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I got a phone call this morning (about 8.55am) from my boss down at the gym asking if I was busy. I told him I was actually on my way down to the gym to train. He said “Oh good, I have a surprise for you - see you in about 10 minutes”. Anyway, here I was thinking he had made up a cardio cd for me to run to (he made me a small one yesterday but his son is a real whiz with creating mixed cds for the gym) and I got all excited. I got to the gym about 5 minutes later only to be asked if I could teach a group of 18 school kids (all around 15-16 years old) cardioboxing class. WTF!!! I have never taught a class in my life!! He played the music they use and it all sounded pretty simple but I am normally really shy and was secretly shaking in my boots (well, trainers LOL). They were arriving for a 9.30am class so I had about 15 minutes to work it all out. Man, what a test that was! I figured I am going to have to do it sooner or later as part of my training so I might as well give it a shot. Let me just say I HAD THE BEST TIME!!!! OMG, I loved it. It was a heap of fun and I so want to take classes ALL THE TIME. It is so much more fun than working the gym floor (and 3 times as much money). The kids were all thanking me after the class. I hope he asks me again 
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Oh how I have missed it so much LOL. I stopped doing any cardio work back in January when my trainer wanted me to focus on building more muscle. Well I didn’t like it very much as I was gaining body fat again. Don’t get me wrong, I was building muscle, but just didn’t like the “bigger” feeling IYKWIM. Anyway, he isn’t around anymore so cardio is back baby - ner ner ner ner ner LMAO. For the past week I have been heading down to gym at 5.45am and doing a 6km run (and loving it). Cycle class is on every Wednesday night as well. I go back to the gym to do my weights at 9am (after I have dropped the kids off at school). Although next week my hours are changing at work so I won’t be able to train until after 12noon. I have got a split 2 day program with full upper body one day and legs/abs the next day. Will post them up later. So far so good. I had to change my appointment too with my dietitian as I won’t be able to make my early appointment next week. So I won’t be seeing her until 4 June now. My diet has been clean though and there has already been a change in the last week so fingers crossed it is all good from here on.
Filed Under Workouts
I am so over it - How bloody frustrating! I suppose I have had a crappy month which hasn’t helped with my training, but no results means something has to change. I re-wrote my program on Friday night while I was at work. I sat at the gym looking around at all the equipment and decided enough was enough. Mon, Wed & Fri are now cardio days as I really need to shift this body fat, Tues & Thurs are weights - heavy, heavy, hard weights (6-8 reps) and to complete muscle fatigue. I did cardio yesterday and was pleased with my workout. Today was weights - I managed to get a few pb’s which I was happy with - but I better be sore tomorrow or I’ll be hitting it harder next time. I am not in the mood lately for anything other than hard strong workouts. Only two weeks to go until I see my dietitian - wish that could come around faster. Just need to keep focussed!
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I am really getting frustrated and impatient with my results. It doesn’t seem to matter how hard I train, what I eat, what time I train, how I train etc etc etc, nothing is happening. I hate hitting plateaus and find it really difficult to jump start my body back into a fat burning, muscle building machine. My workouts have been awesome - I love doing them and get great satisfaction from each workout but it is getting harder to keep the motivation going when I am not seeing any results. I honestly believe it is what I am eating and when I am eating it as the training is hard and constant. Only two and a bit weeks to go until I see my dietitian - Hopefully after I see her things will start to happen again. My fingers and toes are crossed LOL
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Two weeks into it and I feel great! My training sessions are hard but fun. It probably takes me about 50 minutes to get through the whole program and my heart rate is always racing so I know I am getting the benefits of the lower weights/higher reps. I am getting frustrated with my weight though - yeah, I know - but I think I have come to the stage where regardless of what I try, nothing is going to shift. My diet is extremely low in fat, relatively low carb and high in protein. I do have a high carb breakfast on cardio days and a high protein on weight days. I am not fat but trying to shift that last layer is a killer and so bloody hard. Anyway, I have booked an appointment with my dietitian (who I haven’t seen for 12 years). But she is fantastic - I used to see her when I was doing bodybuilding years ago and she had me on the right track in no time. Of course, she is that popular and busy, the earliest appointment I could get was 13 May. That gives me another month to hopefully see some changes before I see her. Wish me luck
Filed Under Workouts
My first week of the challenge was great. I struggled with the bulgarian squats (they are completely different than anything I have done before) and I was hurting. I kept on with them though woke up some of those core muscles that have been resting for a long time LOL. I dropped 1kg which is fantastic (only 4kg to go). The body fat stayed the same. I know I said I wouldn’t look at the scales, but I can’t help it LOL. Also, considering I haven’t done any cardio (due to bulking up), I managed a good 20 minutes on the cross trainer followed by a 3.5km run (interval training) so I am pretty pleased with myself. My sister is also doing the challenge with me so having a training partner at last is a huge bonus.
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Unfortunately I had to restart my 12 week challenge due to a few things happening at home and me being unable to dedicate myself to it fully. I still trained but missed a few sessions here and there so decided to start it again. My official start date was Tuesday 25 March. Anyway, rather than telling you about each day, I’ll sum it up at the end of each week. My goal at the end of this challenge (17 June 2008) is to drop 9% body fat and at least 5kg. Will keep you updated
Filed Under Workouts
I thought I’d start sharing my favourite exercise of the week. This week, it is Bulgarian Split Squats. I included them in my new 12 week program and they are great 
If you haven’t tried them and need to work on your hamstrings and glutes, get stuck into them! I know they sound scary LOL but don’t be afraid of them! They are easy to do and will give you results in no time. Don’t get me wrong you will be sore after the first time you do them, but it’s all worth it. I don’t recommend these for beginners though - you would be better off doing lunges.
Anyway, grab a flat bench (or if you don’t have one, a coffee table or chair will do). Facing away from the bench/table/chair, put one foot up and rest it on the bench while ensuring your straight leg is about 3 feet in front of you. Bring your straight leg slightly forward and bend your knee (as if to squat down) and straighten it back up again.
You can keep your hands on your hips while doing them or they can be done with dumbbells or a barbell (resting on your shoulders). I do 3 sets of 10 (with dumbbells) on each leg and am happy with the results so far
You can see Bulgarian Split Squats HERE on Youtube.
If you do them, let me know what you thought
Filed Under Workouts
This program is fantastic. I made sure that every set of weights I did was one that I would enjoy doing and would be able to do it properly. When I get to the last few reps, I am burning - I have never really felt that much burn during a whole session. Not sure whether it has anything to do with it being a heavier weight so I have had to compensate by using other muscles to help me lift it. With the lighter weights, and higher reps, I seem to be able to isolate the muscle and work it really well. Have given myself a pat on the back for that LMAO. I was tempted to jump on the scales today - even though it is only day 3 (told you I would be hopeless at keeping off them) but I walked away and told myself no :). I also started my course today so it’s onwards and upwards for everything at the moment :).
Filed Under Workouts
It didn’t happen :( I know, I had to work today from 9am until 12noon and then back again at 4pm until 9pm. I was going to do my cardio session in between but I had some devastating news yesterday and my heart was just not in it. I really worked hard though (through all my soreness from yesterdays intensive workout) so it wasn’t like I sat on my bum and did nothing. I am not making excuses because I really want this 12 week challenge to have some results. One day will not make a huge difference and I can always sneak in a cardio workout on the weekend to make up for it