Kristy Girl

So I'm thinking of making these posts into quick weekly updates, focussing on positive reinforcements! So in the last week since my 9km burst of energy I've managed two 5km runs and 1 gym session, the later of which took 3 full days of DOMS to recover from! The weather here has been sensational though, so that's helped a tremendous amount as does daylight savings! It's still light enough to be running up to 7pm at night which is great, since I am so not a morning person! A group of my friends are also just getting into running so we're going to try and catch up regularly after work for a run which sounds positive ☺ On the food front I'm still not winning any battles and fueling my body any better, but at least I'm no longer picking the cucumber out of things either. Lots of baby steps still to go!

*fist pump After reading through your log, I just wanted to drop by say how impressed with where you are VS where you started. Don't diminish this moment! you've made a lot of life changes since you last saw your reflection, you've got this ☺

Well focussing on the positives of today, I tried baby cucumber and yellow capsicum when I was offered a piece from a colleague and I didn't hate it! The taste wasn't great, and it repeated on me all afternoon but I got past my irrational fear of trying something new and perceptions. I'm so stoked! I even picked up some cucumber tonight now to take to work tomorrow. Yeeeew! ☺

So it’s been a few years since I last engaged with this site, but after some blunt conversations with myself I’ve come back more determined than ever to overhaul my lifestyle, diet and habits with a complete reboot! My goal – to fit back into my scalloped print dress! So a little background about me: · Age – 32 · Height – 157 cm · Weight – 70kgish?? So a few years back when I came to this site I was struggling to build on my strength training. I was enjoying Olympic lifting, but struggling with my diet which was and still is pretty limited (carnivore/ sugarwhore). I loathed running and avoided it at all costs. So fast forward to today and it’s a complete reversal – I’ve scarcely lifted a bar in two years and recently taken up running! But my diet is still a big sticking point, and after two years of lifting zero I’ve lost any muscle I did have which carries me through to the dress. The last time this dress fit me was November last year when I brought it and it looked perfect and oh so flattering! But not anymore and I’ve got a closet full of many more similar stories. The last time I was seriously attending the gym, I was at my best (OH Squat 50kg, Clean 50kg and front and back squat 60kg, deadlift 70kg, snatch 50kg). Compare this too last month when I signed up again and begun the starting strength program was a huge shock! I would really like to be able to build back up to where I left off in my lifting, I used to get a real satisfaction out of it as well as incorporate some running into my schedule. I only recently got into running earlier this year, and while I call it running – my stride isn’t much faster than a quick walk. In fact its real slow, but for me each run is an accomplishment because it’s something that I thought I would never ever do! Challenges: Magpie season is real. I haven’t had any real issues on my runs just yet, but the season has only just begun and I’m on high alert, seeing them everywhere. Mindset. This is one of my biggest weaknesses and has held me back from a lot of things. When I’m running I try telling myself to build the momentum at the foot of hills and focus on controlling my breathing, but sometimes its hard work just telling myself to keep going. So hopefully by holding myself accountable to this blog, I’ll be able to slowly but surely build back up a routine and cement new habits and a whole new outlook. Diet. I guess this one goes hand in hand with mindset, but it deserves its own mentioning. I currently eat sugar without even thinking, its the first thing I reach for and sometimes I’ll have eaten a whole block of chocolate (200gm) mindlessly. I also have some pretty weird phobias when it comes to the smell and texture of a lot of foods. I’ve looked into SED and while I don’t think I’m full blown like that I do recognise I’m picky and need to work on eating more greens, vegetables and variety so I’ll be looking for some great tips on how to introduce new foods and your favourite recipes. Today In Review Diet – So for breakfast I ate half a cup of sultanas at work, followed by a ham and cheese toasted sandwich and chocolate jam donut at lunch and half a packet of red frogs for afternoon tea. I then had 6 mini steamed dim sims while I waited for dinner to cook (I was staving after my run!) as well as roasted potato, pumpkin and zucchini with left over roast pork. Mind you, in full disclosure the zucchini was burnt to a crisp, as was the pumpkin as they were cut to a quarter of the size of the potato. This is a fairly typical day for me, although its much improved since I’ve banned myself from buying chocolate now at work. Exercise - 9km run after work. This is a long distance for me but it was a fairly flat and easy track. The dress – ok so I don’t plan to post on this all that often, may be monthly until I start to see some progress. But currently that zip ain’t going up much higher than 1/3 of the back! Note: Due to my limited technical abilities I haven't been able to upload any photos, screen shots or memes as they were all over 2MB!?? Not sure if anyone can offer me any advice?

I love your ambition & determination girl! Go get em xo

Oh my! I'm so sorry youve been through such a dreadful experience honey. You were kicking some serious arse there girl! I hope your getting all the rest and loving care you need, thinking of you xo

Loving the narrative Radact! Keep up the good work and Straight A's, its really encouraging to see how strong your going

and then it all went down hill from there.. Sorry ive been off the air for the last week - I was still reading everyone else blogs - I just didn't feel like sharing or discussing what was happening in my journey (absentmindedly eating alot of junk) In the meantime I was still keeping up with my training and happy with the effort I was puttng in.I rested last Days 9 & 10, Did a PT session Day 11, a WOD day 12, Yoga then a PT session Day 13, a WOD Day 14 and a PT session tonight day 15. Im definitely feeling it after 5 days training! my summary of highlights from these sessions was managing a new 3RM push Press of 40kg, a 45kg hang squat clean and smashing out the WOD during my PT session on Sunday.(25 ring pushups, 25 knees to elbows, 25 Powercleans @ 30kg and 25 Ball slams followed by 2 mins max effort front squats @ 30kg (15)) It was the first time Ive honestly worked hard once ive felt uncomfortable and pushed through the pain barrier. It was also the first time Ive tried such a heavy weight during a WOD - generally I have to drop the weights right down around 20 - 25kg during a WOD otherwise I can't keep up with the intensity at that high rep volume, but this time my PT wouldn't let me. some times I think he can be a bit too optimistic and ambitious in my ability, but some times I surprise myself.. Im improving my endurance incrementally Tomorrow I have a 3hr bikram yoga beginners session (Im going to die!!) and rest scheduled Days 17/ 18 &19 and turning off the beast mode/ eat everything

If you love the sauna you will love Bikram Meggie! I actually don't notice the heat, i acclimatise pretty well once im in there and i take a hand towel with me to wipe my face as i need. Every pose has foundation moves which you build on as your mobility, strength and balance improve.which is where im still at, but everyone else is focused on them selves so im not embarrassed, plus im never the only beginner. Day 7 Starting with the good news - OMG i felt like a superhero, Sunday i did a yoga class in the morning and in the afternoon i had a PT session - Booya!! Training Check - PT # 4Mobility Check - 90 min Bikram yogaWater Check - 2L plus!Paleo - FAIL... Training 5 x 5 Deadlifts building weight to 57.5kg Followed by a snatch complex (3x25kg snatch + 1x45kg deadlift) Every Minute on the Minute for 5 mins 5 x 5 weighted push ups (5kg) Food I had a big 18th birthday party and grazed on chocolate all day making the cake etc and then went out for dinner.. I won't lament. But I felt so sick. I had reflux and ate such a huge chicken schnitzel i could have thrown up on cue. I took a spew bucket to bed with me just in case... Week 1 Wrap Up/ Scorecard = 10/20 Training - 4 or more sessions = 5 points Balance - Achieve 80/20 paleo balance = Im deducting 5 points from myself because i was way off the mark Mobility – Spend 10 mins stretching every day = 5 points Drink up! – drink at least 1.5 litres every day = 5 points Day 8 Check in (Week two!) Training Check - WOD #1Mobility Check - Bikram YogaWater Check - CheckPaleo Check - 1 non paleo meal. Training Last night something went twang in my right shoulder, i know my shoulders are tight and full of knots so i try to release them as often as i can but sometimes your body catches you off guard... So i spent last night trying to release a massive knot in my shoulder and feel like i bruised the muscle I took some anti inflammatory pills and tried sleeping it off hoping the agony would disappear when i woke up. It still isn't feeling any better but I was hoping pushing through class today and backing it up with a yoga session might stretch it and work it out. Heres hoping it feels better in the morning!! WOD Build to 1 rep max Clean and Jerk = 45kg. I was happy i was able to reach this weight again and it felt easier despite my bung shoulder, but i failed my attempt at 47.5kg. My split jerk was a lot tidier than the last time at this weight too so i was happy with this improvement. 12min AMRAP - Split at 10 min mark. 1km row buy in, then within the remainder of the first 10 mins as many rounds as you can 10 x 35kg deadlift 12 burpee bar jumps Last 2 mins of AMRAP = ME on clean and jerk @ 35kg. Food Breakfast - scrambled eggs Lunch - 2 Chicken tenderloins with spinach rocket salad and 2 hard boiled eggs 1 yogurt (to help settle the tummy from yesterdays effort) Dinner - soup (Sweet potato, coconut curry & chicken) - delish!!

Days 5 & 6 (Friday & Saturday) so I have a confession... Training check - Pt session # 3 (Fri)Mobility Check - Bikram yoga session (Sat)Water Check - Yup! its getting easier and easier Paleo - Whoops. 2 non-paleo meals Training Fridays PT session was awesome! I was in a great mood and it was squats and stuff that didn't need brain power. Build to find 5RM Back squat - 50kg (Failed on 3/5 on 52.5kg, damn but still kinda stoked with that because its only the 2nd time i've squatted that weight and my 1RM is 53.5kg) Max effort (ME) on front squats at 50% of 1RM (22.5 kg) - I may have lost count around the 14 mark.. my trainer wasn't counting either but were sure i got over 20 before giving up. I think i will retest this one in my own time because it really burned and got the heart pumping! 4x6 Bench press building weight. This felt good despite my sore wrists and I comfortably pushed out 6 @ 35kg, but failed on the 5 rep at 37.5kg. Then we did a mini circuit of ME horizontal row, banded squats and banded seated press. good fun. Food Friday Breakfast - 1 scrambled egg Snack - 1 Bananna Lunch - Chicken salad with hard boiled egg Dinner - 300gm Porterhouse Steak & Fries & glass of wine Saturday Breakfast - 2 eggs Lunch - Chicken salad with bacon Dinner - 3 Vietnamese spring rolls, Sate Chicken with rice Thoughts Well the tim tams i had earlier in the week gave me reflux which made me realise I hadn't had reflux during my challenge! yay - Another positive effect to remind myself of. I went out for dinner with friend both nights and felt relaxed and comfortable in my food choices so im not going to bash myself up over it. I know they weren't paleo when i choose them and there may have been better choices i would have enjoyed less, but l'm not going to be that friend that becomes so anal about everything that goes in her mouth that no one invites me out anymore.. Iol maybe i was being a bit too ambitious in my goals? but since thats still what i would like to aspire too i won't edit them because its all the mindlessly binging on unnecessary crap that I still want to avoid and i do want to eat nutritious food just with a bit of rope.... Anyway tomorrow will be a test, im doing both yoga and a PT session in the one day... will see how the body holds up!? Its a bit sore in the hips and tired all over in general from all the yoga in the last week and the squats from yesterdays session. I need to eat a bit more food tomorrow i think because i still have sessions planned again on the Monday & Tuesdays so no break for the wicked! I'm still finding it easy to drink the 1.5lt except today because i didn't take my water bottle with my on the walk i did around the lake so im happy with this will become a habit. I'm also finding it really easy to do the 10 min mobility work as every workout/ PT or crossfit class i do always has a cool down stretch at the end and since ive done a yoga class every other day this week i haven't had to do anything at home, but i think i will need to have a roll around tomorrow after yoga to prepare for PT.

Massive Thanks to everyone for your support on here! its keeping me accountable and honest. Day 4 Mobility - check. baked up last nights yoga with another sess!Paleo - not quite. [1 non-paleo meal]water - 2 and some thing litres Food Breakfast - 2 boiled eggs snack - 1 bananna Lunch - 150gm steak, steamed sweet potato and broccoli. YUMM! Dinner - 3 chicken tenderlions with grilled sweet potato and broccoli. (it was so good i could have also eaten the extra i had cooked for lunch tomorrow) Treat - 4 Tim Tam biscuits. Thoughts I not unhappy i ate the tim tams, i don't feel guilty but the craving caught me off guard! I was feeling pretty pumped after surviving lamington Thursday today in my office (Every Thursday there is a fundraising bbq at the hospital i work at that also sells the best ever lamingtons so its an whole office habit) The positive i guess is that i didn't eat the whole packet... I'm also mapped out my training schedule for next week and feeling pretty pumped I've done some aspect of training whether it be a WOD, PT or yoga class everyday since last Saturday and my next rest day isn't scheduled til Tuesday, so that will be a 10 day streak! The yoga is definitely leaving me sore and buggered but i don't feel it is so strenuous that it impacts me greatly - except laughing. that hurts! Thats why im counting it as mobility and not part of my training record. Oh and yay me - I transferred $500 onto my credit card today... now I just need to hide the card! lol TGIF tomorrow

Ive just been through a 31 day challenge to kick the habit and you know what I'm not missing it at all anymore but what got me through the worst cravings intially was realising that thoughts are just that. They are thoughts. They do not control you, they can't make you do anything. Junk food will always be there, it will always be available so therefore there is absolutely no reason to have to have it now... So set your mind frame away from this is my last donut/ cookie etc etc that justifies why you haven't cut back yet. stop waiting for tomorrow start now and find your motivation. So next time a craving hits or your mind thinks a chocolate is a good idea - mentally think of dismissing the thought and say - thats not helpful and then focus on your motivation - what is your goal. Implementing this strategy has gotten me through and successfully dismissed all my cravings. It is empowering to defeat the cravings and control your mind, and gets easier and easier to do everytime. Goodluck!

Day 3 Mobility - 90 min Bikram YogaPaleo - 3/3Drinking - Booya im on a roll! Its getting easier to drink more frequently and more of it Food Breakfast - 3 hard boiled eggs Lunch - 3 Chicken Tenderlions with leftover roast sweet potato and carrot and a little broccoli Dinner - 1 Leftover chicken tenderlion with broccoli and corn on the cob Thoughts I'm know my mobility is an area that definitely needs my attention, But i did notice some slight improvements in yoga tonight that excited me so fingers crossed for a little bit more each session!! I also happy because I whipped up a job application today and submitted it on time after procrastinating over it since Friday... who knows if its strong enough to get me a interview because i didn't have time to proof read it before submitting, but i'm glad its in and i felt good about writing it. It also gives me a good start towards a few others in my area that are expected to come up shortly.

Day Two - Check In Training Seesion #2 - checkMobility - checkPaleo - checkWater - checkTraining I was so out of whack today it wasn't funny. I have no idea why, but last night I totally forgot today is Tuesday not Wednesday... Tuesday = PT. It wasn't till after I reserved my position in the yoga class and checked my claendar at work that I realised I had double booked myself, whoops! Oh well at least I had packed my gym bag. So I cancelled the yoga session and left work on time for my PT session. To my horror my PT instructor had forgotten my session too which I found hilarious. Just as it was dawning on me that I was going to have to do Fran afterall in the next crossfit class someone popped out from the group fittness room and was trying to swindle a passer by to join the boxing class because they were an odd number. Ha! This option hadn't even occurred to me as the group fittness classes had always been run seperate and off site at my gym, and this was only just rejigged the last weekend so that the gym, crossfit box and group fitness classes are all within the one building now. but karma didn't have my back today, it was a gruelling session! I haven't done any boxing in the last year so it hurt like hell!! Food Breakfast: 2 boiled eggs Lunch: 4 Lamb cutlets and left over roast veggies from last night Snack: Carrot and basil pesto, I really didn't need to eat this as I was cooking dinner at the time, I really need to learn to get home from the gym quicker and before the food monster awakens!! Dinner: 170 gm Beef Eye Fillet Steak with roast sweet potato, carrot and corn on the cob. (Whoops forgot to put any green stuff on the plate!) Water I'm pretty pleased with myself on this one as I had drunk my 1.5 lt goal by 2pm which for me is remarkable! Im stoked but I know I have to keep improving on this (specially on days I yoga)

Day one check in: Training - check; mobility - check; Paleo - check; drink big - check! Training today I did a class WOD Strength 5x3 front squats @ 45kg 5x3 push press @ 37kg I struggled on quite a few of the squats, working at around 95% of my 1RM there! My wrists really ached doing the push press and still do... I think they were still tender from a stretch I've been doing in yoga that kanes my elbows and wrists 10 min AMRAP 9x hand clap push ups 7x squat clean @ 22.5kg 5x power snatch @ 22.5kg tomorrows WOD is Fran so I might book myself in for yoga instead! Food breakfast - 2 bannanas lunch - 2 chicken tenderloins & broccoli dinner - 300gm eye fillet steak and roasted sweet potato, carrot & onion. Oh it tasted like heaven! I really shouldnt of eaten so much but I enjoyed it too much