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 :-)

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 :-)

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 :-)

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 :-)

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 :-)

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 :-)

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 :-)

'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 :-)

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 :-)

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 :-)

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 :-)

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 :-)

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 :-)

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

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!

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. :-)