Fitness Log #2: Just Do It

Days since beginning Gym Workouts: 31 days, 2 hours, 31 mins
Number of Gym Workouts planned: 12
Number of Gym Workouts accomplished: 9
Goal weight loss: 15kg
Weight lost to date: 1kg
Still to lose: 14kg

Journal Entry: Progress has been made in spite of some setbacks - not a huge amount, but still. Progress.

The thing I am most pleased about is that in spite of a back injury (which in the past would have derailed me) I have been sticking to my fitness plan.

Even during the week when I was most severely injured, I still exercised twice. Not at gym, I grant you, but I limped up the hill to school and back for my walking bus duties (even when Ces said I didn't have to)... and I went water jogging with Mr G as well. I was more active injured than I used to be uninjured, so I am really patting myself on the back.

The good thing is I'm not riding on some surge of inspiration or fulfilling any brave new years resolutions about getting fit/losing weight... I woke up one morning and just did it... joined the gym without overthinking it, or hyping myself up (knowing that once I was paying those gym fees my hubby would be on at me to make sure I got my money's worth?!)

Each day I exercise makes it easier the next time. The weights seem lighter, the time flies by faster. In my mind I have my week mapped out:

• Monday=Gym (after school drop-offs, finish by 10am)
• Tuesday=Walking bus & housework
• Wednesday=day off
• Thursday=Gym
•  Friday=Gym

• Weekend=Days off

On Tuesdays my house gets a really good going over and I work up a sweat. It keeps my husband from getting anxious when he sees dust balls; he knows Tuesday is housework day. I work best in a burst of energy, rather than a drudge of repetition, so one hard-out day works best for me.

Since my injury I've had to change my gym programme to accommodate my dodgy disk and have been averaging twice a week at the gym rather than three times. But I'll build it back up, I promise.

I may have only lost 1kg in a month (which seems miniscule when you see it written down) but I feel so much better. I have way more energy. My clothes fit me better. Even Dash says my tummy has shrunk (high praise indeed).

In fact, last Saturday at the church Family Fun Day I even entered the mums sack race (at Dash's urging) and came second. OK OK, so I didn't jump all the way (it was more of a shuffle/run)... my pelvic floor sucks and I didn't want black eyes... but whatever the official results of the Race, in my son's eyes I did great and that's what counts. Remember when he hurt my feelings calling me fat? Well, now he thinks I rock. Because I'm making an effort, I go to the gym, I walk more places, I try new stuff. He's proud of me (I'm proud of myself)!

On the food front I'm not on any major diet or anything, but I have made a few changes to my eating habits, which over time will (I hope) pay off...

I'm not an over-eater, as such. My weakness is treats. A bowl of icecream at the end of a stressful day. Munching chocolate while watching a movie. That kind of thing.

A friend suggested substituting my unhealthy treats with better choices. So now on shopping day I stash away some treats just for me: a block of dark chocolate (72% cocoa - I'm trying to retrain my tastebuds!) and a box of FruJu mini-fruit whips (only 33 calories - woohoo).

When I feel the urge for a treat I get a few bits of my dark choc, or a Fruju. No more mocha lattes either... it's a trim flat white (no sugar) from now on. I'm getting used to it. And my pants are looser. Just keep those darn chip and dips away from me because I haven't found a way to stop my hand reaching in the bowl yet!

PS: Our 16km Walk for Haiti is next Saturday 20th March. Click here to sponsor me :)






Salads for Dinner

Mr G is on a bit of a health kick too, so about once a week I dish up one of these yummy salads for dinner(for him and I; the kids get a modified version involving way less green stuff). Very easy, very yummy.

Base Ingreds (makes two)
4-6 handfuls of Salad greens (Mesclun leaves or rocket)
Handful of Cherry tomatoes, sliced in half
1/4 Spanish red onion, sliced thinly
1/2 ripe avocado, chopped
A splash of balsamic vinaigrette

Arrange the salad greens on two dinner plates then drizzle a little of the balsamic dressing over. Add the tomatoes, onion and avocado on top.

Basil Chicken Topping:
400g chicken breast, cubed
1 Tablespoon Basil pesto
1/2 teaspoon crushed garlic
Cracked black pepper

Brown the chicken cubes in a little olive oil, add the garlic, pesto & pepper. Top the salad with the chicken when cooked. Drizzle a little yoghurt dressing over to finish and serve.
(Try browning the chicken with some tomato relish or fruit chutney as an alternative flavour)

Yoghurt Dressing:
1/4 cup low fat unsweetened plain yoghurt
1 teaspoon basil pesto
Fresh mint leaves, chopped

Seafood Salad:
As an alternative to a chicken salad try this seafood one (personally I hate seafood but hubby thinks this is fab)...

200g can of tuna (any flavour); some or all of the following... marinated mussels (shelled), surimi (crabmeat), shrimp etc

Drain the tuna and sprinkle over salad leaves. Arrange other seafood on top and then add a splash of lemon juice (or some mayo) and cracked black pepper. Your hubby will love you for it!

Family fun day photos by Amy