A tough PT session today...

Today I had the hardest PT I’ve had in a long time and from memory, I haven’t said that in a very long time!  I did a lot of cardio and a fair bit of leg work.  I wore my heart rate monitor today and I burnt 464 calories and averaged a heart rate of 145 beats per minute.  I wasn’t sure if I would wear it or not as one of my friends told me when they wore theirs for the first time, their PT pushed them SO hard to see how much they could do!  I was a bit worried that Michael might do that but instead, I think he used it as a guide to know when I might be at the ‘giving up’ stage (I only gave up once and that was due to asthma) but, I think it’s going to be a useful tool during my PT sessions.  Now I just have to remember to bring it with me each time I have a session!  I wore it to the gym yesterday and had similar results.  It is a clever little thing.  And I feel like such an elite athlete every time I wear it :)

I think I mentioned some time ago that my scales had broken.  I had to send off the back panel for a replacement and I finally did that today.  They should be here next week.  I am not sure if I am going to weigh myself weekly or if I’ll just keep it at what it is (being weighed every 6 weeks).  I quite like not knowing but I’d like to know how I’ve gone at the end of each week.  I suppose it’s just added pressure and if I haven’t lost as much as I would have, it’s just a let down but, if I have kicked butt I think it would be nice to know.

I’ve got so much Homework to do from my Course.  I shall try and get most of it done tonight.  I don’t know where I find the time to do everything that needs to be done.  Next week will be a bit of a challenge as it’s my first week of working 4 days per week.  I’ll see how I go for 6 weeks before fully committing myself.  Squeezing the gym in whilst balancing home life is going to be the interesting part…

I’ve also done well with keeping my fluids up today.  I wasn’t so good yesterday but, I had heaps of water and diet drinks today.  I am going to make sure I reach for the drink tomorrow at work rather than reach for the cheese and biccies!  I have a constant craving for creamed cheese and biccies at the moment.  Those thin wafer ones go down so well and I could just eat them constantly.  Not good.  Although they are not high in KJ, they are not that great for me to have as they don’t contain everything I need.

I’ve had a great response to guest bloggers.  I am going to start running them next week.  Some of the stories I have been sent are so inspiring.  It’s good that they are all from different stages of weight loss.  If you’d like to send yours in, feel free – movingforwardlookingforward@gmail.com and I’ll share your story with our readers.  Anonymity is assured if requested.

Hope everyone is having a great week J

Winds of change...

I don’t know what it is but, change is in the air (trying to do that dodgy whistle from that song ‘wind of change’ but it’s not really working…).  I have quite a good 6^th sense and for the past few days, I feel that something is going to happen but I am not sure what!

Today, I went back to work after a week of not being there.  I had so much work to do.  I got in at 7am and left just before 5pm.  I was pleased to get through a lot of stuff that has been sitting there for a while.  It felt good to know that I might be pretty close to up to date with my cases by the end of the week (if I work my butt off, that is!). 

When I got home, I had found that my new toy arrived –my heart rate monitor :) I took it with me to my Course (which is in the same building as my Gym) as I intended on doing some exercise (if time permitted).  Tonight, was the 3^rd week of the 16 week course.  We learnt about the respiratory system.  We also had a quiz that I am pleased to announce I passed with flying colours.  I haven’t done any study for a while so quizzes and tests are a bit daunting but when I found that I knew the answers to ‘name 5 functions of the bones’ and ‘explain the difference between fast twitch and slow twitch fibres’, I was stoked. 

After the lecture, I went into the gym to try out my heart rate monitor.  I had already set it up whilst waiting for the lecture to begin.  I strapped myself into the chest belt thingy and off I went.  I am pleased to report that I did a total of 25 minutes and 22 seconds of exercise (well, that is what I remembered to record anyway) and during that time, I burnt 161 calories and I got my heart rate up to 168 beats per minute and averaged around about 149 beats per minute.  I also worked out my VO2 max to be 25.  I am going to get a lot out of having my watch as my training partner.  It will take a bit of getting used to (the watch part) as I haven’t worn a watch for years and years!  I am actually quite pleased as I think the watch looks more hot pink than purple and hot pink is my favourite colour :)

I’m going to start working 4 days a week as of next week.  I am going to have a Wednesday off.  It will take a bit of getting used to.  I am defiantly going to start using the stairs as a work out now as I won’t have as much time to go the gym (unless I’m really organised and go first thing in the morning!).  It will take a bit of getting used to but it will be good. 

I have my next appointment with Dr Winnett on the 1^st of September.  I think I may have mentioned this.  I did a predictor on my ‘target weight’ app and if I keep going the way I am going, I should be 100kg by the 6.10.2012.  That would be amazing.  That’s a little over a year away.  That would mean that I would have lost 143kg.  I am so pleased that I am having such fantastic results.  I am working So hard for them though but, it’s worth every drop of sweat, ache and late night or early start.  I am so pleased with how I’m going.

I’m off to bed – I am exhausted!  Hope everyone had a fantastic Monday!

Oh, congrats to Bec on losing 7.6kg in 3 weeks.  I am so proud of her!  And to my friend who had gastric sleeve Surgery a few months ago – she has lost 33kg in around 3 months.  I am amazed at her progress.  Some of my other friends are doing wonderfully well on their weight loss missions – I’ll need to get updates on their weights and report :)

It's been a while...

 I haven’t blogged in a few days!  Well, it’s been quite a while actually.

I have been a bit sidetracked over the past week.  Things are okay.  I am just very tired and really need a break from everything, I think.

Good thing is that although I have felt a bit cruddy, I have managed to continue to exercise and eat well (other than my small intake of Nachos last night!). 

I have been to the Gym a few times in the past week.  I have discovered the wonders of the steam room.  It’s such a relaxing place.  Although I must say I will be a little more careful when I am in the Female change rooms from now on.  On Tuesday night, I did some running and I also swam.  I decided to go in the steam room after that.  I came out and dried off (as you do) and as it was late at night, I assumed that no one else was at the gym other than me (Female, anyway).  So, I took my bathers off and attempted to put my pants on (I had forgotten to bring clean and dry underwear).  As I was hopping around trying to get my half wet leg into my pants, 2 girls walked in (early twenties maybe?) and the one who lead MUST have seen my butt.  I have no doubt that she did.  She just gave me that smile that I’d give to a Woman of my ‘petite form’ who looks as though she is having some kind of standing epileptic fit.  I was so embarrassed.  I was a bit more embarrassed when I realized that I didn’t bring a clean, dry bra either so I waddled out braless as well as knickerless.  Lesson learnt!

My Certificate IV in fitness is going really well.  I am almost totally up to date with my modules.  I shall do some more tonight.  We had a lecture on the Skeletal system and Muscles on Monday night.  Urgh.  Not my forte at all!  I have purchased some books on Anatomy that I intend on studying.  I have also found some great books on Personal Training and some experiences of other trainers.  I am really enjoying the course and am getting a lot out of it.  I am learning a lot about myself during the process and am finding that I am testing a lot of the things I learn on me so therefore, I can be my own Guinea Pig! 

I’m only seeing Michael once a week now.  I saw him yesterday and we did a lot of upper body stuff.  It’s great to be doing some toning as I am so worried about how much excess skin I am going to have.  I know that I will end up with a fair bit but, the more work I do now on my muscles means the more toned I am going to be when it comes time to finally have my excess skin removed.  Because I am still young, my skin is still quite elastic so I am hoping that it will act like shrink wrap and go back into place! 

I have made quite a few purchases over the past few days.  I have been inspired by Trish to get a heart rate monitor.  It’s been something that I have been thinking about getting for a while.  I saw hers last night and fell in love so, I purchased one today.  It should arrive next week.  I am really looking forward to getting it to see how hard I am actually working as I know that the monitors on the equipment at the gym are not all that accurate.  If you’re interested in getting one, the site that she pointed out to me is www.the polarshop.com.au – she has been hunting around for some bargains and it seems that going directly to the source has paid off.  I got the FT60.  I’m a bit excited :)

I also bought a few new clothes.  I have been asked a few times where I get my clothes from.  A lot of them are from http://www.oldnavy.com/ – they have a plus size section and they have also recently reduced their shipping prices.  The products arrive 10 days or so after ordering them.  It is great as they have reviews on what other purchases think of the clothes and you are able to rate them based on overall fit, length and quality.  It’s sort of like the eBay feedback system although this is a bit more honest when you ask ‘will my butt look big in this’.  Thank you for introducing me to ON, Trishy xo I also get some of my things from http://www.swakdesigns.com/ – they have fantastic specials and have free shipping for purchase over $75.  Do remember the Aussie Dollar is still quite good at the moment so shop whilst you can :) I have also bought (gulp) around about 15 Wii games since the purchase of my lovely gaming console.  I LOVE the ‘just dance’ games and the other games where you have to get up and move.  It is so much fun.  All the kids have a go and it’s so much better than sitting on your butt and not doing much!  I highly recommend :)

I have also had a few people talk to me about sharing their story on my blog.  I’d love invite some guests to contribute something so that you can tell your story.  And at your request, anonymity is guaranteed.  If you’d like to submit something, please feel free – movingforwardlookingforward@gmail.com – I hope to post a few stories over the coming weeks.  Write as much or as little as you’d like and it doesn’t matter what stage you are at with your weight loss (thinking about it, beginning, maintaining etc…).

Oh, and my eldest Son, Lachlan is taking part in the 40 hour famine this weekend.  He is giving up ‘fighting with his Brother’s and Sister and not doing as his Parent’s tell him’.  If you are able to sponsor him, please go to http://www.worldvision.com.au/40HF/ProfilePage.aspx?preferredurl=lachlan99 I wish you all the best, Lachie xoxo I'd love to do the 40 hour famine this year as with the band, I would not feel hungry at all!  I think that would be cheating a bit.  If I gave up Facebook on the other hand...

I’m off to do some more cleaning.  I’ve been in my PJs all day and have gotten so much stuff done!  I am not sure what I am doing this weekend but have noticed a lack of photos of myself over the past month or so.  That will have to change as I need to add some for the month of August!

Hope everyone has a good weekend xo

Ow. My Abs :/

I have abs.  Under all that fat, there are some hiding under there.  And they ACHE!  Ouch. 

I found that I am not able to do sit ups because of my band so, I had to sit in the most uncomfortable position – half laying down.  And my natural reaction was to hold onto my tracksuit pants so that I had a bit of leverage but that was not allowed.  I was then laughing so hard that it hurt and distracted me from what I was doing!  Hmmm.  It was funny then but it is not now.

Michael said we were going to do some skipping – I haven’t skipped since I was in Primary School and I wondered how this would work considering I’d probably knock myself in the face with my boobs :/ instead, he got the rope and wrapped it around me and I dragged him across the gym floor.  It was hard work.  And I worked up such a sweat.  I also did some push ups today.  I whinged throughout my whole session.  I enjoyed it but, I am a whinging bitch today anyway and I always warn him of that but today I was worse than normal because my calf is still sore.  He showed me some stretches to do so that it stops hurting asap.

I purchased ‘just dance’ for Wii yesterday. OMG!  It is the best game!  If you haven’t bought it, I highly recommend that you do.  It is so much fun and gives you the best work out.  I am going to buy number 2 today.  I have a few fitness games now.  I can see that it’s going to be very valuable tool for my fitness regime especially considering I had to have the air conditioner on today because I was working so hard!  I can’t wait to have another go and look forward to being able to do the leg moves as well once my leg isn’t so sore.

I completed some more of my module last night for my certificate IV in Fitness.  I am learning heaps.  I am looking forward to Monday’s lecture.  I am amazed that I have found the time to do any of my Homework!  Lucky I have 2 days off per week!

Off to work today.  I’m up bright and early.  I even managed to squeeze in an episode of Neighbours.  I’m so organised today!  TGIF!

Just dance...

 So, I am feeling a bit sore and sorry for myself. 

I pulled up quite well after my PT session yesterday.  My butt is a bit sore as is my right calf however, I soldiered on and went to the gym tonight.  It was such a gorgeous day and I intended on doing my run outside but, the darkness came quicker than I expected so I hit the treadmill to do my couch to 5k run at the Gym whilst Brad watched the boys do their swimming.

I managed to do 2.92km in 30 minutes.  There was a total of 8 minutes of running (in between walking) and it almost killed me.  I was so sweaty!  Bianca was on the bike and I swore it was her but didn’t want to go and say hi just in case I’d misjudged her for a distance!  I can’t see anything when I don’t have my glasses on and I’ve made some very embarrassing mistakes because of it!  We compared sweatiness and both agreed that it was very stuffy in there, probably because of the beautiful day that we had enjoyed (well, those of us not stuck 15 floors up…).

I didn’t get the chance to do any stretches after my running and now my right calf is SO SORE.  I have an ice pack on it at the moment which seems to be making it feel a bit better.  I am sure it’s going to cramp up tonight.  I’ll have another shower before I go to bed and hope that does something for it...

I have decided that I am going to buy ‘just dance’ for my Wii.  I am not a good dancer although I do enjoy it.  I had a go at dancing tonight.  I have choreographed a dance to ‘who’s that chick’ and I started to do it.  Davey told me to stop, the Dog started barking at me and Lachie wanted to put me up on You Tube.  I must have looked quite terrible.  I feel wonderful when I dance and although I probably do look quite odd it is a great form of exercerise so tomorrow, I shall go and hunt down ‘just dance’ and I shall do just that :)

I took my August photos at work today.  I am wearing my ‘next step down’ pants.  I am not convinced.  Not at all.  I can’t wear the other pants as they fall down and look awful.  These pants are a bit tight however, they are not as tight as what they used to be.  They do make me look a bit slimmer I think – from the front anyway.  I am still not pleased with my side.

I am still working on losing my 10kg in the next 6 weeks.  I ate quite well today and have managed to drink 2 litres of water today.  I’d love to know how much I’ve dropped since the stair climb.  Surely I would have lost something after that! 

I have a PT tomorrow.  I will probably arrive half an hour early to get some stuff in as I have Parent teacher Interviews tomorrow afternoon.  I also want to have a go at boxing tomorrow night.  It’s something I’ve wanted to have a go at for a while.  It’s going to be a tough choice between that and aqua.  I’ll have to have a think...

Hope everyone is well.  Happy hump day :)

Do you want sauce with that?

I’ve had a good day today.  It’s been rather productive.

I went to the Gym and had my PT.  Michael had increased the weight on the bar that I use for my lunges and squats by 10kg.  I don’t feel it too much now but I know I am going to tomorrow.  He got me to push him up and down the gym (ouch) – it’s sort of like a long hip and shoulder thing and after doing it for a long time, you can really feel it.

Then off to the Bakery to get some lunch.  I ordered 3 Sausage Rolls, 1 Chicken and Vegetable pie, 1 steak and mushroom pie and 1 steak and cheese pie.  I also had 2 drinks on the Counter and stood waiting whilst the lady got the things from the pie warmer.  A Man came up behind me and asked me quite loudly ‘are you buying for a small army or just yourself, love’.  About 3 or 4 people in the Bakery sniggered and I commented to the lady serving me on how rude some people are  to feel the need to comment on other people’s orders.  We got chatting and she told me how she goes to the gym every day and has been for several years however, as she pointed out ‘you’d never guess it’.  I told her that I had just come back from my PT session at the gym and I’ve lost around 70kg in just under a year but, you wouldn’t know that unless you knew me.  She then recognised me from Today Tonight and we continued to have a bit of a rant about people’s manners (or lack of).

Then off to the Lake.  Charlotte bought her bike and Dave bought his Scooter.  It has been such a beautiful day.  We walked around the lake and fed the ducks some bread and then played on the Playground for a while.  It was quite relaxing and enjoyable.  I chased David (which I think he still finds rather amusing) and I think Charlotte realised how much of a challenge riding her scooter actually is when it’s not up and down the hall way.

I’m feeling a lot better today.  I’m off to work tomorrow.  I need to go shopping tonight and fill the Cupboards and fridge – I hate it when everyone eats everything but I suppose that is what it’s there for!

Me? A Personal Trainer? Yes, you read it right...

It’s been a while since I have blogged.  As you would have seen, it’s been a busy few weeks. 

I’ve been really sick over the past week.  I am not sure what I’ve had – it’s been a mixture of temperatures over 39 degrees, fatigue, a chesty cough, sore throat and I have been feeling AWFUL.  It’s been a VERY draining few days as the Kids have had it as well.  I am so tired.  It’s been a challenge on finding things to eat.  I have been having soups, nachos (!), porridge and I bought a Juicer on the weekend which has come in quite handy.  I am feeling a bit better tonight.  I haven’t done too well with my fluids over the weekend either.  This is something that I need to concentrate on this week.

I didn’t make it to my PT on Thursday – I’ve deferred that but I did go to Aqua on Thursday night with one of my friends.  It was great to catch up with her.  We’re going to make Thursday night Aqua a regular thing.  As per the Doctors orders, I have done no exercise at all.  I bought a Wii on Saturday and resisted playing some of the exercise games that came with it.  One thing that stops a few people getting some of the exercise games on the Wii is the fact that the balance board won’t take their weight.  I found a video on You Tube with a guy who shows us how to get around this – check it out…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-j8tYpZxvY

I’m still feeling a bit shitty.  I am currently on the hunt for the perfect get away.  I am looking at day spas and investigating the possibility of going to the Peninsula Hot Springs.  There are a few other day spas that I have been sussing out but, I think that I am set on this one.  I might stay away for a night to have some alone time.  I have been so busy over the past month or so that I really need a break and there’s no time like the present.  I don’t know what it’s like to have alone time – with 4 kids, being alone is not something that is a common occurrence!  I am looking forward to it.

So, I started my Certificate IV in Fitness tonight.  In 16 weeks, I’ll be a qualified personal trainer :) I haven’t told a lot of people but, the Cat’s out of the bag now. 

I was the fattest in the class tonight which didn’t surprise me but, it is rather amusing being a fat chick in a class to do with fitness.  There are about 20 people in it.  I asked a lot of questions that didn’t seem to include variations when it comes to people who are overweight.  The trainer is fantastic.  We covered a lot of things in brief tonight and will start focusing on individual modules next week.

This time last week, I decided that this was something that I wanted to do.  The number of people I get Emailing me saying ‘I want to do this but…’ has made me realise that perhaps I can be in the position to help these people take that first step and realise their potential and realise that they can do it.  It’s achievable.  And once you start, in turn you’ll feel better about yourself and you won’t want to stop!  Sure, you’ll muck up from time to time – everyone does but, after those first few weeks, once you discovery part of yourself that you never you existed and you’ve gained some momentum, you’ll find that you can do it and it’s something you’ll want to keep on doing.  If you’re interested in me training with you, feel free to get in touch – I won’t be qualified until the end of November so, it’s something I won’t go with until the beginning of the year but, I’d love to hear from you if you’d like to train with me.   My Email address is movingforwardlookingforward@gmail.com

I am only going to be focusing on people who are Overweight.  This will be my passion.  And I have an idea of the style of training I am going to adapt.  I am very excited and look forward to helping people make a positive difference in their lives.  It CAN be done.  This time last year, who would have thought this is something that I’d be doing?  Almost 70kg down, I have discovered time and time again that anything is possible.

It’s been a while since I have mentioned some of my friends who I am incredibly proud of.  I’ll have to start doing it again as I only realised tonight that it had dropped off!  I need to start by congratulating Bec.  Bec is a busy girl who is studying, working and has twins the same age as mine.  She has started seeing a nutritionist and has also started exercising.  She lost 4.5kg this week.  I am so proud of her.  I am also proud of my other Bec – I might even ask if she’d be prepared to write something about her experiences at the moment as she is going so well.  I am not sure of her exact loss but, she’s been seeing a PT now for some time.  I am very pleased with her and how committed she is.  It’s amazing to see how well she’s doing.

I am proud of my Trishy.  She is coming to the last leg of her 12 week challenge and although she has sustained some injuries throughout, she has managed to lose a fantastic amount of weight.  I’m going to go to her Aqua class with her in a few weeks.  Am looking forward to her putting me to shame as she works her butt off.  And I am proud of Cath.  She has jumped back on the wagon and is now refocussed on her healthy eating . She does so well.  And it is hard work.  I am so lucky to have such inspirational girls around me.

If I have forgotten you, I’m sorry – I am tired!  But I am pleased to see people around me make a difference to their lives for the better.  I am proud xoxo

And I’m also off to bed xo

I should have gone to bed a few hours ago - I have a PT tomorrow!