Lynne

Today was another benchmark workout with a twist.  Lynne consists of 5 rounds of max bench press and max pull ups to get a total number of reps on completion.  Today we did Strict Lynne which is 5 rounds of strict press and strict pull ups.  The idea is to get the biggest number you can and to scale the weight accordingly.  Today I decided to go with 20 kg and an orange band for pull ups. 

I was pleased that I stuck around the 12 - 15 reps for my shoulder press and between 8 - 10 reps for my pull ups finishing with a total of 107 reps.  It was so tough not being able to bend my knees in the press or start to kip with the pull ups.

We then had a 10 minute finisher which was a team of 3 AMRAP of medicine ball cleans, double unders and a 400 m run holding a plate weight behind our head.  It was a fun little workout that got the heartrate up nicely.

This week is my horror week with Moo going to her high school orientation day, Missy T doing her transition day, the girls' school award ceremony and dance concert with rehearsals nearly every night.  I have lots to do and I wish I could have a day off to get some things organised but I can't see it happening.  The good thing is that I should only miss 1 gym session which makes me happy as I find my training is my stress release.

Busy Bee

Before the tap exam

It has been yet another busy few weeks in our household (mind you, who isn't busy these days?)  The girls have been preparing for their tap and jazz exams which means extra lessons the last few weekends.  I think both girls did well although Moo had a couple of mental blocks in both jazz and tap and had to do her dances a couple of times before she got it down pat.  At least the examiner gives them a chance to get it right and I'm proud of the fact that she persisted and completed the exam.  A couple of years ago she was really struggling with exams and we thought it would be best if she gave exams a miss last year.  She chose to give them another try and, while she had a couple of blackouts her exam experience has been a lot more relaxed this year which I have put down to having a teacher that puts the fun and love back into dance.

Missy T is a totally different kettle of fish.  She tolerates ballet but adores jazz and tap and, particularly in tap, picks up the moves easily.  She is such a confident little thing and takes exams in her stride and the only sign of pressure was when she couldn't find her 3/4 tights and had a mini-meltdown.  Last year she was bordering on being arrogant and did very little practice and her results reflected it so this year she has put in a lot of time into her exam prep but at the same time it hasn't been a chore for her as she simply loves dancing.  I hope she gets the results she's after but, to be honest, I am happy if they both just pass.

Celebrating with an ice cream

I am so slack! Life seems to be getting in the way of blogging at the moment … my Google Reader has over 200 unread items and quickly increasing.

I started my new job last week and am settling in quite well. I’m enjoying the change in role but am still yet to really sink my teeth into things. The people are quite nice and have made me feel welcome.

Training has still been hit and miss. I have joined Michelle Bridges 12 Week Challenge purely to get some much needed accountability. I’m not sure how much I will learn but I guess with regards to health and fitness there always something to learn.

Now that school has started back and the girls have resumed their other activities I can get into some semblance of routine. Both girls are doing dancing again this year and have given up gymnastics. Instead Moo will be doing netball and Missy T will sign up for soccer again. Moo is also learning violin but fortunately that is through school. I’m lucky in that Mal starts early and finishes in time to do the school pick up. He then takes them to their sport and I normally pick them up after work (with the exception of soccer as he is the coach). With a bit of juggling, which I’m sure is common in most families, we make it work.

Catching My Breath

I actually don't have anything on this weekend for the first time in what seems forever. Well, that's apart from going to the gym and taking the kids to gymnastics. Life has been hectic as usual since getting back from our weekend away. I finally decided to go to the doctor to see if there was any medical reason for me being tired all the time. Initially I thought it was just a big old waste of my time especially when she suggested that I get 15 minutes of exercise per day - I literally laughed at her - and then she said that it might be a good idea to change the colours in my house because that might help me get back my mojo. Okaaaaay!! About the only sensible thing she said to me was after I calmly said that I normally do a little more than 15 minutes of exercise a day she recommended that I push myself a bit harder - that maybe my body isn't working hard enough. She is most probably right as I have only been going through the motions recently. So this week I have changed my program and taking the dog for a run a couple of mornings instead of our normal walk. I also included a Body Balance as my sciatic has been playing up a little and the stretching will do it good and I have found my love for Body Attack again. I would like to include some more outdoor workouts as well - even if its just taking the girls on a bike ride. I am feeling better for the changes but I'm still getting tired and am interested to see if anything shows up in my blood work.

I've also been feeling as though I'm at a crossroads with regard to work. Something pretty significant has happened and while I'm not sure what is in store it maybe a chance to make a change although I'm not really sure what I want to be when I grow up yet. This is difficult for me as I always have a definite plan and for things to be up in the air leaves me feeling uneasy. At the moment I'll just sit on my hands.

The girls have their concert next weekend and my sis is coming over from Perth on Monday for the week. This is usually a pretty full-on week but now the kids are that bit older I won't have to sit and wait during every rehearsal, besides I don't have a Blue Card so I'm not allowed backstage (coz I'm such a shady character LOL!).

That's pretty much all from me this week. I hope everyone has a great weekend.

Quickie

Had no time to blog - been incredibly busy. Work is crazy, barely have time to eat - shoving food in as I work. On hols as of 2:30 this arv, can't wait. Not going anywhere, just relaxing at home with the family. Been riding to work this week as Hubs is home with the girls - he picks me up in the arv as I'm too lazy to ride home. Wish I had a pedometer as I think I'm burning some serious cals at work as I have been literally running.

Gotta go - more samples to do.

Bring on the hols.

What a Week

This week was a very looooong one. I had a couple of days of sampling which is always tiring. Tuesday was a big one and ended up being an 11 hour day and then back into it on Wednesday. The second day we couldn't start the boat and had to row to the sample point so by Thursday most of muscles were sore. I decided to head to the gym on Thursday afternoon but really it was a complete waste of time as I had next to no energy to have a really good workout but at least I have had loads of incidental exercise through work.
Today was Missy T's last soccer game for the season. I have loved Saturday morning soccer and I know we are all going to miss it. She had a great season and while she didn't score any goals she really improved her ball skills and most of all she had fun.

Whew!

It has been so busy the last couple of weeks and it doesn't look like slowing down until after Christmas. We've had party after party and in my "spare time" I've made food to take to the parties as well as a costume for Moo's school concert. I've been trying to fit in training as well as make good food choices but its proving difficult as I am racing from one thing to another with little time to prepare my meals.
I'm taking tomorrow off work to take Missy T to the beach for her kindy break-up. Its quite sad because with both the girls we have been at that kindy for the last 3 years and we've come to know the teachers fairly well. I'll really miss the social aspect. It will be nice to only have to go to one place next year though.

At Work On A Sunday

Missy T has her Kindy Christmas Concert on Wednesday as well as a Prep Transition Day so I decided to work today and then have Wednesday off. I'm tired of having to use up my annual leave for kindy or school functions as I would much rather take the time off when the kids are on holidays. The good thing about working on a Sunday is that I can focus on getting odd jobs done that I normally can't do through the week as I have samples to test. Hubby and the girls bought me in lunch which was nice to be able to spend a little bit of time with them today. We don't tend to buy a lot of takeaway as its too expensive so the girls were very excited to get KFC today. He bought Subway for us, I ordered a salad which I was less than impressed with, way too much lettuce and not enough meat for my liking. As I was still a bit hungry I had a few chips and a chicken nugget and I'm still hungry. Its no wonder as when I entered the salad into CalKing it was only 135 calories. I'm on such a steep learning curve with regard to food and I'm still learning the hard way.

I'm glad that we are heading into the best fruit season. I had my first mango of the season today and it was divine. I hate buying mangoes as we used to have a tree in our yard where I grew up so I've only had to start buying them in the last few years. I usually put off buying them until they are cheaper or if I happen to come across a roadside vendor.

Juggling Act

I'm sitting here have a coffee just to try and stay awake. I'm absolutely exhausted today and this mornings training session was a struggle. I'm often tired by the end of the week but I get my training done and feel great afterwards but not today. I guess its because I'm running around like a blue-arsed fly trying to keep a few too many balls in the air. The girls have been rehearsing every afternoon this week which means we have less time to do homework, cook dinner etc. My sister is coming to stay for the weekend and the house looks like a brothel but I simply haven't had the time to tidy up. Luckily its not my mother staying with us as my sister is a little more forgiving of mess especially at concert time (she has 2 daughters as well so she knows what its like).

Better get back to it - try and get a bit more done before I can go home!

Rest Day

I have decided to take today as a rest day. This week is going to be huge as the girls have their dance concert on this weekend therefore we have rehearsals every afternoon this week. I usually get to the gym while the girls are at ballet but rehearsals are at the theatre which is too far from the gym. I'm not feeling too guilty about taking a day off as I'm sure I'll make it up later in the week. Wednesday is usually my lighter exercise day as I only have around 30 minutes to train although its amazing how much Liz can flog me in that short a time :0)

I have been quite tired this week. Work is incredibly busy with more and more samples coming in every day. I started having a mini panic attack as I like to get the results out as soon as I can but at the moment I feel like I'm getting nowhere fast. I took a couple of deep breaths and figured I can only get done what I can - tomorrow is another day although it looks as though a fair bit of overtime is coming up.

Checking in

Not much to say today, just a quick check in. Training is going well still. I have a new program from Liz which got the usual response of, "She wants me to do what?! I can't do that!" Of course, each week I give it a go and find that I can do it and each week I am getting fitter and stronger. I tend to doubt myself and my own abilities - I guess that's because I always sucked big-time at sports as a kid - but I really need to back myself more often.

I have a busy weekend ahead of me. Its my brother's 40th birthday party which will be a harbour cruise. It should be great. Missy T has a party on Sunday and our friends are moving house. I stupidly offered to make some desserts for my brother's party - I just don't know when I will fit it in plus I would love to make our friends some dinner as there is nothing worse than moving house and then have to cook (or have takeaway).

Checking in

Its been hard to get to the old computer lately but I thought I had better post an entry (even though I have nothing of importance to say). I have been cruising along as usual ... managing to fit most of my workouts in. I have been to body attack twice this week but missed my mid-week HIIT as I had to get some groceries and send my niece's birthday pressie (it was her birthday early July. OOPS!) Weight training is going well, I have included single leg deadlifts courtesy of April/May's Oxygen Mag and every week my hammies feel tight. Not a good thing to go to Attack the day after.

Did my measurements this week which I haven't done for a long time and was immediately depressed. I don't know why I was so shocked as all my clothes are starting to get a bit snug.

How do you eat an elephant ....

... one bite at a time. That's been my saying this week. Our two lab assistants have been out sampling the last week and will continue again next week so I suggested that I take time out of my normal duties to do their work (or at least try and keep the work flowing). There are a mountain of samples and while I keep plugging away it seems as though more turn up. I refuse to get stressed about it as I can only do what I can in the time that I have. The unfortunate thing is that my own work is suffering.

New exercise

Today was an incredibly busy day. I went to Body Attack this morning and had a pretty good workout - pushed myself a bit harder which always feels great afterwards - and then my daughter's kindy had a cent sale for which I put myself down as a runner, and run I did. For those who haven't been to a cent sale people buy their tickets and the caller calls out the winning tickets which the runner has to take to the winner. There was over 400 prizes so we were literally run off our feet. It was good fun but I am absolutely knackered now!

Tired today

I didn't sleep well last night so I'm very tired today. I really can't afford to be tired as I have heaps to do around the house today. We are going camping this weekend which means tomorrow I have to shop, take the cat to the kennels and do other odd jobs in preparation for going away. I was hoping to have the house in some sort of order today and although I have washed and folded loads and loads of washing, I feel as though I haven't gotten anywhere. I suppose I could be vacuuming and washing the floors now but I just don't have the energy.

I forgot to get bread yesterday afternoon to which my darling husband suggested that I ride to the shop this morning to get it. So instead of my normal walk, I did a 45 minute bike ride. It was hard slog on the way there as my back tyre was slightly flat. I stopped off at the servo to pump up both tyres and what a difference it made. I then trained chest, back and abs. As my shoulder is still a little bit sore, I cut the weights back slightly but I feel I still got a decent workout.

I'm really sick of food at the moment. I think its because I normally take leftovers when I work so I don't have to prepare anything plus our cupboard is a bit bare and nothing in there takes my fancy. Here's food for today:

1: French toast
2: Vitaweats with cheese, avo and tomato
3: grilled cheese and avo sandwich
4: Maybe some yoghurt and fruit
5: Sausages and veg

I was hoping to train legs tonight because I won't be able to do them Friday and we will be packing tomorrow afternoon (I was wanting hubby to spot me) but I guess I will have to do them in the morning. Maybe I should do higher reps with a lower weight for my squats. It a bugger as I know I can squat at least 30kg a side on the barbell but I just can't get the thing onto my shoulders.