A pause in the journey

A pause in the journey

 I say a pause in my health and fitness journey as the 2017 20 Week Challenge is finished but I will be continuing along that road.

This challenge saw me increase my yoga - I find the classes a real challenge  - and even though I feel I have really improved my flexibility I have a long way to go.

I enjoy going with my friends which is different to going to my gym, who are friendly, but not the same. Going to the gym I have to motivate myself but with yoga, my friends going motivates me.

I like the Aquafit classes - they are at 7.15pm on a Thursday so that takes motivation as wll but it is so good for me I will keep going.

Starting my food intolerance blog is something I have wanted to do for ages. The Healthy Recipe Share o rama gave me the motivation. I will definitely be continuing it with recipes, products and eateries.

soyouhaveafoodintolerance.blogspot.com

I keep Lauren Parsons' fridge magnet in my car:

Always remember you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, smarter than you think and twice as beautiful as you'd ever imagined.

Mr Tabby Tabster and Mrs Cat may wish to keep our facebook page going as well. That will be fun!

Mrs C, Tabs and Steph's 20 Week Challenge

So watch this space ...

Flexibility

Flexibility

One of my main categories was flexibility. I really wanted to be able to reach my hands in the Back Scratch/ Cow Stretch. here is my progression:

14/01/2017

6/05/2017

12/8/2017

16/09/2017

Yay! I did it. My next goal is to be able to clasp my hands together.

The shoulder rotation was the hardest - it felt like I had to almost dislocate my shoulders to do this. You couldn't let go of the grip so that made it even harder. I used a dynaband every morning to practise on top of all my other stretches.

Groin Butterfly - improvement +11.3cm

Sit and Reach - +15cm improvement

My downard facing dogs have got a bit better!

Working on shoulder stands!

I finally had the confidence to try doing a bind.

Getting closer to the splits!

 I am proud of the improvements I have made so far. I have a long way to go but during yoga classes I feel more confident in the poses, can hold them longer and can control my breathing better. I enjoy the camraderie of going with friends and having them as support.

Week 21

Week 21

Monday - Yoga Class

Tuesday - Gym Weights

Wednesday - Yoga

Thursday - Yoga

Friday - Yoga Class

Saturday - Gym Cardio

Sunday - Yoga Class

So the Challenge has officially finished but I intend to keep things going.

My Vo2 and posture results came in from Cate Grace so I have added them to my results.

Thursday night I began the task of submitting my results - this took me a long time and right near the end I somehow mucked up and the survey disappeared but luckily survey monkey submits the data when open for a long time. I just had to email my Overall Entrant doc to Catch Fitness.

I also received my entrant to do the Secret Amigo present. Hmm what to give??

1By1

1By1

After the June 4By4 it was suggested that entrants continue trying 1 new activity and 1 new food a month. Both I knew would be tricky as I did quite a few activities for Adventure last year and I have tried a lot of different foods. But a challenge is a challenge!

July saw me finally picking up a ukelele - stimulation for the brain and fitness for my fingers! Rachie B started a Uke and Soup evening - a great idea and boy did it make me work trying to learn the chords and play them quickly. I concentrated on a few easy ones first night. Then a couple more the next week. It was fun being in a group but the big issue for me was it is on a Thursday night at the same time as my Aquafit class. I went on the first two sessions because I was doing Tri July and spending time in the day at the pool so had taken a break from Aquafit.

My July food was Organic Edamame and Mung Bean Fettucine. I had high hopes for this for Pete who is gluten free. Unfortunately it had an unpleasant texture and flavour.

August saw me going to a Power Groove Yoga Clas this at Apollo Power Yoga Studio. I was going to try this class for my June 4By4 but Rachie B told me (she teaches there) that it was the hardest class of the week - it has all the fit young bunnies and Hamish pushes everyone hard. So I didn't do it for June but the guantlet had been laid.  We didn't have our normal Friday architect meeting so Power Groove here I come.

It was hard - yes Hamish pushed us and yes the music was not great - I knew one of the last  songs - Rod Stewart: Sailing! It wasn't anything like the aerobics classes I used to love of the 90's!! But I did it and I know it was good for me.

My August food was yellow tomatoes! WTF!! What a mind funk. Tomatoes are red! But they do look so pretty and spring like! As well as tasting nice and juicy.

They went well in the salad I made that was part of the surprise healthy lunch for the Stewart Family.

September food is Edamame Roasted and Salted Soybeans.  A great crunchy snack. I still prefer fresh Edamame beans though!

What will the September activity be?  Watch this space ...

My September new activity is hula hooping. I can't remember doing this since I was at primary school and even then I'm not so sure! I was prompted by the hula challenge. I have admired the daffodils on Bealey Av and since it was a stunning spring day we decided I should hula up there! It was fun! I even hulaed on Bealey Av - hmm a bit naughty but lights red and no one coming!

Week Nineteen

Week Nineteen 

4th  - 10 September

Monday - Yoga stretches

Tuesday - Gym - Cardio/Yoga

Wednesday - Yoga Class

Thursday - Fitness Testing (The 45), Body Audit Scan

Friday - Yoga Stretches

Saturday - Yoga Stretches

Sunday - Yoga Class

15 minutes of yoga every morning

The 45:

End of 2016 Challenge:  31.16 mins   PT Tested

Start of 2017 Challenge:  32.10 mins  PT Tested

Week 16, to see how I was going:  30.08 mins  PT Tested

End of 2017 Challenge: 28.08 mins  PT Tested


Body Audit

Start of 2017 Challenge: Weight  64.6 kg

End of 2017 Challenge: Weight  64.6 kg


Start of 2017 Challenge: Lean Body Mass  48 kg

End of 2017 Challenge: Lean Body Mass  48.1 kg


Start of 2017 Challenge: Body Fat  16.6 kg

End of 2017 Challenge: Body Fat  16.5 kg


Start of 2017 Challenge: BMI  21.7

End of 2017 Challenge: BMI  21.7

Start of 2017 Challenge: Visceral Fat Level  6   VF Area  40

Start of 2017 Challenge: Visceral Fat Level 5   VF Area  39

For the Maintenance category I am happy that I have maintained my fitness levels.

Finding More Time

This chapter suggested ways to cope with the demands on time. I found it interesting as I have been doing quite a few of them like writing a list of little things to do "mosquito jobs" and ticking them off when I get a chance to do them. I try and prioritise them but find that once I have written them down they don't worry me as much.

I record TV programmes in the evenings as many of the fitness classes I do are at night. I can watch them in the afternoon while peeling and chopping veges!

Be a PT

Be a PT

4th Solo Challenge

Take three non entrants on a fitness activity.

Jess came with me to Apollo Power Yoga - she hadn't been before. She found it hard but has now started going regularly.

Jayne and I went for a walk from Bowenvale Ave up to the top of Hackthorne Rd and down again. Jayne hadn't been walking for a quite a while due to work and family committments so she was pleased for me to take her out.

Janine is always up for some fun so when I asked if she would like to come to Apollo Power Yoga to a class she was keen. She also found it hard but signed up for the introductory package and it going to come again.

Week 20

Week 20

11th  - 17th September

Monday - Yoga Class

                                                     - Cate Grace Cardio/Posture Testing

Tuesday - Massage

Wednesday - Yoga Class

Thursday - Gym - Yoga
Friday - Yoga Class
Sat - Gym - Measurements and Flexibility Tests
Sunday - Yoga Class

15 Minutes of yoga stretches every morning

Final testing for flexibility and I have made good improvements but obviously still a long journey ahead of me - exciting!

I am pleased with my results - I have maintained my weight etc. Especially happy with my bio marker age of 46!!

BP 139/87 RHR 66

Just waiting on my Cate Grace cardio and posture testing results to do my final tally up!

As well as being my 1BY1 activitiy for September, hula hooping wa s also a challenge by In2Hula to find a creative place to hula. Bealey Av amongst the daffodils!

What will I be doing in week 21?

Exactly the same!!