Challenge Week 1

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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I love cardio days (just in case you didn’t already know that LOL). I managed to do a 5km run this morning (with sore legs). My intention was to do a good 45mins of fast paced walking on the treadmill but some of the music I have on my shuffle made me want to run (do you ever get that? LOL). I couldn’t help it - I just put the incline back to 0 and increased the speed to 12kph and ran. It was great :). I went back later with my sister to do our usual Wednesday night cycle class and it was so hot in there again. I was hoping that they would have finished the new cycle room over Christmas but it doesn’t look like anything has been done yet. It was great to get back on the bike though and I certainly worked up a sweat. The fans didn’t even reach where we were. It’s supposed to be 41 degrees tomorrow so I am glad the gym has air-conditioning

My run this morning was really hard. Not so much that I couldn’t run, but the heat is just too much. It was 32 degrees again this morning and just exhausting. Running past the lake didn’t help much either - I really wanted to jump in it - and the flies are driving me insane - I don’t know how a persons ears, nose and mouth can be so appealing to them LOL. So ….. my decision has been made, today was my last run (while on holiday anyway LOL). It’s not enjoyable anymore and a few days off won’t kill me. My weights program went really well today. I am glad we have air-conditioning though as it is so hot and I really don’t want to give it up. It’s funny, my husband did a few barbell curls with me today and he thinks he has strained his arm. I shouldn’t laugh, but it was good to see how impressed he was with my weights My abs are still burning from their punishing workout so that’s all going good too. We have got the big new years party tonight at the park. It should be a great evening and the kids are really looking forward to it. So I hope you all keep safe and have a wonderful new years - talk to you next year

I am starting to think that while I am here, an early start might be easier than going for a run at 8am. I don’t think it has dropped under 40 degrees during the day and it is usually around 32 while I am running now. It was really hot this morning and I am struggling with the heat. I have obviously been spoilt by going to an air-conditioned gym LOL. What amazes me is the people you see running during the day – I have no idea how they have the stamina to do it when it is that hot. Don’t get me wrong, I love the heat, but to be in the full sun during the hottest part of the day is just too much. I am thinking I could do my weights program in the morning and go for a run at night (which is what I usually do when I am at home anyway). Either that or have an early start and go for a run as soon as I get up 1st which would be around 6am. Not that it really matters much as we will be heading home soon. Although, it would be a great routine to get into, and I could continue the early run when I get home. Oh, decisions, decisions ………. Will let you know what I decide, later

I wonder if anyone else has experienced pins & needles in their stomach while running. It is the weirdest feeling and I don’t think I have ever experienced it before. It only seemed to be on one side (the right side) and almost felt numb. I will need to look into it as it was very weird. My run was good though and there were other runners and walkers about. The mornings are definitely getting hotter. It was 26 degrees when I got back from my run this morning. I have been really good with my diet too. I am so glad I made all my 1st lunches before we came – it has certainly made it easier. Most of my dinners have been cold meat or tuna with salad – although we went out for dinner last night and I had fresh king prawns. They were delicious (except when I accidentally sprayed prawn poop all over myself – that was gross LOL). My weights and abs workouts were great today – I put in a really good effort and will probably be sore tomorrow. I am missing gym though – I really enjoy going there and although my holiday program is good, the atmosphere just isn’t the same. Only one week to go and I can go back there – yay

This morning was one of those weird days when the sun was shining and hot, but the wind was cold. I went for my run (with a jumper on) and ended up having to rip the jumper off half way down the track and tie it around my waist. I think I’ll just put up with the cold wind to start with as it isn’t taking very long to warm up. My weights workout was interesting today – we seem to have lost half the room in the annexe as my sister and her family are here as well – so my walking lunges became two step turning lunges LOL. I added my abs training in today as well – that was hard but well worth the effort. It was certainly hot by the afternoon so I was glad to get the workout over with.

You can never do too much cardio can you LOL. I decided that I would do another day of cardio in the gym before we head off on our two week holiday. I can’t describe the satsifaction I get of doing a really good workout other than it makes you want to go back and do more LOL. I suppose only I will ever understand that - I know my family all look at me with their heads to the side. I ended up running 12.5kms today (6.5 in the morning and the other 6km when I went back later in the day). It was well worth it and I feel good for doing it. It’s been raining quite heavily where we are so I am really hoping the weather on our holiday is clear so I can go for my morning jog. Keep your fingers crossed for me

Today was my cardio day and it started off well with a 6km run at the gym. I seem to have found my pace - all I need to do now is get some decent music that I can run to. I am still trying to work out what bpm tunes I need to get. I am thinking somewhere between 140-150 will be best. Once I work that out, I’ll be able to get a disc and upload something onto the shuffle. It gets painful having to continually press the next button while I’m running. Cycle class was awesome (as usual) - Our instructor asked if anyone needed a rest because it got quite hot in the cycle room (again) - I say “No way - Bring it on!!” If only the classes went for longer - they are just so much fun.

There is nothing like an early morning jog or even a walk or bike ride. Especially now the weather is getting warmer and the sun is always shining. It’s such a pity I do it inside on a treadmill or exercise bike and just look out the window at it all LOL. I need to find someone who likes to run outside and meet up with them on a Wednesday morning. I did a nice 6km run this morning and worked up a good sweat. Went back to the gym later for my favourite of all favourite cycle class. It was so hot in there again but that was probably because they swapped the bikes around and we were up the back of the room. They are building a new cycle room at the moment which is going to be airconditioned (and not just fans). We won’t know ourselves and will probably all catch colds - but it will be worth it LOL.

Do you know how hard it is for me to skip a cardio session? (no, I don’t suppose you do - silly question really). Well I didn’t go for my usual Wednesday morning run as I was a bit stiff in the legs and thought it was probably best that I give them a bit of rest (especially considering I had cycle class later on LOL). My legs are still in a state of shock and no doubt will be until Monday next week. They actually aren’t too bad if I keep them moving but it was a well deserved rest I think. Cycle class was good - not as good as it usually is but that is probably because my normal instructor wasn’t there. Which, by the way, I only found out last night that my husband knows the instructor (they went to school together). Small world hey? Anyway, my legs should feel a bit better tomorrow for my Thursday workout - should be good