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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pip :-)

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

Howdy!

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

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

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

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

Talk soon! I pick it up on Saturday!

Pip :-)

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

Hello team!

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

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

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

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

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

Pip :-)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pip :-)

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 :-)