If you’ve been following my new years resolution quests, number 4 was to lose 3kg by the end of this year, with a starting weight of 75kg. After today’s personal training session I’ve chosen that I won’t be following this path.

We did a fat test at training and I got (shocked) 22.6% body fat, which according to the Body Fat Percentage scale puts me in smack in the middle of the fitness range.

I’m extremely shocked by this because I”m not someone who would look fit. I have excess around my butt and lower part of my abs, but I suppose I’m starting to get a bit of a bicep so I will claim it *flex*. Seriously though, I was shocked and really happy to find this out. But as my trainer, Dave, pointed out, this means that I will never be someone considered skinny. My body frame just won’t allow it.

I’m built wide, and strong. I have a lot of muscle, but a bit of fat too (yet still considered healthy). Together, we’re going to be aiming to get my percentage down to 19%, putting me at the top end of the athletic range. Dave explained to me that I need to aim for looking toned rather than skinny, and he said it with a look on his face that he thought I would be disappointed. Instead I was thrilled – I’ve only ever wanted to look toned and fit. So I let out a big “woohoo – you’ve just made my day!”

That was followed by another hard training session when I yet again felt like throwing up. It’s the cardio that does it, its insane to be able to jog for 3 minutes at full incline on a treadmill – you feel like you’re going to fall off! I can handle it for a minute but then need to hold onto the treadmill and just force my legs to keep moving. After 1.5 minutes I walk for ten seconds, then jog again holding on. At two minutes I let go, for about ten seconds. Then its holding on and jogging for the rest. *grin* When that schedule changes I know I’m getting fitter.

But back to my original point, its important that I pay attention to my body fat % and not the scales – as they will only reflect an increase if I continue putting on muscle, yet my body fat % will go down. SO. I’ve decided instead of trying to lose 3kg, I’m going to aim to lose 1% body fat by the end of this year. I have no idea how hard this will be as I’ve never tried to measure percentages. However we’re getting tested again in 7 – 8 weeks, so we’ll have more of an idea then. Cheerio!

As part of my New Years resolutions challenge (is that all I ever blog about anymore??) I am recruiting for my Relay for Life team. This is a team event dedicated towards raising money for cancer research. My mother is a breast cancer survivor (which I’m fiercly proud of, as she did all this while raising her kids almost singlehandedly), so I’m doing this for her, as well as all those who bravely fight on a daily basis their right to continue life.

What it is:
The challenge is for teams of 10 or more to complete a relay-style walk or run at selected venues throughout Australia. Team members take turns to keep their baton moving overnight, enjoying the sensational festive atmosphere created through entertainment, camping, spot prizes and, most importantly, the vibrancy of the hundreds of lively people on the track! The highlights at each event include the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, the Survivors’ Walk and the Candlelight Ceremony.

Can you tell I got that bit from the official site? *grin*

What you would have to do:
1 – Tell me you want to join the team (very important)
2 – Join our team in attempting to raise the equivalent of $100 per team member (i.e. 10 team members = $1000. Note that one member can only raise $80 and another $120 and thats still OK).
3 – Meet at the track on the day of the event, for 1/2 hour timeslots When you’re not walking, we have a dedicated spot purely for our team, where we can chill out and relax. What a way to catch up hey?

And that’s it!! How easy is that?!

Depending on our team members, we’ll be doing the event at either the Sunshine Coast or Brisbane. If you’re interested in being in the team, or just donating, please let me know in the comments. All assistance appreciated!!!

Thanks in advance

Just realised I never posted March’s roast, as per the New Years Resolutions challenge. Whoops. It’s a not-very-nice looking Pork, that tasted better than it looks. I chose a rather large one, which didn’t fit the roaster very well (hence the burnt top). Oh well – it’s a roast and it’ll do.

Aprils yet to come – with only a week left I still haven’t even decided what I’m cooking yet! Better get a move on!

Previously I wrote about the task that I was giving up chocolate for 30 days. Well, the countdown has begun. 8 days….and it hasn’t been easy. Currently occupying the bottom shelf of my fridge at home is the following Easter products:

Now whilst many of these items were bought by family members as an Easter gift, I must mention the last item was purchased by a co-worker who had my no chocolate task specifically in mind when deciding to buy this egg for me. These chocolate products have occupied my fridge since Easter weekend. And what does this mean?

PEOPLE ENJOY TORTURING ME!

Not nice, and I tell you what – I am bloody impressed by my willpower right now. Why can’t I just put this willpower to good use? Like forcing myself to keep jogging on the treadmill for a bit longer at personal training. Or forcing myself to lift that 10kg weight just one more time? Or holding that hover (move we do at gym where you hold your body off the ground) for 30 seconds longer. But noooooooooooooooooooooo, all I use it for is to torture myself, all for the name of a new years challenge.

If, by now, you’re wondering why Mat hasn’t eaten the chocolate yet, it’s because our relationship was threatened should his wandering hands touch those eggs before my sentence has passed. I warned him that there would be SERIOUS consequences should I find anything missing. There was previously a red tulip egg added to that list, but he begged and begged and I relented, only because there was so much waiting for me. But since then, I’ve caught him gazing, but everytime he looks at me I shake my head. I have promised to share it with him when the time comes.

I hope this 8 days goes quickly, I can’t wait to dig in.