Week two down...it's a wrap

I'm not too sure where all this week went.  I think there were a couple of black out days because I'm still shaking my head.   I've actually, officially, laid out 100's of dollars to compete in a crazy race "because it's fun". 

Monday was AustraliaDay public holiday so a short cliffy shuffle along the Barron Gorge Road.  There are worst places to train believe me.  The peace of the rainforest, running crystal clear waters of the mountains heading to the Coral Sea, blank out your screams of pain on the gentle inclines of the mountainous road.  But what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. 

My beast, still un-named maybe I should get onto that...

Tuesday, the threat of cyclone off the coast lead to the bike being on the wind trainer, just keep peddling.  Bit like one of those silent movies where the character keeps running but doesn't get anywhere because scenery is actually scrolling past him.  It's an interesting ride. 

Wednesday, still raining but no gentle sea breeze.  Our cousins further south got that one.  So you really can't put off swimming because hey you are going to get wet anyways and preschool squad is one of favourite parts of the week.  Except when doing said chicken wings, catch up drills etc.  Breathstoke, bring it on.  Ending the day with another bike session on the wind trainer with teamies.

Thursday,  my awesome day off and getting ribbed because I didn't get up at 6am to run hills with my team mates.  They really haven't learnt I don't 'do' early mornings, some know and they would agree with me.  Coach M has great delight in annoying me on early morning starts; it's funny - yep.  When my day says you are free as a bird.  My mind and bloomin old body says, yippee.  Let's celebrate and have a nanny nap.  Awwwh.  End of story.

Friday, Saturday, Sunday have all blurred with mixture of tri club, boot camp, cardio tennis, and running.  But at least week two is done and dusted.  Yahoo.

It may be only week two but the roller coaster has began with good and crap sessions.  My favourite

leg swimming this week sucked.  Nearly fell off the bike, that's to be expected.  BUT my milestones; I ran 10km with help of my team mate, tackled my first hill on bike and conquered (remember I'm a learner on the bike), and this morning ran 40min non stop.  So I think the important thing dust off the bad crap and grab with both hands the stuff I achieved this week and never had before, even if they are wee milestones.  They are milestones for me.  Bring on week three....

Train well and safe

Shell xo :)

Diet, Fads, and all that other ....

Since Christmas, the vibe on social media, how everyone is going on a diet.  They need to lose weight and a diet will fix everything.  "Oh, I've lost 3kg this week, in only a week"  "I'm fat, I need to lose

weight"  "I'm going on a diet"  I cringe at all these things.  Trust me, I've been on the roller coaster to weight loss probably from late 20's until maybe 18 months ago.  I know how amazing it feels to lose weight and feel good about yourself from that quick fix.  Then old habits start to creep in, emotions (I am biggest emotional eater) take over and over time, that weight creeps in and your scales tell you, your are sooooooo obese, your BMI is crap and you feel like shite.  So let's go to the fridge to make it better..arrgh.

At the end of 2012, while sort of committing to swimming in a team.  I notice this peculiar thing.  My body shape was changing.  Clothes started to fit better, and I actually took notice of what I was eating because I didn't want this great feeling going away.  Yep, I was still having chocolate but instead of having the whole 250g block in one sitting, I'd only have a little.  (It's a miracle how long it lasts when you do that)  I didn't feel guilty about eating it.  I enjoyed. 

By January 2013, wow I was feeling so good.  Clothes loose, working hard at training.  Still had my curves but there was more shape and I started to like me.  Because before my light bulb moment, I wasn't really getting on with myself. 

Then I thought I'm doing so well, I'm going to get those scales to tell me how good I've been.  BAMMMM end of happiness.   I was heavier even though clothes loser and I felt great.  My coach has always explained muscle is heavier, skip the scales....but at that moment in time, it was the end of my world.  Then, after self pity, the whole why me crap (it's never a good thing)  I decided me and my scales had to part ways and this is what I said:

8th February 2013

Dearest Scales

You have long been my nemesis.  You go UP, Down, UP, down; yes, at some point I have to take responsibility.  So I am.  I will no longer be governed by your numbers and how you make me feel.  When I eat right, exercise, my clothes begin to feel lose.  I feel amazing. 

Yet when I step on you, your numbers tell a different story. 

You then get into my happy head space where I was feeling amazing, and because I’m an emotional eater.  I binge, say why do I bother and eat crap food and don’t exercise.  Then I feel like crap again.  I step on you and the numbers stay the same.  Arrrrrrrrrgh.  Frustration.

So you know what.  I know I’m responsible for me. It takes baby steps, to get to the end goal.   I’m not going to be ruled by you anymore.  My happy head space belongs to me.  I’m going to have chocolate, beer, red drink when I want, and not feel guilty because I’m learning a new word; it’s called moderation.  I’m going to trip up now and again but that’s ok.

I love the fact that tennis doesn’t seem like exercise because it’s fun.  Being crazy at beach boot camp, running up crazy hills stuffs me.  But I’ve achieved something. Yet I’m sure you’d tell me differently.  I may be puffing like billy the train but I gave it a go.  I’m happy I did.

So, it may take me one, maybe two years to reach my goal of all over 14.  But I don’t care, you’re not going to be there to make me feel unhappy because I might have had one or two bad weeks, months.  I have wonderful supportive people around me.  Super coach.  Who are there on good days and the bad days when kryptonite cripples my super girl powers.

So I’m just going to roll with the punches; I’m only human with a touch of super girl.  Not perfect, never will be.  Life is too short to get hung up by numbers on a scale.  If you are giving it a go, eating healthily, and exercising, I’m going to be in that positive/happy place.

Bring on the day I can go and pick off the rack my size 14 Wayne Cooper (or other designer) straight dress.  I’m going to get there without your help.  Adios amigo, goodbye, ciao, bye bye, may the dust now cover your screen in retirement.

Yours faithfully

A girl with lots of curves

And that is that.  No more scales, the only use they get from me is weighing my luggage when I travel.  Yes, I'm tempted every now and again to jump but there, my will power is strong, and tape measure, clothes, positive people, loving life and my happy head space are my friends.

Everyone is different, and we all do the diet things for different reasons.  I just wish society would stop with the word diet and quick fix options and go for the "lifestyle" change that you can live with everyday.  Make those little changes over time that will sustain and be better healthier you.  Be happy with the clothes, fuel you put in your body, exercise you do, whatever it is.  Most of all be comfortable in your own skin.  There are a lot of pressures we put on ourselves today; by society, social media and in general being harsh on ourselves for minuscule things.  Instead of living healthy, enjoying life, being positive and not getting hung up on all the crap (little things).  

 

In the end the choice is yours.  If you are really honest with yourself, and look within, you know if you are doing the best you can, to live a healthy lifestyle.   (I said healthier, not perfect.)  If you aren't, are YOU going to change or stay the same?  It is up to YOU and no-one else.  Never forget we are all only human, and life is a roller coaster of ups and downs.  It's about making the best of the ride and most importantly, enjoying it along the way.  Everybody's' path is different there is no deigning that, but try and make it an amazing one.

Here's to happy healthy life, whatever YOU choose.  Oh, and a wee red drink and chocolate, every now and again.  (I hope, not to get too excited on next social gathering.  Then again there are no promises though; only human :).)

Shell xo :)

Arrival - It's here.

This week marked D-day when I got my 20 week programme that starts on Monday.  I left it for a day before I even opened the email from my coach.  I know chicken .....   I'll let you fill in the blanks.  After a day of rehydration the day before with friends, and maybe or may not feeling the after effects of that.  I didn't think my heart could have taken it and my excitement cup wasn't going to overflow.  Because reality might sink in, I've bitten off more than I could chew.

Let's say I wasn't disappointed when, on the following day I opened it.  Buggar.  Yep, looking at the days for the next four weeks, numbers floating off the page talking about interval hills on bikes, running for time.  Uhh, my grandma shuffle is two speeds.  Stop and go :)  As fellow team mates disappear into the distance.  An inner gremlin in me goes what the .... are you doing. 

But then I go to training and realise even the young, very fit team mates are having those same doubts.  Ok, yep there are those that are just going to smash it.  Is it naughty of me to say though, seeing them with "whites of eyes showing"  puts me at ease.  I guess, it is.  Then again it shows we are in the same boat and why it is important to train around positive people to share the doubts but them quickly get them out of your head.  We all have our own reasons for doing this crazy stuff.

So it is back to basics I'm not looking at the week ahead, or the next four weeks.  Next Monday, I'll be looking at day one and go yep.  Ok, I need to do this as best I can.  Well that is the theory anyway.  Let's see how that works out??

Happy Training

Shell xo :)

cool T'shirt from Ironchicks, they have great information too :)

PS:  On and end not though, I have to say the best thing that has happened this week is doing a class on technique for running and feeling great afterwards.  (Never thought I'd say that ha ha never admit to coach either, shhhh.  It  gives her other silly ideas for you).  Biggest plus getting a really, really cool t-shirt from my sister, made my day.  See Photo.  So, Now, I think I'm all set to go, maybe...

Countdown: 5 months (gulp)

It will get better :)

It was pointed out today the milestone of five months until the big 70.3 Cairns Ironman, Ironman race.  Isn't that nooice.  So how is training going?  Hmmm, that would be a good question.  The after effects of Christmas has slowly crept to my girth, fitness level disappeared just like the bubbles of celebration.   So how is training going?  That my friends, in a word, slow. 

BUT you have to hitch that wagon up again and get back on it.  The mojo has slightly returned after festive spirit reigned supreme.  At training tonight, the tears were slightly welling up at the thought of the mammoth task ahead.  Once again Coach M shared the love, as well as teamies, don't focus on the distances, just cross off each day, it will build up. 

Right, so that is what I'm going tell my head.  It's a bit thick so might take a while but will give it a shot.  The tears and headache may also be, because I just figured out, with the reality bat slapping me big time.  I'm going to have no life except for training for the next five months.  Bloomin' good thing I'm surrounded by pretty awesome people doing the same crazy, crazy stuff.  So here goes.... :)

Crazy kids, I train with, that keep me going.  Colour Run 2013 Cairns.  xo :)