step AWAY from the chocolate….

The Biggest Loser: Reality or Ruin????

2012-02-01T11:56:00.000+11:00

A post by Carla

If you watch commercial television then you are probably aware that the 2012 season of 'The Biggest Loser' started last week. What you probably don't know is that in the world of health and fitness Blogs, there has been a veritable sh*t fight over the show and the role it is playing in 'ruining' the fitness industry. I could probably write a thesis on this topic but as 1) I don't have time to write it and 2) you probably wouldn't have time to read it, let's keep it short and sweet.

IT'S TIME TO GET REAL ABOUT REALITY SHOWS

Firstly, there has been outrage over the whole 'singles' theme and the perception that the show is perpetuating the belief that obese people are unlovable. It is true that the contestants are all obese and single. By their own admission, however, the contestant's self esteem has suffered because of their body image….this in turn affects the way they relate to other people. That isn't rocket science….nor is it the producers stating that the reason these people are single is their weight. I wonder if they had a 'Biggest Loser Cat Lovers season' there would be a backlash about obese people being portrayed as crazy cat people. In recent seasons of TBL, there has been a theme (couples, families etc) and this is just another theme in which people with similar backgrounds are grouped together.
Secondly, there has been huge criticism about the Biggest Loser being an 'unnatural' environment. The contestants live on site for the duration of the show and their focus is solely on eating clean and training. There are no outside distractions such as work, children, housework etc. Let's be honest for a moment here…..who has tried to lose 5kg and found it pretty hard going???? Now imagine trying to lose 50 or 100kg. In my humble opinion, the only way this is going to happen is in an unnatural environment. If it was dead easy to lose vast amounts of weight at home by ourselves then we'd all look like sports models, wouldn't we?? Hopefully, their time in this intense environment will help the contestants to unlearn old behaviours and gain the skills to continue their journey on 'the outside'.
Thirdly, the show has copped flack for giving mums and dads at home unrealistic expectations about their own weight loss programs at home and the goals they might be able to achieve in the same time frame. I find this a bit offensive to be honest because viewers aren't idiots……we all know that the contestants are in an unnatural environment [see point two] in which their focus is purely on weight loss. I also think that while the amount of weight lost can sometimes be amazing, the amount of exercise the contestants are doing to create a calorie deficit is also amazing. It's pretty simple maths - if the contestants are eating clean and exercising for hours every day, they are going to lose more weight than viewers at home who are not eating as clean and training as hard.
Fourthly, there has been criticism that the show has ruined the reputation of personal training. I absolutely disagree with this. Sure, the trainers are all hand picked to complement each other and provide their own 'dramatic' element to the show. For the most part, however, shows like the Biggest Loser are responsible for educating the general public about what PT's do and how they can help 'normal' people achieve their goals rather than just being available to the super elite or rich and famous. Sometimes their methods/sessions might be a bit 'out there' but for every crazy and pure 'entertainment value' exercise session there are also sessions involving just pure hard work with cardio, weights, boxing etc.
Finally, there has been in depth discussion on the negative repercussions the Biggest Loser has on members of the S7….namely that their inappropriate feelings towards certain personal trainers on the show render them unavailable to the world between 7-8pm, four nights a week, for the entire duration of the shows season. On this matter I don't feel qualified to comment given the very real threat of danger to my health by 'outing' said S7 members and their celebrity trainer crushes.

As much as we love Humungousaur, The Commando holds a special place in the hearts of some S7 members

At the end of the day, the contestants selected to be on The Biggest Loser are in deep trouble. They have life-threatening morbid obesity and often have multiple medical problems. These people are ticking time bombs in our community. If appearing on a reality show like The Biggest Loser can help them to deal with any or all of these issues then I can only see the show as a positive thing. And if the Australian general public is educated and inspired in the process, then even better!!!

That awkward moment when……

2012-01-30T02:00:00.002+11:00

By Guest Blogger Renae

I had a big kick to the derriere the other week. As I was feeling so fit, and people were starting to notice that there was less of me, I decided to have my adipose level tested. Yes I wanted to know how much of me is made from fat.

Now I was expecting a good result, I have been working hard for 16 weeks ……..39%. Yep read ‘em and grimace, 39% of me is fat. How is this possible and how much of me was fat before –I am highly embarrassed and ashamed by that. How do I stand and walk, do I have any muscle at all?

I spoke to "Mr H" about it and he gave me some comforting words to change my way of thinking:

…it’s about where you’re going, not where you have been…

Another embarrassing moment:

He also told me that the scales used to measure my fat are not worth the saliva I spat at them once I found out my fat level. Well a big PHEW on that! Anyhoo, I should just keep with how I feel and how my clothes fit!

This got me thinking about all the other embarrassing and almost embarrassing things I have done during my training (80 days to go till the big walk).

I resisted using protein shakes for a while. But I also got sick of eating chicken, tuna and salmon as a snack. So I decided to try it out. Well….I thought it was disgusting, lumpy yuk, what were they talking about, this was nothing like a milkshake. I started refining my mixing technique to get rid of the lumps…. hmmmm this was getting better, but still not great. I told my self to ‘suck it up’ both mentally and physically and just down it. Finally Beck asked me: ‘you are using a shaker aren’t you..?’ Ta dah moment – why didn’t I think of that? I had been trying to mix the protein powder with first a spoon, then refined my technique to a fork..….I now love protein shakes.

Number 3 embarrassing moment:

So I have lost some fat from my body, (not that those fat measuring scales would know) and while in the shower began noticing that I could feel my superficial inguinal lymph nodes (the ones in your groin, we all have them). Now, (remember I work in the cancer area) I immediately diagnosed myself with lymphoma (based on no other symptoms) and booked a GP appointment. GP kindly informs me that my lymph nodes are normal; I just couldn’t feel them before because of my 39% fat layer. Oh dear – and I am supposed to be a health professional.

Things I know about: Weight Lifting

2012-01-27T12:47:00.000+11:00

A post by Carla

For the members of S7 not going to the beach, this holidays has been a 'Summer of Strength'. Tuesday and Thursday morning, I have been doing weight training with whoever is around. Monday and Wednesday I have done one on one weight training sessions with Humungousaur. This is what I've learnt…

Yeah baby!! [Image from here]

If like me, you find the weights area a scary place, it is nice to start out doing your weight training with a PT or friend
Drop sets actually don't involve physically dropping anything - who knew?
In between 'sets' you get to DO NOTHING…..what's not to love?
If you can keep a straight 'poker' face then you probably need to increase the weight
When you work hard enough to lose the use of your arms or legs…don't worry its only temporary…until DOMS sets in
'Deadlift' is a misnomer because they don't actually kill you…..hopefully
The weights area is the only place you get to see men drinking pink drinks by choice
There's a whole lot of chicks out there who can lift impressive amounts of weight…..unfortunately I am not one of them.
Once you've done repeated weighted squats in the squat rack, you will never whinge about doing an air squat ever again.
If you are on a leg extension machine and you work to failure….it is not a good idea to attempt stairs immediately after.
'Love the Steel'…..yeah I don't know what that means either
Compound lifts are ace for burning calories
If you do a huge chest sessions followed by 4 sets of 20 pushups [yeah thanks Humungousaur], you are probably going to fall on your face somewhere between 70 and 80.
Crawling is acceptable. Falling is acceptable. Sweating is acceptable. Puking is acceptable. Pain is acceptable. Tears are acceptable. Quitting is unacceptable!

Strength training rocks! Get on it people!

Apples and Eggs

2012-01-25T03:00:00.000+11:00

By Beck

I write today’s blog post with the help of my friend Michelle Bridges. Well actually we aren’t friends – we have never met, if they had accepted me on Biggest Loser things might have been different but alas they didn’t so we are not.

Since embarking on this journey I have had some amusing conversations with people about various fitness related topics. Somehow I now engage in an entertaining banter with a Dad at School after drop off which goes something like this:

(Shouted from the car as he drives past School gates) “2000 calories this morning, we rode our bikes for 3 hours got up at 3am in frost to do it”

(My retort shouted from School gates much to the embarrassment of my children and horror of other parents): “600 calories – 6am -out door boxing session in rain and I am only just warming up for some more”.

I often find myself in a situation where I am often comparing calories burned with other people which is really a stupid thing to do, it should be in the same category as cup size, dress size.. how often you have sex... All of these things are very much a personal matter and are determined by factors that do not matter to anyone else and so can’t be compared ... they are apples and eggs.

My mate Michelle talks about the amount of calories burned in a particular exercise. She can run for 10 mins on a flat road at 10km an hour and burn 100 calories, I recon I would burn close to 250 doing the same thing. She is fit and can run – I am fit, but still carrying weight and can’t run at that pace for more than 1 minute ( so basically we could never try this as I would be in the ambulance with 9 mins left to do so it would be pointless).

“Forrest” from the S7 did 30km in the Bruny Island Marathon and did a total of 800 calories for that distance, other team members knocked over 800 calories for 6-8 kms, again apples and eggs.

I used to strive for an 800 calorie an hour session, today I would need to train for nearly 2 hours to achieve that. Is there anything to be gained by having this conversation with someone who achieves this in 45 mins? Does it make my achievement any more or less significant would it make them feel any better?? I know that for me 500 calories in a session is good, in the same session Forrest would probably do 300 also good, someone else 700 – again good – if not GREAT!

We are each running our own race and it’s important to understand what is your own “good result”. So next term when School goes back my response to that Dad will be:

“I am bored with calorie conversations... let’s talk about your sex life"..... now that really will make some heads turn!

Hating gyms is not an excuse.

2012-01-23T08:00:00.000+11:00

By Guest Blogger Renae

"There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so" - Shakespeare

I don’t know if it is due to getting older, life experience, or doing lots and lots of reading, but I have changed my thinking about a lot of things. If you don’t like the way something is but you can’t change it, then change the way you think about it. I read that said in a much more eloquent way but I can not remember where nor who said it. Changing the way I think about exercising and how and where to do it has helped me keep up with the training for the 100km walk (87 days to go).

Last week I wrote about changing my attitude towards sweat (my own – other peoples is beyond my changing of thoughts).

For example: I used to hate sweating, getting all hot and sticky and prickly. Now I think about it like this; it means I am working hard, it means I am headed towards my goals. This is a bit gross (I am a nurse, we like to talk about lots of gross things), but if I can get it dripping it keeps me amused, if I can make my T-shirt look like a Rorschach test by the end, then I know I am working as hard as I can.

Another example: from ‘I should go to the gym’ to, ‘I don’t need a gym to get fit and train’. Gyms are intimidating for me, I worry about how I look doing exercise, and about using equipment right, about bothering the gym instructor. If I ever had a face to face with Mr H I would probably be intimidated also, I hear he is entirely made from large muscles, and has even won prizes growing them. I know I said tough love works for me, and it does, but if you yell at me I will start crying. The more I respect you, the more I will cry. Once I have stopped crying, I can get on with the tough love bit. A tour of my home gym:

My lounge room

My gym, notice the difference. My husband has learned that on body weight exercise day, we will be having dinner an hour later than usual, and not to try and talk to me whilst I am sweating. (see previous post by Carla) The dog, however, has not:

My supplier of hardcore tunes to pep me up.

My program. I do a combination of body weight exercises, like lunges, squats and push ups on certain days, then alternate cardio and walking on other days. No gym equipment required.

My timer for things like planks and so on, came free with a magazine.

My step(s) for doing step ups.

This is a great motivator. It is a heart rate monitor, I bought after about 6 weeks on the "A Team" on advice from Mr H. It has really improved my exercise, not only do I know what my heart is doing, it records calories burnt, keeps a record of all your exercising including times and dates in a chart. Sometimes I wear it for fun whilst doing the vacuuming or housework – it certainly makes me push harder.

The back pack with 10kg of bricks in it. Every now and then Mr H will set me a challenge to complete whilst wearing this back pack. I love a challenge; I love the surprise element of getting a text message with my challenge on it, it means I don’t think hard about what exercise to do and it keeps my training really interesting.

I also have had a friend loan me their cross trainer specifically for training for the 100km walk. I try to get outside as much as I can and walk (since it is a ‘walk’ I am training for that makes sense), and the dog enjoys it too. But if it is late, raining, too hot / cold out side, then the cross trainer is great (see no excuses). Sometimes I wear the 10kg back pack on the cross-trainer, I wouldn’t do that at a gym (and I am also sure it is against health and safety policy and all those things). When your home is also your gym there really are no excuses.

I did splash out and get some gym equipment last week: two kettle bells and a Swiss ball. I have no idea yet what I will be doing with them, but I am looking forward to it.

“Neck to Knees” V The Thong... your choice.

2012-01-20T09:29:00.001+11:00

(and no this is definately not me and my husband..)

By Beck
I will never forget the conversation I had with my friend several years ago when I suggested she come lap swimming with me ... this beautiful, healthy, slim person declined my offer because she “couldn’t be seen in bathers”. I at the time was significantly more beefy and was totally confused by this response. What? Who looks at you in bathers???

I may have been totally unaware of the crowds pointing at me and laughing or the life guards getting the ropes out ready to drag the “beached whale back into the water” but I actually think my presence in bathers really doesn’t get much attention at all. Let’s just be clear I am talking about wearing bathers at the beach or the pool – not walking down the street- there I am sure I would get ALOT of attention especially as I don’t live on the Gold Coast, I live in Tasmania.

The conversation with my friend has stuck with me over the years because I often think of the people who don’t swim because of this reason and I feel very sad. Europeans (and Queenslanders) have a very open attitude to wearing bathers and even thongs no matter what your body shape and age (again not suggesting those of us in Tasmania adopt this for street wearing fashion – we already are infamous for the amount of track pants and ugg boots seen in public).

I figure there are 2 sorts of people that attract attention in bathers - the super HOT and the Super – NOT –Hot. The other 90% of the population really just blend into the background and are lucky to get attention even if we are face first at the bottom of the pool. The Super Hot – are those that look damn awesome. They are the people your husband is watching out the corner of his sunglasses whilst trying to pretend he is supervising the kids swimming.

(Please note subtle fitness message)

The Super-not-hot are those people who are really really inappropriately dressed for their size (which is, as I said completely acceptable and if you are comfortable – well wear that thong and be proud) but you must realize people will look. I think we have all seen the large over weight granny in a bikini and just taken a moment and thought : “why??????”

So for the rest of us “Joe and Joanne average” I mean really who is looking, and if some stranger does cast an eye on you are you practise your synchronised swimming in the kids pool does it matter? I may again be wrong but I am yet to see headlines in any local paper that started with “Woman seen in bathers in local pool!”

Of course you could always decide to go and do a “Nigella” – I think she captured the attention of the entire Australian Media by wearing "Burkini" at Bondi? Scandalous! I wondered if they would have cared as much if she was in a thong?

OH - and one other thing. This entire topic relates only to women as I have never met a man who gives a toss about what he looks in bathers!

Just do it...

2012-01-18T08:32:00.000+11:00

A post by Carla

It is a well known fact in the inner circle of the S7 that I can get a little angry and scary for a few days a month. Lately, however, something has been niggling at me and it has absolutely nothing to do with hormones.

You know how when you are pregnant, everyone takes it as permission to tell you all sorts of stuff about their own pregnancies and births that you never really wanted to know? Well it's sort of the same with fitness. You work out, you blog about fitness and suddenly everyone wants to tell you their theory on what works and what doesn't. What really frustrates me is the people who believe that what they do is the only 'true' way to fitness/strength/health, and that everybody else is wrong.

I recently started reading "The New Rules of Lifting for Women" by Schuler et al, and it was with interest I noted the author's suggestion that he had never seen two people get the exact same results from the exact same program. Schuler claims that "The sheer variety of results obtained with the same base of information and advice is staggering". Herein lies my problem. We are all different. Our bodies, while the same, are also different. Most importantly, our likes and dislikes all differ.

In the S7, for example, the Goddess is an amazing runner. Beck loves weights. I like mixing it up with a bit of everything. Beck is so much stronger than the rest of us that any weight related activity we have in a circuit session is sort of a waste of her time because it is too easy for her while the rest of us puff and pant and struggle. The Goddess breezes through any running sessions we have while the rest of us emerge half dead. Similarly, doing 100 squats might leave some of the S7 unable to sit down or get up without discomfort the next day, but I could do unweighted squats all day and not feel a thing [might be exaggerating slightly there but you get the picture].

So my theory on exercise is that anything that gets you off your butt is a good thing. I don't care if you run, swim, ride, lift, box, Zumba, bushwalk, or Crossfit…...if you are doing something positive for your health, and you are enjoying it then I think that's great. Sure, there might be 'better' ways of exercising, or 'quicker' ways of reaching your end goal but at the end of the day, you need to enjoy physical exercise and it needs to be sustainable. There is no point going to the gym if you hate gyms because in the long term, you are not going to keep that up. I firmly believe that you just need to find the one thing you really love, that you look forward to, and that will make you get out of the house when it is cold and dark and the middle of winter.

If you are starting a health and fitness program as part of your New Years Resolution, forget about what you think you 'should' do or what you have been 'told' to do. To begin with, simply find something that you love to do and that makes your heart beat faster and makes you breathless…you are far more likely to have long term success!!

Exercise and eating healthy just, well, you know, take so much time….Really?

2012-01-16T04:59:00.002+11:00

By Guest Blogger: Renae

Disclaimer: I have no children; I have no maternal desires or instincts. My womb does not ache for life to start within it. I have a dog, I believe she is much easier to look after than children. I can feed her off the floor, I only wash her every few months or so, I can leave her at home by herself and she doesn’t use the phone. She’s happy with a ball and a walk, she’s never expressed a desire for anything that needs power, money or batteries. She enjoys me singing along to my MP3 player, perfect. The reason I am giving you this disclaimer is that I accept as true, that children can and will complicate the best laid plans. I truly admire any body with a child (or more) that can do anything beyond breakfast every day – you all deserve lots of medals and someone to do your house work.

This morning as I was spraying dry hair shampoo under my arms, I was thinking about finding an hour a day to exercise isn’t really that much…but being healthy and “in training” is also about the food, the cooking, the shopping….... it can seem alot of time and effort but, actually I think it all balances out.

Having “Mr H” via correspondence (and phone calls) means I can do my work outs where and when I want (and wearing really really daggy clothes). I don’t need to meet anyone at the gym, or go to the gym at all, in-fact I prefer not too. Training has taken up more of my time, but it is mostly (what was previously ) TV time (no biggy). Or early morning sleeping time, also no biggy, see below;

Let me explain…..

…I then realised that my deodorant smelt different to normal, and realised that I would not have to worry about greasy roots under my arms that day – but jumped back in the shower and started again. I am hoping I am an absent minded genius.

Think of the following words being spoken by a nice soft dulcet tone male – like the visa card adds on TV, where they say; such and such $20 , something else: ‘priceless’. You know the one......

Showering time: Longer because you shower more often due to sweat from exercise. Less time because you physically shrinking and therefore have less to wash.
Result: cancel each other out: neutral

Time in bathroom: Longer because you start admiring yourself in the mirror, instead of not daring to look. I am particularly impressed at the changes in my calves at present and spend a while tipping toeing and ankle flexing just to be sure.
Less time - because you don’t stress over what you are wearing, it fits, it looks good, and your confidence means you don’t change 5 times.
Result: neutral

Sleeping: Longer because I go to bed earlier, tired and sleep all way through. Before I would toss and turn and wake through the night.
Shorter: I now get up earlier usually to have a decent breakfast and sometimes to go for an early walk
Result: neutral

Laundry: Bloody longer, so so so many sweaty clothes. (I have learned to love sweating, used to hate it!)
Less, because you get new smaller clothes and so can fit more in a load
Result: neutral

Ironing: see above
Result: neutral

Groceries: Faster you only need to shop the outside edges, fruit, veg, meat – easy, quick.
Result: less time

Clothes shopping: Faster - for the last three months when I have gone into shops, I just end up looking at sports pants and tops and their moisture wicking capabilities (see above note about sweat). Fashion? I’m waiting for my forever body (any month now), and then I’m investing in great quality items. Except, of course, for the occasional wedding, party or weekend that comes up : )

Having heaps of energy to do the gardening, bush walking and the fun stuff (spending time with your children probably fits into this bit…going by my experience with the dog) and this is.....

Immeasurable!

Be careful what you wish for......

2012-01-13T09:51:00.001+11:00

By Beck
I have been quiet of late. Carla has taken the reins of the Step Away from the Chocolate. It’s not because I have been off on a tropical island resort sipping pina coladas, but rather I have been laid up in bed unable to even put my own undies on – because of a bad back. I would love to tell you I did this whilst doing a mammoth dead lift or in a title knee boxing fight, but alas I was putting a bowl in the dishwasher Christmas morning and that was the end of that... on the floor writhing in pain – all plans out the window... huge bummer.

But good things can come from bad situations. I was committed to do a two –on-one PT session – me, Carla.. Humungousaur.. was going to be hard core, was going to be great! So as not to let anyone down I convinced my husband he had to step in for me. He was very enthusiastic and (a little overly) confident. I was wondering where this was coming from seeing his last bout of exercise finished about 6 months ago – after a massive 2 week duration of training....

He slightly faltered when he realised he had to be at the gym at 7am (which I considered a sleep in, it was a public holiday so the normal training time had been moved back an hour – Humungousaur is nice like that).

So I set the alarm for him and nudged him out of bed. After fluffing around for half an hour he finally left the house humming the tune to Rocky (again, slightly alarming behaviour but let’s go with it). I spent the next hour rigid with excitement at how it would go (actually my rigidity was due to not being able to move – but I like to be supportive so let’s say it was due to excitement), until finally he came home (and not in an ambulance).

My husband left the house an overweight unfit middle aged man and somehow transformed into a body builder within an hour (we know where the blame goes for this). He apparently was “pretty pumped up” and I was forced to prod his 'rock hard’ biceps and chest muscles to feel their power as I attempted to hobble past to make a coffee (note: no sugar, minimal milk). There was also a fair bit of strutting going on... things were getting out of control.

Not wishing to dampen his spirits I let all this go by without comment, however things have now gone way out of control. Just before Christmas my husband bought a commercial carpet cleaning machine and over a few drinkies he and Humungousaur decided that a possible business venture was using topless (male) Body Builders to go to women’s houses and “Clean their carpets”. Ha ha funny idea..... joke joke. HOWEVER this afternoon I have found my husband topless, cleaning the carpets, and flexing his biceps...he will be running round the house in boxing gloves next with crowds of people following him.

What’s worse is that he has another training session booked for tomorrow.........
SOMEONE HELP ME!!!

How dieting is a bit like having children…[New Year, New You]

2012-01-11T12:22:00.002+11:00

A post by Carla

Dieting is a bit like having children…..you give up so much but you get so much in return. When I became a mother, I gave up so much – my job, peace and quiet, long relaxing bubble baths, [long relaxing anything actually], the opportunity to go to the toilet by myself, the ability to watch anything that isn’t animated until after 7:30pm (oh kid's bedtime, how I love you). However, what I gained was incredible: indescribable love, the incomparable sweetness of a chubby toddler's cuddle and kiss, the way just looking at my kids makes my heart melt.

Dieting is a bit like that. You give up so much: chocolate, alcohol, bread, chocolate, pasta, takeaway, chocolate, confectionary, pastry, chocolate. In return you gain energy beyond measure, health, fitness and the ability to fit into those jeans you were keeping in the back of the cupboard just in case.

Before I got stuck into training earlier this year, I used to love to bake – especially cakes. I have an amazing library of recipe books, and I even went through a stage of baking my own bread. Seriously. So you can imagine my horror when Humungousaur told me to cut bread out of my diet. My response was something like ‘WHAT THE…… ????’

You see, when we first started training as the S7, we had to keep a food log for Humungousaur of everything we had eaten. Now besides the obvious, like stop eating a family block of Cadbury's Dairy Milk every night, Humungousaur also asked us to cut out bread. Our alternative? A mountain bread wrap if we absolutely needed one. Now this was actually more challenging than it sounds because bread is really just so convenient…especially when you are in a hurry. So I dutifully cut out bread from my diet and I’ll be blowed if I didn’t actually start feeling better for it.

Oh sourdough….how I miss you!!

Next on the list – white anything. White bread (already gone) white rice, white sugar. Sugar I really struggled with and it did take me months to get used to coffee and tea without any sugar. White rice was not such an issue as I actually like brown rice….I just had to enforce it on the rest of the family. The last big battle for me, was pasta. I’m Italian! I grew up eating pasta at least weekly and to go cold turkey was incredibly hard. My poor Nonna would be rolling over in her grave at the thought of her granddaughter shunning pasta, but I console myself with the thought that I still cook it for my kids occasionally and try to perpetuate that love of Italian food in them.

So at this point, you may be thinking ‘what in the world do you actually eat?’. My diet consists of oats, brown rice, lean animal protein, eggs, nuts, vegies and fruit. [You might notice that dairy is missing from my diet but that is because I am intolerant]. Don’t get me wrong, I do have the occasional slip up, and I do have at least one meal a week where I eat what I like [within reason].

I’m not sure that anyone with an addiction (in my case chocolate) ever conquers their addiction. They just find something else to be addicted to. In my case this is peanut butter. Peanut butter is like the crack cocaine of my dieting world. The former foodie in me cannot get enough of the salty/sweet flavour combination. And the smooth mouthfeel is a godsend after weeks of salads. I eat it on corn thins as a snack (weighed out on the scale – 10g). But sometimes I just eat it straight out of the jar on a spoon. In fact I would go so far as to say that I would have reached my goal weight 5 times over if peanut butter did not exist. No that’s not true….I simply would have found something else to be addicted to!

Peanut butter comes in a caterer's size??? Bring it on!!!!!

So I may have given up a lot in order to become a mother, but I can't even imagine life without my kids. The same applies to my new healthy lifestyle. I may have given up bread, pasta, sugar, and all of those foods, but I now feel great, can wear a size 10 and can run a sub 5 minute kilometre. No sandwich ever made me feel that good.

"If we can do it can't you??

2012-01-09T09:36:00.000+11:00

This week we would like to introduce you to a guest blogger on Step Away From the Chocolate. Over the coming weeks Renae is going to share with us how she grabbed the brass ring, hung on for dear life and is enjoying the ride of her life. I have never met Renae in person and neither has Humungousaur – she is out there working her butt off and achieving great things and getting away from the dark side. Another person who has finally said “enough is enough” let’s just get on with getting healthier and fitter. So here is Renae’s inspiring story in how she has started her journey ...... Cheers Beck

Hi, I’m Renae and I’m a sucker for a sob story.

I would be a terrible teacher – I would believe every excuse students gave me for not doing their home work.

I would be a terrible Judge, I would be letting of criminals left right and centre, I would believe the reason they needed to break into 30 houses was to buy their dying grandmother a new bird cage for her dying budgie.

I would be a terrible drugs of addiction nurse: “Your dog tipped your methadone down the toilet and then drank it – OK sure, here’s some more, and some for later just in case” (luckily I am an oncology nurse – yes really I am).

But the worst sob story I have ever fallen for… is the one I have been feeding myself. It goes a bit like this:
“ Oh you’re studying, you deserve to eat that whole packet of chocolate biscuits, your brain needs glucose to work”

“ Oh life has been hard for you lately poor little poppet, you best just sit on the couch, watch the beautiful people on TV and stuff your face with anything that has plenty of sugar and fat in it.”

“If only I was rich enough to afford a private chef, a 7-day-a-week personal trainer, new wardrobe (yep you need exercise clothes – right?), not to have to work so I could exercise all day – I could look like those beautiful people.”

“If only I lived near a gym, near an oval, had street lighting, had better genes, could afford better food, was 6 inches taller…”.

So why now? How did I stop that sob story? The best line I have ever heard, and now tell myself when ever I feel a sob coming on: “suck it up buttercup”. For me tough love works.

I have actually been a part of the A team for 12 weeks now (see the page on Humungousaur on this Blog if you haven’t heard of this before). I am training for a 100km walk against poverty in April for Oxfam. I was entirely fed up with myself 12 weeks ago and contemplating trying to love myself the unhealthy way I was. As mentioned I am a nurse – and one of my frustrations is people who won’t help themselves, people that who how to improve their situation but just don’t. And here I was doing just that, which is why I was feeling so uncomfortable with myself.

12 weeks later I feel great, I can see muscles in my legs that I haven’t seen since playing hockey in high school, I can’t slump on the couch now because I have too much energy and have to get up and do something. But still have a way to go to reach my goals.

I started seeing posts from SAFTC and how these women, women in my age group, in my state, in my circumstances that had turned themselves around (Queue the:’if they can do, I can do it too competitive feeling coming on’). I started asking lots of questions about Personal trainers and what was working for Carla and Beck.

Account-a-bility! (hence the A in A-Team). I love it! Every week I get feedback on my week, praise and encouragement for good stuff (I am a people pleaser and praise feeds that need), and a ‘WTF?’ (with humour) for the stuff stopping me getting to my goal (yes Humungousaur does actually say that to me). The 100km walk has given me a great goal to aim for, and keeps me on track. Thanks Beck for the opportunity to change my life.

The other great thing is that ‘I am in training’ not ‘on a diet’. If people offer me something like deep-fried cheese cake (it exists: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42oUVwyFsZI ) But don’t do it!!

I just say – 'Sorry, I’m in training'. It works a dream; they certainly don’t want to mess that up, NO - ‘oh just a little bit won’t hurt’. And if they do go on to ask me what I am training for, I can tell them all about the walk, and then ask for a $ donation for Oxfam.

I love this idea of showing commitment on SAFTC, and it helps me by having another accountability source. I prefer to exercise alone but not do the whole training alone; SAFTC gives me a feeling of camaraderie and community. Great training everyone!

Renae

Post Script - Renae we LOVE the idea of using the phrase "I am in training" Way to go!!!! Beck and Carla

Eye Candy at the Gym

2012-01-06T07:45:00.000+11:00

A post by Carla

Okay so I have had enough of all the serious posts lately and so I thought I would get back to what I do best - sheer stupidity. Today's post is one of the many kind and thoughtful schemes that I come up with for you, dear reader, in order to enhance your workout.
Over the last few weeks, I have been doing weight training with Humungousaur. However, because I don't burn as many calories as I need to doing weights alone, I am also doing a lot of cardio. Part of Humungousaur's 'regime' is that I have to keep my heart rate in a fat burning zone so I am only burning fat, not muscle. Now when you are [quite] fit and you have a number of calories in mind that you wish to burn, this means that you tend to spend an awfully long time on mundane cardio equipment. In order to amuse myself while I endure this torture I have 1) spent a fortune on iTunes making up ever more awesome playlists, and 2) actually had time to check out other people in the gym and what they do.
As I have mentioned many times in the past, I usually work hard while I am at the gym and am in 'the zone' so I don't notice much at all really. It has been a pleasant change to actually connect with what has been going on around me and I have noticed an intriguing phenomenon….here it is. When a hot person enters an area of the gym, all the members of the opposite sex in that area of the gym instantly work harder. Okay, okay I know this is hardly a ground breaking discovery, but I am building up to a point here so sit down and shut up.
Now at our gym we are especially lucky because we have our very own 'glamour' couple. No Machine, it is not you and I…shattered, I know, but I guess that as we are not ever training at the same time most people wouldn't even know that we belong together let alone crown us the Glamour Couple, but anyway I digress. So this couple is apparently very attractive and also know their way around the weights room which is always important. You can't be attractive without being competent in the gym. So the added bonus of the Glamour Couple is that it doesn't matter if you are male or female…everyone works harder. Everyone is sorted.
So this got me to thinking [hours and hours on boring cardio equipment remember???] I started to hypothesise about the benefits of having your fantasy figure go to your gym. So everyone take a moment to come up with someone from your fantasy life that you find incredibly attractive. Now I have to be honest and say that the first person who popped into my head was Luke Pasqualino.

He's Italian…I'm Italian….he's so good looking he's almost pretty. Unfortunately I am [nearly] old enough to be his mother and so on deeper reflection, I decided all the crap I would get from Beck for liking young boys might not be worth it. However I had to leave the photo because two gratuitous pictures of handsome guys are always better than one. So just to show you that I am a woman of varying tastes, my second choice would have to be Ryan Kwanten.

Now he fits the bill perfectly because he is absolutely ripped at the moment while appearing in True Blood, so he would have good reason to be at the gym - clever huh?

So once you have chosen your fantasy person it's really quite simple….just imagine them sitting on the spin bike next to you - bet you instantly start pedalling harder. You can actually take this further and imagine your fantasy person has gotten the job of trailing you for a week as a kind of "Ethereal beauty slums it with normal person to experience everyday life" type of experiment. Brad Pitt in the room with you while you are naked? Bet you just stood up straighter. Bradley Cooper sitting next to you on the couch at night?? Bet that block of chocolate suddenly doesn't seem so attractive! The Hemsworth brothers watching your form while you deadlift??? Bet you can suddenly add more weight. See how this theory works?? And the best thing of all - it's free! So I might have a bit of an advantage over you all fantasizing, given the fact that I am carb depleted from dieting, and a little delirious at the best of times. However, all of us can use our imagination to turbo boost our workout. If you have an actual person at your gym who is your choice of eye candy…all the better!! As Humungousaur said to me the other day during a difficult set of preacher curls:
Humungousuar: C'mon Carla think about muscles
Me: Mine…or someone else's?
Humungousuar: Whatever gets you that extra rep…..

What else needs to be said???

2012 The Big Question?????

2012-01-03T12:15:00.000+11:00

By Beck
I have been doing a lot of reading lately. Its summer – kids are in the pool, I have a comfy deck chair and a bad back – can’t do much else. Add this to the fact Carla is like the good old fashioned book mobile and keeps depositing fitness related matter on my door step (My husband has given up asking where it comes from and simple says “Carla’s been here”).

Once upon a time I used to love the summer reading matter I would collect from friends– it usually involved a thick (large type) novel which had a pool boy and women in a mid life crisis – these days it’s still women in a mid-life crisis but the pool boy has been replaced by beefy men giving me strength and conditioning exercises for my shoulders (instead of inner thighs). Such is the life of a woman on a fitness mission.

I am really proud of the fact that the weight I lost 12 months ago is still off and is going down. I am pretty comfortable where I am at but will reinvigorate myself this year to knock over a few more kilos and increase a few more muscles. All of this reading I am doing is helping me fine tune the “how” I intend to do this and I mean HOW quite specifically. “How” – will mean what I will eat, when and why. “How” will be what exercise I plan to do when and where.

What “How” doesn’t mean is ...“ How do you lose weight and get fit?” Carla has the perfect answer to this ridiculous question (which luckily she doesn’t say publicly):
“How do you lose weight? Stop eating sh*t and start moving”.

There is a world of material out there to tell you HOW in broad general terms. But the first question you need to ask yourself is:

What in my life do I need to change?

For me there were 2 things: 1) I needed to think about me for a change. I needed to find someone to answer to and who was going to make me stay accountable. Someone who was going to absolutely make me focus on me for a change and what I ate and what I did. Someone who would kick my butt when it needed kicking.. bring in Humungousaur.

The second thing which has been a long time solving is the 3pm munchies. This was the downfall of many a perfect eating day. Blow it at 3pm? Oh well might as well write off the rest of the day and start again tomorrow.... sound familiar????? Once I looked at myself and realised that firstly I needed help and also that I had to plan my day to overcome my weakest hour I could really then move forward. It became easier.

What in my life do you need to change? No really - I mean this specifically. Don’t go writing “I need to get fit and eat less”......WHAT do you need to change? Do you need to ask for help? Do you need to clean out the pantry? Do you need to make a commitment to a plan or person? Do you need someone to take you to the gym to show you around?

In case the penny hasn’t dropped – no one is going to answer the question for you. A supportive someone might help you get to the answer but the answer is within.
If you have decided this year to do something to improve your health do something about it today that way it won’t end up being the same goal you have next new years eve.

New Year, New You: New Year's Resolutions

2012-01-02T01:43:00.000+11:00

Oh no…it's that time again…New Year's Eve. That time where we promise ourselves that next year will be bigger, better and more productive - and then pretty much keep living life as per usual. However, I am happy to report than in a freaky detour from the norm, I actually made and kept my New Year's Resolution from last year. You might have read about it here.

If you are contemplating making a health or fitness related resolution for 2012, then you've come to the right blog. I want you to know that you are never too old, too fat or to unfit to change your life. Think of something that you would like to achieve in 2012 and make that your goal. This could be weight, fitness or health related. I will caution that you need to be a little realistic here….making the Olympic Team once you are in your 40's probably isn't going to happen…sorry….

Once you have a goal, there are three things that are absolutely crucial to your success - diet, exercise and motivation. I'm afraid that all three of these are equally important.

Today I wanted to look at motivation.

Probably the biggest thing I learnt last year was that the only thing standing in the way of me achieving my goals was me. I recently found this little motivational picture which I absolutely love.

I know that this isn't rocket science but it really is probably the biggest truth that I can offer you as you begin your journey to healthyville. No matter what is going on at home, no matter what life throws at you, no matter what work sends your way, if you truly want to achieve your goal, then nothing is going to stand in your way. Instead of using everything that pops up, goes wrong, or stresses you out as an excuse to fall back into your old patterns of behaving and believing, this year refuse to say "I can't". Let's look at some examples...

"I can't make it to the gym tomorrow, I don't have time" - Um…yes you do and yes you can. There are a whole lot of people you are busier and more important than you who find time to exercise….every…single…day. What is more important to you? Sleeping in or achieving your goal?
"But I can't possibly give up lattes/chocolate/wine/hot chips" - Um…yes you can. I did and I survived. What is more important to you?? Eating and drinking crap, or achieving your goal??
" I can't possibly do spin/pump/zumba/go for a run….I am too unfit/uncoordinated" Um…yes you really can. Have you checked out the people in gym classes lately? They're not elite athletes, they're just normal people trying to achieve their goals like you and me. There is nothing to be afraid of. What is more important to you? Staying inside your safety zone or achieving your goal?

So in week one of 2012, and week one of creating the New You, I encourage you to get out of the way of yourself and start pursuing and achieving your goals. Stop saying "I can't" and instead start saying "I can and I will"!

4 sizes in a year: My 2011 retrospective

2011-12-30T10:12:00.000+11:00

There are only a few days left of this year and I wanted to spend some time looking back over what an amazing year this has been for me. In the first two weeks of January last year, I took this photo of myself. I'd had enough of being overweight, tired and sick. I was sick of feeling like a prisoner in my body. I was ready to change.

At the 'Half-Way' mark…

I apologise for the pile of toys in the background….just keeping it real!!

A year after the first photo [give or take a week] and I have taken this photo for you. I'm still not quite where I want to be but I am in a far better place at the end of this year than I was at the beginning.

In 12 months I have:

radically overhauled my diet
lost one quarter of my body weight
gone down 4 clothing sizes

I have gone from not being able to run for 2 minutes continuously to running 16km without stopping. I have also increased my pace from feeling like I was going to die at a speed of 10 on the treadmill to 10 now being a comfortable jog that I can sustain all day [well maybe 'til my blisters get me]. At the beginning of the year when I did my first spin class I honestly thought I was going to puke and wasn't sure I would actually be able to walk out of the room at the end of the class. Now a spin class is my warm up!!

I used to spend every winter on puffers, antibiotics and steroids. This year I have enjoyed fabulous health with maybe one virus [I think]. I have only missed one day of training due to illness all year and I'm not even sure where my puffers are any more. My resting heart rate is 60bpm and my blood pressure is a fabulous 110/60.

All that stuff is great, but the real joy for me is not the change on the outside but the change on the inside. For the first time in a long time I feel comfortable in my body. If I am required to do something physical - run across the road quickly, chase down a child, take numerous flights of stairs, I know I can do those things with ease. It's a great feeling to not be self-conscious, to have no hangups about myself, to know that I can rise to any challenge. There is a sense of freedom that comes with that knowledge, I feel liberated.

But what I want you all to know is that there is nothing special about me that enabled me to do this. The truth is that I was just a fat, middle aged, ordinary stay at home mum with thyroid problems, PCOS, and a bad back. In fact, some mornings, my back was so bad I would have to get The Machine to put my shoes and socks on for me before I went to the gym. But the difference between me and someone who has stayed the same/or gotten bigger this year? I was ready. I wanted to change. I was willing to be 100% honest with myself. I refused to let my illnesses/disease/arthritis define me. I stopped using those things as excuses. I stopped using excuses at all.

If you had kept all your New Years Resolutions/Diet Resolutions/Fitness Resolutions last January……imagine where you could be today?????

If you are ready to change and would like to become the person you want to be, then stick around in 2012. Step Away From the Chocolate is launching a "New Year - New You" program where we would like to do one post a week specifically aimed at those who may be just starting on their weight loss and fitness journeys. We want to keep you inspired, motivated and on track!!!

Happy New Year!

How times change…..

2011-12-26T15:09:00.000+11:00

A post by Carla

So 2011 is drawing to a close, and I have been reflecting on the massive overhaul 2011 has given my life. Here are some examples….

Before

Gels were something you experimented with in your hair in the '80's

After

Gels are something you experiment with on big training days and during your Ultramarathon

Oh big 80's perm….how I miss you xxxx

Before
'Smashing it' means one of your kids is in timeout and you are looking for the dustpan and broom.
After
'Smashing it' means you've done something to impress Humungousaur

Before
You watch your 4yo climbing up a set of cement stairs and think 'Oh no, he'll put a hole in his jeans".
After
You watch your 4yo climbing up a set of cement stairs and think "Wow, that looks like a good shoulder workout".

Before
You handwash expensive lingerie in the sink
After
You handwash 2XU compression wear in the sink

Before
Oats were only an ingredient that you put in Anzac biscuits
After
Oats are one of the staples of your diet. Eaten Raw. With protein powder instead of milk.

What???? There are other things to do with oats besides make anzacs??? Who knew?

Before
You argue with your husband over who has control of the TV remote
After
You argue over who gets to go to the gym at 6am

Before
You can't wear your wedding and engagement rings because your fingers are too fat
After
You can't wear your wedding and engagement rings because when you are weight lifting it makes your calluses worse

Before
You can't help out at your kids PE class because you are too unfit
After
You can't help out with your kids PE class because you are training with your Adventure Racing Team!

Adventure racing….see the attraction? Hells Bells and Fairy Bells we are SO coming to smash you next year!!!

Before

A power clean was getting the housework done before 10am.

After

A power clean is lifting 30kg of steel to shoulder height

Before

A heart rate monitor was something I attached to a cardiac patient

After

A heart rate monitor is my ever present companion at the Gym that helps keep me honest!

How has your life changed this Year???

The Thinking Woman's Guide to Christmas

2011-12-21T11:00:00.000+11:00

Beck’s approach to Xmas Festivities...

Since my husband has spent the entire 10 years of our marriage running a hotel he has been pretty much unavailable for any Xmas functions we have ever been invited too. Add that to the fact I was home with small children – we pretty much declined our attendance at most events. So in the end there really weren’t many parties to attend as either people stopped inviting us or we didn’t go. So while most of the city is out drinking themselves to oblivion I have managed to make it through an entire decade hang over free. Impressive/ sad isn’t it – depending on your perspective (and I know some people out there will take this admission as a challenge to undo all this great sobriety)...

So I will admit past festive seasons haven’t been a huge problem... but let’s face it when you have spent the other 11 months of the year eating crap, sugar and carbs, who really needs the added load of a flagon of booze - the damage is already done.

So here we are in 2011, kids are older, my husband has more time, we are hanging out with a fairly sociable crowd..... my answer is to select when and where you are going to let your hair down and when you are going to keep a rein on the “good times”. This weekend the S7 had our Christmas party... well in fact what we had was a tennis tournament with husbands (exercise) and a BBQ lunch(salad and protein) followed by some wicked desserts (time for treats) and yes a couple of glasses of sparkling with lunch for some (not Carla – no surprises there). For a “Christmas party”- pretty tame, but so much real and memorable fun.

I had planned the S7 Xmas to co-incide with my “3 days of self imposed home time” – where I have not exercised, I have slowed down and I have slept in – all guilt free. Important note – 3 days is the limit any more and it might end up being 3 months.. 3 years....have learnt that lesson the hard way!

So my message to all those at Christmas is a simple one - THINK. Don’t just get carried away and go with the flow. Plan the events you want to attend, plan the ones you wish to “let your hair down at” and make sure you balance that out with some exercise and controlled eating.

In the words of Humungousaur: .
It’s Xmas, don`t go without and regret it, but don’t over indulge and go backwards.....results are forever, sugar is very short lived!

Just don't do that: the Grinch who wouldn't eat Christmas

2011-12-19T10:46:00.001+11:00

A post by Carla

So obviously the Christmas season is in full swing and although many of the Christmas work parties are done and dusted, most of us probably have a few festive engagements left to attend. Then there are the big three, or as I like to call them 'The axis of evil' - Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Eve, where you will be tempted to stuff your face and drink excessively. So for those of you who are already on a health and fitness program, or those of you who are planning to start on the 1st of January and would appreciate limiting the damage you will have to undo, I have a terrific plan of attack to limit over consumption of kilojoules through excessive Christmas cheer.

I was thinking about the over indulging problem the other day as it struck me that this is probably the first December in my life that I will finish the month significantly smaller and lighter than I began it. You see, the members of S7 who aren't going away to the beach are engaging in a 'Summer of Strength', so this year I am eating and training like a body builder. As I am investing a great deal of time and money into getting results, I refuse to be brought undone by the fact that Chirstmas and New Year fall in the middle of my training schedule. Yes folks…I have turned into the Grinch who will not eat Christmas.

In my humble opinion, it's not so much that Christmas and New Years are particularly damaging times of the year, so much as we relax the rules we usually uphold for the rest of the year. "Chocolate for breakfast? Why the hell not….it's Christmas after all". See how I just did that? Seriously, who hasn't used Christmas and New Years as an excuse to stuff themselves stupid and drink alcohol like a six-year-old drinks red cordial at a birthday party.

So back to my plan of attack….a while back, when there wasn't much on TV, The Machine and I got into the habit of watching a series called "Skins", which is a BAFTA award-winning British teen drama following a group of teens through the two years of college. In one particularly memorable episode, one of the characters JJ, who has Aspergers, goes to see his incredibly 'helpful' therapist. When he tells this man of his overwhelming worries, the therapist says "and what do we say about worrying…. that's right….Just don't do that". Although this is not particularly helpful advice to a boy with Aspergers struggling through his teen years, it is fabulous advice for middle-aged people with butts bigger than their Xmas ham and turkey sitting side by side.

And so, my friends, "Just don't do that" is your Christmas and New Year's damage control mantra….

All I need is to add the word 'don't' in there……...

Tempted to eat a traditional roast for Christmas lunch followed by a piece of all the 6 desserts on offer? Just don't do that. Want to spend Boxing Day laying on the couch watching the cricket and eating leftovers? Just don't do that. Planning to drink 2011 into oblivion on New Years Eve? Just don't do that.

If it helps at all, work out the number of calories in a piece of plum pudding with custard, and then calculate the amount of exercise you will have to do to make consuming said dessert a neutral exercise. For me personally, that would probably be a 90 minute run [not jog, run]. Sorry, but I am far too lazy and no piece of Christmas pudding tastes good enough to warrant that sort of torture. What do we say about eating Christmas pudding? That's right…..Just don't do that.

And for all of you who are sitting out there aghast at someone choosing not to consume vast amounts of food and alcohol [but it's Christmas…..] here's a statement that is really going to knock your socks off. I actually don't see it as deprivation. I see it as liberation! The ability to say no to eating too much, drinking too much, lethargy, bloating, tight trousers and New Years Regrets is really liberating! When I get to New Years Day, I will be looking and feeling healthy and fabulous and that is liberating!

The Machine has a triathlon on January 2nd which is great as firstly, I know there are a whole lot of other people out there avoiding overindulging too. Secondly, there is nothing like standing around with a bunch of Uber-fit people to make you glad that you chose to "just don't do that"!

Two Steps Forward One Step Back

2011-12-16T10:00:00.000+11:00

By Beck
I weigh myself every day (Gasp – I think I just heard Jenny Craig collapse). The Humungousaur, JC (as in Jenny Craig not Jesus Christ), Mrs Weight Watcher, Tony Ferguson, Kate whats-her-name etc will all disagree with me and tell you that the number isn’t important or that once a week is enough. I firmly do not believe this – BUT I will put in a sub clause, you must understand the fluctuations that your weight may go through and not freak out when something goes up and not down (And by freak out I think we all know I mean –go-stuff-yourself- with –tim- tams).

Recently, I cracked a number on the scales I have been trying to break through for years – JOY, only to be followed by a PMT induced chip eating frenzy that undid all my good work (not –so-much joy). But the important thing is that by understanding and also keeping a close eye on my “movements" (that being weight not bowel) it’s easy to see where you may be falling off the wagon and get back on quickly.

If you are lucky or have the discipline of the Machine, Carla, a Body builder – you can probably lose weight consistently until you reach your desired goal. If you are me – you will find it’s a “two steps forward one step back” type journey. The important thing is to have more steps forward than you do backwards and even sometimes to take a flying leap forward to make up for lost ground (Ok – perhaps that’s a bit much with the metaphors).

Understanding what, when and how your body reacts goes a long way in helping you tune your nutrition and training to get the best possible outcome. For me – this means weighing every day, for others it might be keeping a food log or a designing a 7 day eating plan in advance.

There is a saying that is gold…. “If things don’t change they stay as they are”. How many people wake up and hope that they have lost weight without proactively doing anything to make it happen? I hate to break it to you but there isn’t a magic fat sucking fairy that visits during the night – if there was I would sit up all night with a butterfly net. But for me to lose weight I need to work at it and embrace the fact that I am a woman (hear me roar) and let’s face it, PMT pig outs really can only be justified for a week (max) not the entire month.

Romance….Machine Style

2011-12-14T07:30:00.000+11:00

So by now some of you are probably thinking that being married to The Machine wouldn't be so bad. He enters stuff. He wins stuff. There's glory. There's adulation [Unfortunately there is no prize money….but we're working on that]. But let me assure you that life in the household of Mr and Mrs Machine is anything but a bed of roses.

Take the other day for example. The Machine has Mondays off to train and do other super elite stuff. Usually our adventure racing team go mountain biking together but on Monday only the two of us were available. So we decided instead of training, we should do something fun and romantic and have lunch together with NO KIDS [how exciting]!!!!

However this IS The Machine we are talking about, and as it turned out, although he agreed to have lunch at our favourite cafe, 'Blue' at Inveresk, the catch was that we had to park 5 kilometres away at the Basin and run the Zig Zag track to get there. The Zig Zag track for all of you who haven't visited Launceston, is described in tourist literature as:

Zig Zag Track

Distance: Approx.1km(20minutes)

Difficulty: Hard - Dirt/informaltracks

Historical gravel trail that links Kings Bridge to the First Basin, with a series of zig-zags that climb high above the Cataract Gorge. This trail has been described as ‘testing the lungs of travellers’ but the views are worth the effort.

So just incase you still aren't 'getting it', you are basically walking up and down a small mountain. No exaggeration [much].

Now this wouldn't have been so bad except that I had done a killer one on one PT session with Humungousaur that morning. I had done power squats, upright rows, one-legged get ups and split lunges amongst other things and my legs were trashed. [No I can't explain what these are as recalling them will trigger some sort of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder - you will have to google them]. Now of course, as he likes a bit of an extra challenge, The Machine got a parking ticket for an hour and 45 minutes because if there is no time restriction then there is really no challenge. Is there?

At this point in the day it was fairly warm [for Tasmania] and before long I was puffing, panting and sweating. I was also having yet another revelation from the Universe about how short my legs are and how much easier it would be to do a whole lot of things like climbing up and down boulders if they were longer. I did yell out "This isn't fun" to The Machine but he was either too far ahead, or moving too fast to hear me because he didn't reply. When I did catch up, I asked him when in the world his idea of a romantic lunch had morphed into an extreme sport and he replied "When you stopped stuffing your face". Bastard. [To be fair, he was referring to the Nigella Mermaids and making excuses post….I think]

By the time we got to Blue, it was pretty obvious that we had Buckley's of getting back to the car before our ticket ran out. Due to his ~~ludicrous time management~~ error in judgement, he had to forgo his post lunch macchiato so really he was only punishing himself. He set a cracking pace on the way back, because he doesn't like to lose, but he did humour me with a hilarious game of "If our friends had blogs what would their titles and bylines be?" Although in retrospect I think it was only as funny as it was because I was delirious with fatigue. We got back alive. We were late. We didn't get a ticket. Lunch was superb. So I guess all is well that ends well.

I might look happy…but actually I am delirious

Now that you have read this story, you are perfectly situated to understand my trepidation when Beck generously asked the S7 and their families to her place for a social tennis game and Christmas BBQ. I responded 'But isn't it supposed to be fun?' I tried to express my concern to her, honestly I did…..but I think she thought I was overreacting. If today was The Machine's idea of a romantic lunch, can you imagine what his version of a fun social tennis game would be????? Don't say I didn't warn you…...

Yin and Yang

2011-12-12T08:05:00.000+11:00

By Beck.

Saying there are many approaches to fitness and weightloss would be a massive understatement. Unless you: don’t watch tv; don’t use the internet; don’t have a smart phone; never leave the house; and don’t buy magazines; you will not escape being bombarded with some new idea, magic cure or recently unearthed secret. Dieting is a national past time and talking about it is almost on the scale of a social revolution. Whatever path you choose on this journey it’s going to come down to only 2 things:

Are you die hard or hard trying?
If you are a die hard (like Carla), nothing will stand in your way of getting the result you want. If you are hard trying – you will work hard, and stick to the rules most of the time – and achieve notable success but not at the sake of the golden syrup dumplings you will make on a special occasion and just have to have a SMALL portion to try ......yep that’s me.

Recently Carla and I were dining out with mums from our sons’ class at School. The first issue was with the beverage order.... Beck: Sav Blanc – it had been a big week, Carla – rainwater from a BFP free tank in the central highlands (Round One: Carla) .

Give me strength.....when we sat down to order Carla was actually sitting next to me just waiting to hear what I was going to order to eat. I told the waitress I wasn’t ready, so she went round the table making Carla order before me... ha ha – Round Two: Beck.

Round three – Dessert. No worries here I wasn’t having any, neither would anyone else ( I mean who would eat dessert with us – they are sh*t scared they will end up in someone’s blog). But I did order a cappuccino and Carla – Green tea with aforementioned rainwater... Round Three – Carla!!!!!

Needless to say – we are unlikely to be invited back and our children may well suddenly find themselves off the birthday party circuit (lucky we know where our friends live..work...cars they drive.........)

In all fairness I actually think we balance each other well - I keep her from going completely off the deep end into a clean eating frenzy and she keeps reminding me milk won’t get me the shoulders I am working my ass off to achieve.... Ying and Yang!

(Dear Prep Mums – please invite me back .... I promise to leave Carla in the car with a bag of (vegie) chips and a protein shake then we can really go wild - and woo hoo maybe eat bread!!!!

Seriously…just shut the hell up: Gym Etiquette Part 4

2011-12-09T08:01:00.002+11:00

I would like to begin this post with a disclaimer……I am not an antisocial person...seriously I am not, but there are some times when I just don’t want to talk to you. One is when I am in labour [as one midwife found out the hard way]. The other is when I am in the middle of a hard training session. Here are some reasons why:

I am in the zone – Once upon a time when I was a gym newbie, I got chastised by an instructor for having a drink. The instructor told me that if it was possible for me to sip water after that particular track…..then I just wasn’t working hard enough. These days I am certainly more able to understand this particular line of thinking. Some days, if I am training really hard, I can choose to do one of two things 1) breathe or 2) talk to you and die from lack of oxygen. So if I am working hard and I do not answer you, it is because I am not physically able. Humungousaur, this does not apply to you. As we have been working together for the better part of a year, I know that you are intimately familiar with my repetoire of facial expressions which include 'This sh*t sucks’, ‘I hate you, you b*stard’, ‘you want me to do WHAT?’, and ‘Stand back, I’m about to puke’.

I can’t count – one of my worst kept secrets is the fact that I failed maths [well almost]. I’m sure I have some form of numerical dyslexia. It takes me forever to learn my own phone number….there is no way I can remember anyone else’s. I struggle to remember my number plate or the birthdates of my children [I have THREE of them…that’s a whole lot of numbers]. To this end, I am sure you can understand that keeping count of repetitions presents as a challenge to me. Therefore, if I partake in your conversation, no matter how witty or interesting, I will not be able to count where I am up to in my reps. The last thing I want to do, in a 100 weighted squat challenge is to lose count of where I am up to and have to start again.

It could be dangerous – I am uncoordinated. I fall down a lot, for random reasons. Therefore, if I am running on the treadmill at a fast pace and you distract me, chances are I am going to shoot off the back of the treadie and you will be wearing me. Similarly, I am beginning to lift heavier weights. I, like Winnie the Pooh, am a bear of very little brain. If you distract me while I have a loaded bar over my face, chances are I will drop it on my head. That could get messy.

I will miss my favourite song – I have 3 children, a husband and 2 dogs. There is no peace and quiet at my house and no space for listening to music. There are also impressionable young minds to think about…..my 3 yo once spent a whole week walking around singing “From Friday to Sunday I make the girls go wild”. Similarly, he has been known to drop his pants and do his own rendition of ‘I’m sexy and I know it’. The point is that often being at the gym is my only time to listen to great music. Please don’t rob me of this experience.

I’m hardcore – it has to be said people that when I am in the gym, I am there to work hard. I am not there to chat about what was on 60 Minutes last night. I have limited time and I intend to make the most of it.

I am absolutely sending Santa the link to www.fkngymwear.com so I get one of these for Christmas this year….

So there are the reasons I am not a social butterfly at the gym. On the way to and from classes, and when stretching, you have 100% of my attention. It must also be said that if you want to talk to me…feel free to take me out for coffee sometime [long macchiato thanks]. You’ll have my undivided attention. But if I am in ‘the zone’ with my iPod on, then please step away……

The Bruny Island Ultramarathon

2011-12-07T14:04:00.002+11:00

Regular SAFTC readers will know that we completed the Bruny Island Ultra Marathon on the weekend (as a “relay” with the S7 not as Solo competitors– I haven’t completely lost my mind).

I could sit here and describe the hills, the rain, the sunshine, the fact the 70 year old Hash House Harriers tried to recruit us (but were concerned we wouldn’t be able to drink enough), the fun we had or the fact that we were absolutely shit scared that we had bitten off more than we could chew..... BUT what I want to focus on is the fact we stepped out of our comfort zone. We were so far out of our comfort zone we needed a ferry to get home (well we WERE on an island, but you get what I am alluding too).

We are women who are around their 40’s (mostly) who spend their days doing everything for everyone else and just getting to a gym to train twice a week is a massive effort. So co-ordinating support cars, days off work, children/ husbands being left to their own devices and then getting to the starting line at 6am after driving for 6 hours the day before – WOW... (in fact at this point I think we may have even been justified if we just went out to breakfast instead). Seeing as the local cafe had no plans to open anytime soon– getting underway in the race was probably the only alternative.

As we had driven most of the running route the day before we knew we were in for hills, gravel, more hills and predicted bad weather. Carla did a fantastic effort running the first 16km which started 2km up, up and up followed by some down and a lot more up (I am using technical ultra marathon talk to describe running routes here).

“The Goddess” who has since been renamed “Forrest” (as in “Run Forrest Run” ) took over and completed her 14km before the rest of us stepped in to do 2km intervals. “Forrest” didn’t actually stop running even though her section was over and she personally completed a massive 30km! Whilst everyone else was impressed I knew that she was just running because the camp-stove/ and Italian-on- stove coffee pot was in my support car and she was just running towards that.....she only stopped running when someone made her a coffee.... (not exactly the truth but she did get a coffee at the end... much to the jealousy of other runners who could smell fresh expresso coming from the roadside (and people laughed at me for bringing that along HAH!)

Espresso coffee being enjoyed road side

The (long winded) point I am trying to make is that not only did every member of the team successfully do what they set out to do, but they actually pushed themselves past what they expected.

Support Crew/Cheer squad waiting for the 'corporate crusader'

As we were so far in front of the majority of runners (starting while everyone else is still asleep does that for you) we were able to have 2 runners on the road supporting each other. What this meant is that those members who only came along saying they would run 1 x 2km leg ended up running more by being a support runner for other team mates. Everyone stepped out of their comfort zone and “smashed it” (to coin a now famous and slightly over used phrase).

Sooner or later someone will realise there are more than 7 people in the S7!

Carla and I are in the privileged position of having people share their stories with us, or speak to us privately and share their desires to do something “for themselves” or to improve the way they feel. If I could take one message from this weekend and share it with you it would be to take a risk and step out of your comfort zone –even just for a weekend!

Life is short- it can’t all be about school pick ups, washing and family demands.......

By Beck

Post Script:If you don’t know where or how to start – send us an email stepawayfromthechoc@gmail.com – no woman is alone in her mission to have an adventure!

Our Ultramarathon Adventure

2011-12-02T10:24:00.002+11:00

Dear SAFTC Readers
Today we would like to introduce you to two of our S7 members. They have been so kind as to write a guest post for us in the lead up to the Bruny Island Ultra Marathon that we are doing this weekend. Our 2 team mates we have called “The Butterfly”and “The Goddess”.

“The Butterfly”– is the heart and soul of the S7 and we would hate her to ever leave. She is the person who hated gyms and worried that she wouldn’t be able to keep up. Over the time we have trained together she has accomplished a 6.4km fun run, gets up twice a week to train – even though she hardly sleeps and is turning into a naturally talented runner. We love her and her wonderful care for her team mates.

“The Goddess” – you have met before – she can run, and run and run – she has an amazing gift and it was her ( silly.. oops "lovely") idea for all of us to do this event and she has inspired us all to give it ago. The Goddess is the person who made herself run 42km on a Sunday the other week – because she wanted to have achieved it before her 40th birthday – amazing!!!

Enjoy ...

from Beck and Carla

From The Butterfly
I agreed to participate essentially because I didn't want to let the team down. When the numbers were low and the thought was to invite “outsiders' in to fill the spots I just couldn't allow it. Such is the strength of the bond of the S7 (it’s made a girl of 45 who has never run in her life and essentially hates to run... do it for the team…).

The thing I am looking forward to most is the friendship and fun we should have as a team that is it and the essence of why I am involved at all ( I could perhaps have achieved this same result from the CWA – but too late now).

The things of which I am looking forward to least are: the lack of toilets and if it is too hot when it is my turn to run and if I am sooo slow I make the team miss out on the medals at the lighthouse and the fact that I usually do not sleep much . ( Editors Note: The Butterfly can actually run faster than several of the S7 and let's be honest – we really aren’t in the running for any medals... and I hate to admit to the Goddess but I don’t think there are any medals..)

I have never been to Bruny Island before so that is an adventure in itself and I am driving one of the support cars so I really do need to find my way there.

My preparation has not been flash I suppose. I have never ever prepared for anything like this before I did not really know what to do other than our existing S7 sessions and the 7.5 km runs we have been doing on Sunday mornings. However I did run by myself 2km the other day non stop in 16 minutes which I thought wasn't bad but it did not make me do 3x2km in preparation which if I was hardcore like the rest of the gang I would have done?

Well there you are a bit of useless trivia from the mind of a non-hardcore, only a little bit fit old lady make of it what you will but I do so love being part of the SENSATIONAL SEVEN and I am off do my first Ultramarathon!!!

From the Goddess:
Why did you agree to participate? Thought it would be good bonding experience for the S7 and I am wanting to do a marathon next year so thought it good training

b) What are you looking forward to most? The finish line, getting a medal, we get one don’t’ we??? I mean really – we must!! Oh and the pre race carb loading lunch with the girls, wine is a carb isn’t it? & I never can refuse a road trip, love a road trip. Can’t wait to see the S7 team accomplish this together

c) What are you looking forward to least? No toilets & the hills, hate running hills!

d) Have you been to Bruny Island before? If so, what were you impressions? No and probably not the nicest way to introduce yourself to the place. Can I run and take photographs that the same time?

e) Do you have a race plan? Run fast to get it over with, crawl across the finish line if need be as long as I finish & get that medal. ( There is a medal isn’t there???)

f) What sort of things are you doing to prepare? Eating, eating, eating….you do need fuel.

Note from Beck and Carla - when you are sitting in your office reading this we will infact be on the road to this event - incase you there is news footage look out for the team with hot pink S7's on their t shirts.... we will probably be the ones sitting in on the side of the road making coffee... but thats another story......

Lighthouse where we finish the race - lets hope we make it!!!

The Vanity Workout - a letter to Humungousaur

2011-11-30T10:45:00.000+11:00

A post by Carla

Dear Humungousaur,
It just so happens that when I was at the gym working out today, so were you. I know that we have worked together for quite a while now, and you would probably be right in assuming that I should have learnt a thing or two about lifting weights. Hence you were totally justified in your perplexed expression when you saw me doing seemingly random and unrelated sets of exercises. I felt I should write and explain. You see, I have actually created my own workout which I like to call The Vanity Workout.

Party Season….time to unleash your inner Goddess!!!

You know the scene. It's that time of the year again and you have to get frocked up regularly. Well, obviously Big H you don't get frocked up but just play along with me here. I have limited time in a busy day to train and I have a cocktail dress to don this evening……what's the plan of attack?

Well, I decide that firstly I need to do some cardio to make way for the ~~bottles~~ glasses of champagne I will be drinking later ( I don't drink often, so when I do, I like to do it in spectacular style). Following cardio, I decide to work on every muscle group that will be visible whilst I had my frock on.

Tonight….I am wearing a black, beaded, above knee Alannah Hill [google it] with little capped sleeves and a plunging V neck. Thus the muscles requiring attention are my biceps, triceps, calves and abs….not that my dress actually reveals my abs but I don't plan on wearing Bridget Jones style undergarments…and I want a flat stomach.

The style of my dress was similar to this except unfortunately I didn't look like Alannah Hill while wearing it!

Now obviously, the vanity workout can be used for any big occasion. You just try on your frock….see what body parts are visible, and work those muscles until they are absolutely pumped.

Now obviously big H, in the interests of balance and symmetry I do realise that this is not a good idea long term, and that all muscle groups deserve equal amounts of love and attention. But before a big night out, and as a one off, The Vanity Workout is the way to go.

I think it could be the next 'big thing'.

Love Carla

One Small Step for Man One Huge Step for Womankind

2011-11-28T11:32:00.000+11:00

By Beck

In writing this blog, working with the S7, and working with the A Team, I have come across so many women out there just wanting someone to give them a hand to help themselves. It’s the nature of women to help everyone else, but sometimes they have no idea how to fix their own issues - or can’t justify the time and money to work it out. Sometimes its just damn hard to admit you cant do something on your own, but if you can manage to take this small step, life may never be the same.

The Goddess (S7 member) and I were at a party recently where my husband was telling the story of how dining with the S7 is like hanging out in a cult – we have our own language, “in jokes” and references to supplements that might scare the non – believers (he used to try to understand and keep up but now he has just moved onto the 'humour them and keep out of it' category).

Whilst we were laughing about this I noticed a lady paying particular attention to our conversation and at an appropriate time asked ‘so what DO you use”. My first thought was Uh-Ho.... she is going to be someone with a REALLY strong opinion on this and this can go pear shaped really quickly..lets grab the kids, and go... but no... she really was just wanting to know what we were doing, eating, supplementing....... etc etc etc.

If you are a regular Blog Reader – you will know the story or at least you may have clicked on one of the above tabs about how we began and who are we. So here I was faced in a party situation with a woman I had never spoken to needing to condense 18 months of life changing experiences, dieting tips, motivational stories into a quick story that would be done before I had to put the next canapé into my mouth... interesting situation. So 40 minutes later and a quick powerpoint presentation (that I whipped up as I was in the ladies) I had given her what I hoped would be the direction and contacts that she needed to move forward.

The Goddess said to me later that I should work on commission (note to self –mention that to Humungousaur) but in fact what I discovered is that I am really really passionate about helping women who want help to improve their diet and nutrition. This was a bit of a light blub moment for me, but I imagine anyone who has been anywhere near me in the past year and a half may now consider that I am mentally slow because they probably realised this a long time ago...cause basically it’s all I talk about.

So to that lady who had Humungousaur’s phone number on a cocktail napkin down her bra when I left the party – I applaud you. During my 40 minute monologue I may have forgotten to ask your name or tell you mine – but well done for walking up to complete strangers and asking what could turn out to be a life changing question for both you and me.....

What do you mean gardening isn't exercise??

2011-11-25T10:02:00.002+11:00

By Beck

Humungousaur was over at my house one day. I don’t often allow him to visit because it's way to stressful (I find myself making us black coffee because I can’t admit to taking milk and sugar...and doing walking lunges to deliver it because I don’t want him to think me lazy!). Anyway, on this occasion I had spent 3 long days attempting to remove the mountain of weeds that had invaded my backyard over winter and spring. I had quite honestly worked my butt off digging, sawing, pulling, carrying and whipper snippering (is that a word??).

Over the (black!) coffee, he made some reference to the fact that gardening isn’t exercise. Are you freakin kidding me?? I challenge anyone and the H-man included to complete 3 solid days of gardening and not burn some significant calories. I am not talking pruning the roses here I am talking hard core – get in and get dirty vegetation destruction (yes ok, my suburban back yard isn’t Bear Grylls territory but it had been a while since I had ventured outside and done anything... I mean we are talking Tasmanian winter here – who would???).

In his own defence, upon leaving he did admit that he has turned all his garden into lawn because he hates gardening so I guess we can assume he (on this particular topic at least) has absolutely no idea what he is talking about. Carla may be able to challenge the “H man” to wall squat, my challenge will be “weeding at speed” or perhaps “one handed tree sawing” – it’s just a pity that it’s all done now and we will have to wait to next year!

Ok - well this might not be the EXACT photo of my backyard but it gives you and idea of the level of wilderness we are talking about.

(Note to self – wear heart rate monitor when on adventure gardening experiences... the Polar never lies) .

Carla's guide to 'Humungouspeak'

2011-11-23T06:51:00.001+11:00

If you are new to the world of gyms, exercise and personal training, you will quickly discover that it has a whole language all of its own. Over time, I will attempt my own 'Carla's guide to Gym Speak for Dummies' for you, but today I wanted to concentrate solely on our very loved and respected Personal Trainer Humungousaur.

So last school holidays, The Machine and I took our littles to see 'The Smurfs' movie, because seriously, smurfs rock. While I was sitting in the cinema philosophising the mixed fortunes of Smurfette who has only one dress [unlucky], and yet so many men to choose from [very lucky], the smurfs' language caught my attention. For those of you who don't have small children or [shock, horror] are not acquainted with the smurfs, they use the word smurf…alot. Now according to Wikipedia, the font of all knowledge, "A characteristic of the Smurf language is the frequent use of the word "smurf" and its derivatives in a variety of meanings...some words (or a portion of the word) are replaced with the word "smurf"". It is also important to note that "Context offers a reliable understanding of this speech pattern, but common vocabulary includes remarking that something is "just smurfy" or "smurftastic".

Context is everything…...

Just as the smurfs have the word 'smurf', Humungousaur has the word 'smash'. If you are going to train with him, it is very important to understand the many and varied ways he uses this word. A characteristic of Humungousaur is his use of the word smash in a variety of meanings. Similar to the Smurfs' language pattern, the Big H replaces everyday words with the word 'smash', which sometimes requires you, as Wikipedia suggests, to note the context in order to understand the statement. Common Humungousaur vocabulary includes remarking that he "could smash" something or someone… or that one of his clients 'has smashed' something.

Let us explore this concept further. Once upon a time in my world, if you smashed something, it meant broken glass and the dustpan and broom. In Humungouspeak however, 'smashing it' means to have done exceptionally well at a particular task. An example of this would be "You really smashed those deadlifts today". The word 'smash' can also be used in a broader way in relation to fitness and training. The statement "You are really smashing it" on it's own, means that one is currently doing an exceptional job in pursuing and achieving one's health and fitness goals.

Humungousaur can also apply the word 'smash' to activities outside of the gym. For example, the phrase "I could really smash a protein shake right now", roughly translates as "I feel the desire for a nutritious beverage". Similarly, in The Big H's world, you don't merely partake of a meal, you 'smash down' your chicken rice and beans, which means to eat with voracious enjoyment.

"I was smashing down the water during training today…"

To be honest, the word 'smash' is such a part of Humungousaur's vernacular that I would not be at all surprised if his epitaph reads "He came…He trained…He smashed it".

So why do you need to know all this? Well, Humungousaur is quite economic with his praise. He gives credit where credit is due, but he is not going to say gushy stuff just for the sake of it. In fact, I think he has only given me two compliments in 9 months (yes….I've been counting, The Machine and I have a running tally). Therefore, if you happen to be training with him and you do a great job and he tells you you've smashed it, I don't want you to miss that huge compliment because you're thinking "what the freaking hell does that MEAN????"

This has been a smurftastic public service announcement for all those considering training with The Big H. It's okay…you can thank me for smashing the explanation later.

Compression Obsession

2011-11-21T07:27:00.000+11:00

A post by Carla

So it has come to my attention lately that I have a little bit of an addictive personality. Yes, I know, I know, I am a slow learner. As a child it was famous five novels, in my teens it was bad boys, in my twenties it was Jazz music and in my thirties it was chocolate [until I met Humungousaur]. What is my addiction of the moment???? Compression wear.

'What on earth', I hear you say, 'are you talking about?' Compression wear are the fancy tights [skins etc] you see people working out in that are supposed to enhance performance and aid recovery and all that shizz. I never really bought into it all that much before because besides being quite expensive to buy, I was so fat I’m sure I would never have fit into a pair…..or even worse, I would have gotten stuck trying a pair on in the change rooms and needed some stunned and revolted 18yo athletic shop assistant with a pair of scissors to cut me free.

Now as you all know by now, mainly because I go on and on about it, I have been suffering from shin splints all year and have tried just about everything to get some relief. So recently when I took The Machine to run the Ross Half Marathon, I noticed that a whole lot of the serious runners had special funky looking compression socks on. I resolved to research these socks further when we got home.

Dear funky running socks….I love You!!!

On a recent trip to the mainland, we were stoked to find that not far from where we were staying, there was a whole 2XU shop full of compression wear. Why 2XU? Well, in perusing my stash of Runners World and Ultra Fit magazines [yes I know you are suprised but it's not all Who and New Weekly at my house] I had noticed that 2XU was the compression wear of choice for a lot of athletes. Also, to be honest, I just liked the design more – they were more 'sexy' in appearance. You can call me shallow…..it’s okay. But seriously, if your compression tights of choice are black and yellow in colour, what happens if you want to wear a pink top? Ever thought about that? Not that I have anything against a black and yellow colour scheme, particularly as they are the colours of Lance Armstrong's ‘LIVESTRONG’ branding. I mean the man is a total legend – who is going to argue with him? All I am saying is that sometimes a girl likes to change it up a little and having neutral colours is a good thing.

So getting back to the point…..2XU…..worn by lots of serious athletes….and seriously good looking.

I went into the 2XU shop – how exciting – and spoke to the fabulous gentleman there and that day I took home a pair of full length tights. I wore them the next day to go for a run, and while they totally rocked, I couldn’t help but feel regretful that I hadn’t stuck to my original plan of getting the funky socks. So the next time we were out and about, I asked The Machine if we could go back to 2XU again to get my Calf Guards (that’s what they are really called). The next morning was the day of the 'Map my Run’ incident. I was so impressed that I had run over 10 km for the first time and had not felt my shins – AT ALL. I was hooked.

Later that week in Brisbane at an even bigger 2XU store, I was persuaded while waiting for The Machine, to try on some ¾ length tights. I tried them on and immediately looked at least 4kg slimmer. There was no way I was going home without them. Luckily, The Machine was paying.

The thing is, even though they have a whole lot of performance and recovery benefits, they just make you look really good, and even better, they are fabulously comfortable to wear. On any given day at school drop off, chances are I have my compression tights on under my pants. Not only do they make my pants fit so much better, but they are actually assisting my recovery. Also, if the occasion ever arose where an impromptu training session became available – I’d totally be up for it.

The Machine and I in our compression tights at the Burnie 10 (photo by our 8yo….I apologise for the lighting)

I know Beck is planning some sort of compression wear intervention for me but let me tell you that come measurement day with Humungousaur, I’ll be having the last laugh. If your compression wear is firm enough….that’s gotta be good for a few cm’s right??

Compression wear….have you tried any lately?

You think you know someone well until.....

2011-11-18T15:52:00.000+11:00

.....You play a sport with them.

By Beck

You may think you know someone well... until the day you decide to a sports team together. I have a friend - a very unassuming, quiet, and non offensive friend. She is the person that turns up with a pot of spag bol for the family when she knows I am sick. The sort of person you are lucky to have as a friend. The sort of person you wouldn’t think twice about asking to join your fledgling sports team.....

Yes – I knew this friend ( let’s call her “White Line”) had represented the state in Beach Volley Ball, and she gets pretty serious with her husband in tennis, but NO WHERE I mean NO WHERE had I seen any evidence of the bout of white line fever she gets when entering a sporting competition.

Now – to be fair, we are talking a very elite sport – not played by many, attempted by only a few – it’s the cream of the crop who play social Waterbasketball at the local aquatic centre. For those uneducated to the sport there isn’t even a white line to induce this fever, it’s just a matter of getting into the water, swimming around a bit and throwing a ball and eventually attempting to shoot a goal. It’s really a combination of netball and half court basketball played in water – easy really.

The problem is that “white line” is actually really good at it. She is often top scorer and has been season best and fairest. What makes it difficult is that the rest of us aren’t so good at it – many, many shots at goal have to be taken before we are rewarded with success and we are often out swum by the kiddies in the lane next to us taking swimming lessons (but never "White Line").

"White line" took to conducting motivation talks at half time. The rest of the team were face first hanging over the pool edge trying not to puke but she pressed on. When it became clear that we really weren’t getting her game plans she wheeled in a white board (yes alarm bells were now going off).

On a night when we were training (yes we do train) for some reason the Aquatic Centre hadn’t put up the basketball rings – so "White Line" started doing laps and then had the end wanted us all the leap out of the water in a “ shooting for goal” sort of way . As we stood there a little confused she decided to demonstrate the manoeuvre but the only problem was that no one told the lifeguards and they thought she was signalling that she was drowning (was rather funny really and no we didn’t step in to stop them).

We love "White Line" and we wouldn’t be without her, sadly due to the growing popularity of the sport she has formed her own team now which is not surprisingly ....unbeatable. But don’t worry we have a secret weapon..... we just need to find a way to install small out board motors on our flippers without being noticed.

The Booty Call

2011-11-16T11:33:00.000+11:00

(Ex boyfriends and junk food - one woman's survival guide)

By Beck
I had a husband that was a publican and worked 7 days a week. I had 2 boys 22 months a part in age, and my youngest only ever slept for a maximum of 40 mins in anyone stint at night time. I can honestly say I do not remember much of the first 12 months of his life as I was exhausted and on autopilot. I used to ring my husband and beg him to come home from the Hotel (which was only down the street) but work commitments often prevented it, I needed a way of coping and chocolate and coffee were my friend. Unfortunately they were a friend that didn’t know when to leave and often popped around uninvited for years later. Like any bad crowd of friends I was being left scarred, saggy and sad by this unhealthy arrangement.

Like all friends, sometimes they need a whack over the head and to be told to go away as the relationship is really over…. and I thought it was, until one day recently under stress I went straight back to them and ate chocolate, chips and coffee for dinner! This was almost as bad as one of those pesky ex-boyfriends who pop onto the scene just when you thought you had moved on. What on earth was I doing? I was a grown woman now and I didn’t need a booty call (from an ex boyfriend OR a bar of fruit and nut chocolate).

I guess the thing about these slip ups is that you need to see them for what they are, assess why you did it and find ways not to do it in the future (Let’s be clear I am referring to the chocolate – I am NOT declaring publicly non existent indiscretions of any other kind...). There is no point in beating yourself up over it and giving into it – learn and move on.

Remember you are always making progress if you do something better tomorrow than you did it today.

Carla vs Humungousaur…the 5 minute wall squat

2011-11-14T11:41:00.002+11:00

Part of Humungousaur’s ongoing ~~torture~~ training is to make us do a wall-squat. He brings this one out of his bag of tricks every few weeks. Now for those of you who have the good fortune to not know what a wall squat is, let me bring you up to date. You stand with your back to the wall, feet shoulder width apart, and then you sink down until your thighs are parallel with the floor. Then you hold it……

Now I have to confess that there is no particular aspect of training at which I excel. S7’s Goddess is an amazing runner (that would be because of her beautiful gazelle like legs…sigh!), Beck is freakishly strong at lifting weights, but I have no particular talent except turning up on time. However, I do think that I possess a weird talent for doing a wall-squat.

Anyway, back to the story. So one day we are doing a wall-squat when Humungousaur tells us he once saw some MMA dude do a wall-squat for over 5 minutes in a wall-squat competition. In the end, all the other competitors had given up, they got sick of waiting for him to collapse, and politely asked him to get up so they could get on with things.

So I’ve thought about that for a while and then blurted out ‘If I had fresh legs I could do that’. That was a total lie. I knew I could do 2 minutes without it hurting too much and so 5 couldn’t be that much harder. Right???? Humungousaur just gave me a mildly condescending look and said ‘Okay, you and me…next week…5 minutes’.

Now at this point, I feel I have to point out that I did not issue a challenge or particularly want to ‘take Humungousaur on’. I was merely trying to point out that doing a wall-squat for 5 minutes was not that impressive and could be achieved by a fat housewife…namely me. Coincidently, the Guinness Book of Records has the longest wall squat at 11 hours and 51 minutes (by a female no less). Now THAT is impressive.

So of course, I had to go home and practice to make sure that I could actually make it to 5 minutes and not embarrass myself. Just as an aside, when I told The Machine of my intention to achieve a 5 minute wall-squat and asked him to time it, he replied that if I did a 5 minute wall-squat, he would do a 5 minute plank. I did….and he did. Seriously. Ouch!!

So the big day dawned and after a warm up it was time for the challenge. Now I can’t go into too much detail because ~~I still have to train with Humungousaur and I seriously can’t afford to offend him because I will pay…big time~~ I am a very discreet person. Let's just say that it wasn’t my legs that started shaking first if you know what I mean. We both made it to 5 minutes 30 seconds and then we called it off because really, I had made my point and we had better things to do. I highly recommend wall-squats for building quads of steel …give it a go and let me know how long you can last…… As for taking on your trainer…..probably not something I would recommend to the novice unless you have a freaky super talent.

I'm a lover, not a runner...

2011-11-11T11:23:00.001+11:00

By Beck
I hate running. True. I really do, but mostly because I am so freaking bad at it. I like to describe myself as the Cliff Young of the new millennium but I think perhaps that is over ambitious. I have come to believe that our bodies were designed for specific activities – some people run, some swim, some sumo wrestling.... I am definitely in the latter category and you can’t go against what you were designed for can you?

Over lunch I had this conversation with my 74 year old father. He looked to my husband (obviously for some reason expecting that he might concur) and talked about the natural high of getting in a rhythm and running for miles. Apparently my father spent his child hood training greyhounds which meant running packs of dogs to near collapse morning and night. Today this would be considered child abuse.. but I am willing to give it a try. Not for me of course but I think my sons would benefit for this activity... I just unfortunately don’t actually know anyone who races greyhounds...
I have digressed.

So my husband (Mr-apparent-world champion athlete of 1970) and my father (The Greyhound) are sitting discussing the beauty of running. I looked at Dad and said thanks very bloody much – you could have passed on the “running-like-the-wind gene” but instead, you gave me the “sweat like you are in a sauna as soon has your heart hits 120bpm” gene. Not happy Jan.

No point looking at my mother either, the only sporting prowess I could have got from that side is an enjoyment of baddington – a sport I don’t actually think exists anymore. So really I think I am genetically doomed. I continue to battle this disability to run because now I have reached a fitness level where walking doesn’t even raise my heart rate. I could walk for two hours and burn off the equivalent of a smartie – hardly worth the effort. I can run for 3-4 minutes and if my hips, knees or chest pain haven’t got me – it’s a good day and at least my calorie burn would be in the double figures.

My dear training buddy Carla, The S7 (and of course the Machine) have left me for dead in the running stakes. So either I need to find new unfit friends to run with or I need to suck it up and get on with it. It doesn’t help that Carla keeps registering for every 5 or 10km event she can find in the state and expects me to go too. In all fairness it is probably my turn to start registering her for events and its probably time we looked over seas. I think she deserves a great reward for all that running she has been making me do... I mean what are friends for? I will just need to double check she has a passport in order and oh yes what size g-sting she needs.... Japan is so lovely this time of year!

Post Script - Ok I can stop ranting at Carla now. The Corporate Cruisader (S7 Member)and I have just completed the Clifford Craig 5km Fun Run on the weekend and come in with very reasonable times (well ok much better than we were expecting anyway). Perhaps she does know what she is talking about - but lets not tell her that!

October….or should I say Jogtober

2011-11-09T06:09:00.001+11:00

A post by Carla

Way back in March when I first met with Humungousaur, he asked me my fitness goals. I told him that I would really like to be able to run 5km. This may not seem like a huge achievement to some of you, but I am not, and have never been, a runner. I spent most of my school sports days begging my mum to let me stay home (she never let me), and trying to minimise humiliation. I think the problem lies with the fact that I am very much an hourglass which is not exactly the best anatomical shape for a runner…oh and also the fact that genetically I inherited the 'run like a tortoise' gene.

I spent a lot of time this year improving my overall fitness with Humungousaur, and working on my leg strength. I also spent alot of time working on getting my shin splints sorted out which I have talked about here and here.

So finally, I was feeling pretty good, I had worked my way up progressively to be able to run 5km comfortably. Okay, maybe 'comfortably' was stretching the truth a bit….but I could run 5km. Sometimes, due to The Machine's erroneous maths…I even ran 11 or 12km.

In Tasmania, the weather is pretty crappy most of the time so as soon Spring hits, all sorts of sporting events start popping up. I somehow found myself transformed from a non runner into someone who was going to have a crack at 3 races in 4 weeks. Yeah *scratches head*…I'm not really sure how that happened.

Race Number One

So race number one was a terrific race to start with. It was the 'Run for your Heart' 5km fun run and walk. Now I have to tell you that this race followed school holidays where we had stopped training, gone North and eaten things we normally wouldn't. So I didn't really feel in the best of places to be doing this run. However I was determined to have a go. I went out a little bit hard and by about 2.5km-3km, I was hurting and really started to question where the bloody hell the 'fun' part of the run was. My anguish was intensified when I was chuffing along with a heart rate of 165, and got passed by a guy who had to be in his 70's. How humiliating! To my suprise, I actually finished…..alive and everything. My time was 27:15. Despite preparing a sign for the back of my t-shirt that read "Please Dear God may someone be reading this"….I actually came 93rd out of 239…which isn't even last.

At the finish line…I'm looking a bit too 'fresh'…maybe I needed to work harder?

Race Number Two

Race number two was Tasmania's premier running event, the Burnie 10. Now let me tell you that the only reason that I entered was because I had to take The Machine down to Burnie and I thought doing the race would beat standing around. Although I had run 10km a couple of times, I wasn't really ready to race it. The weather was appalling. I'm not sure that anyone really warmed up well as it poured before the race began. My race plan was simply to make it out alive. I decided to start out slow and steady so as to minimise the risk of conking out halfway through the race. A hint to anyone thinking of doing the Burnie 10 - go out hard in the first kilometre as it is mostly down hill. Something I only learnt in hindsight! D'oh!! I didn't really find my rythym until about 3km in because I hadn't warmed up due to the rain. At around 3km I finally found someone running my pace to pace me. I ran next to, infront of and behind this gentleman for at least 4 km. The fact that he was in his 70's is irrelevant…… I finally pulled away from him at about the 7km mark. The 7th kilometre seemed to go on forever. It didn't help matters that it also started raining so hard that my skin was stinging. I couldn't find the 9km marker because I think spectators were standing in front of it. Note to those of you who may go and watch a race….please don't do this…those markers are really pyschologically important!! I stormed home up the hill and actually passed a few people which was pretty indicative of the fact that I probably hadn't run hard enough during the race. On the bright side, I felt great afterwards and not at all sore which was just as well because Humungousaur tried to kill me in training the following week…. I came in just under an hour, and was actually just happy that I had run 10km without stopping!! For those of you who were wondering…The Machine set a new 10km PB of 38 minutes

Burnie 10...Soooo cold…..

Race Number Three

Race Number three was the 'Run for a Wish' 6.4km fun run. It was an absolute cracker of a day. Beautiful and sunny. This was a really special run because almost all of the S7 were available to do it and so Beck and I told them ~~they had to run it~~ they would be most welcome to join us. This race was beautifully organised and even better the running bibs and singlets were a glorious purple [I know it's shallow but even though I'm running…I still like to look good]. Now I had had a killer week in training and had dreadful 'can't sit down or get back up' type of DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness) so I was a bit concerned about how my legs were actually going to function. On the bright side, because the Machine was busy taking the kids to their Saturday morning sports fixtures I got the Garmin - all to myself!!!! As there were lots of fun-runners there, lining up at the start line was a breeze. There wasn't the usual crush. My first three km's of this race went pretty well and my splits, according to the Garmin, were pretty fast [for me]. Unfortunately, then my sore legs and the heat got me. My pace slowed to about 5.30min/km and I seriously could not make my legs run any faster. As the S7 spent all winter training in super cold temperatures, I am really struggling any time it is over 10 degrees…something I will need to work on. Around about 4km, I did start to pray for the torture to soon be over. I am pleased to say that this race I easily passed the only Septuagenerian I saw [hooray progress at last!] ….and instead of pacing myself with a pensioner, I paced myself with Buzz and Woody of Toy Story fame. How cool is that? I have to make a mention of these guys because it must have been superhot in those costumes, and just looking at the chaps tied around Woody's legs made me feel sore! My time was 35:29.

So there you have it…that was my October. How was yours???

Nigella, Mermaids and making excuses

2011-11-07T09:55:00.000+11:00

No-one accidently gains weight and gets unfit. It happens for any number of reasons. In my case because of excuses that I told myself to justify my behaviour.

Today I wanted to talk about excuses we make to ourselves because the S7 have been discussing some images and stories that have been doing the rounds on Facebook lately. The first is the Nigella Lawson vs Gillian McKeith pictures being circulated. The second is that really bizarre 'Mermaids vs Whales' letter that a woman supposedly wrote to her gym in response to a poster asking "This summer….do you want to be a Mermaid or a Whale?". I am not going to link these photos/stories because I don't like them and I don't want to add to their popularity but if you really want to - google them.

Okay, so my point is this. For the better part of a few years, I used every excuse under the sun to justify why I should be able to eat what I like and not exercise. These excuses included the following:

I'm too busy to exercise
I don't have time to exercise
If I eat this chocolate but no one sees me it doesn't really count
Eating the kids left overs doesn't really count
Eating off my husbands plate doesn't really count
I have to eat when I am at a friends or I will offend my hostess
If I wear lots of layers, no-one will notice how fat I am
I am/will always be the fat sister
I am not good at sport and therefore it is no use exercising
I will start on Monday / next month / January 1st
I have a big frame / bones
Sugar won't make me fat, and anyway I am so busy I'll burn it off
I am in my thirties so I have left it too late
Everyone is overweight in my family - its just the way we are
I have PCOS / thyroid issues (yes I really do)

See, I am really quite talented aren't I? And this is just a small sample, not an exhaustive list. I'm sure that some of these excuses will sound familiar to some people, although I'm sure none of you can top my creativity. Making and believing these excuses did nothing to better my health, and when I see these Nigella pictures or these mermaid vs whale stories, to me they represent a collective 'excuse' or 'disclaimer' perpetuated by women to women. I am all for self acceptance, I really am, but I am also all for being healthy and happy (especially as I am an ex-nurse married to a doctor). Arguing that Nigella is attractive and looks good for her age, so therefore it is okay to eat what you want doesn't sit well with me. Having 'taken one for the team' and tested this theory out [I'm good like that], I am living proof that this theory is just plain bogus. I ate what I liked for quite a few years and I didn't end up looking like Nigella. I ended up overweight, constantly tired and sick, and extremely unhappy. [Interestingly, this is the first winter for six years that I have been antibiotic free!!!] Similarly, arguing that it is better to be a whale than a mermaid because whales are more social and have more fun is just beyond nonsensical to me. When I looked like a 'whale', the last thing on my mind was going out and socialising. I felt so self-conscious that I actually avoided every social situation that I could.

Actually, I don't really want to be a mermaid or a whale. I'm sort of happy just being me. Thanks anyway.

At the end of the day, what it came down to is this : I wanted to see my babies grow up and have babies of their own. Continuing my old lifestyle wasn't going to make this a reality. When I'm sitting in my rocking chair with a grandchild on my lap, it would be great to be able to look around and see my peers fit active and healthy with their own grandkids on their laps too. So if it is okay, I am not going to repost those stories and those pictures because personally, I think we deserve better.

So how does this all relate to motivation? The basic problem is that people are too polite….it takes a very brave person to stage an intervention and tell you they are worried about you because your ass is reaching the size of a small African nation. One day I was watching an episode of Grumpy Old Men and they were talking about middle aged spread. One of the grumpy men blurted out this gem:

"If you want to lose weight….then stop stuffing your face you fat bastard."

Sometimes we all need honesty like this in our lives. I know that hearing this statement was like a slap in the face to me.

Anyone who wants to start, or make progress on their journey to health and happiness just needs to find the 'one thing' that triggers them to stop making excuses.

It could be hearing a comment like "stop stuffing your face".

It could be you realise you have no photos of yourself because you have been hiding from the camera.

It could be that you want admirable shoulders to flaunt in a summer frock.

It could be that you want your little boys to think their mum is awesome.

The motivational trigger that you find doesn't really matter as long as it works for you.

So if I was going to repost anything on Facebook in place of Nigella or Mermaids, it would be this……

"When your intention is great enough you will ALWAYS find the time and energy to accomplish your desires. You can state excuses to the contrary, but holding on to your old stories is just another way of wasting precious time." - James Arthur Ray

What excuses have you used? Have you 'broken free' of your excuses? What was your motivation?

Truth or Die Baby

2011-11-04T07:01:00.000+11:00

By Beck
I have two amazingly awesome fit, attractive friends who I have previously introduced to you all as “Miss Shoulders” and “Bags”. Now I think I deserve a lot of credit for having these two as my friends because I could actually dislike them a lot – they are everything I would love to be (plus they are about 10 years younger than me too). But they are really nice people so I overlook these body issues.

Recently I was hangin’ out having a post work out coffee with them ( basking in the glow of being seen publicly with the “gym in-crowd”) and the conversation got onto diets ( duh of course it did – we are women, we had been to the gym, we were having coffee.....) I was so refreshed to hear one of them openly admit they don’t have a weight issue instead of doing the usual woman thing “oh my thighs are too big (even though they look like Elle McPherson) or I hate my boobs – blah blah blah. It’s actually OK to say "I am happy with my body"! Yes get off the floor people –you can. That is providing you are being honest with yourself and you are not using this statement as an excuse to stay on the couch.

So moving on, I mentioned the Low–vember challenge Carla forced (oops “asked”) the S7 to do. “Bags” asked me how much weight I wanted to lose. Now of course I wasn’t going to tell these two what I actually weighed so I said a 2-3 kilo loss would be ok. Well slap me down. “Bags” actually said to me – “oh pull your finger out you can lose twice that in 5 weeks.”

" My butt looks like WHAT???"

Now people don’t take this the wrong way, she is actually quite correct. I could in fact lose 12 kilos off my frame so setting a 2-3 kilo goal for myself in 5 weeks was rather lame. But you know what – it was the honesty that really struck a cord.

How many of us say to our friends what they want to hear? How many of us stick our necks out and say to a dear friend I am worried about your weight – whether it’s too heavy or too light? How many people have the opportunity to help a friend make a real difference to their health but are too scared of offending them to take it? I am not suggesting it’s time to ring up your best mate and tell them they are a lard arse but I am saying if the opportunity presents itself .. just be honest.

Whilst I still plan to wipe the floor with “Bags” next time we knee box – I am very appreciative that she had the strength of character to challenge my goals and make me strive for a higher reward. In the end this can only help me beat Carla and pocket the cash so it has to be a good thing doesn’t it!

I can be your hero baby…..

2011-11-01T08:22:00.000+11:00

By Carla

So by now some of you who have been following this blog for a while may be asking why on earth I am bothering to do all this stuff [entering fun runs, adventure races, ultramarathons etc]. While there is no quick and easy explanation, my answer is at least in part, informed by my children.

I grew up in a family of all girls and my father was fairly absent so having two sons has pretty much rocked my world. To be honest, in the nature vs nurture debate, I was on nurture's side. That was until my first son was born. It quickly became apparent that this child had emerged into the world a miniature 'bloke' and I was left scratching my head and asking 'did this little cave man really grow inside me?' However I would like to believe that my boys have helped me reach a new understanding of, and appreciation for males. In the case of my boys…I was quickly smitten.

It is pretty well recognised within psychological circles that at some point in early childhood, boys begin to identify with their parent of the same gender. When you have been the centre of your small boy's world, it is pretty devastating to be cast aside for the world of wrestles with dad, footy, and burping and farting out loud [as an aside, one of my proudest achievements as a parent so far is my son's belief that yes, girls do fart, but not as much as boys!].

However, a couple of things happened as my boys started to grow up that really made me question the role they saw me in. The first was my eldest son's obsession with the movie Kung Fu Panda. One day when he was playing Kung Fu Panda for the thousandth time, my son started assigning characters to the members of our family. He was Tai Lung (of course….a total badass), my daughter was Tigress and The Machine - obviously - was Master Shifu. When I asked him which character I was, my son replied 'You can be the Noodle making duck'. Totally. Shattered.

But I don't WANT to be the noodle making duck!!

The next wake up call occurred when my baby boy decided that being the baby of the family was boring and he needed to spice up his life. He started telling wildly untrue stories that started with "My dad can…..", and "My brother can…". There was just one problem…this didn't really work when talking TO your dad or brother. Ultimately, he created an imaginary friend called 'My Grandpa', who could do, and had done just about anything and everything. Now the point was not lost on me that all of his fantasy super achievers were male. In his eyes…if you wanted to do cool stuff, you had to be a bloke.

This really made me think. Way back when we made the choice to adopt our first child, we had decided that I would be a Stay at Home Mum. I liked being the nurturer. I liked baking and sewing and creating a warm and welcoming home. I liked being there for school plays and ballet recitals and assembly presentations. That did not mean, however, that I wanted to be the freaking noodle-making-duck. I want my boys to feel loved and nurtured, and learn that girls can be soft and feminine and gentle, but I also want them to learn that girls can be strong, independent and super amazing! So if, while I am training for my marathon the washing piles up, there are no clean socks, and no home-baked cupcakes for lunch boxes…..then so be it, because every now and again I really need to be the hero in my sons' lives.

Sorry, but I can't iron your school shirt….Mummy is busy saving the world!!

Whatever it takes (as long as its not too hard)

2011-10-31T12:40:00.000+11:00

By Beck

One of the mums at School has shoulders I would kill for. Back on she is an awesome sight, in fact front on she is pretty stunning too but it’s the shoulders I want (and with discipline I could probably have them ... but that’s the problem). Watching Humungousaur diet and exercise to get the best possible physique so he could ( very successfully) compete in natural body building competitions has opened my eyes to what the body is capable of achieving (with discipline)... there’s that “d” word again, and that’s my problem.

Some woman lust for boobs (of their own) so they get boob jobs, some woman lust for pouty lips and scarily white teeth. If you can find the cash and a practitioner offering the service - you have your answer. But I am pretty sure the only way I am going to have those sensational shoulders is going to be diet and hard work.

So again, we return to Miss Shoulders. It seems wrong to peer at a woman’s upper body so much but this area can look so damn magnificent – some might say it’s a reflection of the inner person and their inner strength and determination (ok well maybe not really anyone would say it, am I getting a bit fixated?).

“Shoulders” have become a bit of a “thing” for me – because let’s face it, at the ripe old age of 40 ( plus) there are fewer and fewer body bits that can be shown off with dignity. Put away the bellybutton studs girls because you ain’t going to get many friends sporting one of those publicly at the School gates in my neighbourhood. Cute “muffin tops” you may have gotten away with in your 30’s have actually developed now into 2 tiered cakes and are best left hidden under a nice twin set.

But shoulders can be very nicely displayed in a singlet at the gym, bathers at the pool or sleeveless cocktail outfits during the Christmas social season which is just around the corner. So I guess I am left with 2 choices. Continue to secretly admire the shoulders of my friend as she walks past me (and risk being considered a bit inappropriate)–or dig in,(wo)man up and work towards getting the shoulders I want!

Stay tuned on this mission – I might even post a before (ie tuckshop arms)and after (sensational arms) in a year..... or two.... or three!

Dedicated to my friend.. see I wasnt really stalking you :)

And the winner is…….

2011-10-31T08:02:00.000+11:00

Thanks everyone for entering our giveaway. We are pleased to announce that the winner is……

Random Generator chooses number 25!

…...the 25th commenter……...Dianne Connelly!!! Dianne, you are the winner of our Running Bare cap and drink bottle. If you email us your postal address we will pop it in the mail for you. Congratulations!!!

The Fitness Slump

2011-10-28T05:58:00.001+11:00

By Beck

I am only human (unlike Carla’s husband),I am not a machine. I am also a mother and woman (hard to be the first without the second) – which means I am sometimes subjected to hormonal urges or sheer desperation which results in the need to eat chocolate ('Gasp' I hear you say). Yes I will admit it, sometimes I do. Small amounts – not entire cakes. But what allows me to survive these visits to the dark side relatively unscathed is the level of exercise I try to maintain across the week.

What brings me completely unstuck is the fitness slump. Sometimes it creeps up on you because of illness or exhaustion. These are the times you need to listen to your body – rest, recoup, re-group and start again. But my worst fitness slump started when I was 8 months pregnant with my first child and finished when my second child turned 5.

Sometimes these slumps just happen because of a change in routine. A day, a week, a month goes by and guess what you haven’t exercised and the weight is piling on. Humungousaur once said that a week off training takes a month off your fitness life... (or something like that.. I think at the time my ears were full of sweat so it was like listening to someone under water).

So what do you do to get out of this? If you know you are in a hole, how do you get out of it? I am lucky I have Humungousaur who actually threatened to arrive on my family holiday and drag my “ass” to the gym if I stopped training. He was joking... I think….But there have been times when I have felt awful and sitting on the couch was what I felt like doing but doing this just made me feel more miserable and even less like exercising. Sound familiar?

As The Commando says, "There are NO Excuses"…...

So I have the simple 3 step guide to getting out of the slump:
1) Before you go to bed lay out your exercise clothes or pack your sports bag, make sure your ipod is charged and your drink bottle ready (and whatever other stuff you need – see lane sharing rage)

2) Clear the time for the next day to achieve it. Whether this means telling your husband you will be leaving the house at 7am to go for a walk or dropping the kids with a friend after school or telling your secretary you are not available over lunchtime

3) Wake up and do it. To quote a particularly hot PT (sorry “H” not you, I refer to... sigh.......The Commando) – there are NO EXCUSES. Once you do this you will remember how good it feels and you can plan for the next time.

Or of course I could just send Humungousaur over?????

The Wake Up Call

2011-10-26T12:58:00.001+11:00

As we are spending some time exploring Motivation, I couldn't help but mention one of my big wake-up calls. On our 'Before and After' page, I talked about 2010 being a dreadful year and how I had attended 4 funerals in less than a year, and how 3 of these funerals had been for people in their 40's.

As I sat in these funerals and paid tribute to the lives of these beautiful people, I watched riveted as each one had a photo presentation of their life. This really made me think…(come on who hasn't?)…if I died tomorrow, what would my photo presentation be like? I suddenly realised with a nausea-inducing shock, that there would be hardly any photos of me from about the age of 25 until the current day. In fact, there would be hardly any photos of me at all.

In retrospect, I think I probably grew up learning to dodge the camera [thanks for that Mum]. I never felt slim enough or attractive enough to be caught on film. Then, by the time I was in my late teens, I actually quite liked photography. When I first started working as a nurse one of my first pays was spent on a fancy SLR camera. I tended to be behind the camera instead of in front of it.

Shortly after marrying at age 25, I started IVF treatment and ballooned like the Goodyear Blimp. My excuse for not being photographed was far more related to my desire to not be captured looking like I was. It is so easy to pretend you are really the healthy girl you feel like on the inside, instead of the fat girl you present to the rest of the world. I'm sure I held on to some tiny seed of hope that 'if there is no [photographic] proof that I look like that, then I can pretend I don't look like I do'. To see yourself the way the rest of the world sees you, captured in an image, is hard to dismiss.

One of the few 'family shots' where The Machine and I appear in the same photo

The point of my story however, and the thing I really regret about not being photographed is that I have hardly any photos of me with my babies. What an absolute crime. It broke my heart to think that I might die and my children would have no photographic evidence of how I looked and how I had changed through my life and theirs. More importantly, I couldn't bear the thought that there would be no captured moments of the time we had spent together. This was one of the pivotal moments in my decision to do something about the way I looked and felt.

The Machine and our middle child sharing breakfast. Every time I look at this photo my heart melts. I'm so sad that there are no 'captured moments' of me with my kids…..

Sometimes, your decision to take control of your health and fitness is not related to a desire to run a marathon or paddle across Bass Strait, but simply to capture an image of you and your favourite little people. An image that you can frame, and when you look at it, you like what you see.

If you don't like what you see in photos of yourself, you have two choices: live a life of regret where you avoid the camera or hide behind other people [I'm an expert]…or DO something about it! My choice was to do something, and I have featured in more photos in the past two months [many on this blog] than I have been in, in the last two years!!

What will you choose?

Keepin' it Fresh, Keepin' it Real - The S7 Challenge

2011-10-24T12:09:00.000+11:00

Beck: Once you have crossed onto the side of the “fit and healthy” the challenge is to stay there. How often has a regular gym goer dropped off the training grid and lost all their hard earned fitness (you may recall I mentioned this happened to me and it took me ummm 8 years to return). So with the need to “keep it fresh” I posed to the S7 that we needed a challenge. A few months earlier I had suggested Mudfest which is held in Burnie in March but the girls quickly saw through this and knew that I just wanted an excuse to (drool on) I mean ..”see” the Commando in the flesh plus the idea of running through mud didn’t appeal to everyone (strange I know...)

Carla had suggested that we attempt a marathon in every major city but I assumed she was drunk so I ignored that.

So the S7 – 'Seven' Challenge was born. In 12 months each of us has to undertake 7 sporting challenges. We can pick our own challenge - so someone may walk a 5km fun run while someone else runs it – doesn’t matter, but we did concede that any marathon or half marathon counts as “2” (We are nice like that).

As you are aware we are in Tasmania so this basically means most sporting events are crammed into our summer so looking at our calendar, March 2012 looks like we will be spending the entire month training for or attending some type of event. We are even putting a team into "Relay for Life" and have roped the husbands into (the night shift) the event. Apart from those there will probably be a 10km race or two as well as a mainland roadtrip…

Carla: We are also doing a 'Low-vember' challenge, in which we all weighed in and paid $20 into a kitty. Whomsoever loses the greatest percentage of their body weight in a 5 week period during November wins the money. Now the point of these challenges is really just to keep life interesting. When you have a lot of weight to lose (I'm talking beyond 20kg's here) it can become quite difficult to stay motivated….especially when you just have those last pesky 5kg to go. Also, as much as we love training (especially with the S7), without any goal at all in mind it can become a little tedious. Especially in winter. In Tasmania. When it is minus 2. So it's good to have a goal. Your goal could be little: to plank for 60 continuous seconds, or do 20 push-ups. Medium sized: to run 5km nonstop, do a day walk in the beautiful Tasmanian wilderness, do 5 (or even 1) pull up. Or big: run the Overland Track in a day, complete the local triathlon summer series, or even run a marathon (WHAT????? Yeah okay, they are The Machine's goals……but he is The Machine so what do you expect?)

AHH the Overland Track, Tassie wilderness at it's best, if you see a guy in running gear fanging it through here in the next 12 months….that'd be The Machine - say Hi!

So stay tuned on this journey October 2011 – October 2012. What will we accomplish, what will we learn....whatever happens the S7 are “keepin’ it fresh, keepin’ it real” – not bad for a group of women who once barely knew each other and had exercise as something on a New Year’s Resolution list.

Things I know: about Personal Training

2011-10-21T10:01:00.002+11:00

So as much as we hate to admit it, there are some things that we have learnt from our Personal Trainer, Humungousaur, besides the appropriate technique for a good power lift.

'So you start with the bar here, and then you….' ……Okay, okay we admit, this is not Humungousaur, and we do all our training sessions fully clothed. However we think that ripped shirtless guys with tatts would add a great dimension to our training!

When you are working so hard you think you could puke - there is always something harder and worse coming.
Cutting out sugar and white foods from your diet really DOES make you feel better.
Cutting ALL carbs out of your diet really DOES turn you into a psycho b*tch from hell
You must count your own Reps on all exercises you dislike immensely or Humungousaur will slip extras in thinking you won't notice.
NEVER admit weakness! Hate bench presses? Guess what? You'll be doing 3 sets of 12 reps. Every. Single. Session.
Forget yoga or meditation, the best way to find inner peace is to belt the crap out of a punching bag for an hour.
Training DOES become addictive and before you know it, you will find yourself at the gym doing pushups just because you feel like it. Seriously.
Women who take up boxing in their 40's are awesome (ok - well he didn't actually say that, but probably only because he hasn't thought to!)
It is perfectly acceptable for mothers to take training supplements... before exercise... before school drop off - that's why we look so bright and cheery! (Yeah okay, he didn't say that either, that's just our observation).
When you think you know what comes next, you are wrong, so very very wrong

Today we are linking up to 'things I know' at Yay for Home!

It's time for a giveaway!!!!

2011-10-19T13:27:00.006+11:00

Okay lovely readers, it is time for a giveaway. We thought long and hard about what we could offer to lure you into the blogosphere, and given my obsession with Running Bare fitness gear I ~~demanded~~ politely requested that we offer something from the Running Bare range.

Firstly, a drink bottle. Everyone needs one. It is great to have a drink bottle that is distinctive when you are training in a group so you know at a glance which one is yours. It is also great to have a drink bottle that is purely yours rather than your family’s hand me downs. Humungousaur has enough to roll his eyes about when he trains me without me turning up with a spiderman drink bottle (yes that has happened). [Totally off topic but I actually don’t mind pinching my daughters ballet drink bottle which is from Bloch and has the slogan “movement is freedom” on the side. Pretty cool huh?]

Secondly, a cap. Just because we love to run outside, doesn’t mean we want the sun and its ageing effects on our faces, so we usually run in a cap. Caps are also fabulous for keeping the rain out of your eyes when you are hard core and run in all weather [yes we do – this is Tasmania!]. Caps are also great as disguises when you are running around your suburb and you don’t want your neighbours to see ~~how much your butt jiggles~~ how hot you are, lest they be shocked and have a heart attack.

So here is the prize:

How do you win it?

1) Firstly, you simply visit our blog and sign up as a follower so we look impressive in the blogosphere. These things matter to us! How do you become a follower? You can simply a) enter your email address in the 'Follow by email' button in the side bar. b) you can create yourself a blogger account and 'follow' us. It is free, it will only take a couple of minutes and you never know…you might find more blogs as excellent as ours hahaha. There is more detailed information on how to follow a blog HERE.

2) Secondly, we would like you to comment on any post of your choice. There is more detailed information on how to comment on a post HERE.

You have until next Friday night (October 28th) to become a follower and leave a comment. If you are already a follower - good news!!!! Simply leave a comment on any past or current post to go into the draw!

We are going to randomly pick a winner, who will be announced on Monday the 31st. I am offering my children's services to assist in this process. I like the idea of getting them to write all the followers names onto itty bitty pieces of paper and putting them into a hat. I believe this is the ideal way to ~~keep them busy so I can have 15 minutes peace and quiet~~ let them practice their handwriting. [Or we may just go the dull approach and use an online randomiser]. If you live overseas, we still love you but as the postage will cost more than the prize this competition is only open to Australian residents.

Today we are linking up with ''Flog Yo Blog Friday' at 'Where's my Glow?'

It's been great….but it's over….

2011-10-17T14:15:00.000+11:00

A post by Carla

My Dear Friend,
It all started back in March. I met you through Humungousaur and we had instant chemistry. Then we started doing training sessions together. At the start you revolutionised my work outs. You made me work harder and stay in 'the zone'. I loved being around you, soaking up the positive vibe when we were together. But pretty soon I started to rely on you a little too much…..I felt like I couldn't train if you weren't there. Every now and then I even worked out without you. I felt like we needed some time apart. I was getting a little too over involved. They say all good things must come to an end and I'm afraid the gloss has worn off our relationship. Sadly, you are no longer meeting my needs the way you used to.

What can I say? It's not you….it's me...

That is why my dear Heart Rate Monitor, I am trading you in for a newer, shinier, more technologically advanced model. Oh yes I am…… goodbye Polar, hello Garmin Forerunner 110.

In a former post on lane sharing rage, Beck espoused her theory that she with the most toys wins. So in the spirit of trying to improve my running performance, I have decided to try every technological advance known to man. New shoes? Done. Funky compression tights? Done. GPS enabled sport watch? Don't mind if I do!!!

Whereas my previous Heart Rate Monitor only showed my heart rate and calories burnt, my new Garmin will do this while also enabling me to track my distance, pace and time while I am running outdoors. Sweet!!

The next model up from my Forerunner also included a function where you can race against a virtual partner but given my history of falling over for random reasons, I decided this was a function I could do without. Glancing down to check my running pace is one thing, but having to check on the position of my 'virtual training partner'? An accident waiting to happen.

Garmin Forerunner 110….I think this is the beginning of a beautiful relationship.

I have chosen this unisex version so The Machine can wear it too. I'm considerate like that!!

Do you have an inappropriate addiction to technology?

The Hardest Challenge of All

2011-10-16T11:22:00.006+11:00

By Beck

This isn’t a post where I tell you all that we are competing in the Freycinet Challenge or the Peak to Pinnacle, or jumping out of a plane as a team bonding experience (which is just insane so don’t even think about it Carla)!

Today, I want to talk about the hardest challenge of all – the personal challenge. The Italian Godmother in the S7 has a personal challenge to be able to do the splits (she has always been the creative one in the group), my challenge is to do a 50 kilo bench press (I am currently really struggling but achieving 45kilos, oh and running without puking and also rowing without my arms dropping off ...) others might just be happy with getting out of bed and to the gym by 5.45am on a zero degree morning in a Tassie Winter. The important thing is that we all have our own challenges and meeting and exceeding them is what life is all about.

The incredible thing about the S7 is that we are made up of different skills, abilities and personality traits – but the underlying strength of our group is that we support each other in whatever challenge we personally set ourselves. Sometimes we set a group challenge - some of us can smash it, some of us spend the entire time swearing about it. It really doesn’t matter. Evidence of this is how the S7 had their Grand Day Out supporting Humungousaur at the Body Building Comps – well I can tell you now I never intend to compete (unless there is a section of where you can wear a caftan and show only your calf muscle as I might have a chance in that one) but we were there to support him in his endeavour.

There will be no finishing line, or screaming crowds when The Godmother achieves the splits ( unless she chooses a really public arena such as the School Assembly where she works – might be a bit odd though), but the sense of achievement will still be great.

No one needs to make it to the top 10 or even the top 100 in the next 5km fun run– just entering might be the most enormous achievement. Not everyone has an S7, but hopefully everyone has a friend or family member that will know that when you achieve that challenge you set yourself, it’s as huge to you as someone else climbing Mount Everest. Stand up and be proud and you can even have a tim tam to celebrate (just one though– not the whole pack).

(It was a choice of a bench press photo or me and my bucket after attempting to run - I thought this was the better option)

Knickers and knockers….the undercover story on underwear.

2011-10-14T07:04:00.010+11:00

A post by Carla

Before I became a mother I was a nurse and midwife. I figure I’ve probably seen more bodies in various states of undress than your average person. In fact, I’ve probably had my hands on more boobs and va jay jay’s than Tiger Woods. I’m totally okay with nudity (as long as it’s not my own), and so I feel pretty well qualified to write this post about the undercover story on underwear.

Underwear has been on my mind ever since a particularly unfortunate episode I will simply refer to as ‘the incident’. You see, I completely forgot a Dr’s appointment and when I got a call saying “You’re supposed to be here NOW!”, I threw Master 3 in the people mover and arrived within the space of 2 minutes (yes…that is possible here in Launceston). So anyway, once in the examination room I was required to remove my clothes and appear in my underwear, except it occurred to me that my underwear was anything but suitable for such an occasion. Let’s just say that it was way less Jackie Onassis (elegant and stylish) and Far more Courtney Love (trashy and a little bit racy). Ooops!

Similarly, in my quest to try everything possible to rid myself of shin splints, I have been seeing a sports masseuse, which also requires me to have my undies on show. Now honestly….what does a girl do? Do good old cotton bonds say that you didn’t make an effort? Is wearing something expensive and lacy inappropriate?

See what I am saying? Neither is particularly appropriate….what's a girl to do?

As you can see, the topic of underwear is fraught with difficulty and never more so than in fitness.

At the beginning of my fitness journey I was far more buxom and let me tell you that doing anything high impact with E cup boobs is a health hazard. I ended up resorting to the old 2 bra trick – a sports bra with a sports crop over the top. As I got progressively smaller, I still struggled to find a good sports bra. It seems that companies do not believe that anybody above a C cup exercises. Even though I don’t have such a big [pun intended] problem now…two brands I recommend are Berlei and Moving Comfort.

As if underwear isn’t bad enough, you may also be in the awkward position of having to buy swimwear. S7’s resident Goddess has admitted than even she finds this a daunting task. What hope have the rest of us mere mortals got? My recent problem was no longer finding a pair of bathers that fit (thank goodness) but the fact that my bust was no longer in the vicinity of my chest, but closer to my belly button. So I am willing to share my magic secret with you, dear readers. I have discovered that in this situation, swimsuits with a built in foam cup are a godsend, as when you emerge from the water…it doesn’t matter where your boobs have moved to - the foam is going to give the impression that they are present and accounted for. You can search your lap for your real ones once you are in the changeroom.

HHHmmmmm…now this girl's on to something…….

If making it from the safety of my towel at the edge of the pool to the actual pool (a distance of 2metres) is so daunting, imagine my absolute horror at the thought of doing a triathlon. This requires me to ride and run in whatever I have swam in. Ride and run in a pair of speedos (inbuilt foam cups naturally]? No Freaking Way. Tri suits? I Don’t Think So! So dear reader, stay tuned and you might find that Beck and I are the first females to do a triathlon in a pair of trackies and a big all-covering t-shirt. I can hear you saying ‘but surely that will add extra resistance in the water and extra weight on the ride and run?’ Well of course! That is all in the plan, because we are hard core my friends, hard core.

So dear reader, tell us your view on the etiquette regarding having your knickers on view. Do you choose something fancy? Are you a cotton briefs sort of gal? Do you have any advice for those of us who are finding gravity challenging??

Today, I'm flogging it with Glowless!

Behind every great woman…….

2011-10-12T13:01:00.000+11:00

A post by Beck and Carla

This post WAS going to be about how behind every great woman there is a great family support team... but seriously, we all know that is a load of crap. We found this out the hard way recently, when our families came to 'support' us in our first run - The Clifford Craig Run for your Heart 5km walk and run.

Every Sunday for a few months now, the S7 have been meeting and going for a walk/jog/run which is really an excuse to justify the coffee we have afterwards. To our chagrin, someone organised a fun run on a Sunday morning at the same time, and on the same route where we run. What to do? We decided that there was no other option but to have a crack and enter.

Carla: Sunday morning arrived and we set off out of Aurora stadium and ran as fast as we could, hoping madly to make it back alive. Now for some reason, I started off the race feeling a little thirsty. I actually thought it was nerves but I felt a bit dry and thirsty the whole 5km. There was no way I was going to stop at the drinks station and lose 30 seconds so I just kept trundling on. You can imagine my relief when I crossed the finishing line and a lovely assistant from Clifford Craig came and handed me a bottle of cold water - bliss! My four year old then caught up to me and started asking "Can I have a drink?" At this point I was still beyond speech and puffing and panting. I stared at him incredulously. He took this as encouragement to wind up his whining another notch. Apparently waiting at the ground for 27 minutes was such hard work he simply had to have my water or die of thirst. He started to cry. I gave in and handed it to him……some battles are just not worth fighting. No congratulations from my middle son…he was playing an epic game of footy with Beck's son in the middle of Aurora Stadium and hoping to be caught on the camera projecting the action onto the big screen. My daughter came, took my post race apple, and disappeared to eat it.

Group hug at the finish line??? Fat bloody chance. There's no 'I' in support team people….

Beck: I have said on many occasions – I am not a runner and I don’t in fact even like running. I do however like hanging out with the S7, getting fit and challenging myself. So with all that in mind I found myself in my third 5km event but this time I was going to run a fair part of it. I was travelling quite well but by the time Aurora came into sight my main motivation came from the knowledge that my family would be there and my children would see their mum in a race and running for the first time in their life. My husband (who could actually run if his centre of gravity was bought back to where it should be) knows how I have struggled with finding a rhythm and overcoming my negative mental block about running would be truly proud to see me come through those gates. I gave it that final burst and as I entered Aurora I over took the woman in the blue track pants (cause I had been watching them for about 12 frustrating minutes and she was going doooooowwwwwn).
Yes my family cheered, yes my family was there smiling at me – but unbeknown to me, my husband had told my 6 year old to run around the stadium cheering me home. This must have got lost in translation because what actually happened was he ran in front of me shouting “come on mum I am beating you – you are going too slow”. This proved to be a big enough distraction that “Mrs Blue Track Pants” overtook me again right before the finishing line!!
There are no words.
Oh and yes my kids took both my apple and my drink bottle! Just wait …..their school sports day is coming up this term( just kidding ...really!).

So the moral of the story readers, is that behind every great woman is a family who can't function without her, and who will take the water from her dehydrated, post race hands. If you are looking for support….look elsewhere. That's why we have the S7.

Smiling….when at last our drink bottles are returned. Full of our offspring's backwash yes…but ours at last!

Knee Boxing - the New Zumba

2011-10-10T19:33:00.003+11:00

By Beck aka “Mits”

I don’t have any tattoos. I have all my own teeth (and they are nice teeth and I quite like them). Part of my education was spent at a private all girls school. Getting the picture here.. because I want to be clear where I am coming from?

Part of my PT sessions with Humungousaur has always been boxing exercises. Great to raise the heart rate, good upper body and leg work out, excellent stress release. I rather liked it and I think I am quite good at it. A little too much perhaps?
Sometime back Humungousaur mentioned there is a MMA comp at the local PCYC and perhaps I should enter in the women’s section. My response was “will I have to fight bogans or is there a nice person’s section?” I have no desire to have my face messed up. What was he thinking?

A few months later we formed a women’s boxing-group to learn a routine Humungousaur had written and we had worked on and filmed called "Streetfigher" (see attached clip and please don’t judge me – remember stress release.. upper body work out blah blah blah)

In one of these sessions Humungousaur introduced a warm up routine called Knee Boxing. This was a mistake... a very big mistake. I had found my thing... this was it!

An opportunity to box and keep my teeth intact. Knee boxing is where two or more people attempt to punch the other in the knee. It gets very energetic and there are punches and blocks and a lot of fun. The next session I found my boxing soul mate - someone who loved this battle as much as me (Lets call her “Bags” – as we all decided we need “CAGE” Names). She and I went in hard, unfortunately in front of a glass wall. We bought the gym to a standstill.

I like to think that all the people watching were in awe of the skill and excitement of this new sport. That they were looking in thinking – wow how do we do that? Is there a class on the timetable for that?

Move over Zumba – you are sooooo yesterday.. everyone who is anybody wants to do “Knee Boxing”.

"Streetfighter"

'Pram-walking' and other great myths: Exercising with Children

2011-10-05T12:19:00.000+11:00

By Beck

Have you ever looked at the stick figure mummy running along whilst pushing one of those “jogging three wheeler prams” and asked – how does that child stay quiet so mummy can exercise? I have had the battle of how to exercise with children for nearly 9 years.

Early Days: One day in an attempt to exercise I had put number one son in the pram, grabbed a drink bottle and headed off. But I can distinctly recall my son throwing his body back and forth in such a frenzy to escape this prolonged torture that I simply turned around and took the 3 steps back to my front door and gave up.
Then there was the pram walking group. The vision was that mummies go for lovely long strolls with other mummies and prams. Sounds simple. Well stopping every 2 minutes to pick up the projectile that has been launched from inside the pram is neither conducive to raising your heart rate or enjoying a stroll. Don’t get me started on the need for food – which occurs on a never ending loop and means approximately every 5 minutes my children are facing near death by starvation unless I provide a (suitable) snack. I freely admit this last problem is my fault – I should never have fed them.

Getting Older: When my children got older and could manage to be in the house and only be semi –supervised I tried having a treadmill at home. Easy. Put TV on, provide snacks, disappear into another room. Surely my absence from the kitchen would go un- noticed for 20 minutes? Damn those treadmill manufacturers – did they not know that to achieve this end I need a SILENT machine. As soon as they low whirring started so did the Mum-Alarm. My children are like bats – they send out the MUUUUUUUUUM about every 30 seconds like an echo sounder – if they get a response they hone in on it... if they don’t get a response the Mum –alarm keeps going but building in intensity. Either way I am doomed.

Once I was discovered it was “can I have a turn” and this goes onto that “never-ending-loop until:
A) I turn up ipod and risk permanent deafness or B) I give up and go console myself with coffee and a mars bar.

Gym crèches: There is NOTHING worse than going to all the effort to get you, the kids, the snacks to the gym, starting a class... grape-vining across the room only to get the tap on the shoulder and find its one of the crèche-staff. Could my child have lasted a little more than the introductory 7 minute warm up – he had toys, friends, SNACKS... television. Child heaven I would have thought, and of course when I got up there he was perfectly fine... an academy award winning performance!

My guess is perhaps those people who are able to go for long runs with a happy child in a pram either have genetically pre-destined quiet boys / they have sedated their child or they have girls. If you have 2 busy boys like me – you have to wait until they turn 5 and then they only want to be with their father. These days I could move out of home and this would only be discovered when the food ran out.

I saw Jesus doing weights: Doppelgangers at my local gym

2011-10-03T09:53:00.000+11:00

Just recently, I was sitting on a spin bike, pedalling madly and trying to keep my heart rate at 160bpm, when I looked up and saw Jesus walking towards me. Now obviously, my first reaction was to think “Oh no, I’ve pushed myself too hard, had a cardiac event, and killed myself”. But lucky for me, Jesus kept walking straight past me without making eye contact. Phew! Not my time yet!

I realised, of course, that it wasn’t the big guy himself, but someone who bore a striking resemblance to JC [and I’m talking about the Catholic, Caucasian variety of Jesus image here]. Right height, right build, right neat beard, right long hair tied back at the nape of his neck. This guy ticked all the boxes.

Even though I don’t go the gym at the same time as this guy often because I am a hardcore 6am-er, I saw him often enough to develop a little bit of a fixation on ‘Dude who looks like Jesus’. He is so neat and tidy. He trains hard but sweats just the right amount, and he never, ever breaks the ‘gym rules’.

I know that it sounds ridiculous, but the mere presence of ‘Dude who looks like Jesus’ had a calming effect on me. I felt peaceful. I felt serene. I also felt like I should be confessing and apologising for all the bad things I have done, but as he always has headphones in, it would be a bit awkward……..and inappropriate.

Humungousaur tells me that he has seen Angelina Jolie’s doppelganger at the gym but given my not-so-secret obsession with Man Vs Wild, I am holding out for a Bear Grylls look alike. Then my life would be complete. (Oh and by the way, Bear Grylls is also a Christian, so he would totally get my fixation on Dude who looks like Jesus! Fabulous!)

So readers, do you know the doppelganger of a famous person? Or even better yet, are YOU a doppelganger of someone famous? Please send as a photo because we would love to ~~share it with the world~~ share your good fortune.

PS To my lovely husband ‘The Machine’, that last bit does not apply to you. You and I both know that you are not the doppelganger of The Flash, Superman or any other action figure with superpowers. Oh, and don’t you dare suggest publicly that my doppleganger is Po of Kung Fu Panda Fame, or you are in deep doo doo.

Oh no! You can see the resemblance can't you? And I like Pork dumplings too. D'oh!!

Gym Etiquette - To Spot or Not to Spot?

2011-10-01T06:12:00.000+10:00

A post by Beck

There comes a time in every girl’s life when you need to decide whether to lift heavy weights by yourself and risk a very nasty injury or whether to turn to the nearest muscle laden male and ask the words “will you spot me?”. Well, ok so this isn’t a situation that EVERY woman may face but for those of us that do – let us explore this a little further.

When I was in my 20’s or maybe even early 30’s I recall being in the “big boy’s” area at the gym. This particular gym was renowned for its hulking male masses, grunting and groaning whilst they watched themselves in the mirrors. Anyway, on this occasion one of these hulking males asked me to spot him whilst he chest pressed the equivalent of a small car.

To this day I can’t tell you whether my presence was:
a) Necessary – because the 20 kilos I would hold for him would have made such a huge difference to the 100 kilos he was pressing – NOT!
b) An attempt at getting in my undies – (I am not good at reading these signals)
c) Just what you do when you are working out in the weights area.

Over the years, I have told this story to a few people and all they do is laugh. I personally don’t see anything funny and I actually reckon that the laughter is masking the fact they don’t know either. So what exactly is the gym etiquette in the “big boys area” – do you spot or not spot?

The question is all the more complicated when you add in the fact most people are wired for sound into an ipod or similar – they may be completely in “the zone” and your presence in front of them asking for help lifting the equivalent of a sack of potatoes is unlikely to be welcome.

Then there is the choice of the person to ask. Do you pick the person that obviously has no idea what they are doing and risk having a dumbbell dropped into your lap? What about the hot dude in the skins- last thing you want is to look up and be staring up at some lad’s package (for those that don’t lift you may need to take a moment to visualise the weight bench and where the spotter and spott-ee are situated). Woe betide ever asking another female – who is going to admit to some other alpha woman that you need help lifting something. So again I ask – “to spot or not to spot?”

Of course the easy answer is to lift only the weight you are comfortable lifting by yourself. But lets be honest, if we wanted the easy road in life we would still be on a couch watching re -runs of Biggest Loser and not in the big boys area of the local gym trying to build muscle definition into tuckshop arms.

If you have the answer I would love to know.....

Mr Natural Olympia, Warren Clampit, being spotted by Humungousaur

The S7's Grand Day Out

2011-09-28T08:24:00.000+10:00

If ever we needed motivation to 'Step AWAY from the chocolate', we got it on Sunday when the S7 had a grand day out to the INBA 2011 Tasmanian Figure and Physique Championships. We were there to support Humungousaur who was competing in the Intermediate Men's division.

The afternoon kicked off with Melbourne native, Warren Clampit (the holder of multiple body building titles including Mr Natural Olympia and Mr Universe) showing off his amazing physique with a highly professional guest posing routine. There was no doubting that Humungousaur had been very clever in choosing Warren as his body-building mentor. Warren was also a big hit because as well as looking sensational, AND being a genuinely nice guy, he and his team also threw freebies out into the crowd and seriously, who doesn't love that?

At first, the vast expanses of naked flesh, excessive spray tan, and skimpy costumes were pretty confronting, but as the competition worked its way through the various sections we became busy admiring the competitor's amazing physiques.

The S7 were stoked when everyone's girl crush from our gym won the Sports Model division, and then we settled back to wait for Humungousaur's section. Watching a body building competition is a very amazing lesson in anatomy - who knew that is what triceps are supposed to look like? Carla got a little bit sidetracked during the women's sections and spent far more time looking at the bling on the bikinis than on the competitor's physiques. That's ballet mothers for you!

The S7 were blown away by how amazing Humungousaur looked, because obviously we only ever see him fully clothed. Just like his namesake, his transformation was amazing….

At the beginning of training…..(well okay maybe a little more manly and ripped than Ben10)

...transformed into Humungousaur and ready to hit the stage….

We have to admit that there was an element of schadenfreude in seeing him working hard instead of the usual situation in which he is standing around ~~nonchalantly making us suffer~~ helping us achieve our goals. It was also really great to see his cheeky side come out on stage because in our training sessions he is usually so ~~bored with our whinging~~ totally professional. Humungousaur came second to the guy who went on to win Mr Tasmania, but to the S7 he is a winner! We've all learnt so much about dedication, training, nutrition, perseverance and a positive attitude while watching him for the past four months leading up to the comp.

So as well as a renewed motivation to Step AWAY from the chocolate, we left with a a resolve to get a spray tan 'tout de suite', and get stuck into good nutrition and abdominal work. Beck has reportedly signed Carla up for next year……but Carla is only entering when they create a 'Spanx' section.

Post baby belly? I don't know what you mean!

Gym Etiquette Part 2: The Changeroom

2011-09-26T10:08:00.000+10:00

A post by Beck

This follows our previous gym etiquette post but more specifically relates to the behaviour of the ladies in the change room (I haven’t recently been in the gent’s so don’t feel able to comment on this – but if that situation changes I shall let you know).

Our gym has lovely showers. I particularly like the choice of over head rose or wall mounted. Some days it is an over head day, and some days hard jets coming straight at you are the way to go. I can really understand why some ladies may choose to take that extra minute when showering. To stand there basking in the glow of a good work out and enjoying that stream of hot water (from which ever direction) is just an 'Ahhhhhhh' moment. Pure Bliss. What I genuinely DON”T understand is what some people do when they get out of the shower. Surely it’s – get dry and get dressed. This is, after all, the instruction you can hear me bellowing at my children every evening around 6pm. GET DRY and GET DRESSED.

Is there some post shower activity I don’t know about? Is there something that “in the know women” do in between turning the shower off and stepping out of the cubicle some 15 minutes later? There truly must be because what on earth can take you 15 minutes??? It’s not even like they have to dry their hair or apply makeup as this is done in an entirely different section.

Without crossing any moral or legal boundaries it is actually possible to see feet on the floor under the door. If I was to see two sets of feet I would understand the need for extra time – and if that takes 15 minutes – well half your luck, who am I to rush you. But no – most of the time only one person walks out.

I could of course use the shower without a door. Apparently this is a concept to make people shower and move off into another area to get dried. All I can say is the architect who came up with this is obviously a male and one who remembers a little too fondly this days in a footy change room. (I am not the only one who must think this because we have 10 women queuing for the nice showers and no one using the one without the door!).

So ladies – next time you shower at your gym perhaps leave the full body exfoliation, moisturising, manicuring, pedicuring, waxing and plucking until you are in your own bathroom. Or alternatively perhaps those of us in the queue might employ the same tactics we use in our own home and start shouting:
GET DRY and GET DRESSED!

PS -Further research into Men’s Change room may be needed.

I love flogging it with Glowless!

Gym Etiquette - Part One

2011-09-24T18:29:00.000+10:00

The Gym Rules – as we see them ( and we are usually right LOL)

A post by Beck and Carla

If you were expecting a post about returning your weights to the appropriate place – you are going to be sorely disappointed. This is the Step Away from the Chocolate totally unPC guide to gym etiquette. Now obviously these are things that we have found offensive in our experience of gyms in our small part of the world, but we think that herein lies a take home message for just about everybody, everywhere. Just in case Humungousaur is reading this, we would like to clarify that these are observations we have made when we are at the gym by ourselves. When we are training with Humungousaur we are absoluteley ~~in pain~~ in 'the zone'.

You may notice that a lot of these suggestions are aimed at men. That’s cause the chicks at the gym totally rock – ‘nuff said.

1) SKINS - Interestingly enough, it was The Machine who bought this one up, although we must concur. Getting up at 5:30am to go to the gym in the middle of Tasmanian winter is a chore in itself. The last thing we need before our morning caffeine fix, gentlemen, is your package on full view in a pair of skins. We agree that if your top doesn’t cover your nether regions, then feel free to wear a pair of shorts over your skins.

See? Confronting isn't it? Gorgeous….but confronting.

2) Gentlemen – no headbands. Not ever. No excuses. Okay……maybe one excuse….Beck would like to add a disclaimer here that if you are in the 'extreme sweater' category you just might be able to bend this rule. She believes that tolerating a man with a fashion faux pas is preferable to being showered in sweat by the man on the next treadmill.

3) This one goes out to all the 20 something guys out there. If you go to the gym at the same time everyday, and see the same people at the gym everyday, then please feel free to change your t-shirt. If you wear the same distinctive t-shirt 2 days in a row, all the mums in the gym are going to notice and we are NOT going to assume you washed it in between.

4) Okay…it is time to get harsh. Reading magazines on cardio equipment is a no-no. You either want to work out, or you want to catch up on the state of Brad and Ang’s relationship – so decide. Don’t tell me that you can read an entire article while keeping your HR in a fat burning zone…..trust us, if it was possible, Carla would be doing it daily. So magazine readers...get off the machine and leave it for the people who are really working out (Too harsh? We think not...people need to know).

5) The Machine tells us that real men don’t do Zumba. We, however, love a man doing Zumba. If they are brave enough to enter a room with 100 women of all sizes attempting to “shake their thang” to some doof doof – Rock on my man rock on!

6) The Machine has asked us to raise the question of whether it is okay to take training supplements in the gym before/during/after your workout. Personally, we think that if you are really into training and you are taking a little somethin’ somethin’ to give you an edge – more power to you (and we’re talking sports nutrition and supplements here people, nothing illegal). HOWEVER, if you are new to the gym scene let us tell you that you do NOT need a bottle of Powerade to get through your set of bicep curls with a 2kg dumbell. Elite athletes don’t need sports drinks to get through an hour at the gym, so you probably don’t either. It might also surprise you to know that you will probably consume more calories in your drink than you will burn off in your workout!

Do you have a question about gym etiquette, or a rule you feel needs to be enforced? Let us know! Your suggestion might appear in Part Two…...

Map My Run…..Or Not

2011-09-22T20:30:00.000+10:00

A post by Carla.

Never let The Machine map your run. This is a lesson I learnt the hard way while holidaying on the Gold Coast.

Although I missed the S7 terribly, I was actually quite enjoying my runs along the Gold Coast foreshore every second morning. The scenery was fabulous, and the passing parade of walkers, runners, cyclists and personal trainers and their clients meant that I was never bored. Given my very long battle with shin splints, I had cautiously progressed to running 6km with no ill effects and so I decided to push myself a bit harder and try doing 10. What the heck! I was on holiday after all!

But what to do?? With no internet access, there was no way to Map my Run. (For the uninitiated, www.mapmyrun.com is a supercool website where you plot the route of your run on a map and it tells you the distance you have covered in kilometres).

So one day when we were out and about The Machine hits the tripmeter in the car and when we get home tells me that it is exactly 5km from the Aquatic Centre down the road to our carport making it a neat 10km round trip.

So the next morning, not so bright but very early (thanks kids) I set out. I gave myself a warm up of one track on my ipod (3 minutes) before I hit the start button on my Heart Rate Monitor. Now I had been running at a pace of roughly 5-6min/km, but after 26 minutes the pool was nowhere in sight. It was then that I realised our mistake. The Machine had measured the route from the pool to our holiday house via the road…..and not the winding, meandering bike path. Bugger.

I was reaching the limits of my usual running distance (6km) and I now had to turn around and run 6km…….All. Over. Again!! Also working against me was the fact that I am used to working out at 6am in Tasmania where the temperature is usually below 5 degrees. On this particular morning on the Gold Coast, the temperature was already in the mid teens.

I didn't have a phone with me to ring and abuse The Machine so I had no choice but to keep on running (quitting is never an option!). Finally, the pool came into view and it was time to loop back and head home. I made it back in 1:07 and burnt 602 calories which made me feel slightly better about my trip to the Movenpick icecream stand the day before.

Things I have learnt:

Never let The Machine 'map your run'
It's not a bad idea to take a mobile with you when running an unfamiliar route or distance
2XU shin guard compression socks are my new best friend. I ran over 10km and did not feel my shins once!
The unheated pool outside your front door is a handy ice-bath substitute when you get home

AAAHHH! The relief!

Holiday (Fitness) Horrors

2011-09-13T15:11:00.000+10:00

By Beck

Not surprisingly I love holidays. Take away the stress of work, school and daily tasks and holidays are a great time to concentrate on your own well being. Our destination of choice is Noosa. The weather just makes you want to get out walk, swim – whatever.

A few years back I recall huffing and puffing my 97 kilo body along a popular walking path and admiring the fit and healthy aging population. As I was thinking what a great job I was doing by being out and joining the throng I remember the devastation of being passed by a 97 year old.... carrying a kayak! Seriously she did and she was! This was one of those early wake up calls that perhaps I wasn’t at peak performance level.

On a recently holiday I left our accommodation to go for my early morning walk/ jog. It was a beautiful relaxing Sunday, sun shining, water glistening... 2000 elderly joggers nearly trampled me to death as I put one foot on the footpath. Ok I accept that when I was a fatty boombah – being passed by a 97 year old was bad enough, but I had just spent 18 months turning my life around, did I now deserve to be humiliated by gaggles of 80 year olds storming past. (Is there in fact a name for large groups of jogging elderly people- gaggle?, swarm? coven??) Either way it’s a little un-nerving.

So I braved certain death and headed off in the same direction (moving against the throng would have been just insane). They may be grey but they still had the “kick-butt” determination of a 40 year old mother and a kids clothing sale.

A few kms up the road I noticed that I was now also joined by clusters of bike riders. I was almost blinded by rays of sun bouncing of the lycra clad bodies. I started to worry that kayak welding women would be next. Was there to be no peace?
It was only when I saw the drinks station that I thought perhaps this wasn’t a normal Sunday. That is unless the Noosa Council have decided to provide a drink station as part of Council Services – rubbish collection, street cleaning, hydration station for entire population out exercising.....unlikely me thinks.

Anyway, eventually I spotted the Noosa Triathalon Training Sign and felt (somewhat relieved) that there was some hope for me as a 40 year old and that the “grey swarm” were in fact not taking over the fitness world. Once I got home safely I was in fact encouraged in the knowledge that our older folk can be just as active, healthy and happy as they wish to be. Also (and more importantly) I still have about 40 years before I need to worry about competing in a triathalon!

On a Mini Break

2011-09-09T07:54:00.000+10:00

Hi Readers - we are having a mini break, but will be back in a week with new and amusing stories as we forge our way into fitness...

Post Race Interview with The Machine

2011-09-06T15:27:00.000+10:00

So, why the Ross Half Marathon?

Sounded like a fun way to spend Father's Day!! Actually the Ross race was the first stepping stone in my quest to run the Gold Coast Marathon in July 2012. Plus, I hadn't done a half marathon before and I wanted the challenge of a longer race. Also, the Ross race was nicely spaced between Lonny 10 in June and Burnie 10 in October.

How did you prepare for the race?

I've been training solidly for the past 4 months after coming back off a series of frustrating leg injuries. I generally do some type of training 5 days a week. A typical week involves one long run at 3/4 pace, one session of fast paced intervals (usually on a treadmill), one hour of Crossfit at the gym with Humungousaur, incorporating running and weighs, and two sessions of either cycling or swimming. I'm a pretty crap swimmer so my pool sessions are great cardio, and because of the abysmal weather in Tassie during winter the bike rides mostly took place in the Spin room at the gym.

As well as physical training I drastically cleaned up my diet. Before taking training seriously my diet was carb heavy, loaded with junk food and severely lacking in protein. I dropped 99% of the sugar, confectionery and alcohol, and traded high GI carbs for low GI options like brown rice, oats and modest amounts of wholegrain bread. I started eating more lean meat and taking whey protein supplements. In the beginning when Carla suggested these dietary modifications I thought it was going to be terrible, but within 3-4 days I had heaps more energy and felt fantastic.

The day before the race I did some gentle carb loading. Before the Lonny 10 I seriously over-ate on the carbs the day before and felt lethargic and bloated, so the day before Ross I ate four normal sized carb-heavy meals - oats for brekky, salad sandwich for lunch, pasta mid-afternoon and brown-rice and veges for dinner.

I also completely rested for 2 days before the race and tapered my training for a week before that. I still did the long run five days before but only ran for 60 minutes rather than 90. My other usual sessions were slightly shorter and less intense. I seriously wanted to avoid getting a pre-race niggle. By Sunday I was itching to get going and felt a bit like a border collie on a leash in a sheep yard.

Had you actually run 21.1km before race day?

No, especially at race pace. The longest race I'd done was the City to Bay in Adelaide (12km), but I'd been doing 16-17km in my long runs in the weeks leading up to Ross.

Pre-race photo by our 6yo, outside Ross Town Hall!

Did you have a 'race plan'?

Sort of. I wanted to finish the race inside 90 minutes and so I'd calculated average time per km I'd need to run to achieve that time. I also used my heart rate monitor as a guide to getting the pace right. I'm always a bit of a nervous starter and like to go out fairly quickly and built up bit of a time buffer. Although I was mindful that for a half marathon consistent pace is more important to leave something in the tank for the second half of the race. Once the race started I tried to find another runner who was running at my pace or slightly faster and use them to pace me. The Ross course was pretty flat but did have a couple of gentle inclines. I tried to attack the hills and then take a recovery on the downhill. It's a tactic that worked for the first 3/4 of the race, but I did get my butt kicked by a particularly nasty hill at the 19km mark, the recovery down the other side of that hill mainly entailed remaining upright and not passing out.
I tried to keep my heart rate in the mid 160s, higher than that and I risked early fatigue. Interestingly, as my legs got tired towards the end of the race my heart rate dropped to the high 150s, the heart was willing but the legs had nothing left. I ended up finishing in 1h:27min, so I guess the plan worked.

I notice that you had a fuel belt. What was in it and was it worth the effort?

Running with the fuel belt was an interesting exercise. It was the first race I'd used it for. Initially it was a little uncomfortable and jiggled around, but after a while I wasn't aware of it. In past races I've attempted to drink from a cup at the drink stations but found this usually ended up with me either wearing the water or choking on it. At Ross I filled both bottles on the belt with Gatorade (about 250ml each) and carried two energy gels. I had my first drink at about the 30 minute mark and guzzled one whole bottle. Big mistake. Five minutes later I got abdo cramps and felt pretty ordinary, but luckily it passed. I drank the second bottle in sips during the second half of the race, which turned out to be a much better idea. There was no bellyache and the fluids kept me going. I ended up only having one gel, the Vanilla one, just before the half-way mark. The carbs kicked in at about the 11km mark - just in time to help me break through the first wall. Would I use it again? Probably not for a much shorter race but definitely for a longer one.

You seemed to run for quite a while with another runner. How did that work out?

At about the 1 km mark a guy (called Scott, as it turned out) came up and starting running at my shoulder. We ended up running together for the next 14 or 15 km. It was great. We took turns in pacing each other, I paced him up the hill the first lap and he paced me as I hit the wall at the start of the second lap. We chatted a bit between puffing but didn't properly meet until race end. Unfortunately Scott couldn't keep up running back up the hill the second time around and finished about half a minute behind. I thought I'd found a new training partner, but unfortunately he lives at the other end of the state.

There are rumours that you might have taken a wrong turn on the course and had to double back…What the heck happened?

It was Scott's fault!! Just after the 9km mark near the end of the first lap he said to take a left turn into a street with a railway crossing. There were no clear markers to say not to turn left here so I took his word for it. Unfortunately he'd picked the wrong railway crossing and it wasn't until a couple of the other guys called out that we realised we'd taken a wrong turn. We'd gone about 50 metres the wrong way, and lost our lead over the group behind us. I grunted, shrugged and quickly ran back. Scott swore and apologised. We managed to re-establish our lead but sadly lost rhythm, mojo and about thirty seconds of race time, but still, it beats being disqualified for taking a substantial short cut.

The Ross Marathon Mascot, a small Jack Russell, was doing a great job pacing the runners until he was observed chasing a motorbike up the main street. Shortly after he was seen asleep on the village green. Do you think there is a take home message in there for us all?

Good question.
How about :
Every hard run should be rewarded by a well earned rest?!
Or,
If you've got short legs stick to short course events and avoid marathons?!
I've got it :
Be careful about who or what you use to pace you to complete an endurance race?! (Motorbikes are probably best left for cyclists, especially if you've got stubby legs)

See what happens when you go out too hard and too fast?

At Ross, you are allowed to wear an ipod. What did you listen to? Were there any songs that were better than others?

The songs I listened to are the same ones I've been using for my fast running intervals during training. To be honest I wasn't listening for melodic pleasure but used to beat to try and maintain a steady race rhythm. My faves are Franz Ferdinand, Paramore, Pink and Usher, but I did enjoy the Guns 'N Roses track and end because I knew it was the last one on the playlist which meant the finish line was very close. The ipod was a good move - helped to get the blood pumping at the start and kept me in a steady pace towards the end when I was fatigued and I was running alone.

How did you pull up after the race?

Better than expected. Walking was a bit of a struggle for the rest of Sunday and I was pretty stiff-legged on Monday. Today I was able to do a light session of cycling and weights at the gym. I ended up with three small blisters, one on each big toe and one on the right little toe, but they haven't worried me since I drained and taped them yesterday. I was pretty hungry at dinner time on Sunday night and I've focussed on eating a reasonable amount of protein the last couple of days to aid my recovery. Could I back it up for another race this weekend? I think not, but I plan to have a quiet week and then start preparing for Burnie 10 (only 6 weeks away!!)

Would you have done anything differently?

No, I don't think so. I was happy with my preparation and the race I ran on the day. I was very thankful that Carla and the children were able to come and watch and be a part of the event. Having their love and support made it more than worthwhile.

A caffeinated gift for Beck from Carla.

2011-09-05T08:10:00.000+10:00

After reading Beck's post on "Where's the coffee in cycling", I had to share this with you. I am a huge Kate Rowe fan and Beck is a huge coffee fan so it is a win-win situation!

Where is the coffee in Bike Riding?

2011-09-03T20:59:00.000+10:00

A post by Beck
Carla has introduced you to her husband “ The Machine” previously. I know first hand what he is like I have run next a blur on a treadmill at the gym which when it slows down I recognise as The Machine. I have seen this man run, do push ups, sit ups, pull ups, weights and laps ( Carla does allow him to share her lane – see “Lane Rage”). So why on earth would I allow myself to go bike riding with him without the back up of his wife or even some other random woman to keep pace with me. An elderly lady on a walking frame would even have been welcome.

In my own defence when I suggested The Machine and I go riding even though Carla was unavailable I did follow it with a “we could start off together and find spots to re group so you don’t have to wait for me”.

My other serious lapse in judgement came when I invited another male friend to join us – lets call him “I- just –climbed- to- Everest- Base -Camp” . Is the picture getting clearer? Me, The Machine and Mr Base Camp. The final nail in my coffin was the 2 hours leading up to this ride from hell- I did a 5km run at the gym followed by private boxing session with Humungousaur, 2 gym instructors, a hairdresser and the Quiet Achiever from the S7. (That story is for another day)

I was in big trouble. It wasn’t so much as the distance, the hills, the mud, the speed, the lack of direction and doubling back that killed me – it was lack of coffee and the fact that these men did not listen to me. Don’t they realise that a small amount of bike riding is followed by a long coffee stop. Ask any of the 100’s of over weight middle aged men strutting around a local cafe in lycra – are they there because of the bikes? Noooooo, they are there so they can show themselves off in public wearing clothes their wives won’t tolerate at home and enjoying the coffee!!!

I started the 20km ride with the statement – "gee I could do with a coffee". As we passed the first cafe I jokingly said "drop me here and I will meet you on the loop back", by the 3rd pass of the cafe I said “Is it wrong to snatch coffee from passing people cause they can’t catch me” – as we were going through a bog which seemed to last for hours, with legs burning and mud splashing my entire being I did yell : "THERE ARE NO CAFES ALONG HERE". I was ignored by them both.

They are now dropped as my friends. Although I think I dropped The Machine a few months back so I can’t drop him again.

What sealed the fate of my (now ex-friend) Mr Base Camp is that he did an extra loop back to our starting point ( my house) directly past my local cafe. As I was pushing what was left of me and my bike up my final hill I realised he hadn’t even stopped to put an order in. They would have given him credit – I am a daily customer... they would have even known my order.....

So now here I sit, unable to move... dying of caffeine withdrawal and no coffee machine in sight. Well it is in sight but it’s fairly undignified to crawl to a cafe because my legs aren’t going to carry me......

Music that makes me move: angry songs

2011-09-01T12:08:00.000+10:00

A post by Carla.

So here is what I am listening to on the treadmill this week: songs for when you're angry.

1) The Downtown Fiction : Thanks for nothing.
This one appeals to me because after an insensitive remark made to me by a certain male I was angry and this summed it up perfectly. Okay….so I MIGHT have been in the middle of a PMS hormone rage and it might not have been insensitive so much as thoughtless. Nevertheless, I felt like being angry and The Downtown Fiction were there to share my disdain. Sometimes, it feels good to put aside your 'nice girl' and tell someone 'Thanks for nothing, kiss my ass'.

2) Good Charlotte : 1979
So when the rage has died down, this is a great song to get you back on the straight and narrow. Get your retro thing happening and go back to a simpler time. It's great to celebrate 1979 because, to be honest, the 80's didn't really do anyone any favours. Besides, even though it wasn't actually written in the 70's, it features '79 in the title so Beck may just listen to it!

The Journey so far….

2011-08-31T12:17:00.000+10:00

From the stories we have written so far, dear reader, you might think that Beck and I are quite fit and active, but this was not always the case. In an effort to 'keep it real' and show you that fat, middle aged women have to start somewhere, we decided we needed to tell you the story of how our fitness journey began. So that these stories and pictures are easy to find for anyone reading the blog in the future, we have created a new page for them. If you look at the little tabs at the top of this page you will find a new one called "before and after". It's not a funny post today, just the truth! Happy Reading!

My husband, 'The Machine'………Living in the shadow of superman.

2011-08-27T09:53:00.000+10:00

A post by Carla

For all of you who grew up in the shadow of a friend or sibling who outshone your every achievement – this post is for you.

Let me begin by stating that I love my husband dearly, I really do. It’s just that he has a really bad habit of being an overachiever. He is generally known as being a very smart cookie. He is the guy you want on your table at a trivia night, and if you know him in real life, why don’t you ask him about his appearance on "Who Wants To Be a Millionaire" next time you see him (ha ha, take that you overachieving scumbag).

My husband has always been fit, he is the sort of guy that can participate in any sport and do a reasonable job. And he always looks lean and toned, even though he never goes to the gym [b*stard]. Earlier in our relationship, he dabbled in running, cycling and triathlons after a gentle push from me that went something like “You’re a built like a runner, so go run you lazy slob”. However injury, work and children got in the way until earlier this year.

In January I started going to the gym. Then I joined a training group [the S7], which led to me having one on one sessions with Humungousaur, my Personal Trainer. Some of the girls I was training with were entering the Launceston 10. Unfortunately, I was forced to sit out due to shin splints. Feeling pretty inspired by the hype surrounding the race my husband said “I might give that a go”. So he started training a few weeks out from the race, getting up at 5:30am when I left for the gym and doing some sort of secret training in the garage. On race day, he romped his 10km in 40min22sec. I kid you not. Now, as I had been trying to run all year but still couldn’t make it to 2 km without shin splint pain, I felt slightly miffed by this.

My husband’s next move (you can see it coming can’t you) was to ring Humungousaur and ask to be his client. Now of course Humungosaur said yes because knowing that I was so totally awesome he was keen to train another member of my family. After a couple of sessions Humungousaur said to me “Your husband is a machine”. My nose was officially out of joint.

To add insult to injury, ‘The Machine’ also has the metabolism of a greyhound. So while I was sticking to my measly 1200 calorie a day diet and stressing about whether I would blow it by eating an extra carrot stick, the machine was drinking ‘monster mass’ protein shakes [yes, they really are called that] at 600 calories a pop and still couldn’t break 70kg - even by weighing himself at night….after dinner…fully clothed. Even more fodder for disenchantment.

Then came the ‘Spin incident’ in which our gym was offering prizes during the Tour de France for the ‘stage winner’ in every class. I could not win despite spinning my legs off, but of course The Machine came home with a prize at his first attempt. Although he generously offered it to me, I’m afraid I was less than gracious and snapped words to the effect of “It’s not the prize I want, butt head, it’s the GLORY!!!!” He later went on to cycle so ferociously in another class that he broke a pedal off his spin bike….but that is another story.

The final straw came when I was watching a recording of the ‘Tour de France’ with my 3yo son. He was sitting and watching the cyclists when he calmly asked me “Which one is daddy?’ My baby……gone over to The Machine's dark side.

So *sshole darling, you may have stolen my dream to run 10km, my Personal Trainer, and my baby, but remember….. it's not over 'til the not-so-fat lady sings.

The Machine is currently training for a marathon, as you do.

"Devil Went Down to Georgia" and other good running songs

2011-08-24T15:52:00.000+10:00

Get me through Friday ... Beck’s (Response) Playlist
(yes it will become evident I am a little older than Carla)

I must preface this by saying Carla you had a lovely "contemporary" playlist but some of us do not believe in music after 1989 … so if you feel like “cuttin’ some treadmill moves” retro style – here are my top songs for gym playlists:

(In no particular order - but perhaps Thunderstruck doesnt get you much chance to warm up)
Thunder struck – ACDC
Ma Baker - 1970 Disco Hits
River Deep Mountain High – Ike and Tina
Nutbush City Limits - Tina Turner ( a bit of a fav)
Dominion / Mother Russia – Sisters of Mercy (good for angry days… ok pretty much every day)
Am I ever going to see your face again – The Angels ( note to self: Not good to yell “no way, Get F** F** Off when on the treadmill)
White Wedding – Billy Idol
The Passenger – Ziggy Pop
The Devil Went Down To Georgia -(OK I am going through a country phase)
Don’t Stand so Close to Me (The Police)
And whilst some people believe that I do the moves to YMCA by the Village people whilst running this was a small exaggeration as I am not that co-ordinated.

So pull out your leg warmers, sweat bands and lycra tights with a g-string OVER not under your leggings and join me for some 1970’s and 1980’s time warp..... (oh now that’s a good one too.. just don’t jump-to-the-left as you may take out the person next to you.

Now what's DAGGY about that?

Midweek Mini Post: Music that gets me moving…...

2011-08-24T12:34:00.000+10:00

A post by Carla.

When I go to the gym by myself, I really could not survive without my ipod to get me through the cardio part of my workout. Every couple of weeks when I have time, I trawl through itunes looking for music that might inspire me to go faster, longer or harder. Personally, I prefer upbeat music that does not make me regret getting out of bed at 5:30am when it is minus 1.5 outside. Here are two of my current faves:

1) Techno Fan by the Wombats. I really like this one because it is pretty funky and also because it has the most fabulous line in it's chorus - "Shut up and move with me, move with me, or get out of my face". I like this sentiment. I think the S7 should adopt this as one of their slogans…especially Beck who has a bit of a ~~killer instinct~~ competitive nature. You really had better 'move with her, move with her, or get out of her face'….trust me! By the way, in case you were wondering, I am not a techno fan.

2) Tonight, Tonight by Hot Chelle Rae. Okay so my reason for liking this one is pretty trivial - when I first heard it, I thought someone must have bugged my house and recorded me talking to my kids. The lyrics include the lines "La la la, whatever, la la la, it doesn't matter, la la la, oh well, la la la". "Whatever", "It doesn't matter", and "Oh well" are three of my most common parental sayings. Along with "go ask your father", "use an inside voice", and "surely it is your bedtime by now".

This song also scores points because when I am driving around town with my playlist cranked up as loud as possible in an effort to a) funk up my people mover and b) drown out the noise of the kids fighting in the back seat, the kids instantly go silent when it comes on. In fact it is one of my 3 year old's favourite songs. We did run into some trouble, however, when he mistook the lyrics "all you party people" for "all you bloody people" and sang it loudly all the way around the supermarket. Oh well….it doesn't matter.

Come on, admit it, it's a catchy little number and am I mistaken or is that a cameo by Sam Evans from Glee in the film clip? Not that I would watch a show like that, I only have time for intellectual things like ~~Keeping Up with the Kardashians~~ documentaries.

(Sorry about the message that pops up when you press play. If you click 'watch on you tube' it will take you to the song! Vevo….ggggrrrrrr)

Lane Sharing Rage

2011-08-21T18:57:00.000+10:00

A post by Beck and Carla

Carla: This is a dreadful post to start with because I don’t want your first impressions of me to be bad. So I want to state at the outset that I’m usually a meek, gentle and totally non-competitive person – honestly. Well at least that’s what I thought, until I asked my husband if he would describe me as gentle and non-confrontational or angry and enraged. His response was “It depends on the time of the month and if I’ve done anything to p*ss you off. I’d say it’s an 80/20 split”. Yeah, thanks for nothing honey.

Beck: As with anything sporty there are rules. These rules might not be spelt out on large signs but there are things that you should definitely not do unless you wish to incur the non-verbal wrath of your fellow participant. My fitness buddy Carla suffers from what she describes as “lane sharing rage”. When doing laps she wisely chooses the “medium speed lane” - not too slow, not too fast... it’s just right.

It’s really not hard to decide if you wish to join her – you need to be able to swim (not walk), make it to the end of the lane (don’t turn around half way) swim in single file (not breast stroke next to your friend so you can chat) and do not DO NOT I warn you float around half way up the pool enjoying you ability to be buoyant. Carla: WTF people? It is a LAP SWIMMING lane….if you want a freaking zen floating experience, go somewhere else!

Beck: As people have stood at the end of her lane contemplating whether to get in I have seen her emerge from the water like Jaws leading up to an attack, you can almost hear the drums beating ... increasing in intensity as she works out whether they will cut the mustard in the lane –of-death.

Personally, when I swim I apply the “ she with the most toys wins" rule. I have found that the more stuff you have at the end of the lane the more intimidating you are and the less likely people will want to share with you. Flippers, water bottle, hand paddle-thingys, but of course this doesn’t really work when people see my floaties and a rubber ring.

Power paddles Beck, they are called power paddles. Using the word thingy's just detracts from your credibility

Carla: Sometimes you are lucky enough to have the serendipitous experience that is sharing a lane with someone perfectly matched to your pace. You pass each other going opposite directions in the middle of the pool, and reach the end simultaneously. You never have to wait, go around, slow down, or speed up to avoid being run down. Aaaahhhhhh…chlorinated bliss!

You, my friend, can share my lane anytime xx

What makes your [normally gentle and passive] blood boil??