19 July – 10 days later
I’m starting to see some results – just in the little things…progress photo of my back shows good improvement – mostly fat loss, but completely expected it to be that much. People are commenting here and there but mostly I feel like I’m doing something I enjoy and that I want to do. ALL GOOD AT THIS END OF THINGS – JUST GOTTA KEEP SLUGGING IT OUT!
Day Two…getting into it! Today was good. Actually it was better than good, going over it in my head; it was a really good day. Special K & eggs for breakfast; managed to nab myself some cottage cheese and carrot & celery sticks & nutrition was definietly better than yesterday…but I don’t feel as pumped about things today.
During one of my early appointments today I was told that Lynda went into the kitchen going ‘quick, get some vegie sticks for her – she’s dieting’. That made me chuckle just a little. It’s great that they’re being supportive; will help no end on the hard days. I’ve got a plan for if I want ‘unauthorised’ food => DO NOT BREAK IT – STOP THINKING ABOUT IT – WAIT JUST ONE DAY BEFORE EATING SOMETHING I’M CRAVING…IF IT’S STILL THERE, I’LL HAVE SOME.
It’s all good. Totally excited about this, but just a bit tired I think. Nearly time for bed. Workout today was ‘fat burning cardio’. 5 min warm up, 8 sec on, 12 sec off for 20 mins then 5 min cooldown. Did abs after and felt uninspired; but completed 12 sets of abs which was good. I went during the day, although I wasn’t feeling psyched up for it before I went I was into it when I got there. Good decision by me to not leave it till after work today – no way I’d be up for that. I think that I will try to do the majority of my workouts at about 3pm. Gym’s empty, fuelled up from lunch + pre-workout snack, breaks up my day and I’m pumped for the rest of the day – WHAT MORE CAN A GIRL ASK FOR??
Woke up this morning with tired forearms – wow! What a feeling. My legs aren’t aching, which I thought they would have been; but I definitely know they’re there – especially through cardio today – killing me by about 10 mins in. Either I’m really unfit or that’s a killer of a workout. Now my forearms are tired. Think I’ll be getting protein shake (1/2 serve) down then heading for bed. NEED to be up early tomorrow – I have an 8.15 that I need to leave for at 8 – start work at 7.15, start walking at 6, out of bed at 5.45! GET OUT THERE AND DO IT!
Day No. 1
A lot of people might view the saying ‘day no. 1′ as negative…to me, it’s a thing. It’s merely a number. A day. A signifier of just another day. But it’s also the first day of my new life. A change in attitude. It’s the same with the term ‘diet’. Joy has a phobia of the word & prefers the term ‘eating plan’. Yeah, I can see her point, but at the end of the day they’re all the same thing – you’re changing your eating habits, restricting some foods and emphasising other groups more. To be fair, ‘diet’ is about “I need my arse kicked so I’m doing something about it“ whereas ‘eating plan’ suggests “I can’t do a diet – I don’t have that strength – i need to be babied through“. That’s negative conotation for you!
I went out last night, I drank beers, I socialised, I had a bit of a party and I still managed to get in relatively early. I was not disappointed with my performance last night – I didn’t get smashed; I just got to the point that I was having fun, laughing and meeting new people. Today though, I feel tired, slightly headachy and like I want to crawl back under my doona. My morning walk will be substituted for one in the middle of the day – a work thing. I am allowing that in the first week – after that, anything I do through work is extra…bonus…supplement!
End of the day – I’m feeling positive about this. This morning I ate oats in my room – avoiding the hot (oh-so-fattening) breakfasts in the dining hall. Unfortunately, at 11am they’re still out. Morning snack, apple & about 2/3rds of a portion of eggs. I’m not 100% sure about the eggs…they tasted ok, except some were a bit hard and chewy – I dished out about a portion on a small plate but left some; the gross bit.
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So far today pretty good. I’ve had fat milk twice in coffee and ate too much steak for dinner – I must remember to stop before I am full! I’m just about to head to the gym for my first 5 x 5 session. Feeling pretty excited about it really. I haven’t done a program like this before – the volume’s definately there and I think it will have a fairly big impact on my body – completely new stimuli! I’m so interested to see what I can bench for 5 reps. Guess it will be about 42.5, but not 100% on that.
I have a plan – a plan that’s good for me and will make this first session easier. I’m going at a time that will ensure the gym isn’t packed and I’m determined to stick to the breaks, to ‘politely’ tell people that I’ll contact them later if they have questions! That will be important for me tonight! I’m stoked – so excited and looking forward to the stiffness, soreness and knowledge that I’ve worked hard!
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Thoughts post first 5 x 5 workout:
“I’m feeling very positive about my start today. My workout was great. I worked hard and pushed through some sets I ddin’t think I could make/get through. I didn’t know if I could do 5 sets at 42.5 on bench after the first set – but I did; I finished and it was great – awesome. I feel pumped up about tonight’s workout – the Turkish Get ups killed me but it was fantastic…cramping in my quads while trying to get up…sweet!
Nutrition wise I had 2 small bits of fat milk in coffee, too much dinner & gravy, which I shouldn’t have done. I forgot to take my shake to the gym, but was into it about 15 mins after I finished so all was not lost.
I feel shagged – my body is tired from the workout. I took my fat photos today – both very scary and shocking. The fact is that I AM FAT…there’s no getting around that. And there’s no hiding from it.
I’m not going to die.
God Speed
The day before – ultimate motivation. I’m feeling the pangs of excitement at training again. I said to John last night that I feel ‘clean’ when I’m working out and eating properly. I can not wait to get back to that point. I’m feeling a bit similar to the way I was feeling before I took on the 12 week challenge in 2005. I had some really good results there – if only I have of been as strict through the whole 12 weeks as I was the last 4. How I regret that! Anyway, on with the challenge!
Goals - clean up diet, decrease body fat percentage & circumferences, prepare my body and to mentally get myself in that mindset! No specific goals for Meso 1 at this stage – it’s about more than that. This bit, for me is sticking to it; making it work or finding something that does. Will update on specific goals (which I will create) when measured!
Training plan for Mesocycle 1:
Sunday 10 July – 0800 – 1800 work
0630 – 0730: Walk
1830 – 1930: 5 x 5 strength program # 1
Monday 11 July – 09000 – 2000 work
0700 – 0830: Abs + CardioTuesday
12 July – 0900 – 1900 work
0700 – 0800: Walk
1600 – 1700: 5 x 5 strength program # 2
Wednesday 13 July – 0900 – 1930 Work
0700 – 0830: Abs + Cardio
Thursday 14 July – 0800 – 1200 Work
0615 – 0715: 5 x 5 strength program # 3
Friday 14 July – OFF
Circuit program at home
Saturday 15 July – OFF
Abs + Cardio
To say I’m excited is a big fat understatement! I’m stoked – my legs are feeling fatigued at the thought of supersetting squats and stiff legged deadlifts, my attitude towards eating has changed just in the past 3 days when I’ve started to really prep; my heart is beating faster at the thought of cardio work – and I’m loving every second of it. I’m excited by the thought of growling at someone “I’m hungry and in the middle of a transormation. Just fuck off and let me be for a minute!”
The excitement phase is maybe what I should call this phase…I can hardly wait for tomorrow to arrive – the beginning of the end of being a fat lazy pudger! I know that there are going to be ups and downs, I know they will be hard but I think for me one of the main things is that if I fall off the cart, I dust myself off and jump right back on. Stick it out – stay on track – see the rewards!
PAIN IS TEMPORARY, FAILURE HURTS FOREVER!
SACRIFICE IS SOMETHING WE MUST DO TO ACHIEVE OUR FULL POTENTIAL
5 June – Before the beginning yet after the start
Since initially setting out on this journey i’ve not achieved much. i shattered my shoulder half way through day 3 and ended up doing various stints in hospital, on drugs and in the mighty grip of frustration. So yet again I begin the journey to a new, improved me. One huge thing has changed – it’s no longer a month – it’s about so much more than that now! I’ve decided to ‘publish’ my journey through ‘my moment of madness. Basically what I’m doing is keeping a firm eye on everything that happens from here on in. To face hard facts – I NEED THIS!
What is my moment of madness?
1. work 100 hours per fortnight – 10 days on, 4 days off.
2. train rigorously and unforgivingly. to push myself to the limits, to find my maximum and to beat my best. to ensure i can compete, at the end of the day when it’s all about me.
3. to survive this, to come out at the end craving more and looking fabulous.
Why am I doing this?
I don’t know the exact source of motivation behind my madness. Maybe it’s dissatisfaction. Maybe it’s insecurity. Maybe it’s boredom, or maybe, just maybe it really is just pure madness.
[LONDON - 12 MONTHS EARLIER] Earlier this week at work we got entry forms for some adventure races, short ones. I suddenly began to feel the pangs of excitement at multi-sporting till I hallucinate. Go team “OMG Gremlins”! I don’t know why it has come up now…obviously there’s some deeper motivation rather than just being crazy in love with the idea of multi-sporting like mad; but I do not know what that is.
What I hope to achieve…
It’s really mostly about getting myself to a place where I feel most comfortable – a place of fitness, control and of health. I don’t feel comfortable as myself at the moment. Most simply put – I am well out of condition, eating badly and I feel shit about it. Since leaving Australia on 25 November (wow, now over 8 months ago) I’ve grown. Grown into a pale pudgy porker. Yes, I’ve only just decided that I don’t like being like this and I need to do something about it. July 31 is the day! I’ve no doubt that there will be tears, tantrums and buckets and buckets of sweat. Every last drop will be recorded and documented as a story of my journey of self-change.
[MIDDLEMOUNT - PRESENT DAY] Not much has changed – not in the real scheme of things. My shoulder’s a little better, my body’s about the same but my dissatisfaction with myself is higher. There’s no adventure racing/crazy deca-triathalon-ing/gross global contest with my best mate to push me on this time. I need to do this for myself…I need to prove that I can follow this plan through.
To be more specific about my goals…
1. decrease body fat percentage under 20%
2. decrease body mass 60kg or under
3. increase strength bench 60kg & perform chin ups
4. improve cardiovascular fitness run 5k
Every sunday I will ‘publish’ my weekly plan. Work’s a bitch and is all over the shop; but I will still do the roster, things I need to get done and the workouts I plan to complete.
Daily I will update on exercise done, sleep, supplements taken and HR and RPE of sessions, body weight pre- and post-exercise will help me monitor my hydration status. I’ll also complete diary entries detailing energy levels, moods and general feelings. I’d say tantrums will get a fair run too!I hope I don’t die!
peace out
