And so it should only be a matter of time !!

This week has been quite good nutrition wise.

A typical day would look something like this (or some variation):

Meal 1
Supplements, Linseed Meal, Sesame Seeds
Rice Bran Flakes & Organic Corn Flake Mix
Rice Milk with added Chickpea Protein

Meal 2
Refried beans
Organic Corn Chips
Snow Peas

Meal 3
Steamed Potato & 1/2 tsp Rice Butter
Marinated Tofu
Baby Asian Green Salad

Meal 4
Nuts of some description
Green beans or snow peas

Meal 5
Home Grown Eggs
Broccoli, Cauliflower, Zuchinni, Carrots, Green Beans

I have broken out the ProTrack program too but as yet haven't had the time to set it up properly - will get to that shortly.

Hi guys,

Just checking in again as it has been a few days - sorry, but it's probably going to be a long one. So much has been going on, but I have been quite good I think - please let me know your thoughts - it helps me a great deal.

Anyway, I went away to Grafton (about 3 hours drive) this last weekend with my family and I was soooo good - I was very careful with what I ate (even managing the meal at McDonals very well I thought - more on that later) and I was as active as possible too.

So, when everyone was eating pizza or BBQ for dinner I happily munched away on my marinated tofu, tomato, cucumber & almonds.

It's been a good weekend, even though Friday was not good for food - it wasn't terrible, terrible, but I know that I could have done a little better than I did (Does it help that I was travelling for hours?) Still learning I guess ...

But what was so thrilling for me was the fact that my 13 year old daughter was asked to perform at her district Cultural Festival competition (in front of 1600 people). I had made plans to travel the 2 hours to see her in the afternoon only to hear from my ex that the performance time had changed to be in the morning instead - we were dismayed because Jenna quit - she was scared and didn't want to make a fool of herself in front of her friends - she lost confidence because I wouldn't be there.

Ok, I'm off to bed and so I thought I would just sign out for the day, but live up to my promise of reporting in.

Meal 1
Organic Rice Flakes (nothing naughty added)
Organic Corn Flakes (nothing naughty added)
Rice Milk with added chickpea protein

Meal 2
Almonds
Tomato
Green Beans

Meal 3
Tofu & Soy Cheese
Mixed Asian Salad

Meal 4
Vegetable Curry
Basmati Rice
(Forgot to put the protein in - oops!)

Meal 5
1/2 Banana
Brazil Nuts
(don't usually eat fruit these days - it's too sweet)

Missed Meal 6

I'm one day closer to getting the exercise thing happening too - excellent.

Well, things are looking much better.

Went to the doctor - am mending very well - it's been 3 and 1/2 months and I am about half way home "keep up the good work" she told me "and don't do anything stupid". As if! It was a bit of a wake up call in June. I still have some things to deal with, but for the minute it's all good (getting myself to bed earlier and still fitting everything and everyone in seems to be the challenge:-)) I get so frustrated when I can't keep going and going and going ....humph.

Anyways, I have been in contact with Chad and he is putting together a meal plan for me and working out an exercise plan too - can't wait.

Hi,

I am just biting the bullet and poking my nose in the door to get some accountability going again.

I can't believe it has been so long since I've logged in - shame on me I know.

Very quickly to bring those that remember me up to speed - Yes, I moved house to a lovely home last April that is more suited to my work. No, I haven't been on top of things (particularly exercise), however there have been some major changes in my eating - Yes I still have some work to do in that department, although I have dropped my weight from 88kg to 83kg.

I got very sick in early June and have been unable to exert myself too much or even drive since then. I have felt very dependent during my recovery, however I have been feeling much better of late and I am rearing to get going again. I hopefully have my last visit to the doctor tomorrow morning, and so I will let you know how I fare.

Man, what a long time it's been. Almost feel too sheepish to start blogging again, but figure that it made such a difference to my life before - can't let it go by the wayside for too long just too keep my pride in order :-) Sounds like an AA meeting (not that I even drink!!)

Anyway, I'm back to it now and that is all that matters I guess - started April off well with 2 solid cardio sessions up my killer hill and no foods that are bad for me. Good thing is that I haven't put on any weight or lost any muscle and my fat % is still the same - it's a start.

Will be moving from my lovely house in about 10 days or so and that will unsettle things a bit, but with your help I will be more motivated to keep on track.

OK Guys - how's this for accountability?

I got my email back from Chad with a couple of really good suggestions - don't eat anything before my early morning Cardio (Old news for some, but I have been eating 100g fresh pineapple for some enzymes) and have some apple 15 mins before Rice Porridge for breakfast (not my organic cornflakes etc), some carrot before lunch and some celery before dinner - I can handle that.

So pineapple's not so hard to drop. I have my main meals perfect but it's the snacks that have been off - too many carbs and not enough protein.

Funny how providence moves - I found a really good quality protein powder today and it tastes really good. Now I can work on that aspect too because sometimes being vegan has it's challenges - most of the time it is usually no problem but now that I need to increase protein without increasing carbs or fat, then I have found this to be difficult. Maybe I am just a little slow to catch on or something, but at least it is getting sorted slowly but surely and at the right time.

Just wanted to be accountable and for the record - I have just sent an email off to Chad asking for his help with nutrition - we'll see what the verdict is soon hopefully.

Take Care & Train Well,

J.

Well, my weekend was a bit all over the place but it was really quite lovely. I enjoyed a much needed sleep-in and then after shopping and some lazing about my brother and I went to a Bee Gees Tribute concert at one of the local taverns followed by coffee at a cafe. I also had a midday appointment at one of the hotels on Sunday and made the most of it by going to the beach across the road even though I didn't go all the way into the water - Spring has nearly moved into summer here and so the water is getting warmer now, but still not quite to my liking. But it was so lovely to be out in the sun in my white sunfrock.

Will that wash with anyone today? .......

I didn't think so. I wouldn't accept it either.

I honestly don't know where this week has gone to (apart from the fact that life got hold of my leg and dragged me off the wagon - but no victims here, please).

There's a whole heap of things that got in my way that I could bumble on about, but really, I don't like excuses - so I will simply own up to being REALLY SLACK (and dog-tired) this week.

Life has hit me pretty hard this week and I have realised that at this stage I need to drop my lifting to only 2 times per week instead of 3 and only do 4 Cardio sessions instead of 5, as well as the 2 Pilates sessions - I am simply getting too tired and that causes me to get all out of balance and then I don't do anything - a la This Week !!

Just checking in before I go to bed - I just sat down with the family to watch the movie "Deck the Halls" (what a laugh riot!) and after I write this I am off to bed - I have a seminar tomorrow and need to be up bright and sparky.

I missed working with TM today (couldn't drag my butt out of bed again!) but I knew I had to show up.

So, ..... I walked the kid to school again and tackled the killer hill. I was pretty amazed.

I seemed to be walking pretty hard and I thought maybe I wasn't doing as well with this fitness stuff as I thought I was. Until I got home....

I checked the time and it only took me 32 minutes!!

All is going well - I have been on track all week (although this morning was cutting it a little bit too fine for my liking).

I made that date with TM yesterday and managed to keep my date with Gym as well. My chest is a bit sorer today than normal, but it is all still good. I was glad it was Pilates today.

I hit the hills again today - I took a different 5km route that took in 4 major hills - I did it in 50 minutes. I was a bit tired because I went to bed late the night before and so getting up was a little bit more of a problem than usual - However I remembered my new slogan "Professionals always show up!" and so dragged myself up by my collar, shook myself off, did my Pilates before my daughter got up and then walked her down the hill to school before I started my little jaunt.

Once again, the alarm said "hey, it's 5am!" and I said "NO!" but then lay there until 6.15am trying to justify what time I *really* needed to get out of bed! 6.15 was it, and it was just perfect.

I ate my pineapple and then did a full-body session of Pilates until my daughter woke at 7am.

Now, because it was cooler and more comfortable in bed, I didn't get up and do my Cardio early, so I decided to walk the kid down to school and then walk home again - 1km straight down at 15% and 1km straight up at 15% - that would get me puffing, I thought.

However, after saying g'bye to the kid, I decided to walk a couple of laps around the lake before heading up the killer hill. Mother Swan now has 5 new black signets (so gorgeous)and so after visiting them I decided that it was such a lovely day that rather than just do the laps of the lake that I would take a different route home. 50 minutes and 3 long, very steep hills later I got home - rather flushed in the face, but still feeling very pleased with myself.

Ok, I did it - it's Monday and I said I was in for a fresh start.

My alarm said to get up at 5am, but I said wait till 5.20am. My car had to be serviced today and so I dropped it at the shop before I began my day so that I could concentrate on all the things that had to be done.

It was raining again and so I revved the Treadmill up at 6am till 7am and travelled easy at 6km/hr to get back into it.

Colleen, my 11 year old daughter, went off to school and then my gym-set got a workout (only Phase 2/Week 4/Day 1) but I upped the anti on weight and introduced the 3 sets (boy doesn't that make a difference!!) - I discovered that I have been really worried about being sore from lifting too heavier weights or from bulking up too much (too many trainers have told me that I have a great body-building body because it would bulk up nicely (what novice wouldn't be scared?)- but today, Be Afraid No More !! It felt really good to stretch my limits.

It has been almost 3 weeks since I went away and I am ready and rearing to go again. It took 2 weeks for the infection in my toe to go away completely, but it is all gone now.

While I was "on leave" I took the opportunity to do a liver cleanse. I finish that today and it is my birthday this weekend, so I am ready to re-start walking/running intervals and lifting on Monday.

By the way, last blog I told you I was going to Grafton & that I had made plans to manage my food. Well, I am pleased to say that it was an absolute success - not only that, I saved a heap of money on dining out. I was also able to blend in with the others without much ado. Excellent. Finding healthier options to substitute for "regular" food that the rest of my family eat is getting easier too.

Before I go on,

I just want to let you all know something.....

I read all your posts everyday and you guys really inspire me to keep doing my best and for that I really want to thank you. It helps me no end when things get rough just knowing that other people also aspire "to keep on keeping on" and it is such a great role model.

So, here I am, still on track - food is going really good. Attitude to exercise has been great and I have been consistent in my workouts. Tuesday's group was great, my writing & study is coming along nicely. My live-at-home family life is excellent.

However,....

My Tanita Body Scale arrived today which will at least give me a reading of what my body fat is - I'm a little hesitant to use it, but as Scott reminded me once - 'at least I have a real number to start off with'.

I am not very clear with using the calipers for accurate measures so the Tanita Body Scale will help - Whether the scale is accurate or not with regards to body fat, at least it will be consistent.

The weekends are my rest days but I didn't get to my all-over stretching that I would have liked to this weekend. We did gardening instead and walked around the markets for a few hours.

Hey all,

This week has been dedicated to making sure that I do at least one thing toward exercise every weekday and have then the weekend off. It's Friday night here and I made it. And I have been studying more about nutrition.

I have done a good 40 minutes cardio every morning - 2 outdoors & 3 on my treadmill due to inclement weather. When I first started using the treadmill I couldn't get through the first professional program - now that probably sounds pretty lame but I've never used a treadmill and for me it is so different to the outdoors! After the third use I can at least go the distance although I had to adjust a couple of speeds on the big inclines. My aim is to get through that level without adjusting anything before I move to the next level.

Just thought I had better check in while I have the time. Please be forewarned - Yes, it’s a long one, but there’s a lot of good stuff to mention. Though I will not be offended if you choose not to read this. So,.... Click here to Exit.

I didn’t fall off the wagon – honestly, and it has been easy to keep on track these past few weeks!! I really should check in more often though so there isn’t as much to mention in one go and so I will try to keep that in mind in the future. Sorry.

We’ve had 2 weeks of school holidays (last week of September & the first week of October) and that has kept me busy with the usual Holiday Shuffle and I took this time to rest my whole body and mind – it has been very much needed and long overdue.