Reviving a long forgotten blog.

WOW

I had forgotten all about this blog.

I'm going to revive it; more for myself than anyone else; as a way of staying accountable and getting my thoughts and feelings down on screen.

I'm hoping it will help me to progress my fitness goals.

So - a little about where I've found myself at this point in my journey.

I'm back working in Australia; FIFO between east coast and Western Australia. Working this way means that one is rarely at "home"; and for many it is easier to have no fixed address. This can make it difficult to maintain any regular exercise routine; and definitely does not help with healthy eating.

My most successful periods of weight and exercise maintenance have been when I have my own place and can buy the healthy food I like. But I have to make this work and not let myself slip back into old habits.

The weight has been creeping back, 10kg since my marathon 4 years ago. It's not pretty, it's not comfortable, and I can't fit into any of the great clothes I bought.

So this is it.

Be accountable.

Be responsible.

Be successful!!!

Catching Up & Week 1

I've been SO busy the last few weeks with work and preparation for moving.

It has also been difficult to do some of the final preseason tasks as all my preparation, stocking up and scheduling has to wait until I get to Texas.

Life threw me one of those unavoidable excuses this week. My dad fell ill last Monday and was put into hospital with a bowel obstruction. On Friday I drove down to Moruya as he was due to go in for his operation on Sunday. After a bad night Friday night they decided to operate Saturday but didn't have sufficient ICU staffing. So they operated and flew him to Canberra for post-op, with mum and I following in our cars. The post-op hallucinations and delirium were awful and the weekend and Monday were so stressful. I had to come home Monday for a doctor's appointment and to do final packing and preparation for my departure on Friday. He is physically over the worst of it now, but it seems to be taking a lot longer for his mental faculties to get back to normal.

Anyway - back to 12WBT. There was no exercise and no planning at all until late Monday. But I did make the right choices when we were out. I did manage to stay away from the delicious almond croissants and muffins in the cafeteria. On Monday afternoon I made up my grocery list to last until I leave on Friday - shopped and have eaten to plan since.

Starting weigh-in was completed on Tuesday morning (72.5kg is my official starting weight).

Measurements and first week weigh in were completed this morning (70.4kg - WHAT???? - in two days? - I think it's stress, or does eating clean really make THAT much difference?)

I'll do my before photo in Houston.

Fitness test (except for the time trial which I will do once I map out a 1km track in Houston) was done this morning. (My ab strength is dismal.)

I have exercised every day with running and stretching to Mish's plan, but replacing her toning workout with a GPT session at my local gym.

So - my first weekend in Houston and week 2 - here I come.

Looking forward to reading and printing next week's program to study and plan for on the plane.

Saying it Out Loud

This task is all about committing to making a change. Committing to ourselves; committing to Michelle; committing to our friends, our family and the 12WBT community. It's about committing to reach our goals and committing to do the work we need to do to get there.

I have posted on 12WBT, but that post will get lost in the myriad of other commitments.

So I am committing here. To myself, to you and to anyone else who cares to read my blog.

• I am committed 100% to get back down to 65kg and stay there. I am committed to following the 12WBT program to get there.
• I am committed 100% to tone up my body; to tone up my abs and arms for more definition. I am committed to following the 12WBT toning program and Kaz's Get Great Guns program. (GGG)
• I am committed 100% to run that marathon before the end of the Texas running season. I am committed to joining a run club and following a marathon training program to make it. I will make the same commitment to my run club friends when I join.

While I would love to make these commitments to my family, I know they will undermine my efforts. So I will make them to my 12WBT friends and the like minded friends I will make throughout this journey.

Gearing Up

I wish I could attack this task now, but it's going to have to wait until I get to Houston.

Mish has told us to "gear up". Work out where we want to train and get ready with equipment, gym memberships, clothes, etc. But I don't want to be lugging heaps of stuff on the plane (or paying the horrendous excess baggage fees the airlines charge) and I don't know what will be available in the neighbourhoods where I am living and working.

So..... a plan is in order.

Exercise will be predominantly running based to meet my goals. So that means an outdoor running area. I know I'll be staying somewhere near work and the most popluar running areas are not too far away.

I plan on joining a run club to focus my training and meet new people with similar interests. There are plenty in the area listed on the HARRA website.

Because of the hot humid summers there are heaps of gyms available around the area so people can exercise away from the heat. I will join a gym to work on strength, balance and cross training. (If I'm really lucky there will be one at work or in my apartment block.)

I just wish I could gear up NOW.

Taking Control

I found this task difficult. Mainly because I don't know what it will be like when I get to Texas. So, for now, I'm setting broad goals and I'll refine them as I become familiar with the people, climate and what activities are available to me.

The one big revelation was my major reward. I was thinking about skydiving, white water kayaking, hang gliding,....
Then there was an epiphany. I want desperately to go to Machu Picchu. And I've been contemplating a walking holiday (New Zealand, Kilamanjaro, were amongst the many places I'd considered). Why not combine the two and do a walk to Machu Picchu. So there are MAJOR planning requirements here - but my goal is to do this walk. I'm not sure when (the walking season is supposed to be May-Sept but the wet season is supposed to be good for waterfalls on the Salkantay walk. So I'm not sure whether this will be a 6 or 12 month goal but it's my reward for finishing a marathon.

My major milestones are:

• Get to 65kg and stay there.
• Run a marathon (or two)
• Adventure holiday in South America.

1 month milestones (Dec 2012)

• Reach 67kg - by following 12WBT
• Run 50km in a week - join a run club in Houston; start a marathon training plan; do extra cross-training and abdominal work to improve my form.

3 month milestones (Feb 2013)

• Reach 65kg - by following 12WBT
• Complete a 38km training run - continue with marathon training plan; do extra cross-training and abdominal work to improve my form.

6 month milestones (May 2013)

• Maintain 65kg - by following 12WBT principles
• Run a marathon (target March 2013) - complete marathon training plan; do extra cross-training and abdominal work to improve my form.

12 month milestones (Nov 2013)

• Maintain 65kg - by following 12WBT principles
• Run a marathon faster - repeat marathon training plan, do extra cross-training and abdominal work to improve my form.
• South American Adventure Holiday - plan, plan, plan; practice walks around USA; stock up with equipment and clothing.

Getting Real

So now it's getting serious. Michelle has challenged us to put it all out there. To examine the excuses we make and to come up with solutions to overcome these excuses.

Internal Excuses

I'm too tired.

• Plan to get enough sleep, but not too much (as sleeping too much makes you tired too).
• 7.5hrs sleep average per night - that means going to bed at 9:30pm for a 5am start.
• Remember that exercise GIVES you energy!

I don't feel like it.

• JFDI!!!!.
• You always feel better when you've looked after yourself.
• You will definitely feel better after you've done it.

I don't deserve it (to do it for myself) or do deserve it (chocolate, a drink, food).

• You deserve to give yourself the best.
• You deserve to look after yourself.
• You deserve time for yourself to exercise, socialise and relax.
• You deserve the right foods.
• You don't deserve the bad feelings and weight gain that come with eating the wrong foods.

External Excuses (within my control)

 It's too hot or cold or wet or windy.

• Make sure you've got the right clothes ready for the conditions (wet, cold, windy).
• Schedule runs and exercise to be in the cool of the day when the weather is hot.
• Join a gym for when the weather is too hot.

Everyone else is doing it (drinking, eating) or is not doing it (exercising, abstaining)

• It doesn't matter what everyone else is doing.
• Do the right thing for yourself.
• Invite others to lunch or dinner - bring healthy snacks to share (people actually like the food you eat)

I'm too busy. I don't have time.

• Make time - there is more than enough time to do what you need to do if you stop procrastinating.
• Diarise, plan and STOP WASTING TIME ON CRAP THAT DOESN'T MATTER!!!!

There is something else I want to do (games, internet, watch TV, etc).

• Schedule in the important stuff.
• STOP WASTING TIME ON CRAP THAT DOESN'T MATTER!!!!

I'd prefer to stay in bed with my partner.

• Find a partner who gets up early and exercises as well.
• Find a partner who is happy to kick me out of bed.
• Sleep alone.
• Easily said, but am I strong enough......

External Excuses (outside my control)

These don't come around very often but are mostly related to illness, work or travel.

• Schedule in your exercise and food when travelling.
• Get back into it as soon as you can once you get your bearings.
• Do what you can and eat carefully when injured or sick. Look after yourself.
• Remember the 30 second speech by Bryan Dyson. Your career will bounce back - it is not everything - your life is more important.

30 Second Speech by Bryan Dyson – Former CEO of Coca-Cola

 

Imagine life as a game in which you are juggling some five balls in the air. You name them – Work, Family, Health, Friends and Spirit and you’re keeping all of these in the Air.

 

You will soon understand that work is a rubber ball. If you drop it, it will bounce back. But the other four Balls – Family, Health, Friends and Spirit – are made of glass. If you drop one of these; they will be irrevocably scuffed, marked, nicked, damaged or even shattered. They will never be the same. You must understand that and strive for it.”

 

Work efficiently during office hours and leave on time. Give the required time to your family, friends and have proper rest.

 

Value has a value only if its value is valued.

 

Week 4 Challenge: Write it Down!!

The challenge this week:

Over the next 7 days I want you to write down everything you eat and drink. Don't change your diet, eat as you always have. For many the simple act of writing it down causes them to think twice about what they eat.

So I've started writing everything in my notebook. I'll total up the calories and publish them, but am not going to bore you all with a blow-by-blow essay. 
Today was fairly good although the chicken laksa at lunch and the Magnum Gold on the way home will blow my calorie intake out of the water.

My planned run this morning was extra long because runkeeper locked up twice after I started and I wasn't sure how far or long I'd run when I finally got it working properly. I then did the 50 minute workout (plus a bit). 
Those conversations were happening in my head - you've already run 10, 15, 20 minutes - why don't you stop early - you don't have to run the extra distance - you'll be late for work - you don't want to run too far too early. All those reasons going round in my head. But I conquered those voices and did the whole workout. A small step - but significant. 


Today I've done well with all my challenges.
- I DID get up at 4:45am to run.
- I ONLY had one regular latte (plus 2l of water).
- I RAN for 75 minutes (12km).
- I RECORDED all my food.