Thursday, April 30, 2009

BUMPS IN THE ROAD AND GETTING BACK ON TRACK

This morning the Metal Monster didnt play by the rules GRRRRR. I had a classic "wrong way dickhead" moment with a .6 increase for no valid reason. For a moment I wanted to go back to bed, sleep til 10am, eat several slices of buttered fruit toast for breakfast and then veg on the couch all day.

But I was up so I dressed and hit the streets at 5.10am for my morning cardio. A girls gotta do what a girls gotta do. The day was cruising nicely until after lunch when the MM fallout hit and there were some bumps in the road in the form of some off plan eating. But its behind me and instead of sitting here tonight wondering what else I can stuff down, I've considered all the options and decided that I dont want any of them. I'm officially BACK ON TRACK :-)

I had a lovely lunch out with my friend Miss J today and I was able to talk to her about some of my recent (non training/dieting/fitness related) challenges. As an ex-lawyer she has such a balanced and informed way of looking at things and I find her perspectives really refreshing and enlightening. She's also a "glass half full" person which I love as her positive energy is contagious.

I'm sure that many of you would agree that good girlfriends are like top quality diamonds: rare, highly valuable and if you have one you're very lucky and should never take it for granted. Always be greatful that you have such a precious gift.

Well I'm keeping my post brief tonight but have lots more to share over the next few days. Thanks to everyone who left a comment and welcomed me back. I've commented individually on all your blogs.

Cheers

Magda

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

INSPIRED TO BLOG AGAIN

Today I read KatieP’s post and its inspired me to blog again.

When I decided to take a break from blogging, I was yet again in a difficult and negative place. I felt like I was repeating my failures over and over again and doing it “in public” made them even worse. I spent 3 late nights sitting up by myself and crying. Then I’d go to bed and cry some more before eventually falling asleep. There was a lot of hopelessness and frustration with myself that needed to be let out.

When some of the heaviness had lifted I reached for “Get the Life You Always Wanted” by Richard Bandler and started reading up on Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP). I’d delved into this a little before and I was keen to know more. The book was ok (not as earth-shattering as I’d expected) but it did help me re-align my thoughts to a new and improved process. One that was desperately needed and long overdue. I’m not fully into it (the NLP) yet but I see great potential for it in the near future.

So on Good Friday 10 April I stripped my training back to the basics after some weeks of just haphazard bits and pieces. I refused to write up rigid programs where everything was prescribed and monitored to the nth degree. I set some loose training targets and just got on with it. Cardio is brisk or power walking or riding my exercise bike or using our rower. I’m never dreading it so its been consistent. When I do weights I go with the flow and aim to complete a certain number of (effective) sets for each body part. You see, I know how to train hard and I do it instinctively without having it all spelt out. I’m happy to say that I’ve managed some good consistency here too even when my ability to use my exercise room was limited by my MIL’s visit.

Food …… took a change for the better on Easter Monday. Until then I had crumbed seafood on Good Friday night and desert, hot X buns on Saturday, foccaccia and hot donuts on a day out with the family on Sunday and then Easter dinner at my parents’ house with more desert. I didn’t want to spend Easter pining for foods I loved. Since Easter Monday I’ve been eating pretty clean but nowhere near perfect and this is how I want it to be.

At one stage, out of sheer desperation I thought of going straight into a strict comp diet ….. anything to get my weight down FAST. But commonsense prevailed and I realised that my weight would come down without the need to be so strict. There would be time for that down the track. So I enjoy a daily skim cappuccino, sugar free lollies, wine on social occasions, desert if I really feel like it and the rest of my food is pretty much lean, clean and healthy. I even managed the “M” word (moderation) over BS’s birthday celebrations and ended up losing just over a kilo that week.

Finally my headspace has shifted into a more balanced and positive zone. I’ve had some different challenges this last week and they could easily have sent me straight to junk food for comfort but I didn’t crave it. A little while ago I went to wash my lunch dishes in the kitchen at work and was confronted by a platter of cakes: carrot cake, apricot slice, caramel slice, lemon coconut slice, all favourites. They looked delicious but I walked away easily knowing that I was in control and they would not be my downfall.

I love being in this balanced and in-control state but I’m not naïve to think that life will always be like this. Tough times will hit like they do for everybody at some time and in some form and I will slip up and make mistakes again. Its human nature and I’m no superior being. I’ll fall over and stuff up but I’m determined to handle those times differently in future, be kinder to myself and pick up and keep going.

So on that note I’ll wrap this up for today. If I still have your attention I say “thanks for listening” and I’ll be blogging regularly about my continued quest for fitness, fun and figure. More on that soon.

Cheers all

Magda

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

MY BOY IS 7 NOW

and despite almost a week of socialising, eating out, preparing for and hosting parties, I'm 1.1kgs lighter :-)

And on that note I'm back to my break from blogging.

Cheers all

Magda

Thursday, April 09, 2009

TIME OUT

I've decided to take a break from blogging. I admit that I'm quite addicted to reading blogs and on most days I love posting about myself but this hasnt been the case lately. I've been toying with this for some time now and maybe with some pressure off, things will change ... for the better.

I've always been honest about my struggles and I've shared my highs and lows but I now feel there are things I just dont want to put out there. I'm not sure where the next few weeks / months will take me. Although I know where I'd like to go, I'm not confident that I have it in me right now to get myself there.

I feel like I've got a lot of work to do and its best done in private. So on that note I'll sign off until ... whenever.

If your nutrition plan allows it, enjoy some chocolate eggs or hot cross buns in moderation. Get your training in, make the most of the 4 day break and spend some time with your family or good friends. I wish everyone a safe and happy Easter.

Cheers

Magda

Tuesday, April 07, 2009

BEYOND SYDNEY

Whilst I didnt eat too badly in Sydney I admit that my wine intake was somewhat on the high side. Oh but I do love it :-) However since coming home I've cleaned up my diet again and will be aiming to tighten it up a bit more as I try to eliminate my artificial sweeteners. The bloat has gone down already with 1.1kgs off since yesterday and hopefully a bit more will come off tonight. Nothing to get excited about though as I did gain after those 2 or so weeks of off-plan eating.

Training is limited to brisk walks until the Esater break and then I'll reschedule the weights again. I havent been consistent in this area either and I'm starting to feel cr*ppy for it. It also wont be long before I reintroduce some running as it only takes a few walk sessions and my heart rate just doesnt get into my training zone any more. Gotta burn those cals and build those muscles so I better pull my finger out.

But in all honesty its not the physical stuff that challenges me the most (well maybe the diet side does when my Binge Monster is raging out of control). Deep down I know that if I can change my thoughts and my beliefs about myself and how I react to certain situations then my battle is more than half won. I believe that this is where I need to focus my energies to achieve the change that I so want. After all, we all know that when our minds work with us or for us the rest just seems to fall into place.

:-) Magda

Monday, April 06, 2009

THE GIRLS IN SYDNEY

Miss E and I. She is my bestie and has been for 30 years. Eeegads we are getting old LOL.


Me with Miss S. I've known (and loved) her for almost 20 years. She is my son's godmother and I'm godmother to her son. We too, will be friends forever.


The DIY pic of the 3 of us out on Saturday night. Wine and cheese in Darling Harbour followed by glamming up before drinks at the Opera Bar, Thai dinner back at Darling Harbour and then desert at the Lindt Chocolate Shop. A great time was had by all.
So tonight's post is mainly about fun. Fun on the flight to Sydney where we had a great hostie who gave us extra wine during the flight and then extra again to take back to our apartment. Woohoo we got the holiday off to a great start.
Fun shopping!! I didnt buy much because I want to splurge in Singapore but Miss E is a brilliant shopper. In fact, if shopping was an Olympic sport she would win gold for Australia LOL.
Fun eating out. Fun having wine, more wine and then some more wine again. Did I mention we had a fair bit of wine? Oh the wine was sooooo good.
Fun talking and laughing and mucking around. My friends are not into training or the fitness lifestyle but Miss S did join me on a brisk walk Saturday morning while Miss E slept in.
I may not have worn my size 11 jeans with my still unworn Prada top but I still had a great time. Although I had moments where I was a bit down about losing my motivation and my determination and therefore not reaching my goal, I realised that my friends dont think any less of me and that there is more to life than making a number on the Metal Monster.
Dont get me wrong. Thats not to say that I dont care any more, cause I care more than people realise. Its just that I wasnt going to spend the weekend moping about it. And now its time to draw the line in the sand and acknowledge that enough is enough.
Its time to change.
M

Wednesday, April 01, 2009

MARCH REPORT

March Report:

In a word.... CR*P. Started good. Finished bad. Acknowledging that I have a LONG way to go before I'm where I want to be :-(

Having said all that I'm taking some advice from Craig Harper. Over the next few days I'm pulling the car into the garage, lifting up the bonnet and giving the engine (mind) a good going over. For some reason (well known to me) it hasnt been running like it should be and its time for an overhaul. It may even be time for a reconditioned motor haha.

Whatever the action (and I have a loose plan/idea/approach) I just know that in order to get where I want to be, I have to change .... my motor (mind/thoughts), my route (diet/training regime) and my overall travel plan. What I'm doing now is clearly NOT working and its time I acknowledged it, accepted it and took action.

Off to Sydney tomorrow with the GFs. Not promising any achievements with diet and training for the next few days but my aim is to come back with a new attitude and my mojo well and truly in tact. (Its been M.I.A. for too long now).

"See" you all in a few days time.

M