What can I say…I have been busy.  Relatively behaving, although I can’t say I have been pushing as hard these last 9 days.  I have been to the gym every day – apart from today.

My body has been in protest.  First, it was my knee, was getting really sore.  Explained to the trainer that the exercises were hurting it, so eventually he realised I wasn’t trying to get out of exercise (I am paying for it, if I didn’t want to do it, I wouldn’t!)…so hurting me to put any weight on the knee when im bending the leg.  So we focused on upper body.  And would you believe it, my elbow went out – some muscle I have never heard of.  And just as that gets right, my neck goes out.  My body is breaking down!  Now my neck is starting to come right, I wake up sick today – and I very rarely get sick.  So wondering if I need to eat more vege and started taking vitamins again today.

I will go to the gym again tomorrow, do some cardio and light weights.  Have been taking it a bit easier this week, might not be a great weigh in.  Oh, I should post my last weigh in results…

I have been on the 12 week transformation challenge now for 31 days.  One month.  Just over 1/3rd of the way toward the finish of this challenge.  It isn’t really going to finish as such, it is more the begnning of a new chapter in my life – the healthy chapter!  There have been ups and downs, although to be honest, way more ups.  Weight Loss is a little slower than I hoped, but 6kgs (13.2 pounds) is not bad going, and if i extrapolate that out over the 21 week period, I will lose 18kg or 40 pounds.  Which isn’t bad at all, although I want more!!

I'm spending more time on the Exercycle

I have decided to stop posting my daily food and exercise regimes, as they have become a little repetitive and whats th epoint writing the same thing every day!  So instead I will write about the experience and the changes happening in my life as a result of getting in shape.

Today I managed a one hour workout, and then a 15 minute run at the gym.  I am feeling smaller now and some of my old clothes are actually TOO BIG!  Woot!  The greatest thing about what I am doing, is that I can do this forever, this is a lifestyle change I am happy with.  True health can’t be found in a quick fix diet or fad weight loss pill.  It comes from regular exercise, and sensible eating.  It isn’t hard.  Sure, it was hard to begin with as I took my rusty overweight body and kick started it into action.  But now, I feel better when I eat right and when I exercise.  I was a bit skeptical about using a personal trainer, but that has worked out quite well.   He is fun, and even said my face is getting more ‘handsome.’  Who could complain about comments like that?

I have found the last few days pretty tough going.  My motivation had waned, and I was struggling just to get the basics done.  I guess there are going to be good times and bad times!  I am not sure what was causing the decline in motivation – was I bored with the routine?  Was it the disruptions to my routine that caused me to feel like this?  Perhaps it was the change in weather, with Autumn now in full swing, gale force winds and loads of rain.  I do not know the answer, but thankfully, I woke up today feeling much more on top of things.

I went for a walk through Victoria Park this morning.  And later was SPIN class.  I actually enjoy this particular form of exercise torture.  And I must say today I pushed harder than any other SPIN class I have been to.   The instructor, Sean, really went hard.  He had us on level 9 (thats one off maximum resistance, I accidentally dialled 10 anyway) and kept us there for what seemed an eternity.  My legs were burning!  I heard grunting noises and wondered who it was (10 people in the class) before realising it was probably me!  It was an intense workout.  I really thought I was going to have to stop early, but just in the nick of time, he finally gave us the standing climb, which took some pressure off the legs.  We held that for a few minutes as well.  By the end of the class, I was totally spent.  Walking home was an effort, my legs felt rubbery!  If I wanted to know what it felt like to be a Rubber Chicken, today I found out.

So I did not do any crazy acts of self sabotage when the motivation dropped.  I even went to the gym, although it was an effort.  I ate properly (maybe a few too many raisins hehe).  So if that is the downside, then I am going to pull through with flying colours every time.  What was great today – people telling me I had lost loads of weight.  And sure enough, when I looked at an old photo, I was surprised at the fat face staring back!  Change is happening.  7 1/2 more weeks to go for the challenge and for me to hit my goal weight.  Onwards!

Day Seven.  One week.  Without having had any coffee or sugar, I had some headaches on days three and four.  During the week I felt very ill as well.  I wonder if it was my body going into withdrawal!  Today I have noticed another odd thing – I have broken out!  Pimples.  It is like being a teenager all over again.  Sure, my skin is naturally oily, but this is not usual.  I guess all the bad stuff inside me is coming out, which is great!  It is like the ugly duckling, about to transform!  We just need the transform part now…I have eleven more weeks for that!

mmm adult pimples

Also today I have noticed my first injury.  My elbow on the left arm is very sore when I fully extend my arm.  Not the tip of the elbow, it feels like the muscle that runs alongside my elbow.  It just feels tight, so think I may have pulled that when my arm slipped while doing an exercise where I put my weight on my arms, leaning against the backrest, pulling my knees up.  Great ab workout I am told.  A while before the ab flab is gone though!  Wonder how much weight loss I need before I can work my abs into a sixpack.

I better go post my food diary for today!