Week 47 w/c 17th December 2012

Monday there was no Aquafit, so went in the gym.  I completed my program but did not manage to beat any of my times or distances.  The gym is really quiet at the moment and I quite often find I am either on my own or there is only one other person in the gym with me.

I have not lost any weight over the last few weeks but after the big drop following my holiday I did not expect any major changes.  It is very difficult trying to calorie count during various parties’ and with Christmas treats everywhere.  I am limiting myself to the extras and treats but finding it very difficult to stay within the 1200 calories and I am finding myself eating above this.  I feel I need to enjoy some treats and have them in small portions, then plan to refocus on counting calories again straight after Christmas.Will try and get to the gym over the weekend but not sure if I will find the time with Christmas appearing so fast!

Week 46 w/c 10th December 2012

Monday felt drained and tired so I missed the Gym.  Went on Tuesday, Wednesday & Sunday.  Manage to get my best times on the X-Trainer again every time.  It seems easier. I asked John If the resistance was working, as I could not believe I could suddenly do it so much faster.  Managed also to increase my distance on the bike and complete the 2500 metres on the rower in less time too.

Struggling to get to the gym 5 times at the moment with all the Christmas activities. We had the usual dancing classes as well as the Dancing Xmas party.  Weekend we decided to go to the cinema then had my nephew’s birthday party to go to, for which I had made him a number 3 cake. So finding time for the Gym this week was very difficult.  I saw a colleague earlier in the week that I had not seen for some time.  She walked passed me and then stopped before saying “Is that Michelle”, before I had chance to reply she said “No its half of Michelle”.

 

Week 45 w/c 3rd December 2012

Only managed to get to the gym 4 times this week.  Busy preparing for dance shows and Christmas activities.  Got all the decorations in my house up now so it is very festive and like Santa’s grotto.  I have decoration up in every room.  I even have them on my desk at work, I love December!

Monday I went into the gym followed by Aquafit.  Tuesday I started my programme on the bike but struggled to get anywhere near my usual distance and then on the Rower I was so slow. I decided I was tired and gave it up and went home. Returned Wednesday hoping I could do better then Tuesday feeble efforts.  I managed everything in the usual time except for the rower where I managed to do it a whole 10 seconds faster.  I even went for a swim afterwards.

Thursday evening I was helping in dance class and Friday evening I was going shopping so it will be Saturday for my next visit after the Irish Dance Christmas show.  All the girls did a fantastic show and after a whole day of Irish dance, ensuring all the dancers were in the right places at the right time I was exhausted with headache and not fit for the Gym.  Completed the cardiovascular programme Sunday with ease and even beat my time on the X-Trainer by 0.3kms.  Not quite sure how I did it though as it just seemed really easy today.

 

Week 44 w/c 26th November 2012

Monday there was no Aquafit as Jackie was on Holiday.  So I went into the Gym and completed my entire programme instead.

Planned to go to the gym on Wednesday whilst the girls were dancing but my boiler decided to breakdown and we did not have any hot water or any heating and with the temperatures dropping to below Zero outside, I needed to get a man with the know how to sort it.  Fortunately we are covered for breakdowns and I managed to get a call out for sometime in the evening.  The man turned up at 11pm and had it working with a new part installed within 10 minutes.  The part would have cost over £150 had we not been covered.  That’s my money back for this year!!

I Struggled to find time to go to the gym this week as there seemed to be things happening that I could not avoid.  I managed to do a lot of Christmas shopping and sort out costumes for the dancing show in 2 weeks so that was a bonus.  Eating better this week but still experiencing pain at times.  I have never experienced a bowel infection that has had symptoms lasting this long. Gym Sunday, I found it really hard today although I did improve my distances on the bike and I was only 0.5 seconds slower on the rower.  Not sure if it was because I was tired with so much happening this week or was it because I had not been since Monday?

Week 43 w/c 19th November 2012

Went to Aquafit but did not go in the gym beforehand.  I was still struggling to eat normally and still experiencing stomach cramps and bubbling.  My stomach must have had a hammering to still be sore like this. Wednesday I arranged to meet with Jackie for me to get a new programme.  Starting on the bike for 15 minutes recording the distance each time.  Then onto the X-trainer for 15 minutes again recording the distance.  Moving on to the rower, this time I had to complete 2500m and record the time it takes.  It took me just over 11 minutes.  That was easier than the 15 minutes I had been doing and felt a lot quicker counting down the distance rather than watching the time tick up. On to the toning exercises and a few weights.  Some fairly easy but some a little tricky.  Sitting on a large bouncy ball whilst trying to hold one leg up and balance is a little challenging.

Thursday & Friday I was back to complete it all again.  Did not manage to beat any of the distances though. Did not manage to get to the Gym over the weekend due to making some birthday cakes and going to birthday party’s.

 

Week 42 w/c 12th November 2012

On the Wednesday I became poorly with a upset stomach. I was flying home Thursday so decided it was best not eating all day so I was not sick for the flight home.  Arrived home safely but suffering from Gastroenteritis and was unable to eat anything.  My bowel must be completely empty, and was so sore from the infection; my bowel kept going into cramps. It was very painful when I ate anything.I went to the gym Friday to get weighed to see if I had put any weight on whilst on holiday.  I felt any weight I had put on must now have quickly gone again with the infection.  The results were great showing a 3.5kg weight loss in less than 2 weeks  Most of my measurements were down too.  I did not go in the gym for a workout as I did not have any energy and thought I better start eating first.  I had not eaten for over 48 hours. Sunday I thought I would give the gym ago.  I was still not eating properly but was managing small amounts.  My stomach was still sore.  I found the best thing to eat was low fibre foods so I stuck to bread & toast.  I did do some in the Gym but did not push myself.

Week 41 w/c 5th November 2012

Attended Aquafit Monday but did not have time to go into the gym first.  Will not be able to get to the Gym now till after my holidays as I need to get packed and sorted ready to leave Wednesday teatime.  I am going in my trainers and will have plenty of shorts with me so I can pay the hotel Gym a visit. The gym at the hotel in Egypt was very basic with only 2 weight machines and 2 cardiovascular machines.  Despite this I did manage to visit on a teatime whilst the kids and my husband were getting ready for the evening meal.  The hotel was all-inclusive and I was determined to not put on any weight.  It was so hot that we were not hungry and found we needed to drink plenty instead and quite often missed lunch.  I am choosy when eating abroad so stuck to potatoes and pizza most of the time and kept the portions down.

 

Week 40 w/c 29th October 2012

After all the energy I had last week I think my body decided it was time to make me rest! A Migraine – the perfect way to stop me functioning.  It started whilst at the Gym Sunday but I spotted the signs and decided to make an early retreat home for painkillers and a dark room.  Monday and Tuesday I suffered from the persistent headache and the hazy drunken state that follows the migraine.  Managed to go to work but that was my limit.  There is no way I would manage any exertion, when I bend down my head feels like it is going to explode.  Early nights and time to hibernate in the dark.  Had my Blood pressure checked which was within normal limits so that’s not the reason for my headache.  I think it is simply stress related due to flying to Egypt next week.  I hate flying! Wednesday starting to feel as though I am on the better side of this thick head now, It is slowly subsiding with the aid of pain relief.  Went to the Gym and managed 3 out of 4 of the cardiovascular programme.  I did not want to push myself too much and cause the migraine to redevelop so left the rower out.  5 times this week might be a challenge now.Thursday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday.  I managed the 5 times again this week.  I did not think I was going to fit 5 in this week.  I was limited to time Sunday as we were going to Blackpool to see the lights so only had time to do 2 out of the 4 on the cardiovascular programme. I go on holiday next Thursday so I need to get weighed before I go.  Jackie weighed me Sunday. There was no movement on the measurements and only a 1.5kg weight loss.  Over 4 weeks that’s not good, with me behaving on the food front and going to the gym 5 times weekly.  I am even doing some exercises at home!The hotel in Egypt has a Gym. Think I might be visiting it.  I do not want to put any weight back one when it’s not coming off very well at the moment.

 

Week 39 w/c 22nd October 2012

My legs are now back to normal. I have been stiff before but for it to last a week is ridiculous. Went to the gym and completed all my cardiovascular programme followed by Aquafit.  With legs a little wobbly I decided to go shopping – I must be mad.  By the time I got home and got all the shopping away it was 11.30pm.  Time for a drink I feel. Day off Tuesday so I decided I would try and get to the gym this will be 5 days in a row!

Week 38 w/c 15th October 2012

Monday I planned to go in the gym for 30 minutes followed by Aquafit, However Aquafit had been cancelled.  I decided to do my whole new program instead. I had the time to do everything.  I completed everything including all the weights and the cardiovascular program.  I found it ok and was no more tired than usual.Tuesday I woke up feeling a little stiff but nothing to really whinge about.  I was in the office all day sat at my desk and as the day went on I was stiffening up.  The stiffness continued to get worse and worse.  By bed time my thighs were so bad I struggled to get comfy and sleep.  Wednesday was no better in fact they were worse.  I was limping everywhere and could not walk up and down steps.  I was being laughed at with the comments at work “got a new program!” Sitting down was hard and painful and getting back up was even worse.  My legs were weak and had not got the strength to carry me. I lost my balance on quite a few occasions.  I have suffered stiffness before but this is definitely the worse it has ever been.  I even resorted to taking painkillers.  I attempted the Gym Wednesday night but did not even break out in a sweat as I could do very little.  I stepped on the X-Trainer and got straight back off there was no way my legs would do that one.  I managed the treadmill but only very slow and then went on the bike.  The bike hurt but once I got going it did ease a little.  The rower was the only thing I could do that did not hurt. I told John I he was not in my best books and it was those horrid Clean and press things that had done it.  I am not doing them again!!  John told me I was suffering from DOMS (Delayed onset of muscle stiffness) and it can take 48 hours to get to its worse.  Judging by the pain I think I was at my worse!!

Thursday I still struggled and the pain was not any easier.  I thought it would be easing by now but it still hurt a lot, Even getting dressed hurt.  I decided to skip the gym tonight.  I was now not in the best of moods I had not slept with the pain and stiffness for 2 nights and was operating on slow and stop. Friday the stiffness and pain was now easing but I still needed the painkillers to help me manage.  I was determined to try and get going again so returned to the Gym.  I was surprised how well I did and even managed to beat all the distances on my cardiovascular programme.  I needed to catch up for the lost Gym time at the beginning of the week so went to the gym Saturday and Sunday.  Each time I managed to increase my distances and keep the treadmill on the fast speed throughout, I was surprised how fast I cracked that one.  I even added an extra 5 minutes to the X-Trainer and the bike.  Now the stiffness had eased I found this programme easier than my last one.  I gave the Clean and press exercises a miss though.  My legs have still not fully recovered; it still hurts to kneel down.