Putting it all out there #blogjune #27

Rather than set myself up for another double post - I decided to get in early.  Although my fingers are having a bit of trouble doing what my brain is telling them to do this morning - too cold!!

Today was bootcamp fitness test day and I'm going to put some stuff out there to show why I remain motivated.  I must admit, it's a little bit daunting putting this sort of info out there - but I'm proud of my transformation and I'm still a work in progress!

Ok so last month my stats were:
Weight: 70.4kg
Fat: 34.5%
Muscle mass kgs: 43.8kg

This month:
Weight: 71.6kg - yes freaked me out when it went up, especially since I have cut back the M&M's
Fat: 33.9%
Muscle mass kgs: 44.9kg

So I know that there are some studies that say that muscle does not weigh more than fat - but I'm not so sure.  My clothes have not become tighter and I'm looking more toned then ever - so I think the 1kg or so weight gain is down to muscle gain.  Anyway, it took me a few days (ok I'm kidding, I'm still a bit torn up about it) to get over the scale going up.  But I'm really working on not caring about the weight and focusing on the fat percentage and muscle mass!

Now some other comparisons:
Number of push ups in 30 seconds last month: 30 (that's on my toes) this month: 32.
Number of sit ups in 30 seconds last month: 28, this month 28.

Now let's go back to September 2013 when I last did this 2.4km fitness test.
Weight: 77.1kg
Fat: 38%
Muscle mass: 45.3kg
Number of push ups: 22 (on toes) 4 on knees
Number of sit ups: 25
2.4km fitness test time: 12.08

Today's 2.4km fitness test time: 11.36

Now let's go back to this time last year - 12 months ago:
Weight: 80.7kg
Fat: 40.6%
Muscle: 45.5kg
Number of push ups: 23 (on toes) 4 knees
Number of sit ups: 23

They might seem like little gains to some, but they are big gains for me.  Little steps means I'm more likely to stick to the program, and more likely to maintain the changes rather than a drastic change.

Today's mantra is: If you don't make mistakes you're not really trying.

If you don't try, and sometimes it takes a bit for it to work, then you won't move forward!

Double post Friday #blogjune #19 #20

Ok so I've been slack again but we had a plumbing malfunction in the house last night so blogging was not high on the agenda.  And tonight I'm writing this on my tablet which limits me a bit.  Anyway, moving on....

Yesterday's mantra: Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.
Today's mantra:  A fit life is a marathon not a sprint.

Ok yesterday I really put myself out of my comfort zone.  I headed out for my run at 5.30am with my stop watch in hand.  I did a warm up and headed for the beach.  I love running on the beach.

Anyway, once I got on the beach the fun began, starting with a 1 minute effort (faster pace then normal) then 1 minute recovery running at normal pace.  I did this 4 times.  I then upped it to 2 minutes effort and 1 minute recovery and did this 3 times.  By this time I was almost at third headland - about 6k up the beach andni has to start heading home.

Note to self, when playing games like fartleks (running term for what I described above) remember you have to run back.  And the further out you run, the further you have to run home.  It was a killer.  But I did it!  Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.

The 2nd mantra I'm going to refer back to my transformation journey over the last 12 months, well 15 months.  I have made small changes to my lifestyle and have lost 15kg.  I did not lose 12kg in 12 weeks or make huge sacrifices.  And the weight has stayed off.  The point I'm trying to make, is that a fit life is a marathon not a sprint.  A fit life is a lifestyle change, not a quick fix.  This is permanent,  not something I will stop once I reach a certain point.  I am a work in progress, and like learning, it is lifelong.

Sore today equals strong tomorrow #blogjune #16

I am writing this in the ad breaks while watching The Voice.  Ok, ok I know it's reality tv and it's all a bit corny but I do have my vices and this is one of them.

Today's mantra: Sore today equals strong tomorrow.

Over the past year and half that I have been doing bootcamp, this mantra has come through constantly.  It's along the lines, the harder/smarter you work, the better the outcome.  Or something like that.

For bootcamp, sore today does mean strong tomorrow.  My body is transforming and I'm becoming stronger - not just at running but in my fitness generally.  And I like it!!

At my last half marathon (Macleay River Marathon) at South West Rocks, weeks/months of training and doing hill repeats meant that I was strong on the day.  I flew up the hills and I took 3 minutes off my last half marathon time.

In 6 weeks I will be completing my 3rd half marathon for the year in Ipswich, Qld.  The Ipswich Park2Park half marathon.  I found out last week that this is labelled the most challenging half marathon in Qld!!

It is a 4 lap course which is challenging psychologically to begin with.  But on top of that there is hill after hill after hill!  So back to training and doing more hill repeats.

I'm also going to try to throw in some speed work.  I don't do a lot of speed work - because I don't sprint well and I have mentioned previously that it takes a bit of effort to get myself out of my comfort zone.  I must admit I did enjoy doing intervals with the Gale Force Running Group in Ipswich when I was on holidays.  But it's hard when you are not with a group and are trying to do it yourself.  But I will try!

Because: Sore today equals strong tomorrow.

I must apologise that my posts always seem to be running or exercise related but that's just my life at the moment.

And here's a pic of me being strong!!