Mind over Matter

I was chatting to a friend yesterday who was having trouble motivating herself to do things. In the past I have been the most UNMOTIVATED person when it came to exercise. I was fine if it was a hockey game but I had to force myself to go to training and the slightest excuse not to I would snatch it!

Now I really do use a mind over matter approach. For example, yesterday I ran 10km with the chariot and the dog. The night before I told myself I would be running 10km tomorrow, and in my head I just kept telling myself that. Then in the morning I got dressed straight away  in my running clothes before I even checked if it was raining and continued to tell myself I was running 10km. I normally only run 3 to 5km and that's enough but I really wanted to run 10km. So I got the chariot ready, the sun was out but rain was looming but because for the past 10 hours I had been telling myself I was going to go running it really took no effort at all to motivate myself. I ran 3km and just kept going! And it felt SO GOOD! Physically and emotionally as I felt I had achieved something.

So....the moral of my wee story is, you can do whatever you put your mind to. If you are finding yourself lacking in motivation, set yourself a goal. Just before you go to bed voice it aloud, tell your partner or a friend etc that tomorrow you will be working out/going for a swim/going for a run and then keep telling yourself that like a mantra. You will be amazed by how much easier the actual doing it is!

As always, let me know how you get on or any stories of success. Either leave a comment or email me at amy@thebellyblitz.com

Happy Blitzing!

Week 13: Weekly weigh in and stats AND Interval Training

OK...Stats first then I'll chat.

Weight: 64.6kg DOWN 0.4KG!
Bust: 34inches DOWN HALF AN INCH!
Waist 27 inches DOWN HALF AN INCH
Hips: 37.5 inches NO CHANGE

I am happy with that in a week. It is all going in the right direction. I have upped my training schedule this week for the triathlon. I rowed 3 times, strength training twice, went running on Saturday and swimming last night. I am trying to motivate myself to go for a run now but the weather is not helping me much! But I will go....

How is everyone else getting on?

Interval Training
I am introducing some friends to some interval training tonight. We are meeting at a football (soccer) pitch near my house. This is something anyone can do if you h ave the motivation. Its free and it works. It builds your overall fitness and as it is interval training it helps give your body a fat burning boost. Not sure of spelling but back home it was called Farlick. Basically you start by walking the short (end) length of the pitch. Then when you reach the corner you jog to the halfway line, then sprint or 3/4 pace the remaining half of the long side and the whole of the short (end) length then jog to the halfway and walk the remaining half and the short end again and repeat it all. It kills, it won't feel  nice but it WORKS! Try and do 8 times round or 10 times round. Do it once to set your goal and then aim to increase it weekly.
IF YOU ARE ON A PLATEAU ie NOT LOST WEIGHT FOR A WEEK OR 2 THIS WILL REALLY KICKSTART YOUR WEIGHT LOSS AGAIN!

Happy Blitzing!

The Importance of Sleep

Sleep is so important though as new mums can be very evasive! Last night Callum had the best night sleep ever so I had the best night sleep and what a difference this morning. I have hoovered, stripped the bed and put in wash, dusted and tidied up, put laundry away rowed for 20mins and 20mins strength training all before 9am!

If you are working out regularly you need to give your body a day or even 2 days off and relax and sleep sleep sleep. Your body will recover, your muscles will strengthen and you will feel energised.

The importance of rest days is that when we work out we are essentially tearing the muscle fibers, letting it build back up and strengthen itself. If we don't give our body a chance to repair and rest then it will have the adverse effect and we well become weak and lethargic.

So sleep, take a day off and let your body grow stronger.

Happy Blitzing!

Week 12: weekly weigh in and stats

At least I think it is week 12...it has been a while and I do apologise. I am back though for sure this time. It has just been a roller coast of a few weeks finding we had lost the babies and then finally miscarrying. Thank you all for your kind words and wishes.

Right...stats!

These are from the last time I took Stats in about week 9
Weight 65.6 KG
Waist: 28 inches
Hips: 38inches
Bust: 35 inches

AND THESE are today:


Weight 65KG DOWN 0.6kg!
Waist: 27.5inches DOWN HALF AN INCH
Hips: 37.5inches DOWN HALF AN INCH
Bust: 34.5 inches DOWN HALF AN INCH

So all in all everything is moving in the right direction and now my head is back into it all I am working hard to get to that 61kg.

How has everyone else done?

Happy Blitzing!

I'm Back Take 2!

Maybe my "I'm Back" post was a little premature! I ended up in hospital yesterday after passing out from blood loss but the whole ordeal is now over and the doc said I can resume exercising. WHOO HOO! I have a triathlon to train for and I have been really latchy putting up my stats recently.

Sunday, if I can persuade Scott I am ok as he is a little protective bless, I will be playing hockey, then next week I really need to get my training back in gear.

How is everyone else doing? A BIG shout out to Sandy who had been doing so well and is loving the lunges and squatting exercises. I have some new ones for you which I will post tomorrow so blow the dust off your dumbells and start flexing your gluts! Its time to step it up a gear to keep those bodies burning.

And another BIG shout out to Tania who has been doing bootcamp 6 days a week and STILL came running round the seawall with me and is also playing hockey tomorrow. You are doing BRILLIANTLY Tania.

If anyone else wants a shout out drop me an email. Anything to keep the motivation and inspiration at a high.

Happy Blitzing!!!

I'm Back!

Hi All

Well, I guess I am back! Last week I managed 2 strength sessions, a swim and an 8km run along the sea wall. The exercise definitely helps and as horrible as the past week has been we have to move on. I will post my stats soon but my body is here there and everywhere just now so I am waiting till things are back to normal.

I will be back with some inspiring blogging very soon!

Happy Blitzing!

A Little Quiet This Week

Hi all,

I may be a little quiet this week but I will be back soon. You'll remember a few posts back I was comfort eating, well I was pregnant with twins and was told that 1 of them had died. It seems now that neither of them have survived. It was early days so we hadn't told anyone yet, I would be 12 weeks this week or next I think.

I will still be working out as exercise releases endorphins and does make you feel better but while Scott and I regroup and come to terms with the roller coaster of the last few weeks The Belly Blitz may be a little quiet, I'll see how it goes.

As always,

Happy Blitzing!

A Hockeytastic Day

The sun is shining, the birds are singing and we won 2-0! I love playing hockey in the sun! I burnt off nearly 700cals in 90mins, and it is a great interval workout AND I LOVE IT! We have 1 game left, just a friendly though, and then a couple of months off. Then summer hockey starts, mixed fun in the sun!

I know I have said this so many times but if you can find a sport or an activity that you absolutely love and look forward to, it is such an easy workout. Throw in a couple of training sessions and a game and you have racked up 2 or 3 interval cardio sessions all for fun with none of the stress.

Happy Blitzing!

Thank You and More

Just a very quick post to THANK all my followers for your comments and emails, it really makes my day to know that I have helped someone out there find the motivation and inspiration to Blitz their Belly.

PLEASE share the Belly Blitz with your friends, become a follower, spread the word and we will make Blitzing the new craze in the health and fitness world.

Happy Blitzing!

Some New moves

I am going to try some new moves today to switch things up a little, depending how they work I will detail them in here and we can all hurt tomorrow! I also have a hockey game tomorrow so I am not going to do much cardio today as I know I will be running my @ss off for 70minutes and that is more than enough cardio/interval training! It is a lovely day so I will be going for a walk with Lupe and Callum after working out.

Yesterday was a day I was lifting Callum up and down a lot as he is teething and needed some TLC. Today I can really feel it in my arms! Having a baby really is a workout in itself, do any of you find that as well?

Happy Blitzing!

Switching It Up

As I am getting nearer my goal weight I am switching up my workouts even more. I think I need to add in an extra toning/strength training session in for one of my cardio to try and tone up more. I know I am still losing weight but it really has slowed down and I am going to see if I can kick start my body into burning fat faster for the last stretch. Some interval training and some toning. I wish I had some stairs in our house to run up and down. When we lived in China our apartment was the penthouse so I had 9 flights of stairs to run up and down. I used to carry my 10lb weights, one in each hand, and run up and down the stairs. It KILLED but it really did do the trick. I am not going to mess around with my calories too much as I am still breastfeeding and at the end of the day feeding Callum has to take some sort of priority, but it is WHAT you eat as well as HOW MUCH.

So fingers crossed in the next week or so I can report some great weight and inch loss! And let you know what works.

Happy Blitzing!

Running advice

I've just been for a 6k run along the  beach with a friend, Callum and the dog. It is such a gorgeous day it was so nice to get out! Our running conversation prompted me to write a blog post.

If you are new to running, go for time instead of distance. Try running or jogging non-stop for 10 minutes, then have a 2 or 3 minute walking break and then run again for 10 minutes if you can. After a couple of runs doing this increase your running time and decrease your break time. You want to aim to run for 20 minutes non stop as your first milestone. You can plan a route using  http://www.mapmyrun.com. In 20 minutes you should easily be able to do a 3km run. Then you can start either working on your speed or on your distance, which ever you prefer, and increase your 20mins to 30mins or more.

Another great running/interval training technique if you are new to running or want to get back into it is this:

1. set yourself 10 paces where 1 is a really slow walk and 10 is just above your running comfort level (you are running more or less flat out and can't talk while running)
2. 2 minutes walking at pace 1 to 2
3. 2 minutes walking at pace 3 to 4 
4. 4 minutes walking at pace 5 (This should be a fast power walk with heels on the ground)
5. 2 minutes jogging at pace 6
6. 3 minutes jogging at pace 7 to 8
7. 2 minutes running at pace 9 to 10
8. 2 minutes jogging at pace 7 to 8
9. 3 minutes jogging at pace 6
10. 2 minutes walking at pace 5
11. 3 minutes walking at pace 3 to 4
12. 2 minutes walking at pace 1 to 2 (Cool Down)

This is a really simple interval walk/run training but you will be surprised at how it makes you work. Its a 25 minute exercise with a 2 minute cool down. When you feel more accomplished drop levels 1 and 2 and spend more time at levels 7 to 10. Eventually you will be jogging and running like interval training or simply running at a good pace.

Happy Blitzing!

A picture at 10 weeks PP

I found this picture in my work file. I am an equine therapist and one of my clients took some pics, I was about 10 weeks PP I think. CHECK THE BELLY! I still look pregnant! And the bingo wings LOL! Just goes to show that perseverance and patience really goes a long way.

 

And of course, now: (same pic from a few weeks ago, not taken a new one)

Happy Blitzing!

Week 9: weekly weigh in and stats

By the time I remembered to do my stats yesterday I had already eaten breakfast and had a HUGE mug of tea so had to leave them for today. HOWEVER, my tape measure seems to be missing in action so need to find that.

My weight is 65.4kg which is DOWN 200g (about half a pound). Not a HUGE amount but last week I was comfort eating A LOT. It just goes to show it was what my body was needing to deal with stress and grief and it hasn't affected the scales at all. My clothes are definitely feeling a lot looser which is such a great feeling. When I find my tape measure I will take measurements and post.

All in all, things are still going well. Weight loss has slowed down but it is still moving. Before falling pregnant I was 61kg so another 4kg to go really which is not a lot so my weight loss is bound to slow down.

How is everyone else doing?

Happy Blitzing!