Can I do it? Yes I can!

Well where do you start.

I made the lunches and Martin and I got all the beds made and everyone dressed, teeth cleaned, hair done so we could leave at 7.55am.  I had to drop Martin off today as his usual ride was away.  After I dropped him I took Isaiah to Kindy but he was early so we waited in the car till they opened.  From there I dropped Dayna off at day-care.  I waited till she was settled and went to leave but she screamed for me, which is a usual experience and one that is so heart breaking.

I headed to the gym.  I really wanted to be back to see Zappo the Magician who was entertaining at Kindy.  Going to the gym at that time I hit the peak traffic and to get through the Terrace Tunnel it took 10mins, normally a 30second trip.  I pulled in and really felt the head ache that I thought was brewing.  I was in no mood to exercise and this just exasperated this feeling.  I decided to go to the Warehouse first which is just next door.  I needed a present for a birthday party Isaiah just got invited to for Saturday and some gifts for the kids from their Grandad for Christmas.

Well I was ready to go to the gym but still felt half hearted.  I did my usual session and at 3mins on the treadmill I wanted to get off.  I don’t know if it was the incline or the head ache or the just can’t be bothered mood i was in.  I tried to put myself in the zone and it worked.  I really focused on it to the point i got emotional and nearly made me cry.  I carried out my workout with vigor and passion.

I went to my cool down stretches and when I went to do the ab exercised I have been given.  There are 3 levels and I normally do level 2 but something took over and I was on level 3.  This exercise gets called the bridge or the plank.  I was lying down but then raise yourself on the toes while resting on your forearms so your body is off the ground.

From here I went to kindy after I was changed and Zappo was packing up, so I missed him. 

I took Isaiah home and had lunch, then we got Dayna and went looking for a card and a little token All Blacks item for Matthew whose party is on Saturday.  We picked up Martin and got a few groceries then home.

Martin’s Dad came over and picked up a box of Christmas presents for the family in Christchurch as he was heading there for work.  Yay, that is another Christmas job complete, and I know the gifts have arrived.

I am going to blob for the night as feel tired and the headache is back.

Well I was up again at 5am and off to the gym.  I had to check a few times what the time was as it was quite light, also at the gym there were quite a few cars there.  Yes it was 5.30am, so I hadn’t slept in.

I went inside and did my warm up on the cycle and headed upstairs to the weight room.  I had decided to do the weights circuit Andrew took me through on Friday.  I decided to do this now as I muscles weren’t sore anymore and I wanted them to stay used to the exercises and also I could still remember them.  The session went really well and I didn’t have the wobbles as I went back down the stairs.  I was pleased I did it when I did though as all the muscle heads started arriving as I was leaving.

I headed to the treadmill and decided to to the 15mins Andrew got me to do after the circuit and I added a 1.0 incline but I couldn’t handle the incline so decreased it to .5 and will work up to the higher incline.  I could feel it in the calfs.  So I know I was having to push off to keep going.  I was feeling the sweat off my face and I hadn’t got to wiping when some dripped in my eye.  Well sweat is salty and it was stinging my eyes so I closed them and nearly fell off the treadmill.  That was scary.

I had a shower at the gym as it had wonderful pressure and then headed home.

After breakfast we were off to Kindy drop off and Mainly Music and then Kindy pick up and Rebecca and Connor came over for a bit and then took Isaiah back to their place when I dropped Dayna off.  I came home from the drop off and  cooked my lunch and then tried to get the chores done, dishes and laundry etc.

I had to then organise the key for tonights meeting and pick up Dayna and Martin so it was a go go afternoon.  We headed to pick up Isaiah and stayed to chat for a bit.

I was out at the meeting which just didn’t end.  It was supposed to be an end of year, Christmas celebration but turned to some headed topics and they dragged on.  Some of the things we were going to talk about just didn’t happen due to the time.

Anyway it was a measurement day so here it is:

Neck -I put on .5cm/ Upper Arm – lost .5cm/ Chest – lost 7cm/ Waist – lost 1cm/ Hips – lost 4cm/ Upper Leg – lost 2cm/ Calf – the  same.

I will just update with Sunday’s activities before giving my results.

I dropped the family at church on my way to the gym, it was a group session.  We started on the cycle and the girls were still on them so I stayed longer than I wanted but then moved onto the weight machines.  My muscles were still sore so I had a few of the machines on a lighter weight so I complete my reps.  I then went to the treadmill.  I was doing well at Speed Intervals but when I went to change the speed at the 3min interval I cleared the setting so had to start it all again.  A couple of intervals later I accidentally stopped the machine so once again had to input the settings.  I still did 25mins and I think I did it under 25mins but can’t be sure.

After my cool down and stretches I went to jump in the shower but we got talking and were told of this weeks challenge.  Only 1 team will win and we will get a voucher for breakfast for 2 at a little Italian restaurant once the challenge is over of course.  So it is all on now.  I had my shower and left to find Martin and the kids at the mall.

We did a few things and then came home, where I decided to mow the lawns as they needed doing and Martin has the flu.  I was wearing a singlet top as it was a lovely day but it was cold as the wind was cool.  I was pleased it was done as the lawns looked bad and I had heard it was to rain this coming week.  Also the new lawnmower makes the job easier.

I wasn’t feeling well so didn’t have dinner till quite late when I started to feel hungry.  I had a huge salad and turkey. yum

I was up at 5am today to go to the gym.  I really struggled as I was tired, I didn’t have a good sleep.  I had the weight machines back to the normal settings, although I think one or two may need to have a heavier weight as I could do a few more reps than required.  While on the treadmill I just kept thinking I didn’t want to let the team down so stayed on target for the 25mins and I wanted the 3km.  I can now run the 3km in 24.46mins.  yay.

On the radio today they said that the weeks prize for the team is a 30min massage and the breakfast voucher so all the more reasons to work hard.  The results are on the website now if you want to check it out.

Before I left for the gym I weighed in on my scales which is what I am counting on normally. Today I weighed in at 85.9kg so I have lost another 1.7kg.

When I got home and changed for the events of today I noticed I have a bit of colour from doing the lawns.  Can’t wait till it tans.

Right off to go to Coffee Group.

This is the new lawnmower that I am enjoying using.  BTW it is raining today.

I woke up this morning to go toilet (TMI) but couldn’t sit down.  I had to hold on to the basin to lower myself.  My muscles in my thighs are so very sore from the lunges yesterday.  Anyway I had to keep going with the days activities as was going out early to the gym.

I got a load of towels on to wash and started making muffins for our visitors.  I made Lemon muffins and Doughnut muffins, yummy.  I didn’t have any mixture or sample a fresh muffin.  Is that self control?  I then washed the dishes.  Martin had striped our bed so I then helped change the sheets and then got ready to go to the gym.

At 9am we were in and ready but there was no one free to weigh us so we started on some Cardio.  I was on the treadmill and running at about 12mins when we were called for weigh in.  We all lost weight so that is good.  Early in the week The Breeze website will be updated with today’s results.  Anyway mine were:  I lost 2.2%  fat from last week and 1.4kg weight.  I also put on 1.??? muscle (I don’t know if this is a % or some other measurement).  So I was thrilled at that as was our team leader.  We all were rewarded with a beautiful gift from Crabtree and Evelyn.  We got a “India Hicks Island Living Travel Kit”  it is a cosmetic purse with Spider Lily Body Polish, Spider Lily Body Cream and Spider Lily Eau De Toilette.  RRP$35.00. I looked it up on their website.

After weigh in I went back to the treadmill and did another 15mins and then went to the rower and did a 4min session and 5 min sprint session on the cycle.  I was then encouraged by my team mate to do a round on the weight machines which I did but at a lower weight setting than the norm due to the muscle tenderness.  I completed this with a stretch session.  I felt good at the time.  To get to the car I had those nasty 4 flights of stairs to deal with.  I was walking down side ways.

At home our guests had arrived and enjoyed catching up with them.  They are due in 6 weeks for their baby, so good to see the bump grow.

I then came to check emails and my legs really didn’t want me to sit.  Ouch they are sore.  If only I liked baths I would have one, but I don’t.  I am supposed to do a fitness test this weekend.  My online support group do it every 2 months which is now, but I can’t lift my leg 45cm to even attempt it.  Oh well the muscles are sore for the better and the sculpting will look great just in time for summer.

Better go have lunch.  Egg on toast.

I can’t believe that I was out the door on early today which is actually on time.  As I was on Kindy parent help today which starts at 10.30am, I had to move everything early so I could get my Personal Trainer session in at the gym.

I had dropped Dayna off at 8am and Isaiah at 8.15am and then off to town I went.  I got there ready to start my session a little early at 8.54am.  Andrew was available to start then so off to the cycle for a warm up.  From there he took me up to the weights room.  He handed me 3kg  weights for each hand and demonstrated the lunges he wanted me to do while lifting the weights.  I had to do three sets.  Each set I could feel the muscles in my thighs really working.

From here we moved to the Swiss ball.  Now I have never laid on a Swiss ball the most I have done was 12yrs ago rolling down a wall on the Swiss ball into a squat.  I was scared I would fall off it.  Well I didn’t and was told my tummy muscles were good hence stabilising me on the ball.  I had to do 12 repetitions of weights to work the chest and of course 3 sets.  After these I could still feel my thighs and felt like I was wobbly.

I then had some abs exercises to do which I have been doing each workout and then the treadmill.  I found the treadmill tough as my breathing was laboured due to the flu and also my mouth was very dry even though I was drinking my water.  We finished with stretches and I left.  Now this gym is above some warehouse type shops so there are 4 small flights of stairs to get you to and from the gym.  So with the exercises I had done I struggled with the stairs.

I got to Kindy on time and we walked to the local library which is a treat a group gets once a month.  When it is Isaiah’s turn I go as parent help.  The kids love it.  We all walked back again and then it was tidy up time, and home time.

From here the rest of the day was increasing the family unit one at a time from there various activities and then I went and got a couple of new tops as don’t have any summer tops to fit.  The ones I have look like I am wearing a tent.  Then the kids got McDonald’s as they wanted the toy in the Happy Meal.  I had the salad which was ok.

Tonight we watched TV and as the night has progressed I have got more blocked in the nose just in time to struggle sleeping.

Tomorrow is weigh in day at the gym so hopefully I have lost a lot of fat to put me back with a chance to win Fiji.  Also our team get together to workout in the weekends.  That is always good.

Once I get home we have friends who will come by for morning tea and then i guess we work outside if it is a nice day and probably take the kids to the park.  BTW I cleaned the house tonight as our friends are over early, so that is nice not having to do it some time in the weekend.

BTW I forgot to post my weight on Monday so my weight was 87.6kg so a 500g loss for the week.

For a few days I have felt something flu like hatching inside.  I had a runny nose feeling, so started spraying a nasal spray for early symptoms and my throat felt sore, kind of and I have had a constant headache.  Well yesterday afternoon it all hit.  I will share more later but promise not to share the germs.

I dropped the kids off yesterday to kindy and day-care and headed into the gym.  I was going for a bra fitting straight after as needed a new bra and they suggested a fitting due to the weight loss.  Due to this I wanted to have a shower before leaving.  I thought our membership included a towel service but found out it didn’t, and I didn’t take one with me.  Anyway I did my usual gym routine but was more determined with the time frame to reach the 3kms.  I pushed myself by increasing the speed increments.  I was nearly at 3kms and at 25minutes I just needed to push, so up I went to a 100m sprint.  I completed the 3km in 25mins 10seconds.

You know the shows like Biggest Loser and they are doing the last chance workout and the sweat is spraying off the face well I can do that too.  I knew it was a sign of hard work even though disgusting.  I did my cool down stretches and was in need of that shower.

I had a bit of a think due to my lack of towel and decided I would wear my clothes into the shower cubicle and use them to dry myself, gross I know, but I had no options.  I also took my fresh underwear to dress into so wouldn’t be streaking to the locker.  I finished my shower and decided to see how dry I could get on my sweat towel.  Well I tell you it was able to dry me and my hair.  I was amazed.  I got dressed and was out of there.

I went to Au Fait and was fitted into a 14 from 16 and same cup. yahoo.  I am getting smaller.

As the day progressed the flu came on stronger and stronger and I now can say with hacking cough confidence I am sick.  The crazy thing is I must be healthier in other ways as I don’t feel like I am dying and am keen to go to the gym for a one on one session with the PT.  I am grateful though that today is my rest day.  Although I have done star jumps and jumping around dancing with Dayna.

Yesterday I started the diet I was given from the gym and was impressed by it and that I didn’t feel hungry, and yet it had foods I wouldn’t normally eat and at times I wouldn’t eat them at.

I had porridge for breakfast, peanut butter sandwich and banana for morning tea, 1/4 cup rice and a salad with ham for lunch, 3 vita weat crackers with canned chicken on it (it said tuna yuck so was allowed to substitute it for the chicken) now this I was not sure about but was pleasantly surprised, a fish fillet and 2 cups of veges for dinner, followed by strawberries and yoghurt.

I weighed myself before bed and weighed 88kg and this morning I weighed 86.7kg so was excited at that.  I have tried the menu again today with a few variations so will be interested to see what the scales say.  Although these are not official weigh in results.

If you have looked at the radio stations website you will see their scales and the ones I use at home are set differently so on Saturday’s my weight is one thing and Monday’s it is something different again.  I will continue believing Monday’s as I have followed that for 12weeks.

I think I will take coldrel to help me sleep tonight so I am fresh for the personal trainer to torture me. lol

Well yesterday I went to the meeting and it was ok but heaps of questions to be answered.  Hope it helps.  From there we all went home and I had the 45mins to get the kids fed and Dayna ready to go to her session of Kindy.

Right when you’re in a hurry things get tricky.  Dayna wanted to where lip gloss and different clothes she also wanted her hair in plaits, suddenly I am trying to get all this done and then Dayna asks if she can wear her hearing aid to kindy.  I am not sure but also thought if she is keen I better go with it.  I sent her case with her so if she did take it out if would be put somewhere safe.  She did take it out, but it did get home to me.  The nice thing was Dayna got offered a ride to and from kindyso that was nice not having to run around.

I prepared dinner and did washing etc so was very boring but Isaiah was happy as he wanted to watch a DVD.  The rest of the day and evening went off like normal and I headed off to bed at 9.30pm.

I was up again at 5am and off to the gym.  I didn’t feel to bad so i know I have to go to bed at 9.30pm if doing the early start.  I got to the gym and got into the normal routine.  I was on the treadmill and running like normal doing speed intervals when i thought I had a little more in me so I carried on and at 26minutes I hit 3km.  YAHOO.  I so wanted to yell with excitement but it meant nothing to anyone else but me.

As I was driving home and then doing to morning routine I felt great so was all fired up and enjoying the challenge.  My only concern is the eating as we have been given an alternative way.  I have lost 10.6kgs on the old way so know it works and therefore apprehensive of the change and also no carbs after 2.30pm is odd.  I grew up eating meat, potato and 2veg and live life like that except replacing the potato with alternative carbs.

Mainly Music was on today so we headed there.  It is a Beach Day Theme so we dressed in our togs (yes me included)  well I wore my board shorts.  I took beach chairs and umbrellas so looked quite good.  I good thing was I could fit my shorts and I had a few people comment on how good I looked.  I struggle with this though.

Afterwards I had to pick up some groceries and I decided i was going to embrace this new eating style.  If I was on Biggest Loser or Downsize Me I would and this is the same just without the cameras.  So I bought canned chicken (I don’t like tuna) and vita wheat crackers, porridge sachets lots of veges and am going to try this as of tomorrow as today’s lunch was made and dinner defrosting.

I am sitting here with no energy and am even struggling to type this andjust want to lie on my bed behind me and have a sleep.  I need that 2nd wind to get me through the rest of the day.  I have clothes behind me to fold as changed from beach wear as cold and gray here.  I am wearing a skirt I have worn only once and a couple of tops I fit properly although one is looking like it is nearly to big.  bummer as I like it alot.

Right I am out of here to get Dayna and Martin.

Well last week I felt like life was bedlam and I couldn’t fit in my normal things like blogging and other computer related activities (all above board).  But Yesterday and today I feel a little more on top of things.

After the party yesterday we came home and vacuumed the car, Martin sprayed the weeds with his new toy a backpack weedkiller pack thing.  He said it was so much easier than using the little spray bottle we have used in the past.  Being a nice weekend the laundry was drying on the line as well.  I think it felt like a nice spring weekend and helped us accomplish lots of bits and pieces.

I prep-ed and cooked dinner while Martin applied for a job at the school he really wants to work for and only 7kms from home.  It washing confusing as looked like it is advertised in the education mag today but it is also the closing date.  Fingers crossed.

I got most the laundry folded last night and the dishes done and a couple of other things and still sat down to watch McLeods Daughters from Thursday night.  I went to bed at 9.30am and was out like a light.  We videoed N3mbers as was on to late for me.

I was up at 5am and off to the gym.  It was a great workout and I am still getting to 2.5kms running so that is exciting and I had my MP3 so had my own music which made the run easier especially as I was there with no team members.  Having a team makes it so much easier.   The website will be updated every week so keep an eye on it.  Everyone is working real hard so that trip is going to be a tough challenge to win.

The website is: http://wellington.thebreeze.co.nz/feature/tabid/181/articleID/873/cat/26/Default.aspx

I got home and made lunches, made the bed , folded more washing that had dried overnight and had a shower all before Martin left for work.  That was great as these are my normal morning chores, so this all helps me feel normal and the competition isn’t taking over my life more than it needs too.

I am sore today and very tired I just want to sleep but can’t so have played games with Dayna to keep me occupied.  I have to go out now though to Kindy as they have the Education Review Officers there and they want to talk to the Committee which I am on.

Crikey, I just realised Wednesday was my last post.  I have been so busy that I am unaware of time.  I am also tired and exhausted and to catch up would bore you all I am sure.  I will try and cover life quickly.

Thursday was my day off from exercise and I liked the idea but thought about it constantly.  I listen to the radio at 8.10am every morning as that is the Fit & Fab time-slot and love hearing the interviews and progress.  I ran errands mainly with Dayna so the day wasn’t that exciting.  I did however have to take her to the Dr. as she has another ear infection.  She wasn’t well so didn’t even go to Kindy.

Friday I dropped the kids off at their place of play and headed to the gym.  I had a one on one session with the  Personal Trainer (Andrew).  It was great he showed me the weight machines again and personalised the weights for me.  We then hit the treadmill and put me on interval training where every 3minutes I change the speed up and then down and then up even more etc.  I pushed myself and got to 2km and got my 2nd wind so got to 2.35 and went I won’t get to 3km as had hit the wall and was pushing really hard to get through/over it, I did manage 2.5kms yipee yi yay.  I was so pleased I nearly hugged Andrew.  He then took me to do the warm down stretches and some Ab exercises.  I was so pleased with the session.

I picked Isaiah and Connor up from Kindy and came home before picking Dayna up and meeting Connor’s Dad at the school to drop Connor off.  As soon as we were there the hail came.  Boy was it thick it was a true hail storm.  It was loud and lasted 20+ minutes.  I had to carry the kids to the car in the storm.  We picked up Martin and got the groceries.

I went out to a Kindy thank you evening and they had all sorts of beverages and canapes but I stuck to water.  There was then a comedy show for us which was great I enjoyed it and learnt a thing or three.  They then put on dessert.  Chocolate and luckily fresh fruit.  I had some watermelon and strawberries.  yum.

Saturday I was at the gym at 10am for a weigh in.  I lost 200g weight but get this put on .3% fat.  Crazy.  Anyway we were there as a team and all did a workout before leaving to go our separate ways.  I have to tell you I got to 2.8kms today, but boy did I work for it.  I get a ride in the weekends so got dropped at Mitre 10 Mega.

We bought our first lawnmower.  We had a push mower then were given a 2nd hand one but it has been dying for some time, so it was time.  It is lovely we even got a photo. So of course we mowed the lawns yesterday and they look good.  Also did a spot of gardening and weed trimming, so all is good outside.

We finished wrapping the last of the Christmas presents and the Chchones are in a box ready to go.  Plans have been made for some kind of Christmas gathering with Martin’s family on the Eve.  So another step closer.  BTW I have not started my cards as I would have usually done andwill have to find time to squeeze them in.

Before we knew it it was 11 something pm.  We like many others watched the elections.  All I will say is my favourite colour is Blue. lol.  I knew Helen would step down as it would be hard running a country for 9years and then go to being a leader of the opposition.

Sunday – I woke at 6am for some reason and decided I better get on to doing the final marking for the year.  I only just got the workbooks back to do this.  It took 3hours to finalise 3 classes and they are officially in the post.  So a huge relief.

I was at the gym again at 10am and worked out with my team.  After we all did the weight machines we headed for the cardio machines.  I started running on the treadmill.  There is a muscle in my leg that was burning from quite early on.  I was tempted to stop but seeing my team there I just couldn’t.  I got to 2.5km as didn’t want to do damage.  After that Jo and I got on the bikes and then stretched and headed home.  And this is where I am now.

The website for the competition I will post for you to see but there is an admin error so once that is sorted I will give you the address.

Dayna and Martin are at a birthday day for a kindy friend and Isaiah at Connor’s as he wasn’t invited.  I will go and join some of the family and hopefully have a nice quiet family afternoon.

I will be back at the gym at 5.30am tomorrow and Tuesday, so will aim for an early night.