Week 3 - General

The trainings going ok and the diet not too bad. Throughout the week I did the usual training routine of a variety of cardio split in to three groups at least 12mins, on each machine. I've continued to increase the levels in interval stages. Friday I managed an additional rep on the SONR Ph2 'steps of hell.' I completed 9reps. I thought all the sub-contractors had completed work, I like to do the reps at the end of the working day when only office staff are on site. On my first rep I discovered subbies still carrying out piling works. Being stubborn I decided to carry on, focusing on the steps as a training tool, and not the fact that these guys would see a woman keep appearing at the top of the steps 9 times! Wearing PPE (high visability vest, hard hat) it was difficult to go unnoticed and as expected I eventually attracted attention and asked what I was doing!

I worked for a few hours at the hospice Friday as a befriender. I remember always feeling a little nervous when I worked with the children, but at the moment I feel out of touch after missing a few months. The visits and working one to one do continue to motivate me when I need that extra push at the gym, or ignore the crisp, wine or cigarette monster trying to encourage me to give in and"treat yourself!" The smoking habit shouldn't be too difficult to conquer. I associate the wine and cigarette together. Continuing this healthy diet, I will eventually break that final habit, and enjoy a sensible glass of wine with dinner and NO nicotine. Funny how I can go all day and a few days without smoking then crave just when I have a sociable drink.

Sunday 18 April - I decided Sunday's will be the day I do an extra special train. I added wearing a backpack weighted with a medicine ball while on the treadmill increasing the incline to a maximum of 15. I was happy with my first attempt of 40mins, still carrying out 12 mins on the bike and cross trainer.

Tuesday 20 April - I have the meeting with Adrain, my trainer at Fitness First. A endurance test to help work out a programme. Will add how that goes.....I'm wishing myself luck eeeekkkkk

Week 2 - Muffin Top!

It's true what this magazine article suggested when putting together a training programme. If you post a belly front and side photo for all to see, it really helps you resist and stop, during those moments of temptation to scoff that extra chocolate, or in my case, the ritual glass of red wine (or two!!!) after work:o)...Actually I'm feeling much better and getting used to not having that daily habit, re-conditioning slowly and exchanging for healthier options......(She say's and then will probably have one big mega celebration and pig out after the trek).

The training is ok at the moment. I've been to the gym daily following a sensible routine of various cardio, interval increase for endurance, hoping to build and improve strength and stamina. I missed the evening reps of the 'steps of hell' on the SONR site for 1 week, rushing off to the gym. Yesterday I attempted the steps again managing only 8 reps :o$...oh well one extra rep at least. I've already lost 1/2inch from the hips, waist and chest.

I've met Adrian, my trainer from Fitness First, to discuss a new programme. I've a basic fitness test booked with him next Tuesday, to help put a new plan together.

Helping at Acorns Hospice

I've missed working one to one with children, helping as a volunteer at Acorns. I managed to befriend for a couple of hours today. Nerves and worries soon disolved after spending time with a beautiful, bubbly little girl. From the time we chatted and spent together it reinforced the importance of charities like Acorns. Although I'll publish my moans and complaints in my diary, at heart the children teach me to have gratitude for some of the simplist things in life. The smiles and laughs shared during befriending can be visually reviewed from memory for additional guide and determination during the not so good days.

My consultation is booked with Adrian, trainer at Fitness First, to discuss an appropriate action plan and routine. Since signing up for the trek I've had one day off from exercise. Onwards and upwards :o)

The 'before' training and trek photo's. Reluctant to post but thought they'd help to keep me away from the boo hiss calories! like wine and chocolate

Vanilla Muffin Top






So far so good! In all honesty the nagging rebel voice and craving for the negatives of Easter eggs, red vino or one cigarette during the Easter holiday, hasn't been too bad. *Touches head* while saying "touch wood!"

Plenty of green tea and back to a very good balanced diet. No skipping meals or living day after day on veggie homemade soups alone. I think knowing I don't want to let a group of strangers down during this Sahara charity trek helps, added by looking at the 'muffin top' photo above, both are key motivators during the preparation period. If I don't see a positive change by the trek, or indeed after, I'm having abs tattooed to my torso.

Another plus is, at long last I'm starting to enjoy the gym again, instead of that feeling of dread due to getting out of shape and recognising my stamina is the pits. Bad back/hips problems had set me back, further added with working until stupid oclock after normal working hours used as a further excuse, not to face the fact that the level of fitness I had during my Wing Chun Kung Fu days has been long lost :o$

Three days of breaking up cardio work into 3 sections, with intervals between cardio for weights, abs and alerntative days of leg and arm toning and strenghting. Cardio is also not too bad when I break it up and use a variety, rather than the old method and attitude of 30mins on the treadmill, to get that boring horrible section out the way first.

I've posted a picture of my mid section....to encourage the training. I can see the areas that need toning and strength everytime I view it and reflect how it was when fit and positive.

The 'steps of hell' located on SONR Ph2, are part of my training programme to get ready for the charity trek. Day two, I can only do 7 reps at the moment :o(

Acorns Sahara Desert Trek 2010 - Preperation

• Deposit paid for trek - Tick off "to do list"
• Fees paid for additional days to help with community work in Morocco - Tick
• T-shirt to promote Acorns collected - Tick
• Appointment with Northcroft to see osteopath (bad back/hip AGAIN) - Tick
• Doctors appointment - Vaccinations, weigh in, general advise to eat better - Booked
• Meet with trainer at Fitness First to pick brains for good programme - Pending

Already experiencing early symptons of "I shouldn't have got myself into this" singing in my head. Oh and my thighs and lungs also helped with the doubt after my second attempt to walk the SONR Ph2, 'steps of hell.'

Barry, my office buddy on site, challenged me to do 5 reps on the hell steps yesterday. I pushed for an extra 1. Today Friday 1 April I managed 7. I'm reminding myself, or is it trying to convince myself, the stamina will improve, while praying at the sametime for a miracle.

I've set up this blog to encourage and note the training. Adding the before untoned photos and hoping as time gets nearer to the trek there will be evidence of improvement both visually, mentally (stay in power),stamina etc

Here we go! :o)