So I know I have been missing in action for a while now. Due mainly to the fact my home laptop seems to have died. No idea what's wrong with it, aside from taking 20 minutes to start up, it just keeps randomly closing internet sessions. It IS ancient and full of rubbish its previous owner, my brother, put onto it. I've uninstalled the bulk of his programs, but it's still deadly slow. I really should buy a new one, but I keep talking myself out of it. I figure I'm on a computer every day and really, how often do I use one at home? A little bit is the honest answer, I do all my banking online, plus a bit of shopping, and blogging/facebook/twitter of course.
Problem is, I'm soooo indecisive when it comes to things like this. Largely because I don't really care ... all I want is for it to be reliable and fast, and not cost the earth because whichever brand/model I choose will be obsolete in 12 months or less. The sales guys at Harvey Norman, JB Hi-Fi etc annoy me too, because they either think I am stoopid for not caring or knowing about all this stuff or do not even try to figure out what is the best model for me and try to sell me the most expensive one they have. AND talk over the top of me the whole time. Urgh.
Anyhoo, have finally cleared the decks somewhat at work, so here I am.
Have FIVE classes left in the Bikram challenge to be completed by next Saturday (including Saturday). I will do at least two over the weekend, considering doing two on Sunday so I only need to do two during the week to hit the target. We shall see, however, I may have to content myself with one each day on Sat/Sun and then do Mon-Wed.
The studio - thank GOD - has opened a new room and practically doubled evening classes. For me this has meant that instead of jamming myself into a class with 50 other sweaty bodies and then getting dizzy due to the lack of oxygen which everyone ELSE is hogging (plus being 5'2" doesn't help as the fresh oxygen apparently rises to the top of the room), I have been in a class with an absolute maximum of 10 other people. Plenty of space to move and air to breathe. The rooms are still heated to 40C, but I find it SO much more manageable when I am not close to faining OR have someone a foot away from me on either side dripping sweat on me.
I managed to strain my back via a combination of factors, including poor posture at work, wearing stupidly high heels at work, slipping over and jarring my back wearing thongs in the pouring rain (bizarre weather) and the usual stuff such as carrying a heavy bag on one shoulder etc. This is meant I've had to be a lot more "modest" in classes, let my ego that wants to push further into every posture go and just focus on alignment and doing the best I can, or what works for my body. Sounds like a load of rubbish I know, but it has really helped me mentally to be forced not to push myself every single class and instead be content to do what I can manage without causing injury or pain.
I have definitely gotten a lot stronger in most areas, my legs are lot more toned and my arms are looking GREAT - nicely toned, dangly bits vastly reduced and good tricep/bicep definition. Not too crazy though, I don't want to look like dear ol' Madonna. Around my shoulders is definitely a lot more toned too. The best outcome, however, has been my glowing skin. Aside from a few times when I've overdone the bad eating and booze (usually in combination too), I wake up looking much healthier with clear eyes and skin and everyone has been telling me I have a glow about me. And no, I'm not preggers.
I will definitely try to keep doing around four classes a week, but I will make time for other stuff too.
Swimming has started with CanToo Swim and this has presented a whole new challenge. While I am loving it, I do NOT love not being as fit or as good as I would like to be. My technique nees a good amount of refinement, I tend to lose it when tired and get tired at arond the 800m mark. Considering we are doing around 1.6km per session that's not good! The ocean swims are just the BEST. One of the best ways to start off the weekend, although I have managed to pick up a bit of sunburn at each session but thankfully not TOO much. Must get some better suncream though, current stuff goes white and looks horrible, plus seems to wash off very easily.
I must learn to relax in the water though. I'm just sooo tense. I'm not a very relaxed person anyway, which is why something like Bikram appeals to me - normal yoga is just far too serene for my liking. What I've tried anyway, I need the hot room. So that's what I'm working on from next week. Doing a swim session every day and just trying to relaaaax. And enjoy as much as possible. Must work on my breathing too. Although I imagine that's related to the fitness side of things. But I tend to just let it go whenever I want ... go from bilateral breathing to one-sided breathing.
Anyhoo, five Bikram sessions to go and two and a half months of swimming training. Let's see how we go!
Oh, on the man front ... that requires a whole new post. But I will just say that I've discovered, or proved the theory for myself, that the best way to get a man to want you is to break up with him. Argh.
Friday, 20 November 2009
Friday, 6 November 2009
Variety is the spice of life
This is what I have learnt on my Bikram challenge. I love Bikram, although right now I do not LOVE love it ... I really only like it. Everything is sore, I am sick of having wet clothes and a wet towel to wash after each class and my mat never seems to dry properly (obviously Sydney weather isn't helping on any of these points).
I have really learnt a lot about myself during this challenge. Some good, some bad, and some things I'm yet to determine.
The number one bad thing: I'm impatient. Not when it comes to others, but myself. I have no compassion for myself and give myself no credit - I think I should have improved X amount, so I almost try to force myself to have improved that amount. Result? Seriously strained, possibly minor torn, hamstring which resulted in bruising behind the knee. Ouch! Entirely my own fault as well, trying to force myself further into Bow Pulling pose (or whatever the real name is).
The good? I am determined and persistent. Yeah sure, stubborn too. But determination and commitment is what keeps me going to class six times a week (on good weeks!), I just need to find a way to really use that to my advantage ... or harness it better.
One that sits about midway is that I am stubborn. I refused to give up when I had the hideous sinus infection that meant I could barely breathe, also when I started my new job and there was a whole world of new stuff to learn, plus all the usual stuff going on in the background - such as being woken up at 4am by drunken neighbours playing John Farnham and other rubbish.
Exercise-wise I have learnt I need VARIETY to keep myself interested. Sure, I love a good challenge but it needs to be a bit more diverse. A few running sessions a week, a few sessions in the pool, some Pump/weights, PLUS Bikram. Not all the same thing. It was actually a really positive thing to "discover", as I found myself missing running, the gym etc. Unfortunately working 9 hours a day and doing 90 mins of Bikram almost every day doesn't leave much time for anything else.
Desperately looking forward to finishing the challenge. Determined NOT to fall short of the mark for anything!
I have really learnt a lot about myself during this challenge. Some good, some bad, and some things I'm yet to determine.
The number one bad thing: I'm impatient. Not when it comes to others, but myself. I have no compassion for myself and give myself no credit - I think I should have improved X amount, so I almost try to force myself to have improved that amount. Result? Seriously strained, possibly minor torn, hamstring which resulted in bruising behind the knee. Ouch! Entirely my own fault as well, trying to force myself further into Bow Pulling pose (or whatever the real name is).
The good? I am determined and persistent. Yeah sure, stubborn too. But determination and commitment is what keeps me going to class six times a week (on good weeks!), I just need to find a way to really use that to my advantage ... or harness it better.
One that sits about midway is that I am stubborn. I refused to give up when I had the hideous sinus infection that meant I could barely breathe, also when I started my new job and there was a whole world of new stuff to learn, plus all the usual stuff going on in the background - such as being woken up at 4am by drunken neighbours playing John Farnham and other rubbish.
Exercise-wise I have learnt I need VARIETY to keep myself interested. Sure, I love a good challenge but it needs to be a bit more diverse. A few running sessions a week, a few sessions in the pool, some Pump/weights, PLUS Bikram. Not all the same thing. It was actually a really positive thing to "discover", as I found myself missing running, the gym etc. Unfortunately working 9 hours a day and doing 90 mins of Bikram almost every day doesn't leave much time for anything else.
Desperately looking forward to finishing the challenge. Determined NOT to fall short of the mark for anything!
Monday, 19 October 2009
A life without sugar
Two weeks ago I accidentally had a coffee without my standard 1/2 a teaspoon of sugar. I say accidentally but really I was just so damn tired I simply forgot to even put it in ... and had practically finished the coffee before I even thought about it, never noticing the lack of sugar in said coffee.
So, rather sheepishly, I realised it was time to stop putting any sugar in - since I hadn't noticed it missing. Although the exhaustion may have also numbed my tastebuds. Nonetheless, I've stopped purposefully putting it in ... but every now and then I find myself doing it automatically, or at least preparing to do it - most times I have caught myself and stopped.
I'm happy to admit that I haven't missed it in the slightest, although I'm rather embarrassed and annoyed at myself. How long have I been putting sugar in my beverages when I haven't needed to? It's not even a calorie concern, although obviously every bit counts, it just made me realise how I do a lot of things out of habit rather than actual need or desire. Well, the sugar is really the only example I've come up with. And putting salt on things ... although I stopped that ages ago by simply keeping the salt in the cupboard and not on the table.
Anyhoo, in terms of the sugar cravings ... I have found the no sugar in coffee/tea has helped. Or has at least lessened the severity. This afternoon I was thinking "man, I'm realllly hungry" but really, I was just experiencing that old "I want sugar" feeling. Ignored it! So far anyway.
So, rather sheepishly, I realised it was time to stop putting any sugar in - since I hadn't noticed it missing. Although the exhaustion may have also numbed my tastebuds. Nonetheless, I've stopped purposefully putting it in ... but every now and then I find myself doing it automatically, or at least preparing to do it - most times I have caught myself and stopped.
I'm happy to admit that I haven't missed it in the slightest, although I'm rather embarrassed and annoyed at myself. How long have I been putting sugar in my beverages when I haven't needed to? It's not even a calorie concern, although obviously every bit counts, it just made me realise how I do a lot of things out of habit rather than actual need or desire. Well, the sugar is really the only example I've come up with. And putting salt on things ... although I stopped that ages ago by simply keeping the salt in the cupboard and not on the table.
Anyhoo, in terms of the sugar cravings ... I have found the no sugar in coffee/tea has helped. Or has at least lessened the severity. This afternoon I was thinking "man, I'm realllly hungry" but really, I was just experiencing that old "I want sugar" feeling. Ignored it! So far anyway.
Saturday, 17 October 2009
Kennel cough and Bikram ... and second week of new job
Ahhh, this has been a tough week. What I thought was a slight cold or case of hayfever turned into hideous sinus infection with horrible cough. Fabulously timed with second week of the new job, which was extremely demanding as I was having the second website I am going to be producer for handed over to me, plus being in charge of the first website for the first week and stuff.
Fortunately I sounded much worse than I actually felt, which is probably better than feeling horrible but sounding fine. On Monday I gave in and went to the doctor on the way home after work instead of going to Bikram and got my first lot of anti-biotics in god knows how long. Hah, five days later I'm marginally better but really not convinced of the effect of the drugs! Think it's just run its course.
Despite missing Bikram on Monday, I managed to go three days through the week. Struggled due to blocked nose. Bikram focuses a lot on breathing through the nose and keeping your breathing controlled, which was pretty much impossible due to my blocked nasal passages. Breathing through the mouth isn't ideal as apparently it stimulates the adrenal glands and makes your heart beat faster ... not ideal when you're in a super-heated room and pushing yourself into challenging positions. Bah. But anyway, hopefully one or two more days and I'll be breathing normally again.
Aside from kennel cough and terrifying colleagues with coughing fits and going through a box of tissues in a week, work was bloody awesome. So excited about some of the future prospects. First big interview coming up next week ... hopefully will not sound as diseased and terrify the 'talent'.
Only managed one run this week, in an effort to shift nasal blockage ... thought maybe the jolting would help shift it, but absolutely no effect. And wheezing cough did not make it fun either. Will attempt the morning runs again next week!
Bikram challenge is going well, currently at 13 classes in 17 days which I'm pretty happy with. Cannot help but miss Friday classes as there's no 7.30pm class and still cannot decide if going to the 6.15am class will make me late for work or exhaust me for the entire day. I think if I can make it to the other four classes during the week and both days on the weekend that will keep me on track to complete the 40 classes in 60 days.
So it's week two of the challenge (two and a bit technically), and this week my body has been tired and sore. I'm told this is normal! Aside from the soreness though, I've really started to feel some changes in my body. Not so much seen them, but hopefully that will come in the next, what, 43 days - ha ha. Still very tight in some joints ... well, most joints, but especially my hips and knees. Think running and desk job for the last 10 years can be partially held responsible. Look forward to feeling them open up a bit!
Fortunately I sounded much worse than I actually felt, which is probably better than feeling horrible but sounding fine. On Monday I gave in and went to the doctor on the way home after work instead of going to Bikram and got my first lot of anti-biotics in god knows how long. Hah, five days later I'm marginally better but really not convinced of the effect of the drugs! Think it's just run its course.
Despite missing Bikram on Monday, I managed to go three days through the week. Struggled due to blocked nose. Bikram focuses a lot on breathing through the nose and keeping your breathing controlled, which was pretty much impossible due to my blocked nasal passages. Breathing through the mouth isn't ideal as apparently it stimulates the adrenal glands and makes your heart beat faster ... not ideal when you're in a super-heated room and pushing yourself into challenging positions. Bah. But anyway, hopefully one or two more days and I'll be breathing normally again.
Aside from kennel cough and terrifying colleagues with coughing fits and going through a box of tissues in a week, work was bloody awesome. So excited about some of the future prospects. First big interview coming up next week ... hopefully will not sound as diseased and terrify the 'talent'.
Only managed one run this week, in an effort to shift nasal blockage ... thought maybe the jolting would help shift it, but absolutely no effect. And wheezing cough did not make it fun either. Will attempt the morning runs again next week!
Bikram challenge is going well, currently at 13 classes in 17 days which I'm pretty happy with. Cannot help but miss Friday classes as there's no 7.30pm class and still cannot decide if going to the 6.15am class will make me late for work or exhaust me for the entire day. I think if I can make it to the other four classes during the week and both days on the weekend that will keep me on track to complete the 40 classes in 60 days.
So it's week two of the challenge (two and a bit technically), and this week my body has been tired and sore. I'm told this is normal! Aside from the soreness though, I've really started to feel some changes in my body. Not so much seen them, but hopefully that will come in the next, what, 43 days - ha ha. Still very tight in some joints ... well, most joints, but especially my hips and knees. Think running and desk job for the last 10 years can be partially held responsible. Look forward to feeling them open up a bit!
Friday, 9 October 2009
Zero running but mucho Bikram
It's Friday night and maaaaan I am shattered. First week at the new job was awesome. A simply fantastic department of people, talented, switched on, friendly and hard working. I started off the week slightly freaked out that I was out of my depth, but after each day I felt a little bit better and a little more confident that I was up to the challenges ahead.
I managed four Bikram classes this week, a definite record in my books. Was tough and somewhat insane as I have been getting home from work just after 6pm and having to head back out the door at 7pm for the late Bikram session. Home about 9.30pm, bed by 10.30pm and up again at 7am at the latest. Not much time for much in between. Anyway, next week we'll see how we go. Think the Bikram helped to deal with the stress factors of work and public transport (URGH hateful train system) and the bloody awful weather. Temp hasn't been above 18C all week. And sure that's fine, but some idiot (toot - me!) washed all their winter woollies and had their jackets cleaned/dry cleaned and packed them away and now ... I need them. But the same idiot packed them in the more modern version of moth balls ... but almost as stinky (and hopefully just as effective).
It's so interesting though. Each Bikram class is its own challenge. One day I achieve an extra inch or two in one stretch, and the next day I've lost an inch but gained more in another posture. One class the heat barely bothered me, another I felt like I was going to spontaneously combust I was so hot and uncomfortable. First week, however, so I'm sure there are a lot more 'interesting' experiences to come in Bikram.
Should/could go for a run tomorrow but I have been battling some sort of sickness all week. Glands in my throat up, sore throat, fever etc ... but I have been willing myself not to get sick. And so far managed pretty well. So do not think running around in the rain will help, much better to stick to the hot, sweaty torture of Bikram. It does seem to help - purging toxins and all that.
Can't wait for a quiet weekend, catching up on some sleep and just ... absorbing all the information thrown at me and the work stuff that happened during the week.
Hope everyone in blog land is well and has a great weekend, toot toot.
I managed four Bikram classes this week, a definite record in my books. Was tough and somewhat insane as I have been getting home from work just after 6pm and having to head back out the door at 7pm for the late Bikram session. Home about 9.30pm, bed by 10.30pm and up again at 7am at the latest. Not much time for much in between. Anyway, next week we'll see how we go. Think the Bikram helped to deal with the stress factors of work and public transport (URGH hateful train system) and the bloody awful weather. Temp hasn't been above 18C all week. And sure that's fine, but some idiot (toot - me!) washed all their winter woollies and had their jackets cleaned/dry cleaned and packed them away and now ... I need them. But the same idiot packed them in the more modern version of moth balls ... but almost as stinky (and hopefully just as effective).
It's so interesting though. Each Bikram class is its own challenge. One day I achieve an extra inch or two in one stretch, and the next day I've lost an inch but gained more in another posture. One class the heat barely bothered me, another I felt like I was going to spontaneously combust I was so hot and uncomfortable. First week, however, so I'm sure there are a lot more 'interesting' experiences to come in Bikram.
Should/could go for a run tomorrow but I have been battling some sort of sickness all week. Glands in my throat up, sore throat, fever etc ... but I have been willing myself not to get sick. And so far managed pretty well. So do not think running around in the rain will help, much better to stick to the hot, sweaty torture of Bikram. It does seem to help - purging toxins and all that.
Can't wait for a quiet weekend, catching up on some sleep and just ... absorbing all the information thrown at me and the work stuff that happened during the week.
Hope everyone in blog land is well and has a great weekend, toot toot.
Monday, 5 October 2009
Long weekend action
Toot, toot what a crazy busy and wonderful long weekend. Great mix of all the good things in life.
Started the action on Friday with a fantastic facial, including some micro-dermabrasion or something like that and an oxygen facial. Not as relaxing as most facials, but seems to have perked my skin up a bit. I was looking a bit tired and worn out after some weirdly sleepless nights ... no trouble falling asleep, but had some ve-ry weird dreams (horrible ones about my family members) which I attribute mainly to stress and worrying about my brother who is away with the Army at the moment, my dad who is doing OK post a double hip replacement, and my mum who is just not handling these things well right now. Ahhh well. I'm just trying to keep them all happy and positive.
Had to buy a new hairdryer on Friday too as mine CAUGHT FIRE while I was using it. Well, there weren't flames, but there was a lot of smoke and a red glow coming from its insides. Eeek. Quickly turned it off at the powerpoint and had to carry it out to the balcony, putting smoke through the house, in my UNDERWEAR. Oh well, it was quite early so hopefully the neighbours were too busy getting ready for work etc to notice. Ridiculous shopping trip with cranky saleswoman trying to get me to buy the most expensive models despite me assuring her that yes, I will use it pretty much every day but do not want to spend $100 on something I could break and drop at any time. Also, do not care about ionic whatsermercall it, just want it to dry my hair. Anyhoo, reminded me of why I stopped going to Myer. Rude cow rolling her eyes at my clear stupidity for not forking out $100 for a superior hairdryer. Blah.
Saturday morning myself and some fellow CanToo diehards braved the rain and went for a trail run. It was just fantastic, we took it at a really easy pace (for me anyway) for most of the way out and just enjoyed the gorgeous scenery of the Lane Cove National Park. We ran about 4km into the park before we were thwarted by a swollen stream ... twice! Ran back and did some extra loops of the oval before heading to our traditional Saturday morning cafe for coffee and about two hours of chat. It was great. Took myself off to Bikram for Day 3 of the challenge and felt very proud to tick off three classes in three days (in a row)! Never before achieved this. It's strange the early changes in my body ... just noticed tiny differences around my knee/lower thigh, more defined calves and forearms. And paaaain. Quads and stomach are sooo sore, and wrists also ... but all this should improve quite quickly I believe.
Huuuge night on Saturday where I undid a lot of my good work, although not so much as while it involved about 3 glasses of wine, four beers and three shots it also involved nice Thai stir fry with lots of veggies and about six hours of intense dancing! Sweated up a storm, but man it was fun. Was a late night, not helped by daylight savings kicking in at 2am ... meant I got home at 5am instead of 4am. Still ridiculously late for me! So Sunday was naturally very quiet. Watched some TV, cleaned a bit, made some meatpies (made a big bloody mess too) and watched The Sound of Music. Find it all so sugary sweet romantic, but for some reason it's the looming threat of the Nazis taking over Austria that makes it so fascinating for me. The knowledge of how Austria was about to change and the horrors the world was about to see, and how this contrasts against the sweet innocence of Maria and the kiddies ... ahh, it makes me sad! But happy at the same time ... oh, and of course I want to learn to sing and meet a strikingly handsome former Naval Captain. Whoot!
Today I managed a Bikram session, a quick lunch with some friends and have spent the remainder of the day getting ready for the first day of my new job.
I feel SO blessed by my new job opportunity. It will be a fantastic new challenge, and there is so much potential for promotion in the company it's just so EXCITING ... two years from now, who knows where I could be. Hell, six MONTHS from now. No more shift work, no more working on weekends, no more working on public holidays. I won't know what to do with myself! Ha ha, except go to the gym/Bikram/running of course.
Started the action on Friday with a fantastic facial, including some micro-dermabrasion or something like that and an oxygen facial. Not as relaxing as most facials, but seems to have perked my skin up a bit. I was looking a bit tired and worn out after some weirdly sleepless nights ... no trouble falling asleep, but had some ve-ry weird dreams (horrible ones about my family members) which I attribute mainly to stress and worrying about my brother who is away with the Army at the moment, my dad who is doing OK post a double hip replacement, and my mum who is just not handling these things well right now. Ahhh well. I'm just trying to keep them all happy and positive.
Had to buy a new hairdryer on Friday too as mine CAUGHT FIRE while I was using it. Well, there weren't flames, but there was a lot of smoke and a red glow coming from its insides. Eeek. Quickly turned it off at the powerpoint and had to carry it out to the balcony, putting smoke through the house, in my UNDERWEAR. Oh well, it was quite early so hopefully the neighbours were too busy getting ready for work etc to notice. Ridiculous shopping trip with cranky saleswoman trying to get me to buy the most expensive models despite me assuring her that yes, I will use it pretty much every day but do not want to spend $100 on something I could break and drop at any time. Also, do not care about ionic whatsermercall it, just want it to dry my hair. Anyhoo, reminded me of why I stopped going to Myer. Rude cow rolling her eyes at my clear stupidity for not forking out $100 for a superior hairdryer. Blah.
Saturday morning myself and some fellow CanToo diehards braved the rain and went for a trail run. It was just fantastic, we took it at a really easy pace (for me anyway) for most of the way out and just enjoyed the gorgeous scenery of the Lane Cove National Park. We ran about 4km into the park before we were thwarted by a swollen stream ... twice! Ran back and did some extra loops of the oval before heading to our traditional Saturday morning cafe for coffee and about two hours of chat. It was great. Took myself off to Bikram for Day 3 of the challenge and felt very proud to tick off three classes in three days (in a row)! Never before achieved this. It's strange the early changes in my body ... just noticed tiny differences around my knee/lower thigh, more defined calves and forearms. And paaaain. Quads and stomach are sooo sore, and wrists also ... but all this should improve quite quickly I believe.
Huuuge night on Saturday where I undid a lot of my good work, although not so much as while it involved about 3 glasses of wine, four beers and three shots it also involved nice Thai stir fry with lots of veggies and about six hours of intense dancing! Sweated up a storm, but man it was fun. Was a late night, not helped by daylight savings kicking in at 2am ... meant I got home at 5am instead of 4am. Still ridiculously late for me! So Sunday was naturally very quiet. Watched some TV, cleaned a bit, made some meatpies (made a big bloody mess too) and watched The Sound of Music. Find it all so sugary sweet romantic, but for some reason it's the looming threat of the Nazis taking over Austria that makes it so fascinating for me. The knowledge of how Austria was about to change and the horrors the world was about to see, and how this contrasts against the sweet innocence of Maria and the kiddies ... ahh, it makes me sad! But happy at the same time ... oh, and of course I want to learn to sing and meet a strikingly handsome former Naval Captain. Whoot!
Today I managed a Bikram session, a quick lunch with some friends and have spent the remainder of the day getting ready for the first day of my new job.
I feel SO blessed by my new job opportunity. It will be a fantastic new challenge, and there is so much potential for promotion in the company it's just so EXCITING ... two years from now, who knows where I could be. Hell, six MONTHS from now. No more shift work, no more working on weekends, no more working on public holidays. I won't know what to do with myself! Ha ha, except go to the gym/Bikram/running of course.
Monday, 28 September 2009
Challenges
After running my third half-marathon for 2009 a week ago, celebrating my 31st birthday at the CanToo Spring Charity Ball and meeting some truly remarkable people at a friends 40th birthday party I've decided to issue myself a new challenge. I'm going to do the swim program with CanToo and train to do a 2.7km ocean swim!
There are some smaller races that I could nominate to train for - a 1km and 2km but I figure I might as well go for the big one. And really, 1km I could do now without too much effort and if you've swum 2km, what difference does another 700m make? Nothing! The biggest challenge will be facing putting on a swimming costume and wearing it in public with people I know quite well.
Aside from the fact I really feel like I need to shake things up a bit physically, I met some people at this party who are either cancer survivors or have recently been diagnosed with cancer. One guy I met, who is about 35, has been diagnosed with terminal cancer. TERMINAL cancer. I cannot imagine what he is going through, but he signed up for the swim program to help raise $$ for cancer research. What a legend! If I received that diagnosis I'm not sure I would handle it so well.
So that starts on November 5th. The Bikram challenge starts in four days! I am starting it today though - going to try to do four classes this week. My goal is to do four classes a week for the first 30 days, two classes on the weekend and two classes in the evening during the week. Then for the last 30 days I am going to try to do 5 classes a week, two on the weekend and three during the week. But as a minimum four a week in any combination will see me complete the challenge successfully.
I would REALLY like to lose a 5kg before summer, at a minimum. Although that's 5kg of the flabby stuff. Really I just want to feel a bit lighter and brighter. I figure I'm putting in all the right things, so the results should follow.
In terms of nutrition, I am following the low GI eating system as well as trying to only eat 'whole foods', nothing processed. Oats for breakfast, fruit and nuts for snacks, yoghurt, salad and veggies, lean meat and low GI carbs. And obviously drinking tonnes of water to counter the effects of Bikram. I was chatting to an instructor the other day who said he'd weighed his towel before and after a Bikram class to see how much he'd sweated ... and his towel was FIVE KILOS heavier. That's five litres of sweat. Which means that after a class he needed to drink five litres of water minimum to prevent dehydration! Lordy. Made me realise why I felt so dreadful after some classes when I'd only drunk a litre or so before and after class. Need more liquid!
Bizarre weather in Sydney of late, my poor flat is coated in dust and my CAR. Yikes. So this week is all about cleaning. Or dusting and vacuuming anyway.
There are some smaller races that I could nominate to train for - a 1km and 2km but I figure I might as well go for the big one. And really, 1km I could do now without too much effort and if you've swum 2km, what difference does another 700m make? Nothing! The biggest challenge will be facing putting on a swimming costume and wearing it in public with people I know quite well.
Aside from the fact I really feel like I need to shake things up a bit physically, I met some people at this party who are either cancer survivors or have recently been diagnosed with cancer. One guy I met, who is about 35, has been diagnosed with terminal cancer. TERMINAL cancer. I cannot imagine what he is going through, but he signed up for the swim program to help raise $$ for cancer research. What a legend! If I received that diagnosis I'm not sure I would handle it so well.
So that starts on November 5th. The Bikram challenge starts in four days! I am starting it today though - going to try to do four classes this week. My goal is to do four classes a week for the first 30 days, two classes on the weekend and two classes in the evening during the week. Then for the last 30 days I am going to try to do 5 classes a week, two on the weekend and three during the week. But as a minimum four a week in any combination will see me complete the challenge successfully.
I would REALLY like to lose a 5kg before summer, at a minimum. Although that's 5kg of the flabby stuff. Really I just want to feel a bit lighter and brighter. I figure I'm putting in all the right things, so the results should follow.
In terms of nutrition, I am following the low GI eating system as well as trying to only eat 'whole foods', nothing processed. Oats for breakfast, fruit and nuts for snacks, yoghurt, salad and veggies, lean meat and low GI carbs. And obviously drinking tonnes of water to counter the effects of Bikram. I was chatting to an instructor the other day who said he'd weighed his towel before and after a Bikram class to see how much he'd sweated ... and his towel was FIVE KILOS heavier. That's five litres of sweat. Which means that after a class he needed to drink five litres of water minimum to prevent dehydration! Lordy. Made me realise why I felt so dreadful after some classes when I'd only drunk a litre or so before and after class. Need more liquid!
Bizarre weather in Sydney of late, my poor flat is coated in dust and my CAR. Yikes. So this week is all about cleaning. Or dusting and vacuuming anyway.
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