I'm back! You guys are too kind with your feedback. If my blog has entertained you, got you off the sofa (sofa-it-is is the worst ever), made you try a new class - Im thrilled! If its done none of those things mentioned - I would say quit reading now because its more of the same!
What was orginially a 4 week blog (for that depressing month of January) - is now being extended! I will try and blog monthly and keep you posted on my fitness stories (and mishaps!).
So I kept up the "No (bad) Carbs and No Crap" diet for just over 3 weeks in the lead up to my birthday. At which point I undid all the goodness! But it really did get easier as time went on. It is all about being organised, knowing what is good for you and most importantly - avoiding all things that taste in any way nice as well as alcohol. I've come to the conclusion - if it tastes good - it's probably not good for you! It's not all about working out - you have to be eating healthy too unfortunately!
After the 3 weeks of eating healthy - I am feeling a LOT more energetic. I am drinking far more water. A friend of mine told me - you should drink water until you cannot drink anymore. Im not a big water drinker - but Im making a concious effort to drink 2-3 litres a day. Having a bottle on my desk at work definitely helps. Another thing I have noticed - most of the time when I think Im hungry - I am more often dehydrated. So drink (water) to your hearts content!
As well as eating healthy, I have done everything in my power to cut out the alcohol where possible - so I now avoid a "small glass of wine" on a Monday, or after work wine on a Thurs and crazy nights out at the weekend. Once you get over the inital stigma of not drinking and people going "Oh SJ is definitely preggers if she isnt drinking" - it's fine. I just have sparking water to replace the sparking wine cravings!
Alcohol is absolutely lethal - I had one big night out last weekend (said night that I ate my weekly calore intake in a night also!) - and I wasnt right for 3 days. Dont get me wrong - it was a great night, and we have to enjoy ourselves too. So every now and then its ok to go out and have a few drinks. On the upside - I was a very cheap date and was nicely merry after 2 glasses of prosecco! It was more the not being able to eat healthy for the next 2 days - I just wanted sugary foods and takeaway. Which meant the badness continued. But Im back to normal now a good 72 hours later!
As well as eating healthy- I have also started getting personal training sessions @Functional Training Ireland with Joey Boland - Personal Trainer/Physio to the stars (well GAA All-Stars!) and me. Lucky him Right! Despite the bruises, the torture I endure and the odd broken nail - I really enjoy it. And Im not just saying that. I am doing group training sessions twice a week (usually 2-4 people of similar fitness). Training can be done in the morning or during lunch hour. FTI typically avoid training people late in the evening as people are tired after work. Which is interesting because I usually train in the evening in my gym.
If you are a morning person (which I am categorically not) - then you should train before work. Benefits (according to Google!) - 1. consistent workout i.e. you are unlikely to avoid training because of work or a social commitment. 2. Jump Starts your metabolism and keeps it elevated for hours- which is great for us folk that sit at a desk all day! 3. Gives you energy - releasing endorphins and other hormones first thing in the morning. I am just a pleasure to be around after a morning workout. I wouldn't talk to me on a normal morning! 4. Clears your mind - and you start the day stress free. 5. Your done! - biggest benefit of all - you have your daily exercise done if you wish!
Back to the personal training - I am into week 3 of 12 - and I am certainly feeling a lot fitter. I am feeling stronger and more confident doing exercises. Although personal training puts a bigger dent in your pocket- I am a total advocate. Getting the personal attention and being told (sometimes over and over again!) that I am doing something wrong and then fixing it is invaluable. "Get off your toes SJ" - thats the most common one. Funny though - my Irish dancing teacher would have said "Get up on your bloody toes SJ!".
Some people have asked what exactly we do in personal training. Typically - I train with one other girl, and we do different circuits - exercising all parts of the body. Examples of circuits include lunges with weights, squats with kettlebells and medicine ball work. My recent favourite is push ups - on my head. Sounds ridiculous - but I managed it! If you are working towards a certain goal, an event or just want to kick start your fitness - see whats available near you. Group personal training is not as expensive as you might think. Now enough selling eh!
If you are to take only two things from this blog it is...1) Avoid Sofa-itis wherever possible and 2) Eat Protein with every meal. Two very different points, but both important!
1. Sofa-itis - that urge you get to sit on the sofa when you get in from work. Don't do it. You will be sorry! Go for a walk, go try a new dance class - some of my friends have started swinging recently (Swing dancing - duh!) - and they just love it, or get out and take up a group sport like tag. No excuses once the weather improves!
2, Protein with every meal. Functional Training Ireland also provided me with lots of good nutrition tips - and this is the main one I have taken on board. I did an assessment - and most days I only ended up having protein with one of my meals. But now - I try and get some form of protein in each meal e.g. eggs or low fat plain yohgurt for brekkie, tuna at lunch, red meat with dinner and turkey as a snack! And if your really really into eating healthy - you should try get veggies in with every meal too - e.g. carrots, tomatoes, spinach and broccoli.
Now - Im off to circuits so I can practice what I preach. I am also going to start taking protein shakes to see what the craze is about -so watch this space!
Hope you enjoyd the read - happy gymming/dancing/getting fit!
SJ x
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