After-holiday Weigh-in

Guess what everyone? I'm exactly the same weight I was when I set out for Melbourne two weeks ago! I thought I may have a couple of extra kilos to kick but it looks like I won't have to worry about that at all.

I'm Back!!

Hello there everyone!
Well I'm back from my two weeks away and I'm raring to get back into my workout & eating regime. I think I did a pretty good job of staying in control during my holiday but my weigh-in tomorrow morning will truly indicate how well I've done. I was very physically active during my trip (actually managing three rather steep hikes to my amazement) and I kept my main meals in check, cooking a 12wbt meal every day for both breakfast & dinner. All lunches were eaten out but we either packed sandwiches or I chose healthier options at cafes/restaurants. The only area I faltered in was the snacks department--- I started allowing myself one sweet drink a day but this ballooned to eating the same amount or even more snacks than everyone else. Its a bad habit that I've slipped back into and I know I'm going to work hard to replace it now that I'm back. Overall I'm quite happy with how well I've done though.

Dinner Dance Dress

Last week I wore my year 11 dinner dance dress for the first time in years to a formal function & couldn't remember it ever looking so good on me. Today I dug around in my old photos & found the ones from the dance---- & my god what a difference! I look so much slimmer now & the dress isn't tight at all! For the first time its really hit me how far I've come in these two rounds of 12wbt (though I probably lost a few kilos between the end of year 11 and now as well).

Legs Day

So it turns out that I was right when I thought I would burn more calories on legs day! In total (workout & walk home) I managed to burn 615 calories--- which I think is pretty epic for a weights workout. I'm so glad I asked my partner for the heart rate monitor, its really quite inspiring to check how much I've burnt & it's very interesting to look at my heart rate during various exercises. I somehow managed to reach a heart rate of 199 at one point and I was surprised to find that my rate went up significantly while planking, despite it being a stationary exercise.

I'm planning to do my Thursday workout tomorrow as I like to use Thursday as my core & stretch day (I usually go shopping for several hours on Thursday so I use that as my cardio). I'll still be doing my Friday workout on Friday and I'll do my SSS on either Saturday or Sunday with my partner. I really need to start packing soon, I can't believe I'll be on a plane in 6 days time!

Cooking up a Storm

So these are some of the things I've been cooking in the last week or two. I don't tend to follow the meal plan, instead I like to try out new recipes &/or remake my favourites.

 Char-grilled Chicken Skewers with Satay Sauce

 Risoni Pasta Salad

 Chicken & Avocado Wrap (not a 12wbt recipe, just made it myself)

 Tuna Mornay

 Bacon & Egg Roll (unwrapped)

 Chicken, avocado & orange rocket salad

 BBQ Tofu, Asparagus & Mushrooms with Balsamic Dressing

 Steak with Creamy Mushroom Sauce

 New Zoo Fritters

Thai Pork Salad

Heart Rate Monitor

My new Polar FT40 heart rate monitor! I'm so glad I chose this one--- it has all the functions I need on it. I also received a signed picture from Mish in the box so I'm extremely happy!

Weeks 3 & 4

I started week 3 quite well with a killer workout on Monday but unfortunately it went a bit downhill after that. I couldn't manage my Tuesday workout due to abnormally painful stomach cramps & in total I only managed three workouts--- the Monday, Tuesday & Super Saturday Sessions. However this wasn't such a bad thing as on Wednesday I dropped below 61kg (my desired weight range is 61-63kg) and it allowed me to get my weight back up a bit.

I had two red flags, one on Friday night & one on Saturday night. I ate well within my calorie allowance for Friday by preselecting a healthy meal but I decided to make Saturday my treat day. My partner & I attended a black tie dinner dance and I didn't feel at all guilty eating every course (entree, sorbet, main & dessert). It's the only meal of this type that I've eaten since I started the 12wbt back in July/August and I think it's safe to say I've earned it. I didn't drink any calorie-containing drinks & the portions were quite artistic (aka smallish) so I doubt it was much a of a blow-out.

Today I awoke to find my new heart rate monitor had been delivered! My partner bought it for me for Christmas and I was absolutely thrilled to find a signed picture from Michelle Bridges inside as well. I tried it out for today's back & chest workout---- I burnt 410 calories at the gym & 145 calories walking home! I'm amazed that I'm burning so much, especially on an arms day. Given my BMR is 1466 this suggests that I should be eating roughly 2000 calories to maintain weight. I've been loath to move my calorie intake up but seeing this I don't think I'll be so guilty in the future.

This coming week I hope to really grind through the workouts & get some great burn going. I'm heading off on holiday next Monday morning so I'd like to feel as though I can indulge a little bit---- maybe eat out for a meal or two or have the occasional special drink. My partner & I have deliberately booked hotel rooms containing a full kitchen so I'm planning to cook healthy dinners for us while we're away. I'm also waiting for the week 5 exercise plan to come out so I can write my own non-equipment exercise routine to do in our hotel room. My intention is to come back from this two week holiday at approximately the same weight & fitness level (possibly even a higher fitness level--- we'll be walking a lot!). I really can't wait!!

Motivational Pictures

On Avocados & Cucumbers

A couple of months ago one of my management lecturers asked the entire class to put up their hand if they could cook. I was the only one to raise my hand & it made me feel really sad... Am I really the only person in 3rd year management who can cook?

I've just seen a lady post on the forums describing a person that hasn't been able to tell apart avocado & cucumber and another that thinks parsley is an 'really uncommon' herb. What is the world coming to? Is the bulk of the population just going to stop bothering to learn about food, nutrition & cooking? That seems like such a terrible waste...

Cooking your own healthy food is a pretty essential skill really; Takeaway might be much more convenient but in the end it doesn't contain the nutrients necessary to sustain your good health in the long-run.

12wbt Cooking

I've been amazed to discover throughout this program how much I love cooking--- I've never felt so passionate about something in my entire life! When I make a great meal it feels like such an accomplishment; I want to go outside & tell the world (& give them free-samples of course)!!

Now all I need is a similarly-crazy cooking buddy to share recipes with & join me when I get excited about stuff like new aprons & flower-shaped measuring cups (I received these for my birthday from my Aunt, I don't think my dad quite understood how ecstatic I was).