Artslim
 
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Indigo will love being a fitness trainer and walking Reg and I to the lake each day.
I plan to create an exercise room in the lower section of our split level bedroom.

Reg is going to bring our caravan TV into our home bedroom and set the Wii Fit Plus, up in the bedroom and I am going to clean out the lower half of the bedroom as my exercise project today and get back to my Biggest Loser, Full body workouts and weight loss yoga I enjoy. 

I will also be getting my Vitamin D levels checked, they are usually low even though I take Vitamin D3 supplements and try to get some sun exposure.  Low Vitamin D levels do affect our ability to lose weight as do other body functions  HCG weight loss Austin  Is a company that believes in testing thyroid function and Vitamin D, and more for people with weight problems; it is worth asking your own doctor foe some of these tests if you have been struggling in trying to loose weight.

I have been home one day and I am already comparing gyms. 

Trying to make up my mind up, if I will be, attending a gym.  

The Best gym is 6 kilometers away, in Shepparton, a 12 k round trip.  pool can get too crowded to enjoy so I started skipping the swimming, I do love the assessments and the workout equipment there.

Little gym closer to home is just over 4 kilometers away I am thinking I could put my joggers on and get a 6 plus kilometer powerwalk or part jog in just going too and from gym. on a good day. Then swim in their smaller but warmer and less crowded pool. 

Their gym, equipment room, ‘sucks; too noisy, old noisy treadmills and blaring music, I would need to wear ear muffs to use that room. 

Best gym advantages are lots of classes and pump class three times a week. Small gym advantage is enough classes and one at the same time each day two of them pump, I could get into a routine more easily there.  

Then of course I could walk the river trails at no cost and use my own weights and do my Wii Fit plus, Biggest Loser full body workout and weight loss yoga, at home. 

I will probably take out a 10 visit pass to the local gym and try it out. J. Think that’s the best option at the moment. 

Financial aspects to consider are:- Cost will be about $45. a fortnight, regardless of what gym I choose, for a one year membership and I can take a 6 week holiday from the smaller gym each year and a three month (better because I will use it), holiday from the larger gym and I can cancel my membership before the year is up, with a doctors letter, if I need to, from the larger gym. I had to do that last year, due to carer duties, so that is a huge savings if it is required.  
 
 
 Today was my Zumba class, at my gym and I was looking forward to it so much.

It wasn't easy to get too, I am a carer and things were not perfect at home, it was only my determination to not miss my exercise two days in a row, that got me past my concern at leaving my husband here alone at the caravan. He wasn't as 'good', as he has been recently.

The first Zumba class, I attended last week had been an exhilarating experience and the instructor  Adam Wilson, proved to be quite the most professional fitness/dance instructor I have ever had the pleasure of being in a class with. Even this uncoordinated, senior, felt right at home, shimmying, and doing the moves. Zumba was calorie burning, energising, exciting, just the greatest fun. 

Well today, Adam did not turn up.  One of the regular fitness instructors at the gym took the Zumba class and while it was a Zumba class it was about as exciting as the body step class I was considering dropping.  I know she tried hard, and did a good job, but it lacked the contageous enthusiasm that Adam Wilson gave to the moves and I realized that Zumba or any class is only as good as the instructor and if the instructor is adequate for the job, not exceptional, you could just as easily do Zumba at home using a DVD after all. 

About half an hour into the Zumba class the instructor changed to body step moves then to stretch bands so we got a mixture of exercises followed by stretches so it was a good one hour workout.

After the 1 hour class I walked into the shopping precinct in Innisfail from the gym area, rather than driving closer to the stores and I visited all the sports clothing shops and bought myself another pair of Nike shorts and singlet top, as it is hard to dry clothes in this tropical climate, I needed more sports clothes.  I walked quickly and burnt as many calories as I had in the class by the time I returned to the car.  I drove home, completed a review I needed to write for prototype 37c then Reg and I went out for a drive.

When we came, back and we did a little more walking together.  I am behind on my planned calorie burn count, for today and yesterday, I need to step it up tomorrow and I still need to complete my fitness test before Saturday.
 
 
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I went to my first Zunba class today. It was FANTASTIC!

 I was fortunate to have struck I think the best possible class to have gone to for my first lesson.  Adam was a great instructor but there was an African lady, Zumba, expert there and she gyrated, shimmied, leapt and did the professionals version of all the dance moves and was a joy to watch. 

The atmosphere was electric, vibes, fantastic, exercising while grinning from ear to ear, LOVED IT. I could not imagine the home DVD could have the WOW factor of that fantastic group class. Grab some people to do it with if you’re doing it with the home DVD.  You can view the Home DVD Here. -> Ditch the workout, join the party, the zumba weight loss program.

 

Thinking about the, Zumba and comparing it to the classes I did earlier in the week, it was easier than the body pump and more of a workout that body step and it  makes Les Mills Body step feel like dishwater wish wash by comparison, lol. It was the most fun work out I have EVER had, :-).

I think that thanks,  to a FANTASTIC instructor, Adam and a professional looking African zumba dancer up the front in the group, and fabulous group vibes.

The group had a high percentage of the local Torres Straight Islanders in the class and they  added an extra degree of enthusiasm to it with their beaming smiles, I tell you I grinned so hard, and was so sorry when the time was up, lol...it was such fun. :-)

The class was hard work on my upper arms after the weight work of yesterday but I absolutely loved it, will back for more next Thursday.
 
 
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I attended my first full LesMills Body Pump class today.

I went to bed around 11 pm and had the alarm set for 7 am, to allow me to get to gym today to do my first body pump class.  I had not counted on Indigo our poodle getting an upset tummy and needing to go for walkies on and off for several hours between 3.30 am and dawn and by 7am all I wanted to do was sleep on.  In fact, I was falling asleep holding my wake up cup of coffee.

I was determined to go and I didJ. It will feel like a terrific achievement to have attended these new classes every day, today makes day two of my new gym membership. 

BODYPUMP® is the original barbell class that strengthens your entire body. This 60-minute workout challenges all your major muscle groups by using the best weight-room exercises like squats, presses, lifts and curls. Great music, awesome instructors and your choice of weight inspire you to get the results you came for – and fast!

Benefits of BODYPUMP®

·         • Burn up to 600 calories per class for fat loss. (I only burnt 195 calories in the hour, but I started with a resting heart rate of 40 and I am having a lot of difficulty losing weight doing the things that others seem to be losing weight steadily, doing, I can only assume it is my slower heart rate causing this).



·         • Improve your strength

·         • Improve your general fitness

·         • Shape and tone your muscles

·         • Improve your bone density (helps ward off osteoporosis)

·         • Gives you a sense of achievement

 

 
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I went to my first ever Les Mills, Body Step class today.

I am glad I have practiced working out using the caravan step and with weights in my hand as aside from a general lack of coordination and unfamiliarity with the moves I found it easy enough to do. My kicks are not as high and squats are not as deep but I felt I held y own quite well.

At the end of the class, we did some abdominal exercises; including crunches and hovers, and the hardest of them, I did not catch the name of, and then finished with some great stretches.

It was a one-hour class but I had only burnt 375 calories so I worked out for 20 minutes on a program on the treadmill with varied speed and inclines ten I did 10 minutes on the bike then the remainder of time on the recumbent bike until I had burned my 500 calories for the exercise session.

I weighed myself before leaving and I weighed 8 kilo lighter on the gym scales than I do on my own scales My own scales are the more expensive ones, I’m inclined to think they are more likely to be correct.

I came home and cooked a 2 egg vegetable omelette each for Reg and I for lunch and am now relaxing with a cuppa and I took a look at the Body Step moves and was pleased to read that it takes about 6 goes to get the hang of the moves.  

Oh yes, lol J, at the end of the class,

I fell off my step, on to the floor. 

I might get a bruise, but I was not hurt, and had a laugh. 

Co ordination has never been my strongest point.

I was THRILLED with the low cost of the gym, only $40. a month on my senior card discount.

BODYSTEP™ is the energizing step workout that is designed to make you feel liberated and alive. Using a height-adjustable step and simple movements on, over and around the step you get huge motivation from  music and instructors.

Cardio blocks push fat burning systems into high gear followed by muscle conditioning tracks that shape and tone your body. Like all the LES MILLS™ programs, a new BODYSTEP™ class is released every three months with new music and choreography.

Benefits
  • Burn lots of calories for a leaner body
  • Improve your strength through core conditioning work
  • Raise your overall fitness levels
  • Improve your coordination
  • Improve your bone health and density
  • Increase your heart and lung capacity through a full-body cardio workout
 
 
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The Michelle Bridges round two, 12 week, body transformation, Mini Milestones are due during weeks four and eight with a Major effort due in week 12.

How could I ever equal the exhilaration of the achievements I made in 12wbt, first round, when I climbed seven mountains in the Grampians around the week 4 and managed to run 7 kilometres around weeks 8 and swam 2 kilometres around week 12?  
Exhilaration to see Reg's fitness improve too, though he is having some serious hip issues, that we need to follow up on soon.  Looks like both our bodies are ready to go in for the 500 thousand, full service, grease and oil change. lol.

The 12 weeks begins in a week’s time but I am doing something of a mini Milestone this week.

Feel I need to see how I go with it all before shouting it, getting back on track after having had a week unwell last week. 

I am planning to add to my current 1 to 2 kilometre a day swimming and beach exercising of running or abdominal exercise routine

Monday, Les Mills, Body Pump

Tuesday, Les Mills, Body Step,

Wednesday, Les Mills, Body Pump

Thursday, Zumba 45 minute dance session

Friday, Pilates

Saturday, Les Mills, Body Pump

 

That is the plan,

 I also have medical appointments follow-ups and treatment to organize so, as I said, not ready to shout it until I see if I can do it. 

I may also cut back on the swimming if I can do these classes as I sometimes feel a bit woozy after swimming and the pool is getting cooler, even here in north Queensland, as we get near the middle of winter.

If I can do even one, let alone one a day for 6 days, each week, of these classes at near 64, still obese (according to BMI charts) and with a few health problems at the moment, that will be a huge mini milestone for me. I cannot see past tomorrow or this week now, with a LOT of challenges this week, I need to get through this week before I plan for 4, 8 and 12 weeks mini milestones, I cannot thnk what they might be.  Tomorrow night, the night after that even, I might have a clearer view ahead.

I hope I can come here in a week’s time and say I was able to do this plan and it wasn’t a hair brained idea of mine, I wasn’t up to.

 
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Reg and I love exercising out of doors.
This week has been a big celebration week for me.  No cake, but many fitness related gifts have been purchased in the last month, not to mention some gorgeous, slim fitting summer dresses.

All this increased health, fitness and healthy size, because I made the decision to not allow ill health or injury to hold me back any longer, I rejected the looming continuing deteriorating health, status and I swam, walked then jogged, weight lifted, full body workouts, yoga and skipped my way back into fitness and a more attractive shape and size.

I did not do it on my own.  I asked for expert help at every step of the way.  I’ joined on line support forums, sort guidance from a certified practicing dietician and I used a physiotherapist, a fitness coach and I have attended two of the best gyms in Victoria, having private personal training sessions, attended group fitness classes  and even attended an evening Boot Camp. 

I believe that it does not happen (my goals), by itself, I have to make it happen.

Right now, I am highly committed to achieving some fitness and weight loss goals and I am currently one week into a four-week goal, one week into a three-month goal and tomorrow morning I am beginning an on line 12 week slimming challenge

To be highly motivated to not just set these goals and begin the challenge, I look for increased fitness tips and motivations and experts and equipment that help me make the effort I need to make, to achieve the goals I want.

I found a great on line Fitness, Nutrition and Wellness, Newsletter from Agilis Fitness. I found it here:-: Long Beach personal training .

My current fitness work out is one I have complete confidence in., It has great weight, balance, aerobic and stretching components and I can safely do all the movements without risk of injury because I have used the services of sports injury prevention trained, personal trainers like those here:- personal trainer Long Beach.

Even when I exercise from home and when I tour interstate in the caravan, I do stay in close touch with exercise experts. For me it is not just about exercising it is about exercising safely so I minimise the risk of back injury in my daily life, rather than risk injury through exercise.

Trying to do a ‘lunge’ for instance, on my own always caused me knee injury yet once I was shown by a personal trainer, how to do it and what not to do, I can now for the first time do lunges and I feel my knees becoming stronger as a result.

 

This week while I have worked very hard focussing on Fitness, Nutrition and Wellness, I overheard the conversation below:-.

Friend 1, told her fiends that she had just lost a lot of unwanted weight, and ‘it was amazing what eating healthy and exercising right, had done for her figure’.

Friend 2, said, ‘If you find the secret to the weight you lost, let me know’.

Since then I have heard that same conversation, expressed in slightly different words, many times this week.  

There isn’t a magic ‘secret’, to find out, it is all about  following a path toward Fitness, Nutrition and Wellness, the path that professionals like Agilis Fitness are qualified to advise and guide you with.

I am looking forward to adding the newsletter I have signed up for, to my mix of other professional fitness equipment and services I use.

I am a firm believer in the sayings.

 
 ‘Step outside your comfort zone if you want exceptional results’.

 

‘Don’t keep doing the same things

and expect a different result.’

 
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Fitness training in the fresh open air, My prefered exercise.
 
 
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Back on track and going to gym again.

 I missed it so much while I was resting for 6 days, while my leg recovered following a freakish accident. I am not doing a lot of walking on it yet so I am working on my 'Tuck Shop arms" and core muscles, exercises that go easy on my leg, for this week.  lol, Note the tuck shop arms are hidden in this T Top, which I just had made up.   It is the positive, "Nothing is Impossible, the word itself, means, I'm possible", quote from Audrey Hepburn and the artwork is my own.
Close up of my almost healed leg.  I will not be walking Indigo past that dog again.

Don't you love the avenue of poplars outside my home :-)?. Beautiful summer shade.

 Thank you everyone who sent best wishes for my leg to heal quickly :-)
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My fitness progress.

Garth, my gym trainer, has given me an entirely new gym program.  He say’s I will be working my core muscles, and working to reduce my 'tuck shop arms' lol, :-).

Lots of work in front of the mirrors to remind me to keep my back straight while I exercise.

No reduction in my weight or change showing in my body composition since my last assessment but my waist is 1" smaller so some improvement there and I am stronger.

My next fitness assessment will be in four weeks time.

Being your own boss.

I have a lot of sedentary work to do now, I need to buckle down and make the time to complete the shopping carts in my on line stores. It is not hard work but it is time consuming and it makes me want to pick on food.  Last night I had a constant urge to get up and make a supper to eat, I was not hungry, so I did not; I knew it was part of old, sedentary activity habits trying to return.  I told myself I would make a couple of cups of tea, if the feeling didn’t go away, and I would make a diet jelly for the following night if it was too hard to work late and not eat, or some vegetable soup if I actually did get hungry late at night.  I got ‘stuck into the work’, completed half of it, and went to bed, without having snacked. I was pleased about that. J

The sedentary activity has some advantages, we are experiencing heat wave conditions here in Northern Victoria and I gave my left leg a knock the other day.  Knocking a leg is not normally such a bad thing but my left leg had a crush injury about a decade ago and I have to be careful with it. It feels hot, so the sedentary shopping cart work will not be helping me lose any excess weight this week but I am doing it with both feet up, in front of the fan and using the time to rest the leg and allow it to recover and make the best of the heat.  The view into our garden as usual is lovely, day lilies and my first lilies are in flower along with the last of the bearded iris and my beautiful roses.

So here I am, feet up in front of my view, express coffee on hand. If I am doing ‘office work’, at least I’m my own boss.  J  I get to knock off early afternoon and head down to the Goulburn River for a warm up session before entering the gym. I work out with views over the Shepparton parkland then home to enjoy my beautiful garden, maybe bath in the courtyard garden and relax with a book before dinner and then a return to my sedentary shopping cart set up work tonight.

It is good being your own boss, you get to choose when you will do things, you do need to watch that there isn’t too much sedentary work in the balance, and even writing this, I can see, I’m slipping into old bad habits and allowing the sedentary jobs to dominate again.

Observations and Corrections tool.

I observe that my sedentary work, the setting up of the shopping carts, is blowing out so I am going to plan set hours to do this work, log in and strict log off times. When I come home from gym today, I am going to keep on active exercise, while I am still in a good fat burning zone. I can create another vegetable bed, plant another crop of beans, something I try to do  every fortnight to maintain a continual harvest through summer and autumn and I will weed, prune and tidy up the garden and do some well overdue housework.  A quick shower instead of the leisurely bath will do for today, it will be there as my reward on a more active day. Then, after I have had a very active afternoon and early evening, and not just one active hour at gym, I will get back to my shopping carts for a few hours with a deadline to log off at midnight.   Does that sound better? Lol J

As for the leg, it is sitting dangling the leg that is bad for it, not walking or having it up, activity is good for circulation = good for old injuries.

Yes its great being your own boss, just watch carefully that you do not become a self-abusing boss, it is so easy to do. If any one thing more than another, contributed to my past obesity, it was self abusive, self neglecting, 'workaholism' . I will recognise the signs early and not go there again.
(self talk) 'Love yourself, Kathy'.

  
 
 
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Life is a holiday for us, all year round. Reg and I are currently loving living in Victoria, for the Spring into Autumn seasons,  when Northern Victoria has it's most fabulous living climate. We love our rose garden and rural view. The farmland opposite our home currently has the oat crop laying harvested in the field, waiting to be bailed.  There is a lake with water birds, black swans, ibis, ducks, here on our estate and now Reg is recovering from what probably was whooping cough, we will begin regular lake walks together most days. While Reg was ill, it was wonderful that the view was right outside our own window and the ibis and magpies even came to visit us.
I have had heaps of exercise here, at our Summer studio home, converting the far roadside bank into a productive vegetable crop.  Then in the afternoon I duck out to gym for a work out, and come home via the shops with our supplies. Life is very pleasant living here in Northern Victoria.. :-).

Our youngest daughter and family are just back from a wonderful caravan holiday at Lakes Entrance Victoria, and Leanne our eldest daughter, was browsing the overseas travel pages in the RACV magazine with us, drooling over some of the overseas destinations for holidays.

Leanne regularly takes her two children Hannah and Christopher to theme parks and she is as big a kid as they are and knows how to have fun with them. They are two lucky grand kiddies with the family and holidays they have J. Leanne is continuing on the family travel traditions. J

 I am sure one day the grandchildren will be having a ball at the fantastic, Orlando theme park vacations, orlando vacations, they are already, regular visitors to the Australian, Gold Coast theme parks for their long holidays.   The photos are of my grand children, Hannah and Christopher, enjoying the theme parks.

Leanne has an onsite holiday home, one that used to be ours, near Lake Eildon in North Eastern Victoria at the foothills of Victoria's snowfields. I have a small on site caravan and annex up there that I want to sell, as we rarely get there, if anyone is interested, I am only asking $8,000. fully furnished for it. . We paid $12,000

Reg is reading Australian travel books again, and we are making a variety of plans for our big 2010, Australian tour, not sure, which direction we will head yet, but travel we will, J, it’s in our blood.

I am off to gym in a few moments, I am making the most of residing near a fantastic gym with a swimming pool and working out with an interest in being as fit a senior as I can be, ready to take on any bushwalk or hill climb that presents itself. Once we are away, there are always lots of hill climbs and beach runs to keep me at my fittest.
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