Health and Fitness Friday

Fitness

Oh what a week of highs and lows.
The sun arrived here last weekend and I have not come inside since. But I haven't worked out as much as I would have liked. I'm not too bummed about it though. We may not have the sun for too long and I intend on enjoying every single minute with my kids outside.

I did get 2 short runs in this week. I ran 2 miles both times. My first run was ok, " miles in 23ish minutes. The second one, not so good. I don't know if it was the heat or me but it was tough. It could have been the hills too. I need to find some nice flat runs and get some mileage up.

I did my abs and arms workouts 4 days this week so I'm ok on that side of things.

Health

Health has been good. I've been eating good and I've been having smoothies and fruit between meals instead of cookies and bad snacks. I'm going to try some new smoothies this week and I'll post my favorites here next week.
My favourite this week is :
Strawberry
Blueberry
Banana

That's is this week.
I'm linking up with Jen as usual.

Health and Fitness Friday

It's my favourite post of the week again.

Linking up with Jen for Health and Fitness Friday.

Fitness

Friday I went back to Beach Body Bootcamp. It went much better time time. Didn't need the sick bucket at all. I'm loving this work out. It's challenging me so much. It's working every part of my body. 

Did my squats too didn't find them too hard but they are getting harder to do. I think i@m going to have to play these squats by ear. I don't want to push my legs too hard and not be able to run or do my BB Bootcamp. I'm doing lots of legs and butt exercises in my class so I'm not too worried.

In case you missed it lat week, this is the 30 day squat challenge.

Didn't have a class on Monday because of the Bank holiday but I got plenty of exercise cleaning out horse. Plenty of cardio and a good arm workout.

Wednesday was BB Bootcamp again and this time I rocked it. I gave it everything I had. I sweat like real women do. Thought me and another girl would need the sick bucket but we survived. 3 circuits with 8 stations again. The time in these classes go really fast. You have a 45 minute workout done before you know it.

Thought I would get to go for a cycle or run this week but the weather is just awful here. Rain and wind in MAY?? I'm totally sick of it. I may have to sweet talk the hubs into getting a treadmill so I can get in my runs. 

A girl can only try, right??

Today, I'm heading back to Beach Body Bootcamp. I just hope I won't need the sick bucket.Ha!

Tomorrow Morning at 4am I'm running a 5k. Thats right...4AM!

A small bit crazy but it's for an amazing foundation, Pieta House, Suicide Crisis Centre.

I have know way to many people who have taken their live through suicide and even writing this and thinking about them is making me well up. So, if getting up at 2am to go running at 4am makes even a little difference and helps someone who is suffering, then count me in. 

Plan for the week

Friday : Beach Body Bootcamp 

Saturday : Darkness into light 5k

Sunday : Couch to 5k training + 130 squats

Monday : Beach Body Bootcamp + 135 squats

Tuesday : 140 Squats

Wednesday : Cycle + rest

Thursday : 145 Squats

Health

Health wise I'm good. Still need to lower my sugar intake but I'm working on that. I found out that bread is my enemy. I went a whole month without bread and didn't think anything about it. But I got a major craving for it last weekend and had toast every morning and even through out the day. Fast-forward to Tuesday and I am a bloated mess. Jeans that were fitting me 10 days ago were now really tight on me. My stomach was sore to touch and really bloated and I'm blaming the bread. I'm now on a bread boycott and hoping that fixes the problem. Does anyone else have that problem with bread? Would love to know how you cope?

That's it for me this week.

Please pray that I manage to get up out of bed at 2am. Not going to be easy.

Happy Friday peeps!!

Health and Fitness Friday!

It's my favourite post of the week again.

Linking up with Jen for Health and Fitness Friday.

Fitness

Monday, I got back into the swing of things and headed to Beach Body Bootcamp. I thought it was going to be tough seeing that I was out for a month. I started out great. Nearly 2 circuits of 8 stations done and I was still standing. Started the 3rd circuit and the burn really started to hit. I didn't think I was going to finish. I was sure I was going to have to run to the bathroom and throw up but I held my sh#t together and finished strong. 

I also started the 30 day squat challenge on Monday. It's going to be tough but I excited to see the results. I'm going to take measurements and tell you guys if it really worth it. Not sure if I'm ever going to be able to do 250 squats but only time will tell. Any of you fitness girls wanna join me? We can keep an eye on each other through Twitter.

Wednesday, I went for a cycle. Now the last time I was on a bike was about 12 years ago. I didn't even know if I could ride a bike anymore. I wanted to change up my workout routine. Did I mention that the last time I rode a bike there was no such thing as having to wear a helmet. I thought I looked like a hot mess but I'm glad I wore it cos I very nearly fell off the bike when I met the first car on the road. Ha! I clocked up 7k and it felt good.

Thursday was my rest day and I sure needed it. I am having a real hard time sleeping at night .Any tips for getting a good nights sleep?

Today, I'm heading back to Beach Body Bootcamp. I just hope I won't need the sick bucket.Ha!

Plan for the week

Friday : Beach Body Bootcamp + squats

Saturday : Couch to 5k training + squats

Sunday :  Hike + squats

Monday :  Beach Body Bootcamp 

Tuesday : Squats

Wednesday : Cycle + squats

Thursday : Squats

Health

My health is back on track again. I'm finally over the flu and I starting to feel better again. My diet isn't great. In fact it kinda sucks. I'm eating was too must sugar in my food. I'm going to have to find a way of cutting it out of my diet without sending myself into a sugar crashing spiral. It would not be pretty. Trust me.

My dinners are good though. My portions are better and I'm eating more veggies. Need to up my water intake. I have this feeling all these headaches I'm getting could be down to lack of water. 

Any who that's it for me this week. 

Oh!

A question for all you amazing runners who link up.

What is you favourite running shoe and why?

I'm in need of a new pair and have no clue where to start. Any feedback would be great.

Happy Friday peeps!!

Health and Fitness Friday : My 5k

It's that time again!

Fitness

It's been 3 weeks since my first 5k run but it's only now I'm writing about it. 

It was amazing.

I can't believe I finished it.

Me and my Mom on race day.

There were over 800 men, women and children at the run. I was a bit nervous because I could have got in more training before the race but life and kids got in the way. The course was tough and had some hills. One of them was called "Cardiac Hill". It was a tough course for my first 5k but I finished it.

I made some mistakes that I said I wouldn't do. I started out way too fast. I nearly didn't make the first mile mark. I had to stop and get my breath back. Steady myself. When I did get my shit in gear I was doing ok until I got to the bottom of Cardiac Hill. That hill was like trying to go up the wall of the house. No way I could run up there so I walked like everybody else did. Once I got to the top of the hill it was all down hill from there. I got a good pace going and my breathing was good. 

At the bottom of Cardiac Hill.

When I turned into the finish line I got overwhelmed. I could feel tears building up. I had finished it. I was done. I was so proud of myself. My time was 35.04. Not too bad considering the course.

Health

 My health is gone down hill since the race. I got the Mother of all flu's and it kicked my ass for 3 weeks. 
I couldn't shake it!
I have missed all my classes since then too and I miss them.
I'm hoping to get back on track next week and start a new workout program.
Beach Body Bootcamp here I come.

I'm linking back up with Jen over at A Daily Dose of Davis.

Happy Friday!

Health and Fitness Friday : C25K

It's that time again.

Fitness

Had group training on Saturday and it was tough. We had to run for 25 minutes. I managed to run for 20 but my knee started to hurt me and I walked till it eased off. My trainer said he gets it too and just try jog through it. Hopefully this Saturday will be easier. On the plus side I wasn't out of breath at all. My breathing wasn't even an issue.

Sunday, I had a 2 hour walk while out hunting through fields. I can't believe how much my fitness has improved since starting this C25K training. My lung capacity has improve so much too. I'm hardly ever out of breath on.

Monday, I went back to my skinny jean class. I didn't hurt as bad this week. I'm seeing and feeling changes in my jeans. They fit differently and there is a lot less wiggling then before. Ha! 

Today I'm heading to my sculpted abs class and I'm excited. I'm noticing changed in this area too. Not huge changes but there is less on a muffin top when I put on my jeans. I'm also seeing a little more definition on my abs too. WOO HOO!! 

We're starting week 8  of the Couch to 5k program.

Brisk five-minute warm-up walk, then jog 2.75 miles (or 28 minutes). 

Brisk five-minute warm-up walk, then jog 2.75 miles (or 28 minutes). 

Brisk five-minute warm-up walk, then jog 2.75 miles (or 28 minutes). 

My plan for the week.

Friday (today) : Abs class

Saturday :C25K Training

Sunday : Hunt

Monday : Skinny Jeans

Tuesday : Rest

Wednesday : Run

Thursday: Rest

Health

Health is ok. Still a little under the weather but I'm muddling on through.I'm still having my porridge in the morning. It fills me up and I'm not snacking as much in the mornings. Didn't cook anything new this week but hopefully I'll try something new next week.

And that's it. I'm linking up with Jen over at A Daily Dose of Davis where she is celebrating 6 Months of this amazing link-up. Hope the be here linking up for another 6 months. 

Congratulations Jen!! 

Health and Fitness Friday : C25K

It my favourite post of the week again.

This week has not been great though.

Health

Last Friday, I was still sick. I thought I was getting better. I thought I would be able to get in a run and a class.

Wrong!

Did'n't get a run and didn't make my sculpted abs class. Not happy.

But I'm better now and I determent to make this week a better week.

On the plus side my weight is still the same and I did pretty good with my diet this week. I have had porridge(oatmeal) every morning this week. Not only is it healthier than tea and toast but I was able to cut down on my sugar intake and I felt really full all morning.

Dinners were great. Cooked every night. 

Fitness

Never made it to group training this week. But I did get out and did some hiking through fields out hunting.

Monday, I went back to my skinny jean class and it hurt like hell. I am never taking a week off no matter how sick I am. But it felt so good to get back to my workouts.

Today I'm heading to my sculpted abs class and I'm pretty sure it's gonna be rough but I can't wait.

We're starting week 7 of the Couch to 5k program.

Brisk five-minute warm-up walk,

 then jog 2.5 miles (or 25 minutes).

Brisk five-minute warm-up walk,

 then jog 2.5 miles (or 25 minutes).

Brisk five-minute warm-up walk, 

then jog 2.5 miles (or 25 minutes).

Somehow I don't think I'm gonna be able for this week so I might have to repeat last week. Either way I'm going to get out and log some serious miles and minutes this week.

My plan for the week.

Friday (today) : Run and Abs class

Saturday :C25K Training

Sunday : Hunt

Monday : Skinny Jeans

Tuesday : Rest

Wednesday : Run

Thursday: Rest

Found these on pinterest and This is what I'm aiming towards.

I'm linking up with Jen over at A Daily Dose of Davis for today's post.

Have a great weekend runners.

Health and Fitness Friday : C25k Training

Happy Friday everyone!!

It's time for my favourite post of the week.

I'm linking up with Jen over at A Daily Dose of Davis for Health and Fitness Friday.

Lets start with last Friday. Went to my Sculpted Abs class and I was glad to find that my torn ab muscle was much better. No pain when I was doing the exercises. Felt good to feel the burn in a good way.

Saturday was C25K group training day. I was all set for a good run. The grand opening of the railway track we run on was happening there that morning but we didn't think it would hold us up too long. Boy were we wrong!! We stood for an hour in the freezing cold while the councilors and ministers talked. It's was like 1 degree. Finally got to run and it turned out to be a good run. We did 3.5k run/walk in 30 minutes. Bad news is I got a cold out of it and have been sick all week.

Sunday was going to be my rest day but I went following a hunt to take photos. I spent the day running up and down hill and fields, climbing over gates and ditches and running up and down roads all the while trying to get some good photos. So much for a rest day. It was fun though.

Monday was meant to be my Skinny Jean class. After Saturday and my hard day Sunday I was beat Monday. Every part of me ached. My head was throbbing and I couldn't breath through my nose. I decided to skip the class and sit by the fire with a hot drink.

Wednesday, I felt much better. Needing to get my butt back in action. I decided to go for a run. Wasn't expecting anything am

azing. I didn't think I was going to be able to do the 8 minute runs. I thought I try 5 and see how I feel after that. I surprised myself. I managed to do 2 miles in 22 minutes. I could have run for a little longer too but I got back home at 22 minutes and decided to stop while I was going good. 

I can't believe the changes in me in a month. It's amazing!! I can breath and run at the same time. That never happened before. Ever!!

Going to try get another run in today if I can.

 The plan for the coming week.

Friday (today) : Run and Abs class

Saturday : Hunt

Sunday : C25K Training

Monday : Skinny Jeans

Tuesday : Rest

Wednesday : Run

Thursday: Rest

We're moving on to week 6 of the Couch to 5k program.

Brisk five-minute warm-up walk, then:

Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes)

Walk 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes)

Jog 3/4 mile (or 8 minutes)

Walk 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes)

Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes)

Brisk five-minute warm-up walk, then:

Jog 1 mile (or 10 minutes)

Walk 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes)

Jog 1 mile (or 10 minutes)

Brisk five-minute warm-up walk, then:

 jog 2-1/4 miles (or 22 minutes) with no walking.

My diet was ok this week. My main meals were great but my snacking... not so much. I had a major dose of the munchies when I was sick and the chocolate was hit hard. But onwards and upwards and I'm gonna do better next week.

I did try a new recipe this week for my cooking link-up Tried and Tasted. Beef stew with seasonal vegetables from the Operation Transformation website. It was delicious. I'm going to be making it again for sure.

And that is it for this week.

Health and Fitness Friday : C25K Training

It's been a good week for me.

2 classes, 2 runs and my diet wasn't too bad either.

I managed to get in a run besides the one at training and I am very happy with it. I ran in the pouring rain. A first for me. My time was slower then at training. I guessing because I didn't have the group pushing me on. But my pace was good and there was no fat man sitting on my chest stopping me from breathing.

This run felt different. It felt fantastic! It felt natural to me. It gave me the want for more. More running. More miles. I looking forward to the day were 2 miles is just my warm-up.

I know 2 miles isn't much but it 2 miles more than I ran last week and that is huge for me.

We're moving on to week 4 of the Couch to 5k training  program.

/

Week 4

Brisk five-minute warm-up walk, then:

Jog 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes)

Walk 1/8 mile (or 90 seconds)

Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes)

Walk 1/4 mile (or 2-1/2 minutes)

Jog 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes)

Walk 1/8 mile (or 90 seconds)

Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes)

Brisk five-minute warm-up walk, then:

Jog 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes)

Walk 1/8 mile (or 90 seconds)

Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes)

Walk 1/4 mile (or 2-1/2 minutes) 

Jog 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes)

Walk 1/8 mile (or 90 seconds)

Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes)

Brisk five-minute warm-up walk, then:

Jog 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes)

Walk 1/8 mile (or 90 seconds)

Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes)

Walk 1/4 mile (or 2-1/2 minutes)

Jog 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes)

Walk 1/8 mile (or 90 seconds)

Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes)  

This could cause huge problems for me if I set out too fast. I need to concentration on my pace and breathing and not who's passing me out.

"The only person I need to beat is myself"

This in my motto to try keep me on track.

Hope it works.

My classes I started are going good too. The second skinny jean workout was so much better. I was able to get down the stairs like any normal person would and I wasn't afraid to sit down. ha!

The sculpted abs workout was amazing.I didn't feel any burn when we were doing the exercises but I felt it after. I felt it in the muscles deep, deep down in my abs. The ones that I forgot I even had. I felt it all weekend and up until Tuesday. I can't wait to go again today and see what the trainer has in store for us.

Here are my workouts for the week.

Friday (today) : Sculpted Abs

Saturday : C25K training

Sunday : Walking

Monday : Skinny Jeans workout

Tuesday : Walking

Wednesday : Jog( fingers crossed)

Thursday : Walking

I've cut down on my sugar intake. I decided to try wean myself off it. Don't think I could handle the headaches and possible mood swings if I went cold turkey. It's like a drug. 

I tried a few recipes from the Operation Transformation program. Healthy Cottage pie and Chicken pineapple curry with pea rice are two that I've tried and they were Yummy! Everyone had seconds and plates were clean.

That's it for this week. I'm linking up with Jen over at A Daily Dose of Davis for her weekly linkup.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Fitness Friday : C25K Training

I am loving being back running.

I forgot how much I love it and how good you feel after a good workout.

Were starting week 3 of our Couch to 5k training program that the local Fitness Group, Feale Fit, have set up for us.

If I'm being honest, I'm finding it hard to get out during the week. Between weather, kids and all the other madness in my life, it's HARD!

Here is week 2 and 3 of the training.

Week 2

 Brisk five-minute warm-up walk.

Then alternate 90 seconds of jogging and two minutes of walking for a total of 20 minutes.

Brisk five-minute warm-up walk.

 Then alternate 90 seconds of jogging and two minutes of walking for a total of 20 minutes.

Brisk five-minute warm-up walk.

Then alternate 90 seconds of jogging and two minutes of walking for a total of 20 minutes.

Week 3  

Brisk five-minute warm-up walk, then do two repetitions of the following:

Jog 200 yards (or 90 seconds)

Walk 200 yards (or 90 seconds)

Jog 400 yards (or 3 minutes)

Walk 400 yards (or three minutes)

Brisk five-minute warm-up walk, then do two repetitions of the following:

Jog 200 yards (or 90 seconds)

Walk 200 yards (or 90 seconds)

Jog 400 yards (or 3 minutes)

Walk 400 yards (or three minutes)

Brisk five-minute warm-up walk, then do two repetitions of the following:

Jog 200 yards (or 90 seconds)

Walk 200 yards (or 90 seconds)

Jog 400 yards (or 3 minutes)

Walk 400 yards (or three minutes)

I have also started some workout classes in the hopes of shaping up. Skinny jeans and sculpted abs are the name of the two classes. I really enjoyed the skinny jean class. It was tough and I nearly died. My legs were like jelly. I was afraid to sit down for fear that I wouldn't be able to get up. But I was worth it and I'm going back for more.

I'm heading to sculpted abs class this afternoon and I'm excited to feel the burn again.

My diet is improving too. Cutting down on sugar and salt which are two of the worst things I add to my food. I'm also using this juice I found on Pinterest. You can head on over to my my health and fitness board and see some of the pins I found.

The juice in called Dr. Oz swimsuit slim-down juice.

Combine

1 cup of grapefruit juice

2 teaspoons on apple cider vinegar

1 teaspoon of honey

 Drink this combination before every meal. Apple cider vinegar helps you burn and break down fat. This drink combination also burns away your fat, literally. Drink it 3 x per day before meals.

Now I'm not one for trying every new thing I see on the internet of TV but it Dr. Oz. The man has been on Oprah like a million times. Well, maybe not a million but if he was on Oprah then that's good enough for me.

And that's pretty much it for this week. I'm linking up for Fitness Friday over at A Daily Dose of Davis.

Happy Friday Friends.

Have an amazing weekend!!

Couch to 5k training

I am running a 5k run.

ME!

I haven't run that far since I was a teenager.

2 babies and a lot of years later and I'm starting my training.

I tried in on my own and FAILED. Seriously failed!

So, I thought I get a little help and I've joined a running group.

With the help of local fitness team, Feale Fit, This group is going to be ready to run the 5k in Tournafulla.

I CAN'T wait.

I forgot how much I love to run.

Here's the first weeks training. 

Week 1

          Workout 1   

Brisk five-minute warm-up walk. 

Then alternate 60 seconds of jogging and 90 seconds of walking for a total of 20 minutes.

Workout 2

Brisk five-minute warm-up walk. 

Then alternate 60 seconds of jogging and 90 seconds of walking for a total of 20 minutes.

Workout 3

Brisk five-minute warm-up walk.

 Then alternate 60 seconds of jogging and 90 seconds of walking for a total of 20 minutes.  

The sickies invaded my house this week so my training kinda didn't happen. But I'm gonna make up for it.

Happy Running everyone.