Mt Ainslie and my #12WBT #SSS

Oops where has April disappeared to?  Following Easter I held strong with my 12WBT exercise, especially the Super Saturday Sessions (SSS).  This past weekend however, life got in the way, and I actually missed it!  Now, I don’t think I really missed the ‘during’, but the ‘after’ and the sense of accomplishment!

A couple of weeks ago I did a 13.6km SSS, kinda by accident.  I wasn’t really feeling it, but I thought I would head out with Mr. J and aim for 5km.  Well, when I finally decided to turn back, we had passed the 6.5km mark!  I actually got a little sun burnt, because I did not expect to be out for so long.  Yes, by the end and almost 2 and a half hours later, I was totally over it, but hey it was awesome!  And of course, I wasn’t complaining with the calorie burn:

The following weekend, unfortunately I was feeling the same – just a bit off, and a bit over it.  But what does MB say?  JFDI.  So off we went to Hackett walking tracks, and decided to see where the road took us.

Well,… it took us up Mt Ainslie – a first for me

A pretty easy walk, other than the elevation!

Isn’t it pretty?   Haha…
According to Runkeeper, it was a personal best for elevation -

Teehee!

 

Mt Ainslie – definitely recommended.  Get out there and feel the burn and check out the lovely views

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The Weekender – Easter 2013

I was so excited for a low-key long weekend, staying at home, no need to rush with the Easter traffic, and no need to over-indulge on Easter treats   So I set out for relaxation, and that’s exactly what I got.

Sleep ins – tick
Exercise – tick
Quality time with my husband – tick
Some indulgence – tick

Friday, I slept in, made a lovely brunch for myself and Mr. J – can’t go wrong with bacon and eggs.

Look at that perfectly cooked egg!    Anyway(!)  Chillaxed, made some hot cross buns, went for a walk in the sunshine with husband and later I went to Zumba.  I *love that my classes were still held over the long weekend.  Great chance to get out there and do more to make up for the extra treats.

My hot cross buns were babies – the 12WBT recipe called for 15, I made 20.  So they look a little knobbly, but were even more snack friendly!  I didn’t get a good ‘after’ pic, cause we were too busy eating them

Saturday was another sleep in, and I met a gf for chats before Samba Fitness.  Another yummy brunch, before heading out to the shops – Funny how it gets so busy over a long weekend when people can’t go the day before/after (Good Fri/Easter Sun). We scored a
couple of bargains though, and I enjoyed having a leisurely tea and sharing a junior spoil at Koko Black.

Saturday night I made pizza, even the dough(!) and we had a movie night at home.  Talk about domestic goddess; well I try

Sunday the weather was not looking to good, but I dragged Mr. J out to the Lake and we took it fairly easy, but tried to maintain a good pace for 10km.  We were a little slow while checking out the new developments on the Kingston Foreshore – pretty crazy.  Although it
was a little chilly, and threatened to rain; the temp was better for a good pace, and it stayed clear.

Not overly speedy, but good amount for calories burned.

Monday was more relaxation, interspersed with washing and the threat of going back to reality (work) the next day.  Some cleaning and then Samba that night.

Farewell long weekend, see you again in June 

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The Weekender – Googong

Looking for something to do this Easter long weekend?  While everyone else is over-indulging on chocolate and baked treats, perhaps a fun adventure is more your style… or is that just me?! 

After knocking over almost 12km around Campbell and Mt Ainslie, last weekend I was eager to push a bit further.  And looking to see somewhere new.  About a 15 minute drive out of Canberra, over the border, into NSW(!) we decided to do a longer hike/walk out at Googong.  After checking the web, the walks around the dam looked to easy (Ha!), and too short, so Mr. J and I decided to try the 14km, which was classified as a moderate difficulty.

Yep, I would say you could call it ‘moderate’ difficulty, if you are reasonably fit.  I am not sure what fitness level I would consider myself, but hey I finished it, it was tough at times, but the amazing thing >> I wasn’t that sore!  I was expecting major pain over the following couple of days.   But nope!

Some parts were beautiful, some parts were a serious slog – check out that elevation change in the middle!  I guess I am not really selling it really am I? 

But hey, if I managed to jog in the last km, I am pretty sure the moderately fit can handle it.

If not maybe the 4km around the dam might be more your style… I think that is next on our list, I think it would be really pretty.

Now, on to the numbers.  It is official.  For the first time doing 12WBT I reached and then surpassed the 1000 calorie burn!  So all it takes is 3hrs and 14km, and 1100 calories gone.  Ha!

Now the question is… what to do this long weekend?  I think another 10km is in my near future   Plus some home made hot cross buns… thanks for 12WBT recipe Mish!

Oh, and,

Happy Easter!  

And… keep a look out for a giveaway competition happening here on the blog very, very soon!

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The Weekender

This lovely Canberra weekend began with the goal of walking 10km.  Mr. J and I started in Campbell, and just decided to see where the ‘path’ would take us.  Which, in the end, was over some mega hills and all the way around Mt. Ainslie!

It was such a lovely morning with the sun out, but a cool breeze.  So many kangaroos around, and some joeys too.

Eventually we reached the back of Hackett, and we were surprised that we were that far over, then we followed the Ainslie link, before taking the Campbell Link Trail, hoping it would bring us back to, or at least close to where we started.  Luckily we guessed right, and we were only 1.8km over our initial goal of 10km.  When we stopped to look at the map, I was amazed at our achievement.  And, even better, I felt so awesome afterwards!

I even managed a couple of jogs in there… attempting to boost my calorie burn and reach the ever elusive 1000 SSS 12WBT calorie target.  Not quite, but pretty close.  And just really happy that I felt so great, a year ago I would have been suffering through, let alone jogging!

I am now looking forward to trying out other walks around the Canberra region.  I am thinking Googong Dam might be next on my list.  Who’d have thought I would enjoy this so much!?

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The Weekender

So I am pleased to share that two weekends in a row I have given the 12WBT SSS, or Super Saturday Session a good go.

But I have been finding it hard to eat out on the 12WBT program.  Last week I had a dinner date with my sister on Thursday night, then off to Sydney on Friday for Ed Sheeran, then Saturday night visiting family.

On Thursday night we went to Mecca Bah, it’s been a while since we went in 2011!  I was really impressed last time; this time, not so much.  I had a gluten free seafood tagine, which was great.  They swapped the couscous for rice.  Mr. J had a pizza, and my sister had a tagine too.  My complaints are in regard to the service – I felt as though I had to hurry to finish my meal because my sister and Mr. J finished theirs before me and the waiters cleared their plates.  So there I was as if I was eating on my own… maybe I am being too fussy   Plus it was freezing.

On Friday night in Sydney we didn’t have much time before Ed, so it was boring old Subway for dinner.  Not exactly the exciting weekend away that I was expecting, but hey, it was nice to be able to make a good healthy choice.  We stayed at the Mercure, so it was an easy walk to the Entertainment Centre.  Ed Sheeran, I love you even more now – such a nice guy!

Saturday morning I smashed out 10km on the hotel treadmill – 90 minutes later and I was past the point of ready for breakfast!  Due to the buffet options at the hotel, I managed to make sensible choices again — toast, boiled egg, and as a treat some bircher muesli and rhubarb.  No juice, lots of water, and some tea.

Due to the miserable weather, Mr. J and I passed on the Sydney sight seeing, and decided on a lazy trip to the Blue Mountains to my parents and Mr. Alan.  Miss the lil guy – he seemed to miss me too   As much as a cat can!   It was nice to chill out, before coming back to Canberra on Sunday.

We left early enough to leave me time for some 12WBT preparation – a trip to Costco and Woolies, and I was ready for the week – determined to make a better go at the nutrition side of things.

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12WBT Week One

Officially three days in to the program and … 1.5kg down.  First weigh in today, and I sucked it up and took the ‘before’ photos.

As I was a little late to the party and missed out on the pre-program, I have been working on my pre-season tasks.  Glad to say that I am done, and ready to dedicate all my focus to the nutrition and exercise plans.  First weigh in today, and I sucked it up and took the ‘before’ photos.  Yesterday I did the fitness test and measurements – I have to say I was surprised at my results, I thought I would do better.  I was pretty sore from Samba the night before, so the wall sit was agony, but I pushed through the 2 min mark.  The run was the hardest; if it wasn’t for the run I would have made it into the advanced, but hey, better to be honest.

Other thoughts >>- I love that the program works around the exercise I already have locked in. e.g. Zumba and Samba are my two cardio days, bikram is my core day – So I just need to do the two toning days and figure out my super Saturday sessions.  I have no access to the gym, so I love that she offers at home vids, and outdoor sessions.

- I have not made many recipes yet, but looking at them – YUM.  I will be altering them to gluten-free, and I have still been fitting in my green monster smoothies, which kinda works as a snack under the program.

- Today was a hard day craving-wise, I think I probably was over my calories, but, I said no to sugar… opting for healthier options.

- Surprisingly I am only burning 380 calories at Samba and 440 calories at Zumba.  There is a fair amount of core work at Samba, which I guess explains for the lower burn.  I am not sure what to do to hit the 500 calorie burn for those days though.  Maybe a walk would suffice?

Noting that it is Valentine’s Day tomorrow, I have yet to figure out how to eat out on the program.  Obviously I will make sensible choices where I can, but I think I will have to work extra hard to compensate.

 

On that note for tomorrow – Happy Valentine’s Day and Happy National Condom Day!!

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Zumba!

Zumba twice this week – I am pumped.  And loving it(!)   Definitely helps when one of your besties is in there with you.  She is a big reason for me continuuing to attend – and signing up for another term.

I wear my bodymedia armband every time, and I have been going for quite a while now.  Last night one of the instructors (yep we have 2 – makes it more awesome) stopped me on the way out — “how many calories did you burn”, looking at my armband.

The thing is, after all of these Zumb sessions, I’ve never looked at the actual burn for the class, I just check the daily burn.  Anyway – last night I decided to plug it in (which I never do)!

Wait for it …

400+ calories!!!!

I thought, yeah, I was pretty pumped tonight, maybe it was higher than usual.  So I checked back a few Zumba sessions, and every single class was at least 400, up to 430 or so.

 

Amazing!

 

And, on the wedding front >> 6 weeks to go.  Booked in for my first alterations appointment tomorrow.  Eeeek.

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Zumba

Zumba is the only thing that I have managed to keep up consistently over the last couple of weeks.  I think this is partly because of the monetary commitment    but also because I have a Zumba buddy 

I was proud last night though – because I went on my own!  My friend wasn’t well (get better soon!), but I still made myself go(!!!)

Check out those steps and calorie burn! …  It would be more if I didn’t have such a sedentary job, but I will take what I can get.
And the good news is that with some dietary changes I have dropped some weight, perhaps just fluid retention, but I am on my way.

After speaking to a coworker who got married in March, she shared some of her approaches to preparing for ‘the dress’.  A lot of people seem to look down on the whole ‘fit for the wedding dress’ thing, and staying who you are… BUT it was nice to chat with someone like-minded…  Hopefully it will give me the motivation boost I need

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May Fitness Goals

Three days into May, and I am going strong     Pushups and core/abs on Tuesday – tick!  Zumba last night – tick!  I am sore today, which is great, and the scales are a little lower too, which is always nice 

So here is my exercise/fitness plan for May >>

Of course, in the initial weeks I do not expect to manage double workouts, or even daily workouts.  It is going to take time to build up the intensity again.  But the count down is really on: 134 days until the wedding, and just a couple more until our honeymoon(!)  And quite a few less than that until dress fittings…

So the very minimum exercise routine >>
Weekly zumba – 75 mins of cardio: paid for, so less excuses!
Cardio – c25k or slow moving
Strength – p90x weights & abs

But most important, nutrition.  I want to get back to paleo, and as much as possible, restrict dining out to once a week.  Of course, this won’t always be the case, but where possible, it is a must. I haven’t got back to wearing my BodyMedia, but come Monday – it will be charged and ready to go    I love that it is almost winter and it will be tucked away under my long sleeved tops.

Less calories in, more calories out = fat loss and toning.

 

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February Review and March Goals

After such an amazing effort during January, health and fitness certainly took a backseat during February.  Unfortunately my lazy approach this month has resulted in a plateau, or perhaps just a pause!  It is a relief that a month of limited exercise, and some indulgence has not meant completely falling off the wagon 

So I am ready to re-focus, and start seeing some results again.  I can’t help but check how many days remaining until our wedding – 199 days and counting.  Of course, I want a life of health, but it doesn’t hurt to add some serious motivation(!)  I have plenty of time, but I would love to have a couple of months before the wedding to work on my ability to maintain.

Anyway, so what is on the agenda for March?!

For continued weight loss – Cardio, continuing with c25k and I am considering introducing weekly Zumba.

For longer term weight maintenance and toning – Introducing weights utilising the p90x weight routines.

Paleo paleo paleo!  And to be even more accountable, a return of calorie counting and wearing my BodyMedia armband to ensure I am on the right track.

Giving Zumba a try tonight at Kokoloco, … nervous!

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