heavy snow to those levels in mid-late September is rare.

As for the training mission, - well...........unfortunately I can't say I've followed the exact plan outlined in the post below but I have been easing myself in my weird way to ya know, get and stay on track haha! Running and body weight resistance work has featured along with going flat out at work all day. Have tightened up a little on diet and even spending this week as well which I'm happy about, (maybe not at some moments but in general haha)! Looking back at the end of a week it's satisfying to see frivilous things I resisted the urge to buy or consume on impulse and to see cash in the bank, - some of which goes toward savings and other bits of it go toward my long term holiday plan!

I managed a longer drive last weekend and a few other shorter ones to new for me locations and feel I'm improving there. No way am I someone who likes to drive in busy inner city areas with lots of lanes but am getting better. I'm not used to busy city driving, - it scares me but am now feeling more confident in my manual and am glad I have a manual.

This weekend am wanting to buy some seeds and pots to attempt to grow some chives and maybe even cherry tomatoes. I've never done that! And of course watch the footy grand final. Sunday I have a birthday party to attend, just may even sober drive again to it as it's near where another party last weekend was that I drove to. Monday is a public holiday, I will be working though for a few hours.

Talk soon all,

Pip :-)

2010-09-15T16:48:00.004+08:00

DOING'S and IDEAS to rock me till end of 2010.....and beyond......

Hello peeps! Just a quick call in here. Am back at work after NZ, am stuck into my savings objectives and am enjoying living up with BF. I'm aiming to do a bit of car driving at weekends to build confidence there little by little.

However what I still really want to do and must do after these many years of yoyoing blahdeblah is.............lose body fat/weight and keep it off for good, (or within a range). I'm 1.71m and think a good mid road target is to get under 68kg or 150lb which had me at 26-27% BF last time I was there. The last few times I've gotten close I seem to go off the rails when getting to 68.something kg! I've just gotta finish the job! However the objective isn't just to hit 68! The idea is to stay under 68kg so am striving for 65kg which should get my BF to around 25% hopefully. Then the objective is to stay in a range of about 64-68kg but never above 70kg and to keep body fat under 30%.

Then again if after time......................my body is a machine and I get ultra fit through my lifestyle and drop down to 60-62kg with BF in low 20%s I sure won't complain either!!!

So the weight goal is: under 68kg on Christmas morning before my early morning run. As of Saturday morning that is 14 weeks away. And I must be still under 68kg on New Years morning 2011 one week later haha!

However one thing I have noticed is that now being 30 and for the last year or so in particular I don't seem to drop fat/weight as quickly as I used to by doing the same I did a few years ago, apparently that is normal though. If I am pleased with my self control and effort I won't beat myself up if I don't quite make my goals, (but have been consistent and focussed with self control to a point that I'm satisfied with). If there isn't a drop of at least 5kg however by Christmas and I've put in a good effort I'd get a medical. I'd say after a day's bloat has gone I've got about 10kg to shift to get under 68kg. Weigh in last Sunday morn was 77.4.

I still seem to be very on track if focussed, refocussing is a challenge. But still I struggle with moderation but know it can be changed.........for good. I haven't seen 80kg this year yet and don't want to. If I accomplish that it will be the first I've got through a year with not seeing 80 or anything above since 1999. I started the year at 78.8.

I still have the fitness objectives as well as the composition ones. I want to do some short triathlons over summer, work toward some running PB's with the first one being triathlon pink on 7 Nov.

For next few weeks basic training objectives look something like this:
Monday: brisk 30 min walk outdoors or day off or aerobic based gym class
Tuesday: 60 min Body pump class doing best as poss with focus also on correct form
Wednesday: RPM class at gym or 20km bike ride outdoors if I can get home before dark.
Thursday: 30 min run treadmill as fast as poss followed by stretching
Friday: day off
Saturday: Swim at pool, focussing on technique and speed starting at 1.5km and building up to 2km. 20 min resistance session focusing on a circuit with things like plank, pushups, dips, lunges, crunches etc.........repeat blahdeblah and stretching.
Sunday: Long run outdoors including hills.

* Monday's workout may change to be either a run, a ride or swim as the weeks progress. I also may change what I do on particular days around to fit in with work schedules etc.

I intend to partake in this or similar regime for next few months starting Thursday 16 Sept 2010. Of course training may change in a few months time and their may be the odd planned recovery weeks and having to work around injuries. But I want to work hard to stick to at least 2 resistance training sessions of at least 20 mins each every week and hardworking cardio sessions of at least 30 mins each every week.

I't's out there now. And I'm gonna try and bite the bullet and not weigh in until 4 weeks tomorrow, - then will post the result here. I will keep a personal diary but will update here in a week or two.

Talk soon
Pip :-) - Gotta nail this, - permanent control but not perfection!!!

2010-09-12T14:01:00.003+08:00

BACK IN PERTH..................

Hello all! Apologies for the blogging absence.

Anyways........the evening after I wrote my last post my Granny passed. I actually was at the Resthome in Nelson with my Uncle and saw the event happen. Over the last few days family had been visiting her up there. My Granny was a great special person whom I, (and all family) have very good memories of. Her last 7 years have been unfortunate with what dementia does and about 4 years ago she broke her hip which confined her to being im-mobile and I think her eyesight went as well in her final years. However it was good to be there.

My Uncle and family spent the next days making arrangements for the funeral. I did a speech at the funeral then we went out for drinks/tea with family and cousins I now don't see often as I live in Perth.

I got to bed back at the motel in Christchurch about midnight....................Then 4.39am..........SHAKE SHAKE SHAKE, TUMBLE TUMBLE TUMBLE!!! Lots of swearing took place and I was half hungover and didn't know what to do! It crossed my mind that my life may even be on the line and the momentum of it kept building. I got out of bed trying to think of the safest place where nothing would fall after a bit. Dad raced outside. Sisters hubby was shaken out of bed. Yep, the Christchurch earthquake! It was the worst one I've ever felt. It died down after about a min. We went to take a look outside, had noticed building faces had fallen down all across the street. Dad went and looked in the window of the nearby booze shop and...............they lost everything on their shelves. Then.............it wasn't finished. We kept getting aftershocks, some of them still feeling particularly vigourous.

The family plan was to stay in Christchurch another night but with no water, not much open etc etc Dad decided to get the hell outta there and get back to their home in Southland. We firstly had to find out if the bridges near Christchurch were in tact. The journey out of Christchurch was scary with blocked off streets, cracked roads, ruined buildings and lots of traffic lights not working! But we got back to their home.

The rest of the week was spent catching up with friends, family, other Grandma and relatives on the other side of the family around Southland and Otago.

On Friday I caught up with my half sis in Christchurch and stayed there the night before catching a shuttle to airport at 5am yesterday. I still felt two aftershocks on Friday...........and heard they are still happening today in Christchurch.

Didn't get a chance to go skiing this trip. But NZ now, (early Sept) was considerably warmer than July last year, (still cool, not hot or anything). Skifields were still open but if you are a good skiier, prob July or Aug would be better so everyone said.

Back to work tomorrow unfortunately. I best go and get housework seen to now. It was really good to catch up with who I did.

Talk soon all :-)

2010-08-31T08:28:00.002+08:00

/THE LATEST...........

G'day! It's been a little while since I've updated hey! Have just been rather busy, that's all so here goes.

Firstly I am in NZ at the moment, up in Nelson at the moment. I arrived there yesterday after flying from Perth. (Flight was with Pacific Blue/Virgin Blue stopping off in Brisbane and Christchurch). I am here because basically poor Granny is at the end. She is 87. As I speak she is still hanging on even after losing her ability to be able to eat or drink for a week. For moisture a small sponge is held to her lips. She has had dementia for the last 7 or so years and hurt her hip about 3 years ago in which she has never walked again since. She is at a hospital/resthome at the moment. I'm scheduled to return to Australia on 11 Sept. My other Grandma has had a few health issues of late herself as well but she is totally with it mentally so I will catch up with her as well.

Other than that I am enjoying living up at BF's. Great to have more space! Have done a bit of driving but still like keeping to quiet areas. (I have a bit of a phobia of driving in busy areas). Work has been busy. I have got back into training the last week, (running, resistance training, cycling). Haven't been to the pool yet. Next goal is triathlon Pink long event on 9 Nov.

Right, better go.

Talk soon

Pip :-)

2010-08-23T20:24:00.002+08:00

HAPPENINGS...........THIS AND THAT!

Hello! Long time and no writing. Have just been kinda slightly busy.

Must say I'm really enjoying living up at BF's. Being outta the city, and up in the hills is great, much quieter and so much space! He has a big back yard, nearly a quarter acre and a 'mans' shed at the back of his block. There is garden out the front of his home and he has recently planted some plants around the sides of his block in which he hopes will eventually grow big enough to provide shade in the summer. I like to attempt to maintain gardens and wouldn't mind buying a couple of plants and a couple of vegies to see if I can grow them, will get there!

I've done a bit of driving but am still a bit crap at it haha! I got my licence in a manual car at age 15 or 16 in NZ but most of my experience is limited to driving around quiet country roads, not busy cities with lots of traffic! I had my first car, (a 1980 Honda Accord manual Hatchback) for about 4-5 years. Actually I did tackle some areas in Queenstown and Nelson NZ where it's hilly so I mustn't have been too bad. Then I went to Aussie for 18 months, and got an automatic car when back in NZ. It was easy and I got used to it but I kept well clear of busy cities with heaps of road lanes, busy intersections, merging etc. I would drive a less busy route even if it was longer and would often park a 45 min walk from where I wanted to go so I kept outta busy areas plus I hate paying for parking! Yes, that's my fear! Laugh if ya like!

Getting used to a manual again in the Perth Hills is a challenge for me. Rather busy and many of the roundabouts/intersections seem to be on hills or slopes, (easy for most people). Plus I think I have more fear of hearing toots if I'm slow off the mark etc than what I did when I first used to drive. But bit by bit, I will get better. Not sure about ever driving in Perth City though! And I have to remember to be gentle on the gearstick! My car is a 2003 model, not an 1980 one!

Have been enjoying quite a bit of birthday wine of late which has been rather fun. And seem to have had some close calls with losing stuff of mine lately, (nothing major actually lost, just misplaced). I guess getting used to new routines may be part of that! Work, - am in a really busy shop at the moment, it's full on!

I cracked down with the training/portion size/somewhat more nutritious eats thing, (not a diet haha) again at the weekend after putting that discipline on the backburner for a bit. Objectives now are to lose 10 odd kg by Christmas, (aiming for around 65-68kg) under 25% BF, (that will be a challenge as it's been many years since I've got there, - or under 100mm skinfolds across 8 sites). I intend to (again) actually do a couple of triathlons after some training, next objective is Triathlon Pink on 7 Nov. So am mapping out a kind of a training plan each week to see how I go! And to improve my swimming, running, cycling to some various targets I set, same with strength and flexibility haha! I tested out my heart rate monitor BF gave me for my b-day and did the fit test before training. VO2 max was 40, so not too bad! I still can get max heart rate over 200bpm if I push myself to max!

Talk again soon!

Pip :-)

2010-08-10T15:52:00.002+08:00

ALL MOVED UP

Just a quick post to say that I'm all moved. Have been busy. All good though. The major thing worrying me at the moment is a rumour of a water bill to cover the last 4 years. Can't be so! And myself and my other flatmate would be here to pick up the pieces. I think my name may be on the lease agreement for the last year but not the other 3. Anyway it hasn't happened yet, better not but that doesn't stop me fretting about a huge totally unexpected bill on it's way. I've never heard of anything to do with a water bill in the last 4 years I've been here and if a letter indeed comes I will be asking my flatmate to view all the contracts.

Anyway chest of drawers has arrived which is awesome! Work has had a bit of drama between selling shops to new franchises and stuff but all sorted for now.

Right, had better head off to the gym now! Am off work tomorrow to go to my old flat, will be around for when the cleaners are in, (carpet cleaning, cleaners removing marks from walls etc) and to change addresses for mail etc.

Talk soon,

Pip :-)

2010-07-28T19:23:00.006+08:00

HERE'S TO THE 30's!!!!!.............

G'day! It's been a couple of weeks hey! Yep, I've been busy. I've had my car, my birthday, my photoshoot, my party, have had my Dad over and in general have been busy. I move up to BF's in 1.5 weeks.

I have been incredibly spoilt this year for my birthday I must say. Very much so!
I've got the help with the car from my Mum and Dad! My family also got me a red icebreaker jacket, a black icebreaker singlet, pyjamas, bracelet, earrings. Little sis got me a 'flirty 30' glass to drink from, will take a pic of that soon and a keyring and a beaut peach dress. BF got me a Polar heart rate monitor/training computer! It comes with a waist band and foot pod! I need to read up on it all, - as well as heart rate it tells info such as cadence/speed per hour, averages and calories burnt etc. You can do a fit test by wrapping the band around your waist, wearing the watch and lying down which tells you your VO2 Max. I haven't tried that yet. My work mates went together and got a generous voucher for me to spend at Lululemon Athletica, - the Canadian chain store specialising in bright coloured yoga, gym and running gear! I have always said I loved that shop!!! Grandma sent me one of her beautiful paintings. She's a professional painter/artist and I'm rapt with it! I also got a Coles Myers Voucher from BF's family, a Roadside Assistance Voucher if needed by BF's cousins, a cake, food and heaps of beautiful favourite wines, a wine rack and a voucher for wine!!!
Very nice!!!! :-)

OK, - will start with my actual birthday! One of the guys snuck in a couple of bottles of Riccadonna to smash open as we were working..........at 9.30am!!! So we all probably had about 1/3 to 1/2 a bottle each! Now that made work more fun!!! I had icecream cake brought in for me, candles and wine!!! BF and I went out to a famous pizza restaurant for pizza that night!

Dad arrived last Wednesday night and I managed to score an extra day off work with annual leave at the last minute! Great to see him! He stayed at a hotel near me that night, (as my apartment is kinda small).

Thursday Dad bought a TomTom for my car and me and so he could get around Perth!!! Then we went up to BF's. He gave Dad a tour of his area and Dad drove off to my Uncles 1.5 hour drive into the country that night!

Friday was photoshoot day! Have to say the experience was fun! I ended up ordering 4 photos, (photographer took well over 100!) One of them is standing in my green dress! The other 3 are seductive ones on a black background and the 3 of them are going to be presented in a frame, 2 of them nude, one in a bikini! OK, you can't see anything too rude so I will take a pic of that tri-plex in the photoframe and post it up on this blog, - not facebook though! It will be ready in about 4 weeks! Then it was party food shopping that night after getting up to BF's!

Last Saturday was party day!!!! Spent the day cleaning and doing party and food prep and making sushi, cutting up lamb and chicken for kebabs and marinating it, cutting up vegies, making savouries, cutting up fruit for the fruity champagne drink!, doing vegie sticks, dips, cut up cheeses, salami, peanuts, crackers, savoury toasts, garnishes. My best mate made quiches. Party started 7pm, BF was awesome help with organising eskies, BBQ, setting up gas heaters and doing lots of outdoor cleaning and arranging party lights amongst stuff! Guests were helpful! BF's cousin made the most beautiful birthday cake. Another of his cousins is a pro shooter maker! A top night it was!!!

Sunday, - a little hungover!!! Spent morning cleaning. Dad, BF and I visited BF's parents for coffee down at their beach home then went out to an awesome steakhouse for tea!

Monday, - I was lucky not to work! Dad and I went to buy a chest of drawers which will be delivered to BF's the day I move!

Tuesday, - Caught up with Dad for tea at a restaurant, - was great! Not sure when I will see him or the family next. I put on some jeans to wear out for tea thinking they may be totally impossible or too uncomfy, - actually they felt the same as a couple of weeks ago which was good! OK, not loose but wearable with a dark pretty much non clingy top!

Wednesday, - decided on a weigh in today. I did one on the morning of my 30th birthday so I had a number to register, I have done that in a roundabout way since 17th birthday. 75.0 on 19th July, that day. 75.7 today. (kg that is)...first thing.

One thing I'm gonna nail from now on is..............not whingeing about my weight/fitness etc if I'm not being pro-active, not whingeing about emotional eating if I choose to do it and not whingeing about having no money if I've spent it on junkfood, booze or un-necessary unbudgeted impulsive luxuries! My new motto: - it's a choice! However I may allow self to whinge if I think I'm doing the right things best I can and things don't go as hoped!

As for the photos I've selected a few. My birthday cake, pavlova, spirits for shooters with the Run for a Reason pic, party dress and work mates, view from Perth Hills, one with BF and Dad, my newcar, pic of me on my 30th birthday in red fleece and others! :-)

Pip :-)

2010-07-12T21:23:00.003+08:00

NEW CAR NEWS................GOT ONE!

Howdy!

I put a deposit on a car today. After yesterday saying I would get an auto......guess what! I bought a manual hahaha!

It's a 2003 Toyota Corolla Ascent manual 4 door, 5 speed hatch in silver and has done just on 60 000kms. It has a little spoiler on the back. I got it after it was reduced in price which was I think due to it being a manual and a few years older. 2005-2008 autos seem to get snapped up really fast and are quite notably more expensive.

The bike will fit in the back easily with the back seat folded forward and the front wheel removed, - one of my main requests of a car! Other bags etc will fit around it. BF has liked this car from day dot and has test driven it a few times on 3 different days at the dealer. I have loved this car too but was looking out for autos, and maybe in a slightly later year, - but unwilling to pay the extra money!

I hope to improve my driving skill level. I think manuals could be good for that. I will feel a sense of accomplishment when I feel confident in driving a manual again well. My first car in NZ was a manual, then I had an auto. In the last 4 years I've hardly done any driving except sober drive BF in his manual ute about 4 times on quiet roads. I am hoping to keep out of really tight busy small inner city areas.

Talk soon! I pick it up on Saturday!

Pip :-)

2010-07-11T22:00:00.002+08:00

CAR THOUGHTS............

Hello team!

I received a great present as a 30th pressie from Mum and Dad in the form of $$$ to buy a car. So am feeling very very lucky!

BF and I are searching around to see what is available and to find out what deals best suit my perceived needs/wants or whatever!

I will be living up at BF's in 4 weeks, (wow). That is 25km out of the city up in the hills. I am not anticipating driving into the city daily and parking with such a car. However it will be handy for picking up groceries for 2, (and a dog). Nearest supermarket is only a couple of kms away so cycling (and a few trips) could work. Vegie markets are only a few kms away too..............general convenience of a car will be great. Also taking my bike away to places to go riding and to have the means to drive to possible cycling training, triathlons and in general will rock. I haven't had a car in 5.5 years, (since being in Australia). However when I first moved to West Aussie before moving to Perth for the first 1.5 years I borrowed my Uncle's Ford Falcon wagon to get around and about in on days off. I took it down south to Dunsborough/Margaret River with my bike. In the last few years though the only driving I've done is sober drive BF maybe 4 times on quiet roads in his ute.

I have pretty much decided to go for an auto! BF and I have decided on some model of Toyota Corolla. For body shape at this stage I'm torn between a 4 door hatchback or a wagon. I am perfectly competent and confident with taking both wheels on and off my bike, (although not till I really tried to do it tonight!) It is really easy though as BF said it would be. To fit my bike in a hatchback I'd need to remove the front wheel but it would fit then. I could fit other bags and stuff around it. As for a wagon I wouldn't need to remove any wheels and there is in general lots of space that would be useful! Wagons would be great if away for a while with bike, or for carrying anything outdoorsy or camping, - all things I wanna partake in. Could prob even get a small kayak in a wagon. The wagon I'm looking at isn't a big wagon, but just a bit bigger/roomier than a hatch. However a hatch may look a bit snazzier and be easier for a not so confident person to drive! Hmmmmm!

A week tomorrow till 30. Pity I have to work tomorrow and get to bed, just thought I'd give an update!

Pip :-)

2010-07-04T10:46:00.002+08:00

MID 2010 REVIEW...........

I'm coping Magda's idea here, (cheers Magda) and have decided to give a bit of an update on 2010 to date, - although it's 4 days late but never mind!

I don't have a list of goals for 2010 still posted on here but I do remember what they are...........and they are still the same.

Work: not much change really, am 2IC at a shop that opened this year for my current company. Recently a franchise have bought it, but I will still have a job somewhere in the company. I was offered weekend managing recently for a shop, (having 2 days off in the week) but for the sacrifices involved in my weekends have decided not to go for it. I would need to worry about driving/parking as public transport won't start early enough at weekends and I would only get $40 a week more.
Pretty much just the normal otherwise.

Fitness: I started a novice triathlon training course with great intentions, but without a car and with working full time it was quite a struggle to get to all the training locations on time on my bike! I did well for a few weeks then hurt my back, then sort of got out of the momentum, and it was getting darker/into autumn and cycling out in the evenings was feeling less safe. But I still carried on training on my own. One accomplishment I'm pleased with is a 2km run time trial I did. I did the first km in 4:55 but did slow off slightly in the second km to finish that one just over 5 mins. Also I did the 14.5km Run for a Reason at end of May in 1 hour, 28. Have been a bit inconsistent with training, but quite active in day to day doings.

Weight: Started off 2010 at 78.8. Was under 75 by end of Jan and peaked at 68.6kg on 3 April. I lost my way a bit and got up to 75.7, (see pics below) and this morning weighed in at 73.5kg. My cut off point used to be 90kg, but when I got under 85kg last time, (about 22.5 months ago) I said I would never see 85 again and have stayed true to that! So if we drop another 5kg off that and not see above 80 in 2010 that is a success in a way, - I can do better than that though!
However more than weight I'd love to get my body fat to under a seemingly modest 25%, if I do enough resistance training consistently and get under 68kg I don't think I'd be too far off that.............aim for end of 2010! That's as well as tri training.

Finances: - am doing a bit better here but must work on consistency! One day at a time as I can still go well, then blow it! I have decided if I aim to save less, but just more regularly that could result in a better result in the longer term!

Otherwise: 2 weeks till I turn 30 tomorrow. I had been feeling a bit annoyed at myself recently because there was all this stuff I was hoping to achieve by 30 but hadn't! Body wise, fitness wise, finance wise, experience wise etc and it was often an issue of not finishing what I started. I have a photo shoot in 2 weeks, 5 days and my party is in 2 weeks, 6 days. A year ago I had thoughts of being in the shape of my life, looking like a sports model in my photo shoot ladeda............and never having a weight issue beyond 30!
However while I won't have under 20% body fat in 2 weeks I have let go somewhat in the last week. What will be will be at the time, and if I stay true to my values and goals on a daily basis that will be fine! While I'm a bit overweight it's not hugely so and it's common for athletes to even get that way occasionally, (if their training but not eating drops off). 6kg fat gone I'd be very happy and 10-12kg fat gone I'd be rather lean and prob size under 20% body fat! But if I'm happy with day to day actions, control I'm good with that, - even if it takes 6 months to remove 6kg although if I stay focussed I'm sure it will happen a bit quicker than that! Oh, another success for 2010 is that I went 6 whole consecutive weeks without a drop of alcohol, and seem to have got into the habit of drinking only on 2 days a week if I do now.

So now am looking forward to the party, Dad coming over, the photoshoot. Will get a car, (thinking 5 door Toyota Corolla auto hatch)! Will move to BF's in 5 weeks. Next planned race is City to Surf 12km run on 29 August. I do want to do a couple of at least Sprint distance triathlons over the summer. Other tasks I need to become capable of are: taking bike tyres off/on, pumping up bike tyres alone, being able to change a tyre on a car if needed by myself. I also intend to try growing at least one variety of vegetable in a pot or similar when I move to BF's and have more space.

Pip :-)

2010-06-22T08:00:00.004+08:00

JUST BACK FOR A BIT WITH THESE.................

Just before I take the blogging break I thought I would leave ya with the bikini and bikini/trackie pics taken this morning. The one down the bottom with the side fringe and the loose accidental one of a 'fattish' stomach are from the weekend. I didn't want to post them on facebook (as they will go to top of my news feed) LOL. But I wanted some evidence of what I look like 22 June 2010. So that's why they are there, (plus you can have a look too). I think the bikini and trackie/bikini ones are surprisingly flattering to what I expected they may have been to be honest. That's cause it's a loose bikini that doesn't dig in too badly, it's made for full cups and comes with thick ties. And trackies seem to work well with a bikini top.

Stats this morning have me weighing in at 75.7 (166 lb). My body fat is around 35%, - I would like to get that under 25%. I have always considered my most probmatic bits for fat gain to be torso/stomach, breasts, face followed by inner thighs.

Oh, I received my new drivers licence in the mail the other day.

Talk soon

Pip :-)

2010-06-19T17:55:00.004+08:00

THE 'JIGGLES'.....AND END OF 20's NEARING WAY TOO CLOSELY!!!................

G'day! Time for an update.

Ho-hum! The 'jiggles'!!! Time for an explanation maybe! OK, BF has a full length mirror in his bedroom. A few, (maybe 3 or 4 weeks ago) he was annoyed that his pants were getting uncomfortably tight. He is very stringent with money so didn't want to buy new bigger ones plus amongst it all he has a concern about health. He had been doing a bit of overtime at work, (which provided 'free' meals to him)'. I know BF likes to take advantage of any saving possible to him so he loads himself up on food, (but doesn't eat much for the next day).

Free meals at my BF's workplace when doing overtime happen to be Chicken Treat, desserts, chocolate or pizza with the same, - really kinda takeaway options. So BF loads up on the freebies thinking he can save on his own food groceries! His pants were getting tight, he weighed himself, got slightly shocked and decided he needed to make a bit of an effort to shed a couple of recent kilos. So he limited himself to 2 midstrength cans per night, made an effort for him to reduce his portions, (mostly) for him and started doing pushups/crunches etc about 4 nights a week without getting hardcore about anything. He is down about 5kg and feels his pants etc feel much better. He's maybe 4-5cm taller than me but I think now only would weight 7-8kg more than me so I have to get cracking! Anyway today he showed me his 'jiggle' test. That is running or jumping on a spot in front of a full length mirror naked. He hardly jiggled, (but said he did lots more 5kg ago). I then tried the 'jiggle' test. Yep, chicks I know have more bodyfat than guys but I now have a new goal!!! I'm not taking breasts into consideration, mainly stomach/torso! I wanna stop the giggles!!!

Right..............ending 20's! 4 weeks this next Monday is my 30th. Party is the Saturday after, (5 weeks today). I've been feeling somewhat annoyed to be coming to the end of my 20's! However age is to be embraced, 20's were great, (did have fun/get lots done) but am planning for 30's top that! I know it won't magically happen without lots of planning/commitments and sticking to them!

Talk soon all!

Pip :-)

2010-06-13T19:42:00.003+08:00

DOINGS and 'BURN THE FAT, FEED THE MUSCLE' thoughts........

G'day, there seem to have been new blog templates to try so I had a little play and came up with this new blog colour theme!

Last night I went to a workmates 30th birthday masquerade party, photos of it are on my facebook! Must say it was a fun night all round! I really enjoyed it! It was a bit more of an effort than I expected finding two cheap masks for BF and I but we got there in the end!

I also went to the hairdressers on Friday for a TRIM! I went into a new place in passing advertising TRIMS for $20 thinking that was what I was gonna get! I asked for a basic TRIM around the layers and ends, that's all! The hairdresser then told me how good in her opinion a side fringe would look on me! I said, 'I dunno about that', she said she would come back to it after cutting the rest. She did, I then said, um, um, this isn't the plan! Next thing..............hack! She took that as a cue to give me a fringe!!! I didn't say yes..........or no but I got one. She then told me that to really make the best of my hair that I really need a professional colour job as my last supermarket one wasn't good! I stood my authority on that one and didn't get swayed in! I told her it was my birthday soon,.........she reckons turning 30 is an excuse for a drastic change and thought I should go platinum blonde all over! I also had about 3cm cut off my hair instead of the requested 1cm so hair is basically now sitting on shoulders at longest layers rather than being ever so slightly past shoulders! Yesterday morning I put my own permanent hair colour in which is a 3.6, (dark mocha brown). So the lesson is ya need to be totally specific and assertive to hairdressers if you are fussy! My 'trim' I specified turned into a $35 style cut as she did a fringe without full consent haha!

Now............Burn the Fat! The e-book has been a very informative interesting read for me! I have been deciding how I'd interpret the info toward bettering myself! Tom talks about I guess the ultimate way to go about burning the fat and feeding the muscle. There is lots of science behind what he says and he also acknowleges that no one exact way fits all to become the best we can be. He does talk about women striving for 5 meals a day, and men 6 meals! Ideally largest meals are at brekkie and taper throughout day in size. He thinks regular meals on the time dot are the go and is even known to chant to himself about losing muscle etc when he is late for a meal! Some need lower carbs, some can get away with 55% carbs. Tom suggests we get used to counting exact calories and planning exact macronutrients for meals. And if fatloss is a goal, he recommends heaps of cardio as well as weights. He recommends regular, (ie weekly) body fat % measurements as well as weigh ins.

As far as I go............working in hospitality/living with others I feel it's impossible to eat meals at the exact time daily, or get 5 perfectly spaced meals in with 3 hours between my last meal and bedtime! However I do know where improvements can be made, - and can get in four meals daily with adequate spacing. Tom suggests 4 meals a day will achieve 60-70% the results that 5 will for most people. My goals are also endurance/strength related as well as body composition relaed. It's a very good read! Even if we can't/don't do it perfectly any improvements made will be good and the book says so too!

Gotta go soon! Work tomorrow!

Pip :-)

2010-06-08T21:18:00.002+08:00

SO WHAT'S GOING ON HERE?...........

Howdy!

Well firstly I've banned myself from moaning or talking about 'plans' my weight/fitness/body composition. I'm allowed to talk of notable meaningful achievements (to me) as they happen in this area but am not allowed to whinge. So..........nothing of major note to report!

Last weekend I bought a new handbag! I'd been wanting one for sometime. It's a black Fossil Liberty tote bag, - had been making this decision of 'which one' for month and eventually caved in! (Fossil being the brand). I still haven't used it, it's hanging on my bedpost for admiration! One thing for sure is that any lippie or sunscreen or pens etc will be in another separate bag as I don't want leakage!!!

Today I bought some new comfy work sneakers. OK, they are Adidas runners that were on special, white and pink in colour. I'm not allowing myself to use my good Brooks runners for work. My old runners I used to wear to work, (after having them as my running shoes for a year) were falling apart, getting holes in the sole and basically were dirty/stunk no matter how much I tried to wash or scrub them. I tried wearing my cheap Target slip on closed in black shoes for work for a few days but they are so flat soled, I over pronate out badly, have uncomfy feet all day and have even been getting slightly sore ankles after wearing them all day, (being on my feet and walking all day in them) so I succumbed to new shoes.

I definitely love long weekends but dislike going back to work after them, - like everyone I spose! On Sunday BF and I went down to his parents home for lunch where BF did a job for them. His parents made us spaghetti bolognase followed by pavlova for lunch. Both, BF's Mum and my Mum can make the best pavlova! :-)

I really need to find myself being a very tight scrouge over the up and coming weeks due to my recent spending!!! Still am not in debt or anything and I refuse to touch my small savings account with my other online bank as that account is called 'Future Focus'. However I need to save money for my party over again, - have a couple of bills to pay first and my rent is now higher. So installments to 'Future Focus' will be drastically reduced for a few weeks. I have a 30th cocktail party of a friends at a nice bar to attend this Saturday but am thinking I may have to stick to water as I can't afford to buy expensive cocktails! It will be a good night though!

Talk soon all, have a good one :-)

Pip :-)

2010-06-03T20:42:00.003+08:00

IT'S AMAZING HOW MUCH LEAN MINCE CAN SPAN OUT!............

I'll just start hear by saying that tonights tea was about 120g 'heart foundation tick' beef mince, 3 cloves garlic diced fine, leftover half an onion chopped, leftover half a red capsicum chopped, 6 mushrooms chopped, 5th of a tin the lowest sugar/fat pasta sauce leftover and a squirt of no salt tomato paste, maybe 1/4 cup water, a pinch of fennel seeds, small pinch of pepper and green herbs. And served with a couple of floreats of lightly microwaved broccoli. The broccoli was on the side, all other vegies and sauces chopped and inside the mince! What a substantial serve that looked! I even contemplated having half now, and freezing half for another meal as it looked perhaps a bit bigger than I thought it should have! I was hungry though, and had just had a big gym workout and yep, it was 9 hours since my last meal, (I work weird shifts with an early lunch break) but did have an arvo skinny flat white coffee)! It all was eaten in one meal LOL and was good. The moral here though it's amazing how much vegies or salad can span out any meal size...........for few calories and lots of nutrients! I've always found that! I habitually aim to eat a kind of substantial portion controlled brekkie and lunches with wholegrain carb bases, maybe fruit instead of coffee if I have it as an arvo snack, then a lower carb dinner but if carbs are involved with dinner.......watch portion!

I have been on to it with training.......being on track etc this week so far. Today I was buggered and really wanted to flag the gym and miss my workout! However I knew tomorrow was going to be my 'day off' so decided I had to suck it up today after work to stay committed haha! My average half hour tready distances have been around 5.3km (and totally fatigued at end). Today I really didn't feel like it and managed 5.08km. Still, at least I did it :-) I got in some body resistance work reluctantly too.

I'm aiming for 3 runs per week for now, (one long one around 10km, one interval 30 min run, one 5 km or so hilly run building up), 1 bike ride, (steady, 20km min ride will do for now), one swim, (am just aiming for a km focussing on form, technique and little stopping), 1 BodyPump class, one small 15 min resistance body weight workout building up per week. So that's 7 training things but I'm aiming to fit them into 6, (sometimes 5) days so I get a day or two off intense training per week. I wanna build up slightly..........aiming for City to Surf 12km run first, then short triathlons after that. After City to Surf I wanna replace one run for either a swim or ride then stick with that for a bit.

Bedtime here, have a good one!

Pip :-)

2010-05-31T19:16:00.002+08:00

PHOTOS and 7 weeks only left of my 20's.............

G'day, I received my photos in the mail of me doing the HBF run which was on Sunday 23 May. They look like I was working hard, (I can tell you I sure was). Nice to have the evidence printed out of me airborne though and with people behind me running!

I have started this training week to plan. Tonights task after work was an outdoor run, (9.8km). I went as fast as I could as per norm and finished in 56 mins which I must say I was pleased with today. That has me averaging a shade over 10km/ph pace or just under 6 min kms which isn't too bad with not lots of running training. The ultimate for me is 10km under 50 mins, - have never reached that one LOL! 52 mins or thereabouts is my all time PB. An active day all round as I think I covered about 8-10km in general walking around, then was active all day at work on top of that, then the run.

7 weeks exactly till my birthday, that is coming around so damn fast!!!

Am enjoying the new metal water bottles heaps, and 'Burn the Fat, Feed the Muscle' is a very interesting read as well.

Talk soon all,

Pip :-)

2010-05-29T18:13:00.002+08:00

METAL WATER BOTTLES and 'BURN THE FAT'...........

G'day!

A bit of excitement for me today that I finally bit the bullet, decided I've had enough of plastic water bottles! I'm sick to death of how many times my Pump and Mount Franklin water bottles have decided to leak on my stuff in my bags, (even though I do secure them first). I bought two 750ml metal water bottles from Lululemon Athletica! I've filled up both bottles, chilled them and just drank a full one before! Chilled water tastes so damn good from those bottles! And no leaching chemicals from plastic either and so much better for the environment!

So the aim is to drink at least 3L, (or 4 of those water bottles) a day! - and to very rarely buy any plastic water bottles. I like chilled water, am active so that's easy for me, and I think I drink quite a bit more than 3L a day when training hard! I must say I LUV the clothes in Lululemon! Very nice comfy workout gear, lots of nice bright colours for the tops! They are said to wear very well, last and keep well but are rather pricey first up! I keep going into that shop for a look and try on but can't fit the stuff into my budget as of yet! One day! It is a Canadian brand I think so the only shop where I fit size 8 and 10 LOL :-) (That is equivalent to size 12-14 Aussie), - of course the workout gear is stretchy too!

Ah yes, 'Burn the Fat, Feed the Muscle'. I downloaded the e-book and additional promotional add-ons for a total price of Australian $49 all up after thinking of doing it for a few years! I wanted it for lots of sciency fact bits. Tomorrow I will have time to go, read and digest it all very properly and take notes, do exercises. I'm not entering the 14 week challenge with it, - found out I'm a day late anyway. But from what I've read I've got a bit out of it so far!

I've banned myself from talking about various fat/weight loss 'challenges' of mine now! I can talk about notable achievements when they happen but not long involved plans or ideas. And I've banned myself from moaning about being 'fat' as well LOL! - or joining any forums regarding fat or weight loss! Sports performance ones are a different matter, just not weight/fat loss or stuff to do with over-eating!

So here we go, I have to go, am taking up my attempt of 'healthy rissoles/patties' to BF's for us to have for tea!

Talk soon!

Pip :-)

2010-05-26T18:26:00.002+08:00

'RUN FOR A REASON' pics...................

Howdy! For last Sunday's run my name made the paper!!! And the internet!!! I finished in the top half of the group I discovered and beat the average time by over 9 minutes in the 14km, (14.5km aka last post haha!)

If anyone is curious to see pics of me running go to www.hbfrun.com.au

Check out the results and enter bib number 3532 in the gaps to see some pics of me.

Talk soon!

Pip :-)

2010-05-24T18:47:00.003+08:00

RUN FOR A REASON COMPLETION UPDATE:

Howdy all! I completed the 14km HBF Run for a Reason race yesterday here in Perth.

Firstly my opinion was that the race was actually 14.5km haha! That was because there was a signpost marked out when we completed each kilometre! So for the last km I really had to grit my teeth for my life and go as hard as possible and was really relieved when I saw the 14km sign! But NO finish line! The runners in front kept on running around another corner, down another straight, around another corner, another straight, another corner............when was it gonna come! I even yelled out loud, 'they're teasing us here with the finish line aren't they', so all other frustrated runners could hear me! I guess I was running for another 3 odd mins or 500m past the 14km sign before the actual finish line!

As for race options there was either the long or short option, I did the long one. Then we assessed our estimated finish time so we could line up in either Group A, B or C. I went for the middle group, B which had an expected finish time of between 1 hr 15 mins and 1 hr 45 mins. At the start line the 'Group A's' take up about the first 100m followed the the B, then C group. There was a bit of congestion at take off, that is making it to the start line from nearly 200m back and then the first 200m or so of stopping and starting once past the start line.

My gun time was 1 hour 29 mins, so I'm guessing my net time would be about 1 hour 27 mins. I know I managed the first 10km just under an hour which was pleasing. I know I slowed down a bit between the 10th and 13th km and really bit the bullet in the final bit and finished totally pooped! I ran all the way. I don't consider it a bad effort cause I hadn't done any runs of longer than about 5.5km in the last couple of months.

Involved in the event there were over 10000 participants and we got to run on the freeway I'm guessing to the annoyance of motorists! These event was a last min decision, (I only decided to do it 5 days before the race and signed up then).

WHERE TO FROM NOW:

* The Perth Half marathon is on 8 August, (11 weeks as of yesterday). I haven't decided whether I will enter this event or not at this stage but will assess it in 8 or 9 weeks time. Then there is the City to Surf 12km run on the last Sunday in August. I have a definite plan to enter this event unless of injury or illness! Then from October/Nov triathlon season starts.

So therefore now I plan on 3 runs per week, (one hilly run, one short fast run or intervals, and one long run per week). The long run will start off at 11km and build up to 21km over the next 11 weeks, - a km a week extra each long run but I may have a taper week before the half marathon if I do it. The short and hilly runs will be at least 5km a pop.

I also plan to keep up one good bike ride per week. At this stage I'm not fazed if it's an RPM class of at least 45 mins at gym doing as best as poss or one ride of at least 20km steady per week. I really need to be more organised and get in one swim per week. Just 1km focussing on technique and pace for freestyle for the next 4 weeks anyway. However the good lap pools aren't so handy to me. There is one 10km away so if I ride there and back and do a swim I can count that as having have completed the bikeride and swim in one go! I'm not at this stage phased that the 20km bike ride is broken into 10km rides! And for strength: - either 1 Body Pump class per week or a self made weights workout covering all major muscles. I also still want to get in once per week a 15 min circuit covering pushups, plank, lunges, crunches, dips, - that's easy, can be done at home without equipment! I will ensure I have one day off all training per week too!

If I do the half marathon, a completion time of under 2 hours would TOTALLY rock my world!!! However beating my half marathon PB of 2 hours 15 would be fantastic too! Following City to Surf the idea is to drop the runs from 3 down to 2 a week and add either a swim or bike ride to help towards triathlon.

Watching diet, sleep and organisation will be vital too. A big focus will be really trying to cut my intake of processed foods. Lots of fresh veg, some fresh fruit, lean fish, meat, chicken. As for packaged foods like oats, brown or basmati rice etc I am to limit foods with the ingredient panel listing names and numbers I don't understand! Ideally wholefoods. Herbs and lemon juice will make good sauces. Natural yoghurt over artificially sweetened yoghurt. I will consider the types of foods served at a health retreat and mirror my choices a bit of them. I won't be totally strict I'm sure but will look for improvements! Also I still am needing to focus on fatloss! So portion control and less sugar will be the go!

Talk soon!

All the best,

Pip :-)

2010-05-19T21:51:00.003+08:00

RUN FOR A REASON..............

I bit the bullet and entered this..............this Sunday! There was a 4.5km run option and a 14km run option. As I've not done alot of running of late and that the runs I have done haven't been much over 5km the 4.5km option made the most sense! I wasn't planning on entering this event and haven't trained for it.............but decided I was over being a 'gunner' and it was time to actually do something I set out to do in the sporting field again! And the opening to following up on more opportunities!

BUT some wave came upon me and I put my name down for the LONG 14km run. This is the second largest running event in Perth, (second to City to Surf) in a year and the Freeway is even closed for it! I have a reason.........had to write it on my entry form LOL!

So hoping I can jog/shuffle the whole way, will see! If I knew I was *fit* I'd be aiming for the 1:15 - 1:20 mark. For now I think I'd be pleased to finish around the 1:30 mark and then be able to carry on with my day! Fitness rules!

This will be my first race since my triathlon well over a year ago.

C ya

Pip :-)

2010-05-17T18:22:00.008+08:00

BODY SHOP PRODUCTS and DOINGS OF THE MOMENT...........

G'day,

Just thought I'd do a quick post. Firstly I will admit that I bought some lovely new Body Shop products last week. I bought two new things last week...............that I've never bought before from the Body Shop! They were:

* an eyebrow kit! That is a little package with a couple of shades and a mini brush to use to draw/blend together/enhance one's eyebrows! I luv it! It's soft but defined looking and I can decide whether I go for more a mid brown or a dark standout brown or a blended shade in between! Up until last week I used an eyeliner pencil to attempt to define my eyebrows! The 'brow kit' is fun to use and I like the 'look'.

* a bright blue eyeliner pencil! Until last week I generally used a dark brown, taupe, grey or black pencil just along bottom of eyes and then used that same pencil to attempt to define my eyebrows usually with some mascara/maybe eyeliner as well when going out. I never attempted eyeliner along the top of my eyes till last week! So now I like blue eyeliner on bottom of eyes, taupe on top, mascara and if going out maybe some eyeshadow!

(I went in there to buy a new eyeliner/brow pencil and came out with a bright blue eyeliner, taupe eyeliner pencil and the brow kit!) I also bought a facial cleanser as mine is almost finished, and a vitamin E SPF 15 moisturisor that felt so nice and a new liquid foundation as mine are all running down! It's an expensive business being a girl sometimes LOL!

Weekend was good, got a bit done but it went too fast as per usual!

I am on track again regarding goals there. I did a 30 min run at the gym today then weights etc. I didn't do too bad but could be lots better. I started out not too hard out but was totally burnt out by the end as I kept slightly upping the speed throughout. Did 5.25km in 30 mins on treadmill. Can do 9 push ups on toes and still can do plank for over a min. I did a few things on floor. Am sitting around the 73kg mark first thing in mornings at the moment. 9 weeks till my birthday, 9 weeks, 4 days till my photoshoot! Gotta keep to my objectives in the hope of being fitter and comfortably under 68kg!

Talk soon,

Pip :-)

2010-05-13T21:25:00.003+08:00

LATEST HAPPENINGS.........................

Howdee! Hope everyone is having a good/fun/perhaps productive week!

So, what's been happening with me?:
* My night out last Friday was a good one, loads of fun! We visited a couple of bars, did some dancing, drank some sparkling vino!

* After a late one on Friday night, I got off to a late start on Saturday! I got some housework done, then went to BF's, watched the footy and had a quiet one.

* On Sunday, (Mothers Day) I was again too lazy as far as doing a Mothers Day run. I want to improve there LOL! BF went to his voluntary Bush Fire Brigade training before 8am and I got into making some sushi and salads for a party he hosted at his house for his family and relatives to celebrate Mothers Day!

This week has been work as per normal. Weather is cooling down, (those born and bred in Perth or further north think it's FREEZING! Most customers seem to come into the shop shivering and freezing/putting on a bit of a show and moaning of the cold weather! OK, - it's cooled off! A couple of nights and early mornings, (before 8am) this week have made it down to about 8 degrees celcius. But the days are still hitting at least 20 degrees/perhaps today only got to 19 as it was an overcast day and I woke to a period of heavy rain last night! So hardly 'freezing' but a bit cooler. However those from where I was born would describe Perth current weather as 'mild', 'warm' some would say even 'hot'. However I remember these same customers describing the weather two - three months ago as 'horrid/too hot' and came in moaning about that! Weather is weather people!!! Deal with it!!! :-) I'm a hot weather/summer fan but hardly call this weather cold yet!

Other news:
* 2 of my flatmates are moving out in a couple of weeks to continue travelling. My flatmate who originally signed the lease and myself will remain. We have lived together the last 4 years!!! We have decided not to replace the departing flatmates. Instead we will both pay a bit more rent for the remaining 2.5-3 or so months we are here. More fridge/freezer/living space will be a big bonus though.

* When the lease expires at my current apartment in August I am moving up to BF's in the Perth Hills, a 25-30 min drive and 25km from the city centre. This will be after living the last 4 years in the same apartment! I am looking forward to that, this will be a new experience for both of us!!! At this stage I will keep the same job, there are heaps of buses into the city from his place and back out to his and the earliest bus gets into the city at 6.40am so the earliest I will be able to start work is 7am. His home is a 4 min walk from nearest bus stop. He has a quarter acre block so has a big back yard.

* Photoshoot is exactly 10 weeks tomorrow. Yikes!

* I won't go on about it but I will state the ongoing non-negotiable behaviours I vow to stick to from now on, (Friday 14 May 10). This isn't a 10 or 12 week challenge, - rather on going! Quicker to write here than handwrite in another notebook.

- Maintain bedroom and all personal living areas in an organised/tidy/clean state daily to a standard I wouldn't be ashamed if unexpected guests walked in, (before I hit bed and before whenever I leave the house) EVERY day! (Not when I feel like it).

- No drinking alcohol alone ever to chillax! Only permitted for social occasions with others. Unless it's classified to me as a really big occasion, (up to 10 a year allowed) I've got to keep to 3 drinks or less each occasion I choose to drink socially!

- At least 7 hours 'lights out' time a night at least 5 nights per week!

- Keep to my budget ideals, - making sure I stay out of debt, stay on track with my savings objectives and spending allowances. Will involve keeping focussed and not giving into impulsive temptations.

- Keep to dietary choices/amounts I'm happy with. Not strict dieting as such at all but decent nutrition and awareness and control plus calorie and serving size awareness.

- Last, (prob least important but still vital haha) is training! To train I need to meet all above objectives! Training is a privilege! Training objectives will always change, again I will work on devising a training plan for the week ahead! Occasionally after stints of big efforts for events like triathlons etc I may devise a couple of weeks to only brisk walking or something. 6 days per week is training aim!

So that doesn't sound much different to many of my other lifestyle day to day 'plans'. But if I stay committed to these I will be achieving loads.
When I say training is 'least important' - that is cause I do have an active lifestyle already to a degree. I think it would be possible to attain/maintain the goal weight I want with my training being a 45 min brisk walk 6 days a week plus my active lifestyle/keeping up brisk incidental activity and consuming an average of about 1500 cals a day. Of course fitness progress would stop after a while and I may not get that athletic edge and look. But the idea of a brisk walk may be more inviting than running 30 mins as fast as poss or attempting a 10km PB and if we flag the run off to lie on couch eating junkfood, then feel guilty............the 45 min brisk walk is sure the better option! Also the endorphins and highs and satisfaction from hard training and workouts is great!

Talk soon

Pip :-)

2010-05-07T19:34:00.003+08:00

Here goes as of tonight, just about to head out! The red box is my big jewel box, (BF gave it to me for my b-day last year). Quick make up job, (very green) and not enough time to dry and straighten my hair. And yes, I can see and feel added kilos to my last dress up outing 5 weeks ago but am seriously adament they will go for good!

Have a good one all! Decided to wear hair up in end.

Pip :-)

2010-04-29T21:11:00.003+08:00

BOOKED IN..............

I've booked in for the photoshoot, (see post below) on Friday 23 July at 10.30am. So it's all on! I rang up the studio on my lunch break at work.

12 weeks tomorrow! Nah, am not going to do a 'before' shot or a 'start' weigh in! Just instead be commit and do what needs to be done. I really need to ensure I keep 'on track' for these next 12 weeks and more importantly beyond!!!

Kristy, - in Perth there are many places and lovely photographers who do beautiful photoshoots! An idea for you could be when you save enough $$$ to feel ready to visit Perth, also plan for a Perth photoshoot on that trip!

Talk soon :-)

Pip

2010-04-28T23:23:00.002+08:00

PHOTOSHOOT...........

Today I have purchased a photoshoot package deal from Viva photography. The certificate etc will be sent out to me in the mail. After some research I found a deal that is a current special. The normal price is $700 but I paid $150. This $150 includes a 2 hour photo shoot with many different photoshoots and $550 credit for prints etc. It's a current special to I guess entice new members and yep, I read the fine print. My plan for when I get my voucher is to book in for the shoot on Friday morning, (23 July 2010). I will do my own hair and makeup and plan on it being casual. But I want one bikini shot, (if I feel I'm 'bikiniable'). So I need to put in a good effort to go for that! Now this date I'm hoping for is that 'magical' 12 weeks away on Friday so maybe some could guess what my plan may entail!

And in my quest to be 'bikiniable' by that date I'm wanna do a first and keep away from the scales until my 30th birthday and on my absence from them................have the kgs shrinking and to stay on track!

2010-04-27T18:34:00.003+08:00

UPDATE............27 APRIL 2010!

Hello! I had been disputing whether to write this post or take a break from my blog for a bit.

My internal 'dispute' is because I really don't want to write too many posts basically going over the same old stuff. If there is great news, humour or achievements I like to talk about them LOL :-) - hence more updates!!! If I'm talking about my somewhat yo-yoing repetitive goals/plans or if I haven't carried out the plans my last post said I would because of personal dis-organisation and or laziness I don't really want to broadcast it. When I get the urge to complain I feel the least I can do is ride over the urge to complain. So..............no complaining or no excuses from me!

As you can guess, - I'm struggling to get 'on track fully' after my last steer 'off track'. I have kept finances intact. Am even doing a bit better, (still room to improve) on sleep and personal organisation. But the biggie, - nutrition and personally scheduled training and substituting wine for the gym/running at the moment have a bit to be desired! I could manage my personal organisation skills more efficiently! As a result I know I've put on a few kgs.

Something really hit me today though which I'm gonna believe. The same thoughts have come before, - but this time with heaps of clarity! Ignore me if ya don't believe the up and coming possible ramble, - it's all just my opinion!

* There is a wide spectrum of personality types. Addictive and more driven at one end. More mellow types, (less goal orientated/enjoy day to day simplicity moreso) at the other end. I think we all fall somewhere in between but probably tend to one end moreso.

An example of someone with an addictive/driven personality big time could be Ben Cousins. He goes 'hard or home'. He puts his all into his footy and obligations and he finds it pretty hard to stay out of trouble if he's not doing that. But addictive and driven could be business or sport orientated as well. I guess many sports people and celebs are naturally programmed more this way.

The other end of the spectrum = much more mellow. They aren't as goal orientated. They are content in an easy day to day existence and take pleasure from easy walks, smelling the roses, reading books and simple day to day activities, they like routine, feel comfortable in relaxing reptition, planning in advance may make such people feel a bit uneasy, travelling new places or being out of the home could make these people naturally feel nervous instead of excited.

My point here is that people who fall near the more 'mellow' end of the spectrum may find general moderation and self control easy and natural but may struggle more with intense goal setting and new challenges.

AND the people who fall toward the more addictive/driven end could find it harder keeping on track, (not going backward) with a 'moderate' lifestyle and less goal driven 'purpose'. They could find it more natural to 'go hard' or 'go home' but struggle with 'moderation' as a way of life.

So there are 'pros' and 'cons' for each side. We all need to be aware of our strengths and weaknesses but make our strengths work for us and ultimately put lots of focus on our weaknesses so they work for us as well! I have witnessed people successfully access parts of their personality through lots of work! Mainly in regard to developing from a seemingly shy person to a natural leader.

It also dawned on me, (with more even more clarity than ever) that it's up to us to create our own reality ultimately. I googled addictive personalities and it came up with numerous suggestions such as therapy etc etc and lots of other stuff. Will it work? Maybe, either short or long term if so but no guarrantee! It's up to us and what we do day to day thereafter and most likely many dollars later!

I have come round to definitely thinking that the only way we can guarrantee if our 'reality changes' last the distance/stick is if we commit to them, - and keep as committed to them as what we do with our paid employment. Yes, the moderate aspect may come more naturally to the more 'mellow' types and the challenging goals bit may come more naturally to us more addictive types. But it's all possible. For sure, coaching or therapy would be of benefit if we don't know how to get to where we wanna go, of have an addiction that is a matter of life or death. Or if you are already succeeding highly in your chosen endeavour but want to go that 'olympic distance' and are willing to pay coaching would be of great help!

But if we know what we need to do to get to where we want to a level we are happy with.........(but for some reason just don't finish what we start or just don't 'do it')...it's up to us!

Other than that, - have been busy, all has been good! I still have the fitness and finance goals and am planning on not stepping on any scales till my 30th, - then seeing the number under 68kg that day! Am looking at costings of getting a professional photo shoot the following Friday, then my party on the Saturday!

Talk soon,

Pip :-)

2010-04-19T21:29:00.002+08:00

D 1/WK 1

It didn't turn out to the best of starts today. I dislike Monday mornings with passion! I watched the Biggest Loser Finale and didn't get to bed till almost midnight after my shower. Then didn't fall asleep till after 1am cause I knew alarm was gonna go off at 3.10am. Lots to get done at work and I knew I'd be tired after the weekend so wanted to get there even earlier to feel organised. I decided to attempt calling a taxi the night before................had a more unsafe feeling than norm about this morning and was planning to hit the streets even a bit earlier to get to work on bike.

Alarm went, - urgh. Got organised. Taxi didn't rock up, (none of the taxi companies here are reliable for people wanting short fares). Still didn't come. Called. No one as usual could give an explanation so I decided to cycle to work. I won't go into detail, - nothing happened but I had a few scary people attempting to corner me on my bike demanding money and I put foot down, swerved a few corners and fled. I was chased down the road about 100 metres and screamed abuse at but those running couldn't catch me on my bike had no car amongst them and gave up so nothing happened. That was out and about at 3.45am. I do fear danger everyday when out and about by myself at that time............particularly cycling to Northbridge where I now work. I've had a few people yell stuff at me occasionally but not come running in a threatening way in my direction.

I told all the bosses at work................to see if there was any way we could attempt to arrange some deals with a taxi company so no early morning workers in my company that need a taxi endure this. At this stage as of now I don't have early starts, (earlier than 5.45-6am) unless my boss will pick me up and start the same time as me.

Training, time in bed and nutritional choices didn't get off to the best start at all today after that and work was a struggle all day.

Hmmm, - can see why I was sidetracked today to get stuck into gear.............While I could have handled food choices better in earlier portion of day I will cut myself some slack. Gotta be on form tomorrow in full!

Training: - uncomplete today.

Pip :-)

2010-04-18T20:06:00.002+08:00

PLANNED TRAINING SCHEDULE WEEK ONE:

MON pm (after work): Bike ride of at least 30km, (either 2 big river laps or to beach and back).

TUE pm (after work): Body Pump class (1 hour)

WED pm (after work): run, 9.5km outdoors, Weather permitting a 30 min treadmill run as far as poss)

THURS: (either before or after work): 20 min resistance workout covering sets of pushups, - as many as poss on toes before dropping to knees followed by plank, lunges, tricep dips, crunches.

FRI pm: (late arvo after work): swim at pool, - focussing on freestyle technique covering at least a km

SAT am: Reasonably early start, (by 8am) and bikeride up to BF's, - nearly 30km. Half hour run around Perth Hills on arrival at BF's before showering or doing anything else.

SUN: - ANZAC day. Day off. I can save Sat's 5km run till today IF I manage to resist alcohol at the ANZAC Sunday brekkie. But safer I get run outta way on Sat. Failing that I could do a flat 5km run on Thurs evening.

No times to be recorded week one. This week is all about maintaining discipline for actually doing what I set out to do. I have an extra cycle in for week one as I wanna get to beach tomorrow! Of course this is in conjunction to normal everyday activity.

2010-04-18T19:09:00.002+08:00

ALL ROCKIN...............

13 weeks to go till the big 30 as of tomorrow, 13 weeks, 5 days till the party.

JOBS TO DO:

* remain committed to living in line with my values
* keep to budget, (for everything)

I braved the old metaloe's yesterday to find I'm up 3kg on a couple of weeks ago and am up an inch on my waist and tummy. All I can say............have to be grateful it's only 3kg. I have been busy and active, (more general activity/not so much training wise of late). Food discipline went a bit out of control and down the drain unfortunately, not the plan but what can happen if you are not committed.

I have really pulled hard and am out to turn this all around for good rather than spurts. I know I can AND am totally committed to doing this.

Of course I don't plan on going totally hard all the time with everything, - but at all times want to act with a level of control I'm happy with at all times so I go forward with things I want to!

Basically the backbone/most important thing of living within my values are these top two:

* Living in a clean tidy personal living environment/top priority. OK, I really don't have much space but I have to daily maintain all personal living areas to a standard I wouldn't be ashamed for strangers to walk into. If for some reason I have to leave the house quickly and not everything is quite organised it needs to be first priority to re-organise once I'm home.

* Enough time in bed! I have some shifts starting at 4am, others starting at 9am and anything inbetween. The main rule I give myself is that I MUST be in bed, lights out at least 7 hours before the alarm is due to go off at least 5 days a week. I know it's tough in a noisy environment and excuses are easy............but then if I don't it effects productivity in all other areas of life. This is unless of course of a REAL emergency!

Other vital things to do are:
* Keep to a nutritional/calorie balance I'm happy with, (have decided on no off track food to be eaten unsocially till under the 68kg mark!) By the way I don't 'diet' and am not that strict! No bingeing being the major. Generally I like the balance of a good carb/protein/nutritious brekkie, a skinny flat white as a snack, lunch being my highest calorie meal of day being a filled multigrain roll, - excess middle dough scooped out with salad/lean protein or something prepared from home, fruit or similar as a snack if needed when training and a lower carb/cal option in the evening, (salad or steamed veg and lean protein or similar) but can work that around if needed.
* Only ever drink alcohol in social situations of some meanings, (celebrations, gatherings, parties), - generally exercising some sort of moderation! This makes more money available for things like clothes, makeup, short trips.
* Stick to budget. Keep out of debt, (I'm still on track nicely here). Continue to save at least $100 a fortnight toward investing and $100 a fortnight toward my big overseas trip in a few years and $100 a fortnight toward emergency expenses. Otherwise spend as pleased but aim not to waste any $$$ on purchases I could avoid if I'm less lazy or would regret.

Less vital but very important things to do also include:
* No coffee or caffeine after 5pm
* Stick to the training schedule, (ideals) I set for the week. Record training.
* Have fun/learn new things and skills, undertake new experiences

I need to treat all this as things I'm committed to, not ideals I 'should' do some day. And while I have seen improvements in general, I can do more. So that's the strategic plan.

SHORT TERM GOALS:
* Get under 68kg in the next 4 weeks, - then work on fitness improvement, sticking fully to the above and comfortably maintaining under 68kg by my 30th. I intend to achieve this by habits I feel are maintainable, - not giving up all carbs and taking fat burners and refusing to eat socially. I'd be more keen to attain and maintain a 20-25% BF level than diet to a 10-15% level which requires full dedication and (but less ability to 'go with flow')

* Training goals:
- Am aiming for the 21.1km Perth half marathon on 8 August. Icing on cake would be going under 1 hour!
- Hilly City to Surf 12km run on last Sunday in August. I want a PB..........and by as much as poss. To achieve that I need to go under 1 hour 10.
- I want to keep up with my swimming/cycling over the winter consistently so I do better with actually entering and completing some mini and sprint triathlons next summer season in a fashion I'm satisfied with.
- Keep up strength training, - finally do 20 push ups on toes as 3 times now I've managed 10 as a PB. But just improve all round, be committed to completing resistance training across major muscle groups and across core. Improving flexibility would be a bonus too.

Of course my training plans will vary slightly week to week. Probably will be alot running orientated at the moment as I have the running events first. Then maybe Sept onwards maybe more cycling and swimming. It is poss from time to time I give myself a week or two off formalised activity just relying on say only 3 30 min powerwalks a week. Or before my next ski trip to NZ I may spend 4-6 weeks with major focus being on leg and butt strength and flexibility! But I want to have a reason, - and a plan for my training.

So while I am on track............I'm all committed to stick to this starting tomorrow 19 April. My birthday is 13 weeks away on 19 July. SO here goes, really easy hey :-)

Am about to watch Biggest Loser Finale..............Lisa or Joe I reckon!

2010-04-15T20:26:00.006+08:00

15 APRIL 2010

Hello! Time for a short update!

Well, a little rain has hit Perth this week after none for over 6 months bar the storm a few weeks ago. Along with that has been some wind. Not alot of rain but some. We've had over 2 inches, (5cm) this year to date. Living in Southern NZ I used to HATE rain....................miserable days seemed endless and winters seemed so long and even in summer, half pleasant days could be few and far between, - or only half a day before a shitty weather change came. I really appreciate Perth for the hot sunny summers and mild, (at worst cool) instead of cold winters! Over the last week or two things have started cooling off, that is nights getting down to 12-14 degrees and days to the low 20's. So still warm really but some say it's FREEZING!

It's exactly 100 days till my birthday party as of today. My birthday is on 19th July but I intend to have my party on the following Saturday, (24th July). I am thinking of having a Hawaiian theme, (to liven up winter haha). There will be a couple of cocktail and mocktail options plus wine, beer and finger food.

I have to say myself without hopefully sounding too vain that I'm quite impressed with how I looked in the last set of party photos at my mates 30th, (a pic with me in the black dress, apricot sash and silver shoes can be seen in the blog post below). I was 68.6kg that morning, (nearly at goal of being and staying UNDER 68kg). Still a little fleshy of course around the mid section when ya compare with my calves, but looking in my opinion quite acceptable in that dress. I did exercise a good level of control to make that pic a reality, (but still had heaps of room to tighten things up to fully live in line with my values).

However, - I have slipped up somewhat since then...............have been battling the same old demons about getting back on track and fitting it back in with my lifestyle which as a hospitality shift worker in a flat doesn't have routine. As my being 'off track' lasted longer than a day that getting back on track feels tougher! And going backward just short of goal again is something that is frustrating and was not intended. No, haven't got into debt or anything.

SO:

After more consideration and re-reading Craig Harper's posts and his latest takes on 'forever change' he and I believe it comes down to some strategic non emotional planning, an accountability system and of course following through. That's doing what needs to be done on a given day, (or if situations arise where we can't we need to make an alternative controlled arrangement we are happy with given the situation). That is................doing the needed whether we feel like or not.

I guess..............going to work is such an example. By the way it's very busy at the moment too! I know I always feel like pushing the alarm off and rolling back over when it awakes me for work, - particularly at 3.20am in the morning, even more so if I only manage to fall asleep at 10.30-11pm cause of surrounding noise all around apartment,(s) and street. Getting up, dressed, brekkie, carrying bike with backpack down steps and cycling to work at that time of the morning isn't my idea of fun and can be quite scary! Taxis aren't reliable, - they only seem to rock up about 50% of the time when I've tried. But I've always gone in, - there would be guilt and dire consequences if I didn't so it would take either a bad injury or severe illness for me to miss work. However if I feel outta shape, if my personal living space isn't organised, if I am hungover and if I don't turn the lights out before 10pm, (ideally 8.15pm but that very rarely happens) getting and being at work is and feels even harder!

So living in line with my values means, - keeping to budget/getting ahead and directing money where needed, feeling in control with my nutrition and happy with my choices, (not aiming for any said perfection), making sure my personal living areas are presentable to unexpected strangers on a daily basis, (ideally when I leave the house), only drinking alcohol at social celebrations of meaning with others which should be an average of twice month or so, keeping up with the training regime I give myself each week, getting at least 7 hours lights out time a night at least 5 days a week, also trying to learn new stuff and/or have some fun.

So...............to do and create different this time before things get too outta hand:

* The focus is on the next 100 days, being in great shape with a new fitness PB or two under my belt at my party, (maintaining under 68kg easily). Beyond the 24th July I have discovered the Perth half marathon is held on 8 August. I'm very keen to enter to am aiming to finally go under 2 hours! Then City to Surf last weekend of August. So for training I will tweak around expectations slightly each week but aim for 3 runs, (one long, one 5km or 30 min treadmill, one on either hills or up and down steps), plus one swim at pool starting at 1km and focussing on speed and form initially, one bike ride of at least 3okms, 2 resistance sessions of at least 20 mins a pop each week.

AND if any unplanned slips happen............be back on track no longer than a day later no matter what. :-)

2010-04-12T18:17:00.006+08:00

HELLO, a wee while and no blog...........

Howdy! Just thought I'd do a quick catch up here.

The pic of me dressed up with BF was at my best mates 30th on Saturday 3 April. It was a great night, loads of fun! We partied at the venue, then some of us hit the casino bar for a couple of drinks, (no gambling!) For my mates 30th her Mum made her a book of her travels during her 20's! (She is dedicated and does a big adventurous OE every year so has lots of stories we wouldn't fully understand unless we were there).

The new shoes are today's new purchase, my new Brooks runners! I bit the bullet and no, didn't use a credit card. But these are ONLY for running outdoors/on treadmill and perhaps cycling, (NOT for work ever!) I got them from Sports Fever after walking and running on a treadmill to get a computerised image of my feet walking/running!

My $10 backpack of about 3 years old unconveniently broke stitching wise and the zip went recently. Hence I couldn't cycle with a backpack, or even walk down the town with a comfy backpack with whatever inside so I went looking out for cheap new ones today! I went to heaps of shops and discovered there are so many different types of backpacks and they are very high tech these days! I went to some adventure/outdoors sports shops and found a specialised cycling backpack I really want, I loved the comfort and the look of it on me but at a price of $189.95 I couldn't afford it. The backpack I settled on, (pictured above) set me back $55.00 in the end, comes with a warranty, (3 years I think), it has a padded back and will be sufficient for what I will be needing it for in the up and coming months I decided. That didn't go on a credit card either.

I guess you know without saying..............I haven't hit the big 68.0kg or 150 lb or it would be the first thing I'd be posting here. No long boring explanation from me. Infact I've found it easy not to weigh myself for the last 9 days...........as I know scales are up. But am underway to good things now. Will post about them soon :-)

So that's about it! It's raining in Perth today, - different!

Talk soon!

Pip :-)

2010-04-03T17:09:00.002+08:00

DRESS CHOICES TONIGHT!

I ended up wearing the black satin one with the peach belt. I want to update with a new figure hugging bright coloured dress!!! (Funds to think of...............and I want to keep to budget plan). I wore this same dress and peach belt to another party toward the end of last year when about 9kg heavier, - it's a stretch satin one you pull over your head.

68.6kg, (151.6lb) this morning cause I am hopeless at keeping off them if I think they are going down. Under 68/150 here we come! That's my best read this year. I ate lightly today, - cause I slept in, had a day off training and had a few jobs to do. I made sushi for a party today but ended up eating some of the scrappy end bits which don't present well so............at least no champagne on an empty stomach anyway.

Talk soon,

Pip :-)

2010-04-01T06:36:00.002+08:00

BEAUT SURPRISE

Well, after announcing I wouldn't get on the scales in April on 'Day one' I took a sneak peak before I put them in the cupboard! I did expect to be up a few hundred grams from yesterdays 69.1 cause of chocolate and gelato but hopefully still in the 60's, not 70's.

Well: 68.9 today or 152 lb even. So 68.0 or under and 150 lb or under could be possible on 1 May. And if I'm 'comfortably under these targets' even better!

One thing I do know is with my work/general activity levels before training I do I have a high activity level.

Anyway talk soon! Here's to a fit April!
Firstly a Happy fun Easter..................keep control and with the choccie eggs! I'm stoked today I didn't go too overboard with my indulgence, feel on track, stayed active, my weight didn't go up!

Talk soon!

Pip :-)

2010-03-31T18:43:00.002+08:00

APRIL 2010 MISSION................

G'day!

Well I'm feeling a bit safe to post this. I've had some little minor accomplishments lately.

Namely they are:
* FINALLY managing, (not giving in) to go a consecutive 28 days with no alcohol! Infact I went 42 consecutive days, (6 weeks) with none at all. I broke the drought with a couple of glasses of sparkling wine socially last Saturday and since then haven't had any alcohol. Of course I need to stay focussed but at this stage I have achieved what I wanted to there :-) That is a social occasion/celebration social treat in moderation if consumed.

* Have kicked debt to the kerb, - AND a whole month before when I scheduled to achieve this. That took a good 11 or so weeks of consistent focus. I seem to have found some ways to cut my expenses and am getting used to them being my new 'norm'. Now the savings can BEGIN!

* I guess attaining under 70kg is an achievement of sorts. Not quite at 'goal' yet and there are still good ways I could clean up my diet/train more effectively. 69.1kg first thing this morning. The pound reading was 152.2 when I flicked scale over. I had to be at work very early this morning to cook hot cross buns amongst all other stuff! They are in demand! And got to bed too late last night so just managed 4.5 hours before the alarm went! After a big day I was given a 100g Cadbury bunny by my boss and once outside and finished I made an impulsive decision to open it and eat the ear! Then in the sun it started melting and I made an excuse to eat the whole thing. Yum! Somehow I gave into the urge to try this big gelato sundae I'd put off for weeks. Ho hum. So rough mental calorie count today was more at 2600 rather than my preferred average of 1400-1600 and I feel a bit more full such as weigh in tomorrow being up a couple of hundred grams. Also feel a little annoyed at myself for consuming it all..............then spending $9 left over in wallet from last week on a gelato sundae. I have done similar things to this about 4 times in the last 3 weeks where a little deviation from being on track can turn into a mini binge. On the positive though..................such a deviation in the past for this habitual 'all or nothing' person seemed to lead to mega outta control binges and being 'off track' for months till back at square one or somewhere around there. Lately I am straight back on track the very next day, - and if I decide to not weigh in for a day or two it is at least back to where it was when I check a couple of days later. But still room for improvement!

After much thought I've come up with APRIL'S MISSION:

Here goes:
* Keep OFF the scales for the whole month of April but weigh in on 1 May 2010. Keep consistent with training aiming to see improvements with fitness levels regarding speed, strength, agility. Keep to my training schedule unless there is a very good reason. Be disciplined about getting to bed on time...............at least 7 hours in bed/lights out at least 5 nights per week! Will have to obviously keep very organised as I live in a full apartment full! Keep up with my improved financial habits/plan and new drinking habits.
Will aimed for no unplanned deviations diet wise, (if I plan to go with a friend to a cafe and possibly have a skinny flat white OR whatever I choose and am happy with.....that's it!) Aim to not give into further impulses or temptations that arise unplanned!

THE BIGGIE: After no weighing for the month of April..................being on track fitness, food and lifestyle wise....................I intend to finally weigh under 68kg or 150lb on 1st May 2010! 69.1 this morning. Watch this space! When I make the 'under 68's' I intend to allow myself to spend $20 and get skinfolds done in the hope that 8 sites total under 100mm!

Pip :-)

2010-03-28T20:49:00.003+08:00

6 WEEKS............

Howdy!

Firstly my self imposed alcohol drought ended on Saturday night. But I am very happy to announce it lasted for 6 whole weeks exactly so I exceeded my goal of 4 weeks! BF had his one weekend a month OFF standby and decided to open a bottle of Jim Beam he had kept in his cupboard unopened for 3 YEARS! The label on his bottle of Jim Beam said some date in 2007. We couldn't work out if it was made in 2007 or expired in 2007. He opened it and drank some anyway thinking that was when it was made! And I had some sparkling wine! Very nice! And I brought up to his house homemade chicken salads for tea.

Am in credit as planned, - by $90. And I've still got $21 in wallet to last till Wednesday.

Am sitting nicely around 69.5 now as a general rule when I weigh first thing, yay 60's! Like last time I notice a big improvement once I hit the 60's, tummy seems to automatically become a bit flatter in a very good way in the journey from 71 down to 69.5! Really looking forward to hitting under that 68.0kg/150 lb figure and maintaining under that! Seem to be a relaxed size 12 on average now! Meaning that while size 12's are in no way too big I don't need to worry about walking around sucking my stomach in hard to prevent a 'muffin bulge'. Relaxed 30 inch waist now. And I prefer size medium tops made from most types of materials as opposed to having to get XL and worry about it being a dark colour and made of thickish material that didn't cling! However I haven't bought any clothes so far this year yet! Update: Mon morn 29 March : 69.1 or 152.4lb.

I got my long run in last week, (the bridges 9.8km effort) with a good effort plus my awesome Monday workout I did during the storm plus another resistance workout. I missed the planned 1.5k swim and 30km bikeride so need to do better this week. Had a busy active week in general though, - not much time to sit around! Did many other walks and gave BF's dog a good walk today!

I'm after a very strong week this week! I have a 30th party to attend on Sat and intend to enjoy some alcohol at that. BF's cousins are having an Easter Sunday lunch, - may allow one or two, am undecided with that yet. But strictly no alcohol any other days this week as I've got away from that habit and am not going back, I'm liking the money saved! I've got a strong training regime I wanna stick to, - work toward reaching new fitness performance targets.

So that's me for now,

Talk soon!

Pip :-)

2010-03-23T21:15:00.002+08:00

CREDIT...............

Of my latest little challenge it's late Tuesday evening, (23/3/10). Tomorrow, Wednesday I will hit CREDIT and be out of my little current debt situation regarding day to day doings. I won't pay off all the debt tomorrow because I don't want to break my small consistent steady savings fund/habit toward my birthday party. HOWEVER just after midnight I will be in CREDIT and if I keep my expenditures to less than $188 I will still be in CREDIT at the end of this pay week. Am aiming to keep expenditure under $100.
In a fortnight tomorrow I aim to have the debt completely cleared and still remain on track with my little savings plan toward my 30th birthday party.

The storm hit Perth yesterday. While that was happening I was training hard in apartment gym with the door open listening to the storm and rain which was louder than my music! I had a huge session too, did the 30 min run as hard as I could followed by stretches/de-puffing and was drenched in sweat. Then did a challenging resistance workout that would have lasted at least 20 mins!

Weight this morning was spot on 70.0kg or 154lb. Yesterday morn I saw a 69.8 but I guess I did hydrate with lots of water after my later hard training session last night LOL! Either way I'm getting close to goal, toning up OK, have no impossible rules, know I look lots leaner than I did, am fitter than I was so any improvement now is a bonus! I just don't wanna go backwards again and allow myself to gain a heap of weight in a small timeframe. If from 30 beyond I massively continue to yo-yo in weight I really think I may become too saggy too soon unless I'm really hard on myself. Therefore I'm not out to try Hydroxycut Hardcore or similar and lots of supplements, tweak my eating, meal balance and timing to 'so called perfect' and pay a personal trainer BIG time in an attempt to get a six pack. To me now the thought of that is too expensive and un-maintainable. If I ever did come close from that type of regime I think if I start eating low GI carbs and fruit again and stop the supps etc I'd be more likely to puff up big time.

So while I'd like to tone/lean up a bit more, (particularly stomach/waist) I am becoming more pleased at where I am and with good effort would now feel satisfied averaging a few hundred grams lost every couple of weeks! That being said though I am feeling revved to put in a good but liveable effort at the moment though and any quicker results in fatloss or fitness gain are even better!

(Not liveable is say training 9 hours a day or eating a type of diet we wouldn't feel good about attempting to maintain/live by long term)

(Liveable is about 5 training sessions a week varying from 30 mins up to over an hour (for some runs or rides), - most of them intense aiming to build or maintain a fitness level). And seriously I'm not that strict about food at all. I average about 1500 cals a day when I do a rough mental calculation but could be anywhere from 1200-2000 cals a day depending on hunger, activity done etc. I don't think of food so much as 'good or bad', - it can be a variation of both. An example is a 650ml Boost Juice Raspberry Ripe smoothie is a pleasureable indulgence at the moment. I've read it's about 600 cals, know it's full of sugar. But it also contains fruit, calcium, protein. I may have it once a week for brekkie, but would then watch my sugar intake over day, may aim for a 400 cal lunch, 200 cal snack and a 300 cal evening meal, say grilled chicken or fish with garden salad. Luckily I'm active and on the go all day too. I guess I roughly watch nutrient balance over course of time a bit and aim at this stage to have good nutrition over at least 80% of cals consumed. Am watching my intake of processed foods and am looking at ways to lower it.

Still haven't had a drink..........day 38.

Pip :-)

2010-03-21T22:29:00.002+08:00

STATUS UPDATE 21 MARCH 2010

G'day! Just about to flick off the light on a Sunday night and am posting this from my bed!
Cheers Teresa, Kristy and Hilary for your lovely comments regarding my pics! Hmm, - getting there!!!

STATS UPDATE:

WEIGHT: 70.5kg (155 lb)

ALCOHOL FREE CONSECUTIVE DAYS: 36, (Still haven't found a good enough reason to cave, beat temptation on Fri and Sat) Over next couple of weeks have a couple of planned social events. Am pleased I didn't just indulge and wreck it all on day 29 or 30!

BUDGET: I reckon debt is looking on track to be gone in 2 weeks come Wednesday and with managing to keep up with saving my $25 a week toward my 30th birthday in July. This coming Wednesday birthday savings will be at $250 plus my $25 Vintage Cellar voucher!

THE PLAN: I've revised it again. Once debt is gone I've decided to save either $150 a week or $300 a fortnight. I will talk weekly as my money will be divided into thirds, (or 3 lots of $50).

$50 will go toward long term investing.....to grow......only to be used to attempt to make more money.

Another $50 will go toward a huge overseas holiday. 10 years of saving $50 a week will amount to $26000 before even thinking about interest! Either intend to go on a big round the world trip in 10 years or break it into 2 shorter trips to Hawaii/America/Canada/Carribbean in 5 years and another to lots of European destinations in 10 years.

$50 will go toward holidays to NZ every couple of years and holidays and hobbies around Australia.

The rest: - for everything else, - ideally create and maintain a little buffer for emergencies.

Next budget cut is the landline phone! Why use it when I can use an e-mail?

This weeks plan:
* 2 runs, 1 5km time trial and one 9.6km effort
* 1 bike ride of at least 30km
* 1 PUMP class
* 1 swim achieving at least 1.5km at pool
* 1 homemade resistance challenging circuit of at least 20 mins.
* No more than one medium coffee a day, (skinny flat white no sugar)
* 7 hours in bed at least 5 nights this week
* Not to regret any of my expenditure, (not buy unaccounted for spur of moment stuff at all)

Talk soon

Pip :-)

2010-03-19T22:19:00.005+08:00

19 MARCH 2010 ANTICS, - just as some memory marker records, skip through if boring!!! The peach dress up top is the one I wore as a bridesmaid in November 2009.............today's pic is the same dress minus 10kg and minus hairdo and makeup. I can now step into it and pull it right up without undoing back zip. The other pics are of a old pink workout singlet and one of my 2 pairs of cut off denim shorts that are many years old. We also feature my 'Guess jeans' and 'Guess top' I bought about May last year and the black leather Jacket I bought in NZ last July at Just Jeans which never had really fit being a fitted size 12. Getting there now but. I tried a close up with a little makeup, and just another close up with none on at all. However I didn't get onto doing anything fancy with my hair, - a bit short of time. Morning current weight is now averages 71.0kg. These pics are from this evening. It feels good to be getting leaner again, am noticing arm, back and shoulder definition happening a bit :-). I do have big calve muscles. All that lifting I do and pushups etc must pay off somewhat! I reckon just another 5kgish to go so I maintain between range of 65-68 kilos. I know I used to be 60kg, occasionally slightly under back when I was 21, (the most recent) but do believe I am stronger, - I do more lifting and can now do many more pushups on toes than I could then. I want to keep up the tri training and running, - still like to get a couple of at least basic but challenging resistance workouts in each week plus work the core. Getting bodyfat down to 25% will be great too! :-)

2010-03-16T21:04:00.004+08:00

THE LONGEST CALENDAR MONTH................

Well, I didn't do one calendar month which had been a goal I'd attempted to achieve for several years BUT I have achieved 31 consecutive days which in my books is just as good. Even better cause no calendar months are any longer than 31 days.

Yep, that's not one alcoholic drink in the last 31 consecutive days! Finally that can be crossed off the list! I don't plan on a drink either tomorrow! My closest thing to alcohol these last 31 days was a scoop of rum and raisin gelato from the gelato shop about 3 weeks ago, (and that didn't turn into a totally indulgent binge either).

Nah, am not planning on a drink tomorrow either as there is no good reason. Yep, I am really looking forward to my next drink whenever that is. It will be at a social gathering or at a social celebration with meaning.

It's the end of this pay week and I stuck to my objectives yet again, - yay! That was to keep all groceries, food, transport costs and entertainment etc to under the $120 cash I withdrew from ATM last Wednesday. I had to buy shampoo, conditioner and cleanser with that as well. Tonight I had $2.30 worth of 5, 10 and 20 cent coins remaining in my wallet. It was a flatout day all round. A can of coke from the servo next door up-marked to $1.95 was calling my name for a few hours and I'd resisted/rode that urge the last few nights. Anyway tonight I gave in. I couldn't allow myself to have coke zero or diet coke or pepsi max as it's been well over 2 years since I quit them diet drinks completely as I used to be very hooked on them and loved to guzzle them loads cause of their lack of calories. So full sugar coke it was. I don't feel too bad about having that one can of coke though. Progress/self control enough to be in front................not perfection is the name of this game all round.

That is cause tomorrow...........................I'm not gonna allow myself to buy coke or any full sugar soft drinks as well as the diet variety. Why tomorrow? It's Saint Patricks Day so I need to dedicate something to my Irish friends! So a good day to make a stance! It want be too hard as it's only been the last few weeks that I got into a bit of a habit of having a can or two of full strength soft drink per week and it's not an addiction.

I did another 9.6km run last night outside, was pleased to see a notable time improvement from my attempt at that last week. Still much work to do though to attain my ultimate objectives there but!

71.2kg today or 157 lbs. Getting closer to the under 68kg/150lb objective. Before brekkie first thing today over bare skin my waist at most narrow point was smack on 30 inches held firm but without wrinkling or creasing my skin with tape measure. Diet has been spot on last few days bar tonights can of coke, (but still under 1600 cals today) and was very active all day.

Talk soon all, time to do next weeks budget now!

Pip :-)

2010-03-14T15:23:00.004+08:00

DAY 29, 14 March 2010

Hello groovers!

I have successfully completed the ' 28 consecutive days of no booze at all' challenge. Infact it's day 29 and I haven't had an alcoholic drink yet.

These last few days have been a bit of a challenge to say 'NO' on though!

BF came up on Thursday night to catch up and do a couple of jobs. After a busy day we went to the re-furbished pub down the road from my place. He had beer............I kept to my mission and had water.

On Friday arvo after work my best mate and I met at our normal meeting spot outside one of the pubs. I must say I was very close to caving in a day early but I said, - nah, I have to complete these 28 days so off we went to get a Boost juice each instead. Then when I got home on Fri arvo I wanted a champers and/or a dry white wine. But had water and got into lots of housework and some scrubbing.

Yesterday was day 28, and I knew at about 6pm yesterday it would have been exactly 28 days since the last drink and it felt hard to fight the urge to go and buy a bottle of chilled champers to have with BF but I fought it. If I did buy the champers I would have drunk it all though as BF drinks beer. And today...........am not giving in either and at this stage have no reason to give in and have a drink over at least the next few days.

Trying to live off a smaller amount of money is making alcohol too unaffordable and I feel a bit deprived. I haven't bought clothes in ages, or shoes, have scaled my skincare right back, now just get cheap cuts about 3 - 4 times a year with my hair and colour my own instead of expensive salon visits. I mend clothes and my newest pair of jeans I now wear is 3 years old. The shorts I've been wearing 60% of time are old Levi jeans bought back in 2004 that I've cut off into denim shorts this year. I still wear some pairs that I wore 10 years ago as they don't wear out. Last set of really indulgent activities was at sis's wedding last Nov. The reality doesn't change until debt is gone............then I'm still saving.

My grand plan at this stage when debt is gone, (I reckon now by end of April next month) is:
* $65 a week or $130 per fortnight to go toward investing/growing in the long term
* $60 a week or $120 per fortnight to go toward holidays to NZ and holidays/trips within Australia. (I plan on a NZ holiday every 2 years and short trips within Oz the other year in between).
* $30 a week or $60 a fortnight to go toward a huge overseas holiday in 8-10 years. Maybe if I can wait 10 years as a 40th birthday present to myself. $30 a week from end of April will amount to almost $20 000 in 10 years time. And no doubt as the amount grows and time gets closer I will try to find ways to add a bit more to that fund. Hawaii, America, Carribbean, Canada, Mexico, Europe............here I come.

The rest of my income is to cover everything else but I'm to work on reducing day to day living expenses as much as I consider realistically possible, and work on
saving at least $10 a week initially so there is a buffer for unexpected emergencies without disrupting my savings. ALSO of course..........I'm still saving $25 a week toward my 30th birthday party. I've kept this up for 8 weeks so have $200 aside so far for that plus a $25 liquor voucher. Another 18 weeks tomorrow till that big 30! I will be sad to see the end of the 20's but am only counting the weeks to make sure I achieve stuff by then.

Work has been busy! Am planning a good training week next week. Weight now sitting between 71.7 and 72.0kg which is better than it has been. Still could do another 10kg with keeping up the resistance training if I'm to look like a sports model on Oxygen cover, - it may happen! Am size 12-14 now in most shops like Ojay, Target, Colorado etc when I try on clothes, more 12 on bottom, 14 up top. I intend to start tightening things up a little more from tomorrow and be stricter with training. I think I'm about 32% BF now which is great in comparison to over 40% but am on a mission to get comfortably under 68kg and under 25% BF and reach and better some fitness PB's again.

So that's about me for now,

Talk soon.

Pip :-)

2010-03-10T20:55:00.003+08:00

DAY 25.................WEDNESDAY 10 MARCH 2010

G'day,

Yep, have successfully completed day 25 of at least 28 with absolutely no alcohol. Finish line is in sight.............I mustn't falter............ hahaha!

I am prone to often caving into goals when the finish line is in sight............thinking I'd done well so stopping short won't really matter!

WRONG of course!

Like last year of getting and staying under 68kg but getting as close as 68.4.........., feeling rapt, excited and fit..........then bang, I slip backward in a big way. I've done that many a time!

Actually this no alcohol goal is rather easy but the mental aspect is tough at times. I've still decided I'm not going to plan a gathering or have a drink this Sunday..........day 29! It's a pretty stupid idea of celebrating 28 days of total soberity with a drink or many the following day! I haven't decided when my next drink will be,..........most likely in the next couple of weeks at a party or small social gathering or with my BF if we/I feel there is something to have a drink to! My best mate turns 30 on 3 April............I sure look forward to having a drink or two or three that evening and may continue to resist till then!

Whatever the case...........at this point I feel I've achieved what I wanted by this exercise so am happy about that. But it's a change I need to keep on top of.........like all others that require discipline and commitment!

Have been doing some running and resistance training this week, - just not happy with my performance on long runs, (or runs longer than 5km at the moment). Need more practice! But not too bad and I'm sure consistency and time will improve speed! Muscle strength.............pretty good but! I just hate training outdoors and being passed by other runners most of the time. I like to be the one doing a little of the passing of others myself!!! Running at the 7-8km mark past the Swan Brewery while many were partying all glamed up enjoying the drink on the river was tough as I was sore and frustrated with my time yesterday and had too many runners passing me! I kept going though!

Weight has entered the 71's, (71.8kg today). That's pleasing. And waist a comfortable 30.5 - 31 inches first thing in morning. I tried on the next wave of jeans which were fitting perfect around the 68.4 - 70 mark last year. All can get on/done up but just feel a little firm with a little bit/not massive amount of muffin top. So another couple of kilos will do that trick........and also getting that waist measurement to 30 inches, then under! The stretchy Lee jeans I could almost get away with. Biggest problem area seems to be the lower stomach below waist, - the rest is toning up OK. Must say lower stomach does look better than it did a while ago though!

Food nutrition.............OK but not spot on but nothing to be embarrassed about, very liveable and flexible. Probably am averaging around 1500 cals a day when I do a rough mental calculation and keeping control well. I discovered a new way to make a divine hot chocolate drink this week at work. 2 tsp choc powder, 2 marshmallows, 1 squirt of flavoured caramel syrup which we add to customers coffee. The rule is we have this in the SMALLEST cup, and after we place the above ingredients in the cup, we fill half the cup with boiling water and stir well, then add steamed skim milk to the other half of the cup and stir! A sure sweet sugary hit that tastes great with the caramel! HOWEVER...........just make it in the smallest cup, and fill half of the cup with boiling water and don't get into the habit of having them on a too regular basis! (Trainers on the Biggest Loser would say NEVER at all.....), - I say don't say NEVER, just IN-FREQUENT. I've had 2 of them over the last week, so will now back off and stick to my skinny flat whites with no sugar/one a day/no more! Some go as far as to say skinny flat whites are BAD, and go for black coffee instead, with sweeteners if needed. I don't consider skinny flat whites bad, they may have carbs but I balance the 100-150 cals a cup into my diet and consider it a way to get calcium and I need carbs!

I smashed another $220 off debt today and got some other bills paid. Stuck to my $100 budget last week for food/groceries/bus fares, entertainment and all discretionary spending. Am looking set to do the same this week and made do/didn't buy groceries today so my budget only has to span 6 days instead of 7! I can't wait to get rid of this debt, just a few more weeks! My 30th birthday party fund is now at $200 and I also have a $25 Vintage Cellars voucher which will go toward that!

I best be going, have a few jobs to do! May just look to target nutrition and training a bit more to drop those few kilos and get all round fitness levels up.

I dedicate this weekend to some good tri training!

Talk soon,

Pip :-)

2010-03-06T11:17:00.002+08:00

DAY 21 of NO ALCOHOL...................

G'day! Am up to day 21 of my goal of at least 28 consecutive alcohol free days in a row. Am successful so far. It is having the desired effect. I still feel everyday..........I'd like a wine or whatever but am managing to overide that urge! The first week and weekend was the toughest. Now it feels like the norm not to have any.

So..............next Sunday (in 8 days) will be day 29. I am not allowed to plan on a few drinks that day for no reason or the point of this exercise is lost. Therefore from day 29 I am only allowed to drink alcohol if I choose to at social events/occasions that will be memerable in a way, (an event, party or celebration and am only allowed to drink alcohol socially with mates who are also drinking alcohol). I'd like to be able to recall most occasions I allowed myself to indulge with alcohol at the end of every calendar year.

My current 21 days is the most amount of consecutive days I'd gone with NONE at all in 10 years I now realise. My second best attempt since then was in 2006 when I once lasted 2 weeks.

So habit changing seems on be on track there. I made sure I DIDN'T give into having any diet soft drinks either as I quit them over 2 years ago. I reckon if I went back there and had 'just one' I'd find excuses to drink them again all the time cause of their lack of calories. Last week I did have about 5 cans of full strength soft drink over the week, this week just had 2 full strength ones however at the cost of about $1.50 a can. Not out of control! Because they have full sugar and calories I am satisfied after just one can. But............no more than 2 cans of full strength coke or lemonade a week and ideally none is better!

Am staying on track with budget. Couldn't pay anything off debt this week as I had rent week and other bills. I still have a couple of bills next Wednesday but am aiming to smash at least another $180 off debt, - maybe $200. By then my birthday party savings account will be up to $200 as well as I'm sticking with depositing $25 a week there. Being tight with money is hard at times LOL!

Also.............being more patient is something I have to deal with. When I have something on my mind I want to buy or want to say............I just feel a strong urge it HAS TO BE NOW! If I get a mindwave about a holiday I want to plan sometime..............it's on my mind and the first thing I do when I have time is research it. Or as soon as a bill arrives, I want it paid as soon as poss to get it outta the way. Such as if I wanted to try a particular wine.............it couldn't wait, it had to be that night after work! But on another level I'm very patient as I still haven't got any close to that Hawaii or big overseas holiday or goal of building a beachside home! But.............we can't live on impulse or credit cards seem to burst at the seams!

As for weight I'm sitting between 72.5 and 73kg in mornings at the moment. That's 160 lb, (or 159.8lb to be precise!!!) Another 5kg I will be smidging under the 68kg/150lb mark which will happen by July!

Have done some good training this week, managed 10 consecutive pushups on toes this week which equals my best and got a couple of good cardio sessions in. Work, active and busy!

Gotta get housework finished, then some more training today!

Pip :-)