Diary 7th March - 7th March 2010 07:59am

Sunday was a great weather. After an early walk and breakfast BF and myself checked out Mount Mangamahoe – this is a man made lake, bush area, walks and an awesome view. I must try out some of their long walks sometime.        The week has been good – although physically I am still not back to par. A bit burnt out and the same mentally with work. On Friday I finished at lunchtime and have given myself a nice long weekend to bounce back.   Reflecting on the week: Cardio early mornings as usual followed by the gym. An easy walk most nights.   Diet has been clean:   Eggs, oats and protein powder breakfast   Protein drink mid-morning   Lunch – salad, flaxseed oil, 2 hard boiled eggs, peanut butter sandwich   After work: protein drink   Tea: salad, lean protein, pumpkin + oil   Protein drink, fruit e.g. strawberries     Water; bottle with morning workout, 2 bottles during day   Supplements: Superpump, multi + vitamin B   The slightly bad bits: sugar free sweets (still haven’t shaken that habit; cocoa powder drinks     Saturday – yesterday was spent working in my garden. It’s looking heaps better with regular care. Need to do more painting on the balcony next.     Went to Rebel Sports and bought a few more clothes. I need to do this as everything I have must be about 5 years old due to being a student until recently.   Now: Off for a walk, and tomorrow is Taranaki Anniversary day. Yahoo - I get a sleep in. I plan to (maybe) go for a run as my gym is closed.

Diary 22nd - 28th February - 28th February 2010 06:51pm

I would love to say I enjoyed an energetic week..., but I just ticked the box. Friday could not come fast enough.   Damn it I didn't want to be a woose so I ended up taking a few extra vitamins and making it through.   Gym workouts were accomplished but lacked energy. My schedule was as follows:   Monday: Walk/run in the morning Gym: 6.14am - legs/abs Squats, leg extension, curls = ab crunches in between. Evening – easy walk   Tuesday Walk/Run first thing Gym: 6.16am Chest + abs Incline press, Pec dec, Press ups cable cross overs = ab crunches in between Evening: walk   Wed Morning – walk/run Gym: 6.17 (lol – getting a few minutes later each moning!) Back and calfs Cable row, lat pull down, seated calf raises (super circuit) Assisted chins, back extension Evening – walk   Thursday Morning: treadmill – 40 mins (it was pissing down with rain) Gym: 6.12 am Biceps, triceps, abs: Biceps: curls, hammers + 21’s Triceps: bench dips, kickbacks, cable triceps   Ab crunches in between + side abs (using the cable machine with a weight) No walk in the eving – too knackered - sigh !@ grrrr   Friday No walk in morning – went to gym Shoulders Heaps of DB weights – side delts, front delts, rear delts, press. – 3 sets of each   Shoulder press machine – 5 sets Light weight doing shoulders from all angles – side, front, press, rear, press until failure A few abs exercises in between   Walk at night.   Diet Pretty clean during the week but on Friday I cut back on protein and had a high carb day.  Oats and about 6 slices of burgen bread during the day....!.   Saturday No workout but spent most of the day working in my garden, weeding, painting and starting to paint my balcony. My house is starting to look better each week as I continue to work on it. Just a bit at a time. Must be good for the muscles as today I feel sore around the glutes (maybe it was the lawn mowing?)    Today – Sunday. Just heading off for a walk. It has been a full weekend here in the Naki with Cliff Richard playing and also the American cars (AmeriCARna).  A beautiful weekend weather-wise. I love it here. This morning I am starting to feel revived again. Bring on another week!

Diary 15th - 21 Feb 2010 - 21st February 2010 05:04pm

The bodybuilding way - Assessing the body in parts  The week has ended well with goals intact.   Work stayed to week days (Mon to Fri) and with some key projects coming to fruition, I feel like I have accomplished a few good things this week.   Workouts and cardio occurred as per schedule Monday to Friday.   My alarm goes off 4.30am’ish (NB: it is really dark now in the mornings!). After a cuppa and review of emails, plus some supplements, I hit the road for a walk/slow jog. The hills around my street give a bit of variety. After that – straight to the gym for a 45 min workout. Like most bodybuilders, you come to view your body 'in parts' - and critically assess the good parts and the areas requiring more work. Here are some thoughts that passed through my mind this week.      Monday was legs.   With the return of squats into my routine (after being lazy for a few months and just doing leg extensions and curls), but bum is starting to look a bit tighter again. I am less obsessed and feeling a bit better. As a female, especially one of the wrong side of 40, you need squats and exercises like that to really challenge your muscles, especially that sagging arse.   Tuesday was chest .   Fortunately a lighter exercise for me on the incline bench (after legs the day before) – firstly because I find lighter and more reps gives me a fuller movement and hits that part better and secondly, as I have had shoulder injury for most of last year, it is best for me to be mindful of this. As my chest is okay as a body part, this is not a major concern for me.   Wed – Back.   I find back a tricky area as you can’t see it so it is hard to judge. I think that I have some reasonable detail on my back but simply no width. I really work those lat pull downs and chins etc and do what I can to battle genetics there. A pity for me as I really love backs.   Thurs – Biceps and triceps.   I quite enjoy working arms. I always had reasonable triceps but I never saw my biceps for ages until just before my first comp – and then they popped out. I think they were just covered with fat for ages. After that they have always showed (my fat gathers on my waist, arse and thighs). So I really love my arms after spending most of the my 30’s with my arms covered as I was embarrassed they were so fat.   Friday – Shoulders and abs.   To be honest abs are done on several days in between exercise (my abs are increasingly a focus of dissapointment) and calfs on another (I don't mind my calfs). Both these are a good in-between exercise. I have to work my abs a lot. Muscle-wise my abs have improved a lot, but I think with age they are simply becoming flabby and this is also where fat gathers as well plus any bloat.  My shoulders are okay – they are not huge, but have good shape. I enjoy wearing shirts to show them off. They show I work out and I am proud of that.    After work most days I have gone for an easy walk. Most days I am pretty physically knackered at the end of the day (and want to just curl up on the couch) but a walk helps me to mentally unwind.   Yesterday (Saturday) – no formal cardio, but I work in the garden. I have built in this 'free day' from my standard fitness programme. I have actually finally bought that mower (a second hand one) but it is good cardio! and my garden is starting to look great.   No I am off for my Sunday walk. The sun has just come out so it is going to be a great day. Yahoo! Summer is still here.

Assessing the body in parts - what bodybuilders do, and what 'normal' people may consider weird, vain or obsessive

Diary 8th - 14th February - 14th February 2010 08:00am

Goal progress - achieving balance when my persona says 'perfection'   This week I am feeling pretty proud of myself. They say it takes a couple of weeks to change habits and so far I have kept to my new year resolutions.   Maybe I am changing.   A key resolution for me was spending Saturday working on my garden and house. These are important assets (not to mention my home!) but I have really neglected them in previous years because I have always been working and studying. However, if that wasn’t the excuse, things would probably still be the same. My view of gardening has always been to do it once a year and bring in a big bin for all the crap.   I decided that looking at the sad state of things that this must change this year.   Since the New Year I have been doing a bit of cleaning and gardening every Saturday. I have bought some gardening tools, read the latest edition of “NZ Gardener” and today – a pinnacle – I am even considering buying a lawn mower.  Big change.   Changing habits can be hard, whether that be diet, exercise or, like me, restructuring your time priorities, committing to new activities and striving for more balance.   I tend to be a perfectionist, an ‘all or nothing person’ , and I often find that other bodybuilders share this type of persona.   While this can be great for the sport, it can hard in other ways – like doing an activity to a certain level of sub-perfection, to allow space and time for another. If you try to do everything to perfection, then you either run yourself (and others around you) ragged or do less (which is what I have done in previous years).   Having said that, I have remained committed to my training and diet.   Diet   During week day, this is as follows:   Meal 1: Eggs whites/veges – cooked in microwave; oats + protein powder Meal 2: protein drink Meal 3: Salad, 2 eggs, flaxseed oil = peanut butter sandwich (2 slices burgen = smear of peanut butter) Meal 4: protein drink Meal 5: Salad, flaxseed oil, pumpkin, lean protein e.g. chicken or beef = cottage cheese Meal 6: protein drink, strawberries   Workouts this week   Gym – 4 days Cardio – most mornings + walk at night.     Current weight: 57.2kg

Making decisions about what to do 'well' verses what to 'let go' can be hard. Maintaining my training however, is something I retain.

Journal: 1-7th February 2010 - 7th February 2010 02:13pm

Why is it that all at once all your appliances start to blow up?   Because I have been a student for the last few years I have delayed buying new appliances and investing in house maintenance. Now these decisions are catching up on me.   My blender is sounding dodgy (so today I decided to get it checked out to see if it is worth saving), my clothes dryer is on its last legs (you should hear the embarrassing sound of the machine screaming when in use) and now my hot water cylinder is leaking  (and it may be serious as under my house there is water as well).    In addition to that, my house badly needs painting and the guttering should be replaced ….   So I am trying to work through these things. The blender (essential for my protein drinks) and the hot water cylinder (a damp house worries me) are the first two items on my hit list.   In relation to my goals and resolutions for 2010, so far so good. I am keeping "work" to week days, working in my garden and cleaning my house on Saturday and taking Sunday off for pottering around.   Training has been going well, although some days are better than others.   Below: My training log book     Here is a snap shot of my week: Monday 1 - Sun 7 February.   Cardio: Monday – Friday: early: Walk/run (45 mins) Night: easy walk most evenings when I get back from work.   Weights: 5 days - week days (although feeling a bit tired and sore some days so I need to watch recovery time)   This week I did:   Monday: Legs (leg ext, curls, walking lunges and single leg extensions)   Tuesday: Chest/abs (incline BB, Pec Dec, Press ups, cable machine, Ab crunches in between sets)   Wed: Back/Calfs (Cable row, Lat pull down (two different hand grips), Back extension; seated calf   Thursday: Biceps, Triceps, (DB curl, hammers, bench press, kickbacks, V-grip pushdown) NB: Bad workout - I was tired.   Friday: Shoulders, Abs (DB side lifts, rear dealts, front, press, ab crunches)   Saturday (yesterday) was spent gardening and mowing lawns. This replaced my normal cardio, got me out in the fresh air, my hands dirty and enabled me to make progress on my other goals - getting my house and garden sorted.   Sunday: Today I did a bush walk with BF which takes around 40 mins. NB: He walks fast -  so it ain't no walk in the the park!   This afternoon I plan to lie on the couch (out of the heat) and catch up on Sunday newspapers - bliss and damn it I don't feel any guilt! I'll also prepare my meals for the week.

Above: My training log book - nothing flash but a 2010 diary bought which they come on special - ie 1 jan 2010 !

Anne's diary - so far so good - 24th January 2010 05:48pm

2010 - Body-Life Balance-Happiness   The week work was frantic so I wondered was I going to keep to my goals of letting work go in the weekend. Also – I don’t want to compromise my training and clean eating.   In addition to all this, my eye after my laser surgery was sore and light sensitive. Not the best when you are trying to hit work deadlines and use the computer heaps.   But I have made it. I feel great this weekend and certainly my life is happier. I worked late some nights to meet my work deadline, then went for walk later than usual. There may have been early starts (up around 4.45am during the week) but I still maintained my training – slipping in weights/cardio before work.   Then the weekend was for my garden (I can’t believe I am actually enjoying weeding!) , reading (I can enjoy bodybuilding mags again without feeling burnt out from studying it as well) and other things in my life. It feels great having that balance. I am also trying to catch up on those tasks around the house that need doing. This weekend I cleaned out my fish pond. My sole living goldfish looked completely surprised!     Above: Me - taken on Sunday - an R&R day    Body Weight      Thought I would check out my weight  which I haven’t done for ages. I got on the scales at the start of the week and also the end of the week.   Start of week: 59kg (but that time of month) End of week: 57.6kg   So there may be some water retention and/or dehydration in there somewhere. But it gives my some idea where I am sitting. It’s good news – as I like to be under 60kg. Not sure about my bf ratio – haven’t had it done in ages.     Training this week   My schedule over the past few days has been as follows:   Sunday 17th Jan: bush walk with my boyfriend. No gym. Sunday is a day to chill.   Monday  18th Jan: Up early - train etc before heaidng to work - have to be there before 8.30am. This week i have big deadlines.   Morning: walk/run: 40 mins (Up before 5am, cuppa, supplements, check emails, hit the road for a walk/run)   Straight after: change shirt - head to gym Gym: Legs & abs: Squats, Leg press, leg extension, leg curls Ab crunches in between sets Evening: walk – 50mins- 1 hour (easy walk)   Tuesday 19th jan: Morning: walk/run: 40 mins Gym: Chest/abs: Incline bench, pec dec, press ups, cable cross-overs Abs: crunches, side crunches using cable weights   Evening: walk – 50mins- 1 hour (easy walk)   Wednesday 20th Jan Morning: walk/run: 40 mins Gym: Back, calf: Cable rows, Lat pull downs Back extension, lat pull downs (different grip), assisting chins Seated calf   Evening: walk – 50mins- 1 hour (easy walk)   Thursday 21st Jan Morning: walk/run: 40 mins Gym: Biceps/triceps DB curls,  Hammers SS Tricep pushdown, kickbacks, bench dips   Evening: walk – 50mins- 1 hour (easy walk)   Friday 22nd jan   Morning: walk: 45 mins (I was knackered) Gym: Shoulders – light workout (still knackered): Super set side delts, front delts, rear delts, press Ab sits up in between on decline becnh Evening: no walk   Diet this week:   Ate clean all week (took packed lunch to work etc, except Friday as I work from home this day) but had extra carbs on Friday. My body was really tired so added a few extra slices of bread during the day – 2 with peanut butter, 2 with  low fat cheese. Cut back on usual meals and protein that day.  The break and boost was great !     Below: Every Sunday I prepare several salads to keep in the fridge. At night I add the protein and oil/vinegar dressing to two of them - eat one for my tea and use the other one for my lunch - just grab it in the morning to take to work.

Anne's Diary - 17th January 2010 01:47pm

Back to everyday life   New Year is over and it’s back to work and the usual day-to-day dealings of balancing your lifestyle and goals.   My Daily schedule – back at work   For me – doing cardio and gym in the morning before work is always best as I get it done and don’t have to worry about unplanned events later in the day upsetting my schedule. The down side however, is that I am working out on an empty stomach – not the best for strength, nor muscle growth.   My alarm goes off around 4.45am (I say ‘around’ as I deliberately set my clock fats so its says 5am when the alarm goes off but it really is earlier). I will probably lie in bed for a few minutes having an internal debate about why I am so insane getting up at this time …then I get up.   My morning ritual:   1. Have Super Pump, vitamins, cup of hot tea, check latest news on internet.   2. Run/walk – 30-40minutes around my local streets   3. Change shirts – go to gym (just around the corner from my house – so wonderfully convenient).   4. Workout – 40-45 minutes (weights only).   5. Breakfast then work.   After work – usually an easy walk to wind down (I do desk work, so a leg stretch and brain-release is good).   Workouts this week   Monday – Legs + abs Squats, (abs in between) Leg press, (abs in between) leg extensions, leg curls (super set)   Tuesday - Chest + calfs Incline bar (SS with seated calfs) Flat bench press with DB’s (SS with calfs again) Pec dec SS with push ups (down on the floor military style!) Cable cross overs – light , single arm (alternating)   Wed - Back Cable row SS with Lat pull down Back extension SS with Lat pull downs (a different machine to the above one and has a different bar so hits muscles slightly differently) Cable pull back (standing and pull cable back with single arm then alternate)   On Thursday and Friday I was away in Auckland and couldn’t do my normal workouts – but did walking etc   Auckland - Eye Laser Survey experience   Work was limited to 3 days this week as I went to Auckland for iLasik surgery to one of my eyes. This was something I promised myself when I got my PhD as I have a really bad eye in terms of sight (seeing things at a distance).   I was tested for the surgery (to see if I was a suitable candidate) and then the procedure was done on the afternoon. It was really professionally done (I got mine done at the Eye Institute), really quick, followed by recovery in the afternoon (have a good sleep at your motel unit), a check up the next day and then you are done. There are checkups which you can get done at your local optometrist which follow the next week, and for a few weeks after that to ensure things are all okay.     My 2010 Project – Happiness, myself and balance   This year, for me, life is about not only achieving my goals but having more happiness and being more balanced.   Changes I am making so far:   1. Keeping work to work days (Mon-Fri). 2. Gym: Mon – Friday 3. Weekends – using this time for other goals like mowing my lawns (a great workout in itself!), reading  and keeping my BB'ing web site up to date!   Some Ideas for achieving greater happiness and more energy which I am testing out:   1. Get more sleep (I must go to bed earlier – I always feel better the next day!)   2. Get out in the sunlight during the day – even for a few minutes (if such a thing exists this year!)   3. Cut myself (and others some slack) some slack and keep life in perspective (I can be a perfectionist …and this is not always a good thing)   4. Cleaning up  - even something small – just clearing the desk or making the bed makes me feel a bit better – gives a sense of clarity and control. Every Saturday I try to give my house and garden a clean.   5. Talk to an energetic friend or read energetic web sites regularly– energy is contagious – I always feel more lively and inspired. It is a daily fix.

New Year resolutions - 8th January 2010 03:38pm

New Year Resolutions   2010 is here - and I am still getting used to writing it on cheques and forms. I feel great after a break from study and work - but a bit sad that today is the last day of my holiday.   I spent the time doing heaps of cleaning up and gardening – things that I have gotten behind on in recent years. It replaced my cardio and weight lifting – which was useful as my gym as closed for several days due to the stat days.   When the gym has been open, workouts have been good. Today I did my usual walk/run, then a good bicep/tricep/ab workout.   Today’s workout: Bicep curls SS with hammer curls (3 sets, then abs, then back to another 3 sets, then abs, then another 3 sets)   Triceps: Pushdowns, then bench dips, then ab exercises – so 3 sets   Bicep curls with the cable and straight bar – 1 sets, then ab exercises, then second set, then abs and finally a 3rd set.   Single arm pushdown exercises for triceps on the cable machine – 3 sets   Bicep exercises with the cable machine      Yesterday I was in Auckland) so had an easy day, but on Wed I did a good back day and Tuesday a big leg workout day (Monday the gym was closed so I just did cardio).   Over the holidays my diet has pretty much been as follows:   Breakfast: Oats/protein powder Egg whites/veges   Lunch Salad (lettuce, carrot, onions, tomato), 2 hard boiled eggs, oil/vinegar dressing; pumpkin 2 slices toast (sandwich burgen bread) – one with marmite, one with peanut butter   Mid afternoon Protein shake (or protein powder with water microwaved into a muffin) – may have two if hungry   Tea Salad, beef, cottage cheese, oil/vinegar dressing, pumpkin   Finally Same as mid-afternoon strawberries No major pig outs over the last few weeks although Xmas day lunch was certainly a time to have chocolate cake, brandy snaps and a few things like that. In recent weeks, I have enjoyed peanut butter in moderation (I had a major craving for the stuff) as well as hard boiled eggs - I have no idea why! Supplements remain my trusty multi-vitamin, SuperPump and I have introduced B complex.     My goals for 2010:   Continue with my workouts. This means: Cardio – at least 5 times for week Weights 3-5 times per week Eat clean Have a more balanced lifestyle. This means Keep work for week days. Keep on top of my gardening & housework on Saturdays (after spending so much time cleaning the place I am NEVER letting it get in that state again!) Paint my house (the bad news about cleaning my house is now I can see how terrible the paint work is now looking…)  Get over my techy fear – I can’t text and I don’t use my cellphone – I have to got to come into the new century sometime! Get back in touch with my BB’ing roots again (I lost touch with my BB'ing friends during the year due to work) and maybe even do some more publishing on the subject (I still need to think about this one more …). Be happy – it is important to celebrate achievements and everything that is good in life! (NB: I have started to subscribe to the Happiness Project - which is a brilliant web site).

2009 reflections - 28th December 2009 03:33pm

Reflections on 2009   It’s a quiet morning – a public holiday – and even better, the rain has stopped and everything seems green and fresh outside. I am having a cuppa and will be heading out for a walk in a few minutes – but it is nice to take a few minutes to reflect on 2009 as it draws to a close.   It has been a full on year for me – and in fact this morning is one of those rare days when I can sit, without guilt, that I should be doing something – because I can finally feel that I have achieved some key goals this year. These are ones which have been years in the making.   This year I went back into the workforce full time and I finished my PhD. Although I have not competed for several years, I have also been determined to keep in shape - eating clean, working out. There are times when I have burned out and certainly balancing my goals with my private life has been difficult.    But at the end, commitment pays off.   I graduated last month.      My bank balance is looking better again, back in the workforce.  I am enjoying what I do - life couldn’t be better.   My workouts have been maintained.  Yesterday (to blast away my Xmas dinner!) I did an hour on the treadmill, an hour in the gym (legs!) and an easy walk later in the day.  I am still in reasonable shape – I turned 47 yesterday. My butt is carrying a tad of cellulite and there is a lack of youthful tightness there (as well as my stomach) but overall, – not too bad. Bodybuilding will always be important to me.     Reflecting on 2009, I feel great about ticking off a few really important things in my life. It has been worth it. But I have not been perfect. There have been times when I have burnt out. Times when I did not enjoy going to the gym for weeks and a few months when I needed space away from bodybuilding.I haven't been to comps this year (except one) and haven't been as supportive as I could be of other BB'ers. I have prioritised work and other things in my life.   Now I need to think about 2010 - I am not sure of my goals yet.    Maybe it is best to just go for that walk and feel good about 09.

Training Report Card - 15th November 2009 07:32am

15th November 2009   Training has been fine although work is busy – just the last two weeks I have been a bit like a train on auto.   I did 5 gym workouts – legs Monday, Shoulders Tuesday, Chest Wed, Back Thurs and then Biceps/Triceps Friday. Cardio has been my usual walk/run in the morning pre-gym and a walk at night on 4 nights.   I am pleased to report that my goals to cut back on those little things that has sneaked into my diet are going pretty well although still some work to do.   Here’s my report card:   Goal and outcome to date:    1. Goal: Cut back on salt: Outcome: Certainly being more conscious and have cut back. My stomach feels less bloated. Rank: 6.5/10.   2. Goal: Reduce that full fat cottage cheese. Outcome: Excelled on this one! Have had no full fat cottage cheese. I have replaced this with egg whites and veges for snacks. Rank: 10/10   3. Cut back on cocoa drinks. Goal: One a day. Outcome: Once again V. Good. Only one per day during the week. Except in the weekend when I guess I do have a few more….but great improvement. Rank: 6.5/10.   4. Goal: Replace one meal of cottage cheese (see 2 above) with a serve of egg whites. Outcome: As mentioned above – I have been really good. This was my best improvement. I have microwaved egg whites with veges and a mushroom twice a day and it fills me up for a great snack. Rank: 10/10   5.Goal: Once a week, walk on the treadmill for an hour. Outcome: Yes – did this once last week. I have to admit I did not do it this week but have maintained my cardio. Rank: 6/10.   6. Goal: Sugar free sweets – they have to go! Outcome: A bit harder ….I have cut back and some days are better than others …but getting there. 5/10 for this one. Rank: 5/10.   I jumped on the scales last week: weight 58.8kg Not too bad. I must get my muscle/BF measured some time.   Stomach is a bit soft and I notice that my butt is hanging a bit - so have beefed up those Leg press, squats and butt exercises again at the gym. In my rush in the mornings I have not done them as often. Arms, shoulders and chest looking okay. Not bad for an old chick.   Currently just heading out the door for a bush walk. Yahoo….summer is on its way.

Keeping to those workouts

Tightening up the diet - 1st November 2009 05:48pm

1 November 2009   Today I was looking in the mirror – having one of those hard looks, and realising that yes – I am getting a bit flabby around the middle and my arse is a tad softer. Damn it – is this age? (heading towards 48 in a few weeks …) or have those minor digressions started to add up? Hmmmm – not sure – but it needs to be nipped in the bud.   I do train hard – so it not like I have been a slacker.   I eat clean.   But there are those few days when I eat too much. Also, there are those minor things that have slipped in .....   On the other hand – is this just one of those days when actually I am not fatter but it is just one of my fat days? I actually have always looked like this?   Damn it – I hate these uncertain body days.     What ever ….there is no harm in tightening up the diet – and maybe adding a bit more harder cardio back into the mix.   Here are my admissions and new goals:   1. Cut back on salt – I love that garlic salt and maybe I add too much … (guess my friends will be pleased with that change!)   2. Reduce that full fat cottage cheese - I was addicted. I know it is still low’ish in fat ….but I can eat too much. Cottage cheese and chives was so yummm. Goal: 1 serve a day (1/2 small pot) until current rations run out and then it is back to low fat plain only or egg whites (see 4 below). NB: Currently I have been having 2 serves a day.   3. Cut back on cocoa drinks. I know they didn’t have any sugar – I would add sweetener. But I was also addicted. Some days I was having heaps. Goal: One a day max.   4. Replace one meal of cottage cheese (see 2 above) with a serve of egg whites.   5. Once a week, walk on the treadmill for an hour. I used to do this several times a week and found it more effective for keeping BF low. Currently I am doing a run/walk outside each day for about 30 mins. This is followed by the gym. It simply fits my work schedule better but not sure if it is as good for my waist line.   6. Sugar free sweets – they have to go!   I guess the point is – even when we are eating clean – there are still those little things we sometimes have and before long they become regular items that really add up. My goal is to clean them out.  Habits are hard to break so the next two weeks will be the hardest.Sigh!

Labour weekend - 26th October 2009 05:17pm

26th October 2009   Breaking the routine….   It’s Labour weekend and what do I do? - spend most of the time working. Sure – most of it is necessary – but to be honest, I think you get into a regime that makes things hard to break without guilt. Just like BB’ing.    But what happens – BF rings and says – 'hey – let’s just go for a drive'?   It is SO hard to break the routine – be impulsive – and to make matters worse – I had just had my NO’s and hadn’t been for a walk. But I took a deep breathe and thought “you know what – this is good for me”. Not sure however as I sat in the car, unexercised and with a good doze of SuperPump under my belt.   But it was nice.   I ate my normal oats and protein powder, jumped in the car and we went to Oakura – which is a great beach area just outside New Plymouth. Tom Cruise and the Last Samurai movie crew stayed there when they came to Taranaki 5 or so years ago!   We then went to the Port and saw the kids with their Dads fishing (not many mom’s in sight – so I think that is how females geta bit of space in their day – send dad, the kids and their fishing rods down to sit off the pier at the port), and then we went to Pukekura Park – this is an awesome place which also has The Bowl – where Stevie Nicks and Fleetwood Mac will be playing in a few weeks.   Below is an old fireplace in Pukekura park where, back in 1840, a captain had his house burnt down in the Maori wars – this chimney was all that was left.     So – no exercise today.  I feel a bit torn to be honest - is this good or guilt?   Diet today was oats & protein powder this morning; salad/cottage cheese and chicken at lunch with flaxseed oil plus strawberries.   I have cooked my chicken for the week and also made some WW jellies to keep in the fridge.   Reflecting back on my week I have been pretty good.   Monday Cardio – walk/run in the morning followed by the gym (legs) I did leg press and squats – which I haven’t done for ages.   NB: The rest of the week I could barely walk. I walked okay that night – but the rest of the week became increasingly painful until Friday when things came right again.   Tuesday Cardio – walk/run Gym – Back Evening – walk   Wed Walk/run in morning, followed by the gym – chest Evening – no walk as I was at the hairdressers for several hours getting my blonde roots redone (and catching up on all the goss from my hairdresser).   Thursday Cardio/Walk Gym – Biceps/Triceps Calfs Evening - walk   Friday Run/walk Gym – legs – light exercises Evening – walk   Diet during the week was good – in fact I think there were no protein bar splurges – so kept things good and relatively tight.

Life is good - 11th October 2009 02:32pm

My Thesis and The NABBA Wtn Event   On Thursday night after work I jumped in the car and went to Palmerston North – had meetings the next day – and YESSSSSSSS – have finally been granted my Thesis.   I feel sooooooo awesome – after all these years of studying hard – I am now Dr Anne.   Anyway I had to pick up my Thesis – which had been bound – and drop it off at Massey University.   Then after a catch up with my Chief Supervisor (who has been my guiding light through the whole PhD process) I jumped in the car again and headed to Lower Hutt. Another business meeting, and then finally crashing in my motel unit – sleep !   The weather was terrible but thank goodness I am not dieting hard and competing like the poor BB’ers at the Wellington Regional even which NABBA was holding. Talk about being tough in weather like that and low bf.   The event was brilliant. I am so glad I went down and saw the competitors – Maeve competed and such an honour for me being there, having followed her whole process (posting it on this web site), and then to see her finally see her complete her goal of making it to stage. How inspiring.     I haven’t attended a BB’ing comp for a year – so it was wonderful being there and being part of the support audience.   Driving back later that day after the prejudging, then sun finally shone and it was like life was great.   Today – Sunday – I have been out and about – I went for an early morning walk with the BF, did the grocery shopping, wash, catch up jobs and getting thing ready again for a busy work week.   Life is good.     Below: me with my Thesis - it's done!