when you've been in bed for three days of it!! Some dreaded lurgy managed to 'stop' me in my tracks this week...aches..fever..swollen glands..
I could hear my body saying, well, you broke your toe...you didn't stop
you tore your calf muscle..you didn't stop
you WILL stop now!
so I did.
The trouble is, being such a creature of routine, I love my routine... get up at 5.45, workout, shower at 7..
I just hate having it broken. Still, I had plenty of time to read my new books, and I am itching to start my new workouts! I should also be able to have my final theory exam in the next fortnight, so looking forward to that. Then Bali.
I am also very over the rain.... and bleak weather.. at least today there is some blue sky and sunshine!
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Books!
I love reading as much stuff as I can...but felt guilty at 'extra' reading during the theory portion of my studies.. so it's nice to have a break from the theory stuff and now read stuff that has just appeared in my mailbox..
The New Rules of Lifting http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1583332383/wwwalwyncosgr-20?creative=327641&camp=14573&link_code=as1
and
Afterburn http://www.afterburntraining.com/
The New Rules of Lifting http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1583332383/wwwalwyncosgr-20?creative=327641&camp=14573&link_code=as1
and
Afterburn http://www.afterburntraining.com/
whilst at the physio...
well, I can at least start back kicking in the kickboxing again! Yay. Now have to do 20 minutes of a walk x2min / jog x 2min session to see how the calf goes...
Anyhow, whilst I was having my tens session (following my 40 minute calf massage!), I was reading the local rag. There was a snippet of really disturbing news. Apparently a car that turned into a parking lot hit a child, injuring it. A crowd had turned on the driver, then the passenger got out to defend the driver...the passenger was then beaten to death. How sick is that? It was in Austin, Texas.
Bizarre world.
Anyhow, whilst I was having my tens session (following my 40 minute calf massage!), I was reading the local rag. There was a snippet of really disturbing news. Apparently a car that turned into a parking lot hit a child, injuring it. A crowd had turned on the driver, then the passenger got out to defend the driver...the passenger was then beaten to death. How sick is that? It was in Austin, Texas.
Bizarre world.
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Something interesting in my inbox
I had my usual email newsletter from Dr John Berardi this morning, and it's just worth posting as a constant reminder around the myths that surround exercise and nutrition...
so, courtesy of the aforementioned Dr Berardi, here it is:
Fitness Myths and "The Truth"
I was recently asked to contribute a few fitness and nutrition myths to a popular magazine. After some consideration, I included 4 biggies - the cholesterol myth, the protein myth, the exercise volume myth, and the aerobic exercise myth.
1) The Cholesterol Myth
Eating eggs leads to high cholesterol levelsAdults are continually told that eating foods rich in cholesterol can elevate an individual's risks of atherosclerosis and heart attacks. As egg yolks are a major dietary source of cholesterol, this has made them public enemy #1. However, research studies consistently show that dietary cholesterol intake does not correlate well with blood cholesterol - in other words, eating foods rich in cholesterol does not necessarily increase blood cholesterol or cardiac risk. Because the body makes its own cholesterol, eating more means the body produces less. And eating less means the body produces more. It's only a small % of the population that doesn't regulate blood cholesterol well - and in these individuals, blood cholesterol can be high regardless of dietary intake. If blood cholesterol is a concern, the best way to deal with it is to increase exercise activity and improve the overall quality of your diet - not to eschew foods because they contain cholesterol.
2) The Exercise Volume Myth
Exercising for 30 minutes 3x per week improves health outcomes.For years we've been told that 30 minutex 3x per week was all we needed to do to improve overall health and body composition. However, according to most research, this minimal amount of activity does very little to improve either health or body composition. New government guidelines suggest that to improve health, one should shoot for 30 minutes of exercise every day. And to improve body composition 60-90 minutes a day is required. Now, before you go whining about time - North Americans plop down in front of the TV for an average of 19.8 hours per week. Surely we can make the time for 3.5-7 hours of exercise per week.
3) The Aerobic Exercise Myth
Aerobic exercise is the best kind for fat loss.Although aerobic exercise burns a higher % of fat per minute spent exercising, aerobic exercise alone does not necessarily lead to leaner bodies. Recent research papers with titles like "Aerobic exercise does not lead to weight loss" are demonstrating that steady-state aerobic exercise is an activity of diminishing returns - the body adapts so quickly that to really get the benefits, you'd have to keep increasing your duration - leading to sessions that would be impossibly long in duration. So the real "best" exercise for weight loss is a combination of high intensity interval exercise, strength training, and a small amount of aerobic exercise. Of course, nutrition is important too.
4) The Protein Myth
Protein builds big muscles.Although athletes and exercisers have believed for generations that eating more protein builds big muscles, this statement isn't always true. Sure, if an individual is undereating protein (getting less than the recommended 1.5g/kg) then they might see some muscle growth with an increased intake. However, additional protein above this intake won't build more muscle. However that doesn't mean that this additional protein is a waste. In fact, additional protein intake helps improve body composition by helping maintain a higher muscle to fat ratio. Same muscle mass - less fat - sign me up!
You can find more pearls of wisdom at http://www.precisionnutrition.com/
so, courtesy of the aforementioned Dr Berardi, here it is:
Fitness Myths and "The Truth"
I was recently asked to contribute a few fitness and nutrition myths to a popular magazine. After some consideration, I included 4 biggies - the cholesterol myth, the protein myth, the exercise volume myth, and the aerobic exercise myth.
1) The Cholesterol Myth
Eating eggs leads to high cholesterol levelsAdults are continually told that eating foods rich in cholesterol can elevate an individual's risks of atherosclerosis and heart attacks. As egg yolks are a major dietary source of cholesterol, this has made them public enemy #1. However, research studies consistently show that dietary cholesterol intake does not correlate well with blood cholesterol - in other words, eating foods rich in cholesterol does not necessarily increase blood cholesterol or cardiac risk. Because the body makes its own cholesterol, eating more means the body produces less. And eating less means the body produces more. It's only a small % of the population that doesn't regulate blood cholesterol well - and in these individuals, blood cholesterol can be high regardless of dietary intake. If blood cholesterol is a concern, the best way to deal with it is to increase exercise activity and improve the overall quality of your diet - not to eschew foods because they contain cholesterol.
2) The Exercise Volume Myth
Exercising for 30 minutes 3x per week improves health outcomes.For years we've been told that 30 minutex 3x per week was all we needed to do to improve overall health and body composition. However, according to most research, this minimal amount of activity does very little to improve either health or body composition. New government guidelines suggest that to improve health, one should shoot for 30 minutes of exercise every day. And to improve body composition 60-90 minutes a day is required. Now, before you go whining about time - North Americans plop down in front of the TV for an average of 19.8 hours per week. Surely we can make the time for 3.5-7 hours of exercise per week.
3) The Aerobic Exercise Myth
Aerobic exercise is the best kind for fat loss.Although aerobic exercise burns a higher % of fat per minute spent exercising, aerobic exercise alone does not necessarily lead to leaner bodies. Recent research papers with titles like "Aerobic exercise does not lead to weight loss" are demonstrating that steady-state aerobic exercise is an activity of diminishing returns - the body adapts so quickly that to really get the benefits, you'd have to keep increasing your duration - leading to sessions that would be impossibly long in duration. So the real "best" exercise for weight loss is a combination of high intensity interval exercise, strength training, and a small amount of aerobic exercise. Of course, nutrition is important too.
4) The Protein Myth
Protein builds big muscles.Although athletes and exercisers have believed for generations that eating more protein builds big muscles, this statement isn't always true. Sure, if an individual is undereating protein (getting less than the recommended 1.5g/kg) then they might see some muscle growth with an increased intake. However, additional protein above this intake won't build more muscle. However that doesn't mean that this additional protein is a waste. In fact, additional protein intake helps improve body composition by helping maintain a higher muscle to fat ratio. Same muscle mass - less fat - sign me up!
You can find more pearls of wisdom at http://www.precisionnutrition.com/
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
It's done.
I have now submitted my final assessments (all 22 pages worth) for the last module.
Sometimes there is a good side to bad weather!
Now I can just get the last bit of final study done in readiness for my exam... then onto the practical mode.
The practical stuff can happen when we return from Bali, where we're headed mid July for two weeks of sunshine.
Sometimes there is a good side to bad weather!
Now I can just get the last bit of final study done in readiness for my exam... then onto the practical mode.
The practical stuff can happen when we return from Bali, where we're headed mid July for two weeks of sunshine.
_______________________________
So much for category 2 cyclonic winds... they didn't really eventuate, thank goodness. Would have put our new roof to the test!
Monday, June 18, 2007
Rain, Rain & more Rain..is good for studying!
Well, we have had such a wet old time here in Wollongong. Saturday saw so much rain I thought we were going to have another flood like we did in 98. Luckily..we didnt. But still, with so much rain, all I could do was study. So I have 99.9% finished my last module's assessments. Just have to research and write an article on some innovation within the fitness industry and I will be done...
Went back to physio this morning and I can go for one run between now and Friday morning ( my next appointment) but only on grass and only for 15 minutes...
Apparently we are supposed to be hit with even more violent weather tonight. Hopefully it will be after I have been to visit my pony to make sure he's okay, not too bored...warm enough, dry enough.
Went back to physio this morning and I can go for one run between now and Friday morning ( my next appointment) but only on grass and only for 15 minutes...
Apparently we are supposed to be hit with even more violent weather tonight. Hopefully it will be after I have been to visit my pony to make sure he's okay, not too bored...warm enough, dry enough.
Thursday, June 14, 2007
physio
Well, I bit the bullet and figured I should really make some time for myself and go and see a physio. So...off I toddled. It turns out that I do have a tear in the belly of my Gastrocnemius, but the bleeding has gone into the Soleus deep underneath - hence my thinking that it was more soleus than gastroc.
Still, a bit of good old ice, compression, some cross training on the bike...boxing, no kicking..stretching...and apparently I should be good to go again in a week...although only jogging, not sprinting...damnations.
Still, a bit of good old ice, compression, some cross training on the bike...boxing, no kicking..stretching...and apparently I should be good to go again in a week...although only jogging, not sprinting...damnations.
***********************************************************************
This weekend looks like it will be yet another in the wild wet cold & windy stakes..just perfect for staying indoors, studying...and finishing off module 5.
Not so good for horseriding though....pony will be bored.
Might see if we can go hunting for floorboards too...
Will go to kickboxing tomorrow morning...warm up on bike and then just box.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Falling apart...
On Monday since it was a public holiday, there was no kickboxing class..so since I now have a bag in my garage under the house (which I can only hit VERY lightly otherwise it shakes the whole house as it's attached to a floor beam....and the dog gets very upset) I thought I'd do some technique practice. Somehow my calf muscle in my left leg seized up a little... no problem I thought. Husband kindly massaged it.. and I thought for sure it would be okay in the morning.
Wake up, head down the beach...notice my calf is still a little stiff, but figure I'll walk & warm up then try a light jog. Ha! well, I started to jog and then 'ping' felt as though something snapped and excrutiating pain..there must be a slight rupture in the soleus tendon as it is really deep and really hard to locate. Well, all I could do was just laugh (despite the pain), purely at the sight of myself attempting to look and be fit and healthy, and there I was in the pitch black hobbling pitifully to get back to my car. I didn't know which leg to hobble on...the one with the broken pinky or the other one..
Still...a day later and it's starting to ease up thanks to nurofen gel, ice gel, ice...you name it.. and I made up my 'knit dem bones tm' concoction to heal my toe and already it appears to have shrunk a little...
Oh... I got 87% in my exam! So far that makes it 86%, 85%, 92% and now 87%... all good!! Hoping to have the last module finished pretty soon - all pretty basic marketing stuff, so should go well enough -
Wake up, head down the beach...notice my calf is still a little stiff, but figure I'll walk & warm up then try a light jog. Ha! well, I started to jog and then 'ping' felt as though something snapped and excrutiating pain..there must be a slight rupture in the soleus tendon as it is really deep and really hard to locate. Well, all I could do was just laugh (despite the pain), purely at the sight of myself attempting to look and be fit and healthy, and there I was in the pitch black hobbling pitifully to get back to my car. I didn't know which leg to hobble on...the one with the broken pinky or the other one..
Still...a day later and it's starting to ease up thanks to nurofen gel, ice gel, ice...you name it.. and I made up my 'knit dem bones tm' concoction to heal my toe and already it appears to have shrunk a little...
Oh... I got 87% in my exam! So far that makes it 86%, 85%, 92% and now 87%... all good!! Hoping to have the last module finished pretty soon - all pretty basic marketing stuff, so should go well enough -
Monday, June 04, 2007
Exam...
Over and one with.... and it wasn't as hard as I thought it would/could have been! So for that I am eternally grateful.
Still.... better wait for the results before I say it wasn't that hard.... I could have been seriously mistaken!
Started on the last module last night - all about business & marketing... oh, and there's even a section on computer skills.... given that I have been doing marketing for 10 years, have worked in conveyancing, e business, and many other businesses...hopefully this one will be a breeze....
Managed to put my running shoes on today and run in them, rather than just hobble and quickly remove them. Luckily that I was able as this morning was pretty cold on the beach. Still no whales...
Missed my kickboxing class last night which I was upset about... my big boss decided to call me in for a chat to make sure all was still okay after all that has happened over the past week or two... that was the time I was supposed to leave to get to the KB class on time.. still. had to be done.
Builders are back today to finish the last of their work in our renovations.... should be all finito by the end of this week. Oh, what luxury... but then, we have more hard work in finishing it off properly to come. We will still be doing the rendering outside, which will include blueboarding over some of the old weather board along the sides of our house, and repainting the whole thing... then painting the new room inside...then we can move our loungeroom to that new room..and redecorate the existing lounge room to make it the new large family / dining room. Not that we have any family save for us and the pooch...but still.. it will be fab when finished.
Still.... better wait for the results before I say it wasn't that hard.... I could have been seriously mistaken!
Started on the last module last night - all about business & marketing... oh, and there's even a section on computer skills.... given that I have been doing marketing for 10 years, have worked in conveyancing, e business, and many other businesses...hopefully this one will be a breeze....
Managed to put my running shoes on today and run in them, rather than just hobble and quickly remove them. Luckily that I was able as this morning was pretty cold on the beach. Still no whales...
Missed my kickboxing class last night which I was upset about... my big boss decided to call me in for a chat to make sure all was still okay after all that has happened over the past week or two... that was the time I was supposed to leave to get to the KB class on time.. still. had to be done.
Builders are back today to finish the last of their work in our renovations.... should be all finito by the end of this week. Oh, what luxury... but then, we have more hard work in finishing it off properly to come. We will still be doing the rendering outside, which will include blueboarding over some of the old weather board along the sides of our house, and repainting the whole thing... then painting the new room inside...then we can move our loungeroom to that new room..and redecorate the existing lounge room to make it the new large family / dining room. Not that we have any family save for us and the pooch...but still.. it will be fab when finished.
Sunday, June 03, 2007
Another day another busted toe...
or so it seems! well, if my little toe wasn't broken before, it sure as heck is now.
Saturday I went kickboxing, as planned, then took Suki - the very clingy hound up to see Kado, the very patient pony (well, pony trapped in a very large 16.3hh horse's body).
Suki just really seems to think that Kado's just a big dog. She happily bounds along beside, between, through...you get the drift, of his legs, as he's moving. It's quite scary.
Anyhow..on to my toe. After all this excitement, my poor foot really looked a bit swollen that night, so I just iced as usual. Got up off the lounge and promptly managed to catch my little toe on one side of the large caster wheel and the rest of my foot on the other whilst walking...and then falling to the floor in so much pain....it was truly excrutiating. Two Nurofen Plus allowed me to sleep (mixed with a few glasses of red).
Who would seriously have thought that something so small can create so much pain.....
I did some research on the net and basically best thing to do is strap it to your next toe and off you go! A bit of good ol' Ibuprofen and icing and all will heal .... I might make myself up a comfrey extract solution to add to the mix as well....knit dem bones
I did still run barefoot on the beach this morning though. And I will be going kickboxing tonight too....
Well, I have my penultimate exam tonight - a bit nervous about this one as it's a heck of a lot of information - the special populations one which includes - Rehab, Pregnancy, Older Populations and Kids. Seriously, each one is a massive subject on its own, but put all together.... HUGE! If I pass not only will I be surprised, but extremely happy.
Saturday I went kickboxing, as planned, then took Suki - the very clingy hound up to see Kado, the very patient pony (well, pony trapped in a very large 16.3hh horse's body).
Suki just really seems to think that Kado's just a big dog. She happily bounds along beside, between, through...you get the drift, of his legs, as he's moving. It's quite scary.
Anyhow..on to my toe. After all this excitement, my poor foot really looked a bit swollen that night, so I just iced as usual. Got up off the lounge and promptly managed to catch my little toe on one side of the large caster wheel and the rest of my foot on the other whilst walking...and then falling to the floor in so much pain....it was truly excrutiating. Two Nurofen Plus allowed me to sleep (mixed with a few glasses of red).
Who would seriously have thought that something so small can create so much pain.....
I did some research on the net and basically best thing to do is strap it to your next toe and off you go! A bit of good ol' Ibuprofen and icing and all will heal .... I might make myself up a comfrey extract solution to add to the mix as well....knit dem bones
I did still run barefoot on the beach this morning though. And I will be going kickboxing tonight too....
Well, I have my penultimate exam tonight - a bit nervous about this one as it's a heck of a lot of information - the special populations one which includes - Rehab, Pregnancy, Older Populations and Kids. Seriously, each one is a massive subject on its own, but put all together.... HUGE! If I pass not only will I be surprised, but extremely happy.
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Winter's here!
I couldn't believe just how cold it was this morning..... I had been woken at 2.56am and failed to return to my slumber...when I dared look at the clock next it was 4.59...and I knew it was only a small matter of a half hour before that rude bleeping would force me to get up.
I fleeced up, with hood...and put my running shoes on, despite my toe not being entirely happy ensconced within the shoes. I only managed to walk the beach - just did about 2.1km, then I braved (or stupided if that can be a word!) the cold icy sand and went barefoot to do some sprints - managed 4 x 80m sprints on the firm sand - before I decided to get out of the freezing wind (it was still only 8 degrees), get some shoes back on my frozen feet and get into my shower!
More of the same tomorrow.
Tonight I was going to ride the pony, but... that same cold southwesterly was blowing, and it's always a few degrees colder up there than down here on the coast - and I just didn't have the heart to take his warm rugs of, to make him prance around at my expense in the cool. If I had some competitions planned, it might be a different kettle of fish, but with nothing immediately looming on the horizon, Saturday's another day!
He didn't seem too perturbed.
Tomorrow's back with those dastardly agencies that love to put all sorts of junk on the tables in front of us. Still, it's easy to resist these days. I've got my lunch ready - pecan crusted chicken breast with baby spinach leaves.
Back to kickboxing on Saturday morning, then off to ride.
Our concrete slab is being poured in our back room on Saturday morning - consequently our laundry is non existent at present - which makes washing clothes interesting, or it will anyhow come Saturday.
We had an attic ladder installed today - so much room up there! No wonder Diamante our lovely python has enjoyed that space! No sign of her at present, so she must be keeping a low profile.
I fleeced up, with hood...and put my running shoes on, despite my toe not being entirely happy ensconced within the shoes. I only managed to walk the beach - just did about 2.1km, then I braved (or stupided if that can be a word!) the cold icy sand and went barefoot to do some sprints - managed 4 x 80m sprints on the firm sand - before I decided to get out of the freezing wind (it was still only 8 degrees), get some shoes back on my frozen feet and get into my shower!
More of the same tomorrow.
Tonight I was going to ride the pony, but... that same cold southwesterly was blowing, and it's always a few degrees colder up there than down here on the coast - and I just didn't have the heart to take his warm rugs of, to make him prance around at my expense in the cool. If I had some competitions planned, it might be a different kettle of fish, but with nothing immediately looming on the horizon, Saturday's another day!
He didn't seem too perturbed.
Tomorrow's back with those dastardly agencies that love to put all sorts of junk on the tables in front of us. Still, it's easy to resist these days. I've got my lunch ready - pecan crusted chicken breast with baby spinach leaves.
Back to kickboxing on Saturday morning, then off to ride.
Our concrete slab is being poured in our back room on Saturday morning - consequently our laundry is non existent at present - which makes washing clothes interesting, or it will anyhow come Saturday.
We had an attic ladder installed today - so much room up there! No wonder Diamante our lovely python has enjoyed that space! No sign of her at present, so she must be keeping a low profile.
Monday, May 28, 2007
Some things you may not know about me
Okay, I've been tagged by the lovely Cherub.
Each player starts with 7 random facts/habits about themselves. People who are tagged need to write on their own blog about their seven things, as well as these rules. You need to choose 7 people to get tagged and list their names. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them that they have been tagged and to read your blog!
1. I was born in Bridport, Dorset in the UK.
2. When I was 7 we moved to Auckland, New Zealand where I lived for 13 years.
3. The very first job I had when I first left school was packing smoked eel in Whenuapai in the evenings...
4. I hate the smell of milky coffee.
5. I am allergic to coriander leaf. Just the smell is enough to make me want to hurl.
6. I have never wanted children - and luckily (for them for that reason!), I don't have any.
7. I always wanted to be a hairdresser when I left school, but was offered an apprenticeship on the proviso that I provide 'extras' for the luxury of having that job. Needless to say, I decided hairdressing wasn't for me (LOL, hence the smoked eel soujurn). That was Graeme, the owner of Saks Hairdressers in Auckland. Eeuuw.
I am tagging
1. Sue
2. Pip
3. Jadey
4. Barb
5. Linda
6. Leanne
7. Michelle
Each player starts with 7 random facts/habits about themselves. People who are tagged need to write on their own blog about their seven things, as well as these rules. You need to choose 7 people to get tagged and list their names. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them that they have been tagged and to read your blog!
1. I was born in Bridport, Dorset in the UK.
2. When I was 7 we moved to Auckland, New Zealand where I lived for 13 years.
3. The very first job I had when I first left school was packing smoked eel in Whenuapai in the evenings...
4. I hate the smell of milky coffee.
5. I am allergic to coriander leaf. Just the smell is enough to make me want to hurl.
6. I have never wanted children - and luckily (for them for that reason!), I don't have any.
7. I always wanted to be a hairdresser when I left school, but was offered an apprenticeship on the proviso that I provide 'extras' for the luxury of having that job. Needless to say, I decided hairdressing wasn't for me (LOL, hence the smoked eel soujurn). That was Graeme, the owner of Saks Hairdressers in Auckland. Eeuuw.
I am tagging
1. Sue
2. Pip
3. Jadey
4. Barb
5. Linda
6. Leanne
7. Michelle
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Fabulous weekend
Well, this weekend the wind luckily decided to disappear - we have had the strongest, coldest southwesterlies blowing last week. Now they have been replaced by ..just beautiful deep blue sky and warm weather - well, 22-23 degrees.
I saw in the paper that the whales have started their migration Northerly - with one humpback photographed off of Long Reef beach north of Sydney last Friday.
So...my scanning of the waters has commenced in earnest!!! I can guarantee it will almost be like the Kit Kat ads.... I'll be looking, looking, then head up to my car and then they'll all be their, breaching, leaping... frolicking...
I had to jog on the beach barefoot this morning. It's still too painful to put a shoe on my foot - poor little toe is still twice its normal size.
Figured that the frozen-ness of my feet on the run would help keep the swelling down.
Sort of therapy .
The saddle fitter came back to readjust my saddles for my horse - what a difference a few weeks back in full work makes to a horse's muscles - when he readjusted them before my horse still had a marked muscle wastage on one side, so he had to account for that when he restuffed them. Now all that has gone and my horse had shown crabbiness again under one saddle - well, it appears that one was built up a bit more on one side to allow for the muscles - which have reappeared, so it was sitting heavier on that side because of it.
What a difference when I rode him in the new fixed version - he felt like a dressage horse...
off to kickboxing again tonight.
We've now officially lost the use of our back room before the new slab is poured on Friday...so a whole week of my dog trying to go through to the back room to get out to the backyard and us having to walk her around through the back gate...
hope she can hold on during the night... otherwise I will have to shove my husband forcefully in the small of his back to go and help her ... hehe.
I saw in the paper that the whales have started their migration Northerly - with one humpback photographed off of Long Reef beach north of Sydney last Friday.
So...my scanning of the waters has commenced in earnest!!! I can guarantee it will almost be like the Kit Kat ads.... I'll be looking, looking, then head up to my car and then they'll all be their, breaching, leaping... frolicking...
I had to jog on the beach barefoot this morning. It's still too painful to put a shoe on my foot - poor little toe is still twice its normal size.
Figured that the frozen-ness of my feet on the run would help keep the swelling down.
Sort of therapy .
The saddle fitter came back to readjust my saddles for my horse - what a difference a few weeks back in full work makes to a horse's muscles - when he readjusted them before my horse still had a marked muscle wastage on one side, so he had to account for that when he restuffed them. Now all that has gone and my horse had shown crabbiness again under one saddle - well, it appears that one was built up a bit more on one side to allow for the muscles - which have reappeared, so it was sitting heavier on that side because of it.
What a difference when I rode him in the new fixed version - he felt like a dressage horse...
off to kickboxing again tonight.
We've now officially lost the use of our back room before the new slab is poured on Friday...so a whole week of my dog trying to go through to the back room to get out to the backyard and us having to walk her around through the back gate...
hope she can hold on during the night... otherwise I will have to shove my husband forcefully in the small of his back to go and help her ... hehe.
Thursday, May 24, 2007
work, toes and silly things....
What a week.
Well, during the kickboxing warmup on Wednesday night which consisted of a 30 pushup/30situp interlude, during the switch from pushup to situp my little toe must have caught on the matting and wrenched backwards.."Ouch" I proclaimed, then watched it swell to about three times the size of the other one. Hmmm. No matter, keep going, just being careful not to miss-hit the bag when I was kicking.
Got home, iced. ..oh...and showered...
next morning, still swollen, tried foolishly to put running shoe on, decided that Thursday morning was not going to be a usual run, so I barefooted down to the garage and did a small dumbbell circuit.
Got into work, got humiliated yet again by my 'manager'..I shall use the term extremely loosely.
Somehow, my emailing a PDF document through for approval, and the subsequent manager approving, and then denying... was my fault. No matter.
Had a chat with the bigger boss today and told him what's been going on for a while and that I was really considering my employment options at the moment as I was finding that type of attitude really difficult to continue working with. I've now been humiliated in front of a company that we were sponsoring an initiative of, and a few too many times in the office. Scorpios and Geminis should never work alongside each other!
Looking forward to the weekend - hopefully I'll be able to get a riding boot on my foot so that I can safely hobble around my horse and also so that I can ride.
Well, during the kickboxing warmup on Wednesday night which consisted of a 30 pushup/30situp interlude, during the switch from pushup to situp my little toe must have caught on the matting and wrenched backwards.."Ouch" I proclaimed, then watched it swell to about three times the size of the other one. Hmmm. No matter, keep going, just being careful not to miss-hit the bag when I was kicking.
Got home, iced. ..oh...and showered...
next morning, still swollen, tried foolishly to put running shoe on, decided that Thursday morning was not going to be a usual run, so I barefooted down to the garage and did a small dumbbell circuit.
Got into work, got humiliated yet again by my 'manager'..I shall use the term extremely loosely.
Somehow, my emailing a PDF document through for approval, and the subsequent manager approving, and then denying... was my fault. No matter.
Had a chat with the bigger boss today and told him what's been going on for a while and that I was really considering my employment options at the moment as I was finding that type of attitude really difficult to continue working with. I've now been humiliated in front of a company that we were sponsoring an initiative of, and a few too many times in the office. Scorpios and Geminis should never work alongside each other!
Looking forward to the weekend - hopefully I'll be able to get a riding boot on my foot so that I can safely hobble around my horse and also so that I can ride.
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Totally freeeeezing!!!
Omigod, the wind this morning was from the South West...and boy did it cut you like a knife. I jogged the beach in my fleece....which is pretty unusual for me..honest.
I am so loving the really low tide this week....
Back to kickboxing tonight!
Well, I critiqued myself in the mirror this morning - and there are definite body composition changes happening before my very eyes.... finally! And trousers that I bought a couple of weeks ago that were snug are getting pretty loose already. I think it's the combination of
the cold
the Precision Nutrition plan and
the kickboxing
oh... FINALLY today..our hot water is back on the roof....I will not miss boiling water for 1/2 hour in the morning for my bath.
I can't wait to get home from kickboxing to get in the shower ...bliss! hehe.
I am so loving the really low tide this week....
Back to kickboxing tonight!
Well, I critiqued myself in the mirror this morning - and there are definite body composition changes happening before my very eyes.... finally! And trousers that I bought a couple of weeks ago that were snug are getting pretty loose already. I think it's the combination of
the cold
the Precision Nutrition plan and
the kickboxing
oh... FINALLY today..our hot water is back on the roof....I will not miss boiling water for 1/2 hour in the morning for my bath.
I can't wait to get home from kickboxing to get in the shower ...bliss! hehe.
Sunday, May 20, 2007
Weekend...
What a weekend! Ha, well, hot water... let's say that baths are becoming boring.. but still, better than nothing! Tomorrow is the day we have our solar power heater back on the roof.
Oh..our roof... it's finished. Just like our ads say, we made the right choice. The houses on either side of us are tiles, like we had. But our new sleek steel roof, just looks stunning. Can't wait until the rest of it's finished now.
Friday night. Hairdresser to Caroline, 'what colour were you thinking of?' (me, plan ahead?), me to hairdresser, 'whatever you think, i trust you'. Mwaaahaaahahahaaaa
well, it's gone from blonde to dark browny/auburn. Whoa. what a shock. Oh well, it'll fade off.
Saturday was an early start - I wanted to throw some rose petals into the water off of Sandon Point where I scattered Mum's ashes last year. It's been 2 years since Mum passed away.
Then went to kickboxing...then rode the horse - it was howling a freezing gale up there, but the pony just acted cool, calm & collected. Then my girlfriend brought her 3 year old off the track filly over for a roundyard session & ride around the property with 'uncle Kado'. Uncle Kado reckoned this young filly was might perty and kinda hot stuff for a young chick. This young thoroughbred was as cool and calm as her old 'uncle' in the howling gale. Sensible pony.
Took Suki up for her weekly treat up to see Kado yesterday. It really is 'Suki's' time up there when she's there. Poor Kado kind of resigns himself to the fact that I will get to him once I've dried Suki off from her several swims in the dam.
All up there were 6 dogs up there by the time we had finished - Grace the foxie cross, Boris the Mastiff/Ridgeback (who I just LOVE - he's one special boy), Jack the schnauzer (with a little too much attitude, but he fell in love with this new older woman that was around, one Ms Suki), Mindy the pomeranian cross, Bundi the springer spaniel cross and Ms Suki, the kelpie cross. It was probably the most dogs that Suki has ever been 'loose' around and they were all fabulous together, so she had a great day.
Paul was off down at Wakefield Park doing supersprints with the Snotmobile yesterday and while he was sitting on the grid, someone came up and said hi to him, it was Matt from the Body for Life forum! Very cool.
Last night I finished typing the assessments for my special populations module (the penultimate)...it is now safely emailed to Fitnation with my exams being sent to my JP as we speak...
Well, this morning I headed down to the beach - the tide is out for miles at the moment. Bliss! So I jogged 1.5km then did a 200m fast run / 200 m soft sand jog x 4 then headed home to heat water/draw bath....
Oh..our roof... it's finished. Just like our ads say, we made the right choice. The houses on either side of us are tiles, like we had. But our new sleek steel roof, just looks stunning. Can't wait until the rest of it's finished now.
Friday night. Hairdresser to Caroline, 'what colour were you thinking of?' (me, plan ahead?), me to hairdresser, 'whatever you think, i trust you'. Mwaaahaaahahahaaaa
well, it's gone from blonde to dark browny/auburn. Whoa. what a shock. Oh well, it'll fade off.
Saturday was an early start - I wanted to throw some rose petals into the water off of Sandon Point where I scattered Mum's ashes last year. It's been 2 years since Mum passed away.
Then went to kickboxing...then rode the horse - it was howling a freezing gale up there, but the pony just acted cool, calm & collected. Then my girlfriend brought her 3 year old off the track filly over for a roundyard session & ride around the property with 'uncle Kado'. Uncle Kado reckoned this young filly was might perty and kinda hot stuff for a young chick. This young thoroughbred was as cool and calm as her old 'uncle' in the howling gale. Sensible pony.
Took Suki up for her weekly treat up to see Kado yesterday. It really is 'Suki's' time up there when she's there. Poor Kado kind of resigns himself to the fact that I will get to him once I've dried Suki off from her several swims in the dam.
All up there were 6 dogs up there by the time we had finished - Grace the foxie cross, Boris the Mastiff/Ridgeback (who I just LOVE - he's one special boy), Jack the schnauzer (with a little too much attitude, but he fell in love with this new older woman that was around, one Ms Suki), Mindy the pomeranian cross, Bundi the springer spaniel cross and Ms Suki, the kelpie cross. It was probably the most dogs that Suki has ever been 'loose' around and they were all fabulous together, so she had a great day.
Paul was off down at Wakefield Park doing supersprints with the Snotmobile yesterday and while he was sitting on the grid, someone came up and said hi to him, it was Matt from the Body for Life forum! Very cool.
Last night I finished typing the assessments for my special populations module (the penultimate)...it is now safely emailed to Fitnation with my exams being sent to my JP as we speak...
Well, this morning I headed down to the beach - the tide is out for miles at the moment. Bliss! So I jogged 1.5km then did a 200m fast run / 200 m soft sand jog x 4 then headed home to heat water/draw bath....
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Yay..it's Friday!!!
Well, Friday has rocked around quicker than expected....it's raining too. Silly me decided I would do a dumbbell session in my garage yesterday instead of hitting the beach..but then I had to do another garage session this morning because it was pelting down. So..I grabbed out my old step, did some boxing technique moves & alternated with my version of a step class.
THEN I had to haul butt back upstairs to get the water that was boiling on the stove into my bath! LOL it seriously is like being back in the dark ages. Novel. Very novel. But if that damn solar heater isn't back on my roof today then the novelty will wear very thin very soon..like..now..!
Of course, who knows if it will be possible to stick the thing back on when it's raining.
Getting my haircut & coloured tonight. One day I will get around to sticking some photos of me on here - but...no need to scare people so soon.
Now, I really hate getting my hair coloured at the hairdresser. So much time wasted!!!! But I finally decided to relent and let them do it...trouble is, having short hair requires cutting every 4-5 weeks, which means... recolouring. So I always figured it was not only a waste of time but a waste of money too. Oh well, you only live once.
Oh...my horse..well, I started to lunge him (pre-riding as he has 'isseeeuws'). He must have just had a bit too much pent up energy, because the first excuse he could find (the sensor light coming on outside the shed) he started bucking and careering an snorting around me, then the head went up, neck arched, tail went up like an arab (he was clearly pretending to be a black arab stallion apparently), and he bounced his way around me again. Finally I managed to get him to stop, he let out the biggest snort. And..all was quiet and mosy again!
Funny bugger!
Aaah, well, off to kickboxing tomorrow morning, then up to ride the pony - weather permitting.
THEN I had to haul butt back upstairs to get the water that was boiling on the stove into my bath! LOL it seriously is like being back in the dark ages. Novel. Very novel. But if that damn solar heater isn't back on my roof today then the novelty will wear very thin very soon..like..now..!
Of course, who knows if it will be possible to stick the thing back on when it's raining.
Getting my haircut & coloured tonight. One day I will get around to sticking some photos of me on here - but...no need to scare people so soon.
Now, I really hate getting my hair coloured at the hairdresser. So much time wasted!!!! But I finally decided to relent and let them do it...trouble is, having short hair requires cutting every 4-5 weeks, which means... recolouring. So I always figured it was not only a waste of time but a waste of money too. Oh well, you only live once.
Oh...my horse..well, I started to lunge him (pre-riding as he has 'isseeeuws'). He must have just had a bit too much pent up energy, because the first excuse he could find (the sensor light coming on outside the shed) he started bucking and careering an snorting around me, then the head went up, neck arched, tail went up like an arab (he was clearly pretending to be a black arab stallion apparently), and he bounced his way around me again. Finally I managed to get him to stop, he let out the biggest snort. And..all was quiet and mosy again!
Funny bugger!
Aaah, well, off to kickboxing tomorrow morning, then up to ride the pony - weather permitting.
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
No Hot Water!!!!
Now, amidst all the joy of having a new roof, new gutters, new back room, there has to be a little pain right?! Well, that pain is possibly going to be in the shape of COLD showers for a few days (at least I hope it's only for a few days...well, I hope it's only 1 day...)..We have had one of our two roofers off sick yesterday with the vomiting bug...then the other left after a few hours feeling queasy also...then the crane turned up as promised this morning to remove our solar hot water system from the roof. Now that thing has been there for 20 years at least, and we thought for sure it would crack or be damaged in the removal process...(actually I better not speak too soon..it still has to be picked back up by the crane and returned..) anyhow, the hot water plumber said it still looked in great nick! Well, we see what happens when it gets put back on.
This week has been so busy at work. So many projects going on at the moment - we have budget left that we need to spend!! Crazy time. New TV commercial in the pipeline, two brand 'stingers' being shot for the Lifestyle Channel, New online brand centres, new online colour centre, and new photo shoots for new brochures!!!!!
But... I have beached on Monday morning (LOL, sounds like I did a whale impersonation), kickboxed on Monday night, hit the beach with my friend on Tuesday morning, - and the sand has been hell, no hard stuff for those two days, Rode the wild beast last night who was just pretending that EVERYTHING was so scary as he leapt around like a young loony, it helps just to laugh at them when they do that - that way you don't portray any nerves (because if you're scared, then there must be something really scary around), and it really calms them down...eventually. Luckily this morning, the tide was a little lower so I had some firm sand to jog on, then I hit the soft stuff for some sprints, tonight is kickboxing again.
Something is working at the moment. The fat is starting to drip off me, which is great... this is generally where I start to get into strife. I get scared to change things, but I KNOW that changing things is the best thing to do to keep it up.
I need to add more weights back into my routine but at the moment I'm enjoying beaching in the mornings and kickboxing/riding at nights. That will have to change! I think I might have to swap one of my beach mornings just with some dumbbell workouts - or swap my Wed kickbox workout for a good weights session!
This week has been so busy at work. So many projects going on at the moment - we have budget left that we need to spend!! Crazy time. New TV commercial in the pipeline, two brand 'stingers' being shot for the Lifestyle Channel, New online brand centres, new online colour centre, and new photo shoots for new brochures!!!!!
But... I have beached on Monday morning (LOL, sounds like I did a whale impersonation), kickboxed on Monday night, hit the beach with my friend on Tuesday morning, - and the sand has been hell, no hard stuff for those two days, Rode the wild beast last night who was just pretending that EVERYTHING was so scary as he leapt around like a young loony, it helps just to laugh at them when they do that - that way you don't portray any nerves (because if you're scared, then there must be something really scary around), and it really calms them down...eventually. Luckily this morning, the tide was a little lower so I had some firm sand to jog on, then I hit the soft stuff for some sprints, tonight is kickboxing again.
Something is working at the moment. The fat is starting to drip off me, which is great... this is generally where I start to get into strife. I get scared to change things, but I KNOW that changing things is the best thing to do to keep it up.
I need to add more weights back into my routine but at the moment I'm enjoying beaching in the mornings and kickboxing/riding at nights. That will have to change! I think I might have to swap one of my beach mornings just with some dumbbell workouts - or swap my Wed kickbox workout for a good weights session!
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Winter was here this morning....
12 degrees when I dragged myself out of bed this morning. Of course, locked in the sanctuary of one's warm house doesn't allow one the luxury of knowing this until they are heading down the driveway...shivering....
Took a while to warm the old bones up on my run this morning...so I opted for soft sand sprints after my 1.5km jog.
Can't wait unti June when the whales start migrating back up North.... imagine jogging along the beach as a humpback whale is playing around in the water nearby....I will have to take my camera each morning just in case.
We've seen a few heading through each season - pods of pilot whales and the odd humpback or two. Spectacular stuff.
Took a while to warm the old bones up on my run this morning...so I opted for soft sand sprints after my 1.5km jog.
Can't wait unti June when the whales start migrating back up North.... imagine jogging along the beach as a humpback whale is playing around in the water nearby....I will have to take my camera each morning just in case.
We've seen a few heading through each season - pods of pilot whales and the odd humpback or two. Spectacular stuff.
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
bizarre
I can log in from work to this blog, but not from home... must check security settings!
I think I have officially mastered the most withering look today.... my day has been filled with dealing with idiots. If only people could use their brains.
But I digress... just came across a couple of recent photos of my dear little girl, Suki - who has many more names, and answers to them all (spooky, spookalini, spooky bear, banana bear, pooky nana bear...you name it...). She developed a heart murmur this year, and is currently on heart pills and now more recently diuretics to help keep the fluid from the lungs. I don't know how much longer we'll have the pleasure of her divine company, but I am grateful for every day that I do.
I think I have officially mastered the most withering look today.... my day has been filled with dealing with idiots. If only people could use their brains.
But I digress... just came across a couple of recent photos of my dear little girl, Suki - who has many more names, and answers to them all (spooky, spookalini, spooky bear, banana bear, pooky nana bear...you name it...). She developed a heart murmur this year, and is currently on heart pills and now more recently diuretics to help keep the fluid from the lungs. I don't know how much longer we'll have the pleasure of her divine company, but I am grateful for every day that I do.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
