Mel's week 6 Challange..and Update!

 So this week has been a tough one for me. I have been full on at work and at home. I gave blood again on Monday, but this time did my first PLASMA donation ( I donate to Australian Red Cross for the record. It is Illegal to be paid for this donation in Australia)! Which I have to say was kinda weird and somewhat educational! I have a somewhat rarer blood type ( Ab+), so I am a great choice for a plasma donor. I also learnt that while plasma generally is a bright yellow colour,  mine looks more like a darker yellow/olive greenish ( due to my birth control apparently). haha  Sketchy. So while this meant I had to rest up for Monday, it has not slowed me down workout wise at all!
Later in the week I was feeling pretty run down. I had two long shifts (one late night) this week back to back and on top of working out and home commitments I was feeling a bit burnt out. But I rested up Friday night. Pumped an extra dose of Vit b6 sups on Saturday. And I was good as gold. 


been working hard at getting in my net calories too. Some days ahve been harder then others. i struggle to cover what Im burning off. 


But Now Onto the Challenge!

WEEK SIX CHALLENGES:


Focus on your excuses again. Write them down and defeat them. 
 -Work: Been working out BEFORE. And If not before. Getting it in at night. :) 

 Commit to exercising all seven days even if it's just active recovery.

-  6/7 this week due to plasma Donation. But Im pretty happy.

Get outside the box. One day, do an exercise routine you've NEVER done. Go to Zumba, try a swim class, go rollerblading. It doesn't matter what it is, but give it your all and push hard.

- Got this one done by chance!!  Thursday's Light and Lo class = Surprise circuit class! ZOMG, That Instructor is TERRIBLE!! 

Surprise Circuit we walked into!

Intermediate-Advanced: Do your scheduled routine but add a workout from your partner. 
 - Regular workout CHECK! Late Night extra Run CHECK! Workout from Buddy...Um. No. But we did convince each other to NOT chicken out of the Circuit class. So that Counts ...right?

Message your partner telling them to give you an assignment.
Stay connected with your partner.

- Melissa And I check in with each other daily ( living together it is rather handy!)  But we always make sure that we are not over doing it and Push each other when we need it. :)



Send the Men in Black to my apartment to zap out the Super Bowl. Do not want to remember.

"It was a bad bad dream, Superbowl hasn't been played. In fact the game was cancelled. Due to a Pocket of Swamp gas exploding and knocking out the Satellites."

Push hard, guys. We have to stick with it even when it's getting monotonous. 

After the Class On Thursday.

Work Out breakdown for this week!: 

Monday: Plasma

Tuesday: Run (treadmill) - 34 mins 4.03k. Weights 35 mins, Bike- 7 mins. 1.85k

Wednesday: Outdoor run!! 5 k - 37mins ( 07:24 pace)

Thrsday: Surprise circuit Class- 65 mins 

Friday: Treadmill run - 4.22k  35 mins. Stationary bike -3.59k 9;10 min.

Saturday: Bike- 8.56k  20mins. Body balance class -55 mins.

Sunday: Run- 35mins - 4.52 k , Weights- 55mins - Bike 13 mins. 5.48k

Total: 400 mins!!

Push Ups- No idea how many. Just kept going till I couldn't do any more. 

Till next week Do lifers! 

Update

Hello. It's been a while since I posted other than part of the 12 week challenge, so I thought I would.

Since Jan 1st, I have lost 12lbs (as of mon jan 6th), feeling better about myself and working on running. As you know we've been working on the couch to 5km again. I am currently on week 3, which is 90 seconds of run, 90 sec walk, 3 min run, 3 min walk repeat. Some days I get through this ok, and some days I struggle. Here's a pic of me after my last run Friday. (please excuse the sports bra peeking out the side).

I ran hard and did over 4km in 35 mins, which is a LOT for me (my 4.5km was 39 mins for the fun run). The picture does not clearly show just how red my face was and the sweat dripping off me.

Anyway, it's going to be a few more runs before I can move up to the next week, which is 3 mins then 5 mins run. I'm not quite ready for that yet. I haven't had side stitches in a few runs, I seem to have been able to rewire my breathing without thinking too much except for right at the beginning of trying to fix the issue. Also, my knee is not too bad as of late. I've been icing it as soon as I can afterwards and it seems to be helping.

We have been counting calories for a month now, and it's going pretty well. I don't so much like rest days though. I always feel like I'm not going to have enough to eat.

We've also been doing more classes. We're going to a light and low class, which is really neither, and have been to pump and zumba and a surprise circuit class (was meant to be light and low). I think we've been doing really well with eating and being active and I'm happy with my running improvements. I feel like my endurance is slowly increasing and I don't always feel like I'm going to die if I run for 3 minutes straight. YAY.

That's all for now.

Sunday morning ass kickin

So we've recently (yesterday) started using Myfitnesspal. It se
ems good, but a little frustrating when it doesn't give you credit for calories burned during weight training. Right now I feel like I'm on the right track. Tomorrow is weigh in day. (Yay?) I feel good. I know I've lost a few cm in my belly which is great and my waist.

Today was day 2ish on c25k week 2. I suffered a little near the end. The treadmill I was on did not incline and I usually have it at least on 1 and I couldn't, so I ran flat. My calves started hurting about 2/3rds of the way through. I pushed and pushed through (I stopped to stretch my calves twice but only for a couple seconds and jump back on). I actually did better than the last time with 3.4km in 31 mins. (YAY)

So here's me after the treadmill attacked me today.

Sa no like running sometimes. I look a little stunned and had literally just stopped running and was still breathing hard. (Attractive picture eh?)

So after this, we did a couple weight machines, but then went into the empty class room to kick our butts a little. Our buddy Kelly came for a good ass whuppin and got one! We started out with a little boxing, (two boxed, one did jumping jacks) Got in the remaining 80 today and completed our 200 for the weekly challenge. We'd switch around so everyone got a turn doing everything. Did some lunges across the room, some squats and wall sits, tricep extensions and dips, crunches and a few other things at this point which I don't remember.

So I feel sufficiently worked today and expect to be sore tomorrow (when we will be going bowling and using those arms, well the right one, even more). That's me for today.

Sa plays catch up.

Hello loyal readers :)

So, because of circumstances beyond my control, I haven't been able to do as much as I would have liked to this week. Today, I feel like I made up for it. This morning Melanie and I went to the gym and ran week 2 of c25k. I did alright although by the end I was a bit pooped. And speaking of.... I didn't even have to stop! Was waiting for it for sure! But I digress...

We also worked on our pushups, and planks. I'm still sitting at 17 push ups, after much deliberation about form. And 43 second plank, but my back spasmed at that point and I had to drop.

After the morning run, I went for a walk in the afternoon with a friend and the kids around Riverway. We walked the whole thing, which is just short of 4km, then walked back to the park for the kids to play (another 1km) and back again to the cars (another 1km). We ran a little but it was much much too hot to keep it up for long. Was definitely a good walk for sure. It took us between 60-70 minutes for all that walking. Which is pretty good with 4 kids in tow stopping for drinks and bike issues.

So here's a selfie of me from my new phone once we finally sat down. The kids had donuts, we shared a protein bar lol

Apparently I'm winking for some reason. I dunno why. I actually like this pic though!

anyway, I feel like I've made up for the lack of movement at the start of the week. YAY for me!

Super Sunday!

Well Ok, maybe not super Sunday, but it has been a pretty decent Sunday so far. Well for the most part.
As I said yesterday, we went off early this morning to go do the Riverway circuit. It was lovely and cool, a slight hint of smoke in the air due to some local bushfires but a great day to be outside and working out. We started out early enough that the air was nice and the sun was only just starting to warm up. We had every intention of using the Podcast of C25k (week 2) to pace ourselves. I managed to finish off the podcast as planned but as Sa said she struggled a little today. But by the end of the podcast she had caught up with me. So while she may not have been able to pace to the podcast I think she did ok!  So as promised I took some pictures using my phone...in the process I misplaced my drivers license.:(  We went back to where I had taken my phone out hoping that I might find it with no luck. :(  But anyway... Some pictures!!

We did the Orange Circuit. where you see the blue lines is the section we did three times! GAH!

Sa Pretending she was Dying. Lol

A proper sweaty Mess!

Some of our view! Lots to see!

DUCKS!!! Lots and LOTS of ducks!

Looked very inviting! Maybe one day we can do some laps here?

That last Picture was taken just before I realised My License wasn't in the "fanny pack" ( Bumbag we call it here) and we back tracked to try to find it. So that added on a bit to our workout. But we still kicked it in a decent time I think.

Then I got home and went with The Family to a family Birthday party (FIL turned 60 today!). I even ate well there..turned down not one..but TWO Delicious looking cakes! I ate an apple I brought from home instead!

So there you have it folks! A Sunday workout in pictures!

Week 4 C25K - A PB!!!

So Its about 24 hours late...But last night I had the desire to go for a spontaneous run. So off I went after dinner..It was dark..and WAAAY cooler then trying to run in daylight. Ipod loaded up with my C25K week 4 podcast. a small bottle of water... and Shock horror..no gum. ( I have to run with gum or my mouth gets really dry and it bugs me!!) I dashed out the door at 7 :42 pm ( after Telling Sa that if I was not back in 60 mins to come find me!) , Ran our usual route and watched the lightening roll in. Lucky for me the rain held off. But it would have been kinda nice. It was still humid as hell.

So warming up I sorted my game plan. I would do the podcast, pace myself well and not try to push myself too unreasonably. Aim..to hit our turn around point at roughly half time.. I knew If I did this I would be doing amazingly well. But alas it was not quiet to be, I hit half way with the turn in my sight but non the less I kept up till I got there...Touched and returned back towards home. By now my mouth was dry as And I hate drinking a shitload of water on a long run..(its sloshes and makes me feel sick), My Last 5 min run...was HELL. Im running along this dark street...giving myself a verbal pep talk..."Come on Mel...Nearly there...you can do It Mel...Push through it..." Rinse and repeat.  It would have sounded mad to anyone crazy enough to listen to me.  I hit the end of my cool down for the podcast just around the corner from home. Slipped on some random music ( It happened to be Stacey's Mom) And paced myself out the last 900m home. I hit the front step as it ended. So I did a pb! 4.43k in 32 mins(podcast time) and "Stacey's Mom"(3:16 min)....For an official time of 35:16. ( dumb arse me has logged it as 36:16 on Daily mile) knocking over 6 mins off my time from the IGA fun run less than a month ago!!!!


To mark the occassion...I took a photo.. ;)

Hot mess Me!

Yay For Personal best times!!! On my way to hitting that Magic 5 k in 30 mins!!!!

Food and running and such

First of all let me say I'm a lot LESS picky than I used to be, and the only thing I don't eat that the rest do on a weekly/biweekly basis is steak. :P
I eat a lot better than I used to. Honestly I don't find it that hard to eat properly once you start. It's when you give in and eat something you know you shouldn't. The problem isn't eating it that one time, it's that it makes you want it again and again. So personally, I find it easier to avoid those yummy fatty greasy food that are so tempting. For the most part. Some people will tell you to give in to a craving. Honestly I'll only do that if it's REALLY bad and depends on what it is.

Anyways.... my run today... was day one of week 3. two intervals of 90 seconds and two with 3mins of running. I was ok until partway through the last interval. I felt like I was about to die. Seriously. I did have some light chest pains (Don't worry, if they were bad, I'd stop and get checked out) and having some issues breathing, but I made it. If I wasn't so exhausted I'd feel like it was an accomplishment. I DO feel that way but my god, I'm worried about week 4 now if I feel this way in week 3.

Wednesday I've been told we're doing a 'fun run'. it's 4.5km around a park and a river by us. It's early enough in the morning so hopefully it wont be too hot. It will be one of our running days, so we'll do the podcast for the first 26 mins and then probably see how we feel for the rest.

mmmm I can smell the roasting pumpkin (sweet squash) and red capsicum (red pepper) in the oven for lunch. YUM!

C25K Week 2!

In the bag! It was a little bit of a struggle. My Right leg felt like it was gonna give way..But I soldiered on and finished it up with a better pace and distance then week one! WOOHOOO! As promised..My Photo...

I did 3.312 in just over 30 minutes. With a pace of 9.22 min/km. Im a little unsure about next one..Lol. I have not read what to expect of the intervals on week 3. But hey, I am up for the challenge!!!

So We weighed in again on Wednesday...I was down another 700g so I was happy..Sa was down too..Still up some but had a decent loss.   So that what matters. So next weigh is Monday! Bring it on!

We got our Miracle Noodles on Tuesday too. Just in time for spaghetti night! They were awesome!!! Was so good to be able to have spaghetti and not feel like I was blowing all those carbs! Check out the Links we love for the site!

Till next time...:)

Done week one

Ok, so I'm a day behind Melanie. Only because I didn't have the podcast when she started. Anyways, I'm done week one! YAY. I did 3.15km in the 30 mins today. Sadly it was a bit slack. We were both REALLY tired. Up late and up early..ish. Anyways, Monday I start week two. Which is 90 sec of running, 2 min walking. Melanie did hers today and she said she preferred it to last week. We'll see how I go. Was a bit dehydrated today and one of my calf's started to act like it was going to cramp. I stopped just long enough to rub it a bit (maybe 8-10 seconds) then back on.

Also did some weights. I would have liked to do a bit more, but we'd told Jeff we'd only be an hour and Melanie looked like she was very done. Did some hip abductors, seated rows, chest presses, deltoid raises, bicep curls and tricep lifts. The latter three about half as many as I would have liked. Then we went and did a bit of abs. Still not much as we had to get going. Tomorrow, we'll likely do a circuit they have set up there.

That's all for now.
On to week two Monday.

C25K week One!

Is in the Bag!! Finished up week one just a little while ago! WOOHOO! 1 week down...8 to go. It was a bit more of a challenge today. We roller skater yesterday for like 2 hours.My legs were stiff but I managed a good effort. Almost as good as day 2. With a little push/sprint in the last interval.

I will take a pic on day 3 every week as a record. Hopefully a good way to keep track of my progress!

Im actually looking forward to hitting week 2!!! YAY! I might be a runner yet!

C25K Yay!

So I did it! YAY!! The stifled tied up runner in me is slowly breaking out. Ran 8 intervals of 60 seconds with 90 in between. It's a start! And I feel good. I tried running a bit on my own last year, but meh. I'm committed to doing my best. I may never be able to run the full 5 km's but I will go as far as I can.
Next time I will have to bring my knee brace as about 2/3 of the way through my right knee started bothering me. Also, I started to get a bit of a stitch in my side just at the last interval. I didn't stop though.

Did a bit of upper body work as I felt my legs had had enough. Some chest presses, bicep curls, tricep stuff and some deltoid raises and a little bit of ab stuff.
Also, there was the vibrating machine thingy Melanie was talking about before. It felt weird!! I got on and said it just felt like my ass was jiggling all over the place. Althooough.... there was one position that vibrated something else and I threatened to stay there. lol Yay for cheap thrills at the gym. hehehehe.

Anyways.... we're meant to rest a day between runs, so I guess I'll be doing day two on Wednesday.

Today was a good food day too. Had a ham and cheese and salad wrap and a peach for lunch, a protein bar before the gym and have tried to drink water, but I know I haven't drank enough. I never do. Having satay and brown rice and veggies tonight. Yum smart, but normal food again!

Anyways, that's all for now.

Blah

I feel less productive today. I haven't got the podcast thingy yet, so I kind of have been doing my own thing. Also today my stomach was a bit upset, so it wasn't the workout I expected to have. I did jog a little, but the treadmill for me today sucked. Stupid stomach.

Anyway, yeah we did the body balance class. Was alright, but the instructor moved way too fast. I'd just get settled into a position and start to enjoy the stretch when we'd have to move. At one point I just kind of sat there on my haunches 'cause she just kept going too fast. I needed the stretch. After the weights yesterday, parts of me were pretty stiff and sore.

I'm going to try the c25k thingy. Like I said before, I'm not a runner, but I'll give it a shot. As long as my knees allow it. And apparently I've been told I'm doing a run on Mothers day. I thought that was a day to relax? geesh.

anyways, I'm just disappointed with my workout today. I still did about 20 mins, but it was definitely lacking.

Sa.

WOOT C25K!

So I started the C25K program today! Im on my way!  Day 1 week 1...wasn't so bad!!! I did 2.92 km in 30 minutes. Not bad considering I feel so out of shape and I still struggle to not cough too much. But It was so simple to do following the podcast! And the fact I generally am NOT a treadmill person...I ran  Jogged on the treadmill today!!!

I have set myself a goal. The Mothers Day 5 k fun run in May. Its a few months away still. And I think by then I should be in the zone. A friend Jeni has locked me in to do it with her, So I have no excuses..and I cant back out now! And Of course if Im doing it..so is Sa!!! Muhahaha! The good thing is it should be MUCH cooler then so the heat wont be a factor.

After I did my treadmill work out Sa and stuck around and did a Body Balance Class. I love this class..Its a great stretch and core strength workout. Sadly The instructor leaves something to be desired..But I still really enjoyed it. I feel Much more limber...I also realise just how much strength I have lost over the last few months. :( I also did not care for the fact that the stupid new music ruling means that some instructors choose to use cover music rather then pay royalties...Which I DO understand ( and would probably also do when Im qualified)...But it sucks. 

This is also day 6 of Quickstart! One more day. I can tell I have lost some..My jeans were not nearly as snug today. Which is a bonus. But I still have a ways to go. I don't feel like I have really missed out on anything this time. A great food rotation  has definitely helped I think!

QS day 6...DONE! C25K...Here I come!

☼Mel☼