January 2013 Fitness in Review

This month just flew by.  I held really strong on the fitness front, slacking a little toward the end of the month.   Same with healthy eats, really good for a couple of weeks, but then almost to the point of giving up.

Fitness-wise, the initial goal was c25k.  This dropped off as the month progressed, and I started becoming more interested in Bikram (hot) yoga.  I also started a new dance class – Samba Fitness.  This was a great new challenge – amazing the difference between the difficulty in Zumba and Samba – I’m pretty used to Zumba now, and feels like a breeze (well, sorta!).  Just goes to show that you have do different activities, to keep challenging the body.

Nutrition-wise I felt like I was doing pretty much 99% clean, e.g. paleo, no sugar, but seeing no real result on the scale.  And when you look at my activity, seems pretty unrealistic that I would not see a change in weight/body fat.  I think this is why I started to fall off the wagon toward the end of the month, both with healthy eats and exercise.  After seeing a dietician, I have been told to just keep recording my daily eats, focus on consistency and keeping active, while not going too hard (this is where the giving up usually happens).

The good news is that I am loving green monster smoothies, and packing more and more spinach in each one(!)  Sounds crazy, but I am starting to like the taste without needing bananas, berries, or any fruit.

So… on to February then(!)  After a few days off exercise and taking it a bit easy on the diet, I am looking forward to getting back to it.

 

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The Weekender

I didn’t sleep too well Friday night, and no sleep in Saturday.  I was up reasonably early for a 4.89km walk.  I should have pushed it to 5km(!) but it was a good effort.

Then it was off to get the groceries before our visitors arrived.  Mr. J and I had a couple stay for the weekend…

Saturday afternoon was catching up and lots of conversation before heading out for dinner and drinks.  After everyone being very indecisive(!) we ended up at Taze.  The food is always pretty good there, but I do think that it’s a bit pricey.

We had drinks at Wig & Pen.  The boys liked trying the sample beers.  No drinks for me though, I was the DD.

Sunday was an early start.  I felt so rude, apparently our visitors had been up since 7am, and they’d walked to get coffee and everything before we got up at 8-8:30.  We didn’t get to bed till after 12am, I need more sleep than that – and – I am still suffering for it today(!)

We took them out to breakfast at KG’s, which is always fairly good.  I had a latte and poached eggs – perfectly runny = yum.  Then it was some sightseeing to be had.  War memorial, Mt. Ainslie for views, the Glassworks to watch some glass blowing, then the Kingston Markets for a browse and lunch.

I bought some amazing strawberries, for dessert later.

Then we chillaxed during the afternoon, before Mr. J got cooking an amazing lamb roast.  Yummmo.

Unfortunately I missed yoga (again!).  I had all intentions of going and bailing on our visitors for an hour in the afternoon, but I actually wasn’t feeling that fab, plus I worried they might think it was rude.  So next week – no excuses!

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The Weekender

Better late than never, with *still* no internet.

Saturday began pretty leisurely… wait, that’s not true!  It was leisurely after I did 30 Day Shred L3.  Showered, then a late breakfast, some tidying/cleaning before a couple of friends popped in.

What I am loving about our new place – the ability to sit in the sun on our mega balcony   Bliss.

Then it was time for a very late lunch and catch up with a friend at KG’s, or Kingston Grind.  My friend then got the tour of our place, before it was time for her to head off and for Mr. J and I to get ready for dinner and drinks in the city.  Pizza was shared amongst the table at King O’ Malleys, while I sipped on water, and then later a Coke Zero -I was designated driver    I think I held up pretty well, I was pretty tired and with everyone else drinking it can be a bit blah, if you know what I mean.

Sunday I attempted to sleep in, but awake by 8:30, I guess still not too bad… Another leisurely morning, and then Mr. J and I did a few errand-y things, picking up alterations, etc.

Then I met a friend for coffee before yoga – we had lots to catch up on
Yoga was great, as usual – I might not love it when I am doing it, but I feel fab after

Sunday dinner was a quickie but yum- homemade chicken burritos.  And I attempted to relax before facing the week ahead.  The stress is ever so slowly increasing by the day

Hmmm, hope I didn’t forget anything – hopefully regular posting will resume very soon(!!)  

 

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The Weekender

Friday night after my dreaded interview I wanted to go out for dinner to celebrate it being over   But Mr. J had a headache, so it was a night of chilling on the couch withe leftovers, Entourage S7 and fro-yo!  Oh, and some wine.  My parents’ housewarming gift was a dozen wines, and a wine rack – a variety of white (they know I am not a fan of reds).  So we opened the first bottle and it was lovely.

I think the left over stress left me with left over adrenalin, because I woke up at 4am on Saturday – and I was not too happy about it!

Saturday morning was spent feeling pretty average   So I just did mundane household stuff > washing anyone?  Unpacking (still!).  Plus our carpenter came to do some alterations to our place – the fridge now fits properly, there is a shelf in the laundry, and the open pantry now has doors on it.  Much better

Saturday afternoon we traipsed around Fyshwick looking for bedside tables and getting some tools for Mr. J.  He loves having a place to do some reno’s on it.

After that we chillaxed until it was time for date night 

Le Tres Bon in Bungendore.  We started with a Gavroche beer for Mr. J and a hibuscus flower champagne cocktail for me > Delicious!
We started with escargot – which was suprisingly really good.  The flavour of the sauce and accompanying bread was yummo.  Then I indulged with beef bourguignon, and Mr. J had rabbit – poor lil rabbit(!)  Both dishes were amazing – but I preferred mine
And then it was dessert time: O-M-G   Pear anch french dark chocolate and butterscotch sauce > Check out the little hearts in the sauce: Adorable!
Lovely dinner, and lovely company

Sunday was another slow start, but we hit the apartment with more sorting and packing away – trying to make a dent in the spare bedroom.  Mr. J did really well, and we made more than a dent(!)  It is looking really good, and I would even let someone stay in there – But we have no bed!

Then it was off to Howard’s Storage to pick up a shower caddy, as we’ve just been leaving everything on the floor for the past 3weeks… We picked up a corner one, and a hand towel ring thing 

I was so ready for lunch by this time – we met a couple of friends for lunch at Tongue & Groove.  $10 burgers on Sunday – awesome!  I had a veggie burger, and Mr. J had the sirloin steak burger – which is usually $21, so a pretty good deal.  And tasty too

After a loooong catch up it was a quick trip to pick up our papyrus from Egypt – which is now framed, it only took us a year(!!!)  I will share pictures when they are on the walls   Then off to Bunnings to get a new showerhead.  Hopefully the home-related purchases will slow down soon.

Rushed home, quick change and off to Yoga!  While I was breathing and sweating and stretching Mr. J put up some of our new stuff – the showerhead, shower caddy, a spice rack… our apartment is becoming a home

Watching The Block auctions… good Sunday chilling!

 

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The Weekender

After such a big week, I really needed this weekend to be a quiet one.

My Saturday morning walk was an attempt to return to routine, I wanted to make it to 6km, but only managed 4km.  I made pancakes with fresh berries and a drizzle of maple syrup.  Then I attempted to relax for a while, but it wasn’t long before I had to get ready for the theatre.

Thanks to HerCanberra, Mr. J and I went to the Canberra Theatre to see Bell Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar.   Great show, great seats.  It wasn’t that long ago that I saw Much Ado About Nothing.  I am never disappointed by Bell Shakespeare’s performances.  It was a lovely Saturday afternoon

After, it was a quick trip to get groceries we didn’t get at Costco.  Then home to relax before making dinner – Terriyaki Chicken, using our NewWave crazy 5 in 1 Multi-cooker, just for rice    I will have to do a slow cooker recipe soon, now that it is out of its big box!

Finished the night with a movie:  X-Men First Class.  Minus a few cheesey lines and James Bond stylising, I enjoyed it.
Sunday was a very lazy start, I am still really feeling exhausted(!)  Mr. J made poached eggs with bacon; I had one slice of bacon, jarlsgerg cheese and one egg, on one slice of grainy toast >YUM.

Not sure why, but I wasn’t feeling to well… So took it pretty easy before doing some more sorting around our new home.  A quick trip to Bunnings and we got some hooks, picture hangers, and a kitchen bin.  It is so nice to make changes to the place, without worrying about a landlord!

After that I was off to yoga.  It was so tough – I swear each time I go I feel worse than the last.  I have to remember that I have only been about four times now though, so I need to be patient.

Now it is time to prepare for tomorrow – first day at a new placement.  Paperwork ready, lunch made, profesh atire and gym clothes ready to go for after work.  I must make it part of routine.

21 days to make it a habit, right?

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August Goals

August is going to be a bit of an adjustment for me.

We are moving, so that will affect my exercise schedule.  But also, I will have to drive to the gym, so I will have to make extra time for it – (I live within walking distance atm).

I have made a few points/goals to think about for the month of August:

-  25 out of the past 42 days I have completed some form of exercise, whether it was the bike, walking, 30 day shred, a gym session or a class.  [So about 60% of the time]
+  Aim for around 75% during August, I want to exercise about 23 out of 31 days.

-  Since I started monitoring kms, I walked 31km and biked 40km over the last 32 days.
+  Continue to record through August, and aim for walking 40km, beginning to jog [Not sure how much access I will have to a bike].

-  I missed one yoga session and one step session this month.  Three out of four weeks I went to yoga and step.  It has been a love/hate relationship so far with yoga, but I love the results.
+  Weekly yoga and step.  I want to make it a priority.

-  I only did one 30 Day Shred session this month(!)  I couldn’t believe it when I looked back over my calendar.  I know this is because I’ve been going to the gym more, but I still want to work toward completing level 3 competently  ;)
+  Complete 30 Day Shred level’s 2/3 once a week*.

-  I am disappointed in my progress so far, although I am building muscle, I want to BURN fat.  I have been monitoring calories burned, but not consumed
+  Track calories in and out – every single item of food will be recorded.
+  Focus on calorie deficits.  I want to aim for a 500 calorie deficit every day, which amounts to a 1lb loss each week or 1.8kg for the whole month**.

* This needs to happen because I imagine that I will be going to the gym less often, so workouts at home are a must.
** I know 1.8kg seems like such a small goal, but I want it to be achievable.  I also want to focus on a reduction of body fat %, rather than the number on the scale.

 

When it’s all typed out like that, it looks a bit scary!  There is a lot there to think about.  Nothing is hard and fast, but I do want to focus on nutrition -  I think that this will be key to me seeing some progress.

Once I get to my goal weight/size/shape, I want to hit up the New Rules of Lifting for Women, as pictured here.  Apparently it is a six month program, and I think it will be perfect for a pre-wedding shape up.  So come January next year, I want to be ready for that.

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The Weekender

Saturday was spent feeling sorry for myself completing the dreaded selection criteria.  Then I hit the bike, and was feeling pretty crappy after.  But after a couple of hours, and putting in some effort to look nice   my appetite returned and I started to feel better.  So we decided to wing it, and see if we could get a table at either Saffron, or Mecca Bah in Manuka.

It was struggle to find a park so late, so after doing a few rounds we had to park in the Coles pay parking – 80 cents oh no!   Anyway it was freezing so we walked to the closest restaurant, which was Mecca Bah.  Luckily, they had one last table. Lucky, because after all the dramas with parking and actually getting out in the first place, the next stop would have been McDonalds!  Ick.

Anyway, I was excited to see cocktails on the menu – I went for a French Moroccan – which was meant to have pineapple, but I definitely couldn’t taste pineapple, so I wondered if they got the order mixed up.  But not to worry, it tasted awesome anyway.

We started with turkish bread and Labna dip.  The bread was amazing, probably the yummiest I’ve ever had.  But it is unforutnately unpictured, because the photo is terrible and doesn’t do it justice.  In fact all of the pics are terrible, the restaurant was very dimly lit.  Nice atmosphere though, even if totally packed.
Mr. J then had a garlic chicken kebab, which was pretty good.  But the star of the show was my dish – a chicken tomato almond tagine.  So good.  The chicken just fell of the bone, the couscous was as good as couscous can be (I mean that in a good way), and the sauce – uhuh!

Even though I was close to bursting point, we decided to share dessert – vanilla date, rich chocolate, and turkish coffee.  My favourites were the vanilla and coffee. O…M…G.  Worth it.

The adjacent bar – The Bah – was closed for a private function.  If not I totally would have been up for another cocktail

When we got home, the tiredness started to hit me.  Plus I started to develop a cough?!  So totally not on, I am trying to ignore it so it goes away.

Sunday was an early start on the selection critera.  All done now, yay!  Although I will send it to a few friends for review, so not 100% free yet.  And then Mr. J was off, so zero packing got done this weekend.  We are going to have a lot to do next weekend!  But I am getting excited, only a week and a half to go.

After he left I just wanted to curl up and go to sleep, but I knew that yoga was on the calendar this afternoon.  So I went, and I struggled.  I don’t know if it is because I am actually run down with this cough thing or what, but it was HARD and it HURT.

Thinking I need a quiet night on the couch, and maybe cereal for dinner   Is that bad?!

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No But’s

After my disappointment yesterday, (missing out on yoga), I had totally lost all motivation today.

Today I had supervision, an assessment, then I watched a movie required for a workshop later this week with a friend.  I was SO tired, and totally wanted to chill all arvo/night.

But I knew I had to do *something* to pull me out of this slump.  I had been so on the mark over the past month, but the past week or so, struuuugle.

So I grabbed a magazine and ave the bike a go.  I was hoping to make it to 15km, but my pace was a bit slower today – probably thanks to the mag  But there you have it.  36 minutes, 13.3km on the bike.  Next time I will make it to 15km!

And tomorrow, I WILL go to the gym.  I am HUNGRY now(!)  Okay enough with the caps

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The Weekender

Started the weekend with my regular – a brisk walk at the lake. I’m a bit disappointed that it was only 6km again, but my pace is improving. Next weekend if all goes well, I will push it to 8km…

After that it was quick shower, berry smoothie and a bit of a relax before – I was off to the hairdresser for the second time this week. They couldn’t fit in cut and colour, Tuesday, so I was spoilt and got to have a profesh blow wave twice this week. But, it was $$! Still not 100% happy with the whole fringe saga, but I am coming to accept it And I have decided to invest in a Parlux hairdryer to ease the pain

After that it was a coffee catch up with a friend that turned into a 3hr mega catch-up. Mr. J started msging me ‘frantically’ along the lines of: “what do you want for dinner” … “I’m hungry” … and the last one “nom nom nom!”.

So I headed home and after a bit of umm-ing and ahh-ing about where to go, we headed to Le Rendezvous in Manuka because Mr. J wanted steak. That was his only request. But my only request was to use a voucher from the Entertainment Book. I seriously recommend this because we have tried so many new restaurants/cafes with it(!) Plus if you’re in to coupon-ing, this is coupon-ing in a pre-packaged book – no hassles! One of my favourites was Flint, but recently there was a fire. I wonder if it will re-open, definitely hope so.

Anyway, I was a bad blogger and forgot to take any photos. I decided to go with steak too, to stay away from the carbs as it was pasta/pizza otherwise. Unfortunately my medium-rare steak arrived more rare-blue, so I sent it back. Round two was much better. But the prize of the night goes to dessert – a chocolate fondant cake with homemade roche icecream – which we shared. It was amazable (new offspring obsession!). Seriously so good.

And when we handed over the entertainment book card as we were paying, they said hold on to it, gave us 25% off anyway, and just said come back soon. So that was a really nice surprise. And after the less than satisfactory initial steak, I probably would give them another chance now

Oh and check out my calorie burn for the day! Awesome!

Sunday was a lazy start, blog stuff, tea, and a tiny breakfast to tide me over until a late brunch with a friend. She is being a gem and helping us out with boxes.

Which brings me to my BIG news. We have a date! A move-in date! Two weeks and counting – SO much to do!

So after brunch there was packing And then it was off to yoga at the gym. Well it was *meant* to be off to yoga at the gym. I am so pissed. I should have been more strict with myself (and my friend). I love spending time with her, don’t get me wrong, but I should have made it a priority to go.

So disappointed that I will not hit my goal today, and that is the third time this week that I haven’t done what I said I would exercise-wise.

Was pretty successful on the packing front at least – check it out! >>

Haha – Yes this picture is mega, but you can see our NewWave Multi-Cooker and Scanpan set peeking out of the Victoria’s Basement bag

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The Weekender

Started the weekend quite late, I was feeling a bit flu-ish.  Decided to get moving anyway, just to do what I felt ok with.  It was such a nice day out, but the wind, omg the wind.  It was so cold, despite the sun.  Managed just over 6km with Mr. J through the park and by the lake.   Last week our average pace was just under 10 minutes, but I just couldn’t maintain that this week, especially with the wind.  Didn’t log my food, but my calories burned on Saturday was 2684.  I was really surprised to see 1hr vigorous activity on my BodyMedia stats, just from a walk, and a walk that was quite a bit slower than last week  – but hey I am not complaining!  And great to see 3:14 minutes activity overall.  Mr. J thought that I didn’t push myself hard enough, but when checking out the more detailed stats, I realised that I really did smash the walk.  It is such a good solid calorie burner, who’d have thought?!!  >>I wish more days looked like that.  Of course when my fitness improves I will smash it even more  

Sunday was another later start, I woke up feeling terrible – all stuffy.  I am in denial -  and it’s majorly unfair because I feel like I have done my time this year in terms of illness (pneumonia anyone?)!  I promise I’ll get over it, maybe next year …

Anyway, Mr. J and I decided to wander across to the Old Bus Depot Markets; it was freezing.  I had a skinny hot choc, he a large capp, while we perused the stalls.  Funny, even though we have been many times, just because it is a nice Sunday thing, we always come away with *something.  This week it was a BIG punnet of strawberries (which look amazing), and one chocolate covered strawberry.

Lunch was at a new cafe in Kingston “Bittersweet”.  It was “Square Mile” before that and before that I can’t remember.  I had a salmon bagel.  It’s a shame, I wasn’t impressed.  Would choose “Pizzazz” any day!

Later in the afternoon, after some browsing for bedside tables (who knew it would be so hard to find some that match our current awesome bed!), I knew yoga was on the agenda.  I was nervous, because I didn’t have the best experience last week.  I was tempted to bail, I was running late, and couldn’t find the *right clothes.  But, I did it.  And because I was late, well just on-time, I was at the front  :S  Which made it difficult, but I survived.  There are some moves that I just cannot do, I would say I am somewhat fit, but yoga makes me feel like a core-less weakling!!

I have been noticing how goo-ey my body feels afterward, if that makes sense?!  Haha!  Hopefully if I keep this up, I will be more cool-yogi, than trembley-yogi.

Here’s what Sunday looked like >>

Great to have such an active weekend, even though I wasn’t feeling 100%   Tommorow is meant to be a rest day, but I have a feeling the bike might get another look-in!

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