Nothing has really changed but...

I'm back! My weight has remained the same, so not good, but not bad either! I am still training and getting injured!

This is about to change - I have an appointment with a personal trainer and a physio again tomorrow to get it sorted.

I am doing the Cadbury Half marathon on the 8 January 2012, even though I feel a little under prepared due to my piriformis syndrome (hip area), I am OK to do it and maybe just sneak under my Melbourne half marathon time. Under 2.20 and I would be stoked.

Holidays 23 December to 4 January, but I am planning on running during the holidays every other day. After the half on the 8 January I would like to ramp it up. Weights and core work would be helpful to prevent injury.

I have asked Santa for a new bike and new tennis racquet, hope he is obliging!

Merry Christmas! Mons XX

Lost in the wilderness

I really have missed my blog, blogging. Alas, I have been lost in the wilderness. I struggled with completing the Melbourne half marathon (almost a month ago now) and then not knowing what to do next. All that training and planning and now...nothing to do.

My first thought was to plan to do a marathon. I planned and plotted what marathon I might do, what training program etc etc. A marathon would be the next step, kind of a no brainer, right? WRONG...

The nagging achilles tendonitis has not been addressed. I will just push through the pain right? WRONG says a friend who also happens to be a PT. She said she thought I would struggle to make the Gold Coast Marathon late June with the injury issue. My physio seems to think the same. What do I do now???????

So I spent lots of nights ignoring my blog, ignoring my 12wbt and doing my research on achilles tendonitis, marathon training and the like. I discovered that achilles tendonitis could be with me for a while in varying degrees. Stopping running was probably NOT going to make it better (yay!). I need to manage the injury through all the things my physio had told me and not increasing my running too much. OK, so I will manage it.

I then started looking into local (Launceston) and sort of local (Hobart, Melbourne) upcoming 10km and half marathons. My thought was to ditch the marathon dream for now and concentrate on bettering my half and 10km times. I asked my sisters (who ran the Melb half with me) if they would be keen to do the Cadbury Half marathon with me on the 8 January 2012 (just over 8 weeks away). They said yes!!!!! AWESOME.

So, all of a sudden, my running has purpose again. I am no longer lost in the wilderness! I have a lot of work to do as my longest run in the last month has been 12km and I have only done that twice in a struggle. I have also planned quite a few events over the next few months to keep the interest alive!

I almost forgot to say, I got a Garmin for my birthday! I used it for the first time yesterday and its my new best friend. It tracks everything, distance, HR, route, calories, splits...I can save the data, compare...I LOVE it. It is my secret motivational weapon.

So, I am armed (Garmin) and dangerous (not really) and back into it baby. I have a plan Stan and I can't think of any more cool (or not) sayings so I am outta here!

Cheers big ears, Mons XX

P.S. I have had to rename the blog and make a few little changes.

I have missed you my dear blog...

I have been really busy over the last few days. I have turned 40 - aaarrrggghhh. Actually, its not so bad! I really don't feel 40 - its just a number I guess. Lots of visitors, lots of food, lots of Jansz and lots of fun. I have continued to exercise though, so its not all bad.

The party is OVER now though. back to reality. I am determined to get back on track. I have 5 full weeks of the 12wbt to get stuck into. I have started planning my meals again.

My running plan is updated in preparation for my marathon training that starts mid January. I need to be back up to 35km a week over 4 days before I start that. I have only been doing around 24km a week over 3 days since the half marathon so a bit of work to do there.

Lots of work to do, best get going with it!

Mons XXX

P.S - Note I have snuck in my week 7 weigh in!

5km today, but eating still not in the zone!

Exercise - check
Clean eating - still needs work!

This has been the story of the last few weeks. I need to remind myself that I don't want to slog my guts out exercising when I am not making it count on the scales. I really enjoy exercising. Exercise DOES NOT mean a licence to eat more.
Exercise DOES NOT mean a licence to eat more.
Exercise DOES NOT mean a licence to eat more.
Exercise DOES NOT mean a licence to eat more.
When will I get it through my thick head!

Mons X

A surprise loss!

Can't believe I have lost 1.2kg this week! I am really surprised, but happy! This loss has given me some renewed motivation to get back on track with my eating. I know my exercise has been pretty good, that may have saved me.

My eating over the last two weeks or so has not been great at all. Lots of carbs, but not the good kind!

Six and a half weeks - can I get to 65kgs??????? I think I have just set myself a challenge (again).

I CAN DO THIS!!!

Mons X

12km hard slog

Don't know if I'm kind of still recovering from the half marathon, but the 12km I did this morning was hard. In my mind, I thought 12km would be easy peasy, hey, I've done 21km, right?? No way!

I am also still caning from my fitness session on Friday morning. Those lunge squats / wall sit combos are a killer, still in a world of pain now! We also did boxing, great to get a good workout on my upper body for a change.

Swim tomorrow to loosen it all up - my favourite part of the week! I am currently looking for a decent (but not too expensive) bike to ride a bit to take some pressure off my legs from running.

Eating has been absolutely shite, all over the place. Can't seem to get a hold on that. I will set asisde an hour or so tomorrow to set a plan for the week.

Mons X

Half Marathon photo!

Did not want to make such a horrible photo too big. I have a painful look on my face because this was taken around the 19km mark and I was really hurting at that stage! I think its a nice touch with Flinders Street station in the background. This photo cost me almost $30.00 - do you believe it! My norks look quite big in this photo - I know they are not small, but I didn't think they looked that big - oh well, hopefully I will lose a bit of weight there soon.

Smashed 506 calories this morning with a 6km run and stretching. Eating has been OK (better than the previous week and a half). I think I may just about be back on track! Not quite, but almost....

Cheers, Mons X

Not an ideal weigh in!

So I have put on a bit of weight...hmmm. No surprise really. I have been all over the place for the last week and a half. I have used the half marathon as an excuse to eat too much. I was in Melbourne with my sisters (lots of wine and food), my best friend's 40th dinner (more wine & food). The old excuse of carb loading for the race as well. I have not exercised for the last few days either or planned anything. Not a great combination for weight loss. The though crossed my mind to "fudge" me weight figures, what would the point of that been? Stupid!

I must say that all that wine and food did not make me feel good at all. Not only in a guilty kind of way, but the physical way. My skin felt it too.

ANYWAY...tomorrow* is a new day. I am going for a 6km run tomorrow. I have joined an 8 week fitness program at the gym that starts Friday morning at 6am. My plan is as follows:

Monday: 6am swim (I bought new goggles that don't fog!)
Tuesday: 5:45am run 6-8km
Wednesday: 6am gym fitness program 
Thursday: 5:45am run 6-8km
Friday: 6am gym fitness program
Saturday: Core
Sunday: Long run 10-12km (SSS)

This is pretty much the plan until Christmas while I follow the 12wbt, gym program and sort out my achilles tendonitis and drop to my ideal weight of 60kg.

In the second week of January I start a 18 week marathon training plan organised in preparation for the Great Ocean Road Marathon in mid May and then the Gold Coast marathon at the end of June 2012. I need to be up around the 40km per week mark to start this program.

Here we go (again) !!! Mons X

*I would normally say "today", but today has been a mini disaster food wise so tomorrow is the real day! The rest of today IS going to be good though. I am NOT going to blow it off completely.

Half marathon wrap up

It's over and I do feel a bit of a sense of "what now" since it has been my focus for a few months!
My official net time was 2.23.53 - reasonably happy. I was hoping for under 2.20, but still OK. It is a PB anyway as I have never run a half marathon before. It gives me something to strive towards for my next one. Hopefully that one will be injury free!

We hydrated and carb-loaded the day/night before with sandwiches, pasta, garlic bread, couple of sports drinks and lots of water. I didn't sleep well the night before, probably got about 5 hours in the end. I think I may have been nervous. When I put my son to bed I reminded him I would not be there when he woke in the morning, he would have the morning with his uncle and cousins. He was fine, he said to me "you are not going to win, are you mum". I told him there was no chance of me winning and we agreed it was all about taking part and having fun!

Up at 5:30am, coffee, toast with honey and off we went in a taxi. The race wasn't until 8am, but we wanted to allow time for bag drop, toilet stop etc.

The day itself was great. Well organised given the insane amount of people. I saw members of my running group from Tasmania before the race which was unexpected and nice.

We had a group hug and went to find the start line. At the start line, my middle sister wanted to move closer to the front, so we set her free. My other sister and I ran togther for the first 5km or so when I met up with one of my Tassie running buddies and my sister set me free to run with my running buddy as we are a similar pace. We ended up running the rest of the way together. She was such a great support. I was ready to walk at the 17km mark thinking there was no way I could possibly run for another 4.1km. My knees and hips were aching. She kept me going to the end - thanks Susie! That last 4.1km felt like 10km.

We had a great photo taken, got a medal each, ate some fruit, had a drink and then I went off to locate my sisters (and my backpack). I found them, we has a group hug and caught the train home.

Very sore at the end, but today I actually feel really good, tired, but good. No sore achilles, no sore knee, no sore top of foot! My shoulders are a bit sore, I must have tensed up and hunched when I was running.

Back to cross training tomorrow, to loosen up. I have a physio appointment Wednesday to get the achilles thing sorted once and for all. I will be able to run still, but shorted distances for a while (under 10km!). Fine by me for now.

Mons X

Half Marathon complete - I did it!

Well, its over! 21.1km Melbourne half marathon done in 2hr 23mins. Sore and tired now, but really happy. Flew back to Tassie last night at 8pm, bit stiff on the plane!

Full report blog tonight! Back to normal, nice to be home. Thinking what my next challenge will be.

Cheers, Mons X

Getting closer...

I am getting nervous! Did 6km yesterday, felt OK. In Melbourne today, no run, but heaps of walking around town. Will maybe do a short run tomorrow morning and Saturday morning, but that is all.

I am running with my two sisters and we are all pretty nervous, but excited! There is rain forecast so that will be interesting. I am starting to get nervous about the fact that I don't carry water or sports drinks and have never tried a Gu. I am basically going to run the entire race on water only, no carbs. I am thinking I may carry a few lollies, that may help.

Eating has not been great, I seem to have lost focus this week. It has not been bad, but I have not been following the program at all. I have lost 300 grams so its not too bad. I will need to get with the program again next week once the race is over. I know I can do it. My mini goal of getting under the 70kg mark is not far away, totally achievable for the next week or two.

Took my son to the Melbourne Aquarium today, that was cool. We had a lovely day together. Dinner with the family tonight, my best friend tomorrow and a pasta feast Saturday night, no alcohol though!

Will blog agsin soon to share my nerves.

Mons X

10km Sunday - getting there!

Swim this morning helped iron out all the stiffness from the run yesterday. The run felt great, no niggles today so yay for me. Couple of 5-7kms and a couple of swims this week in preparation for Sunday and I should be OK.

I am catching the 2:20hr bus on the day - achievable me thinks, perhaps even 2:10 - hmmmmmm. Considering I was after sub 2hrs a few weeks ago, happy with just finishing upright with a smile on my face, not a wince!

Have a great week, Mons X

6km this morning BOOYAHHH!

It felt awesome to be running again. I was able to run the entire distance at a pace only slightly slower than my normal pace PLUS just under 500 calories burnt.

At the moment I have NO niggles. I did lots of stretching afterwards so hopefully it stays that way. No running tomorrow, maybe a swim. I am due to do 12km on Sunday and I think I am ready for it! That will be my last longish distance before the Half marathon the following Sunday - eeekk.

Have a great day, Mons X

A small loss - I'm OK with that!

Given I did only light exercise for most of the week plus I had a mini blowout Saturday night. I lost 100g - a loss is a loss, right???? I am now 71.1kg. I have set a mini challenge for myself. I want to be at 69.9kg by next weigh in. I figure if I can run again it is totally achievable. It is 1.2kg, thats it!

Pulled up OK this morning so I did 5km run/walk, abs and lots of stretching. My knee is still not quite right, but not any worse. Pain in the top of my foot is completely gone and my achilles are holding up quite well. No running tomorrow morning, cross trainer, toning and stretching will do me. I will try for a run again Friday.

Eating just OK today, three squares of caramello chocolate after lunch and small piece of bread this afternoon. Not a great start to my mini challenge...

Mons X

Plans change...OK

Haven't had a computer for a couple of days, but I'm back now!

My weekly plan has changed now that I have discovered I CAN run, but not too far. Walked for 2km today and RAN for 2km. It felt sooo good. I did it to see if there would be any further knee, top of foot or achilles issues. So far, so good. We will see in the morning. If, at 5:30am tomorrow, I am feeling good I am going to run 5km followed by some serious stretching. My plan now looks like:

Wednesday - 5km run & lots of stretching (maybe a 5km walk instead)
Thursday - core & toning
Friday - spin or 5km run (depending on how I feel)
Saturday - toning (probably a pump class)
Sunday - 10km long(ish) run
Monday - swim

Eating wise, I have been pretty good. Still picking here and there darn it! Nothing major. Hopefully on track for some sort of loss in tomorrows weigh in. Half kilo to a kilo would be great, we will see.

Cheers, Mons X

Change of plan...for now!

Okay, so I am over my self pity, poor me I can't run at the moment thing. I have a plan for next week to get me back on track. I have been assured my current fitness will get me over the line (perhaps not in the time I had originally hoped) for the Melbourne half marathon in two weeks today.

My plan for next week now looks like this:

Monday: Spin class
Tuesday: Pump class
Wednesday: Spin class
Thursday: Try a 5-6km run on the treadmill
Friday: Spin class or swim (depending on how I pull up from the run the day before)
Saturday: Swim
Sunday: 10km run

Food wise - I lashed out a bit last night - 2 glasses of red wine with dinner and some garlic/cheese pizza entree. Been kind of good today. I had 3 squares of caramel chocolate - it was REALLY good, enjoyed every bit. Thankfully I was able to stop at three!

I have a good plan for the week and will be back on track.
No more feeling BLAH, get on with it Mons.

Cheers X

First massage

Had my first ever massage today, it was great. Very sore now though. He was really informative. Being a runner himself, and seemed to know what I was going through. His main point was to listen to my body, if its too much, back off! He gave a some great stretches to do in between runs.

The swelling in my knee is almost gone, but the top of my foot is still really sore. Too sore to run so far. I will see tomorrow if I will do a run on Sunday. It is 16km, but I may just do 10km.

Eating today was OK to start. Had a tiny piece of birthday cake this afternoon and more dinner (not the program dinner - a dry curry chicken rice thingy) than I needed. On the flip side, I didn't have any wine and it was actually poured for me because I initially said yes!

Feel very lethargic, probably a combination of the massage and not doing any exercise. It seems the less I do the less I want to do!

Have a great weekend! Mons X

Did I say I was injured???

Yes I did, and yes I am. Went to the physio today and it is not as bad as it seems - YAY. I will still be able to run (walk, crawl) the Melbourne half marathon on the 9 October in some fashion. I have to rest though, not happy Jan. Will do the full rest thing for tomorrow and maybe the next day, but that's IT. I will at least be swimming, walking or something (anything) after that.

This all means my eating needs to be SUPER clean. I had a great day today with the exception of a couple of edges (which amounted to a piece in the end) of the raspberry coconut slice I made for the school fair. The next item I made was a chocolate cake so I could not sample. I did lick the spoon for the icing!

These little licks and tastes are adding up, it needs to stop, particularly when I cannot exercise. I need a miracle here...HELP I don't want to be injured anymore, I want to get on with it!

Mons

Loss :) and injured again :(

A great start to the day with the weigh in. 1.8kg loss to take me sooooo close to the 60's. Feeling good, great clean eating day. Had a fruit chew after lunch and a teeny tiny bit of a cupcake (well, the icing), but no major stuff ups.

BUT...

I am injured again! What a whinger. My slightly swollen knee and sore top of foot is not getting any better, actually a bit worse as the day has gone on. I took a rest day today from the gym thinking that would help. I guess I will see tomorrow. I will do cross training tomorrow as I don't have any knee pain as such and see how that goes.

If its not better tomorrow I will go to the physio. I hate to think what she will tell me. I'm scared! I HAVE to get through the next 2.5weeks, do the run THEN concentrate on recovery. I know exactly why I am injured - too much on Sunday after not doing enough the weeks leading up to it. Idiot.

Cross training for a while me thinks, and lots of clean eating. I can get through this.

Mons X

Groundhog day

This is getting a bit boring but...I had another great day today. I am very proud of myself!

Eating was smashing, although I was super hungry this morning after my run so I had extra cereal and milk than my set portion.

Resisted cupcakes this afternoon - I bought them for my husband and son when I went shopping for avocado for tonight. Not sure why I did that, perhaps to prove that I can resist. I did eat crumbs off the plate when they had finished, a bit sad really!!!

Also ran 6km this morning plus some abs and core, blew 530 calories. It is TTOM for me, but I think weigh in should be pretty good anyway, I am expecting a loss of some sort. I will be happy with around 1kg me thinks.

Toning/core tomorrow morning, it will give my poor legs a rest, they need it. My right knee has been a little swollen since Sundays long run, not sore though which is great.

Hope everyone out there had a good day as well. If not, tomorrow is a new day!

Cheers, Mons X

All good today

My achilles did not pull up nearly as sore as I expected today after my long run yesterday. Feeling pretty happy about that.

Went for an early swim this morning, I think it really helped with all over aches and pains. I think I must be quite tense around the shoulders when I run because I was really tight before the swim. Took a couple of extra magnesium supplements yesterday and today, it may have helped too.

Easy 6km tomorrow morning, I should manage that OK. Might go the great outdoors if the weather is OK. Purchased a foam roller today to loosen the calves to assist with the achilles as recommended by my physio, will give it a whirl when I get home tomorrow morning.

Eating has been great, although today for my afternoon snack I had an apple and it did not cut it so I had yogurt as well, went over on the quota by about 130 calories. I have also been having a sugar in my latte in the morning, just not the same without it!

Said NO to marble cake and cookies and cream slice today - go me! Also resisted a melting moment -my absolute favourite.

I have been slightly over 1200 calories most days so far. I need to reign that in ASAP.

Night, Mons X

P.S - saw this quote somewhere, love it:
"Running is the greatest metaphor for life, because you get out of it what you put into it." -Oprah Winfrey

20km today and stuffed!

Was supposed to be 21.1km in preparation for the Melbourne Half Marathon on 9 October, but I was too stuffed to run the extra 1.1km. Bit sore & tired now, but all generally OK. Ran the 20km in 2.14. It felt really slow and heavy, particularly last few kms. I will be happy with a 2.15 or less for the Melb event, think it may be achievable if all goes well in the next 3 weeks.

Big test will be tomorrow when I get out of bed, my achilles will cane I am sure of that. Active recovery swim tomorrow morning will help a bit.

Didn't use my HRM as it gives me chaffing on my long runs, but I am thinking over 1000 calories considering what I burn on my short runs - 6.5km I burn about 450-500 calories, but I go faster on a short run.

I have also had an AWESOME weekend of eating. Weekends have been my downfall in the past, not this time! I did snack a little here and there to go slightly above calorie quota, a piece of raisin toast after my run with a smidge of butter this morning and two licorice (sp?) allsorts tonight.

Very proud of myself and pumped for next week. I was meant to do shopping today but didn't happen. Will organise tomorrow. I am already sorted for breakky and lunch tomorrow so no biggy.

Off to bed now to nurse my aching legs!

Mons X

Awesome!

Flexed my willpower muscle today as Michelle Bridges would say!

No to donuts at work at morning tea, no to sparking wine this afternoon (Jansz, my favourite) AND said no to chocolate pudding tonight - BOOYAAHHH. On top of that blew 500 calories with a 5km run this morning and some toning/abs

I did do a little bit of picking - 3 x brazil nuts this afternoon because I felt hungry and a little dizzy at about 5pm, couple of crackers right after that. My goal for this weekend is NO picking - ALL weekend. Big call I know, especially for me!

Weekend eating will be the big test. In the past it has always been a stumbling block for me. I am so determined though. It feels different this time.

Saturday AM toning and Super Sunday is the big 21km, I'm nervous.

Cheers, Mons X

Back in the game baby!

Ran 6.5km this morning and blew 450 calories.

Eating this week (apart from my red flag Monday) has been great. I have stuck to the 1200 calorie quota. Not quite as hungry today as yesterday. I suppose it will get easier each day. I may be able to forfeit the odd snack, will look at that next week.

Another run tomorrow probably only 5km as I have the dreaded 21km this Sunday in preparation for the Melbourne half marathon on 9 October.

Cheers, Mons X

Blogging challenge!

1. Describe yourself in 25 words or less. You can get straight to the point - or bring your creativity into play.
So NOT creative...! Fun/ny (mostly), family orientated, organised (well, kind of, tend to procrastinate though), love animals - I am a dog AND cat person!

2. What brings you to 12wbt? Getting fitter? Losing weight? (Gaining weight??) Are you first timer, a repeat offender??
Losing weight! I am a repeat offender, lost 6kg in round 1 in 2011, kind of gave up halfway through. I am here to finish this thing!

3. Why do you blog??
Accountability, 12wbt diary and after that a marathon training diary, to look back, get thoughts down and try to make sense of it (its not working so far)

4. Who is your biggest inspiration in life and why (doesn't have to be weight loss)
Hmm made me think....no-one in particular. Lots of inspirational people over many years with combined wisdom. I think Richard Branson is spiffy (not in that way)

5. What things in life bring you the most joy?
My family, sunny days, running (more so how I feel after a run) and my animals. Good wine, cheese and coffee!

6.What do you think your greatest challenge is going to be this round?
Consistency, seeing it through. Organising myself EVERY DAY.

7. What are you most excited about 12wbt?
Aaahhh the possibilities on the clothes racks for a size 10-12, swimwear and summer in general.

8. And what scares the pants off you?
Failing (is that going to be everyones????) and a lack of wine and cheese.

9. Tell me - right now - today - how do you feel about exercise in no more than 10 words
Love running. Need to eat less to make it count.

10. Complete this sentence - in 12 weeks time - on the last day of 12wbt I am going to be feeling AWESOME!

First weigh in - 0.2kg gain

I kind of expected that considering my red flag long weekend and all (see last couple of posts). Not happy with the gain, but fair enough! You get what you put in.

I am proud to say however, I spent a few hours last night planning for the remainder of this week. More planning Thurday for the following week. Counted all my calories until Saturday on Calorie King.

Just made salad wraps for all our lunches today. Need to remind myself to ask for my latte with NO SUGAR today. It will take a bit of getting used to, but I think I will cope!

Amazing how a bit of planning changes the mindset!

Have a great day...Mons X

Day 2 - OK, getting into the swing - slowly

Up at 5:30am to go to gym - check

Good breakfast - check

Morning snack - Skinny latte - check...BUT I ordered in auto mode "regular skinny latte with one sugar please" not realising until I was walking to the car! It is such a habit, I didn't think.

I had a (large) biscuit with my green tea just before lunch, I was really, really hungry.

Lunch - held off until 11:50am, really, really hungry again. Was hoping to last until 12:30pm.
Another biscuit (I love biscuits - aaarrgghh) and a couple of rice crackers this afternoon, really really hungry again!

Its 5pm, still to do my shopping for the week (I was away until yesterday afternoon OK!), BUT I am sorted for dinner tonight. MUST GET ORGANISED, it will bring me undone. I need to be smarter with my snacks - yogurt may be an option for an afternoon snack to fill me up a bit more.

By the way, biscuits in the bin - check.
Mons X

Day one - was a red flag for me! Not as bad as I thought.

Relatively unscathed from a relaxing long weekend with the family. Ready for MY kick off tomorrow.

Today was not the disaster I thought it would/could be. The worst was I had a banana milkshake with my lamb & salad wrap for lunch, a biscuit and two chocolate eclair lollies.  I ran (a very slow) 9km this morning, so all was not lost.

Sorted for tomorrow breakfast and lunch, still need to get dinner tomorrow night and beyond organised.

Out of whack with my training after the run today. Today was meant to be active recovery, so I will do some core/stretching tomorrow and 4-5kms depending on how I feel. Wednesday back to normal - toning/core. Nutrition should be totally organised by then too.

Focus Mons, I can do this. Here we go...X

It feels gooood!

To be running again! After over a week of doing nothing due to the flu and a few foot niggles I managed 5.5km this morning. I felt really good, but didn't want to overdo it. Plus I needed time at the end to do some stretches and core work. My feet feel fine, chest a bit heavy but OK.

Makes me wonder how long it takes to lose fitness!

Menu planning and shopping today, bring it on! Those natural feel good endorphins have kicked in.

Have a great day, Mons X

Nutrition plan, my plan

Well, I like the meals, most of them anyway! There are three of us in this family and I think I may need to make some adjustments here and there for the hungry (one of them growing) boys. Adding potatoes, pasta or frozen chips to some dinners is a good option and I know won't be tempted by that.

The other issue is I am a creature of habit, particularly at breakfast time. I am thinking the breakfast I currently have everyday now (All Bran Honey and Almond) would be OK with (Pura Tone) No Fat milk in the right quantity/calorie range. I am usually in auto pilot in the morning and it is one less thing I have to think about. Although the smoothies look good!

Last time I did the 12wbt I alternated between 3-4 lunches for most of the program, again, this was a time thing and it worked for me.  I have some serious planning to do over the next few days before shopping.

Mons X

Weekly training schedule

This is what my training will look like on an ideal week, early mornings work for me. My Super Saturday will actually be a Super Sunday instead, it works for me as I join a running group on Sunday mornings for my long run, its boring otherwise:

Monday: Swim (active recovery)
Tuesday: Run (6-10km)
Wednesday: Toning/stretching at gym
Thursday: Run (6-10km) or Spin class

Friday: Run (5-8km) or Spin class

Saturday: Core class & toning

Sunday: Long run (12-20km)

Got to do those pesky measurements next, probably tonight once everyone is in bed. May even get a photo done...hmmm.

My diary is coming along nicely. There are a few red flags, the biggest being my 40th birthday at the end of October, ouch!

Mons X

No running since last week, but still managed to lose 1.2kg!

Very frustrated, have not run since last Thursday. In fact I have not done much exercise at all apart from 2 hours bushwalking on Saturday! A head cold and a sore left foot have not helped (trying hard not to use too many excuses!).

I have, however, managed to lose 1.2kg since last week! My eating has just been OK, better than usual, but just OK. It has given me a glimmer of hope, hard to be positive when you feel like crap.

I will work on getting rid of this cold over the next few days so I am fresh for the official kick-off of the 12wbt on Monday. I have started the organise/diary thing. Looking at a few other blogs, I think the way to go is to be accountable here in my blog on a daily basis.

Have a good day, Mons X

My commitment...finally!

Nice weekend (apart from a head cold) bushwalks on Saturday, relaxing Sunday. Bummed that I did not complete a long run Sunday, but 5 weeks out from the Melbourne half marathon I didn't want my head cold to develop into something more and put me out of action for longer than a weekend.

I took a couple of days over the weekend to really think about what my commitment was. I wasn't feeling it last week and didn't want to put just anything down. So, here it is:

I commit to the 12 Week Body Transformation for the entire 12 weeks. I commit to being mindful about what I am eating and why. I commit to losing 10kg. I commit to finding the time to plan and prepare healthy meals. I commit to exercising six days per week and making it count. I can do this!

Phew! I have done it. The mindful thing is a big one for me. Often I gobble something down and get the guilts afterwards and ask myself WHY?? The other big one is committing to this for the entire 12 weeks as I didn't last time.

I am looking forward to the diary thing.

Have a great day, Mons X

2 glasses of red, no exercise :(

That is the summary today. My little fella was up most of the night last night with a cough/cold thing so I decided to sleep in when my alarm went off at 5:15am. Never feels right sleeping in like that, bit I did.

Hubbys out at a "kind of" work do, so I am home. Ate a little too much after a reasonably good day including 2 (and a bit) glasses of wonderful red. Doesn't feel right drinking it on my own. Friday night is my night to let loose a bit, I usually have a glass or two. I don't drink any other night (usually) but I do usually have company!

My little fella was asleep by 6pm due to cough/cold thing. So here I am blogging, contemplating another glass of red...I probably won't do it... I am only a glass and a half kinda gal.

Smashing day forecast here tomorrow, will make amends. Plus I have this 12wbt commitment to make.

Mons X

Physio today and a hard slog 6.5km.

This morning was my 6.5km run, boy it was tough! Some mornings its a breeze (well, kind of) this morning I felt I had lead in my shoes. I did it, but not at the pace I should have. Could not seem to go past the 9.9 on the treadmill!

Second physio visit to deal with my (mild) achilles tendonitis. She suggested deep water running and trying not to heel strike. We have agreed that all is OK (well, kind of) I will see her again after the half marathon no point now while in training. Good news is I don't have to completely stop running after the half, just peg back my long runs under 10-12kms for a while. Thats cool with me.

We talked about my major goal of a full marathon http://www.goldcoastmarathon.com.au/ in June 2012 and she thinks that is a good timeframe to work with and totally achievable. NICE!

So, another 6.5km tomorrow, outside me thinks, that may perk me up a bit. So happy its spring :)

Mons X

Portion distortion!

Eating wise, not too bad with the exception of dinner. Ate too much for dinner and then decided to walk the dog as compensation. I must start pegging back my portion sizes, it is bringing me down. I need to focus and start planning my meals. Looking forward to starting the 12wbt. Need assistance with portion sizes, HELP ME.

I need to get into the groove, JFDI, but it ain't working for me at the moment. FOCUS!

Due to run 6.5km tomorrow morning at 5.40/k pace (hopefully my half marathon pace) for 4.5km of the 6.5km. Might do that on the treadmill so I can track the pace.

By the way, my August km log was 132km, that includes one week off with injury. Happy with that!

Hope Thursday is good to you.
Night, Mons X

Cupcakes and goals

Eating wise that is. I'm not sure what it is, maybe the fact that the 12wbt has not "officially" started, but today was just OK. Ate two of the cupcakes that I made yesterday (damn you cupcakes). Not sure what prevents me from just saying NO, sounds so simple!

On the flipside, I ran 8kms this morning and felt great. Ran on the treadmill, hopefully by next week I will be able to run outside as it won't be dark at 5:30am. Can't wait!



So my goals are as follows:

Current weight = 74kg

Weight = 70kg (one month after 12wbt starts - 12 October)

Weight = 64kg (conclusion of 12wbt - 12 December)
Goal weight = 60kg (6 months - February 2012)

I am going to get to these goals buy sticking to my set calories of 1200 per day and exercising. I will stop mindless eating and picking. Biscuits and cupcakes are NOT my friends. Stop baking!

Mini goal = Melbourne Half Marathon 9 October 2011 (entered and currently in training)
Mini goal = Hobart Point to Pinnacle November 2011 (enter after I complete HM above)
Mini goal = Triathlon Pink Melbourne January 2012 (enter after I complete P2P above)
MAIN GOAL = Gold Coast Marathon June 2012 (continue training, up the kms, get a serious training program in place February 2012. More diet & training research needed here)

 

 

Pretty happy with all that above, I think it is achievable for me. The key for me is in the planning and seeing this 12wbt thing through to the end and beyond.

 

 

I am off to check out some other 12wbt bloggers.

 

 

Night, Mons X 

Excuses, excuses

There are not that many excuses. Eating is my problem, exercise is not. Often I don't think about what I eat, so mindless eating doesn't come with excuses.

Here are the best of my excuses...

Excuse: I exercised today so I can eat more
Solution: I don't want to work my butt off for nothing, if I exercise and eat less I will lose weight! It is that simple.

Excuse:I am too busy to plan meals or I don't have time (read - can't be bothered) to make lunch/dinner
Solution: Make time! It is that simple (I'm all about simplicity). Something healthy is as easy as eating an apple.

Excuse: Injury - achilles tendonitis (this is a real one)
Solution: You can still cross train can't you???? Hmmmm????

Goals next, might leave that until tomorrow.

Night, Mons X

Didn't pull up too badly today...

Well, I thought my ankles would cane today after my long run yesterday, but they were surprisingly OK. I guess that means I am back into the training in full swing with an easy 8km tomorrow.

Food wise, not a fantastic day. I had to make cupcakes (OK, I offered to make) for a training group I have tomorrow and have indulged a bit. On a positive note apart from 2 cupcakes, I didn't snack today. Doesn't quite balance, but its something!

Need to concentrate of my excuses and goals next. Part of my goal is to refrain from baking, I love sampling my own creations....so does my son and hubby. I can cope, not sure about them!

Back soon, Mons X

Yes, yes me again!

I thought I should start addressing the Pre-season tasks for the 12wbt over the next few days. The "Introduce Yourself" bit is pretty much done apart from a few notes:

• I did the 12wbt Round 1 2011, started off really well, but lost it in the second half.
• The weight that I lost (5kg) I have not put back on because I exercise quite a lot. 
• One positive is that I have continued to exercise, lots of running specifically.
• The problem is that I eat too much, not junk, just too much and mindlessly (is that a word?). This has to stop...NOW!
• I am almost 74kg, my target is 62kg by the end of the 12wbt, tough, but achievable me thinks. All I can think is how much faster I will be able to run without that extra 12kg!
• I am starting today (not tomorrow as I normally would say) and that will give me an extra 2 weeks :)

Hmmm excuses and goals are next...

To be continued. Mons X

16.2km done and dusted!

Two posts in one day, I'm excited!

Well the run was OK after not running all week. The rain was just drizzle most of the time, we did have a strong headwind in the last 5km or so. I lost my hat (found it down the road). First 2-3km felt like I had lead in my shoes, then got into the groove. A couple of big, long hills slowed me in the middle, but finished OK. Ankles feel pretty good ATM. We will see in the morning!

Recovery swim tomorrow morning at 6am. Starting to get light around that time now. Think I can ditch the gym for my morning runs and go in the great outdoors. I will NOT miss the dreadmill, but I will miss watching the news.

Have a great day, Mons X

First post (how original)

Well, I have never blogged before, but here it is, my first...

It is Sunday morning and I am just about to go for my long run (16.4km today) with the Melbourne Half Marathon training group. It is cold and rather wet and I am semi injured (mild achilles tendonitis) which means I have not run all week. I am going crazy here! Never thought running could be so addictive.

I have to do this. I have conned my two sisters to run it with me and I have paid for flights to Melbourne. Never thought I would continue through injury, was always a good excuse. Now, if I can only restrain from eating all day today after the run, that is the tough bit for me.

Wish me luck, hopefully I will be able to walk the next day and not have gorged myself.

Mons XX