Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Been a bit slack....................

Been a bit slack lately.................on all aspects! Training, food, water, housework, study, blogging. Even was a bit lazy at work yesterday, procastinating a lot and subsequently had to do a few hours last night!

Now I can offer every excuse in the book, it's too cold to train, I'm too busy to prep my food, my workload at work has increased, I've been off work so it's been piling up, I've had a wedding to go to..... blah blah blah, but that's all they are really - just excuses.

When I was prepping for the photoshoot I got in 2 1/2 hours of exercise a day, prepped all my food so I know it can be done. I'm just being lazy!

I saw Nic for training last Wednesday and she asked how I was going with food.............good I said, cause I had been for the past couple of days. I neglected to tell her about the days before that! But she questioned a little further cause she knew I wasn't being completely honest. She's too good at what she does and could tell just by looking at me that I had been eating crap food. Amazing what food can do to your body in just a short amount of time!

So I'm going to knuckle down for the rest of this week and jump on the scales Monday morning and hope for a nice surprise.
I've set my alarm for 5.30am and will get up and do cardio tomorrow morning. I've arranged to meet Stace at our local gym at 7.00pm for a weights session.
Friday morning I'll be meeting Stace and Em at the stairs for some sprints.
In between that I'll be doing my own thing, weights/cardio/plyo's..............all set!

As for food goes, I've bought a whole heap of chicken breast/basa fillet/kangaroo/sweet potato/ broccoli/cauliflower/snow peas/zucchini/almonds......all the good stuff and will prep everything so theres no excuse!

Have printed off a heap of pictures from my photoshoot and put them around the house and in my gym to remind myself of where I got to and I need to get back there. Wanna see those abs again! Vain? Probably, but I'm damn proud of the shape that I got into and it doesn't help to remind myself for a little bonus motivation..........at least I know I've done it once, I can do it again! Only this time it will be easier cause I've got a head-start and I'll get into better shape than I did last time :)

Here's another little pic from the photoshoot.

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

What now?

For so many weeks before the photoshoot I had a reason to eat clean, I had a reason to train hard. I had something to work towards and I had a goal.

Now I kind of feel down and low and question why do I need to continue? I have gained so much more respect for competitors. They do what I did for many more weeks and they do it harder. Strong, strong women!

I hate thinking like this too, cause why do I need a reason? Why do I need a goal? Isn't "because I like to look like this" or "because I like to feel like this" or "because I deserve a healthy life" enough of good reasons?

I need to shift my mindset that this is a long term lifestyle change and it's ok to relax a little cause the level of training and what I was eating is not sustainable year round.

I am only human though, and like many others I do find myself being goal driven. So that brings me to the question.................what now?

Time to find a new goal............

Saturday, July 10, 2010

Before & After

Well...........here it is! The dreaded before and after pics ;)
Finally! An after pic that I can be proud of and show people! So many times I started these "challenges" and took so many before pics and progress pics and I have never been able to do that after photo, well here it is and I am proud of it!
I should have done it in the same bikini in the same position to get the same effect, but you can tell the differences.
I've never really been considered overweight, just had a little extra bit of padding there. It was enough for me that I wasn't comfortable wearing certain clothes and I wasn't happy with what I saw in the mirror. It's not a huge noticeable difference like many of the other amazing before and after stories out there, but there's enough of a difference to show that if you really step up in your training and clean eating you can get some great results!

My goal was to weigh between 52 and 55kg for the photoshoot, and I did it! The morning of the shoot I weighed in at 55.6kg, which was a loss of 5.6kg in 8 weeks. I've NEVER had results like these before! It's always been 1 kilo here and there, then I would move on to the next quick fix.

Nicky taught me that it's not a quick fix, it's a lifestyle change. It's all about eating really clean Monday to Friday, then enjoying the foods I love on the weekends. Not going overboard, just having a little to satisfy my sweet tooth and not un-do all the hard work of the week before. Consistent training is the key too, and that's something I've always lacked in, would go hard at it for one week, then only do 1 or 2 days the next week. It's about making exercise a priority and doing it everyday!

So after a week of relaxed training and eating I trained with Nicky this morning..........and boy did I pay for the food I ate this week! There was a couple of times there I felt like I was going to be sick. So next time I go looking for that chocolate, I need to remember how I felt this morning and just fuel my body with nice clean foods that are not only going to make me feel good and look good, but they are going to help with my training.

Back into it full swing next week. After training this morning I have realised the crap food isn't worth it and I have never felt as fit and healthy as I did the last few weeks before the photoshoot. So I am going to continue following Nic's advice and make this a lifestyle change, not just a "photoshoot diet".

Ladies, if you want to change your life and need some help, I can't recommend Nicky enough! She herself lives and breathes the healthy lifestyle! She talks the talk and walks the walk, what more could you ask for? She has studied her butt off and has such a passion for helping others that there's unlikely to be a question that she can't answer! She also has a fantastic website with some awesome information on it under "Fit Tips" or you can join her forum and ask questions which she will personally answer.
Here is the link: http://www.nickyjankovic.com/
Check her out!!!!!!

So here it is, my before and after pic :) Just a candid shot that Dallas took while I was waiting in the water freeeeeeezing my butt off!!!





Here's another favourite beach photo of mine:


Monday, July 5, 2010

Wow!

Well, it's done and dusted. The photoshoot was Saturday and what an AMAZING experience!

Weighed in at 55.6kg on Saturday morning which means I came in at goal weight for the shoot! Yay me! I wanted to weigh between 52-55kg and I did!!!

I'm extremely proud of myself, not because of my results, but mainly because this is the first time in a LONG time that I have actually set myself a challenge and finished it. Things are forever getting too hard and I give up. When I set myself this challenge I was skeptical that I would actually see it through to the end, but I did. AND as an added bonus I reached my goals :)

Dallas and Lindy were extremely welcoming to both Chrissey and I and made us feel right at home in their own home. I have never done anything like this before so I was super nervous when we first started. Had no idea how to stand, how to put my body, the look to put on my face, but Dallas and Craig were really helpful and demonstrated how I should stand and guided me through the whole thing. They were lovely and cracked jokes to make me laugh and feel relaxed.

I had a quite look at some pics, but WOW! What a fantastic photographer he is! It's amazing how good photos can look with the right equipment and the right people behind the lens.

I got a text from Dallas this afternoon saying that the photos were in the post, so I hope they arrive tomorrow! I can't wait to see them!

So massive thanks to Dallas, Lindy & Craig for making the whole process so much easier! Thanks to my beautiful trainer and friend Nicky who guided me on how to get in the best shape I have ever been in and lastly, but not least, my beautiful friend Chrissey. It was awesome to have someone to share this experience with.

So here's to the next chapter! Getting my legs leaner!!!!

I'll leave you with a photo ;)

Monday, June 28, 2010

Day 1 of last week...................

Day 1 of last week success :)

2 1/2 hours cardio (1 hour before work, 1/2 hour at lunch, 1 hour after work) + back/triceps.

6L of water, plus all meals protein only

4 days to go...................I can do it!

Sunday, June 27, 2010

Final Week!

Loooong time between posts! Have been so busy just prepping for this photoshoot that I haven't had a lot of time for much else.
At the moment, my day is pretty much train/work/train/sleep repeat......and eat every 2-3 hours in between that!

Over the past few weeks I have really knuckled down with my nutrition and training. Last Saturday I dropped carbs except for green vegies and up'd my exercise to 2 hours of cardio each day + 4 day split weights.
It's paid off. I am down to 57.7kg and would really love to be 57.1kg by Saturday cause that would mean that I have lost 5kg in the 8 weeks since we set our date for the photoshoot.

I went shopping at Lorna Jane yesterday and today and got some really nice outfits for the shoot.

Am going to go in knowing I've worked hard and hopefully that will show in my photos.

So 6 more sleeps and it's the day of the photoshoot. Tough week ahead, but I can do it ;)

Monday, June 14, 2010

Whoops!

Whoops has been over a month since I've posted! *Whoops*

Thanks to my good friend Chrissey who has just started a new blog, she has reminded me that blogging is all part of the journey and I really need to do it more regulary!
Chrissey has just started a new blog: http://missfitchrissey.blogspot.com/ go and check it out. She's amazing and I am extremely priveledged to be able to train with her and be part of her journey. More importantly, she's part of mine.
Follow her and leave a comment, offer your support! We all need it!

I've had a pretty good week this week. Haven't really been making any noticeable progress lately (well at least I can't see it), but this week I purchased a pair of size 8 jeans and a size 8 top........so something must be happening.
Also weighed in at 58.8kg yesterday which is the lowest I have been in years!

There is now 19 days left until our photoshoot and fingers crossed I might be able to drop a couple more kilos before then.

Was up at 5am and have already done my training, so it feels good to get it out of the way and know I have the rest of the day to do whatever I please!

Hopefully I'll be back more regularly ;)

Monday, May 3, 2010

Week Two Post

Weighed in at 60.9kg this morning............up 700g from last week :( I think I should stop jumping on the scales and instead go by how I am feeling and looking, otherwise those damn things will do my head in!

I've taken another lot of progress photos and I "think" I'm a little tighter in the waist/stomach area??? Hard to tell really!

I've had a relaxed weekend with my eating and training, nothing too over the top just not as strict as during the week. BUT, not it's Monday so back to 100% clean eating and training everyday.

So with 7 weeks and 5 days to go just gotta keep on keeping on!

Check out my comparison pics and let me know if you can see any difference???

Monday, April 26, 2010

Week One Down

Week one down and 1kg gone ;) So on track!

I started this pre photoshoot challege last Monday at 61.2kg and weighed in today at 60.2kg. Only 5.2kg to go to get to where I want to be and 8 weeks to the day...........5.2kg in 8 weeks? Totally achievable!

I forgot to take "before" photos last Monday, but have taken some photos this morning which I will upload. Apologies for the rash on my tummy and arms if you notice it, i'm not a leper, it's a rash from Commando Crawls at bootcamp yesterday! Very itchy and sore :(

Of course I've got my muscles shots as well ;)





Sunday, April 25, 2010

Date has been set

After many month of talking about having a photo shoot with Dallas Olsen, Chrissey and I have finally booked in a date of 26th June to actually do this! So we have just over 2 months to get into shape that we'd be happy to have our photos taken at.
Hence, project kick butt and get sexy!!!!!

So what's needed to kick butt and get sexy? Well, goals first of all. What do we want to achieve in the next 2 months? These are my goals for the photo shoot:
* Weigh between 52-55kg (will re-assess when I get to 55kg and see if I want to lose anymore)


* Muscle definition similar to that of a sports model, not figure comp, that's too lean. I want defined arm muscles that can be seen without flexing, defined muscles that can be seen without flexing and ab muscles that can be seen without flexing. Not too concerned about having big leg muscles, I just want to lean those right down.

* Exercise 6 days per week which includes 4 x weight sessions (4 day split) and 6 x cardio sessions (2 x interval sessions on non weights days + 4 x low intensity sessions on weight days)

* Eat clean foods 90% of the time (2 x cheat meals per week)

* Drink 2 1/2 - 3 liters of water per day

* Try to eat every 2-3 hours and have protein at every meal (even small meals at morning tea and arvo tea)

* Have a protein shake within 20mins of finishing training, then a meal within 1 1/2 hours of finishing training
 
On top of that, I have put together a diet to follow over the next 2 months:
 
Breakfast


• Oats on water with protein powder

• Omelette with tomato, mushrooms, onions, spinach

• Gluten free cereal with skim milk + protein shake

• Gluten free toast with ABC butter + protein shake

Lunch/Dinner

• Protein* salad with avocado and sweet potato

• Protein* and salad sandwich

• Protein* with sweet potato and steamed vegetables

• Vegetable soup with grilled chopped chicken

• Protein* stir fry

*Protein sources: chicken/turkey/salmon/fish/kangaroo/tuna/beef/lamb

*Red meat at least twice a week according to dietary recommendations

Snacks

• Piece of fruit + 12 almonds

• Piece of fruit + protein shake

• Piece of fruit + tinned tuna/salmon

• Piece of fruit + protein bar

Piece of fruit + hard boiled egg

• Yoghurt mixed with 12 almonds

• Protein shake mixed with berries to make smoothie

• Cottage cheese with fruit and sugar free maple syrup and cinnamon

• Cottage cheese with protein powder

So if I follow this plan then I should be in pretty good shape come photo shoot time and will hopefully be looking a little something like this:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Feel free to check up on me and make sure I am on track ;)
 



Monday, April 12, 2010

Update

Well, been missing for a little while! Haven't had much to report on to be honest, but in hindsight there has been a lot happening.

Nothing much to report on the weight loss front. Haven't been 100% for the past few months so haven't been training as much as what I would like to.

I decided to concentrate more on repairing my mind/spirit type stuff and have been having kinesiology sessions, cranial sacral sessions, yoga and meditation.
I definately think it's helping.

Many aspects of my life are working out for the better which definately helps feeling better about myself.

Chrissey came and stayed on Saturday night so we could get up early and head off to the IFBB competition at Caloundra.
She bought with her 8 balloons............which I first thought were for Nicky since it was her birthday on Saturday, but no..........I was wrong.
Apparantley we were going to write on them all the stuff we wanted to be rid of and "release" them. Mmmmm, I immediately felt uneasy and don't like to deal with my issues on other people's terms. But, this is my year of healing and if I want to heal, then I need to trust other people have my best interests at heart and can help in my healing journey.
So off we went off the backyard to sit with my Dad and write away on the balloons. Once we wrote what we wanted to release we spoke about it to each other then counted to three and released our balloons together.
Away all our issues floated and quite significantly the ribbons attached to the balloons entwined and floated away together. Kind of symbolises the support that Chrissey and I have given and will continue to give to each other in the future.
We did this two more times with other balloons (I could have really filled those balloons with lots and lots of stuff), then on our final white balloon we wrote what we wanted to achieve in the future, our manifestation to the universe.
One of my goals is to complete a marathon....................but that's another post.

So a massive thank you to my good friend Chrissey who just knows what a gal needs xxxx

Monday, February 22, 2010

Wow! What a weekend...........

Not sure how I am going to articulate this, but I'll try.

I just spent the weekend at Emazon Central with a group of fantastic women.
The weekend started with a bootcamp on a very, very steep hill - yucko! Not fun at all. It was good when it was over, and glad that I did it, but very hard during.

The remainder of the weekend was spent with Emma and Mark at Emazon Central. Those of us who have participated in Stand Your Ground courses before had a refresher of our fighting strikes, while the "newbies" learnt the basics from Emma.

The whole weekend really kind of merges into itself and I can't remember which things happened on what days.
I do remember being the most affected on the Saturday. I finally released. I finally had a good cry about my Dad. I won't go into the nitty gritty cause it's all still so raw, but I am confident that I have learnt the skills to deal with these emotions and cope with the grief. Now, I just need to be consistent.

I have come away from the weekend physically and emotionally drained. I only have 3 knuckles that aren't split, I have bruises on my shins from my roundhouse kicks, bruises on my elbows from elbowing the bags and bruises on my knees from kneeing the pads.
Basically I am bruised inside and outside.

I felt so vague today, really doey and weird. I really wish the whole weekend had been video taped so that I can go back and watch what had happened so I can remember all we were taught. I guess I just need time to process it all.

Managed to take some progress shots today, even though I didn't feel like it. BUT, i've made a commitment to doing it once a month and it's due today :)

I'm pleased with my progress, I can really start to see the difference in my shoulders/chest/upper abs/back.............now just for my stoopid butt and legs to catch up!!!!! Grrrrrrrrrr

Saturday, January 30, 2010

Time to look after me

Got my blood test results back yesterday - all clear..................mmmmmm, definately thought something would come up.
Have been having head-spins, feeling dizzy, tired and generally just blah. My Dr was convinced I was anemic, but apparantley not. He was very impressed with my results and said that everything was normal or better than normal.

Soooooooooooooo his answer - stress. I was quite upset when he first said this, because it seems that everything that is wrong with me is stress related, which means - I am doing this to myself!
He told me to go home and think about whats been happening in my life over the past two months and see if anything could have affected me and made me feel stressed.

So I did that, and I had come up with quite a few actually:
* Not being happy at work and taking a month off from my long service leave so I can just get away from the place and figure out what I want to do
* Brining my Dad's ashes up from Sydney, very hard time!
* Renovations at home
* Family issues/disagreements
* My 30th birthday party

So maybe it is stress? Maybe now that most of these things have settled down, things might start to improve? He has told me that I need to look after myself. Eat right, make an effort to exericse, try some yoga etc.
So thats what I am going to do. I need to make a real effort to look after myself and if the issues are still there, then I can go back and we can explore other possible causes.

So here's to 2010 being the year I put me first

Saturday, January 23, 2010

Progress Shots


Well................haven't posted for over a month! Whoops!  Have had sooooo much going on lately, what with Christmas and my 30th Birthday Party. Not that these are excuses for not making a lot of progress over the last month, but thats whats happened.

My new progress photos don't show much change (if any at all), but I have committed to taking monthly shots and will do so.

So here is my front on pic, first one is Dec and second one Jan




Then onto the back view


 

Side view




Biceps




Now here is a picture thats shows the difference of a few kgs, just to make me feel a bit better about how far I have come




So now that Christmas and my 30th Birthday are done and dusted I have no excuses not to find the time to exercise.
I did the stairs with Nicky yesterday and feel re-focused.

Promise to blog more regularly :)