No 94.7 for me this year! :(

 Well the sad thing is that I will not be doing the 94.7 cycle race this year.  (Sorry Chris – feels like I’ve let you down! But The Argus is around the corner.)
Someone reminded me about the old saying, “life, love, and everything in between”, and of course, my personal favourite, “life is what happens while you’re making other plans”.  I’m not going to be able to buy a bicycle over the next few months. 
But the upside is that I’ve just had a fantastic holiday, loved every last minute of it.  I wouldn’t exchange that experience for anything in the world.  (Not even a bicycle! J) 

That cell account court me though.  No matter how careful you are, it always does.  Horrible little, lovely thing!
Just over R5000 bill for the trip, so didn’t really bargain on that.  Then my fridge stopped working, still need to get that fixed, shoe.....  Was going to buy my bicycle this month, but it does appear that the universe and I are not in alignment with regards this wish.  C'est-la-vie. 

So if no cycling then at least back to gym with me.  I have been waiting around for this blasted cycle, so as to get moving with exercise.  Well that showed me.
I’m not saying I’m never going to cycle, ever.  Just not now.  Life is happening, while I’m trying to cycle.  I will not give up, I will not surrender....

"Ready to Release the weight"

I get a daily inspirational mail "Thin Thoughts" - Todays's mail was a really interesting read and more than once I thought "That's me".

Here are some highlights:

One of the most common reasons why people struggle to lose weight and keep it off is because they are waging an inner battle against themselves. One part of them (usually their conscious mind) desperately wants to be rid of their excess weight. They yearn for a slim, healthy, strong, sexy body and would give anything to have it. But another part of them (you might call it their subconscious mind) resists the idea.

If you suspect that this might be an issue for you, here are a few clues to find out for sure:

1) You feel simultaneously excited and nervous about the thought of being thin.

While you love the idea of being fit and trim, you may also experience a twinge of apprehension when you think about it. You may feel somewhat vulnerable, exposed or unprotected without the buffer of excess pounds on your body.

2) You constantly sabotage your own efforts to lose weight.

You tell yourself that you are going to start exercising, give up junk food, cut out sugary drinks and the like, but within moments you are eating and drinking the very things you vowed to give up. Or you have every intention of exercising but then keep coming up with tons of excuses why you can't today - you'll start fresh tomorrow.

3) You beat yourself up for having "no willpower".

It's important to understand that willpower is not the problem here - the true problem is that something deep inside of you does not want to release the fat because it is serving an important purpose. So, those two parts of yourself are fighting against each other - and the more powerful part (which is usually the subconscious fears or beliefs that need to hold onto the extra pounds) will win every time.

There are endless reasons why you may be holding onto your excess pounds. You may feel too vulnerable without them, like you would have no protection against the scary aspects of your life. Or you may be using the excess weight as an excuse so that you don't have to step out of your comfort zone and face other fears. You may even be using the excess pounds as a way to get attention from other people.

Only through dedicated introspection will you know for sure why you are resisting weight loss - and you can then begin the process of improving your thoughts, releasing limiting beliefs, and finally end the inner battle and lose the weight for good.

I desperately want to win this battle and this mail has really made me see things in a different light and understand the route of the problem........

SO THEREFORE I AM NOW "A WORK IN PROGRESS"

*** Finding Inspiration ***

" Celebrate every day with enthusiasm for LIFE!

Recognize each second of every day is a gift to make the world a better place!

Appreciate the time you have to share your magnificent talents with others!

Choose to make a difference! Do it every day and DO IT BIG!!!"

A little update...so this Sunday will be my 2nd cycling race (40km)!! My training has not been what I was hoping, with me been ill and the girls, caused the training to take a bit of a back seat.

At least Henk will be riding with me this time round so that should help with the motivation!!!

As far as the diet.....I've really struggled to get back on track and needless to say the colder weather is not helping!!! But I've realized that I need to loose the weight to obtain MY ultimate GOAL of being HEALTHY, HAPPY & 40.....

So after digging DEEP and some serous SOUL searching.....I'm all charged up and motivated again to take "the bull by the horns" and get this WEIGHT OFF !!!!!

So stay turned and I'll keep you in the "Know"

Less is more??? Or is less just less!!!! mmmmm

“The best results are achieved by using the right amount of effort in the right place at the right time. And this right amount is usually less than we think we need. In other words, the less unnecessary effort you put into learning, the more successful you'll be... the key to faster learning is to use appropriate effort. Greater effort can exacerbate faulty patterns of action. Doing the wrong thing with more intensity rarely improves the situation. Learning something new often requires us to unlearn something old.” Tony Buzan

Words to Live by....

The tragedy in life doesn't lie in not reaching your goal. The tragedy lies in having no goal to reach.
Benjamin May

These words are going to be my inspiration going forward......

As races are scarce and time too, my hubby and I have decided to work out a road route from home with a little of all the elements need to get a good work-out and build fitness!!

We will start with a route of about 20km and increase this monthly by 5-10km depending on my progress. Fortunately I have a hubby that is very encouraging and wants to do this with me, even though we will probably move at a snails pace versus his usual pace.

We have entered a 40km race on the 29th May, it will be our first riding together so best I get my butt in gear and build on my fitness & Speed :-)

Special Day !!

......So today is my BF Mornay's 40th Birthday and I wanted to send her a very Special Message via our Blog, to wish her the very best 40th, may her year ahead be filled with first & foremost ROMANCE, Genuine Friendships, Health & Fitness, success and General ALL ROUND happiness.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! Love & Miss you loads

Got to start it up again!

Having a bit of a holiday slump.  Been up in JHB. Haven’t had time to spin, or go to Yoga.  During Easter was on my parents game farm and I tried to do Yoga with my sister and brother in-law.  That was nice, but I could hardly get out of bed to go to work this morning, let alone go spinning.  J

I know it is the exercise that makes you feel good, and the lack of it is crappy!

My First Race !!

So...I never thought I'd see the day that I took part in a Cycle Race, but there I was...got up @ 05:30, drove through with hubby to Tarlton Raceway where the event took place. Race starting time at 08H05!! Was nervous and really didn't know what to expect.

It was freezing the wind was blowing and the clouds were heavy...all I needed was rain on the road, but fortunately the weather held.

And we were off..... about 280 participants in the 41km.

The ride was not bad overall with a few downhills and some nice long straights but of course there were also the uphills :-(

While riding I kept thinking "R U Mad Christine" but thinking of the long term I kept going....It was not easy staying motivated while riding alone, as the brain plays a big part in all the negative thought's as I have mentioned in my previous Blog, but I got past that!!

I actually got off my bike twice to walk the uphills as I just didn't have the strength in my legs to do it. When on the last hill one of the crew stopped to ask if I think I would finish or if I wanted to give in...I was like, I would really like to finish, but not sure how far still to go, he said well it's about another 7Km and this is the last real uphill....My response was "Hell yes I'm gonna finish", he had a giggle and said "you go girl"...needless to say that I was never happier to see a 2km left to go Board!!!

I was the last one in at 02H45 in the 41Km category, but since checking my time on the net. I saw that 70 persons in my category did not finish the race....so not BAD and the 2nd last person was only 7 min in front of me!!!

So damn that made me feel good and for my first time, I'm really pleased and proud for finishing......

Thank-you to Henk my Hubby, Mom & Mornay for all the support!!!

So now I look forward to my 2nd race on the 1st May for more experience towards my goal of the 94.7 in Nov 2011......

Thinking Positive

Thinking positive....When it comes to achieving a goal this is probably the best rule of the bunch. It has helped me in countless ways.

Any time that a negative thought comes into my head (“I can’t do this!” “It’s too hard!” “I don’t feel like working out now!” “I want to stop!” “I feel lazy today!”), I just push it out.

Squash it!! And then replace it with positive thoughts: I can do this! I am strong! This isn’t too hard! If Xxx can do it, so can I! This is no problem! I’m tough! I am AWESOME!!!!!!

Positive thinking will get you past any exercise barrier :-D

Small actions - BIG results!!

So it’s Wednesday.  I did my first spinning class for the week this morning.  Last one was on Saturday afternoon.  Was feeling really guilty because I took 2, that’s TWO, days off.  Back on track, amazing how much guilty 45min of heart thumping cycling will eliminate! J

Below, some good advice I got!  Xxx

“The difference between taking baby steps and acting small, Mornay, is that one prepares you for success, the other for a fall.  Of course the baby steps feel silly; this is how we test to see how badly you want what you want.”

So baby steps it is!  Resist acting small; and forging forward toward SUCCESS!

Yeah!!!!

xxxx

The Trial

I’m buggered, 3^rd spinning class this morning.  That makes 3 this week.  I can feel that butt, and even my hair is sore.  The odd thing is I feel FANTASTIC.  I sleep like a log, but wake up refreshed!

So one week of spinning and I think I’ll make next week.  I do feel that I’m a little dehydrated, so going to make an effort to drink water today. 

He, who gives up, will never succeed.  Tony Buzan wrote that “You Are the Architect of Yourself” he also writes that there is no such thing as failure, as long as you don’t give up.  This does not imply that you must do the same thing over and over and after each failure you can eventually hope to succeed.  In fact he say’s chances are you will continue to fail if this is your game plan.  “The brain is designed on a far more realistic, experimental, explorative and exciting model.”  Trail, Event, Feedback, Check, Adjust, Success.  I will explain these as we go along.

So Chris – we are on Tony’s trial – nothing will happen if you don’t first try!  We will not know if we can ride 94.7km’s if we don’t first learn how to do it!

And I now know I can ride a bicycle (hard) for 45min! AWESOME!!!!!

Xxxxx love love love!

Spinning, Spinning, Spinning....

My 1st Spinning Class!!!! Wow....actually made it, it was great fun and the people in the class were great!! Could go at my own pace and really enjoyed it, EXCEPT for that saddle!!! eish....

Feeling the energy and loving it, really glad that between Mornay and I we are actually putting our money where our mouths are and Doing it!!!!

Thank-you Mornay and everyone giving encouragement & support

First Spinning Class

This morning 5:15 was my first spinning class.  Only 10 of us, but then it was early!  It was easier than I thought, and of course I could go my own pace.  But it was good, felt alive. 

The yoga helped a lot.  Deep breath through the nose and out through the mouth.  Concentrated on the breathing, that really helped.  In yoga we are learning how to move “energy”, (which I discovered is a very nice word for “enormous amount of pain”); from the place you feel it, to either your heart or head space!  So you bundle that “energy” (pain) up, and you move it, with your breathing, to the heart or head space.  Take it up on the in breath and push it back down on the out. 

It worked, or the concentrating on getting it to work, distracted me – but I felt good.  Am ready for tomorrow, only doing 3 of these a week.  Now if I can learn to do 6 of those in a row, I’ll make it! Well to the finish line, at least! J

Thank you everyone for the support and encouragement!

xxxx

FIRST SPINNING CLASS TOMORROW - I have a will!

Ok – so one and a half weeks of Yoga and the limbs are starting to feel better. (I.E. not in agony every second of everyday!)  Really enjoying it, feeling very centred and relaxed, or at least that’s how I felt till about 30 min ago.  I called the gym to ask about the spinning class, and yes it runs every weekday morning from 5:15.  And I started hyperventilating! 

So a quick skype to Christine, who calmed me down, thanks Chris!  First spinning class tomorrow morning, oh please let there be no excuses!  I am so completely not not not looking forward to doing this!!!  J this is me, trying to get that happy feeling!!!!

I am a spinning machine, I spin because I can.  Ohm
I am a spinning machine, I spin because I can.  Ohm
I am a spinning machine, I spin because I can.  Ohm
I am a spinning machine, I spin because I can.  Ohm
I am a spinning machine, I spin because I can.  Ohm
I am a spinning machine, I spin because I can.  Ohm
I am a spinning machine, I spin because I can.  Ohm
I am a spinning machine, I spin because I can.  Ohm
I am a spinning machine, I spin because I can.  Ohm
I am a spinning machine, I spin because I can.  Ohm

xxxxxx

Finding Time...

Finding the Motivation is one thing, but finding the time to suit that is a whole different story!! A full time job, family, husband & kids and then still trying to find time in there for yourself & Fitness is not EASY!!!

Went to gym on Friday afternoon, the first time in a Looooong time...was dressed had the takkies on, the towel & water bottle in hand, did the warm up, managed 20 mins on the bike and 5 mins on the Elliptical, by then I was finished.....really unfit :-(

Will need to work on this seriously before I even attempt a spinning class...OMG I won't even last 10mins at this stage !!

As Mornay pointed, my time also seems to be 05:15, very VERY early for ME - but hey the ultimate goal should get me there. This week's weight-in at W/Less was not so great with a gain of 0.6, so now it's back to basics and all the dieting rules.....Hold Thumbs

Good Advice

Been getting really good advice, from a range of people.  The interesting thing is that everyone is saying more or less the same thing.  That in itself is reassuring.  I feel the LOVE!!!

Most popular is a mountain bike with slicks on.  It’s also important that it’s my bike, and works for my height, size etc. 

I need to do spinning at least 3 classes a week, and then get onto the road.  So far I’m still going to Yoga and my body is sore, but pushing through.  I need to make time in my schedule for the spinning classes.  05:15 seems to be the only option.  Will see how that goes.

I do agree with Chris’s comment below about motivation, and going for what you want, and thinking about why you are doing something.  It’s important to have goals and focus beyond the current. 

I’m looking forward to this journey and finding out what my body is really capable of doing.

xxxx

When things...

" The greatest success is not giving up, even when it seems like you should. When things seem unclear, I sit back and ask myself, where are you going and what do you need to do right now to get there?" - This is my positive thought for the moment...

Update: Joined Virgin Active today!!! Got the towel, Water Bottle, Bag & T-SHIRT.

Just need to get the takkies on and attempt to survive a spinning class!!!

Which I believe can be brutal !#@%$!

Stay tuned.....

And I'm off!!!!

I started Yoga on Saturday.  I can hardly walk; move, breath, and I have discovered places in my body, which I just didn't know were there anymore.  I measured all the rates, and BMI's and all that jazz.  I'm ready to go. 

I did 15min on the spinning bike in the gym, really just didn't have time to do more!  The first 5min I thought I wouldn't make it but then I pushed on to 15min and it was feeling good.  Will see if I can push on a little longer tonight.  I've been listening to a lot of advice, and everyone is telling me it's harder riding on the road.  Suspect I'll find out soon enough. 

So I’m doing Yoga because I’m trying to strengthen my mind, along with my body.  I am finding it very hard to find motivation.  Don’t mistake this for unhappiness, feeling very happy.  It’s just the “meaning” part I’m struggling with. 

I have been eating like a horse!  What’s up with that? It’s kind of like I’m scared I’m not ever going to get nourishment again.  Interesting! 

Today's my start...

So I've decided that today is my start....I've got a plan and I'm determined to make my start today!! My plan is to start off slow and up the progress every week until I have built on my fitness level...to help me stay motivated, I've committed to taking part in a cycling challenge (40km) on the 17th April & again on the 1st May - with the support of my hubby Henk who will be doing the 80km....even if I come dead last, I need a goal to get me into mode and help me on the road to the 94.7. Wish me luck!!!!

Taking it one day at a time

Yes the Big 40....so this is where it began, my stunning week-end with my dearest friend Mornay!!

Our chatting & catching up -our dreams, expectations, disappointments etc... ending with our mad

plan to do the 94.7 cycle challenge this year Nov 11.

A life style change is my goal, taking it one day at a time and losing 9.6Kg to date has been a great

achievement and I'm really proud of that!!

Motivation is the key here and Mornay sunshine, we gonna get that going..... get your tackies out

and ready for the ride of your life !!!! - 8 months to go and counting.....

Remember.....

To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe. - Anatole France

We're turning 40 this year

....and I hear that this is when life starts!  So somehow Christine has convinced me to do the 94.7 cycle race in November this year, and if we survive that, we plan to do the Argus next year.  This blog will document our journey.  What we expect to achieve, will I suspect, be contained in these pages.  How we are going about achieving it and the outcomes as well.  But above all else it will be a journey, and one we intend to enjoy!!!  Cause we're 40 and fabulous!!!  (Not yet - - soon!)