Phew, did Bikram last night in preparation for the Can Too dinner at one of the girl's husband's VERY nice Italian restaurant in Balmain. The food was completely amazing and delicious, but more on that later.
I love Bikram. I love the heat, the sweat and the super stretching, flexing and strengthening benefits. Oh yeah! Yesterday arvo, however, I struggled. Not with the postures, with the heat and humidity. I felt like my body was on fire and several times had to stand still to avoid fainting, and even sat down a few times - unheard of! I wasn't alone, and I definitely wasn't the worst off - several people had to go outside for fresh air. Anyway, I got through the 90 minutes but was annoyed that I hadn't been able to do all the postures as I was trying not to faint, vomit or both. The instructors are always saying that you should leave "your practice" in the room and every class is it's own challenge, you should not compare previous classes because every day is different etc. So, I am trying to do that ... but it's very hard not to wish I'd held bow pose for 10 seconds longer, or done the full lot of triangle poses etc.
Can Too dinner was a food orgy. Amazing pizzas, the best I've ever had - even in comparison to the ones I had IN Italy. The crust was light and chewy, not too much cheese - ohh heavenly. I had three small pieces. For main I had the blue eye cod, which had a tomato-chilli broth plus some mussels. Mmm, delish. I was so utterly stuffed that I had to skip dessert, but got a hot chocolate for good measure. I would go to this restaurant JUST for the hot chocolate, it was soooo amazing, like a cup of melted chocolate but not as rich. Thick and delish! Only problem was I didn't get home until midnight, making the damn 5am alarm so very unwelcome. But oh well.
Had faaaabulous conversations with some of the girls about weight loss, weight training and the like and going to try to organise a session once a week with one of them who is my training idol. Feel completely inspired about training at the moment, despite being damn tired. This arvo going to do 40 mins of cardio or so plus 45min Pump, and tomorrow morning doing 10km race and will also get to the gym or Bikram.
Weirdness on the D front ... it's still a watch this space situation.
Friday, 31 October 2008
Wednesday, 29 October 2008
Running in the rain
I don't know why I do it to myself. Running in the rain. I hate it! Shoes get heavy - running coach says they can weigh over 500g each when soaked - clothes get heavy and cling, and rain comes in at face and is sooo annoying. But this morning I did it any. Clever! Rain was very light when I woke up and I thought "harden up, do it anyway", so I did. It was annoying drizzle, didn't really make anything saturated, but made me very uncomfortable and the 30 minute run very unpleasant. Grrr. I hate running on a treadmill, but on days like this must remember to just stay inside. Although, did feel very heroic when I finished the run ... just sodden and cranky, with a nice new rub under one arm. Charming.
Have just had my first appointment with my nutritionist. She is awesome. And - hurrah - she told me that my diet is basically fantastic, but she can see some areas of improvement. Well, good - that's what I'm paying her for! Have another appointment next week where she will give me my actual diet plan. Today was just background stuff, and I had to get on the scales! Eeek. First time on accurate scales for a while. Figures were actually pretty good - have kept things at the same level at least, and now aiming to lose 8kg or so, but would LOVE to get to 55kg. Just don't think it will happen though - I put on muscle far too easily. Which is good! Just means I will never be a greyhound.
My uncle came over yesterday to give me my birthday present, and it's fantastic. 1000 thread count Egyptian cotton sheets. They're soooo nice. Want to put them on the bed NOW, but prefer to wash them first and hell-o, it's raining. We had a great chat about everything, I mean everything. We even talked about him getting called up to go to Vietnam and being exempt because he had a spinal operation, and his friends who returned changed men - half of whom died of heroin overdoses! Argh. But anyway, it was fabulous. I am making a serious commitment to see him and my aunt much more. They only live up the road for god's sake.
Anyhoo, day off today. Think it will just be a quiet one as I'm sooo tired. Cleaning is done ... well, it is done enough for now. I'm sure I could go super gungho and do it all over again, but it's really above the usual standards.
Have been going through a whole heap of other people's blogs, to kill some time at work at whatever else. Envious of the way some people can narrate their lives! For me it's just a brain dump, if I write it all down I can stop thinking about it!
Have just had my first appointment with my nutritionist. She is awesome. And - hurrah - she told me that my diet is basically fantastic, but she can see some areas of improvement. Well, good - that's what I'm paying her for! Have another appointment next week where she will give me my actual diet plan. Today was just background stuff, and I had to get on the scales! Eeek. First time on accurate scales for a while. Figures were actually pretty good - have kept things at the same level at least, and now aiming to lose 8kg or so, but would LOVE to get to 55kg. Just don't think it will happen though - I put on muscle far too easily. Which is good! Just means I will never be a greyhound.
My uncle came over yesterday to give me my birthday present, and it's fantastic. 1000 thread count Egyptian cotton sheets. They're soooo nice. Want to put them on the bed NOW, but prefer to wash them first and hell-o, it's raining. We had a great chat about everything, I mean everything. We even talked about him getting called up to go to Vietnam and being exempt because he had a spinal operation, and his friends who returned changed men - half of whom died of heroin overdoses! Argh. But anyway, it was fabulous. I am making a serious commitment to see him and my aunt much more. They only live up the road for god's sake.
Anyhoo, day off today. Think it will just be a quiet one as I'm sooo tired. Cleaning is done ... well, it is done enough for now. I'm sure I could go super gungho and do it all over again, but it's really above the usual standards.
Have been going through a whole heap of other people's blogs, to kill some time at work at whatever else. Envious of the way some people can narrate their lives! For me it's just a brain dump, if I write it all down I can stop thinking about it!
Tuesday, 28 October 2008
Confused by food
Gaaaah. I remembered today why I always try to bring my lunch ... firstly, there is just an crap selection of food places around here (work); secondly, then I know exactly what I'm eating. In terms of carbs, fats, protein etc. Went out for lunch today and bought a salad ... actually, a mix of three. And as I was walking back to the office, I was more closely investigating the bean mix, spotting corn in there ... and the lentil salad bit had onion in there! And the pumpkin salad had chickpeas. It was all rushing through my mind ... how much protein, carbs, etc am I eating, and is the onion going to set off an "episode" of IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome).
Going to the nutritionist tomorrow to get everything clear in my head. Just so confused by food. Used to happily* eat 1/2 cup of porridge made with water every morning, but then another friend told me that this was bad as way too many carbs. But then, is less than 200 calories for all that and has lots of fibre, plus other good things. Also, it's low GI so it fills me up until 11am or so.
Then was eating a banana and realised it was bad, as is high GI. Then ate tiny handful of trail mix, and was thinking 'eeek, dried fruit = high in sugar'.
There are lots more incidents (is Equal cancer causing?), but they can all be summed up by "gaaaaaaaaaaaaaah". Ha ha.
Have first of six appointments tomorrow morning, and I am committed to eating whatever I am told, whenever I am told. It's her JOB to know all this stuff, so am just going to pay her to teach me! Far easier than reading 10,000 conflicting views on the subject.
Going to the nutritionist tomorrow to get everything clear in my head. Just so confused by food. Used to happily* eat 1/2 cup of porridge made with water every morning, but then another friend told me that this was bad as way too many carbs. But then, is less than 200 calories for all that and has lots of fibre, plus other good things. Also, it's low GI so it fills me up until 11am or so.
Then was eating a banana and realised it was bad, as is high GI. Then ate tiny handful of trail mix, and was thinking 'eeek, dried fruit = high in sugar'.
There are lots more incidents (is Equal cancer causing?), but they can all be summed up by "gaaaaaaaaaaaaaah". Ha ha.
Have first of six appointments tomorrow morning, and I am committed to eating whatever I am told, whenever I am told. It's her JOB to know all this stuff, so am just going to pay her to teach me! Far easier than reading 10,000 conflicting views on the subject.
Team Sports
Last night I played "touch AFL" with my new team the Rushed Behinds. A few players from last season's team joined them because we didn't have enough. Anyway, it was so utterly shite. The guys never pass to the girls, even when we're in a better field position than the guys. When they DO kick it to us, it's generally out of desperation so it's a horrible pass and we inevitable miss or fumble it to their disgust.
I was in defence, marking this girl who barely moved. I was so, so bored ... I was basically standing still for 40 minutes with some occasional bursts of running. But I didn't even raise a sweat, despite it being over 30 degrees. It's at least a half-an-hour drive to the grounds from my place, plus 40 minutes of "play" and I really didn't like it. Would rather be running/at the gym on my Monday nights than standing around getting hayfever and itchy legs from the grass. So, am going to talk to one of my original teammates today but I don't think I'll play anymore. Monday nights are gold at the gym, and I hate missing out on Pump.
Hurrah for the warm weather though, meant that by the time I got home at 8pm I still wasn't hungry, and happily munched on some celery to get me through. No tea, no biscuits, no snacking! Champion.
Trying not to think about my holiday ... two and a bit weeks to go. Well, nearly three weeks really ... but considering I haven't had a holiday for far too long to mention (over two years) I am long overdue. Just want to have a nice break from life and get some perspective.
Oh, and sleep in past 5am.
I was in defence, marking this girl who barely moved. I was so, so bored ... I was basically standing still for 40 minutes with some occasional bursts of running. But I didn't even raise a sweat, despite it being over 30 degrees. It's at least a half-an-hour drive to the grounds from my place, plus 40 minutes of "play" and I really didn't like it. Would rather be running/at the gym on my Monday nights than standing around getting hayfever and itchy legs from the grass. So, am going to talk to one of my original teammates today but I don't think I'll play anymore. Monday nights are gold at the gym, and I hate missing out on Pump.
Hurrah for the warm weather though, meant that by the time I got home at 8pm I still wasn't hungry, and happily munched on some celery to get me through. No tea, no biscuits, no snacking! Champion.
Trying not to think about my holiday ... two and a bit weeks to go. Well, nearly three weeks really ... but considering I haven't had a holiday for far too long to mention (over two years) I am long overdue. Just want to have a nice break from life and get some perspective.
Oh, and sleep in past 5am.
Sunday, 26 October 2008
Sadness
No, not me. I'm fine. This morning's breakfast was held by my good friend to raise money for Beyond Blue. It's been three years since she was diagnosed with bipolar. The sadness was what I could see in her face. I just wanted to grab her and hug her and tell it was all okay. But is everything okay? Can I know what's going on in her life and her head, beyond what she tells me?
Anyway, I was chatting to my dear friend C who agreed she could see the sadness in her face and actions and we were wondering what we could do to cheer her up. Ultimately, though, we decided that there was nothing you could do to help someone, really, beyond being there for them and trying to keep their spirits going and keep them in the loop. You know, keeping occupied with activities I think distracts you from sadness.
Not sure where I was ever going with this post, beyond making a commitment to helping my friend in whatever way I can to keep her out of the shadow of the "black dog".
Anyway, I was chatting to my dear friend C who agreed she could see the sadness in her face and actions and we were wondering what we could do to cheer her up. Ultimately, though, we decided that there was nothing you could do to help someone, really, beyond being there for them and trying to keep their spirits going and keep them in the loop. You know, keeping occupied with activities I think distracts you from sadness.
Not sure where I was ever going with this post, beyond making a commitment to helping my friend in whatever way I can to keep her out of the shadow of the "black dog".
Saturday, 25 October 2008
Ouch
Oh lordy. I am sore. Yesterday morning did 14km - City2Surf distance - with some of the Can Too folk. It was so, so gruelling. I must get my fitness back ... I mean, I ran it ... but it hurt so badly! Worse than the pain in the legs, hips and back though is the negative talk running through my head, cursing myself for letting that fitness edge slip. Why did I do it? Why did I eat this and that, etc etc. Damn it!
I think by the end of the run though I'd talked myself back around to positive territory. I mean, I could've been sitting at home cursing myself for letting the fitness slip, as opposed to running and cursing myself. The latter is definitely the better option. So have recommitted and refocussed, which is definitely what I needed ... just needed a kickstart.
Anyway, onwards and upwards and all that. Have just made some low-fat zucchini and carrot muffins for a friend's big breakfast ... can't wait for breakfast, am starving. Leaving myself just enough time to jump in the shower, get changed and pick up my dear friend C.
Looking forward to a nice early night tonight, last night had a friend's hens night and didn't get home until after 1am, but naturally woke up at 5am. Gah! Why can I not sleep? Managed to get some cat-naps in until 7am when decided I may as well get up and get moving. Did some washing and what-not. Always astounded at how deathly quiet this building is in the mornings. No action until well after 10am. I totally appreciate people taking the opportunity to sleep in, but they're letting half the day go!
Today will keep exercise very low key. Might attempt something a bit later, but the house needs a damn good clean first.
Tomorrow will do Pump + 1 hour cardio equipment. Tuesday will either join the Mac Runners or do Bikram, depending on timings, Wednesday will go for a run in the morning, then have my first session with my nutritionist and in the evening will do my beloved Pump or swim, Thursday must be some more Bikram and Friday Pump. Saturday am doing the Sydney Striders 10km race through Lane Cove National Park, but might do Pump or something that arvo. Will see how things go.
Anyhoo, best be off.
I think by the end of the run though I'd talked myself back around to positive territory. I mean, I could've been sitting at home cursing myself for letting the fitness slip, as opposed to running and cursing myself. The latter is definitely the better option. So have recommitted and refocussed, which is definitely what I needed ... just needed a kickstart.
Anyway, onwards and upwards and all that. Have just made some low-fat zucchini and carrot muffins for a friend's big breakfast ... can't wait for breakfast, am starving. Leaving myself just enough time to jump in the shower, get changed and pick up my dear friend C.
Looking forward to a nice early night tonight, last night had a friend's hens night and didn't get home until after 1am, but naturally woke up at 5am. Gah! Why can I not sleep? Managed to get some cat-naps in until 7am when decided I may as well get up and get moving. Did some washing and what-not. Always astounded at how deathly quiet this building is in the mornings. No action until well after 10am. I totally appreciate people taking the opportunity to sleep in, but they're letting half the day go!
Today will keep exercise very low key. Might attempt something a bit later, but the house needs a damn good clean first.
Tomorrow will do Pump + 1 hour cardio equipment. Tuesday will either join the Mac Runners or do Bikram, depending on timings, Wednesday will go for a run in the morning, then have my first session with my nutritionist and in the evening will do my beloved Pump or swim, Thursday must be some more Bikram and Friday Pump. Saturday am doing the Sydney Striders 10km race through Lane Cove National Park, but might do Pump or something that arvo. Will see how things go.
Anyhoo, best be off.
Friday, 24 October 2008
Burning
Calories that is!
I'm not a counter ... not really, vague estimates are fine. In terms of food and exercise, I just don't have the discipline or inclination to calculate the differences too finely. So long as I eat healthy and avoid the treats, I'm happy to do it this way.
At the moment I'm being a bit more regimented ... well, I say at the moment, but I mean the last three days, and using Calorie King to work out how I'm doing. Pretty good so far. Although I still seem to always go over on the carbs. Must get that under control.
Anyhoo, the point - if I ever get to it - of this post was some encouraging figures I've uncovered about how many calories various exercises burn. Eg: Bikram Yoga (90mins) = 1050! Phew, I knew it was a lot ... judging by the pools of sweat, but THAT is amazing. Running for 60 mins @ 5.50m/km (usual pace) = 677. Pump class (60 mins) = 600 - 800 depending on intensity. Noooice figures.
More motivation! Time to get my butt movin'.
I'm not a counter ... not really, vague estimates are fine. In terms of food and exercise, I just don't have the discipline or inclination to calculate the differences too finely. So long as I eat healthy and avoid the treats, I'm happy to do it this way.
At the moment I'm being a bit more regimented ... well, I say at the moment, but I mean the last three days, and using Calorie King to work out how I'm doing. Pretty good so far. Although I still seem to always go over on the carbs. Must get that under control.
Anyhoo, the point - if I ever get to it - of this post was some encouraging figures I've uncovered about how many calories various exercises burn. Eg: Bikram Yoga (90mins) = 1050! Phew, I knew it was a lot ... judging by the pools of sweat, but THAT is amazing. Running for 60 mins @ 5.50m/km (usual pace) = 677. Pump class (60 mins) = 600 - 800 depending on intensity. Noooice figures.
More motivation! Time to get my butt movin'.
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