Running machine

That's me..  am really really enjoying the running machines.

Started with 3 x 5min sets of skipping - powered though for 2,200 skips.

Then some rudimentary leg work - jump lunges and fakes.

Then the treadmill.

2 minute brisk walk warm up (ie getting the headphones and the TV channel sorted)
8 minutes jog
2 minutes power walk
8 minutes jog
2 minutes power walk
8 minutes jog
4 minutes cool down

Total = 4.1 km

Really enjoyed it and enjoyed the feeling at the end.

Will just skip tomorrow and then do some more running on Thursday.

Food - made cauliflower cheese tonight with a lean steak, corn on the cob and salad. A scoop of ice-cream with my papaya for supper.

A few sneaky milky ways...  hhhmmm  not great.

Happy Birthday to me

Yes I am 42 today. I tried to celebrate it by going to the gym and doing something healthy.

But the damn gym was closed. Then I went to the backup gym and it was closed too. I called the third gym to see if they were open but no answer. So I assume it was some sort of staff day and all the gyms in the chain were closed. Normally they rotate their Mondays off.

So I ended up going home thinking that I will get some skipping done before work so that it wasn't a total loss.  But I got caught in a huge storm on my bike and arrived home soaked to the skin.

After all that I gave up the idea of a workout - obviously the gods were telling me that today was not going to be my workout day.

There is always tomorrow.  I was all set to go for a nice long run today - words I never expected to think let alone say or type.

Assistant very kindly brought in fruit jelly as the birthday treat today rather than the usual cake.

Friday update

Busy week but managed to get a few workouts in.

I joined fitocracy but it is a PITA to update so I think I will dump it.

Yesterday - 3 x 5min skipping > 2100 skips
Block 3 Workout B - I think this is my fave workout from Repeak.

So am really really enjoying the running. Did another 3.5 kms on the treadmill yesterday. Running has really surprised me.
Warm up is 3-4 mins walking
Jog 15 minutes
Brisk walk 2 minutes
Jog 6 minutes
Brisk walk 2 minutes
Jog 5 minutes.

I could have probably jogged the whole way but I don't want to flame out. When I am consistently jogging the whole way, I want to increase the speed.

The cough to 5k website suggests that you worry about speed last and just focus on your stamina first. Get into the habit of running.

Will look into some pod runner type interval music as well.

But call me crazy, but I am actually thinking about taking my running out of the gym on the nice safe and predictable treadmill and out into the open. I might become one of those crazy joggers around Yoyogi park..  eek.  Must look into the distances of the various running paths around there.

Might also look into one of those running apps to allow tweets of the runs. That would be so cool.

Otherwise, I have been really active on the bike and around town. Wanted to skip this morning at home but napped on the couch instead. Will definitely do it tomorrow.

Food is going well. Am in a much better habits now than before Repeak.

Happy Monday

3 x 5 min skipping = >2000 skips

30minutes on treadmill = 3.3km

Few machines - legs, back, chest and shoulders  Kinda half hearted sets though.

But the biggie is that I am really enjoying the running. I never thought I would get into jogging. Am feeling good when I do it and want to do more.  I am really enjoying the sweat running down my face and back.

I am trying to do the couch to 5km challenge. But I think I am way past the couch stage and really am about half way. I am finding it quite easy to jog for 3-4 minutes, power walk for 1 minute etc. I don't want to push it and flame out so I want to build this up.

My calf muscles are solid as a rock now. Really am pleased with that.

Still have blobby middle section so that I am not so pleased about so will push on.

12 days until Thailand holiday so need to look fab in my cossie.

Back in business

Realising that I am needing to keep blogging to keep on the straight and narrow.  So back to this blog as I can't be arsed setting up yet another one.

So, a few days ago I finished Repeak. A less than stellar performance, mainly as I was a big fat cheater foodwise.. well not too bad, just too cocky that I thought I knew everything.

So, while the weight didn't fall off, it did come off a bit. But the best thing is that I am exercising every day again.

So at the gym this morning did Repeak block 3, A.  Did pretty well at it.

Food has been fine apart from the kids bikkies and two tim-tams I ate.

Day 63 - Line in the sand

Have come to the conclusion that I will need some more time to recover from this illness. Meanwhile I have lost momentum for PCP and it will take me a while to ramp up again. My schedule between now and Christmas is just nuts and the workouts are getting tougher and ramping up more.

It will be silly for me to try to play catch up. So I have made a decision to draw a line in the sand right here.

I weighed in at 67.8kg today which is 16 kg lighter than when I started in June and 5 kg lighter than when I finished PCP. This was my goal for this second round so I am finishing at a good point. I am much fitter, happier and in control of my eating now.  I also have the skills and information to maintain this.

Sure I could still stand to lose a few more kgs but my plan is to maintain where I am now and then in the new year look at doing something like the six week chisel to put myself in peak condition.

When I am back on my feet, I plan on skipping daily before breakfast and watching my diet. The food side has really been ingrained now and I know what I can eat to be happy and healthy.  Then I can workout a few times a week using the maintenance sheets which do appeal to me.

It is much harder to do the full PCP schedule on your own without the daily blogs of others in your group. It isn't the same with your nose pressed up on the glass of another group that doesn't include you.

So this is me signing off.

Day 62 - Another day, another box of tissues

The snot monster continues...  seems to be no end of the gunk coming out of my respiratory system.  But as they say, better out than in.

Feeling loads better though.  Might be up to skipping again by the weekend or earlier I hope.  Been doing lots of walking and am not wheezing up hills anymore.

Day 61 - D'oh

Figured out today that I have only been taking half my dose of antibiotics. Supposed to be taking two tabs but had only been taking one. Fixed that from this morning and had an extra dose at lunch.

Sadly though, I think I have an additional sinus infection given the state of the kleenex after a good blow. It was shocking this morning in terms of colour and quantity (TMI?) but now this evening it seems to have decreased significantly. Perhaps due to the antibiotics finally kicking in.

I feel like my head is just one big giant coldsore. Haven't had a coldsore for ages and so the buggers have probably just been saving themselves for this time when my immunity is low and have gone to town on my mouth and nose. Inside my nose too and they bloody hurt. I wish Zovirax made a face wash so I could get them all in one go. I am most worried about giving the virus to Max. Nobody should have to endure the life-sentence of coldsores if they don't have to.

Am really getting antsy about skipping. I really want to do it again but I was winded pushing Max up a hill today so I am no-where near well enough yet. So I am sitting on my hands, eating healthy, drinking lots of fluids and resting when I can.

Not really worried about PCP progress at the moment as I just really need to get well. I can pick up PCP again anytime.

God I sound whiney!!  Ignore me!!

Day 60 - Still recovering

No wheezing today but still lots of coughing, rattling phlegm and snot. Charming!!

So no cardio for me at all. Went out to Ginza for a look around and wasn't too short of breath so I think I have turned the corner.  I don't want to risk any skipping just yet but I am kinda missing it all.

Day 59 - On the mend

Meds seem to have kicked in well. Am feeling much better today but have still a ways to go. Had a few wheezing sessions throughout the day but nothing like the other night. Biggest milestone of the day is that both my ears can pop and no fever for over 24 hours.

So, took the plunge and pushed the stroller to Yoyogi park which is about a 20 minute easy walk and then includes a hill into the park itself. Was winded after the hill but recovered OK.

Managed to do a bit of hooping for the filming of the World Hoop Day collaborative video. I couldn't miss out as I was dressed for the part and looked like a total loon/tripper/circus freak. I never miss a good dress up.  Fortunately, hooping is low impact and not cardio for me any more so I was OK. I kept my hooping sessions short but I still had a heap of fun and it was great to be out in the sun with all the park folk.

No skipping or workout but I might give 8MA a go later on.  

Day 58 - Out of hospital

So the cold that I got yesterday quickly deteriorated into a nasty, nasty chest infection that caused an acute asthma attack. I have never really had asthma before. Late last night I conceded that I probably needed a doctor as I was unable to draw breath without significant effort and pain. Steaming my head over a bowl of hot water and vicks was doing nothing and I was fatigued, feverish and aching.

I guess I was then starting to panic as I was on my own with Max asleep in his bed and praying for him not to wake up as I was doubtful as to my abilities to care for him in my current state. I called my doctor on his mobile and was barely able to speak between the wheezing and tears. He said that I needed to go to hospital and to call an ambulance. I called Hubbilicious to come home from work immediately and then I called my Big Brother. Big brother made it first and he set about finding the nearest on-call hospital (in Japan the hospitals are usually quite small and rotate after-hours availability) and then talking to the staff about my condition.

Hubbilicious made it home shortly afterwards and he took over baby duties while Big Brother walked me to the nearest hospital - which, fortunately, turned out to be only about 500 metres away thus negating the need for an ambulance. I huffed and puffed and wheezed my way to the hospital which was really difficult. I am pretty fit these days and to be suddenly struck down like this was hard to deal with. Hospital doctor gave me some nebulizer treatment and some fever meds to take if my fever got any worse. She didn't want to give me anything stronger as I am still breastfeeding. It was fine with me as I just wanted to get through the night and to see my own doctor the next day.

Fever spiked at 38.5oC but I didn't take the fever meds as I didn't want to eat anything and the fever meds had to be taken with food. So I dropped a couple of Panadol and that brought down the fever enough to get a bit of sleep. So this was the second night with very minimal sleep. I was starting to get psychotic by this stage. Max slept well until he did his usual thing of needing to be attached to my boob from 4am and then he was a bit restless too.

This morning I dropped Max at day care (I love daycare!!) and went to see my own doctor. Came away with a fistful of medicine suitable for breastfeeding. Went straight home and slept the rest of the day. So needless to say, no skipping for me for a while and no workouts. I need to take it easy. I feel a bit better now after the sleep but I still get winded walking up just a few stairs. Shows how much junk is still floating around my lungs.

It is weird though, as I was in such a dilemma last night about whether I needed a doctor or not. I debated with myself for ages. Why is that? In my feverish state, I thought that if I could just get some sleep, it would all be fine in the morning - talk about denial!! I guess I have always been really lucky with my health and have only just had the usual coughs and colds. I have never wanted to be one of those people who run to the doctor for just a sniffle and I am against the misuse and over reliance on antibiotics and other medicines. I rarely take anything and try to always eat well and let my nutrition take care of my vitamin needs etc.

But in this case, I am actually sick, legitimately so. I need to take antibiotics. I tried to refuse them at the doctors today but he insisted saying that this is NOT a virus but a bacterial one. He said he could tell as it came on so suddenly. So I will take the full course of my medicines like a good patient, rest as much as I can and drink plenty of fluids. I should recover in a week or so but I am still sicker than I have been in as long a time as I can remember.

Thank goodness for day care and husbands and brothers and doctors. It just reminds me that help is out there if I ask for it. I should stop trying to do everything for everybody else and let people do stuff for me when I need it.

Day 57 - Hit by a truck

Feels like it anyway. Cold has progressed into a horrid anthrax like flu.

Got zero sleep as my cough was like a dog barking or croup. But only babies get croup right?  Plus nose is alternating between dripping like a broken tap and completely stuffed up.

So, no skipping or workout of any sort will be attempted. Am at work at the moment, but I think I may leave very soon before I collapse under my desk.

Day 56 - Bit sick

Max very kindly shared his cold with me. Nothing fatal, just a sore throat at the moment. Am hoping that my immune system is strong enough from all these vegetables to hold off the virus from developing into anything.  So lots of fluids, lots of fruit and veg (as usual) and resting well will hopefully keep it at bay.

Skipping this morning was no drama. Was going to have today as a skip only day but I can't workout tomorrow so I might do tomorrow's workout today and make tomorrow a skip only day. I will play it by ear. If I feel up to it later I will do the workout but if not, then shouganai.

Was out last night for dinner at a super yum modern Japanese fusion place. Fois gras nigiris with balsamic sauce... YUM.  Lots of other yum sushi and a raw veg bagna calda. So for a night out, it was a good healthy choice.

I really am not stressing about food so much as I am really just trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle without being in "training" mode as the austerity of this cannot be maintained. So I am really just living my general life I guess - just with some training wheels still on.

Day 55 - Pull-ups

I will admit it - I really don't like pull-ups. Whenever I see them on the schedule, I groan and procrastinate before I get into them. I do them but as I don't have a pull-up bar, I am still doing the inclines. I feel that I am kinda wasting my time as while they do hurt, they are pretty pathetic.

I was at the playground yesterday with Max and I tried to do a proper chin up on the monkey bars. I was able to pull-up a third of the way I guess. But it wasn't very good.

Are girls even supposed to be able to do pull-ups?

In happier news, I jumped on the scales today and for the first time they hit in the 67's...  67.9kg to be exact but still I will take that as a movement in the right direction. This takes my total loss since June 1st to 16 kg. %age fat has dropped too as has visceral fat. Body age is still in the 50's which is a bit depressing.

Body wise, am still quite doughy around the middle and I can grab handfuls of skin around my belly-button. Nothing that a tummy tuck wouldn't fix.  :-)  Might save that until after baby number 2.

The irony will surely be that I will get to a good weight and size and I will fall pregnant again...  but knowing what I know now, there is no way that I will end up the same size as I did with Max. I was so worried about a healthy baby I over did it. Yes I have a healthy baby but with an excess of 20kg on my small frame was not a smart result. But I am sure that I can find a very healthy balance with the next one.

Day 54 - Noxious gases

I really need to change the type of cabbage in my vegie stash...  silent and very violent air biscuits. TMI? The funniest ones are during skipping in the morning as they squeeze out little by little over about 5 skips or more. Again TMI?

Otherwise, all good.  Getting through the workouts fine but they are taking longer and harder. Food - snacked on a few M&M's today which were my only cheat.  oops - forgot about the slice of homemade sugar free apple cake that I had with my afternoon coffee.  It was still cake though.

Day 53 - Head, shoulders, knees and psoas

See what I did there?  Of course you didn't as nobody reads this but me. But I thought it was funny.

Workouts really ramping up this week. Jelly arms part 2 was the original title for this post. I was composing it in my head while I was doing my V-sits. Then I did the bicycles!! Crikey I forgot how much they hurt.  But I am sure I have the most toned looking psoas muscles so it is all worth it right?

Knees have been great lately. Quads have been taut and trim and calves toned.  Still carrying too much around the middle but my butt has had a transformation since June.  Phwoar!!

Food OK. I keep sneaking carbs while eating dinner with Max. If he leaves some penne or some rice I will eat it rather than throw it away.  Plus I made a spanish apple cake last night (baby friendly and healthy) and I had a little slice of that last night.  Naughty girl I am.

Edit - dinner was an indulgence I guess due to the carbs after dark. All home cooked by me. Chicken sauted in olive oil and lemon zest and roasted beetroot risotto with a side salad. I used salt and I could really taste it.

Day 52 - Jelly arms..

Poor little sick man didn't sleep well last night which means that I didn't sleep well either.  Was only able to get 2 x 5 minute skipping sets done this morning and just left it at that.

Managed to get workout done and dusted but was shoulders and triceps today and am really jelly arms. Hard to lift the baby.

Food fine - no cheats.

But it will be an early night for us all tonight. Little man seems to be feeling better but we will see how he travels tonight.

Day 51 - Sick Baby

Just finished the workout very late as my poor little sausage has been sick and needing us.  Has a fever and was puking earlier. Am expecting a bad night.

I realised this morning that my skipping has been a bit ambitious as I thought the schedule was saying 3 x 5mins but it was 3mins x 5 sets!!  I thought it was a big ramp up. But no matter, I am used to the 3 x 5mins now so I will continue them.  Clocking up over 2000 skips.  So quite challenging but totally doable.

Workouts have really ramped up of late.  5 sets of many things and 4 of the rest.  Failed on the last 20 seconds of the last plank today.  Otherwise all good.

Slight food fail today as I had dessert at lunch. But the main meal was totally PCP friendly.  Rest of the day was all PCP all the time.

Note to self - buy more eggs.

Day 50 - Sore bum

Pulled a muscle in my left butt cheek. Probably doing bloody pistol squats the other day. Bit sore when moving about but nothing too dreadful.

Got skipping and workout done early today and then we went off to a festival in Meiji Jingu which is just 5 minutes walk from home. It was awesome with horseback archery etc.  Fortunately for my diet, the food was all sold out so only had a bit of ice cream. But picked up healthy food on the way home.

Will swap veg snack for apple and egg white for dinner tonight as I have cooked a curry and the outlaws are in for dinner.

Planning a workout with the lovely Lori on Saturday so I hope it works out for us. We have been threatening each other for weeks to work out together but haven't managed to get a time that works for both of us.

Day 49 - days slipping by fast

More than half way done but it feels like I have only just begun. The days just slip by so quickly.

Today has been a good day so far. Am now routinely skipping 3 x 5min sets which easily take me over 2100 skips on the counter. A few trips here and there but fairly fluid mostly. My days of fighting the rope and tripping constantly are long gone. I am trying to just "zone out" during the skips and focus on the breathing all the while hoping that Max is happy to just play by himself in his playpen.  He is usually pretty good.

Didn't bring lunch today so have to venture out to see what goodies I can find that will be PCP compliant. I brought fruit from home so have been a good girl.

I ran into a friend in the supermarket last night who hadn't seen me for a few months. She said she hardly recognised me from all the weight loss. Plus at yesterday's function, quite a few people commented on how fit I was looking.

I am feeling fit and healthy which is the most important thing I guess. My skin is great and I have just had my hair done. Not too shabby for an old broad I guess.