Hi everyone
Yes I'm still here ... still going well. Week 4 has been great ... although sadly confess I haven't been putting in 100% into my weights this week due to pains in my hands and wrist from lifting such heavy dumb-bells ... but cardio is still going strong as ever, as I have thighs and a bum that seriously needs shrinking!!! So been doing lots of cardio. But will definitely pick up the speed again in Week 5. Just wanted to give my hands a rest.
Food intake also great ... although tonight a twinge of weakness crept in, kids requested chocolate rice pudding for dessert, so made it ... and later this evening, I had a couple of spoonsful ... oh my life .. it was absolutely DIVINE!!! So dug into my willpower and stopped eating more. Made protein pancakes instead, which contained egg whites, oats, small bit of wholemeal flour and scoop of Vanilla protein powder. That was even more delicious! It hit the spot and I was back on track. Not to mention guilt-free :)
And I'm pleased to say that since the start of this challenge, I have noticed small changes already, such as energy levels at an all-time high ... I don't feel so sluggish and lethargic when I wake up in the mornings like I used to, but my greatest news so far, is that I have lost a total of 4kgs (9lbs) since 9th May! YAY!!! So very pleased with progress so far. I started at 81.5kg, and at this week's weigh-in I was down to 77.5kg. I just couldn't believe what the scale was saying. Even jumped up and down on it, and it still had the same numbers. So very very pleased. I also know not to be too hung up on the scales, as it has thrown others off, so going by how my clothes feel instead. But just seeing small changes like this helps me stay focused and determined to keep going.
For those of you having trouble drinking water, I used to loathe water ... I couldn't stand the stuff ... fizzy drinks (Coke Zero especially) was my all-time favourite and that's all I drank day in day out ... but since cleaning up my eating habits, I have since banned all fizzy drinks from the pantry, too the disappointment and dismay of my teenage kids! And over the weeks and months, I kept 'forcing' myself to drink water here and there ... even if it was just half a glass every hour. Now I can easily slurp down 6 tall glasses of water a day. And since the challenge started I have increased it to the required 8 glasses per day. The only downside to this is having to pee around 20 times a day!!! hehe But I see that as a good sign, coz it tells me that everything is working well on the inside and all the crap and rubbish I've filled my body with over the years are finally being all cleaned out and flushed away! One of my work colleagues even commented this week on how 'clear' my skin was looking ... I was quite chuffed about it.
So to those who are having trouble with water intake, keep pushing, even if you have to hold your breathe and scull it all down like I used to, after a while your taste buds will eventually give in and you'll soon get used to it. They say a new habit takes up to 4 weeks to kick in, so hang in there, it does get easier :)
As we come to the end of Week 4 ... tomorrow morning I'll be up at the crack of dawn again, braving the winter chills and jumping on the treadmill.
I hope you're all still going strong ... just remember, if you start feeling a bit discouraged, please don't give up. These days everytime I see a yummy chocolate or packet of chips, or some 'unauthorised' food, I quickly tell myself ... nope, I've come this far and I'm not about to ruin it by a sheer moment of weakness. And it has worked everytime. So if you have those moments where you're just about to give in, tap into your 'inner-strength' ... as that is where you will find the willpower to turn down those naughty foods. And keep up the good work on your weight-training and cardio. It's all part of the package. I'm actually looking forward to Week 7-8 as they say that's when we start seeing 'physical' changes. I can't wait!!! :)
Enjoy the long weekend NZ friends ... and to the rest of you ... have a great weekend, and hang in there ... we're all in this together, WE CAN DO THIS!!!
Hello Everyone!
I know it's the weekend but I thought I would post since I didn't post yestereday.
Here we are at the end of week 4 ~ How's everyone doing?
I've been drinking more water this past week ~ YEA! and I have had 2 ultra sound treatments on my left thigh. I'm really hoping these ultra sound treatments work ~ so I can really challenge myself.
I'm finding that I'm not that if I have a protein bar for my mid morning snack, I'm not that hungry when I go to lunch ~ which is 1:00 during the work week. I do eat but then I skip the mid afternoon meal until dinner. Any suggestions?
Have a great weekend!
TeriP
Good Morning!
W5D1 ~ How is everyone?
I've got a new perspective on my life and I am going to really committ to my personal challenge!
Water intake has improved and I am going to go to the gym tonight and work on my lower body. I had a pretty good day yesterday ~ no pain when I stood up from a sitting position. I think these ultra sound treatments just might be working! I hope to have another one today.
Have a GREAT day everyone!
Hey Terip48. Week 5 hooray! I changed my routine a bit this week and will try that for the next 4 weeks.
Glad to hear your water intake has improved!! Mine too! Good news re the ultrasound, I hope they continue to work for you. And re the afternoon snack, I would still have it cos it's for your metabolism... gotta keep the blood sugars even too.
Kilani - sounds like you are going well, and very motivated. Thanks for the kind wishes the long weekend was good, however it was clouded by a big aftershock on Monday morning, a 5.5 magnitude one. Ducked under the table for that one!
I have never had chocolate rice pudding, but sounds good! What makes yours so yummy? (might need an idea for this Sunday!)
Chat later
Pam
Kia Kaha - Be Strong
I did pretty good on my eating yesterday except for dinner. Both me & my husband didn't get home until after 7 and didn't want to cook, so we went out. I had a taco salad with chicken and didn't eat the bowl and I had WATER!
I did some lunges Monday night and OMG I thought my legs were going to fall off. Beginning lower body workouts has been slow but making progress. I hope to have my 4th ultra sound treatment tonight. I do believe it's working...YEA!!!
Have a GREAT Day and I hope to chat with you again soon...
Hello!
Week 5 is going pretty well. I did a Bikram Yoga class yesterday and It was SUPER tough, but I felt so good after and I slept like a rock! I felt so good that this morning I lifted and will be doing another class tonight. The problem is that since the room is super hot and humid, you sweat like crazy, which means drinking a ton more water than I am used to, so I have had almost 60 oz so far and I plan on having another 60 by the time class starts.
Yay! I feel so great and I am so glad all of you are sticking it out with me! Have a great day!
Becky
Hi Everyone,
I started 5/9 as well. Week 2 my food was dialed in. I am lifting like a mad woman on my upper body. The scale has not been moving. I drink 80 oz h20. My weigh in is mid day. Body fat was above 28% and two weeks ago was 24.3% SO I am making progress. I need to make sure to get those meals in me. I plan to post week 1 and week 4 pics soon. To help enocourage each other. I am 5'2 and weight 134. I am a runner and really am over the scale. I can say my upper body is starting to chisel out, that darn belly will be the last to go. I also have 3 kids 10, 7, 2. I have lost about 30 lbs over 2 years so I feel like right now I am stacking on muscle. IF I BUILD IT IT WILL COME!
Ten years ago I could not run a 1/4 mile now I can do a half marathon. Everyday we all get stronger.
Have a great day!!
Carrie
Good Morning ~ well sort of.
My allergies are acting up and I can barely breathe this morning. I've been sneezing and blowing my nose for the almost an hour.
Food intake yesterday was good but minimal. I didn't eat all of the calories that I should have had and my water intake yesterday wasn't very good either.
On a good note ~ my leg is feeling much better. I don't have any pain when I stand up from sitting down and I noticed I haven't had much of a gimp in my step the past few days ~ MAKING PROGRESS!
Looking forward to the weekend. I will be participating in an all day Natural Horsemanship clinic with my husband and our 2 horses so I should get my fill of exercise.
Have a GREAT Day and hope to chat with you again soon...
Hello everyone!
I think this has been the toughest week yet! I have actually been pretty tired, but have been diligent in my eating and exercise. I am surprised that we are almost half way done!!! Great work everyone!
Hope you had a wonderful weekend. Mine was very busy with an all day Natural Horsemanship Clinic at the barn, picking up 3 grandkids for the night, attending grandchild #5 baptism on Sunday...
Eating this past week was pretty good until Friday night when I went to dinner with a friend and well I guess I ate too many carbs!
It's Monday and I'm back on track ~ YEA
Not sure who is still working on their BFL challenge.....don't see many posts anymore except for a few.
For those that are still on their challenge....keep going and we will stay in touch....
Good Morning All,
No doubt this week was crazy. Week 6 already. I eat pretty clean. I loosened up a bit this week I did 3 HIIT on gym bike, ran 19 miles, (i love my running too much to stop) My arms are looking awesome. I have pics to post but need help. :) I need to check body fat today. I ran 8 miles for my long run in heat and promptly had my recovery drink to reload muscles. Uh yeah I am up from 135 to 139, I happens. I would rather be carb loaded than depleted. :) Body fat check more important than ever. I really pushed my upper body hard this week and switched up my routine in week 5 as well to keep my body guessing. Well, I have 1.5 days of school left for kids and breakfast to eat. Hope you all have a great week 6. I'll check back and post body fat and pics if I get help....:)
Hi All,
Hope you Christchurch ladies are OK and not effected by the latest quake, thinking of you.
Had a terrible weekend, Queens B'day long weekend here in Aussie and my diet went mad. Back on track this morning and feeling very sleepy.
Hope you all are going well, keep posting its good to see others are going well.
Thanks Ellethebrat!
Yes I had to head out of town for a day or two. I picked my son up from school after the first quake at 1pm and we cleaned up and then BANG - another one at 2.20pm - we ducked under the dining table and rode it out. It really felt like the house was going to come down. i am in a 3 level flat, living areas in the middle floor, so it rocks really well!!! Things crashing all around me again, and the TV that had survived all previous quakes fell over this time. There was so much rocking it was unbelievable.
At least I don't have to shovel tons of liquefaction (silt and mud) from the property and still have power and water. Some people have been living with a portaloo and a bucket shower for 9 months, and every earthquake means they have 2 feet of mud in their gardens, and through their houses again.
Took Alex out to my Mums place for a couple of nights, he is back in school today and we are home. BFL wise, only missed my cardio on Tuesday and made sure I stuck to the diet pretty well. Only had a glass of wine on Monday night but after all the quakes it was a wonder I didn't finish the bottle! :-)
Hope the other Christchurch people on here are OK too....
Half way soon...YAY.
truegrit! your from CHCH! Im chch born and bred but havent for about 6 odd years now. Im sorry bout all thats going on down there, my Mum and Dad live on the East side and of course i still have friends and more family down there. Take care and keep posting, nice to know someone else from home is on here!!!!! kia kaha!
Hey Spinney
I guess your parents are getting good at shovelling silt? If you would like me to check on them send me their details via a message on here. The East side was hit worse and was without power initially.
Regards