This is a fantastic post from Victoria, as it says it all really and i don’t have to add a thing! A great story so far!
FOUR weeks into the programme and four inches off my waist…
Not to mention my shrinking hips, thighs, calves, arms, neck, and shoulders. I can hardly believe it.
A month of hard graft, healthier eating, a few hiccups here and there and still smaller measurements all round.
As I look at my flatter and more toned ‘mum tum’ and my lack of ‘love handles’ I am really excited at the prospect of what the remaining eight weeks will bring.
With only a third of the way into the programme, and such positive results, it’s hard not to get excited – especially if someone had told me a month ago how my last four weeks would have been…
Running up steep hills (Denham Avenue and Penyfai Lane – my legs are weak at the thought), 15 minute-jogs round the water park, bench presses, boxing, sprints, lunges, weights, sit ups, rolling around on balls and press ups..
Don’t be soft I couldn’t possibly do that…?
Well, actually, no one is more surprised than me.. Because I can, have and will continue to improve with the help of a little patience, give and take and will power.
Previously, I would have chuckled at the thought of the above … but now, I’m chuckling at the results – which is far more satisfying. I have come to realise that only one thing really holds us back in life.. And that’s us.
If we THINK we can’t do something, it doesn’t mean we REALLY can’t. I am proof of that.
Before this opportunity, I would never have thought it possible to fit in regular exercise, most of which I do either at home, or around the area I live, and during my lunch hour! Who’d have thought?
My routine is fitting in nicely around the rest of my hectic lifestyle as a single, working mum with a baby and toddler to care for… not to mention the daily washing and cleaning, food shopping, bin changing… the list goes on!
By exercising at home, I have cut out the ‘need’ and ‘worry’ to find babysitters.
The children watch me in the throws of my new lifestyle, laughing when I can’t quite get it and smiling when I finally do.
They can see that as well as being quite tiring – exercise is actually rather fun and enjoyable – so much so they try to join in.
Keri’s patience has been much appreciated in working around my personal circumstances which has made it possible for me to fulfil my ambitious streak to give this programme 100 per cent – well, most of the time anyway!
No one’s perfect. We all get tired, stressed and ratty, lose a bit of faith in our ability to do things- but it’s short-lived and being aware of that, I know these feelings will pass and how fab I feel after a work out.
Can you imagine exercise more addictive than a bar of chocolate??
Well, it can be and a lot more satisfying as well.
A number of exercises that Keri has taught me over the past four weeks could comfortably be done at home without the aid of necessary ‘extra’ equipment.
Such as the arm dips using my kitchen chair, the stairs to run up and down, the floor to conduct sit ups, lunges and various stretches.
Tins of food can be used as an alternative to weights if needs be…
On the subject of food, over the past month, my taste buds have had the luxury of being tempted by a far wider range of things to eat than ever before including fresh fish, greek yogurt and nuts – not all at once of course!
Although, I am aware of what things I ‘should be eating’ and which ‘are better for you’ I am human and make mistakes. Life is all about rules, some we make, some we break and some we bend…
At the end of the day, we need to break a few of them at times to learn from them.
One of the most important lessons I have learnt is that compromise is key to any lifestyle change if it’s to be a success.
If you’re tired don’t hammer it, take it easier…
If you’re hungry don’t binge, have something to hand that satisfies that craving until you get home.
As a food lover, I have been known to succumb to the rather ‘naughty but nice’ treats and meals as opposed to the better, healthier and more nutritional dishes.
Now, as an adult, in control of what I eat, there’s no excuses why I binge, it’s my own personal choice..
Some may say a habit, and as we all know bad habits die hard. I am no exception to this rule.
However, I may be an adult, but I’m also a mum, which over rides everything else.
That is why the last few weeks have helped me considerably.
Being introduced to a wider variety of fruit, making an effort to cook freshly prepared meals from scratch as opposed to the, at times, more convenient, and not half as nice, microwave meals.
We’re all guilty, at times, of choosing things which we know we shouldn’t always but with stressful lives, and from experience, it can be hard which is why preparation is key. Now instead of mulling around the house after the boys go to bed, I lay out the breakfasts ready and get to work on something simple for the following day’s lunch.
So, after zipping home from work for my training session, to jumping in the shower when I’m done to tucking into something tasty that I have prepared myself so know it’s all good – to retuning to work for the afternoon shift- before the night shift with the little ones.
This may seem like hassle but so is rushing around to buy food before my session which means I’m hungry late afternoon and wasting cash because ‘I haven’t got time to make anything- I’m flat out!’.
Well, I’ve leant a lot about preparation and the advantages of being organised and this works a treat for me- allowing me to have a treat.
The last month has also seen a couple of (rare) social occasions crop up- which could have thrown my training and will power into disrepair. This includes a charity meal for the Haiti appeal in a local Indian restaurant famed for its yummy food (how could I refuse, it’s for charity!) and my dad’s milestone 50th birthday (well, a once in a lifetime celebration- say no more).
Now, I love Indian food – tikka massala has always been a favourite – and vodka and diet coke was my tipple… any calorie hunter will know this is the ‘best option‘… well, maybe not.
As Keri has taught me, it’s quality that’s most important … so instead of a tikka massala, I opted for chicken tikka and boiled rice.. Which turned out to be just as delicious.
Leaving aside my vodka, I was told wine was a ‘cleaner’ drink and – low and behold – a night on the wine spritzers left me surprisingly hangover free!
So, tasty food and a lovely drink.
Main lesson learnt is the fact that life goes on – so no matter what healthy lifestyle you lead..
A little rule bending and compromise goes a long way.
Having had such an enjoyable time and far from being restricted which would have seen me go ‘off the rails’ I simply ensured that the remainder of my training went well. I got my head down and it’s clearly paid off.
One happy mummy indeed! Life doesn’t seem so hard anymore.
Surprising what a bit of inner confidence in your ability to achieve your dreams can do.Eight weeks left and counting…
Welcome the new me
Thank you, Vicky. Your enthusiasm is infectious!!
Great post debs, she has made a fantastic effort indeed! And she has 8 weeks left, i remember you making some amazing efforts in the past too, and you’re about to again so let’s pick the pace up right now and achieve big things!
yep very well done Vic 😉 and your right about the infectious part of the workouts.Don’t know how many times I’ve said i cant wait to get up the track and in all this bad weather.Cant wait to get up there in the dry and warmer weather when it comes.keep up the good work 😉
You are an inspiration to others too cyril, before the warm weather comes, i want you in even better shape, and you’re already setting firm foundations down!
cheers dude.Still burning in my legs and arms after the track this morning???its a nice feeling but mad how long it lasts though????
cycled for hr and a bit today hopefully the weekend too.
breakfast muesli OJ
snack some Nat yog nuts strawberries and banana water to drink
dinner turkey Bag 1/2 pear
snack nothing
dinner Spag Bol and pasta twists water
supper nothing tonight i think cos it will be to late after the game….
you are getting good on match day cyril, and very dedicated, notice you miss the pm snack quite often, would make a difference if you filled this obvious hole in the day?
Hi there, just been reading your post vicky well done to you!
Im new to all this,i have never done well with any diet i have tried that is untill now! i have been working with Keri now one day a week for the last six weeks and wow wot a difference, i have already lost 5 inches off my waste and 4 & half off my hips, not only that im nearly a hole stone lighter! amazing for me, and i feel great.
I loved bad food like crisps,chocolate and take aways but now with a little help i’ve stopped all that and started to eat better, i’ve stopped the snacking in between meals which has made a huge difference and keeping up with my workouts which are not that hard to do when you get into it, just twenty mins every other day and a bit of walking on the other days is what i do and i am loving it.
I am feeling better and most of all looking a lot better.
Nicola works very well with the group i work with in the llantrisant store of arthur llewellyn jenkins furniture stores, she is doing exceptionally well and for the first time in a long time, has shown complete believe in herself to reach her targets, which she has smashed through already in her first few weeks! Well done!
Nice one Nicola!! Lovely to hear from someone new!
well done vic and nic, dont get the infectious part Cyril. have a good weekend, ITALY just won, Scoltand out of it. England/Ireland next. Have a good week next week all of you.