Whole9 30 Day Challenge Day 21

3 weeks down! 9 days to go!  I have to say Im pretty used to the changes now, although with the pressures of school have made me start to crave coke zero - so far so good though - no crack in the wall :)

Monday - a full on day - first really as an official Dean.  The older year groups were in for timetabes etc, there was a lot of walking around school.  Lots of time in the Deans office, department meetings, and trying to get myself orientated, both with my classes and teaching them! 

With school I realise, I have to be organised!  My fabulous husband made a breakfast slice with eggs and lots of veges and chicken in it.  Kind of like a crustless quiche.  Divide it into 8 pieces and its lunch for the week!

After a full on day - managed to get lunch at 4.30 just before going to the gym.  I had salad with left over lamb - a bit of a pick me up before going to Crossfit.

Workout consisted of working on:

5 x 5 Thruster/Jerk then 5 Rounds For Time: 10 KettleBell Swings 24/16kg, 10 Lunge Steps with your kettlebell and 10 Hand Release Push Ups.

Results were: 
Thrusters – 15, 20,25, 30, 30 kilos
Metcon – scaled push ups – 7.51
After a very decent workout I went home to dinner - lamb with stir fry veges - yum!

From there it was off the the first Craftsman quiz of the season!  A snack there was chicken tenders and a long black - awesome.

We won the quiz - good start to the year!  Love the movie and tv quiz.  However, the long black left me wired, and hyper!  Not a lot of sleep for me tonight!

Whole9 30 Day Challenge Day 20

Ahh Sunday, a bit of a lie in, lovely.

Spent the morning with mother in law and hubby doing eye tests and getting her new cellphone plus
a bit more shopping :)

After not eating all morning, need a pick me up so while waiting for the ma in law I had the meat of gourmnet sausage roll plus long black.

Tried two black sheep (I think that is what it is called) for brunch.  Had what I could of a mixed grill (eggs, bacon and mushrooms) while giving away the hash browns, bread and sausages.  Had some water with it.  Lunch wasn't bad, but had  better.

The rest of the day was grocery shopping, stationary and doing school stuff, not the most exciting but are the things that don't do themselves.
Dinner was lamb and roast vegetables (kumara, onion, plus brocoli) - Yum!
Snacks were some nuts, blueberries and lots of water!

Exercise was dog walking to the beach - favourite time of day :)

Whole9 30 Day Challenge Day 16

I never sleep well before the first day going back to work - even if I go to bed early, my mind still races with all that I need to do, what is going to happen during the day etc.  I usually get up on the first morning shattered, wondering if I had even had a holiday - today was no exception. 

The work day was not too strenuous, it was a couple of hours in my new role as a Dean working with my co-dean and Head of house and the house leaders to plan the first part of the year.  Mainly it involved - getting to know each other, planning the first days for students, the first assembly, the leaders role, and Athletics day.  It was pretty productive, I must say and I left the meeting all excited and motivated :)

I have a new desk in the Deans office - thats exciting!  Once I get my own key I can move in and make that area my own (plus it is another place I can put my stuff...he he he).  There was a bit of organising, then looking at students results, and signing kids into courses, or on the other hand - taking them out as they didn't meet the entry requirements.  It got done, and I got to go home - pretty shattered.  This working business sure takes it out of you when you have just had a pretty decent holiday!

Anyway onto the food:
Breakfast - Scrambled eggs, with ham and mushrooms
               - Coffee

Lunch - Homemade salad with lite chilli tuna (from a can, but looked reasonably ok to be able to eat on this plan)

Dinner - Salad with homemade meatballs - with the meatballs been made of lots of vege with mince- very tasty.

Snacks - Almonds, and sunflower seeds.

Drinks - A lot of water, and herbal tea.

Exercise was an hour long walk along the river bank on a beautiful Summers night with no wind :)  Both Anthony and I loved it, and the dogs well their enjoyment goes without saying really.

Whole9 30 Day Challenge Day 5

Today not a lot going on really initially.  Had a cruisy morning - savouring these while I can before I'm rushed off my feet at work in a couple of weeks, especially with my new job as Dean.

Caught up with my little bro this afternoon and later on his girlfriend as well.  Lovely time and good to see the changes to the place since Colleen moved in a couple of months ago.  Very trendy (well since they are both form of designers) but homely too.  Finally got a bit of exercise in with going for a walk with Castro and Scott and then playing a form of frisbee with doggy in the middle.  Unfortunately it ended with Scott going into the bushes to find the frisbee (I had thrown...) and came up covered in thorns in his arms from the bush.  All good though - he's tough.

Scott and Colleen - awwww cute!

Went out for dinner - always a little concerning for me hoping that there will be something that I can eat - but we went Turkish and I got a mixed (Chicken and Lamb) Iskender.  Had a little garlic yoghurt and hummus with it to prevent any band sticking but very little of it, and avoided the rice.  Even came with a little green salad, and had water.  I felt proud of this choice.

Also went out for coffee.  The two lovebirds got dessert while I tried another brand of long black - this time made by Allpress - not too bad but strong - needed a little water to soften it somewhat.  Also tried Jed's at my bro's place and that was great!  This long black business is getting better all the time.  May not go back to having milk in my coffee at all and don't miss the sugar either!

Something that is nice down here - all the compliments.  Everyone I have caught up with so far has said Im looking good.  I must have changed a bit since I was last down in September - I will have to compare pics.

One thing I need to remember though - don't drink coffee too late - I don't sleep!

Breakfast:  Banana

Lunch:  Subway Club Salad - with lime and coriander dressing - Ma and Pa got it for me and I assumed wrongly that the dressing would be a vinegarette - it wasnt.  So scraped what I could off.  I do find though doesn't matter what subway salad you get, they all taste the same.

Dinner:  Turkish (as outlined above)

A couple of coffees, some walnuts, and a couple of plums and cherries and a piece of fresh pineapple - need to cut down the fruit a bit I think - not going to help with the weight loss!

Exercise:  40 minute dog walk and frisbee.

Whole9 Challenge - Day 2

Today - felt a lot better.  Had a lot of sleep yesterday so what ever was wrong with me - sleep pretty much cured it!

Started the day with my first coffee without sweetner or milk.  It was okay.  I could get used to it. Takes a lot longer to drink but at the moment it's okay.

Breakfast - 3 scrambled eggs with mushrooms, capsicum, and onion.

Lunch - Thai beef salad from Cafiend in Petone with my first long black and water.  Had the dressing on side so had a taste but that was it.  Avoided the crispy noodles putting them to the side too.  Salad was delicious!  Long black is far better at a cafe than instant!

Had another long black at Go Bang Cafe in Petone - a lot stronger than Cafiend but they gave us hot water with it as well.  Cafiend gets my top vote though.

Dinner - after a workout at the gym, had garlic steak and salad - yum!  Had a few strawberries after - love Summer fruit.

Exercise - Beach walk with the dogs, then crossfit - today it was Press 3 x 5, and then a 10 min 1/2 Cindy amrap - 5 body rows, 10 push ups, and 15 squats - managed 7 + 13.  A hot session - a lot of sweat!

Off to Dunedin tomorrow.

Reset time!

Since my last post - a bit more down, but now think Im on the up.  I'm being positive.

After writing my last post, I realised I had got into a bad state - quite depressed about everything and a tad overwhelmed and maybe expecting too much of myself all at once! 

Thanks for the kind words and support from all.  I needed to step back and re-evaluate everything.  Im already on anti-depressants (which have done me wonders over the years - they do help to balance me).  However, I need to be stricter with my food - not neccessarily worried about portion size (thats pretty good), its what Im putting in my mouth.  Since the loosening of the band this has improved - however I still have an addiction to sugar.  I can stop for a while but I keep going back to it for comfort.  But does it make me feel better - thinking about it - short answer.....NO!  It affects my moods, my sleep and probably does not do much for my stress.  Up until now, it has been my comfort, my feel good food and always there, along with the caramel machiatos from Starbucks. I realise - I'm talking like an addict! Its like alcohol, cigarettes or drugs - sugar is my addiction!

NOW is the time for change - after a reality check email from my Crossfit coach - who says it how it is, and stated how bad my skin was looking at an event at the weekend (this clearly being due to reaction to sugar and dairy) - it was time to seriously take a look at my nutrition.

So starting back on the food diary monitoring everything I eat, cut out sugar, no more visits to Starbucks (that will save me money too!)

I am also struggling staying well - getting colds/viruses every couple of weeks.  Went to the docs who have taken blood samples to see if Im lacking in something.  Has anyone else with lapband found this?  I thought I would be more well post surgery, but cant escape the cold every couple of weeks.  This time of term Im seriously run down so also probably not at my best immunity.

Im going to go back the Paleo way - this worked a lot the first time I tried it (30 day challenge).  My goal of losing 10 kilos in 10 weeks not quite the success I wanted - since I plateaued - Ive started losing again.  Im at a 3-4 loss and with 2.5 weeks left - I would be quite excited if I made the 10 kilo mark.   I don't think I factored life into the equation.  I was talking to a friend today and we both said how great it would be to be locked away in the Biggest Loser house for 3 months without other influences/interuptions.

My next goal from this reset is to be at my best for 'barbells for boobs' on October 29th at my crossfit gym (this workout is done at gyms all over the world).  The workout is 30 clean and jerks in a row with a cap of 15 mins for the workout.  Proceeds from the event go to breast cancer research.  This gives me FOCUS - my word of the year :)

Finally some pics from Fight Gone Bad 6 - held at the weekend (with my bad face ;))
I did the womens intermediate version and got a score of 243 - improving from my last attempt.  Fight Gone Bad consists of:
Three rounds of:
Wall-ball, 20/14 pound ball, 10 ft target (Reps)
Sumo deadlift high-pull, 16 kg (Reps)
Box Step Up, 20″ box (Reps)
Push-press, 15 kg (Reps)
Row (Calories)

Psyching myself up for the sumo deadlift

Step Ups

Push Press

Row

Wall ball - trying to hit the pink target!

Straight After 3 rounds - alive...just!

Mmm, some of the sweat and t shirt marks I left behind!

Onwards and Upwards!!!

When it is a good thing to reach 40!

40 kilos lost that is!  Finally another mini goal.  I went to the dietician on Tuesday a few weeks shy of my 6 month - a - iversary for the check up on how things are going.

She was very pleased with my progress, and even though I said I felt I could be doing better and sometimes make better choices, she pointed out that I was still a perfectionist, but to remember it is ok not to be perfect all the time.  Hmmmm, some habits die hard.  I do feel better about myself now and my progress to date.  However, over the months since surgery I have also had confirmed for me again and again that it is a journey and not a short one.  The lap band is a tool, and as long as you use it appropriately - all good :)  The dietician was supportive of the Paleo eating way as well.  As she put it - can't really go wrong with fresh veges and animal protein.  Im still limiting the sugar and especially the bread. Im the first to say I used to be the bread queen - but now I do not even miss it.

Anyway, stoked to be over the 40 kilo hump.  Now have lost a total of 41.2 kilos (90.6 lbs).  Also now in the 120's - weighing in at 128.7kgs (283.1lbs).  Yay!

As my husband and I are going to Melbourne in the next school holidays, next goal is to get to 50 kilos lost by October 8th.  I have also got a self imposed ban on clothes shopping until then (essentials negotiable).  From all I have heard Melbourne has fabulous shopping - CANNOT WAIT!


So what weighs 41.2 kilos?

Some sort of compressor

Water Cooler/Ice Maker

This much cannibas!

This fish

And this wardrobe!

Again some adult people weigh this much too, but not healthily!

The crossfit is going awesome!  Apart from the flu last week, Im going 3 times a week.  I love it and missed it so much when I was sick.  Such a positive place to be.  Im getting stronger and stronger, and maybe even a little more coordinated ;).  Have managed to get my name on the leaders boards for the Shoulder press, clean and jerk, back squat, bench press and another one can't remember at present - love it! :)

Hope all is well in blogland.  Im reading lots of blogs and have been trying to comment, but something isn't working for me there and it errors and wont let me.  Been happening for a couple of weeks. Can anyone help with this?

On a side note - got assessed for adoption on Monday.  After three hours of questioning about our lives (quite intense), the social worker said she had no reason to not put us forward for approval to go on to the next stage of putting a profile together and going into the selection pool.  A long process, but its going forward!  Cute thing last week at school was that one of my students asked me if I wanted to adopt him - said it would be cool to have two lots of parents :) - oh how the teenage mind works!

Still amongst the living!

I am still alive...really I am.  So much going on lately and the blogging has slipped badly.  Not just the blog but there seems to be a lot that I need to get around to doing, and just hasn't happened yet.  Well 3 weeks now until term break (2 weeks off school....I swear teachers are more excited than the kids).  So Im hoping to tick many things off my to do list.

The last month has been pretty crazy.   Not all can be mentioned here in the blogging realm, but when things seemed to calm down, something else pops up.  The WOW and OH MY GOD factor has been pretty huge in some cases.  However to update on some events:

BAD AS

I entered my Weightlifting competition.  It was a blast!  Well run and so many awesome women (and men helping out) and supporters (Thanks Hubby, Riki and Kate for the cheers and support).  In the kilo for kilo competition, still too heavy to warrant even considering placing, but in the overall lifting I worked out I came 10th= out of 31 contestants!  Stoked and with only about 6 weeks proper training, I figure I can do a lot better next year :)  In the morning I got a photo taken in my gears, and compared it to my initial photo - quite a change there, as seen below.


October 2010



June 2011

  
Other pics from Bad As:

DOWN TO DUNEDIN

The next day after the competition I flew to Dunedin (where my parents are) to help look after Dad post-op.  While I thought I would have quite a bit of down time, that didn't happen.  So it was a good thing that I forgot most of my work I was meant to do down there.  My Dad had his op, had his colon resected, and is healing pretty well almost 4 weeks on.  He has to go through chemo once he heals completely as a precaution as there may be still some cancerous cells lurking.  However, he is getting better every day.  Im so happy for the outcome.  It was a great time to spend a lot of quality Dad-Daughter time together.  I took him out for coffees etc and he loved it.  Even helping with a spot of clothes shopping.  I introduced him to the 'Man Chair' outside the changing rooms - he loved that and all the commentary coming from the changing rooms.  Valued memories I will treasure :)

Had a few times to see a couple of friends and got to meet my best friends new bub - Isla at only 2 weeks old, and of course big older bro - Otis - 2.

PALEO CHALLENGE

With all that has been going on, I was still doing the paleo challenge.  Have completed that and managed to lose about 3.4 kilos.  New ways of eating now, still always a learning process, and a constant battle with that sugar craving.  I have lost the lethargy feeling and feeling more awake and energised.  I did stay on Step 1 for the majority but have laid off the bread and grains.  Im please to say bread just does not appeal to me. With all the busy times at the moment and a lot of stress with work and family, I feel eating this way and exercising has got me through it better than I would have coped a year ago with the extra weight and the less than desirable lifestyle I had.  What a difference a year makes.

I made a paleo meal during the challenge consisting of:

Butternut Pumpkin Soup with Cayenne Pepper (and then a bit of coconut milk as put in too much pepper!)

Beef Burgundy

Walnut and Honey Biscuits

Invited the mother in law around and of course husband had some and they loved it.  No biscuits left either!Not so skeptical now....well maybe!


In the weight loss department have now lost 37.4 kilos (82.3 pounds).  At this point when I look for images, there are a lot of pictures of anorexic people - not so ideal.  But I have lost the weight of a giant leopard!

I started proper crossfit classes on Saturday and my muscles are certainly aware of the workout, and Im going back tomorrow.  I did the class which involved a warm up then the workout called 'Cindy' which I scaled to 5 body rows (normally pull ups), 10 scaled press ups and 15 squats - continuing to rounds of that for 20 mins.  Awesome but intense!  This was followed by an hour of lifting, flipping etc of heavy stuff - fun :)

Can't wait for the holidays to focus on weight loss and exercise without distractions.  I now have a new goal in sight.  My husband and I booked tickets to Melbourne for a 2 week holiday in the next lot of holidays.  I want to lose at least 10 kilos before then!  Its just over 3 months away - I think totally do-able. So excited for the holiday though!  Great shopping there.

Briefly on other things.  More friends having babies, another 2 couple friends of ours got engaged, been to baby shower today (I try but really they are not my thing - maybe it helps if you are a mother??).  My husband and I are going for adoption at the moment and go under further assessment in a couple of weeks.  While the process is long, its ticking away.  My too big clothes are piling up - another thing to do is to clear out the wardrobe, and put on Trade Me (Melbourne will be great for clothes shopping).  Except for essentials, I will hold off on buying clothes until there.  Also booked in to see a psychologist at the clinic to help with everything that is going on in my life at present and how to keep on track with eating.  Not sure if I need a fill either - I feel Im on the cusp of one.

Hope all is well with you all!

The 30 Day Paleo Challenge

Another challenge for me.  In a time where everything is processed including our food, my trainer has shown me a way of eating where everything is natural.  Called the Paleolithic Diet - it simulates what man ate in Paleolithic times (Stone Age) a period of about 2.5 million years duration that ended around 10,000 years ago with the development of agriculture.

Centered on commonly available modern foods, the "contemporary" Paleolithic diet consists mainly of meat, fish, vegetables, fruit, roots, and nuts, and excludes grains, legumes, dairy products, salt, refined sugar, and processed oils.

My gym has encouraged us to partake in the 30 challenge to help one of the members who wants to work on her energy, weight loss etc for boxing.  We buddy up with another member - my excellent inspiring partner is Ann.  We have decided to share our food diaries each day to keep us accountable and avoid the consequences as listed below.

DETAILS OF THE 30 PALEO CHALLENGE

Start Date: May 16th

For 30 days, eating clean – what does that mean?

Are you completely new to primal eating (chocolate Milo cereal for brekkie, sammies for lunch and couldn’t recognise a zucchini if it bit you?) or a veteran (can’t remember the last time you ate sugar and you kill your own meat)?

It’s tough to make changes to dietary habits that may have been a part of your entire life. So take it slow. If you can meet the requirements for an entire week, try the next step.

Step one (Week 1)


• Cut out all liquids except, coffee, tea and water.
• Try to add veggies/fruit to every meal/snack
• Eat some form of animal protein at least 2 times a day
• Reduce, then remove all sugar from your diet
• Take 3 grams of fish oil a day or at least up your fish intake.

Step two (Week 2)

• Reduce, then ultimately eliminate all grains from your diet (oats, rice, corn, quinoa can be the last to go as they don’t contain gluten, but they are still very high in carbs)
• Ensure a serving of healthy fat at every meal/snack (A serving is 1-2 tbs of oil or butter, or 2-4 tbs of avocado, coconut or nuts)
• Eat some form of animal protein at least 3 times a day
• Continue to focus on veggies and fruit, but try to emphasise veggies more.  A 3:1 ratio of veggies:fruit is good over the day.

Step three (Week 3)

• Only consume dairy, fruit or starchy veggies such as potatoes, kumara and parsnips AFTER exercise, and only if it lasts longer than 20 mins or is at high intensity. If you can handle dropping the spuds, do so as they are much higher in carbs than all other veggies and are actually not that nutritious.

Step four (Week 4)
This is for people who have their nutrition extremely well dialed in and want to fully lean out. Try for just 30 days.

• Drop dairy, fruit and starchy veg completely

CHEAT: you will owe your partner $40 and 100 burpees. This is borrowed from CrossFit New Zealand who currently has their own challenge underway. If you CHEAT 3x in 30 days, you’re out!

Achievable?  I think so!!

What I did in my school holidays By Cassie (age 33)

I finally have got around to blogging about the holidays.  Finally after an 11 week term, two weeks of pure bliss.  No teenagers, no work politics, no bells and time for me and sleep ins!

I got to start the holidays early as the Friday was the last day of our adoption course.  Now completing the course, we will soon be allocated an adoption social worker, be assessed a little more, work on our profile for the people to choose us from (has to be in a binder, like a school project - going to love the presentation factor part - no digital software/dvds etc allowed).  I guess then after that, we go into the pool and wait to be chosen.  For us, adoption is the way we have chosen to go.  Foster care - we are just not at a place in our lives to cope with a lot of the baggage these kids come with.  Maybe in later years.

Anyway, much of my holidays was spent in my hometown - Dunedin.  I hadn't been down for about nine months so the last time was about 3 months before I started on the road to getting banded and beyond.

Good to see parents.  Dad greeted me at the airport, and while waiting for luggage questioned whether I thought the op was worth it since I had restricted my food choices.  I simply said to him I had lost over 30 kilos, was doing so much more with my life and my health was on the improve.  Many of the food choices I have restricted myself on are because if I start eating things like bread (which is sticky anyway) I may not stop.  I love bread.  It is easier just not to have it.  I have had to put chocolate in a similar category.
Mum was funny.  After giving me a hug - said there wasn't a lot there to hug anymore - awww - But trust me still heaps there!

My brother has seen me every few months, and had only seen me a couple of weeks before my visit.  He is very supportive of what I've done though and will give me compliments in his brotherly sort of way :)

I saw a few friends while down there too.  My best bud Fran who is due to have number two any week now.  Number one Otis is almost two.  It is amazing how he has become a little person with a lot of personality since I last saw him.  Fran also commented on the changes, even though she only saw me in January - apparently my face had changed.

What I love about my close friends is their honesty.  Fran and I went to look at clothes one day (Easter sales)  We at a shop and I was trying stuff on, when Fran goes "Cass, you need a new bra.  That one isn't supporting you.  You don't want your boobs to be hanging by your elbows!"  I guess with losing weight, the bra I had on was too big and no longer supportive at all.  So for the first time since I was 12/13 - I went and got fitted for a bra.  When bigger, I would have never done this.  However, since all the procedures I have over the past year or so - I just don't care anymore.  And the lady in the lingerie shop was just lovely and found bras that were just lovely.  Not the small selection I had to chose from previously.  So I got two for now (she said with losing weight - don't buy too many in one size) - one sport, one normal.  I may buy another.  But it was a fun experience!  And I do recommend.  Having the right bra - my clothes look so much better!

I also caught up with my friend Julie and her two girls.  Julie was the person who encouraged me to go into this journey, stating at the time, I had to look after myself and be selfish for once.  Also stating that money should not be a barrier.  I have so much to be grateful for.  Julie had also struggled with weight during her life, but one day decided it was going and did what she needed to to do it.  She looks terrific and has stayed that way.  She is a very positive person and highly motivational. It was cool, she could not get over the changes - the body, face, and even my gums were looking healthier.  I had never noticed to be honest.  Also my nose was thinner.  Her girls kept saying you are so much smaller and didnt recognise me at first.  He he - found that funny. 
 

Me, Fran and Julie's girls Charlotte and Madeline



Julie, Fran and Me


Saw other friends.  All were very positive about how I had changed.

While down in Dunedin, I was pretty good with the diet, desperately wanting to get rid of the kilo that I had gained in my week of indulgence.  Did a bit of exercise.  Did a lot on my return to Wellington. Also slept a lot.  I realised during this time just how much easier it is to concentrate on good eating and exercise when the stress of work is not there!  As said in a previous post I was rewarded with a 3.2 kilos loss. I also got a small fill (.2mL).  I'm thinking I may just need a .1mL this week to put me fully in the green zone.  See what the nurse says.

The holidays were over too quickly, but I did get to see a couple of movies (Fast 5 and Thor plus DVDs), read books, and caught up with many friends.

On the day I returned to Wellington, I dropped my Dad off at the hospital for some tests.  On picking him up at the ward, the doctor informed my Dad (plus me and my bro) that they had found a growth in his colon.  They had to a biopsy and have since confirmed it is cancer.  I am devastated.  My Dad is the strong one.  He simply said it is all part of life's rich tapestry (about as much emotion as Dad will show - he is British).  It is hoped that it has been caught early and has not spread.  He will have surgery in about 6 weeks or so (tbc) and all going well they can remove the tumour and part of the bowel and it will be all good.  I am really really really hoping for the best case scenario.  So I will be going back to Dunedin to help out where I can.  I feel useless as although I do know there is nothing I can do - the distance and being so far away is hard as I can't just pop over and help where needed.  The phone has been used a lot more in the last week.  In stressful situations like this it is hard not to pick up that chocolate etc, but I made the decision that I need to be at my fittest/healthiest for my Dad so I can help him when he needs it.  I have not touched the chocolate, and found that exercise has helped the stress.  I am in a feeling of disbelief, don't know really what to feel at the moment.  I feel numb.

The rest of the holidays went by quickly.  School work, coffees, lunches and of course the Royal Wedding Party - that was lots of fun.  Pimms cups, tiaras, cucumber sandwiches, British flags, royal waves etc were the order of the day.  Shown at night here, the party continued into the wee hours of the morning.