May the 26th 2016

I just got back from gym. I feel like I'm going to die. But in a good way if you know what I mean?! We did our 4 weeks of 3 lots of exercises, now we're on to the second week of the middle lot of exercises.  I hadn't done day 3 of our program last week but I did do a class and a normal session so wasn't slacking off. I wasn't sure of some of the exercises so I had to wait until Eloise could come with me and we could do it together. There wasn't anything particularly hard, it was just exhausting!

I was lucky, Jade was getting ready to do a personal training session in the room that we were in so she showed me a different way of doing the resistance band assisted chin up. The one I've had lots of problems with. So I was exhausted before I even began our day 3 session as they weren't even in today's workout. It was good though, it made me feel as though I won't be wasting my time fluffing around and not being able to do them. Today's workout was a circuit 4 times around. Most things I had done before such as the ropes and lunges. I found other things challenging such as something called elbow to knee. I thought it would be lying on my back doing them but it is in fact like a plank and coordinating your body to touch the 2. I ended up doing just a plank, and a knee one at that! I was so bloody exhausted. So for me it was the hardest session ever. And for Eloise, well she loved it! She's such a sadist when it comes to me and exercise!

I was happy too as I had done a mid challenge body scan. I have lost nearly 3 kilos since doing the last one which was nearly 6 weeks ago. My muscle mass has improved as have other things that I don't really understand! All in all though, where the numbers are meant to go up they have and where they a meant to go down they have so I'm happy! I'll post a copy of the last scan and the one I did today on here.

As far as my rapid loss challenge is going I'm still enjoying being on the forum. I've made such lovely friends on there. I even had coffee with one of them - Peter - and his lovely wife Mel. Gee it was so nice to catch up with them, to put a face to the forum name. We're all doing a mini challenge and I'm feeling really focussed. It's funny, I can slip up and spiral for weeks but once I'm back on track for a few days I feel so much better again. I think that's the thing, remembering how good it feels to be there is the very reason that we should get back up when we slip up. And it's great to have the forum to go onto and talk to others in the same situation. Here's a copy of my scans, and a stunning picture of Eloise and I after this morning's session as we lay on the floor! The scan with 64 at the top of the right column is last time, the one with 67 is this time.

May the 15th 2016

I've just come home from the gym. I must admit I've become rather dedicated to going which I think is a nice way of saying obsessed!

Today marked my last day of the first 4 weeks of exercises. Eloise and I are doing the DIY plan of the 12 week body challenge at our local gym. There are 3 tiers to the program and we are doing the one where we get the exercises sent to us, plus guides for food plans and exercises. We're also part of the challenge page on facebook and a 'tribe' which is run by some lovely girls who look after those of us who aren't doing the personal training or any extras. We do things such as send our photos in to them, of us at the gym, of what we're eating, of who or what is our inspiration. I'm probably a bit of a pain in the bum as I check in most times I'm at the gym and send lots of photos!

So far what I've gotten out of my challenge is that I can actually do nearly everything! Not to the level that many others can do things, certainly not as graceful as others, but I can (almost) keep up and I'm determined to give it all a go. All three days are circuit types of activities. I go an average of 5 times a week now. I used to be stuffed if I did both Saturday and Sunday. Now, if there's a class on that I fancy I will go to that and still make sure that I get my 3 days of the program in too. I must say I am a bit ocd about it all. I hadn't done day 3 yet of the week 4. I did go to a body blitz class on Wednesday and I went yesterday without Eloise and did my old routine. So I squeezed it in today. The old me would have said that I had done plenty to make up for it, but I feel as though I have to do the required exercises set for me and each week I have.

The staff are so lovely. Both of the ladies who take the classes that I've done have been very patient and not yelly at all which I really appreciate. I'm definitely going to do the body blitz one again, also the hiit cardio one that I did the week before. I realise that both are similar to the days we are doing on the challenge. They are circuits, usually 5 or 6 exercises all up of short but intense bursts. I must admit I put my name down because they are only half an hour and for me that is manageable. I can see that eventually I will allow myself to believe that I can do more and maybe do an hour long class. But not just yet! The boys on the front desk, and the personal trainers are just lovely too, they are all so helpful.

Food wise I haven't been very good I must admit. I have been having my shakes and for the most part my snacking has been under control. Once I have something though it's as though I'm back to the old me and having a big binge, on cake and chocolate and whatever I can put my hands on. So this week I'm going shopping and being prepared. I can see that I need to have things ready so that I am able to grab something healthy rather than the treat that is in the cupboard. Also to be prepared for my dinners. What's the point of having shakes and fruit in the daytime if I undo it all at night with a meal that either doesn't have veggies or is high in carbs. The cold weather has meant that I want lots of pasta and warming things so it's time to make some healthy soups and get back to nice cuts of fish and chicken and not go for the easy options from the freezer. I feel silly but I know what I'm like, if I don't own it (publically) then I'll slip further and further up the weight ladder.

Some of you already know but I have had issues with my daughter Beth going to school lately. We've compromised at 3 days a week of school and getting geared up for her to start some sort of training program next year when she turns 18 in March. So, I've decided that she can come to gym with me once a week! She can have a session with the exercise physiologist. She has very low muscle tone and poor gross motor skills so I think it will do her the world of good. And, my inlaws are looking at starting in the seniors classes. One person at a time, I shall get my family moving!

Tomorrow is the start of the new exercises for the next 4 weeks. Wish me luck!

May the 3rd 2016

Well I'm in my third week of my 12 week body challenge at my local gym. It's a Pinnacle gym so I'm part of a facebook page for the challenge. I think I'm being a bit of a pain in the arse (not like me I know) posting whenever I'm there including photos. I think it stems back to the old me, the one who never exercised so had to announce it whenever I did.

I've gotten used to the exercises. I can do all of them. Except the assisted pull up. Here's a photo of me doing one. I don't get much further than this is! Which is nothing!

I did actually pull myself up somewhat but it absolutely killed my wrists. It's only one day in the week that we do these exercises. This morning was that day. I think next week I'll try and do them first. I also do a plank, pull ups on a barbell and a kettlebell swing in this workout which all use the arms. So maybe if I do it first it won't stress my wrists out too much. I wrote on the page asking about any alternatives and, of course, the lovely staff were more than happy to help, suggesting maybe my arms in different positions, or if I need to an alternative exercise. I really want to get over my fear and we only have one week of these ones left. I knew that would happen. I just start getting used to our workout and it goes and changes on me for the middle lot of exercises!

It's so weird that I'm really loving it. I've never liked exercise. I've been really good with my food the last couple of weeks too. Often I am one or the other. I'll be good at eating or good at exercising. I think it's because I get more hungry when I workout. I also find that if I have my shake in the morning I'm happy to have another at lunchtime. If I eat something else for breakfast then I'm scrambling around wondering what there is to eat. I've still had a couple of slip ups but they've really been planned ones. I did a course in the city on the weekend so I ate an egg and bacon wrap for lunch. But I didn't have snacks in between where I could have so I consider that a win. I think if I can be good snack wise, which is my downfall, then I'll be happy. I've gone down about half a kilo so I'm pretty happy to do it slowly and get fitter. When away for the weekend I missed going to the gym terribly! I went 4 days out of 5 last week as I knew I couldn't go on the weekend. I used to think 'great, I've been today, day off tomorrow,' now I think 'yes I can go again tomorrow,' and I do! I don't think I'll ever be fully obsessive about it all. I love my food too much. I figure though that if I can keep fit I can make the most of both worlds. I'm already done with day 2 of my 3 day workouts and it's only Tuesday! I'm feeling sensational!