A couple of posts back I wrote about my recent rise from a hazy, negative fog. I felt the need to update you all on how I am progressing now I am a happier person. AMAZING!
I went from never wanting to do anything and sitting around the house to a workout maniac. The only difference is my mindset.
A little example for you ... My fitness machine husband had signed up for around the bay in a day (which he smashed by the way) and planned a big bike ride one morning, he then was going to work that afternoon. It didn't appear I was going to fit a workout in. I decided if the opportunity for any kind of workout came up I would take it and run. I was dressed in my workout gear just in case. By the end of the day I had gone for 2x 1hr walks, 1x weight session at the gym and a 3.8km run, I was stuffed!
A day like that should not happen all the time, it was a bit much. I have now learnt to pay attention to my activities and stop myself from doing too much.
The overall point I wanted to make is that previously I would have resigned myself to the fact that I wasn't getting a workout in and been miserable.
Be open to all opportunities that come your way instead of throwing your hands in the air because it all seems to hard. You will amaze yourself at what you are capable of.
Wednesday, 24 October 2012
Saturday, 13 October 2012
Working with what you've got
So one of my goals was to do a 10km run by this weekend AND do it in 60mins. This is the best time I got pre-Zoe. Hindsight has allowed me to see that I was a little unrealistic but its good to aim high I suppose.
With my Husband in the middle of nightshift and a 16 day straight stint I was not about to leave him with a teething 5 month old. So I load Zoe in the pram with the intention of completing 10kms. Again being a little hard on myself. I have not run more than 3.5km with the pram prior to this run. I finally realise this about 3kms in, I decide that I will be happy with 6kms.
WELL ... after loads of sweat, tears (both Zoe and I) and even dry retching I finished the 6kms in 43:37mins at an average speed of 7:16min per km. Not amazing but I finished and that is the main thing. Its hard pushing a 7kg baby around!
I did not reach my intended goal by my deadline and thats ok. Had it not been for that orginal goal I would not be running on a regular basis. I certainly would not have made myself take off on that run today. So I am very happy and proud of myself.
Now to re-assess and set a new running goal. One I might be able to obtain this time.
With my Husband in the middle of nightshift and a 16 day straight stint I was not about to leave him with a teething 5 month old. So I load Zoe in the pram with the intention of completing 10kms. Again being a little hard on myself. I have not run more than 3.5km with the pram prior to this run. I finally realise this about 3kms in, I decide that I will be happy with 6kms.
WELL ... after loads of sweat, tears (both Zoe and I) and even dry retching I finished the 6kms in 43:37mins at an average speed of 7:16min per km. Not amazing but I finished and that is the main thing. Its hard pushing a 7kg baby around!
I did not reach my intended goal by my deadline and thats ok. Had it not been for that orginal goal I would not be running on a regular basis. I certainly would not have made myself take off on that run today. So I am very happy and proud of myself.
Now to re-assess and set a new running goal. One I might be able to obtain this time.
Wednesday, 10 October 2012
Did I order a wake up call?
I just love how the universe always gives you a gentle reminder/kick up the butt whenever you think you are geting on top of things. Just a little something to bring you back to earth. Nobody likes swollen ego's now do they.
I had my swift kick the other day. I have been running most days with the pram, walking everyday and strength training once a week. My times were getting faster and I can now do 4 push ups on my toes. I was totally awesome! Two of my fabulous friends Claire and Rhi asked me to go for a walk instead of our weekly group PT (which I look forward to all week). This was my chance to show off my new found endurance and speed ... It worked beautifully in my head but the reality was vastly different. We took off and I was doing great. Then the girls really got going, they were walking at a speed that had my shins burning, sweat pouring out of me and huffing and puffing to the point where if I tried to keep up conversation I would have passed out! Meanwhile Claire and Rhi are gliding along having a great yap. At some stages I had to run just to keep up with them!
Now my daily walks are not strolls. I always push myself. But now I have my eyes open to a new kind speed that I have to admit I am practising for my next walk with the girls.
MY NEW GOAL! I will be able to keep up and add to the conversation at the same time. I know Claire will keep me accountable.
Thanks to my fab friends for the weekly workouts and for helping me to up my game!!!
I had my swift kick the other day. I have been running most days with the pram, walking everyday and strength training once a week. My times were getting faster and I can now do 4 push ups on my toes. I was totally awesome! Two of my fabulous friends Claire and Rhi asked me to go for a walk instead of our weekly group PT (which I look forward to all week). This was my chance to show off my new found endurance and speed ... It worked beautifully in my head but the reality was vastly different. We took off and I was doing great. Then the girls really got going, they were walking at a speed that had my shins burning, sweat pouring out of me and huffing and puffing to the point where if I tried to keep up conversation I would have passed out! Meanwhile Claire and Rhi are gliding along having a great yap. At some stages I had to run just to keep up with them!
Now my daily walks are not strolls. I always push myself. But now I have my eyes open to a new kind speed that I have to admit I am practising for my next walk with the girls.
MY NEW GOAL! I will be able to keep up and add to the conversation at the same time. I know Claire will keep me accountable.
Thanks to my fab friends for the weekly workouts and for helping me to up my game!!!
Thursday, 20 September 2012
Funky days
I have been very slack with my posts the last month or so. I have attempted to write a few in that time but struggled. Not through lack of content. I have been in a bit of a funk lately and the words on the page were very negative. Thats not what I am about.
The one thing I am about, more than anything, is feeling comfortable in your own skin. I have been far from it for a while now. This is not something I thought people would enjoy reading so I have been trying to figure out how to get myself out of this hazy funk before attempting to write again. I am happier to write on reflection of those feelings and draw lessons learnt from the situation.
My biggest issue has been my body and how bad I think I look. I would look around at other "rubber band" mummies that seemed to snap back into place and most of the time look better than before. I have no ill feeling towards them, I am extremely envious and wish I was a rubber band mummy!
It got to a point were I hated going to the gym because all of my gym clothes showed off that fact that my tummy still had not gone down. I hated the thought of going out somewhere when I had to look nice because nothing fitted me properly. All in all I felt like crap.
Three things helped to bring me out of this funk:
1. I was on facebook and one of my friends wrote on her status "I just want to be the person I see in my dreams not the one I see in the mirror!!!". Firstly I was relieved because I was not the only one. Secondly I was sad that anyone has to feel this way. That was ah-ha moment, as Oprah would say. My fabulous friend on facebook was able to put to words what I was feeling. I was now aware and able to start moving forward into a more positve frame of mind.
2. My wonderful friend Claire invited me to join her at playgroup. There was a lady there talking about having blue days and tools that might help you to pull yourself up. Very useful.
3. I watched a 60 minutes interview with Pink, she talked about how she was struggling to get herself back into pre-baby form 15mths on. She talked about how it was ok and she had more important precious moments with her little girl. She wasn't going to worry about what her body looked like. Man I love Pink!
I now feel like I have a second wind and am enjoying exercising, it is no longer a chore. If there is a day or two when I dont get out, its ok because my baby girl needed me.
I'll get there eventually, for now I will just enjoy the journey.
The one thing I am about, more than anything, is feeling comfortable in your own skin. I have been far from it for a while now. This is not something I thought people would enjoy reading so I have been trying to figure out how to get myself out of this hazy funk before attempting to write again. I am happier to write on reflection of those feelings and draw lessons learnt from the situation.
My biggest issue has been my body and how bad I think I look. I would look around at other "rubber band" mummies that seemed to snap back into place and most of the time look better than before. I have no ill feeling towards them, I am extremely envious and wish I was a rubber band mummy!
It got to a point were I hated going to the gym because all of my gym clothes showed off that fact that my tummy still had not gone down. I hated the thought of going out somewhere when I had to look nice because nothing fitted me properly. All in all I felt like crap.
Three things helped to bring me out of this funk:
1. I was on facebook and one of my friends wrote on her status "I just want to be the person I see in my dreams not the one I see in the mirror!!!". Firstly I was relieved because I was not the only one. Secondly I was sad that anyone has to feel this way. That was ah-ha moment, as Oprah would say. My fabulous friend on facebook was able to put to words what I was feeling. I was now aware and able to start moving forward into a more positve frame of mind.
2. My wonderful friend Claire invited me to join her at playgroup. There was a lady there talking about having blue days and tools that might help you to pull yourself up. Very useful.
3. I watched a 60 minutes interview with Pink, she talked about how she was struggling to get herself back into pre-baby form 15mths on. She talked about how it was ok and she had more important precious moments with her little girl. She wasn't going to worry about what her body looked like. Man I love Pink!
I now feel like I have a second wind and am enjoying exercising, it is no longer a chore. If there is a day or two when I dont get out, its ok because my baby girl needed me.
I'll get there eventually, for now I will just enjoy the journey.
Friday, 20 July 2012
Out smarting myself
If there was an event at the Olympics for making excuses not to train, I would get the gold medal! I have wonderful intentions but if I am having an off day, I know deep down it won't happen.
I have set some things in motion to make sure stuff happens:
So far these are working for me and I am feeling better about reaching my goals I set out earlier.
I have set some things in motion to make sure stuff happens:
- Daily text message - My beautiful friend Erin and I exchange text messages at the end of the day to state what exercise was done for the day, if we ate well and what we plan to do tomorrow.
- Workout with friends - I know that at certain times I have people that are expecting me for a workout. Not only do I get a great sweat up but it is great hanging out with great people who share my health goals and are there to kick my arse if I need it.
- Plan B - I know shit happens. Zoe might have a bad day, Trent might be late from work, it might rain etc etc. I need to have an option ready in case of emergency. I have little circuit ideas that I can do around the house. I'll blog these soon. I do not like sending Erin a text message telling her I have done nothing.
So far these are working for me and I am feeling better about reaching my goals I set out earlier.
Saturday, 14 July 2012
Bad Back vs Poor Core
During my time as a personal trainer I was amazed at how many people had "bad backs". I would very carefully plan their session to ensure I did not cause any further pain for them. There would be no medical diagnosis for the back pain but they would tell me during certain exercises "I cant do this it hurts my back". Nobody knows your body like you do so I would just make the required adjustments and carry on.
It is only now I understand the pain most of them were feeling and describing to me. There are some exercises I struggle with because I have very little ab strength yet. My abs are not strong enough to take the load so my back muscles take over and that is when I get the pain/discomfort. Nothing a little check of my form or scaling back the weight can not fix.
It amazes me to think back at the number of people that have stopped exercising all together because it makes there back pain worse. These people that have no medical condition or reason for the back pain that is! In acutal fact it is continued exercise that will strengthen their core and make those movements not only pain free but everyday life easier.
As frustrating as it is for me to be starting at a beginners level, I know that it will set up a great foundation for me to smash any previous records I had set myself.
So I need to learn to love the plank again, GREAT!
It is only now I understand the pain most of them were feeling and describing to me. There are some exercises I struggle with because I have very little ab strength yet. My abs are not strong enough to take the load so my back muscles take over and that is when I get the pain/discomfort. Nothing a little check of my form or scaling back the weight can not fix.
It amazes me to think back at the number of people that have stopped exercising all together because it makes there back pain worse. These people that have no medical condition or reason for the back pain that is! In acutal fact it is continued exercise that will strengthen their core and make those movements not only pain free but everyday life easier.
As frustrating as it is for me to be starting at a beginners level, I know that it will set up a great foundation for me to smash any previous records I had set myself.
So I need to learn to love the plank again, GREAT!
Tuesday, 3 July 2012
Motivation needed!
This week I have been very slack and missed opportunities to sweat it out. It has been easy to make excuses to stay indoors. From Zoe's first cold, the chilly weather and just not being organised enough, I have let myself down.
Normally I am chomping at the bit to get going for my workout and it got me thinking about why I might be lacking the extra motivation I normally have...
GOALS!!!!!
I still have not set myself anything to work torwards. Now more than ever I need a reason to seperate myself from my precious girl, to make myself get organised and brave the freezing conditions outside.
I had set myself goals prior to Zoe arriving but they are not important to me anymore. I now need to set myself targets to achieve that:
Normally I am chomping at the bit to get going for my workout and it got me thinking about why I might be lacking the extra motivation I normally have...
GOALS!!!!!
I still have not set myself anything to work torwards. Now more than ever I need a reason to seperate myself from my precious girl, to make myself get organised and brave the freezing conditions outside.
I had set myself goals prior to Zoe arriving but they are not important to me anymore. I now need to set myself targets to achieve that:
- Are important to me so I stay on track and dont make excuses
- Have a set date to be achieved by
- Can be measured. I need to know when I have "made it"
- First 10km run to be completed on 14th October 2012. Aim for 60min finish
- Perform 5 full push ups before Christmas
- Learn how to play tennis before summer 2012/13 finishes
- Create a workout that is like playtime with Zoe before Christmas (need to wait for some more limb/head control first)
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