Sunday, May 24, 2009

Back in Business!!!

So after my last post where I assessed where I'm really at, I decided had to look honestly about where i'm at and what I want to achieved in terms of health, fitness, goals, what I want to achieve with my GF etc.

I came to the conclusion (as mentioned in last post) that teaching Group Fitness is my love, my passion, I love coaching people through there class, I love seeing them achieve and push hard and achieve things they didn't think the could, I love trying to deliver a great class every time that sees them coming back and my class numbers reflecting that I'm doing something right.
I just LOVE IT.

So imagine if I could do all the above AND be a great physical role model also, not an average role model, a great one and inspirational one.
That is now my goal, I not only want to attend my next Les mills quarterly for my own inspiration, I want to be the inspiration there and in my classes daily.

I wouldn't pay a personal trainer that didn't walk the walk and talk the talk, so if you look at group fitness as a group personal training session, why wouldn't members want to attend a class taken by someone that walks the walk and talks the talk?

For me its about being authentic............in Bodyattack we have the opportunity to burn 400-500cals per class, push our fitness boundaries, increase power and strength in the legs from plyometric work, increase upper body strength amongst lots of other things, BUT, why would members believe this if I don't look in great shape from burning the calories, if I am not at max fitness cause I'm luggin an extra 10 kg around, if my plyometric jumps/moves aren't what they should be, if I can't complete the whole upper body conditioning track in full press ups..... you get the idea.

So I obviously want to address this asap for my week to week classes but my bigger goal is my next Les Mills Presentation. I also do not want to let the Bodyattack opportunity slip through my fingers .
I have 13 weeks (then of course the challenge is to stay there for each and every workshop) to get approx 10kg off, to reduce my skinfold by about 45 - 50mm, this will take me to a place that I am comfortable in my own skin, that when I talk the talk , I look like I walk the walk, a place I'm authentic at and mostly I am able to teach to my max in every way because my physical is where it should be.
To assist me do this I have decided I'm obviously struggling on my own so I have some helpers!!
Of course my gorgeous hubby Paul is helping with my training , all his knowledge and passion I can't go wrong there.

















and for my nutrition and accountability I am so excited to be working with the beautiful Di again!!





I am so pumped. Training with Paul not only gives us some extra time together, it means I learn from him as we go and he ensures I work at the right level and challenge myself. Paul will also be working ensuring I can do what I need to do to improve the areas that I need to strengthen specifically for those tough bits in Bodyattack, its one thing teaching members but another presenting to other instructors!!
Working on my nutrition with Di is great for me, the approach is not 'comp prep' which I am so glad about and when I saw my plan I was so overjoyed to see the types of food, the amount and the approach. I work so well with Di and its great when you find someone you gel with, she is firm but fair and an added bonus....... funny!!!
So we are working in a way that I'm sure I will educate me for the long term which is what I need.
We commenced working towards this new goal yesterday, stay tuned for the results weekly and posts in between.
Have a great day people, Shar x

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Still plodding along

Just wanted to do a quick post, still plodding along, scales still chipping off a little each day, I'm just a bit behind on my day by day blogging things after the weekend, which I just about have recovered from mentally.
I always find the workshops inspiring, all the presenters (which I'm one of now, still after 4 preso's not feeling like I've made it!), all the instructors that attend to upskill etc, but I have to step myself up, physically, I cannot be average anymore, everyone that comes is looking to be inspired, so game on and to the inspirational level it is.
If I can get to a high level physically I have a great opportunity with Bodyattack so am really using that as a focus too.
Next workshop is 13 weeks away, then after that I have the Les Mills Summit, then of course I just want to be in top condition year round, maybe having to step it up a few weeks out from workshops to just tighten up a little.
I am pretty happy I have been maintaining my weight as that is a whole new thing from my binge starve cycle I used to par take in! its just I have been maintaining my weight
too high!! :)
Stay tuned for the journey to the next Les Mills presentation and then each and everyone after that!!
Have a great week all
Shar x

PS - Talking inspirational - How did the girls look from the comps at the weekend!!! HOT, HOT, HOT!!!!! Nice job and thanks for sharing your journey's, the ups AND downs.

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Day 6 & 7 or now to be 15 & 16

Ok, so maybe a little confusing but I have to revert to the correct day that I'm on for my 'challenge'. So back in my post where I was honest about the first week etc I stated I was going from there, but for confusion purposes (on my behalf!) I need to get on correct day which is Saturday = 15 and Sunday = 16.

I have also realised considering this is for me to implement change on my mind and my body I need to start some more specific work on the mind side of things.

Obviously taking a holistic, more balanced approach to the whole nutrition and training thing is working on changing my old habits, ( go as hard as I can for as long as I can, before collapsing in a heap and ending back where I was before) which is a step in the right direction.

So after a good week this week on the nutrition front, I had my weigh in on Saturday, 2 weeks in and I have lost 2kg, I'm pleased with that.

Focuses for this week -
1) Resistance Training
2) Sleep







Nutrition – All clean food.
1493 calories / 36% from fat / 32% from protein / 32% from carbs

Exercise – Bodyattack

Mind – trying to stay positive today ahead of the panic creeping in about my Les Mills presentation tomorrow.

Relaxation/Recovery – none
DAYMAKER – Unfortunately I’m not sure I did anything that made a day today?
I am all busy in the mind with tomorrow



Nutrition – 645 calories / 35% from fat / 25% from protein / 39% from carbs
The above totals are what I had today during the Les Mills Perth Workshop, when I got home Paul and I decided we would have gourmet pizza. I had one slice of Thin base, chicken, bacon and mozzarella pizza and 3 slices from the dessert pizza, thin base, banana, caramel, cream cheese. So rather than guessing the amounts and logging I would estimate I topped a 2500 day? And you know what I am cool with that, I enjoyed every mouthful!! All good and back to clean and balanced eating tomorrow. 2 weeks down, 10 weeks to go to try and make this balance work for me, form some new habits etc (plus keeping the changes I make forever!!)

Exercise – Presented Bodyvive

Mind – Got a bit spacey due to worrying but all good now, just mentally shattered.

Relaxation/Recovery – A chilled out dinner with my whole bestest family.

DAYMAKER – It was my turn to have my day made today!! Bryce played a blinder of a match today, he scored, marked and just kicked ass today at footy. I also lots of great feedback from my preso then to top it all off my gorgeous hubby and little lady had tidied the house big styley, it looks fab.
Hope you had a great weekend
Shar x

Friday, May 15, 2009

Day 5 of 75




Nutrition – All clean food, but ate more than planned.
Period Monster is lurking and making me think things that are not true!! Like I will drop dead if I don’t eat chocolate today and I have no control whilst I’m waiting for my period so I may as well give in. Bloody idiot….. just piss off!!
1602 calories / 32% from fat / 28% from protein / 40% from carbs
Exercise – Rest day!!!!!

Mind Medicine – still snappy, not teary yet which is strange?

Relaxation/Recovery – Maddi’s school did a parent and child walk this afternoon due to it being ‘walk to school day’.

DAYMAKER – Doing the walk with Maddi made min, Paul and Maddi’s day, also my day was made whilst doing it as we saw Bryce running his cross country practice round the high school and he was in 2nd place.

Other news
I am having 2nd thoughts about resigning, had a chat with my boss in a work capacity, she also happens to be my friend so she gave me her opinion as my friend, e mailed my mum for a bit of advice to (nothing like talking to your wise old mumma, wish she was here) also Paul.
The reason being is I feel after sitting with it for 2 weeks now, I am feeling I used to make the job the issue, moan and bitch about it taking to much time, always working at home etc but I have to be honest and I think it is me that’s the problem not the position. Anyway, that’s for me to work through.

Trying to get back to Saturday being the start of my week, so weekly report tomorrow morning.

Presenting for Les Mills on Sunday, feeling calm but still have abit of practice to fit in! So on that note I want to do some early in the morning before I Bodyattack so will sign off now and get some good sleep.

GOOD LUCK TO THOSE COMPETING THIS WEEKEND, SPECIAL SHOUT OUT TO SHELLEY, KATIE AND SELINA, WHO’S BLOGS I FOLLOW DAILY. Good luck girls!!

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Day 4 of 75



Nutrition – Had a good day today, enjoyed all my meals even had some cals left to have a few extra bits. All clean food. Should have lifted protein a little more.
1399 calories / 39% from fat / 34% from protein / 27% from carbs
Exercise – Taught Bodyvive and Bodybalance

Mind Medicine – Pre - Period behaviour starting, snapping, short, just wanna have a bit of peace and quiet etc etc, still haven’t done any research on trying to ease PMT.

Relaxation/Recovery – Bodybalance

DAYMAKER – Maddi had her Daymaker, we did kiss and drive and big brother Bryce took her into school, stayed in class instead of me or Paul today, then he left and walk down to the high school. She loves him doing that.

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Day 3 of 75



Nutrition - All good, Logged in CK. Shit, I have been starving today!! So made a decision not to fight it and possibly end up blowing out on crap food and go with the flow and have more cals of good clean food!! YAY me!
Wednesday sees me do my last Bodyattack of 5 in a row and I am pretty much shattered and hungry.
1825 calories / 34% from fat / 33% from protein, 33% from carbs

Exercise – Taught Bodyattack and Bodybalance in morning

Mind Medicine – all good today. Getting a little stressy about presenting for Les Mills on Sunday at the Perth Quarterly Workshop.

Relaxation/Recovery – Bodybalance

DAYMAKER – wasn’t a daymaker today, just did normal everyday things with Kids and Paul, no obvious extra Daymaker :(

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Day 2 of 75



Nutrition - All good, Logged in CK, Totals a little better today especially protein, Holding at 1400 cals for 4 days then will add in a higher day.
1396 Calories / 35% from fat / 42% from protein / 24% from carbs

Exercise – Taught Bodyvive in morning and Bodyattack this evening

Mind Medicine – Having a few issues with pre-period brain, feeling really tired and crappy, found a few negative thoughts creeping in. I have to do some serious research on how to make the mental side of being pre-menstrual a manageable process. If anyone has any tips, remedies, etc please leave me a comment or e mail me.

Relaxation/Recovery – did the walk to school and walk home with Maddison again today.

DAYMAKER - The Daymaker today was definitely Maddi's face when she saw Paul and I picking her up and telling her we were all walking home together. Paul took Bryce and his friend to the beach after school to go bodyboarding so that was Bryce's day made.

Night, Shar x

Monday, May 11, 2009

Day 1 of 75

Thanks Fern, frankie and Truds for your comments, it appears I'm not alone in what I wrote in my epic post yesterday.

Fern - I will e mail you hopefully tomorrow.

Frankie - yes I will do it!

Truds - Yes trying to be very mindful not to do what I've always done in the past to get results because at the end of the day it clearly isn't working if i'm back in a similair spot every time, all be it not so much of a weight gain this time.


At the end of the day I am the perfect definaition of insanity...........

DOING THE SAME THING OVER AND OVER AND EXPECTING DIFFERENT RESULTS............ I'm taking the same approach over and over and thinking each time my mindset will magically change, my thought patterns and behaviours will change, I can get the body looking great again and the mind will be healed............Ehhh HELLLLOOOO, anyone
home? CLEARLY NOT :)

DAY



Nutrition - All good, Logged in CK, here's my totals, very aware the fat is too high and protien too low.
I was craving nuts today so I had 2 serves of nuts, this was enough to satisfy me and stop me wanting other shite, so if my fats on the high side then fair enough, all good fats too. Protien being too low was purely my lack of planning for the day. Lesson learnt food planned for tomorrow.
1387 calories / 46% of the calories are from fat / 25% from protein / 29% from carbs
Exercise - 30 minute incline powerwalk. Shit it was hard this morning to get on the treadmill and only walk but its all part of the new approach.
Mind Medicine - My goal today was to stay positive today. Check!
Relaxation/Recovery - I had a 30 minute sit on the couch before picking the kids up. Also my little one has been asking to walk to or from school, so today as a surprise as it wasn't my night to go teach I got paul to drop me at the school and surprised her when she came out. This was very relaxing and rewarding. DAYMAKER achieved today :)
Must go sleep, this is a major thing for me to get to a consistent place, for mind and body.
Night x

Sunday, May 10, 2009

2009 so far........and whats next?

Thanks for the comments girls, great to see that you agree, this is my blog and a place for me to record, rant, rave, ask for help, travel and learn, so that is what I intend on doing all in real and honest way.

Moving on …………2009 Update – Health and Fitness
January saw me heavy, bloaty and out of shape.
I was still see-sawing from my 2nd comp in July 2008. The initial bloat and gain after comp was a pretty reasonable amount on the scales but what I saw or how I perceived my mirror image was telling me otherwise.

So I spent Aug – Dec 08 doing the ‘make a food plan’ ‘exercise like a nutter’ cycle, which totally does not work for me, I feel restricted, angry and uncontrollable.
Then came Jan 09, time to ‘try again’.
This time though, I made a little headway, OK so I exercised like a nutter but I seemed to mend the nutrition side of things.
I started to log in calorie king, setting myself a calorie limit that was sensible, eating a range of ‘normal’ foods and kept this consistent for more than 12 weeks, a good amount of time to make changes on the scale and to my body shape.

I was starting to receive comments from my class members; clothes I hadn’t seen for a while were emerging to be my friend again.

After another 2 weeks the results then started to slow and even stopped, indicating I was over training and not eating enough calories, so, I upped my calories and pulled back on the exercise………… down went the scales!!

Then a classic Shar moment, a freakin idiotic mindset, a you’ve worked hard you deserve it moment.
A two week holiday, no exercise (Ok not NO exercise, but a lot less than normal) and calories in excess, no logging, no good food, allowing others very poor choices be influence me.
WTF??????????? Come on Shar, you really aren’t that stupid, you know what works and what doesn’t, you are riding the same merry go round over and over and it really ain’t that merry, so why the hell don’t you get the fu*k off!!!!!!!!!!!!

So here I am still sitting on the waltzer, a few kilos back on, actually not a few…. freakin 4 kilos!!, feeling like a puffer fish, feelings from my past resurfacing, no self worth due to the ‘ you always ruin everything’ mindset and feeling disappointed in myself, that I had found something that worked but yet I let old habits creep back in.

BUT…..in trying to harness my focus of always looking for a positive here are some points I need to remember…………

1) I have found a new way of eating that works for me, its balanced, not restricted and that I did find easy to stick to. Calories in, Calories out.
2) I was consistent for 14 weeks, longer than I have managed even longer than a comp prep.
3) For a short time there I felt in control again and I am more determined to get the control back.
4) I have learnt that I need to remain true to myself when around others.

So moving forward, what would be worse than any of the above would be that I do not kick myself up the arse and get back to it.

I have just stated that logging my food intake worked for me, gave me control, so that is what is to be done on that front.
Exercise wise I am really trying to remove past beliefs and take on board what my gorgeous husband it telling me and embrace a change.

I am so cool with my decision to resign from my GFM position, it was really causing me some stress and it is a decision I have been fighting with for 4 months.
It now allows me more time, less stress, I get to help Paul with the business and do what I love…………teach my classes

I am going to embrace this time for change and see what the hell I can do with the rest of 2009!!!

As usual I feel I need a goal, I do one day hope that I can make the goals smaller or further between so that I end up re-educating myself just to do this because I want a great lifestyle.
Yes, those that are living that perfect lifestyle will think that also, but you know what, everything I have written above proves I’m not perfect and am far from it right now, so I will do what I need to do now and know that every time I try something I learn a little more to add to what I learnt before.

So what’s the goal??

Well I have to fess up, 10 days ago I started a 12 week challenge. 4 days ago I pressed pause!!!
Yep you heard it, I managed 6 days, well actually I haven’t actually stopped I just have let the mindset of ‘I’ve failed’ creep in cause I had a few extra ‘treats’ and yes some were today for Mothers day, which if I had been properly logging, that I know works for me, I could have worked in!!!
Anyway I am determined to continue and reign my focus back in but I have to change something.
So now my goal has changed from going hard for 12 weeks to taking a mind and body challenge, doing things and being open to trying things I have never tried before.
I will re-shape my body by way of a consistent training programme.
I will re-shape my mind by working through NLP protocols, looking back at past behaviors, researching meditation / relaxation techniques, taking a positive approach to myself and my body image.

So I have 74 days left (from Monday), I will set myself weekly goals for both training and re-shaping my mind.
Obviously, if I make it that far, I have to have made enough mental changes to realize it is not a stopping point, it is purely a time to assess what I have achieved and continue the good work and if needed set another focus.

So lets see bloggers, can Shar make some changes that will carry over or will it be same old same old, will she still be on the (not so) merry go round??

Saturday, May 9, 2009

Changes

Didn't realize it had been that long since my last post.

Anyway, saturday morning, good time for a quick update.
Have finally gotten my head straight and worked through a few issues I
was having personally with giving up my Group Fitness Managers job that I have been doing for 3 years, and have handed in my notice, I finish in 3 weeks.
Although I got quite stress and uptight about the whole decision, now I have made the decision, it feels fantastic and I am excited about what my path will bring now.
To start with I will just concentrate on my classes still and also get into helping Paul with our own business, then I'm sure I will find my direction.

Anyway onto other stuff........... I Always said I was going to be honest and upfront on this blog, whether thats my opinion on something or how I am feeling /doing with certain things.

I think that instead of being honest sometimes I have chosen not to post instead, worrting about peoples thoughts and juedgement.
So from now on this my place to say what I want and record what I want.
Of course it is my Health and Fitness based blog so in general it will be followiung that ongoing journey of mine!!
Taking a leaf out of Rene's and Lia's book, If people make judgement or don't like what I'm saying they don't have to read.
Now I feel I have made a change out of a job that I had to be something I wasn't, I'm damn sure not being Fake here.

Anyways, must check through the tracks I have chosen for Bodyattack for this morning, get Kids up (bryce is still sleeping) and ready to go 'shopping' with dad for some special day thats tomorrow :)

Have set myself a new target now I am feeling all free and focused!! how long that lasts I don't know :) but will probably post later with an update.

Have a good weekend, Shar x

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

WOWZA!!!

I recieve a daily e mail and today's blew me away....... you know when something just hits you at the right time............

What are your priorities today?
"Most people are so busy knocking themselves out trying to do everything they think they should do, they never get around to do what they want to do."

-- Kathleen Winsor


When we clearly set an intention, our conscious and subconscious minds mobilize to help us meet that intention.
At the start of each day, thoroughly review what commitments you have made to others for the day, and decide what commitment(s) you will make for yourself.
What can you do today that will move you one step closer to your personal goals?

Own your power to choose to meet your own needs.
After all, we are much better able to help others when our own needs are met.
And at the end of the day, when you've honoured your commitment to yourself, acknowledge your success.

"If you want to make good use of your time, you've got to know what's most important and then give it all you've got." -- Lee Iacocca

Time to take notice, me thinks.
I know what needs to happen to allow me to be true to myself and my family.
Time for me.........this in turn benefits them.

Shar x

Monday, April 27, 2009

Looking within...
















Taking the opportunity from it being a Public Holiday here in WA to do a post!!

Been doing a bit of looking within.
This has prompted alot of analyzing of what it is I want from life, life being the things that make up my life.
One of the things that makes up my day to day life is work.
As most of you know I absolutely LOVE teaching my Group Fitness Classes but with regards to other work areas I have decided I need to be true to myself and make some changes.

I am lucky enough to be in an industry I love and have been since I left high school in the UK, so I have always been of the opinion that whatever I do I want it to enhance my life not hinder or disrupt my life in a negative manner.

Time for change is coming and this is hopefully leading to exciting times for Paul and I.
I am so lucky to have Paul in my life, always supportive, never judges me or my endeavours, shares the same dreams, loves unconditionally.
Paul doing a handstand
(Did I mention he still acts like a kid which is soooo much fun, especially
when i still act like I'm 13!!)
Shar x

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Annual Leave - Over :(

I have had the bestest 2 weeks off from my GFM job, spending time with Paul and the Kids, (along with the in-laws visiting from the UK).
But now its over and I'm back to it tomorrow. I'm feeling a bit over it and not really pumped to go back and do my GFM role, unlike me but hey perhaps my priorities are changing?

I have a few fav pics so will blog them over the week coming now I am planning on being back to blogging regularly. A few of me Favourite favorites!!........


Me and my bestest boy!!!
(taking our own pics!!)
didn't realize my wrinkles
were that bad!














Me and my girl in the pool.
Yes, being in Maddi's inflatable
ring was a tight sqeeze :)












Me, my precious things
and a wonderful sunset.





Have tried to catch up on a few blogs and will continue to do so over the next few days
now I'm getting back to my normal routine.
Shar x

Saturday, March 28, 2009

Weekly Going Ons......

Firstly - Love and all my thoughts to Sam. I feel bad blogging about my day to day stuff when Sam and her family are going through this time.

Well, its Saturday again and it seems my time where I get 10 mins to sit and chill before Paul gets back and I have to get ready to go teach.
I have had quite a challenging week on the energy & focus front due to the fantastic TOTM.I get VERY tired the 2-3 days before, like literally I could fall asleep 1 hour after getting up and anywhere. I also get very low on patience sort have to 'grit my teeth' to stop myself just flying of the handle!! Anyone else get like this?
As soon as period hits I feel better with the tiredness and patience thing but then crap physically with aches, pains and heavy bleeding. These only last one day though so that's one thing to be thankful for.
Over the last few weeks my Les Mills journey has gotten a little clearer and I have a clearer Path of where I'm heading with regards to my two programmes.

I also got to work with Kylie Gates - Training Director of Les Mill Asia Pacific and International Master Trainer and Presenter for Les Mills. WOW, talk about gain some knowledge.
I got to do some musicality work, coaching development, went through some module delivery development, then I got to team teach with her!! for Bodyattack. OMG, I nearly crap my pants everytime. All went well and I am so excited.
I am doing the self doubt, I'm not worth it thing in my head daily, but I suppose with a lifetime of doing that in all aspects of my life I will continue to do that to myself and I am aware of it and trying so hard to correct not only the physical habits but the mental as well.

Had to re-adjust plans on the run yesterday. I set out to run 10km but when I started running, the legs felt like lead, the heart rate was up and it was 33 degrees and I was running at 12.30pm in the heat.
I soon realised I was feeling it so hard due to the heat and the amount of Bodyattacks and runs I had already done so far this week, which was 5 Bodyattacks and 2 runs, still with 2 Bodyattacks to go this weekend and possibly 1-2 runs. So I made the decision to do 5km, which my body and mind was grateful for.

Maddi is still training with WAIS (WA Institute of Sport) for Gymnastics, since she moved up a group, the extra training and length of session does seem to affect her, shes shattered. She has to officially wear the Squad leotard now, she looks so cute, we will look back at this pic when shes representing Australia in 2020!!



















Bryce goes to Tennis today and has just started back to pre-season footy training.Paul ran the Beep test for the boys on Thursday night, the coach wanted to do it now and then again in 6 weeks to see some fitness improvements.
Bryce and Paul also went to an adults Gymnastic session together on Wednesday. They both did it when younger, Bryce wants to do more free running style stuff and Paul wants to perfect his back flip and learn to hold handstand on one hand!! They had great fun and both pulled up sore on Thursday.
Anyway, Pauls home, I have to leave in 25 minutes to go teach Bodyattack !!! YEEEAAAHHH!!
So in the Bodyattack essence I'll leave you with another cool poster......




Have a great Weeeknd
Shar x

Saturday, March 21, 2009

Stats, Headspace and Goals

I have been wanting to do a check in for a while but haven't really had time.
Saturday's are a great day for me, so I thought I would use my bit of chill time to update.
Paul goes to do 1 client at 7am so generally I'm up at 6.30 - 6.40am, I normally just chill, have my white tea whilst on the laptop just flicking on the web, blogs etc.
Then about 7.45am I start to get the kids breakfasts ready, get Bryce up, help Mads get ready etc, Paul is back about 8am, then I can get ready properly to go to teach one of my favourite classes (I keep saying that but really all my Bodyattacks are my Favourites!!) at my own club - Subiaco, 9.30am Bodyattack.
Also this morning we set alarms a little earlier to do my skinfolds and measurements.

I have only been weighing on the scales and I haven't had skinfolds taken since my start point skinfolds when I brought some serious focus to my training and nutrition 8 weeks ago.
So eight weeks has passed, Eight weeks ago I started running training to head towards my goal of running the Perth Marathon in June, you can see the distances I have covered per week in my sidebar and taught my usual classes.
Eight weeks ago I started to log my food again, calories in, calories out, eating a protien at every meal, coming from, fish, chicken, beef, WPI if needed. Carbs generally at each meal in a small portion generally coming from carbs that are listed for my metabolic type.
I have had at least one meal per weekend that is relaxed, maybe a meal out, last weekend we had thai, one weekend we went to my fav cafe and I had pancakes, I had Bryce's Birthday in there and enjoyed some cake, I had my work trip to Sydney etc.
My stats are showing results from living my life in a balanced way, still able to indulge (and savour) in a few things I enjoy, there is not a moment I have struggled (apart from when I have PMT!!) not a moment I have beaten myself up, not a moment I have binged uncontrollably like I used to.

Skin folds - Dropped 41mm
Weight - 6.7kg loss (9kg from heaviest weight at Christmas)

I had a sticky point on the scales a few weeks back, they were just playing me, I felt tired and
was getting a little over it.
A turning point came when I had a long run scheduled - 16.09km, I had to teach in the morning so not one for excuses anymore, particularly the weather, I proceeded to run the 16.09km in the midday heat of 33 degrees!!
I made it......just and almost collapsed when I got back, Paul wondered what was going on when I walked in the back door and sprawled out on the kitchen floor!!
Anyway, that was a very tough mental run and the enjoyment factor was ZERO. At that point I decided I would not be doing the FULL marathon and would bring my focus to the HALF marathon due to the fact I want to remain in a positive place and place of enjoyment for what i do.
Also had a chat with Paul and we decided i was probably over training, what with running, classes, working etc etc.
So I had re-assess, re-tracked my training, got some more sleep and voila the scales have been playing ball ever since, I was rewarded with a kilo drop after about 4-5 days of pulling back and again this week.
My headspace is at a good place right now and it is great to be doing this just because, not because I'm competing, not because I feel I should.
If I do decide to compete it will be a real different feel coming from where i am now than previous times.
The place I want to sit all year, every year, is about 4kg above a weight/size I would like to compete at. My first comp I lost 15kg to get there and 2nd comp I had 20kg to lose!! to get there so you can see what a different experience prep would be trying to only drop 4kg!! BLISS!!!

As for my goals, I am still pursuing the Half marathon but have some other stuff going on that really excites me so if they come to the fore I may hold off on the half marathon to be able to give 110% to the other.
Talking of goals, TRUDS - if you come up with anything that needs a partner to be accountable to or something that will push us both etc give me a shout I'm always up for a extra challenge.

Anyways, this has taken way more than my chill time and I have to get ready to ATTACK!!!! YEEEEEEEEEAAAHHHHH, BRING IT!!
Have a great weekend all
Shar

PS - PERTH PEOPLE - if anyone wants to come to an Bodyattack class or Bodybalance, give me a comment and I can organise for you to come to the Subiaco club, we have 2 hours free parking available, would love to see you.