Slow And Steady

Another week or so has gone by, and I decided to do another weigh-in.  I've still been using the hypnotherapy for weight loss apps every day.  And while I didn't feel I'd done as well with my eating, having eaten an awful lot of nuts a couple of evenings in a row when stressed and tired, I have at least stayed away from sugary stuff.  I also did yoga once, on top of my regular rotation of weights, cardio, static bike, step and cardiopilates.  So, I was hopeful when I got on the scales:

60.8k (130 lbs) 
BMI: 22.3

Yay for Tapping

I'm not sure whether tapping has actually had an effect on my weight.  However, as I wrote yesterday, I've been doing it more regularly this week, and it gave me the confidence to step on the scales for the first time in months.  Since before my son was born, in fact!  Not that I thought the number there would make me happy, but rather that I felt I'd be able to deal with it, whatever it was.

Imagine my surprise, then, when the scales showed 64.6k (142.4lbs)!  That's lower than my weight when I first started writing this blog, by just over two kilos (2.2lbs).

It's true I've been working out - generally at least three times a week, and most often daily.  Not as much as I used to, sometimes just 20 minutes rather than an hour, but at least I've been keeping moving.  And I've been mixing it up a lot.   For instance, this week I've been on my static bike, done weights, stepping, and this morning I did 16 minutes of yoga (before baby woke up).  Hope to do another short workout later.

It's also true that I'd still like to lose a couple of kilos, and that I notice a lot of that extra weight is on my stomach, which they say is the least healthy place to put on weight.  So, I'll keep tapping, and hope that it comes off...

Blast, No Better Body

Saturday - 22 minutes of Jessica Smith's Better Body Blast - the arms section.  I had hoped to do both arms and legs for about 45 minutes of exercise, but the baby had other ideas :(  So, I stuck on a couple of minutes stretching at the end of the arms section, and that was that!

Sunday - 45 minutes of low impact step with Cathe - yay!

Monday - 18 minutes of yoga self-practice.  Didn't think I'd get to workout at all, so it was a bonus.  Plus, I was inspired by Carla to at least do a little :)  I also silently chanted to Yemaya while I practised.

Feeling fat and disappointed in myself, eating way too much chocolate.  Do have a plan, though, to start doing something to keep my hands occupied after dinner...

Too Blissed Out?

Wednesday - 53 minutes of Eoin Finn's Blissology Friday.  On the box, it said the full programme was 45 minutes, but actually it was 58 minutes.  However, that was a bit too long for the baby, and 53 minutes in, during Savasana, he kicked off.  So, I finished my relaxation feeding him in bed :)

The bad news is, today my knee has been hurting.  Despite what the GP said about it being better to do Pilates or Yoga, rather than aerobics, I think there's still too much relaxin flowing through my body for me to be as aware as I should be of what's happening when I stretch.

Thursday - 36 minutes of cardio-sculpting.  I started with Alison Davis-McLean's Calorie Explosion, but found it a bit too high intensity.  Instead, I swapped to Rebekah Sturkie's Total Body Time Crunch Express - just weights :)

Exercise Catch-Up

I've felt quite good about my exercise, even though I haven't always done very much in any one session.  I am happy about my consistency, and I've also enjoyed the variety.  I saw my doctor this week, and she suggested I should just stick to Pilates and yoga while I still have breast-feeding hormones flowing around my body.  Personally, I think that shows a lack of knowledge of exercise, as a low impact step workout is less stressful on the joints than an all-out astanga workout (unless you are super strong).  So, I'll carry on my way...

Saturday

I exercised:  51 minutes of step with Cathe Friedrich's Low Impact Circuit.

Sunday

I exercised:  43 minutes of yoga self-practice.  It was lovely to just listen to my breath and chant silently, and move.

Monday

I exercised:  31 minutes of cardio-sculpting with Alison Davis McLean's Calorie Explosion.  Didn't have time for more, as my MIL was coming over.

Tuesday

I exercised:  Kari Anderson's Hot Steps - just a quickie, 36 minutes.  Fun, but I do prefer when I don't have to modify down high impact moves, as the temptation is always there to just go for it...

Wednesday

I exercised:  45 minutes of cardio-pilates with Ellen Barrett's Firm and Burn Pilates, a Crunch video.  It was pretty fun, and I did work up a bit of a sweat :)

Thursday

I exercised:  41 minutes of cardio-sculpting with Alison Davis-McLean's Ultimate Fat-Burning Workout.

Ballet Burn and Broccoli

I've been working out most days, though quite often just a short one - 20-30 minutes -  and often interrupted by walking the baby to burp him, or breastfeeding.  Still, I'm chuffed that I'm managing any exercise, and definitely feel I need it.  Firstly, because as someone pointed out on Thursday, my posture when carrying the baby hasn't been great, and I need to stay strong if I'm going to carry him around.  Secondly, because it is a great mood enhancer and tension release, which I certainly feel in need of.  Yesterday, I had a bit of the baby blues, probably reinforced by not enough sleep/too much time walking round in the middle of the night.

I think Little One is quite windy, and it's probably at least as much due to diet as to not burping enough.    I feel in a quandary, though, because I don't want to cut out beans and lentils and broccoli and all that good stuff from my diet!  How come healthy stuff is so often wind-inducing?

Anyhow, enough toilet talk, I actually ached most after the Jazzercise Ballet Body workout!  Didn't really enjoy the Jillian Michaels 30 day shred - a bit boring (it was the level one workout), and too high impact.  Nice to do some self-practice yoga, too, as my back has been a bit achey.  I love exercise!

Playing By My Own Rules

After my first son was born, I didn't work out for over six weeks.  But then, I didn't do much of anything but go to the hospital, doctor and therapist appointments, and try desperately to cope with the sudden shock of having a severely disabled child.

This time around, I remembered that people said you shouldn't exercise until after your six week check-up.  Yet in the hospital, a physiotherapist came around and gave me a sheet of recommended exercises (all Pilates-based).  That and the fact that I felt pretty good overall meant that I decided to workout my way.  So, in the ten days I've been home I've worked out at least a little on 8 days.  Mostly ballet, yoga and pilates, but I've done a few Firm workouts, too :)  

And I feel strong and good (other than a cough I picked up in hospital - typical!)  I did most of the Firm workouts with lighter weights than I would have while pregnant, though yesterday I did Rebekah Sturkie's Total Body Time Crunch with 4, 3 and 2k weights for heavy, light and medium.

Unfortunately, my eating hasn't been so great.  I feel like I shouldn't be eating sweets (well, I never think I should), because my son and I both had antibiotics, and there's a possibility he will get/has a yeast infection.  Adding more sugar to that isn't a good idea, but I just can't seem not to eat chocolate.  Partly it's probably for the energy, partly for the comfort as, though he's a lovely, calm child, it's still tiring and hard work.  Either way, I haven't even been tracking my consumption, just know that I've been having chocolate and biscuits every day, often after both lunch and dinner :(

Second Moving Week Catch-Up

I felt: Funnily, overall I've felt reasonably calm the last few days. I had a minor meltdown on Friday morning getting my son off to school, but other than that I've felt like I've been coping, despite hardly working out and not sleeping enough.

I slept: Pretty badly, most nights. Part of it is not having a dark room. Another part is that I've been going to bed rather later than normal because there feels like there's so much to do - I hate having boxes everywhere. Plus last night I had some strong contractions, and got excited thinking that I might be going into labour, and worrying about things like the grocery delivery scheduled today (I know, daft!)

I worked out:   21 minutes of Time Crunch Cardio on Thursday. 22 minutes of yoga self-practice on Friday. 40 minutes of cardio sculpting with Total Body Toner and Allie del Rio Pointer on Saturday - yay! Did it with 2ks, 3ks, and 4ks.

I ate:   Badly! I've been suffering with hay fever, as we've been having some nice, warm days. I know that eating less chocolate and biscuits would help with that, but it's one of my "comforts", and this has been a quite challenging week. I'd guess between 200 and 300g every day, sometimes a bit more.

I am grateful for:  Even a little time to workout.

Yoga Wednesday

I felt: Chuffed that I managed to pack most of my altar supplies and pagan knickknacks. Don't want removal men touching any of that!

I slept: 8 hours in 4 chunks, but still felt tired...

I worked out:  18 minutes of yoga in the early morning, chanting to Kali - nice to return to this practice. I thought about it because, with the house move, I may not be able to do anything but yoga for a few days next week. Later, I did 41 minutes of cardio-sculpting with kickboxing - Kelsie Daniels Pump, Jump 'n' Jab. Used 3k dumbbells and it was quite tough, but good :)

I ate:  80g flapjack after lunch, 60g chocolate and 60g biscuits after dinner - total 200g.

I am grateful for:  A bit of time to get myself organised.

Less Firm

I felt: Overwhelmed on occasion, and always tired, both physically and mentally. Did a one day hypnotherapy for childbirth course on Saturday, which was both interesting and helpful, but it did mean that the one day we had help with our son, I was working rather than relaxing *doh*

I slept: Fri-Sat - 7 3/4 in 4 chunks, Sat-Sun - 7 1/2 in 6 chunks, Sun-Mon - 8 1/2 in 4 chunks - yay for the last one!

I worked out:  Saturday - 30 minutes of Ellen Barrett's Sleek Sculpt Express (cardio-pilates). This workout uses the calves a lot, and I woke with cramps in both legs twice after it - not doing that one again til the baby's out! Sunday - 28 minutes of yoga, self-practice. Monday - 52 minutes of cardio-sculpting with Alison Davis-McLean's Bootcamp Maximum Calorie Burn Workout, using 4k, 3k, 2k, and 1k weights - nice!

I ate:  Sat - 37g biscuits, 44g choc - total 81g. Sun - 56g biscuits, 65g chocolate - total 121g. Mon - 50g biscuit after lunch, then 95g choc muffin and 29g chocolate after dinner - total 174g.

I am grateful for:  Variety in my exercise regime.

End of Week Catch-Up

Thursday

I felt: Busy - not bad, but I'd so like some time to myself.

I slept: 8 1/4 hours in 3 chunks - best night I've had in a while!

I worked out:  43 minutes of cardio-sculpting, back to what has become a favourite: Alison Davis-McLean's Ultimate Fat Burning Workout :)

I ate:  About 150g of sticky toffee pudding and vanilla ice-cream after a dinner out - nom, nom!

I am grateful for:  Time to exercise, though I didn't meditate or do my perineal massage.

Friday

I felt: Still pretty tired - up in the middle of the night again, and then had to get up to get my son ready for school, bah.

I slept: 6 1/2 hours in 4 chunks

I worked out:  33 minutes of yoga in the early hours (3.30am), and 44 minutes of step with Cher Fitness. The routines are super-easy, the music is fun, and the outfits make me laugh or cringe, depending on my mood.

I ate:  40g chocolate and 40g biscuits. Had serious heartburn. Saw my obstetrician, and when I said I was having reflux, he said the baby's head was probably up against my stomach. Then he did a scan, and that's exactly where it was!

I am grateful for: The fact the baby should turn soon - and if he doesn't, I'll go for acupuncture to give him a nudge!

Whirlwind Wednesday

I felt: Tired and crabby, rushed and overworked, with no time for anything much.

I slept: 5 3/4 hours in 4 chunks :(((

I worked out:  10 minutes of yoga and 20 minutes of cardio-sculpting with Allie del Rio's Timecrunch Cardio.

I ate:  79g chocolate and 50g biscuits - 129g - not too bad, but that's partly because I'm getting some really nasty reflux. I think it's because there's just not much room for my stomach down there right now!

I am grateful for:  The hope of a better night's sleep.

Tuesday Nap and Walk

I felt: Glad the meeting I was in ended early, as it gave me a chance to have a nap and then go for a little walk in the late afternoon sunshine, rather than being stuck in a stuffy meeting room all day.

I thought: How weird it is that blogger automatically takes on the language of the country you're in, rather than that set as your computer's preference. A bit disconcerting to see all the menus in German as I write :)

I slept: 7 1/2 hours in 5 chunks, including a nap after lunch.

I worked out:  37 minutes of yoga.

I ate:  127g biscuits and 101g chocolate - total 228g :(

I am grateful for:  Sunshine, even in the cold.

Travelling Monday

I felt: A bit nervous - flying quite close to my pregnancy "cut-off". Still, it all went fine :)

I slept: 7 1/2 hours in 4 chunks.

I worked out:  27 minutes of yoga around 5.15am, and then 41 minutes of Pump, Jump n' Jab. I used 3k's for most of the weighted sections, except the last where I swapped to my 2.5k neoprene coated weights, mainly because the others were getting too slippery with sweat :o

I ate:  89g chocolate, and some apple rings with a scoop of lemon sorbet - not bad :)

I am grateful for:   The company of my mum and stepdad - they're good people.

Sleepy Saturday

I felt: Tired - probably cos I was up for a couple of hours in the middle of the night. Still, my DH and I managed some snuggle time, which was lovely :D

I slept: 7 3/4 in 4 chunks. Got up and practised yoga and chanted between 3.30am and 4.30am, and slept well after that.

I worked out:  35 minutes of yoga in the early hours, including 30 breaths in yogic squat. Later, 41 minutes of cardio-sculpting with the Ultimate Fat Burning Workout, using 2k's for the weighted sections and 1/2k's for the cardio sections.

I ate:   About 100g biscuits after lunch. Then 59g chocolate and 37g biscuits after dinner - total 196g - not great.

I am grateful for:  Feeling strong, even if I do get out of breath going up two flights of stairs.

Manifestation

I felt: Exhausted and weepy.

I thought: About the Law of Attraction and ideas of manifestation. We have been without much help with our son for about a month now, never had that happen before. I wonder whether part of it is a cheap shot by one person who attacked us saying our son is only as nice as he is because we don't spend much time with him. At some level, have I been wanting to spend more time with him to "prove her wrong"? On the other hand, the timing sucks as I feel so tired, and struggle with him physically given my very pregnant state.

I slept: 8 hours in 3 chunks, though the last bit was after being awake for a while and then practising yoga at 5.20am.

I worked out:  32 minutes yoga, including a long (maybe 20 breaths) in squat, doing kegels. Later, I did 26 minutes of Time Crunch Cardio with Allie del Rio, because I was in a time crunch :)

I ate:  15g chocolate after lunch, 15g chocolate and 21g biscuits after dinner - total 51g. I also had a moma oat pot (150g), but I'm not sure whether to count that seeing as it's fairly healthy and slow energy release. Overall, a good day.

I am grateful for:   My therapist.

Well-Rounded Wednesday

I felt: A bit annoyed (see I thought), a bit hopeful.

I thought: About my son's allergies. They seem to be getting worse, and we can't always tell what on earth he's reacted to. At least we have an appointment with a specialist clinic next month… Then, got a letter saying the appointment had been cancelled. Turned out it was a computer SNAFU, and it's just been moved forward by half an hour, but that took about 20 minutes to find out *doh*

I slept: 7 3/4 hours in 4 chunks :/

I worked out:  32 minutes of yoga first thing, then 52 minutes of cardio-sculpting with Alison Davis-McLean's Cardio Overdrive. This time, I did it with 2k's in the main, and 1/2k's for the "cardio" sections, and so worked up a good sweat :)

I ate:  64g chocolate and 123g cake after dinner - 187g.

I am grateful for: My mother, who listened to me rant, and shared some of her own good news, which cheered me.

Simply Sunday

I felt: Chuffed. My DH and I decided to implement more structured play activities with our son, and they worked well. A music session and a yoga session with him - we'll be doing both again!

I thought:  About chakra balancing.

I slept: 8 hours in 3 chunks.

I worked out:  37 minutes of yoga at about 3.30am, then back to sleep. Later, I did 47 minutes of cardio-pilates with Ellen Barrett - nice to get off the Firm-wagon for a day :D

I ate:  83g biscuits after lunch, and 135g biscuits and 40g chocolate after dinner - total 258g :(

I am grateful for:  My DH, who has been taking point on nights with our son.

End of Week Catch-Up

Thursday

I felt: Tired and quite stressed, story of the last few weeks *rolls eyes*

I slept: 7 1/2 hours in 3 chunks.

I worked out:  30 minutes of yoga, followed by 36 minutes of cardio sculpting with Allie del Rio's Hardcore Cardio Fusion Express.

I ate:  100g biscuits and 55g chocolate.

I am grateful for:   Good advice from a friend.

Friday

I felt: Stressed still. Something else has come up at work, and we still don't have much help with our son, so working flexi-time hours is a godsend, but I'm still struggling.

I slept: 8 hours in 3 chunks.

I worked out:  20 minutes of yoga in the morning, and 62 minutes of Kelsie Daniels' 500 Calorie Workout in the afternoon. For the weights, I used 2.5k. It really helped me work out some of the stress - I felt much calmer and able to cope after.

I ate:  90g chocolate and 36g biscuits after dinner - total 126g - so-so.

I am grateful for:   A good obstetrician who inspires confidence and calm.

Re-Deja-Vu Wednesday

I felt: Stressed and upset - someone at work was really vitriolic.

I slept: 7 hours in 3 chunks.

I worked out:  Practised 22 minutes of yoga in the morning (as well as doing a total of 3 guided meditations across the day). Also did 40 minutes of cardio sculpting, back with Alison Davis-McLean's Ultimate Fat Burning Workout. This time, I used 2k weights for the weighted sections (feeling a bit weak and tired), and 1/2k weights during the cardio sections (they don't use any), to up my heart rate seeing as I don't do the high impact moves.

I ate:  87g biscuits, 25g chocolate - total 112g.

I am grateful for:  My mum, who I talked with about the work stress.