KatieP's 2nd Mid Point Challenge ...

... because you all know I am an over achiever right?

I just found this today and I LOVE it -- apparently from a Leonard Cohen song

There are cracks in everything
It's how the light gets in

♥

CathyC-Midpoint challenge ...Quote

I guess I can post my quote here for the mid challenge, there are so many blogs I get confused..hehe!
There are many quotes that have stuck with me lately:
1-If you say you can or can't you're right!
2-Attitudes are contagious is yours worth catching?

Inspirational Quotes

I'm going to share a few that I use when I teach RPM...

"IF nothing changes, nothing changes...(so turn up that resistance!)

"Your mind is your strongest muscle...so believe (and achieve!)"

Did I just say "turn it up?" lol!

Day 4: Shaking my Xs all about the place

Image via Wikipedia

Day 4 already, and I admit it, I had 2 pieces of dark KitKat this morning.  Man it was good too, let me tell you.  

Now I've admitted to falling off the wagon, I will justify it to say I did a killer work out this morning in the gym.  Hit the doors of the new gym at 7am today.  On the advice of the chiro I worked my shoulders and triceps, individually utilising free weights.  I got a very pleasant surprise how weak I was in certain areas, but it felt incredibly good to do such a balanced training programme that didn't overload one side.  

Then I hammered the spin cycle and treadmill again for 45minutes.

4 down, 96 to go. 

Phase 1 - Day 3 : getting to know my Xs better

Day 3 dawned and I burst out the day for my hill walking session this morning.  6kms over hills, and finished off with a blissful trek on the shores of Lake Macquarie.  Felt truly alive.

Then I bustled out the door for the greatest test of all.  Check up and adjustment with the Chiro.  James is no ordinary whack & crack chiro.  It's a gruelling workout just been assessed by him.  If I could describe his technique as a progressive physio with a hint of massage and tad of chiro.  He is brilliant, and just a small operator but he's worked wonders with me so far.  I've shown great signs of improving the biomechanics of my body, but still have so far to go.

You should have seen the look on his  face when I told him what my next goal for my training is.  You'd think he learn not to be surprised by now.

Now I've got to go find my tape measure for those all telling signs.

CathyC-emotional eater

I am so frustrated and depressed at the same time. I took pictures of myself yesterday because I wanted to do the before and after photos, well I was so disgusted and shocked of my body's shape(self hate). I said to myself there is a lot of work involved to get a better body-I was discouraged. I can't believe it is possible to change it, maybe just lose a few pounds but the shape will still be there? what's the point!!! Anyways my husband gets home after dinner, we work together and he has been on the road for 3 weeks so I am with the kids all day, they too got on my nerves yesterday. I ask him to review the invoices I put on his desk because we are closing year end next Monday and I have to make sure everything is is order etc., he says he doesn;t have time and I just started to argue with him. I know this stems from the anger of the pictures I always do that, I shit on my husband and kids...I am such a mean person (more guilt and self hate) I decided to go for a walk. Went into bed and then I was restless because I was angry and lonely, I didn't want to eat, I wanted to sleep, but food makes me relax and to another happier place (for that short period). I got out of bed had crackers and then a toasted bagel...yes white flour and after 7pm...my 2 bad habits I wanted to challenge this Phase!
My issue is with emotional eating I know. I also can't communicate with my husband when I am frustrated so I argue and blame him for my issues, I know it's wrong and I need to work on that. I have the book ..Stop Emotional Eating...but it is the hardest thing to get control of.
Anyways I understand fully I have to have a reaction plan when I disagree with hubby, not take it personally and rebel by sabotaging my health.
Sorry for the book!

Phase 1 - Day 2 of placing my X everywhere

Well it's Day 2, and I'm trying to change an existing exercise habit already.  Instead of getting up and doing my cardio first thing this morning, I elected to do it on the spin cycles at the gym this evening, squeezing it in between my weights and yoga class.

I'm not certain what is going on with me today.  I'm thinking perhaps the fat burner I tried yesterday didn't agree with me, as it's the only new thing I've added to my diet.  Today, I'm not hungry and feeling sluggish.  Perhaps more water might pick me up.  Let's try that.


I'm fighting the demons of the deep this afternoon.  They are trying real hard to convince me to go soft and not train tonight, and I must admit it is tempting.  I've got an excuse, I'm not feeling well ... good rationalisation, huh?   But I'm going to fight it, and go to the gym by myself, new gym and all the strangeness in that situation.  Fight the fear, and win.  As my cycling coach is telling me - spinners are grinners. 

That reminds me ... I need to find my tape measure.  Now the cycling coach wants me to measure me for fit on bicycle.  Never trust an ex-pro rider ... he's making me earn my keep already.


It's a struggle to eat all the food on the menu today, but that's because I'm just not feeling with it, but at least I haven't fallen off the good food wagon and crashed head first into the junk food.

As they say in the classics ... Cheers!  Let's drink more water. 

Later ... much later.  I won!  I went to the gym and put in a full session tonight - weights, followed by 30mins on the spin cyle + 30 mins on the treadmill, followed by 60mins of stretching and human-pretzel making in a yoga class.  I'm tired, but glad I did it.


Now I can face Day 3 with an honest face :)

CathyC-bye bye Phase 3

I can't believe it's been 1 month already, time just flies! I have alot to be thankful for, and I would like to give this credit to Katie P who made this possible. I know now that smaller changes in larger intervals are better than big changes in small intervals for me. I feel I have a better grasp and normalacy with my new habits. This phase was victorious because I ate well, exercised and had no sugar-it's been really fun!

In Phase 4 I will make add small changes to my habits:

1-no eating after 7pm

2-no white flour

My Boy - arrghhhhh!

Well I know it's not ME but it's my baby. I hope to be back on board by the weekend (after about 1 million hours study). Keep up the good work me hearties! arrgghhhhhhh

Phase 1 - X marks the spot: Day 1 begins

Well, here goes.  Day 1 is underway.  I know what to do, truly I do, after all I've read, the Champions I associate with and the training I've had over the years.  I truly do know what to do.

What's been the missing element?  It's not been motivation, but it's been my health.  18 months ago I suffered a major infection followed by bouts of diahorrea resulting in a mystery for my naturopath.  After not recovering to full speed, I finally sought help of my doctor.  I hate doctors.  Saw enough of the medical professional with my late husband's treatment over the years.  But finally I caved.  I think I know my body by now, so I told her that I was suffering a chemical imbalance of the blood.  Sure enough, extensive blood tests revealed I was suffering from a severe lack of Zinc.  Well now we know, why I have been suffering all these odd things and emotions for the past couple of years.  But importantly, why I've been finding training and getting my body back a struggle.

Now, I'm on Zinc supplements to fortify my system, and I'm a changed woman.  I identified today as the starting day for my 100 Day Challenge, and now I am taking it to the world.  I saw Katie's challenge, and knew it linked into my objectives.  Recently I started my own sports blog (marketingmuscleinOz.blogspot.com) which focuses on different sports including bodybuilding and motorsports.  I'm enthusiastic about both, you see.  I've started contributing to another blog (girlgetstrong.com) which chronicles my journey back to centre stage on 2010, but SkinnyBones is a tad more personal and daily recording of my head, my heart and my training/diet.

Down to the science, I recently decided to go it alone with my training and nutritionals instead of relying on someone else (a trainer in my case) I wanted to really own my achievement.  So I'm an advocate of whole natural foods, and a fan of Tom Venuto's nutritional information.  I recently created my own diet and training programmes, and it is this that I shall be using as my foundation.  Am I really on the right track, or just full of sh*t?  Time alone will tell.

I recently joined a gym that provides not only good weights and machines, the right culture, BUT cardio classes, and is part of a 24/7 worldwide chain.  Day one dawns, and I've been to the gym and trained chest, biceps and abs.  I've done 30mins on the treadmill before I had to return to work. And it's all written in the journal. Working for yourself is not all that it is cracked up to be at times BTW.  Coz I can't stop at 5pm because the day is over, I just have to keep on going until it's all done. LOL

I've taken my pre-training fat burning supplement.  I've had my post-training shake with the extra supplements.  I'm drinking my water, eating clean ... so far so good.

This week, I will get on the scales, but I'm not getting anywhere near a tape measure.  But I know my goals, I have my vision, I'm developing the mindset of Bodybuilder again.

Today, I'm on my way.  Here's my X the line is drawn in the sand now!

CathyC-no bones about it

I did so well all week on my food and exercise plan as much as I could. Last night I had 8 adults and 9 kids for a dinner party-it was fantastic! I made amazing clean food which I prepped for all week. The only thing is that I ate too many carbs at night and had a sore belly when I went to bed! The bread was hazelnut and raisin crusty loaf which went so well with soft brie cheese and juicy grapes...you know what I mean right! Anywho tonight another challenge at our friends BBQ , how will I do? I don't know...I can't stress over it-I'd love to say I won't eat a lot but I know me-but what I can say for sure is that I won't drink or have any dessert and that is 100% certain, it just doesn't do it for me anymore! I realize natural food is what I crave and indulge in and the week-ends are challenging (portion wise), so one battle at a time...I'll get there one bite at a time!

Bones Update

Hi guys,
Still trucking along - I should really lose some bones this week because I haven't blogged regularly and I haven't got my strength training in though I may be able to fit in a small session after RPM this morning and make it session three!

On the positive side, I'm using this Challenge to become more aware of my thoughts, actions and behaviours and trying to act more on the negative and keep encouraging those good vibrations!

Off to the markets on the weekend to buy some organic vegetables with Shelley. Rather looking forward to it!

CathyC-Phase 3 midpoint Challenge

Okay so there are a million reasons for me to be healthy and fit, but I'll only need to name a few, 26 in total: No particular order or category...it's all meaningful!
1-Healthy heart means healthy mind
2-I have a positive outlook, more confident
3-more energy and stamina
4-I see my muscles because of weight training
5-my husband loves my round butt ..and I do too ;)
6-I have a smaller and flatter belly
7-love to see my hip bones
8-feeling sexy
9-love eating crunchy salads and veggies
10- I get creative with low carb recipes
11-educate my kids about eating clean
12-eliminate sugar:no high and lows...no more depression
13-appreciate my body so I eat clean and exercise
14-I am thankful for my circle of friends who make me laugh
15-I have been inspired with women with similar goals
16-I love to shop and try clothes on again
17-my daughter wishes she looks like me
18-my husband thinks I'm "hot"..it cracks me up!!
19-my mom is also eating better
20-I get complemented on my food blog and recipes
21-I love sharing my personal accomplishments with people I just meet
22-I have the courage to stand up and say "No I can't eat dessert, it's not good for me! "
23-taking charge of my Hormone Imbalance
24-I enjoy making breakfast, lunch and dinner to better my food plan
25-I love my kids and want to see them grow up and have their own children one day
26-I am happiest when I am taking care of my body, mind and soul!

CathyC-Phase 2..update

Hi all,
I did okay on Phase 2. I have exercised and haven't eaten sugar since the beginning-I am so happy for that and I did lose 1 pound...yeah!! I still want to be less stressed about my weight, I will practice smaller food portions on the week-ends so I don't feel tempted to weight myself to see the "damage".