This weekend I was part of a journey of 4 young people. They were all different ages in their teens, and they tested for their first level black belts in the Shotokan karate system that I myself train in. This incredible two day journey of watching the tear down and the build up of an aspiring blackbelt can be scary and intimidating for the person who has never done something like this. For the student that is motivated and working towards their blackbelt, it can conjure up the same feelings in addition being intimidating, motivational and inspirational all at the same time. It is a very emotional time for not only the people that are grading for the coveted black belt but the spectators as well. For the four that tested and anyone including myself who has tested for any degree of a blackbelt, it not only is a lesson in the karate skill, tradition and knowledge but what one might learn about themselves. This weekend brought me back as it does for anyone who has tested for their belt, to the moment in time that they went thru this same process and had that hard earned belt tied around their waist.
For me this weekend had a slight spin on it - as I was not the one testing but was one of the moderators that was on the floor, helping with these young peoples' journey, encouraging and motivating them, as well as watching history in making. The torch has been passed - our beloved Sensei and friend who passed away 2 years ago this December had been the last one to run a grading at our dojo and tie on our black belts. For our new Sensei these essentially are his first blackbelts that he has tied their belts on, and promoted them to blackbelt rank. It was a honor and privledge to be on the floor with him, not to mention he is like a son to me and I was so proud of how far he has come!
With all this excitement going on I was still able to get my own personal training in that I needed to do, I just had to be creative and organized when it came to my cardio. Planning ahead is the key! My eating was slightly off in timing - BUT - I did not waver in what I needed to eat. I had packed my food, preparing for the day/s, what I would need to eat and when. Preparation is another key! The same I must say for Sunday - my one day off from work. I had many errands, it is the planning and preparation that is needed to stay on task and regimented. Eating out can be tricky - so you must be diligent in either asking for something that is on your own diet plan, and being creative or bringing your own food. Yes, this can be time consuming - but planning ahead, saves straying to something that you should not be having, or trying to guess what you are going to eat and when. Stay away from sauces. I noticed almost everything that can be ordered comes with a sauce - and how easy it is to *dip just a little*; dipping just a little can add up!
On the training level this week - my energy level seems to be good. In my body I am finding some tightness in my calves and legs towards the end of the week. Unfortunately - due to other commitments on Fridays I have been unable to go to yoga class and I am noticing that my body misses this. Yes - I could stretch at home - when I remember but going to an actual class makes me set aside the time and I make the time to do it.
I am now receiving comments that I am too skinny, or wasting away from customers and people that don't see me all the time. These same people do not know what I am working towards either. My food intake and training is being monitored by my trainer. Our communication is good and we are always talking about what and how I should be eating. I, myself, believe I am eating what I am supposed to eat - of course we are still fine tuning. I feel that I am eating almost all the time, and I am eating a lot more than I normally ate before. Yes - I am noticing body changes - the goal again until the end of December was to reduce as much body fat as possible. Then the heavy weight training will begin in January. I have also been told that I have 9 days off between Christmas and New Years. Absolutely no training. I have some concerns about this. How will my body react to this? How much strength will I lose? How bitchy will I be? (Actually I know exactly how I will be - watch out!!)
Of course with my Type A personality my trainer knows exactly how to get to me! He has now shamed me into committing to a 1/2 Marathon!! ME?? Who does not enjoy running long distances? What the hell?? And why can I not just say - NO I AM NOT DOING THAT! Nope - not me - a challenge, something new to be able to say that I did it? What was I thinking?? I gave him every excuse - he refused to accept it! And me....I signed up and committed to it!!
Adding to the exceptionally busy weekend ~ my mother in law help me complete all my christmas baskets for my business which in turns allows me to concentrate in other areas. This of course is one less stress or worry.
On to a new week, new challenges, new goals....
Did I mention - 16 more days till the dreaded bikini shot?! Yikes!!
Monday, 19 November 2012
Wednesday, 14 November 2012
Update of the week ~
This past week was more of the same - double cardio during the week, and single cardio on the weekend. The completion of the majority of my Christmas baskets has brought some relief. Unless I look at the calender or back in the blog, I have lost track of the weeks. One week blends into the next - but I know come January, I will know EXACTLY what week we are in until SHOW TIME!
Once again I have been reminded that I will be given one week off of training - period! Nothing during the particular rest week - no cardio, no karate, no bootcamp, no spin class - which only means possible hell for the people around me or at least the two that still live in the house. My trainer suggested maybe they start shopping around now for good hotel accommodations. There will be no living with me - I even go to the gym on my vacations!
The exciting part of the week would be how you might look at it - photos! What we see in the mirror is not necessarily what other people see or what the camera shows. I still have a hard time seeing any progress that is/has been made. We are our own worse critics! However - after dissecting the pictures with Blake I was able to see the difference in different parts of my body. As he may see the progress that we have gained thus far, I only see the amount of work that needs to be done prior to May. I was also forewarned that the next set of pictures will be done in a bikini. My body does look totally different in a bikini now than it did a few months back. Less boobs, flatter stomach, that I notice.
Ron, my husband came to spin class with me at the beginning of the week and followed it up with boot camp. I think it was a shock for his system. He has taken up cycling but spin is a different kind of cycling. He noticed his legs were getting fatigued and then he had a hard time catching his breathe for boot camp. With that being said, he has full intentions of coming to spin and boot camp again this week.
I am not finding much difference in my meal plans. I have been diligent in keeping with the alloted carbs - which is half of what the diet plan calls for at each meal. What I have noticed recently is that just prior to *eating times* I get this huge *hot flash*. It's almost like my body knows that it is going to get food. My stomach growls at the exact time that I should be eating. Once again, our bodies are incredible machines.
Below I have posted one of my first photos that we took in September and one of the most recent ones taken the beginning of November so that you can see the changes.
September 2012
November 2012
This past week was more of the same - double cardio during the week, and single cardio on the weekend. The completion of the majority of my Christmas baskets has brought some relief. Unless I look at the calender or back in the blog, I have lost track of the weeks. One week blends into the next - but I know come January, I will know EXACTLY what week we are in until SHOW TIME!
Once again I have been reminded that I will be given one week off of training - period! Nothing during the particular rest week - no cardio, no karate, no bootcamp, no spin class - which only means possible hell for the people around me or at least the two that still live in the house. My trainer suggested maybe they start shopping around now for good hotel accommodations. There will be no living with me - I even go to the gym on my vacations!
The exciting part of the week would be how you might look at it - photos! What we see in the mirror is not necessarily what other people see or what the camera shows. I still have a hard time seeing any progress that is/has been made. We are our own worse critics! However - after dissecting the pictures with Blake I was able to see the difference in different parts of my body. As he may see the progress that we have gained thus far, I only see the amount of work that needs to be done prior to May. I was also forewarned that the next set of pictures will be done in a bikini. My body does look totally different in a bikini now than it did a few months back. Less boobs, flatter stomach, that I notice.
Ron, my husband came to spin class with me at the beginning of the week and followed it up with boot camp. I think it was a shock for his system. He has taken up cycling but spin is a different kind of cycling. He noticed his legs were getting fatigued and then he had a hard time catching his breathe for boot camp. With that being said, he has full intentions of coming to spin and boot camp again this week.
I am not finding much difference in my meal plans. I have been diligent in keeping with the alloted carbs - which is half of what the diet plan calls for at each meal. What I have noticed recently is that just prior to *eating times* I get this huge *hot flash*. It's almost like my body knows that it is going to get food. My stomach growls at the exact time that I should be eating. Once again, our bodies are incredible machines.
Below I have posted one of my first photos that we took in September and one of the most recent ones taken the beginning of November so that you can see the changes.
Wednesday, 7 November 2012
Another month has gone by - or rather how I count now is by weeks, the beginning to the end of the week. I am always looking to see where I am in relation to the beginning of the week compared to the end of the week, how my body feels, how much energy I have - and the exciting part... - what is the plan for the coming week?
This past week I had calliper measurements done, weight measured and an extra last minute spin class thrown in for good measure (pardon the pun). I would consider it a productive week - not to mention I completed all but 3 Christmas gift baskets for my business, and all I have left to do is put bows on them. Yeah me!!
The calliper measurements were a surprise as I thought we were going to do them this coming week. After a short anxiety attack as I wasn't mentally prepared to have them done - the measurements showed I had lost overall another 10 ml body fat bringing the fat down to 64 ml in total, and another 5 pounds!! Whoo Hoo!! We are a long way off, but the goal was to be down at least to 60ml body fat by the end of December. If I can get it lower before then, that's even better. Blake has told me he doesn't like to give actual numbers as a gauge because everybody's body is different. Monthly pictures will be taken this coming Wednesday. I received an email this morning preparing me for the dreaded *bikini shot*. Ugh! One more month then photos will need to be done in the bikini. Now if that isn't motivation to keep working hard, I don't know what is.
Blake has also had me change my eating regime slightly. I am now allowed carbs everyday again, but what ever carb the meal plan calls for I am to do 1/2 the amount. Putting carbs into my diet is actually the hard part, as it is easy just to have the vegetables and protein. My most favorite meal at the moment is my morning protein pancake, and my evening snack of greek yogurt with 1/4 c. of berries, usually blueberries.
My eating times are a definite 3 hours - my stomach is growling and letting me know I need to eat. My water intake has been good as well, I am almost drinking 3 large jugs of water, which is approximately 4.5 litres or a little more. I am finding if I don't drink it I miss the water. Funny thing what are bodies can do, and the amazing machines that they are. Remember taking in that much water, you must get rid of the water too - which means more bathroom breaks.
Body changes are showing a little more for me. Today I noticed that my face seems to have slimmed down some. My pants are definitely looser as my son pointed out to me on the weekend, and my shirts are slightly baggier. A few people have commented about my arms looking smaller. The one thing I wonder...were they *fat* before? I've been told - *You're skinny*. Hmm...compliment - Yes? Or a derogatory comment - No? At this time I have to take it as a compliment, which is the case - I just wonder - *How fat was I before*|?
My oldest son competed in a power lifting competition this weekend, and took gold. This also qualified him for the Nationals in April 2013. This was the first time that he has done something like this - a different experience for him. This son will compete in May in the same competition that I am doing as well.
Off topic on a personal side - This past week my youngest son told his Grandma she was going to be a Great Grandma. I think he was a little nervous and was concerned about her reaction. Non the less, as grandma's are - she was thrilled that she is going to be a Great Grandma in 2013. We still don't have an actual date yet - we will know more towards the end of the month. More baby news, we were also told that there will be another baby in the family as my niece and her husband are expecting as well - babies, babies, babies - how exciting is that?? He will announce it to the rest of the family when he hears the expected date of arrival.
Until next week - or updated progress photos.
This past week I had calliper measurements done, weight measured and an extra last minute spin class thrown in for good measure (pardon the pun). I would consider it a productive week - not to mention I completed all but 3 Christmas gift baskets for my business, and all I have left to do is put bows on them. Yeah me!!
The calliper measurements were a surprise as I thought we were going to do them this coming week. After a short anxiety attack as I wasn't mentally prepared to have them done - the measurements showed I had lost overall another 10 ml body fat bringing the fat down to 64 ml in total, and another 5 pounds!! Whoo Hoo!! We are a long way off, but the goal was to be down at least to 60ml body fat by the end of December. If I can get it lower before then, that's even better. Blake has told me he doesn't like to give actual numbers as a gauge because everybody's body is different. Monthly pictures will be taken this coming Wednesday. I received an email this morning preparing me for the dreaded *bikini shot*. Ugh! One more month then photos will need to be done in the bikini. Now if that isn't motivation to keep working hard, I don't know what is.
Blake has also had me change my eating regime slightly. I am now allowed carbs everyday again, but what ever carb the meal plan calls for I am to do 1/2 the amount. Putting carbs into my diet is actually the hard part, as it is easy just to have the vegetables and protein. My most favorite meal at the moment is my morning protein pancake, and my evening snack of greek yogurt with 1/4 c. of berries, usually blueberries.
My eating times are a definite 3 hours - my stomach is growling and letting me know I need to eat. My water intake has been good as well, I am almost drinking 3 large jugs of water, which is approximately 4.5 litres or a little more. I am finding if I don't drink it I miss the water. Funny thing what are bodies can do, and the amazing machines that they are. Remember taking in that much water, you must get rid of the water too - which means more bathroom breaks.
Body changes are showing a little more for me. Today I noticed that my face seems to have slimmed down some. My pants are definitely looser as my son pointed out to me on the weekend, and my shirts are slightly baggier. A few people have commented about my arms looking smaller. The one thing I wonder...were they *fat* before? I've been told - *You're skinny*. Hmm...compliment - Yes? Or a derogatory comment - No? At this time I have to take it as a compliment, which is the case - I just wonder - *How fat was I before*|?
My oldest son competed in a power lifting competition this weekend, and took gold. This also qualified him for the Nationals in April 2013. This was the first time that he has done something like this - a different experience for him. This son will compete in May in the same competition that I am doing as well.
Off topic on a personal side - This past week my youngest son told his Grandma she was going to be a Great Grandma. I think he was a little nervous and was concerned about her reaction. Non the less, as grandma's are - she was thrilled that she is going to be a Great Grandma in 2013. We still don't have an actual date yet - we will know more towards the end of the month. More baby news, we were also told that there will be another baby in the family as my niece and her husband are expecting as well - babies, babies, babies - how exciting is that?? He will announce it to the rest of the family when he hears the expected date of arrival.
Until next week - or updated progress photos.
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