ASN 10 Week Challenge update #14 - On the home stretch!!!

Holy Moly!!! Who would've thought that I'd be sitting here blogging 1 week out from 'Official' finish date!! Wow... felt like yesterday that I was deciding whether to blog about it at all!! Well, I can say, that I'm totally glad I did!!! And so happy that most of you have all stuck with me from the First update!

So I've worked out that there will be another 2 posts after this one. Yay!? I think! ;P As the challenge officially finishes on Monday the 5th of May (next Monday), My 'After' photos are not due until the 11th May! (almost 7 days after)... Which means I can smash out almost another week to see how far we can get :) I am thinking that I will take the 'After' photos on Friday 9th! So that's almost another week that I can blog about if you are all up for an extra post... and the 'Final' result! Pressure much??

So, last week we 'dealt' with Easter and probably not in the best way that I could have, but It's behind me now! Back on the right track :)

Tuesday, fasted walk :)


Then Teagie came over for a workout! I changed it up a little! We did 1/2 hour of upper body! As heavy as we could manage. Then smashed out a 1/2 Hiit session! First 'Real' cardio Teags has done since her surgery! Hence the reason she looks a little 'buggered' and had the feeling of either 'passing out' or 'vomiting'! LOL..... After something to eat and some water, she was feeling a little better! Love you Teags :)

Superset Weights Workout was:

BB Bicep Curls
BB Back Rows
Sitting Chest Press
Skull Crushers
BB Upright Row

Followed up with a Hiit session! 8 rounds of each exercise. 45 seconds on and 15 seconds rest!

Jump Squat to Chin-up
Single Leg Step-ups
Pendulum Swings with Double Jump


Dinner was Chicken rissoles topped with grilled Zucchinni and greens on the side :)



On Wednesday, I had planned a fasted walk but for some reason my body allowed me to sleep past 5am... right through to after 6.30!! So I had to skip the fasted cardio this morning so I was on time for school drop off! Teags couldn't make it over for a workout cause Lucie wasn't feeling well :( But Shann joined me for some Back, Bums and Abs!!! 'Building a Bootie' is such hard work! Not sure i've made any progress! I guess measurements on Monday will tell me :)

DB Single Back Rows
DB Sitting Reverse Fly's

Lat Pulldowns
Leg Raisers

Sitting Cable Back Row
Weighted Sit ups

Donkey Kicks
Weighted Oblique Twists

Weighted Bridges
Crunches


After my workout, Adam and I headed up to check out the new 'Hoggies' to celebrate our 14 year anniversary :) I wish I could have ordered Steak and Prawns with curly fries and then a Sundae for dessert but... I ordered the Lite cut Prime rib with steamed veges! No dessert :(

Finished off Wednesday Arv with a Hiit session at Get Fit Gladstone.

Picture of my 'boring' Lunch and dinner.... Which was Turkey mince with parsnip and cauliflower mash and greens :)



Thursday - PT was a little bit of Chest and some cardio :)

Lunch was left over dinner from the night before! And One of my snacks. Cucumber, spinach and chicken.


Some 'selfies' from Thursday. (Seriously... who doesn't love a selfie?) After PT, Do I have to go shopping?, and off to Punchfit!



Friday, Fasted walk. Stuggle street! And, really, who can blame me.... look at the motivational pics that I have up on the wall in front of the treadmill!? Really.... I need to give it a make over or install a TV!


Quick Back, Biceps, legs and Abs for this morning before heading off to the Marina with the kids and Teags for a Picnic! I made myself a Chicken salad to take with me! Beautiful day :)


This wasn't one of my snacks today, but it was one of Lilli's! Healthy, and she loves it! Just thought I'd share in case any Mum's are struggling with healthy snack for their kids. Apple slices with peanut butter.


It's 'Flex it Friday!' Altough I haven't got a lot of 'popping' muscles! I thought I'd share some of my Upper body 'flexing'!





Uncle Ray was my baby sitter for my 'Outside' morning walk on Saturday!


Legs, Bum and Ab's session downstairs:)

I am so happy that Lilli finds keeping heathy and fit, FUN! She has been nagging me for weeks to go to the 'Exercise' park! So we spent some of Saturday at the Lions park.. In the Exercise park!




Chin up time!




So... here's something exciting!!! Do you all remember that one of my Original goals at the start was to do 1 un-assisted pull up!?? Well.... I think I did it!!! I have video proof and I tried to upload it here but it didn't happen so you can check it out on facebook!

Saturday arv... I smashed out a Hiit session by myself :( Kinda like having company to keep my motivated and sometimes Lilli yelling 'One more round' isn't exeactly what I need ;P

Exercises were:
Boxing bag
Toe Taps on a stool
10 Bicylce crunches / 10 Ankles taps

Followed up with a Pumpkin and Chicken soup for dinner!



Sunday was REST day although I really felt like doing something but i didn't!

Snack and Lunch :)


Then, spent the rest of the day hangin out with Lilli. Bit of Trampoline fun! Holy Moly.. doesn't that get the heart rate up ;P


Oven baked fish and greens for dinner :) Followed up with a 'Stress Less' green tea to stop those sweet cravings!



So here we are... Monday - Again! Blogging! Just finished PT and weigh in! I am, well, completely shattered and dissapointed in myself! The 'Easter' showed! (A day of eating not much else but Chocolate). I'm going to be honest with you all again... cause, really, whats the point in 'fibbing'! A while ago, I worked out that as much as you say you've done the right thing, If you haven't.... It will show :( I have been a binge eater since I can remember! I used to think that If I eat one thing 'bad' then...... 'That's it, I've ruined the whole day! I'll just eat everything that I want and start again tomorrow!' Nope, not true! I know it's hard, believe me! Easter Sunday.... something came over me and I felt 'that' person coming out! (The one that want's to eat everything). I can't really tell you why... I'm not sure! I think I was concentrating to hard on the 'End' result and It freaked me out a little and the fact that it's the 1 day a year that it's 'acceptable' to each chocolate all day!? What if that 'after' photo isn't as good as I expected? At least If I 'binged' so close to the finish I'd have a 'reason'!? I think it's called 'Self-sabotaging'! I can honestly say, that this is the first time in a very long time that I had felt like that :(

The food that is in my house, has dramatically changed in the last 18 mths! Sure, Lilli still has some 'not-so-good' snacks that go to school with her but other than that, it's pretty 'clean'! Which makes it's easier for all of us to eat 'Healthy'! So feeling like I did on Easter Sunday and having all that chocolate in the house was too much for me to handle! (Really.... I should have just sucked it up and not done it.) Needless to say that the day of Chocolate was a huge mistake and I regret every minute of it :( In having said that If I keep thinking about it, it will get me down so, I'm sure you'd all agree that we just 'get on with it'! I know that I have 'Motivated and Inspired' a few others! But sometimes I think I need be inspired and motivated myself :) I think I'll spend this week focusing on 'Me'! And instead of promising everyone else that I will do well.... I'm going to make a promise to myself :)

See you all next week!

ASN 10 Week Challenge update #13 - 2 Weeks to go!!

OMG.... It's Tuesday! Yep.... extra late with this post. I hope you all had an awesome long Easter weekend with Family and Friends! And Enjoyed all those little chocolatey goodies ;P You are probably all wondering if I 'caved' and had any??? You'll have to read til (almost) the very end and find out ;P

Lets just get to it and load these pics! :)

Last Sunday (Rest day) Hanging out with nothing much to do but watch a movie :)
My weekly coffee! Yummo, with some healthy breakfast to start the day.


Loving my new headband that Teagie bought me :)


I was feeling like Fish and Chips all day on Sunday from the Rainy weather! But I settled for vege chips, grilled chicken on wilted spinach and homemade avocado dip! See... just like 'Fish and Chips'!



Monday, Stacy was back!! And PT was BACK! Yay :)


But I didn't make it to Boxing on Monday night... wasn't feeling very well with a cracking headache. Hence the reson there was only the 1 pic from today!


Tuesday, I started the day with a fasted walk on the treadmill and followed it up with an awesome Back and Biceps session :)

Warmed up with some Yard sprints, star jumps and butt kicks before heading into the weights for some supersets.

Bicep Cable Curls
Cable Back Rows

Hammer Curls
Single DB Back Row

BB Bicep Curls
BB Back Row

Laying Back Extensions
Reverse DB Back Flys
Lat Pulldowns

Tuesday arv, I had some energy (Not sure where it came from) but I headed downstairs and did a quick 30 min run on the treadmill followed with some Ab's!

Lunch - Brown Rice, Tuna, Beans, Broccoli and Boiled Egg!
Dinner - Turkey meatloaf with Greens and Sweet Potato


And my kind neighbours came over with a gift for looking after their Cat and Fish for the week they were on holiday! Just what I needed!!! NOT!!!! Arghhhhhh freaking Chocolate. It'll be the death of me! I unwrapped them poured them into a black bucket so they weren't staring me in the face everytime I opened the freaking cupboard door!!! Did it work? Yep :)



Fasted walk first up Wednesday Morning.... Then Triceps and Legs for weights today! (Sounds weird, I know! I had my reasons!) Another superset session! I love supersets :)

Leg Extension
Triceps Dips

Jumping Lunges
Overhead Triceps

Smith Machine Squats
Triceps Cable Pulldowns

Weighted Bridges
DB Kickbacks

Calf Pumps


After our workout we headed off to Splash Zone with Teags, Lucas, Lucie, Shann, Eb and Noah! Was a lovely day! Fresh air and great company :) I even wore a Bikini! Although I'm still not game enough to take off my shorts!


I also washed and prepped some Beans for the week ;P


Morning snack was Beans, Spinach, Carrot and Eggs! Healthy fuel for a hard workout :) And Dinner, some of those nice washed Beans with Broccoli and Lemon, Thyme and Rosemary Sweet lip!



Thursday!!! Lilli was so excited because Porsche and Kylie were coming to visit for a couple of nights!! But first, fasted walk (I don't normally walk on Thursday Mornings but I did as I knew I wouldn't get to boxing cause we planned to go to Family Night at the Harbour festival). Then off to PT with a boiled egg for some energy :) PT was Chest and Cardio on the spin bike!


Off to visit Nan and G'dad and then home for our visitors! Yay!
I had leftovers for my lunch before we headed to the Hungry Cow to catch up with the Girls :) I ordered a nice Green Tea although I so could have had a nice Vanilla Thickshake and a piece of cake!



So we were all getting ready for Family night and Fireworks!! But then the 'Rains were here'!! Outta nowhere! Oh dear... what to do!? I really didn't fancy taking the kids down to a packed out harbour festival with mushy wet grass and possibly still raining so we compromised and headed to the Tavern for dinner! I ordered the Haloumi salad! It was so so yum, that I didn't even get to take a pic! Sorry guys! Teags and Kylie will tell you how good it looked!!! ;P


Friday!!! I got to walk outside! Thanks to Aunty Kylie for watching Lilli (asleep) while I went for my fasted walk!
Such a beautiful Morning too!! A nice 5ks down before 7am!



Then we headed down to the Festival Markets and let the kids have some Festival Fun!



Adam got his normal 'Dutch Pancakes' and I took my Protein shake with some Almonds!

Before heading to Teags for a Yummy dinner, Kylie finally got to do a workout with me! We've only been trying forever!!! So glad she bought her workout 'attire' to Gladstone this time! We did some Shoulders, Legs and Ab's! But not without PT Lilli Gosley, yelling out what set we were up to and how good we were doing! After our workout we downed a Protein shake, Lilli.. a Bubble 'o' Bill!



BB Shoulder Press
Jumping Lunges

DB Front Raisers
Jumping Squats (Weighted)

Military Shoulder Press
Leg Extension

Upright Row
Sumo Squats

Tank Toners

Weighted Situps
Oblique Twists

Lunch was Tuna, Avocado and Chickpea salad! Dinner, Fennel, Lime and Garlic Parrot fish with some yummy salads that Teagie prepared!! The 'Fried' rice was even made from Brown rice :) Winning!



Another outside walk on Saturday!!! Thanks again Aunty Kylie! You are so awesome!


Kylie joined me again for another workout session this morning! Superset of Fully body!!

Bicep Cable Curls
Overhead Triceps

Bicep BB Curls
Skull Crushers

Sitting Chest Press
Lat Pulldowns

Plate Chest Press
BB Back Row

Smith Machine Squats
Calf Pumps

Leg Curls
Leg Raisers

Kylie - I know you are reading this! I know it probably felt like I was 'killing' you! But you did awesome and I so wish you lived closer so we could do it more often! :)

Then we headed off to have some lunch with the Girls before they hit the road for home (They needed to get home for the Easter Bunny ;P) Miss you all loads and we'll see you soon!
Rice Paper rolls for me!


Saturday afternoon I had to go get the 'Evil' Easter bunny chocolates that I sent home with Mum 3 weeks ago!!! OMG..... I did so well! Lilli wasn't very well Saturday night... she had a temp and a headache! I'm pretty sure it was from the couple of big days we've had! Early bed and early bunny in this house!


Sunday Morning!!! The Easter Bunny strikes!


The day started so well!!!


The Eggs that I was 'Allowed' today! And my snack :)


And this is where you will find out that I DID cave and I DID eat chocolate :( It sucks to have a mega sweet tooth! So after a very quick visit to Nan and Grandad with an Easter pressie... It was home to drown my sorrows ;P This is my completely dissapointed face! This freaking close to the 'Finish' line and I stuff up! Well... no need 'dwelling' on what could have been and what WAS! Just man up and carry on!


Just hung out with a sick little girl for the rest of Sunday.



Easter Monday! Get back on the ASN Challenge Train and charge ahead! Up early for a fasted walk and then a Legs and Abs Session with Teags!

Deadlifts
Machine Squats

Hack Squats
Leg Extensions

Leg Curls
Weighted Lunges

Jumping Lunges
Jumping Squats

Weighted Sit ups
Obliques Twists

Leg Raisers
Plank Holds



That finishes of the week that was and the start of the week that 'will be'!

Hope you all have an amazing week! Kids are coming down off their 'Sugar highs' and settling back in at school so a great week ahead and no more slip ups for the weeks left to come :)

ASN 10 Week Challenge update #12 - Heading into week 8! 3 weeks left

Happy Sunday everyone :) I know..... Crazy huh? I've blogged and it's before Midday! Don't expect it every week :) There are about 3, possibly 4 more blog posts left :)

We are getting into the final weeks of the challenge. 3 weeks til the finish line. These coming weeks may quite possibly be the hardest weeks of all. I'll be pushing myself more! (Yes! It's possible). Eating even 'cleaner', training harder, lifting heavier, and hopefully sleeping more ;P Unfortunatley, the last 2 weeks have been a little 'difficult'! Been struggling a little with 'Everything'! (My normal 'routine' has been up ended with the school holidays and my trainer being away. So my 'Normal' hasn't been so normal, therefore my eating has been a little 'off' as I am used to eating certain foods at certain times) But seriously, there is no 'Excuse' I should have been more prepared and 'sucked' it up ;P

But I promise I will bring this challange home STRONG! I will finish feeling happy! And I WILL have a great 'After' photo for you all to see :) There is no way I can dissapoint all you loyal Blog followers!

Last week, as you all know, I 'fell apart' (with the Easter Egg situation) as I had accomplished my big goals and I didn't have any 'Back up' goals! I also said that I would be making new mini goals! Well.... I've been thinking!

Mini goal #1 - Build myself a 'Bootie!' (We all know I've lost my butt along with that 20kgs!) So lot's of legs and bums sessions coming up!
Mini goal #2 - Work on my back muscles! Leaner and more defined :)
Mini goal #3 - 'Pop' thess Ab's that I so know are in there just wanting to break out!

Overall Big Goal - You'll have to stick around and see if I can convince myself to commit to it ;P (Got ya thinking now hey?)

Bring on the photos for this week I say! I don't think I have actually posted a 'full' day of my eating for you! So on Monday (which wasn't probably the best day as I had quick snacks as we went to the cinemas and it's a little hard to carry in some ABC spread and crackers!). I took a photo of everything I ate :) It was hard enough to 'smuggle' in a protein bar! Anyway... Monday is brought to you in 'iPhone' pictures :)

First on the agenda, early morning walk outside as Adam was home!


Dressed in my new clothes :)


Off to see the long awaited LEGO movie! We had some pretty excited kids!


My snack, that fit nicely in my wallet (as all bags are to be inspected)! They are so yum. Mixed berry is my favourite! Some almonds wouldn't have gone astray but I didn't push my luck ;P


So, still no PT sessions this week but I scored myself a 'new' gym off the classifieds! (Thanks Babe, for being 'addicted' to that stupid facebook page). I had to try it out! So after my afternoon snack of 1/2 quest bar, almonds and some XT50 Green tea, I was off to pump out a Back and Bi's session on the new machine! :)


Superset Session consisted of:

Biceps Curls with the bar
Single back rows with DB's
Hammer curls
Reverse back flys
Concentration curls
Lat pulldowns
Overhead back extensions
Legs raisers
Weighted situps


Felt so weird to NOT be heading of to Punchfit to finish off my Monday night.

Below are my 3 main meals from the day :)

1 - Banana Protein Pancakes
2 - Rice thins with, Avo, Spinach, Ham, Beetroot/cabbage salad and cottage cheese
3 - Honey Mustard Chicken with greens and sweet potato. Marinade for Chicken was: juice of 1 lemon, dijon mustard, bit of chicken stock, garlic and honey. Mixed together, throw in chicken breast and let marinate for about 20 mins (can be longer!). I was just in a hurry!


Cup of green tea to finish off the day:)


Tuesday, I was lazy.... no walk for me :( But I got organised for a Chest and Tri's session before I was off to do some stuff for Nan and Grandad.

Another supersetting workout:

Sitting Chest press
Skull crushers
Standing chest press with plate weight
Overhead triceps
DB Chest flys on the ball
Tricep cable pulldown
Leg raisers
Obliques twists with weight
Weighted ball crunches


Stopped in at Teagie's place for a visit (and so she could have a go at 'de-dreading' one of my dreads)! Right on lunch time... lucky she had shopped a couple days before! Made myself some Lunch :) And, I'm not sure that I have blogged about 'coffee' before but here we go.... I've never been a BIG coffee drinker but I NEVER went a morning without a coffee (before my day started). When I began the challenge, I also said that I would give up coffee through the week when I'm training and only have one on my rest day! Not for any other reason than, that skim milk is high in carbs and sugar! So, really, it's best to use 'real' stuff and add water to it to make it 'Skim'. That cuts out all the extra 'additives'! But today.. I was craving one so so bad, when I stopped in at Nan's on the way home I 'caved' and grabbed a 'watered' down coffee from the cafe! Burnt the shit outta my tongue, but it was just what I needed (The coffee, not the burnt tongue!) ;P


Snack for afternoon tea, greek yoghurt with vanilla protein powder mixed in, topped with a sprinkle of cacao nibs.


Dinner for Tuesday night was roasted chickpea and vege salad with Pork, fennel and Mustard sausages! I just love it when I throw something together and it just 'works'!! And bonus... leftovers!!! I LOVE leftovers! Makes for a quick 'already prepared' healthy lunch!



No walk on Wednesday AGAIN!!! Lucky I smashed out a full body session! Felt great after I'd finished except that my dodgy neck was playing up!! Rainy day, sore neck, school holidays... it was screaming for Green tea, wheat pack, zen spray, sloppy joe, lunch on the couch, cuddles and movies with my #1 Girl :) It was nice even if I had to sit through Dora, Peppa and Barbie!


Snack after my workout and leftover lunch! Always taste better the day after :) Should have kept Adam's lunch as well and sent him with a boring Ham sanga instead!


Dinner for Wednesday was Salmon! Chop a bit of garlic, squeeze a bit of lemon, add a dash of fish sauce, wrap it in a piece of baking paper and pop it in the oven :) (I much prefer frying it a little in coconut oil, giving it a yummy crispy skin!!) But no skin for me at the moment! So once it's baked in the oven, the skin just peels right off :)


Served with greens (did that surprise you all?) and some sweet potato.



Thursday morning cardio done and dusted on the treadmill before an exciting cupcake lesson!! Angry bird cupcake decorating with 'Surprise me by Heidi'! It was a winner and we'll definately be back next holidays. Lilli loved it and so did I. Lilli shared her creations with her Cousins and her Daddy! And cause I am a mega sweet tooth and LOVE icing!!! ANY icing (I'm far from picky ;P)... The last cupcake was wrapped and frozen for this 'Mama' after the challenge!



Next stop was Lucas and Lilli's pick! Tavern for lunch!! The Tavern now have some healthier options on their menu! They even have Kangaroo :) (Much to Teag's disgust). I ordered the Tuna with Avocado, spinach, rocket, tomato and pear salad with a wasabi mayo which I asked for on the side! This way you can choose how much you consume instead of your salad dripping in a calorie packed dressing! You are paying for your meal so you get to have a say in it ;P I left the dressing and most of the Pear as it is quite high in carbs and sugars... but the rest of it was yummo!!!


Thursday afternoon must have been 'selfie' day!! ;p Anyway, headed downstairs for a leg session.

And on the 'Challenger' page they are having a week of competitions. First comp is to show your 'Fit Face'! So a picture before/during/after your workout! I almost didn't post mine. I look scary and my veins are popping from my forehead! Those leg extensions were heavy!! Don't laugh too hard!


Easy dinner! Leftover salmon, spinach and feta omlette!



Friday... 'Blast from the Past'! Headed over to Yaralla gym for a session! I haven't worked out at Yaralla since I was about 18! I kinda fell back into place! Was good to change up my workout scenery! Thanks for a great Legs and shoulders session Stace :)

All I have from Friday are my Main meals!
Breakfast: Wholemeal toast, ABC spread, Banana and a vanilla/cacao protein shake.
Lunch: The 'normal'!
Dinner: Lemon, Thyme, Rosemary, Garlic and Parsley baked Chicken breast with the 'normal'!



Saturday started with a 45 min treadmill walk :)

Then off to visit Nan and Grandad! Of all bloody days to visit!!! It was Wally's (one of the residents) 65th Birthday! I ordered a 'watered' down flat white coffee (OMG... 2 coffee's in one week! I'll be buzzing all day) to keep my cravings under control! LOL..... It was actually not all that bad even though I was sitting close to this table full of sweet goodies! On the left is the 'Party' food and on the right, what I came home and made for Lunch :)


The competition on the challenger page for today was 'Secrets of your gym bag'!
1 - Towel
2 - Water bottle
3 - Bombshell
4 - Protein in a shaker, ready to go
5 - Weight gloves
6 - Polar heart rate monitor
7 - Car Keys
8 - Activated Almonds
9 - XT50 Green tea
10 - Headband to hold back my wild dreads ;P
11 - My iPhone (cause you can never have too many selfies rights?) with a pic of my Family (The reason and reminder of why I changed my lifestyle 18 months ago)


Finished off Saturday afternoon with the 4th ASN bootcamp session! Held by Tamara Murphy from the 'Ultimate Body' and Rob Guinea from 'Body Dynamix'! Thanks guys for a smashing cardio session :)

I'm going to blame the fact that my legs were so sore and not functioning properly for the reason I have no photos!!! ;P Sorry guys!

Which brings us to now! Sunday MORNING!!! Raining! Wondering whether or not the Street Parade is still going ahead for the Festival this afternoon! Oh well... another movie day coming up I think :) Weigh in tomorrow... While I'm not super confident.. What will be, will be and I will soldier on!

But before I go, I'm going to get a little 'real' here.... (and it has nothing what so ever to do with my blog, or fitness journey).

A few weeks ago, one of Mum's Friends and her Family had been given some devastating, unexpected news. A Father/Husband has just been diagnosed with full blown bone marrow cancer. They have 2 children with slight 'special needs'. They have had to up and move (without any warning) to Brisbane where he will undergo treatment in the hope he may be cured. They are staying in the housing provided and the kids have been enrolled in a school down there. This will be there new 'home' for at least 6 months if all goes to plan. He has also recently caught the 'Flu' so this battle has just gotten even harder. I can't imagine what this little Family is going through right now. I'm not one for 'Praying' but they will be in my thoughts :)

This has made me realise that even though we sometimes think things can't be any worse for 'us', there is ALWAYS someone out there dealing with something just as challenging, if not, worse. I've also realised how short time spent with our loved ones really could be! I know that at times, they drive you crazy, they annoy you, send you to loose your shit! But please, please, right now... tell them you love them, give them a hug and a kiss. And keep doing it, even when they are back answering, forgetting to put the bins out, leaving there stuff everywhere for you to pick up! Life's too short to 'sweat the small stuff'!

Thanks for reading everyone! Catch you all next week :)