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 :-)

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 :-)

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.

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!

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. :-)

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 :-)

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 :-)

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 :-)

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 :-)

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 :-)

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 :-)

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 :-)

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! :-)

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 :-)

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 :-)

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 :-)

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 :-)

Hello readers! Can't believe we are into March already. The downer.............goodbye summer for another year! Luckily it will still be warm here for a while and winters here don't get really cold!

So what's been happening:

* My back is getting better. It's about 90-95% now, getting better everyday. Just still a tiny bit sore in some positions but am pretty much moving freely now and intend to start training again a bit harder this week.

* The new shop is going well, getting busier every day!!! Great people to work with though. Only thing is it's in a kinda dodgy location so I hate the trip there in the early mornings. For the earliest starts I will try to get taxis but they usually only have about a 50% reliability rate from my place and I ring/book and call them the night before and have tried all the different companies. Just hope I don't get bashed or worse while going to work but it is a concern to me.

* I definitely LUV long weekends!!! Beach, swimming, kayaking, hanging out, sleep ins etc!!! Have enjoyed watching the Olympics!

* Am up to day 16 out of 28 with drinking absolutely NO alcohol! That meant over the weekend declining a few (which was slightly tough). I am undertaking this in an attempt to drink less alcohol in general and spend less money on it. This is the longest I've gone with completely none in several years..............over the half way point! Day 29 I'm not allowed to plan on a bottle or wine or anything similar but! The idea after the 28 day ban is to only drink if I choose to in party/social occasions. One little confession I'll make though is that I have had a few drinks of full strength Coke, Solo and lemonade over the last couple of weeks! As I completely gave up diet soft drinks over 2 years ago I made sure I didn't take a step back and buy one of those...............so instead bought the full strength type which have lead to a few over the last couple of weeks.

* I got rid of one credit card and seem to be getting much tighter with how I manage my money day to day but still can do better. Just under $1000 and one credit card until I say 'good riddance current credit card debt'. A few weeks ago that figure was $1600.

* I found a cheap place to get a hair trim, ($19.50) and coloured my hair myself for $15.95. Indeed I like it! So if I do that every 3 months instead of going to hairdressers at a cost of at least $200 a pop thats a great saving!

* Am using cheaper skincare.

* I did buy and like ideas from Michelle Bridges new 'Crunch Time' cookbook! Rather economical meals! Her salmon patties and salsa rocks! She has good versions of meals most from a family would like!

* I weighed in TONIGHT on the home scales after showering with wet hair and all feeling good, not full or not hungry. Result: 73.7kg/162.4 lb. Am 1.71m high. That should be a few hundred less grams in the morning/dry hair/after loo which means I have plateaued in Feb rather than gained anything! BF's scales had me looking between 74-74.5kg (which always have me about half a kg more than mine) on his non digital scales yesterday morning which I didn't expect as I seemed to slacken off in the last few weeks. Maybe.......................if ya don't give up carbs completely in the first place one's body doesn't rebel by 5kg or more if ya have a can of soft drink and half a cup of rice and a filled bread roll in one day haha!

MISSION NOW...........

* Clean up those loose ends such as full strength soft drink, chocolate, gelato and cheese that seemed to creep back in a bit.

* No weighing now until 12 May, (day I intend to have debt shot in the head by). I want to give it my all.................aiming to read under 68kg/150 lb on that date! Will be stoked with being under 70kg though!

* That will mean discipline with training as well as watching the food thing as I'm looking to push some new fitness targets strength and tri training wise.

* New clothes and new shoes are things I want..........I want new runners as I wear my current to work as well, new fine black heels, new jeans and some nice tops, new dresses, new training clothes, a suit.............endless really. I can see that all up costing a couple of thousand almost so will need to prioritise and wait. One thing I'm aiming for is: no more clothes till under the 68kg. I can see I still have quite a bit of blubber I can still lose, (but when looking at what I had can see there is less).

* On the clothes front I like less items but quality and things I really like as opposed to more cheap stuff. So Levis jeans for me over target jeans. I'm not really fashion concious, - I like those brands that always look good but seem to look and feel trendy always such as Levis, Nike, Asics, Icebreaker, Oakley and for dressy clothes I like anything, - often Ojay however! I have black ankle boots I've worn for years and have a pair of chunky black heels I bought 10 years ago for $19.95 which are still my going out shoes, have seen thousands of kms of walking over the years but won't break! I will still keep them but want to buy some dressy black finer heels, (not too high, fine or uncomfy) over the next year! But seriously, I'm a chick who lacks shoes, mostly I'd rather spend my money on other things!

* Can't wait to start saving more for investing, holidays, overseas travel etc when debt is gone. To do this expenditure on alcohol needs to consistently be slashed the most, as do phone calls, as do things I buy cause I'm unorganised like bottles of water on the run, as does snippets of time where I spend to much on junk food, and also cheap clothes ranging in many different sizes cause of fluctating.

* 20 weeks exactly today to enjoy remainder of my 20's, then the big scary 3-0 arrives.

Talk soon all!

Pip :-)

BACK PAIN

Hello all!

Well, sore back? Yep, yesterday evening I noticed my back being tender when I walked, sat, bent or anything. I can't think of injuring it at any particular moment, - and thinking 'OUCH'.

I was just cruising along going about my thing and thought....................my back is sore, wonder why. I went to bed etc last night, woke up and OUCH! Sore all the time. Getting outta bed took a number of mins. Walking was done very slowly and with each step, - 'ouch'. Bending or squatting takes lots of manouvering and grabbing of walls around me. Can't say I've ever had back pain like this and I don't know how I've done it!

My big bike ride out for a day therefore hasn't happened!

Last time I had a sore back was about 5 years ago and it lasted 2 days but it wasn't this bad.

I am supposed to be starting work in a new company store tomorrow so out of all days, this would be the most invonvenient time ever to have to take off.

Well, lets see! When others have on-going back issues I feel sorry for them and glad its not me.

Talk soon all!

Pip :-)

SAVING MONEY...............

Can be, (or is) a drag!

I had better be more positive. It's a fact of life that we need to 'live within our means' and then save some if we want to start building 'wealth' for our future and even more if we want money to do big exciting adventures with.

Not living 'within our means' indeed means debt and all the interest charging price tags of being in debt, (living off credit).

SO, - obviously if we find ourselves in personal debt, (debt for something that doesn't increase but instead decreases in value) first priority has to be to pay if off as quick as poss!, - and finding ways to either decrease the costs of our lifestyle or earn more income or both.

However we still wanna have fun..............but somehow have to prioritise.

Right now I'm looking at ways to reduce my lifestyle costs without hurting too much:
Here goes some:

* Quit visits to the salon every 3 months for cut and colour. Colour being permanent and foils plus treatment. Cost is normally over $200, - sometimes over $250 when I buy shampoo, conditioner and product. Say $1000 a year.
Today I found a place in Subiaco doing womens basic cuts and trims for $19.50. Another option could be to check out local tafes searching for trainee hairdressers wanting 'models' to practice trims and cuts on for cheap prices. If wanted, buy our own permanent home job colour. That's $40 every three months max. Just I'm not to have foils or go lighter or try a colour more than 2 shades darker. Saving of at least $800 a year.

* Not listen to marketing about excessive anti aging skin products! Sure, I want to not age, and want nice skin! But is some of it a marketing ploy?
I have reduced my facial skincare to: a basic cleanser, - a supermarket brand whatever sounds good and seems cheap with research, a tube of 'tinted Invisible Zinc' which is a moisturisor, SPF 30 plus sunscreen and foundation all in one, a chap stick and a supermarket brand anti-aging night cream, (perhaps I'm still sucked in there). I have eye cream to use up but am debating whether I will continue to buy it. Probably sun protection (or less sun but that's not likely to happen with me) are best strategies for anti aging and good skin! This will save me $800 a year.

* Drink less alcohol! It's only for occasions! Some too easily leads to more and makes it more tempting for us to relax our standards on other things. For those used to a couple, (sometimes more than a couple) of drinks at least 4 nights a week at home ask ourselves................at the end of the year are we really going to feel deprived if we didn't drink alcohol non socially those 200 plus days over the past year. An interest in wine in particular is an expensive one!

* Only use our banks ATMs, don't pay extra in fees

* Really watch mobile use, - not waste $$$ on it and look at and practise ways to get our household bills down.

* Look after possessions as much as poss as losing and breaking stuff is annoying and costly.

* Be disciplined with budget. Once money is spent, it's spent, it can't be spent twice.

* Re-use water bottles, always make sure I'm carrying enough water so I don't need to stop and buy it.

* Just don't use credit cards!

* Don't get sucked into things we don't need, of course prioritise, (that seems the key word).

As per everything discipline and commitment seem to be the key words!

Pip :-)

19 FEB 2010

Well, now that this blog is accessible to all those on facebook I've really got to think even harder about what I write. If it's about my long term plans/goals...........DON'T. Also if it's whinging about general small day to day stuff............DON'T. In all honesty I like to announce my future short and long term fitness, money goals etc and without a big list on here I feel a bit naked in way. Achievements and definite short term plans will be talked about on here though.

I have been enjoying watching the Winter Olympics, am soon to watch the Women's Half Pipe snowboarding final! Very skillful stuff! Dunno how these comopetitors have the gumption they do!

Talk soon!

Pip :-)

HELLO

Hope everyone is having a good week. Just letting ya know I have just put my blog link up on facebook, a slightly scary move but something I've wanted to do for a while! I have lots of friends and contacts I speak to everyday who don't know I have a blog, - even my best friend in Perth has no idea I have a blog so now it's out there.

This has lead me to delete some of my prior posts and also delete the 2010 DOINGS blog.

My reason for deleting these posts is as while my blogs have never been private or had any excessively juicy info or anything..........I'm not sure I wanted my facebook and other mates who have no knowledge of my blog going through my past archives which were mainly accounts of yoyoing with gaining/losing weight and fitness, talking about the way I manage money, (or maybe don't manage it) and a few too many posts stating lists of my goals and plans with less long term accomplishments.

I accidentally deleted a few more photos than I meant to but think they are up on facebook as well anyway. I have left some momentus and perhaps newsy posts or headlines.

I intend this blog to now cover momentus events, (photos at times will be included), holidays, interesting bits of day to day life.

I will do my best to quit complaining here about day to day stuff and making lists or stating my 'goals/plans'. Better to talk about the successes after I've achieved them.

Talk soon all!

Pip :-)

Here goes as of today, 30 Jan 2010, not just after a workout LOL. But I can't find my old tinted foundation ANYWHERE! My good foundation is all gone, hence the uneven skintone. They are the cut off Levis size 13 jeans I bought 5 years ago, now have just cut them into shorts.

Pip :-)

These pics are the aftermath of training today. A 5.29km thirty minute run on the treadmill as fast as absolutely possible today, Australia Day. So please excuse the sweat, wet clothes, awful hair and no makeup! Other activity involved a bikeride to beach for swim!!! I look something typical to this after most my workouts haha!

Other news: I'VE REGISTERED AND PAID FOR THE WOMEN'S TRIATHLON AT HILLARYS ON 28 FEB 2010 TODAY! Am doing the middle distance but was tempted to give the longer one a go. For mine the swim is either 250 or 350m, the bikeride is 7km and run is 3km. The longer one is a typical sprint distance, (750m swim, 21km bike and 5km run). There is another triathlon at Hillarys being held on 11 April the day after this tri course finishes. I have full intent of doing the longer sprint distance for that.
All scary as I don't have the flash bike shoes, clipless pedals, cleats or anything but am wanting to give it a whirl and not feel outta place!

Other news is I threw out lots more old magazines today. Now I don't have any 'Oxygen mags' or 'Womens Health and Fitness' or 'Slimming' or 'Weightwatchers' mags in the house. I still have my triathlon and multi-sport mags and outdoor pursuits type mags as I find these really interesting. I still have a couple of 'Australian Women's Health' ones, - I like these along with a couple of the free 'Fitness First' ones. I'm sure I will be in Borders reading and flicking through new editions of Oxygen and the like but am banned from buying them! The continuous job of trying to de-clutter!

Am really not looking forward to starting work at 4am and cycling there. I'm worried about lots of drunk and drugged people even more than normal tomorrow cause of Australia Day and taxis are unreliable. It's such an un-natural time to get up. I can handle getting up at 5am but not hate getting up before then!

2km TIME TRIAL..............

Today as part of our group triathlon training course we had to run either a 1km or 2km time trial, - we could choose either 1 or 2km. We had to run up to an exact 500m disc thing inserted in concrete and back, (once or twice) so this was the exact distance. Many tri clubs and top runners etc use this area for time trials.

If doing the 2km we got our 1km 'split' time read out.

Of course I had the normal Monday 12km hilly bike ride to and from this outdoor training location after work, then a warm up jog, stretching, running drills then this time trial.

My 'off top of head' goal was hopefully under 12 minutes for the 2km, anything around 12 mins would be reasonable and the more under the better!

WELL I was totally stoked with my first km split time being 4:55!!!
I did slow down in the second km, particularly the final 500m but still finished the 2km in 10:19!

We were told before the 2km trial to aim to not slow down in the 2nd km, instead make it quicker than the first. However, - am pleased with that time at this stage! However I was totally totally buggered at the end, - if I had to do another couple of km I would have slowed to a slow jog!! I felt at the end like I do after an intense run or after if I gave my 'all' in the beep test!

I am still one of the slower runners here but, (a few behind me) but many way way ahead, everyone is rather fit!!!. My goal for the 2km time trial at end of the course now is under 9 minutes I've decided. Gotta aim high, - under 4:30 splits for 2kms!!! YEEHAA!

Other new skill I'm mastering is cycling for a few seconds taking my hands off the handlebars for a few revolutions. I can even cross them sometimes on flat paths for a couple of seconds!!! I'd always wanted to do that for some weird reason as I think it looks cool seeing cyclists casually cycling along with their arms folded! As part of my 'cycle skills' course were were encouraged to try cycling with just the balance of one or two fingers, (in attempts to loosen our grips etc) as well as spinning/weaving techniques etc.

I think I made it a good 12-15 secs with arms off handlebars with them crossed maybe 5 secs a few times while turning the wheels on the journey home from the running session, backpack on back and all. If I fall over and stack it badly I may give up on this, but it's fun seeing this skill improve, with staying balanced while not touching the handlebars for a bit!

Best get going!

Happy Australia Day tomorrow everyone! Sleep in on agenda, - yay! Then cleaning and bikeriding!

Talk soon!

Pip :-)

Gidday!

I'm now at BF's and finally able to upload some pics onto blogger! These are me, as of last week. Say 69kg in these even if I was in the 68's earlier in the morning. Interesting to compare with a pic of me 20kg heavier at 89kg. If daring enough flick to the December 2007 archive and scroll down right to the bottom of the photos and the bottom two pics there show me 20kg more than now.

68.4...........................

Whoohoo!!! Yep, this was sure my weight, (kilos) this morning before brekkie hahaha!

And infact my lowest scale, (on my scales) read since um 2006 when I got down to 66.8 at one point! Last year my lowest read was 68.5 which lasted one morning before I fell off the rails. But no extreme pigging out or off track behaviour today so that's a start!

SKINFOLD UPDATE!!!!!

Skinfold Total today: 115mm
Skinfold Total at First Visit with Fitness Coach 54 days ago: 183mm
Eventual Skinfold Target set by Fitness Coach: 70mm
Weight loss to date since first visit with coach: 8.8kg in 54 days.

So here has it. I'm pretty happy with that! 70mm sounds an awesome goal but me being way more modest had 100mm as the biggie to get under and 120mm to be a great target to stay under.

TRIATHLON NUMBER 2, DONE, - WAZ FUN!!!

Today was the day, - I was honestly rather nervous about it, mostly the thought of swimming in the potentially cold Swan River which at times isn't all that clean!

I did the Enticer Challenge Series triathlon which was a 300m swim, 10km bike ride and 2.5km run. My completion time all up including the transitions as well was 54 minutes, 28 seconds. The 300m swim: 10 mins, 9 secs, transition one: 2 mins 55 secs, 10km bike ride: 23 mins 43 secs, transition 2: 1 min 18 secs and 2.5km run: 16 mins 21 secs.

That is much better than my last triathlon 4 weeks ago where with a 250m swim, 8km bike ride and 2km run my total time was 58 minutes something!

Enticer females started the swim at 7.03am! We climbed down some stairs, across a floatie mat thing and jumped into the water! 24 degrees so much warmer than expected, - no wetsuit required or allowed! Not long before we were OFF! After the last swim out at Champion Lakes 4 weeks ago I decided it mandatory to get some GOGGLES! Best decision ever! The swim seemed much easier with them!

Transition was nicely marshalled and laid out. So out of the water, ran through transition to find my bike! I found it OK, and took off cap and goggles, put on shoes and socks and helmet, unracked bike and ran with it out of transition to where we were allowed to mount! Up on it and now away! The wind was in my favour on the way up and I was cruising along at around 35kmph on the bike according to odemeter on the way up, -awesome! Then at the turnaround we had a head wind so speed went down to a bit less but still over 20kmph, still I reckon that's good!

At end of cycle was the dismount, then ran bike back to appropriate rack in transition, chugged some water, then off for the run. Jelly legs a bit to start with as well as the stitch for first few hundred metres but I ran it out. Still am slow at running but felt a bit faster than my last tri effort! Then the end, - AWESOME! I wore a bra and black bikini bottoms for the event! HAHA! Over the bra I wore my black rashee with pink ROXY written across bust and my black cycle lycra shorts with a padded bum for the bike. I wore that costume for all three disciplines and I felt it was a good choice!

I've just watched the Olympic distance and Elite races, - WHOAH! Definitely I want to get fit with this sport! The determination and speed and all round 'fit bodies'. I really enjoyed it and it was awesome to see international class triathletes here in Perth!

Also I'm very pleased I decided to get a roadbike with curved handlebars rather than a flat bar bike! I LUV my bike!


Talk soon!

Pip