HILDS STAYING HEALTHY

I'M PREGNANT!!!

2010-05-31T19:11:00.001+10:00

Read about my pregnancy journey here: http://www.getactiveonline.com/blog/index.html

LOCH NESS MARATHON 2009

2009-10-10T05:57:00.005+10:00

I've finally run a Marathon! Check out my other blog for full details.

http://www.getactiveonline.com/blog/fitbits/119.htm

MY BLOG HAS MOVED!

2009-03-12T17:03:00.001+10:00

Just letting everyone know that I will no longer be blogging here as I'm finding it to hard to maintain two blogs! So from now on you can follow my journery at http://www.getactiveonline.com/blog/index.html

(you should be able to leave comments soon!)

Back in the land of the living!

2009-02-20T10:58:00.004+10:00

Firstly I would like to thank everyone for all of your lovely comments, it really means a lot to know people care and have been through similar experiences. I'm sorry I haven't personally replied but I've just been focusing on moving forward at the moment and find it easier to focus on what's in front of me rather than whats happened (if that makes sense).

So anyway I'm finally started to feel "normal" after a few weeks of hell! The weekend was tough as I was put on this medication to bring on a miscarriage although after taking them every 4 hours all I got was bad nausea and a few cramps! I was so frustrated as I just wanted to move on and was hoping it would be over by Monday. So Monday I spoke to the Dr and was booked in for a D&C on Tuesday, all went well and I was in and out on Tuesday and was just left feeling a bit tired. It all sounds so cold and sterile when I type it but it has actually been a relief to have some closure. I'm actually in a really good place mentally as I suppose I've been an emotional wreck for a couple of weeks and it's good to stop stressing and be able to get excited about other things in the future. This whole experience has made me realise what is most important to me and what life is really all about! If it wasn't for my amazing hubby, family and friends life just wouldn't be the same. I feel so very lucky to have so many amazing people in my life and it has made me realise that whatever happens in life doesn't really matter that much as long as I am surrounded by all of these wonderful people. So even though this last bit of time has been one of my worst, emotionally I think I have come out of it a better person! Life is to be lived to the full and enjoy every minute whatever it may bring.

So emotionally I am doing well although physically is a different story...... after surgery on Tuesday I have managed to get back into things full steam ahead although I can tell my hormones are still running havoc. It's amazing the lack of information given to you after the fact, I'm just lucky to have a friend who has been through it all before and give me a bit of an idea of what to expect. I suppose after you have surgery you expect to go back to normal although it seems to take your hormones a bit longer to catch up! The last couple of days have seen my belly expand and look 6 months pregnant, not a nice feeling. So even though I'm back on track both nutrition and training wise I think it's going to take me a good couple of months before my body responds like I know it should.

I can't even begin to describe how good mentally it has helped being back in the gym this week, although it's not like I've even missed a week but just haven't been doing half the amount or intensity of training that I used to. So I've been loving my weights even threw in a few kettle bell routines today plus I'm back at Spin (gotta love spin). I've also found a new love, the stepper! Yes I know it sounds weird but as hard as it is I just love it, I've found a great fat burning & interval program that really get my heart rate right up there without the high impact of all of my running. So I'm feeling very sore from doms this week, slowly as I do more weight sessions another part of my body gets sore. I just did legs this morning and I'm dreading how sore I will be tomorrow especially since I've got spin!

So anyway enough from me, I've gotta get this butt into gear and give this house a long overdue spring clean!

Have a fantastic weekend everyone!

Luv Hilds

P.S had to post a picture of my gorgeous hubby!

LIFE'S CHALLENGES...............

2009-02-12T19:52:00.005+10:00

WARNING - This post is long and very personal. I have chosen to publish it because it might help some other women deal a little bit better with a similar experience.

THE BEGINNING

Oh my god, I never thought this day would come! I’m pregnant! I’m still a bit in shock and can’t quite believe it although after three positive home pregnancy tests and a blood test you think it would start to sink in. What started as heartburn has turned into my life changing forever!

I suppose for years now I have had these thought in the back of my mind that I just couldn’t have kids, I’m not really sure where it came from but deep down I have always wanted to have a family but not sure if this dream would ever become a reality. A year ago today I was a day away from getting married and here I am a year later finding out that we will have a family too!

A year ago I went of the pill after 15 years on it and my hormones and body went into shock. For the past year I have had four periods and no regular cycle whatsoever, so my secret desire to have a child day seemed all that further away. How could I possibly get pregnant with no regular periods? Maybe I’m just not meant to have kids? We were actually just about to get tested to see if we could have kids, so at least we know where we stood.

So how do I feel? So very excited, happy but at the same time so nervous and scared, finding out you are pregnant at just 2-3 weeks is nerve racking, especially for a first time mum. I keep thinking will everything be alright, I’ve read so much about miscarriage and how common it is and that it is a real possibility. Now that I am pregnant it’s all I want and all I can think about and the possibility of that being taken away is just horrible. I know that if things happen then it is for a reason and it wasn’t meant to be but I just want this and I don’t want anyone to take this feeling away from me.

So excitedly we have told all of our family, I’m not very good at keeping a secret especially from those closest to me so we just had to share the news and to say they are excited is a little bit of an understatement!

My wonderful hubby is fantastic although going through phases of calm and absolute shock. As he says “life as I know it no longer exists”, not that this is a bad thing but it is quite true and things will never quite be the same. I’m lucky I have a husband who communicates and actually thinks about things, he knows how hard it will be to bring a baby into our relationship and that things will change although we have discussed that it is something we would still love to do!

So here I am only 3 weeks gone, feeling tired already and just can’t wait for weeks to pass as I know the more weeks I have this precious little baby inside me the safer it is! So I’m off on a work trip, six days flying all over the place. So hopefully I don’t get struck down with morning sickness and all the work helps to take my mind of things for a little while as I know there is no point stressing about what could or could not happen!

TWO WEEKS ON
Lucky for me I’ve been flat out flying all over the countryside so I haven’t had too much time to stress over what might or might not happen! Although in between my big days flying I did manage to read most of the book “What to expect when you’re expecting”, it was actually a great book and helped to calm my nerves for a minute of two.

So after spending the first week stressing over what was the perfect diet and what I should and shouldn’t be doing training wise I’ve realised that I’m better of just making a few little changes to my current habits and stop stressing about everything, as most new Mum’s wouldn’t even now they were pregnant yet and here I am trying to follow the perfect pregnancy plan, not that such a thing exists. So I’ve decided that the only real changes that I need to make for now is a reduction in my Splenda consumption as I seemed to be overdosing on artificial sweeteners. Plus I’ve reduced my caffeine intake; I’ve actually gone off coffee so that hasn’t been too bad and just replaced normal tea with a cup of decaf if I feel like it. I’ve also had to change my breakie to Oats and Cottage Cheese rather than Oats and Protein Powder as I’ve read that there is most probably to many additives and extras in the Protein Powder that I just don’t need right now. I am finding it hard though especially when stuck on the aircraft or in hotel rooms to find the best food options as I used to frequently buy deli meat or cold chicken and had quite a high protein low carb diet, which works for me, although now I’m not only thinking about me but someone else, I know some good fruit and healthy carbs will be great for my little growing bundle! So I’m incorporating some extra fruit and a few more healthy carbs, plus a bit more calcium and red meat. So really it’s all quite positive as it’s got me eating a bigger range of food again although I must say I’m not feeling quite as trim as I’m used to. You see I found out I was pregnant just after the New Year I was all set to train hard and eat lean for a couple of months to get rid of the Chrissy pudge, although dieting and being pregnant just isn’t meant to be. It’s also hard as for years now I have always been so conscious of what I have eaten and have had to eat well and train hard to stay in good shape, so now to eat “normally” is really a bit harder than it sounds, but I’m getting there.

So at the moment I’m dealing with the thoughts of wondering if I really am still pregnant, you’d think it would have sunk in by now but I just don’t feel that much different and as I still haven’t had a scan yet it just doesn’t feel quite real. I have had the odd day of extreme tiredness and today is one of them. I’m sitting here typing just struggling to keep my eyelids open, I’m not sure if this is just me or being pregnant. Oh nearly forgot, I just can’t stop peeing, it’s actually quite bad as I look like a toilet freak on the aircraft and I still can’t tell anyone so they must think I have a bladder problem.

I’ve also had a strange experience at the hairdresser yesterday. After stressing over whether to dye my hair or not I decided to take the plunge and get it done. So I decided to confide in my hairdresser as I assumed they would know best. Although it didn’t seem to change anything and they went ahead and did my usual regrowth although I also wanted a few foils, so I got a few light ones and a few dark ones, well the dark ones are black which looks a bit odd next to really blonde hair! I don’t know whether it was the hairdresser or my hormones but I’m not doing any experimenting on my head for the rest of this pregnancy!

So another week and a half before I’m home again and then I should be ready for my dating scan! I’m just hanging to get to the 12 week mark and feel a bit more secure about everything as right now I still worry that it’s not real and I so want it to be. Hopefully as more time passes I’ll get comfy with the idea and be able to jump around with Joy.

Oh nearly forgot, it’s already started – The ADVISE, from every mother out there who all know what is best for you and start making bids on what you are going to have. Oh my god I don’t know if I can deal with 9 months of that!

NEARLY HOME!

Well another week has passed and I’m just amazed at how much a body can change in just one week! I’ve been really busy flying all over the country side as I’m just trying to do as much work as I can, while I can. In the last week my pregnancy has definitely started to FEEL REAL. For one my boobs have already grown, must say I don’t mind that too much! But what has made it seem all the more real is a lovely thing called “morning sickness”. Here I was stressing that maybe I wasn’t really pregnant as I didn’t feel pregnant well how that has changes. About three days ago I woke up and just felt sick, not quite enough to want to throw up but enough to make you feel nauseous, and it’s not just the morning it seems to last all day. I’ve found it hard to cope with as I’m normally such an active person in the mornings and now I can’t seem to get out of bed without eating a dry cracker! So I’ve gone from eating really well to eating in bed, oh my god what’s next! So at the moment I seem to survive by eating a lot more starchy carbs in the way of vita weet and have strangely gone of so many of my normal foods. I wasn’t expecting any cravings yet but I definitely have found so many food aversions. It seems like everything I used to eat kinda repulses me now. Just the thought of a tuna salad is enough to make my stomach turn, plus I used to LOVE, I mean really love nuts and I can’t seem to tolerate them at the moment. I’m craving all the foods I don’t normally eat a lot of, like plain old starchy carbs and fruit! Don’t seem to have too much of a sweet tooth and could just live on eggs on toast at the moment.
I’m finding it a bit tricky at the moment as I’m away on my first trip since the morning sickness hit and all the usual foods I’d take just don’t seem to cut it! It was also a bit tricky this morning as I had to get up at 3am and was working in business class, feeling quite queasy although at this early stage no one knows, so I had to pretend all was fine when inside I felt on the verge of running to the loo! So at the moment I’ve had to incorporate lots of frequent snacks, which isn’t a bad thing although instead of being protein based at the moment they are tending to be vita weet based, lol. So I’m trying to not weaken to cravings but have some healthy alternatives which still make me feel ok. So my diet is a lot different to how I normally eat but at the moment the goal is to not throw up! I’m also so very tired, obviously a lot of stuff is going on in this body of mine coz I’m not doing too much and all I wanna do is sleep.

Also I’ve found the whole pregnancy timetable and doctors appointments so very confusing. For a new mum you can feel really lost and quite confused. As I don’t have a “regular” doctor I have been referred on to the public hospital although to begin with my next scan is at the private hospital, so I was left unsure whether I had been referred as private or public? I seem to have it sorted now and have discovered that for my dating scan and until I have seen the obstetrician at the Public hospital I have to pay for and go through the private hospital although as soon as I have my first appointment at the public hospital they will organise everything through there. So in less than a week now I’ll have my first scan and actually find out how pregnant I am, I’m guessing I’m about 7 weeks along but can’t wait to actually know for sure!

Anyway time for me to find some energy from somewhere and hit the gym! Gotta work off some of these crackers, he, he!

THE SCAN
Oh how things can change in just a week. I’ve gone from being so excited to living in a world of uncertainty. On Tuesday I arrived home after three long weeks away, it was so good to see my hubby and just know I didn’t have to go anywhere for a whole week! Since returning home I’m been quite sick and living on toast and crackers, not the most nutritious or healthy diet in the world but it seems to be all I can stomach. So I’m feeling a bit worse for wear as my usual training schedule is gone out the window, this week I have managed a Jog, Weights and a Powerwalk, Spin Class & another Powerwalk, which is nothing compared to my usual activity especially considering the amount of bread I have been eating, oh well the goal is just to feel ok at this point.

So anyway since being home I’ve been hanging out to get my scan done, which was booked in for Friday morning. So all week I’ve been patiently waiting to have the scan done as I just wanted some reassurance that everything was ok and to find out how far along I am. So Cam took the morning off and came with me, I was so very excited at first as everything looked good, I’m 7 weeks pregnant and we could even see it’s little heart beating away although it wasn’t long before we noticed it wasn’t beating quite as it should. It was quite irregular and it turns out that it has a slow heart beat. So I left feeling quite devastated and confused, not really sure what it all meant! So after some research I discovered that a slow heart rate isn’t a good thing at all! At the moment the fetal heart rate is at the point where it is highly likely I could miscarry! So my world is a little bit upside down at the moment, I’m still pregnant but wondering how long for. I know I need to be positive but it’s so hard when the odds are stacked against you. I’ve been told to keep busy and try not to think about it too much, how is that even possible! I know I’m sick of crying and really the only thing I can do is to be positive but I just don’t know how. So I’m booked in for another scan in 7-10 days to see what’s happening. The bad news is I’ll most probably have to wait more like 2 weeks as I’m off on a 6 day trip on Friday and it would be too early to have the scan before I go, at least when I’m working I’ll be busy and have little time to think about it all. The good news is at this point I still feel pregnant and have no bleeding so I’m still hopeful, I was a little fighter born 12 weeks premature so maybe I’ve just got a little fighter inside of me, I can only hope!

SICK & TIRED
This is my life at the moment! Sick & tired, I wake up and I feel sick, I eat something I feel sick, I don’t eat I feel even more sick. Doesn’t seem to matter what I do I don’t feel good! Some days are better than others but generally I just feel like crap all day, I have about a ¼ of the energy I’m used to and just struggling to do any of my normal activities. Yesterday I managed to go to the gym and do weights and a pathetic 30 min jog followed by 15 minute walk, the whole time feeling average, not my usual euphoria I get when exercising! So yesterday was quite proactive and I cleaned, cooked and managed to cope ok, whereas today has been a different story. I woke up felt like crap, ate some Weetbix (can’t even cope with my beloved oats), put gym gear on psyching myself for the gym, breakfast didn’t go down to well, felt worse and crawled back into bed. Couldn’t sleep as phone kept ringing so got up still felt like crap, managed to motivate myself to go for a walk, not a very fast walk but at least I was moving. The rest of the day revolved around trying to find something I could stomach, salada with promite seemed ok! Followed by constantly crawling back into bed! I just don’t know how much longer I can cope with this; I’m so used to being so full of energy and training hard and eating well to going to a Salada eating sloth! On a positive note I made a Dr Appointment for tomorrow as I just couldn’t cope with the worrying any longer. The thought of going away for a week and spending it either on the aircraft or in hotel rooms with the thought I might miscarry was doing my head in! I just need to talk to someone so tomorrow is the Dr Appointment; I just need to hear where things are at. As I don’t want to be negative and so hope that this little bubby of mine is just a slow starter but at the same time I think I’m preparing myself for the worst as I can’t keep getting excited and working myself up over what may or may not happen. So I’m trying to get on with things but it’s a little hard when all you can think about it this little thing growing inside of you which you wish so much turns into a beautiful healthy baby. I really realise now what a true miracle every baby that comes into this world really is! So if me being sick and tired helps this bubby grow I’m happy to be sick and tired for as long as it takes!

THE ROLLERCOSTER CONTINUES
Yesterday I had my Dr Appointment which turned out not to be the best thing. We had a chat which was great and she told me that it was quite possible the baby’s heart beat would pick up and it didn’t necessarily mean I was certain to miscarry. Although then she tried to find the baby’s heartbeat on her little ultrasound machine. It was so horrible watching her trying to find any sign of a heartbeat but I could just tell it wasn’t going to happen. She said everything else looked good and as I am still feeling sick you never know as the proper ultrasound I have booked for today might show up more. Although I knew that it wasn’t a great sign and we talked about miscarriage and my different options if a heartbeat wasn’t found. It’s horrible I feel like I’m kinda giving up before knowing but I just can’t cope with the uncertainty anymore. I’m really starting to believe too much knowledge isn’t a good thing, if I didn’t know I was pregnant and had seen the heartbeat I think I would be coping a bit better but knowing you might miscarry is pure torture especially when Cam & I are both so excited. So anyway I’m about to head of to my ultrasound appointment now and at least I will know for sure what is happening as I just can’t cope with this waiting! The bad thing is that I’m not feeling half as sick today and I think I know what the ultrasound will show before I even go!

CLOSURE
Well it might not be good but it’s just good to stop worrying as the uncertainty and worry was killing me, my life for the last couple of weeks has been a nightmare and today I have closure. As mentioned I had my scan and as I was expecting there was no heartbeat and I was due to miscarry. I’m so glad that I had Cam with me as the ultrasound man wasn’t the best people person and it wasn’t something I wanted to go through alone. So even though I was expecting it you still can’t prepare yourself for the loss you feel and the sadness. Cam has been wonderful and spent the afternoon cheering me up over Very Vanilla Chillers at Gloria Jeans! So I’ve had moments where I feel ok and others where I just get sad and teary all over again. I’ve had to call in sick for work as nature hasn’t even started to take its course and I have no signs of miscarriage, if it wasn’t for the scan you would think I was still pregnant. I’ve had no cramps, no spotting and the only reason I know that things are different is that I’m not feeling totally ill like I have for the past couple of weeks. So I have to decide tomorrow whether to let nature take its course (which can take weeks) or speed things along. I’m meeting with the Dr in the morning to discuss all options. So in a way I am relieved as I just don’t think I could cope with the stress and worry for too much longer, obviously I feel great loss but I also know that things happen for a reason and obviously this little one wasn’t meant to be. At least I know I can get pregnant and it is definitely something that Cam and I really want but now is obviously just not the right time.

So for me now I just need a bit more time to feel “normal” again! Eat well, sleep, exercise and just get my head right (and maybe cry just a little bit more)

It’s a bit sad as originally this journal was meant to be all about my journey to becoming a Mum and was to be published once I reached 12 weeks although life isn’t always as expected and as such I have decided to still publish my journey. If I can help just one other woman realise how very common this is and that it is really out of our hands and not to feel guilty for one minute then my story is worth it.

I’ll be back when I’m feeling a bit better......................

Take Care, love life and enjoy every minute! Love Hilds

ALL OR NOTHING!

2009-01-23T06:39:00.002+10:00

That's the way life seems to be at the moment! Either flat out or not much going on and the last week has been crazy! I started a 6 day trip flying all over the place, it had big days, most days about 9 1/2 hours and that doesn't include transport to and from the airport. So to say I was buggered was an understatement. Most days I only got to see outside when leaving the hotel and getting out at the airport, which is a bit sad but considering all my work for the month was done in 8 days this month, I shouldn't really complain. Anyway it seems whenever I'm away living my flight attendant life, the Online Trainer side of things seems to get really busy, which is awesome, but left me a little weary last week. I did still manage to get in a training session every second day but a lot less than I usually like to do!

So after a six day trip I'm usually feeling a bit average due to not enough sleep, training or good food. So yesterday I started the revamp and spend three hours at the hairdresser, which is actually a bit of an effort for me considering I'm not very good at sitting around. By the end of it I was starving and hanging to get home although all worth it as the horror regrowth has gone.

Anyway I stayed up in Cairns yesterday as I was trying to get some more flying work this weekend and lucky enough I did! So today I'm off to Perth, just have to sit on my bum all day as I'm paxing over (going as a passenger) and then work Sat, Sun and pax back home, not bad!

So it looks like 2009 is off to a great start. I'm on a mission to clear some credit card debt and as such more than happy to work my butt off.

Anyway time to get ready for work, have a fabulous day!

Hilds

What is my body doing?????

2009-01-12T12:21:00.004+10:00

The boys playing games! (Damo, Steve & Cam)

A couple of pics from Sat night (me & the Birthday girl, Nene)

Well another day and I'm still feeling average, it's like I've got constant heartburn even when I haven't really eaten much. It's really strange as it hurts to just move and I seem to be peeing every 5 minutes although drinking less than usual. So I haven't done any training today as I just couldn't imagine picking up a weight or running as it's hard just to walk around today. I'm hoping after a day of rest and little plain food I should be all good. Although I am in the process of tracking down a good naturopath so I can really start to get to the bottom of my body issues, it was reassuring to know I'm not alone in the irregular period issue although it's time for me to stop complaining and just get to the bottom of it all!

I've got a busy week of stuff planned so will just have to cram it into more days as I'm not doing much at all today. We have our one year wedding anniversary on Wednesday so we are going out for Thai food and I've also got a copy of our beach wedding video and put it on to dvd so we can watch it, Cam hasn't seen it, so it should be fun and bring back all of the good memories. On Thursday I'm heading up to Cairns, well hopefully as long as the airport isn't rained in. I've organised an inspection of our house in Cairns as well. It should be interesting to see what state it is in and how run down it's all looking. Then on Friday I'm off on a 6 day trip for work, it's a pretty busy one with lots of flights, I think I have one night in Perth and the other four in Melbourne, the good thing is that I only have 1 or 2 super early starts so I should be able to sqeeze in a workout before I fly out each day.

So today I'm sorting through piles of cd's and dvd's that I have laying around with absolutley no idea of what is on them, plus I've got to get the venue finalised for our School Reunion and start inviting everyone.

Anyway sorry pretty boring today! Hope everyone is having a much more exciting day!

Love Hilds

HEARTBURN

2009-01-11T14:11:00.002+10:00

It seems that the only downside to eating well most of the time is that when it comes to enjoying a few treats my body reacts badly! Last night we had friends over for drinks and nibbles, it was a great night, finishing off with a very funny game of celebrity heads.

Anyway back to my treat issue! I had made lots of healthy snacks last night as I'm sick of just having chips and cheese as the only options. So I had made a yummy Tuna, cottage cheese and sweet chill dip plus my favourite Vietnamese cold rolls and chicken satays. So nibbles were pretty good although I did indulge in a few too many vodka's and saved my big treat for some carrot and mud cake, although after having some cake on top of my drinks I was left with severe heartburn and couldn't sleep all night! It's so frustrating as I really wanted to enjoy my cake but it seems my body just didn't want it as much as my mind did. So I had a crap night sleep and still today seem to be suffering from heart burn and I've been back on track, eating well all day! Not sure if it's my body just getting a bit more sensitive or what, but just shows that I really can't eat much crap anymore.

So today is just a chill out day, finally taking it easy and having a whole day off training. It's perfect weather for relaxing as it seems to be constantly raining this weekend. So I'm looking forward to feeling 100% rested tomorrow and full of energy for another awesome week of training. I'm hoping to clean up my nutrition even more next week as I seem to be making slow gradual progress but just want to crank things up a notch!

Hope everyone is having a nice relaxing Sunday!

PEOPLE WATCHING

2009-01-09T11:13:00.002+10:00

Yes, if you didn't know I'm a bit of a people watcher. I just love going out for coffee with my hubby and watching all the people wander by, it's just so amazing how different everyone is.

Today I actually took a minute or two to have a look around the gym. Normally I don't notice anyone and am in my little zone! Anyway it was rather interesting and quite amazing to see such a variety of individuals all in the one area all working towards their own little goals. There was the normal "big blokes" lifting heavy, grunting and watching their muscles in the mirror, the "rough boys", remember I'm in Mackay so a few bikie looking, bandanna wearing blokes, the "pretty girls", the women I see who look just pristine, not a drop of sweat, co-ordinated clothing and quite trim looking, the "Mums", there to work out a bit but also catch up for a chat. I think I even saw a man who looked like he was in his 70's, and then there is the ones who I love seeing the most, the quite large (or you could say overweight) individuals who have been brave enough to step foot in this unique environment and make a start to getting healthier and feeling great! I know for someone who has never been to a gym before it can be very very daunting and I just love it when I see new people getting in there and giving it a go. It's funny I even get a bit funny about going back to the gym if I'm feeling a bit out of shape after holidays so for anyone with lots of weight to lose I think it is just awesome that they are there. And what's funny is that most people are so into their own thing and too pre-occupied with what they are doing to even care who else is there. Anyway that's just my little observation this morning as it seems the gym gets quite busy these time of year with all of the "New Year Get Fit" people, quite frustrating for me as it means it's busier but good on them for getting started, I just hope they keep it up.

This morning I also caught up with the gym owner as for a while now myself and the a few other Spin regulars have been so frustrated at paying an extra $5 per class for Spin when everything else in the gym is included (except Spin). I just find this amazing as no other gym I know charges extra for spin. Cam & I worked out that it was costing us $50 a week just to go to the gym. Don't get me wrong I love my health & Fitness but it gets so frustrating sometimes when it all costs so bloody much, between gym, good food and supplements it seems we are working to just to stay fit and healthy. So I had a chat to the owner and the good news is it looks like it might be reduced. It was a bit annoying that it was me who had to mention something though as everyone else whinges and no one says anything and I used to work there and doesn't look too good coming from me, anyway done now and hopefully will be reduced so I can go back to 3 x Spin Classes, yehaa!

So it's lunch time and I'm still sitting here in my sweaty gym stuff, it always seems like such an effort to shower and wash and dry the hair after the gym, sometimes I wish I had super short hair which took 5 minutes to get ready, not a stupid mop of curly out of control hair!

Anyway time to do the shower thing!

CARBS & HORMONES

2009-01-08T07:57:00.003+10:00

It seems there is so much talk about whether to have carbs or not too, what level is good, how many carbs is too much? One big thing I have learnt over the last few years is that everyone is so individual and what suits one doesn't necesarily suit another. I absolutley hate it when someone tells someone else what they should do! It's so important to find out what works for your body and find something that works for you.

I'm one of those people who seems to have a real issue with too many carbs, I just bloat up like a balloon and feel like crap. This year I'm trying to get down a few kg's and stay there all year, but my ultimate goal is to do it sensibly! So I've been trying a bit of a carb cycle routine, I'm alternating between 3 days mod carb (about 70g, 1200 - 1300 cals) and 1 day high carb (about 150g, 1600-1800 cals). Yesterday was my high carb day and I was so looking forward to it although I felt worse than I had all week, it actually just made me more hungry and felt like crap and it was all good carbs (oats, sweet potato & brown rice), the only bonus was I seemed to have a bit more energy during my Spin class this morning! I think for me 70g carbs a day is heaps, even less seems to work ok, as long as I can have my oats in the morning I seem to be happy! I actually prefer having a few more good fats included rather than more good starchy carbs. Anyway I'll give it until Monday and see how I feel at the end of a whole week but I don't even feel a smidgen better than when I started, but not going to make any judgements just yet. I do get very frustrated as my body just doesn't seem to respond too well! It takes me eating super low carb and heaps of cardio for me to seem to get anywhere close to being lean.

I'm not sure whether it's my hormones being out of whack as since I've been off the pill (1 year now), I've had about 4 periods! I keep feeling like they are going to come, get bloated and start to get excited that they might be coming but never seems to happen, kinda like having PMS all the time but no end in sight. So my focus is to get this body of mine sorted! Although where to start is a bit unknown, I'm not that keen of Doctors as they just tend to hand out drugs and it's not fixing the problem at all just treating the symptoms.

So as much as I keep thinking about competing this year I really really need to get my body sorted, especially if I want to have a baby in the near future. Does anyone else out there have very irregular periods? Most friends of mine are all like clockwork and can't understand why mine aren't! Anyway no point whinging about it, just got to get to the bottom of it.

Anyway better get motivated, todays goal is to get our place looking spick and span as I've been neglecting cleaning big time, I'm definatly not a very good housewife!

Have a great day everyone! Cheers, Hilds

Off to a good start!

2009-01-06T20:04:00.004+10:00

So far 2009 is off to a good start! I'm home for over a week so I can actually have a bit of a routine, yeeha! I've been up early each day and have been hitting the gym, this morning was my first Spin Class for the year & I loved it. Although I must say it was pretty damm hard after a few weeks of no spin and today was supposedly an easy class.

I've been back on track with my nutrition although I always find I'm ravenous all day after a good spin class. I can go for an hour run and not get half as hungry as I do after Spin, anyway I've survived the day and hanging out for tomorrow which is mod/high carb day, mmmm more oats! Its sad when you hang out for more oats, I think my breakfast is my favourite meal of the day, Oats and Evolve Chocolate Slow whey, yumm.

Anyway I'm on a bit of a mission to shed a few kilos that have crept on over the festive season. So I've put a plan in place and now I just need to stick to it! I'll check in on Saturday and see how I've been going, I don't like jumping on the scales more than once a week.

Things are busy this week, I'm on a mission to get my School Reunion sorted. Don't really know what I got myself into but I knew it would never happen if I didn't organise it. So I'm trying to organise a Reunion in Adelaide for late March! So not a great deal of time for me to get my shit together and get as many people as possible together, can't wait, it's going to be so much fun. I'm also busy with the Get Active Online as everyone wants to get into shape after Chrissy and New Years seems to be the best time to start.

I also want to do a bit of a Spring Clean this week although it seems to be last on the list for things that I want to do!

Anyway time to put the computer away and chillout for a bit before an early night!

Cheers, Hilds

The year that was!

2008-12-30T16:34:00.002+10:00

And the absolute highlight! Our Wedding - Bamboo Island, Thailand

2008 has been filled with many extremes, some absolute highs and some real lows. I must say I'm looking forward to 2009 and so very very excited about what it will bring!

The highlights of 2008 were:

Number 1 - Getting married in January, 26 close friends and family all made the trek to Thailand to share our most special day! Although it wasn't just a day but two weeks of lots of fun, sun, drinking, great food and excellent company!

Number 2 - Finally following my dream and starting our own online Personal Training business. My wonderful husband showed me that anything is possible if you want it badly enough and I'm so grateful to have someone support me in all my crazy ideas.

Number 3 - Stepping on stage in Sportsmodel catergory at the INBA All Female Show. This was such a personal and enpowering achievment. Years ago I would have never ever dreamed of stepping on stage in bikinis. Again it just proves if you want something badly enough it can and will happen.

So what's in store for 2009? Well no body really knows what life will throw at you but it is all one big adventure. Here are a few of the things that I plan to acheive this year!

Continue to build and grow Get Active Online. The rewards of helping others feeling better about themselves is unbelievable, I get just as much from it as my clients!

Move back to the place I love - Cairns!

Setup our own Personal Training Studio. Our house in Cairns is an ideal design to incorporate a Studio and we will focus on this in the second half of the year.

Continue to stay fit & healthy! Focussing on year round consitency. Learn to appreciate my body and what it can do. Achieve and maintain a few kilos below my "set" point that I have been stuck at for the past few years. Believe you can and you will!

Have heaps of fun! Not just on holidays or weekends but every single day. Cherish my husband, family and friends, appreciate the small things. Life is now!

There's lots of other things that I have instore for 2009 but really I just want to enjoy every moment, not when I reach a goal, or get to a certain weight or once we go on holidays, but live every single day, enjoy what we have now!

So here's to an awesome 2009, I'm excited and can't wait to get stuck into things. I hope everyone else is off to a fantastic start and has lots of positive things to look forward to in 2009.

Back into it!

2008-12-28T14:33:00.009+10:00

Couple of pics from Chissy in Cairns, the view from our room!

It's so good to be home, even though I'm off again tomorrow it is only a short trip and will be back on the weekend!

Had a very lazy day on Sunday, didn't do much at all besides my big jog in the morning. The rest of the day was spend veging out with my lovely hubby.

This week has seen me get back into the swing of things. I'm on a bit of a mission to shed a few kg & cm's before my School Reunion in March. I've worked out that I seem to function so much better when I have a goal or a deadline. For me just plodding along doesn't seem to work, I'm definatly a goal oriented person!

So I've set myself a few goals and put a plan in place, now all I need to do is consistently do it!!!!!!

I've noticed over the past few years that my body seems to have a "set point", a happy place that it likes to stay. I can get rid of a few kilos but I always seem to end up back at my comfy place. It's not a bad place but my goal is to reduce my body fat a bit and stay there! I'm not sure whether it is a subconscious thing that we make ourselves get back to the place that we have always been or it really is just where my body likes to be? Regardless I'm going to change it, 2009 is the year that I will get & stay just where I want to be.

So yesterday was spot on and it all seems easy I just wish everyday was like that. I did Chest & Back weights, my 30 min Tempo Run, 10 min incline treadmill & a nice 50min powerwalk in the arvo. Food was all spot on and enjoyed every meal!

Today is a different story, went for my 10km jog followed by a big powerwalk on the beach with a girlfriend (buggered after that, so humid up here). Food has been good today although as the afternoon has hit, i'm starving! I always find it hard when I spend the day in the office but today I've been fighting off the cravings big time. Happy to report still on track and blogging to keep me occupied.

Anyway will keep you updated on how I go on my little journey. Bring on 2009 and all the adventures it is sure to bring.

Love, Hilds

Living at the airport!

2008-12-27T13:30:00.002+10:00

Sometimes I think I may as well live at the airport! Here I am just hanging out again. Although I think it's my own fault, I flew from Sydney to Melbourne to Cairns today and had booked myself on a flight from Cairns to Mackay as soon as we were due to land. I was going to be pushing it to make it if all went well and as usual when you want something badbly every bloody obstacle just seems to pop up. Firstly we didn't have enough crew out of Sydney, so late leaving. Then had too many passengers booked out of Melbourne, late leaving! So my changes of getting my flight were looking slim, so secretly I was hoping that my Mackay flight would be delayed and I would make it! Well my wish came true, I have a boarding pass but the plane isn't looking too healthy and we are delayed and hopefully might leave about 2pm were due out about 12:30pm. Anyway I'm just stoked that I might actually get home today. I'm craving just having a routine for a few days, having a stove, making my egg white omlettes, having fresh vegies, oh the simple things!!!!!

I can't believe how much I don't even want a drink or any sweets, strangely I don't think you could force me to have one! I was really organised and bought lots of turkey yesterday to bring on the plane with me and guess who left it in the mini bar fridge, oh how annoying. So I've still survived and managed to make do, lots of boring lettuce leaves, a couple of prawns and a bit of chicken. It's funny when your in the mode that you just don't want to ruin it by eating whatever is around. I could have easily used today as an excuse not to eat well but you really can make do if you need to, I've still got a can of tuna in my bag in case I'm stuck here for a bit longer.

So all is going well, not feeling great yet but I can slowly feel the energy coming back and hanging to go for a big run in the morning and a powerwalk in the arvo.

Thanks for your comments Magda and Lia, it's so nice to be reminded that your normal!

Have a great day!

Hilds

I'M FEELING A BIT LIKE SANTA!

2008-12-26T16:18:00.002+10:00

I might even look a bit like Santa, he he! So where have I been? Too much to even remember but most recently I've been enjoying Chrissy and living the high life! This year I had to work on Chrissy Day so we decided to celebrate Chrissy a little bit early. So we spend a few nights in a gorgeous apartment overlooking the Marina in Cairns, it was great! Mainly because I got to see my hubby after a couple of weeks of travelling all over the place. In the last 3 1/2 weeks I've been home for a big three nights which were all filled with Christmas functions. I'm still away.... currently in Sydney and heading back to Cairns tomorrow and hopefully just make the last flight back to Mackay otherwise it looks like another week until I'll be home.......

Up until a week ago I was feeling great and had managed to keep up a good level of exercise and had a nice balance with my nutrition. What's amazing is how quickly things can change!!!!!!! Yesterday after a week of too many vodkas and too much christmas cheer I was feeling a little, no make that a lot worse for wear. I decided to have a week of just relaxing with my food and training, which turned into a week of way too many sweets and not enough training (only did nothing for 2 days, but for me that is two days too long). I know! I should know better than anyone that my body can't handle deviating from good nutrition for more than two days or I just bloat up like a balloon.

Today I'm back on the good stuff, lots of chicken, fish, greens and plenty of water. I got to Sydney about 10am this morning, checked in to my hotel room and put the training clothes on before I even had a chance to let the mind games begin, 10km later I was feeling a lot better. It made it easier that the treadmill I was on was overlooking rushcutters bay in Sydney and I could see all of the yachts in the bay!

What has been good about feeling like a beached whale, he he (what can be good about that?), well I just appreciate so much more how much I LOVE FEELING FIT AND HEALTHY! When I eat crap I feel lethargic, tired & get grumpy, I can't believe that so many people feel like this all the time, if only they knew how good you can feel by eating well.

So the good news is I'm back on track and already feeling better again. I hope everyone else had a fantastic Chrissy and enjoyed a few treats without going overboard!

Well Done Cassie!!!!!

2008-11-13T19:38:00.009+10:00

Cassie & her daughter Lauren

Ok so I've been missing in action for a while. It's always the way when you're not feeling good I avoid blogging, don't want to bore everyone with my complaining!

I've still been sick and just finding it imposible to kick! As soon as I start to feel good and start doing stuff then next day I end up feeling like crap, I'M OVER IT!!! I can't remember ever being out of action for this long.......... So I'm feeling fat, frumpy and BORED!!!! I'm so hopeless at relaxing and just get so down, I can't describe how much I rely on my exercise to kick in my happy hormones!!!! Anyway on a positive note I'm feeling a bit better tonight and hopefully will be over it by tomorrow. I better be as I'm off to Cairns for a work trip this weekend, I'm hanging to get back to work and training!!!!!! I just want some energy again!

So other than being a misery guts! I've been helping one of my bestest friends feel fantastic and get organised for her photo shoot! My school friend Cassie has managed to completley transform her lifestyle over the last 12 weeks. She's a Mum of three who has little time for herself since her hubby works away. So for her to take some time out for her and exercise and look after herself as changed her outlook completly. I'm amazed at what Cass has done, not only physically but she has finally got her confidence back. I'm so proud of her, well done Cass! I've attached some pics above which were taken at my Dad's Photo Studio (Peter Franz Photography). I'm a bit bummed as I was suppose to be in Adelaide (with work) just in time for the shoot although as I'm sick and I missed my trip (yes I'm having a bummer of a week!). Anyway they had a ball and got some great shots.

Well enough rambling and complaining for one post! I'll be back when I'm feeling a bit better about things!!!!!!

Sick again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-11-06T08:14:00.003+10:00

I'm home for a couple of days but unfortunatley I've got a cold! I'm so bloody frustrated as in past years I have only got sick maybe once but this year I seem to be sick all the time!!!! I think commuting for work and trying to do to much while I'm away is taking it's toll, plus the serious lack on sleep. I got home on Tuesday after not sleeping for 24 hours and feeling a bit worse for wear!

My hubby went to the gym this morning to do Spin class and I was so annoyed I couldn't go! I haven't trained for nearly a week, which is just unheard of for me, but I'm struggling to make it to the shops to get some washing powder so I think training is out of the question. It's so annoying as my mind is ready to go and I'm keen to get stuck into some serious training although the body doesn't want to play! I have managed to eat really well which is one good thing.

So I'm home until Sunday arvo and then I'm up to Cairns to fly throughout the night to Perth and have a five day trip, night in Perth, night in Adelaide and night in Brissie. I'm catching up with my friend in Adelaide and heading to Dad's studio to get some after pics of her as she has just finished a 12 Week Challenge! So I've got a couple of days to get better before I head off again. After my next 5 day trip I have one day off in Cairns and then a Canberra overnight and then I've got 2 glorious weeks at home. I can't describe how much I'm craving routine, just to be able to get up at the same time each day and hit the gym, have a fridge to put my food in and be able to eat lots of fresh vegies. Oh how we miss the simple things.

Anyway I'm sure you've heard enough of me whinging, I'm going to focus on some serious rest and get this body of mine back in shape!!!!

All over the place!

2008-11-01T15:05:00.003+10:00

Well I'm feeling a bit weary today, I think it all hits you when you stop! I feel like I've been everywhere this week!

Last Sunday I flew to Adelaide to hang out with the family for a few days. I managed to spend a night with my little sis, a night with my big sis and a night with Mum & Dad. It was so good to see everyone again, although as I speak to them every couple of days it always feels like I've just seen them. I managed to get in a few good runs while I was away, I just love exploring new tracks and running in different spots. My little sis lives near a big bush park which has a lots of fantastic walks. So I decided to go for a run up torture hill and yes it was torture, I'm glad I took a little map with me as I nearly got lost as it all started to look the same (I'm not the best navigator!). I also went to an RPM class at their local gym and it was really interesting to see how different instructors run a class. The instructor decided she didn't want the aircon on and that everyone would just need to sweat it out! I felt really sorry for a couple of girls in the class as it was their first one and it didn't look like they would be back!

My older sister lives in the Adelaide hills out on the dirt roads so I used it as another opportunity to go for a run although I forgot just how many hills there are! Also I'm not really used to the cold in the morning, it was so foggy and I my legs felt numb half the time although I did get to see lots of Kangaroos and cows! Althoug I don't think I could live down there again, I just love the Sunshine too much.

I also got to spend a day hanging out with Dad helping him put together his business plan for his new business. Dad and my little sister have set up a Gallery in Lyndoch (Barossa Valley) and Dad is also into Photography and has set up his own studio and will be doing portrait work. So after a day of non-stop and a ideas we were both a bit brain dead! I don't think Dad knew what had hit him, with my million and one questions, the Sales & Marketing side of me came out in full force.

Then it was up super early on Wednesday to head back up to Cairns. It seemed to take all day to get back and I was glad to feel the warm sunshine again. Thursday I had to work (fly) and had another early start, up at 3am! Stayed with one of my best friends in Cairns and got to spend lots of time catching up which was great!

Yesterday I had a day off in Cairns and went for a big run to the beach and also a nice powerwalk up my favourite hill near our house in Cairns! It actually made me so home sick and I'm just hanging to get back to Cairns, I just love it up there and it's torture spending a few days up there each month although not being able to stay. I also had lunch with my buddy Paul on Friday and then an afternoon shopping, if I'd managed to sit by the pool for a bit it would have been the perfect day although just run out of time!

It was up early again this morning, a bit of a sleep in only had to get up at 4am! I've ended up in Sydney and I've struggled to get out of my room. I had these grand plans to hit the gym but I'm just so buggered. I've got another early start tomorrow, not too bad though only about 5am.

So that's been my week, all over the place and now I'm ready to go home, only 3 more days to go! Anyway I better get my butt out of this hotel room and go for a wander to the shops and hunt down some food, I'm hungry!

Hope everyone is having a fabulous weekend!

Yeah it's Friday!!!!

2008-10-24T16:12:00.002+10:00

I'm so glad it's Friday as this week just seems to be going forever!!!!! I've had some big ups and some big downs this week! I've been struggling a bit, too much time on my hands and a little bit lost as what to do!

At the moment I'm living in Mackay although hanging to get back to Cairns and all my friends! Don't get me wrong I've made some great friends here but it just isn't the same and I also want to get back into our house in Cairns and get our personal training studio set up. So this week with too much time to think I got a bit down! You'd think anyone would love lots of time to just do nothing, but for me that is torture, I'm so much happier when I have a goal and my life is flat out! Whereas at the moment I don't really have any set goals and just feel a little lost!

I'm also not feeling as great about myself as I would like to, still struggling a bit with the whole "eating normal" thing post comp. I've been trying to be too strict and end up just not staying on track at all! I've been trying to eat too little for the amount of training I do and I end up tired, grumpy and hanging for sweets. So I've kicked myself up the bum and I'm back to eating more, and I can't believe what a difference it makes, just today I haven't been thinking about food all day because I've actually eaten what I should! It's strange the things we do! I know that I should be eating more and then I would easily be able to maintain it and end up actually losing fat, whereas I've been trying to be so restictive thinking that if I can just be really good for a week or two I'll be feeling fantastic again! It's so not healthy and not good for the mind either. It's frustrating that comp can lead to so many issues with food. Because you feel so fantastic when you step on stage and all you remember is what you ate in the lead up so you are forever trying to feel like that again and end up screwing up your eating habits!

I'm not saying that I've put on heaps of weight or out of control with my eating but I definatley haven't found that nice balance with food yet! I'm trying to focus on building some muscle at the moment, which I know will require me eating enough food as starving myself and building muscle don't really go hand in hand. So I've switched my routine around a bit this week and focussing more on the weights and cutting back on my running. I've actually loved doing my weights this week and have been super sore. I'm still struggling to walk after my leg session on Wednesday followed by a 1 hour spin class on Thursday and I've only managed a powerwalk today instead of a run as I'm just too sore! Also just wondering if anyone out there takes creatine? Do you get bloated from it, or is that the old stuff? My hubby takes it and seems fine (well sort of, he, he) but I've always been a bit cautious, scared I'll puff up!

Anyway to snap me out of my low mood I'm heading to Adealaide on Sunday to catch up with my two sisters and Mum & Dad and then up to Cairns on Wednesday to see some friends and do a few flights for work!

So that's my exciting week, rather depressing really (sorry). Anyway better get my butt in the shower, hubby will be home soon and we are going out for some drinks!

Hope everyone has a fabulous weekend!

Love Hilds

What you can do if you believe in yourself!

2008-10-23T08:29:00.010+10:00

I just love my job! Especially when you get clients who believe enough in themselves to completley transform not only their physical appearance but their mindset! Above are a couple of pictures of a client of mine - Alexia, who just finsihed her 12 week program. Not only does Alexia look fantastic but she now loves doing weights and actually enjoys going for a run. I can't describe how good it is to help someone truly change the way they see themselves.

I sometimes think we all tend to underestimate the power of the mind and how much the way we think & see ourselves can affect what we will achieve in life! As most of you would know it's not some secret miracle diet or a fancy training plan but believing in yourself enough to truly believe you can change. I find the ones who succeed in changing their pysical appearance do so because they change the way the way they think first! If you keep telling yourself you can't change, you won't! Anyway I just wanted to say a "BIG WELL DONE" to Alexia, she has achieved what she never thought was possible, simply by changing the way she see's herself (& a lot of hard work!)

Anyway better keep going, lots to do today. While I'm home I try and get as much stuff done for Get Active Online as I can as when I'm flying I don't get a chance to do to much. At the moment I'm just in the progress of getting our website updated as we have lots of exciting stuff happening!

Have a great day! Love Hilds

PUFFY!

2008-10-20T10:24:00.002+10:00

That's how I'm feeling today, or maybe another word for it would be FAT! That's generally what happens after a weekend of eating crap! Yes a few treats turned into a whole weekend of treats, which doesn't really leave you feeling fantastic on Monday. You should have seen Cam & I last night, it was quite funny! After eating lots of yummy homemade Roasted Vegie Pizza, sounds kinda healthy but wasn't really, we could not sleep to save our lives. We went to bed about 10:30 knowing we had to get up at 5am to go to the gym, at 1:30am we were both still wide awake with super full bellies and feeling rather uncomfortable! It's amazing how much food affects you! It doesn't take more than a few days of crap food for me to actually want to eat well again. So I'm feeling sleepy, fat and very frustrated but moving forward and back onto the good food again. I went for a run before and got rained on but I wasn't letting a few rain drops stop me from trying to burn of at least half a slice of pizza (I've got a bit more running to do yet, he, he, he).

It's funny when I'm away I'm really good and not even tempted by a lot of treats but when I come home and the weekend hits it's always a struggle. It's because Cam & I have always used food as a way of relaxing and enjoying being home together, although always end up feeling worse for it afterwards. So this weekend we are going to try and slowly start to break the habit (yes, it's just a bad habit) and instead focus on doing things rather than eating!!!!!!

One thing I didn't do this morning is weigh myself, I'm still amazed at how many people have had a bad weekend, over indulged and still jump on the scale the next day, knowing full well that the number will have gone up and you will be holding a lot of extra fluid as well as a bit extra fat! I don't need a number to tell me I ate crap, I know I did & I also know what I need to do to feel good again, so why let a number ruin my day.

So anyway I'll keep you posted on how long it takes for me to feel back to "normal" again. I always say about three days but I'm curious to see how long it acutally takes.

Anyway better go do some work, enough procrastinating for one day!

MY APPETITE IS BACK!

2008-10-18T09:36:00.002+10:00

I'm feeling better and of course my appetite is back and as such I had a few too many treats yesterday! I was just so happy I could eat again that I induldged in a few too many chocolate coated fruit and nuts (they're my favourite). I wasn't planning on having them but as usual when they are in the house I just couldn't resist them and once that packet is open I just can't stop, I did manage to put them away and make my hubby eat half just so I didn't feel as bad!

We are having friends over tonight for drinks and nibbles and I went out and bought everything ready for tonight, silly idea! As once it's all in the house it's just a little too tempting to have some especially since I hadn't been able to eat much all week.

After being on the couch for the last three days after having some energy back I went a little crazy! I went to the gym and had a great weight session plus did 20 mins on the treadclimber (couldn't quite manage running just yet). Then I met up with a friend for lunch and then hit the shops. Finally made it home about 4pm and then started a cleaning frenzy and couldn't stop until 10pm. It's amazing how much there is to do when you start, I cleaned the oven, windows, skirtings, started on the bathrooms and then it all got a bit hard and I had to go back to my Chocolate coated Nuts (he, he).

So the weekend is here, god I love the weekends and I'm about to hit the gym and work off a couple of these chocolate nuts. I wanted to go for a run outside but it's just way to windy down here at the beach and I don't think I would get very far running.

Anyway time to stop procrastinating better go as the gym isn't open for too much longer!

POST COMP PROGRESS

2008-10-16T19:48:00.002+10:00

Another day on the couch!!!!!! I still haven't kicked this bug yet, I'm hanging to get back into training but even more so some variety in food. I've been living off muesli bars for the last 3 days, yeah I know not the most staple diet but its about the only thing that stays down and I can stomach at the moment. Hopefully I'll be back to normal tomorrow although I can't imagine I'll be up for a massive training session just yet!

On a positive note I'm in a good place after comp and have managed to stay within about 3kg of where I was on comp day. I'd still like to get down a couple more kilos as I wasn't super lean on comp day and should be able to maintain to close to where I was at. I've actually been avoiding the scales as I despise getting on them and letting a little number tell me how I should feel. So I've been just watching how the clothes fit and taking measurments and might only jump on the scale every couple of weeks. It hasn't been easy especially when I'm flying so I'm looking forward to get into some good eating & training routines while I'm home for the next couple of weeks. I keep thinking about wanting to compete next year although not quite sure if I have the right body for it! In the meantime I'll keep training hard, eating well and enjoying my health & fintess!

So between work and my Online Personal Training business I'm keeping really busy. I'm loving the online training and so inspired by so many of my clients who continue to make great changes. It's funny it seems the ones with the biggest obstacles seem to do the best, it's all about planning, prioritising and believing enough in yourself that you can change!

The new Womens Health & Fitness mag is out now and we have our very first ad in it! Oh how exciting!

Hope everyone is happy and healthy!

Love Hilds

SLACK BLOGGER!

2008-10-15T21:37:00.003+10:00

Ok so I've been slack! Still reading everyones blogs but not much posting going on. Isn't it strange how you put of things that will only take you a few minutes but you just keep putting it off! That's me and blogging!!!!!

So I'm back! Mainly because I've been couch bound for the last couple of days and bored out of my head! I'm not very good at relaxing at the best of times and especially not when I'm forced to do it.

On Monday I finally got home after 2 weeks of flat out flying. I was in Melbourne for the last week just flying from Melbourne to Perth every day, massive days. My life consisted of trying to fit in a quick run in the morning, get ready for work, go to work, on the aircraft all day and then back to my hotel room about 9:30pm only to do it all again the next day. So for a week I didn't see the outside world, so as you can imagine I was just hanging to get home.

Oh nearly forgot I got to see the INBA show in Brissie a week ago. It turned out that I had a night in Brissie when the comp was on. So after getting up at 3am and flying all over the place I managed to get into Brissie, quick shower and caught a bus out to Chandler to catch the 2nd half of the show! It was awesome, I got to catch up with the beautiful Di, Gerard, Cheryl & her lovely family and Christie. I love the motivation you get from going to a comp but mostly I love catching up with the amazing people I've met through this sport. I also got to meet Tara, who looked just amazing and finally got to meet Liz who was madly helping out all of her clients!

So I got home Sunday arvo and had a few drinks with my hubby. It's so nice to get home and be able to chill out, as when I'm away I don't really drink and am quite good with my nutrition and training. Strangely it's when I'm home and have all the opportunity in the world that I tend to pick and veer off track! Anyway back to why I'm couch bound, I seemed to pick up some kind of bug and was vomitting all monday night and not very good yesterday and slowly getting better today (I can finally eat again!). The good thing is I got in a great weight session on Monday before the bug hit. I trained with my hubby and I'm soooo sore, so kinda nice to have a couple of days off, althought already hanging to go for a big run!

So I'm home for a couple of weeks and looking forward to lots of time in the gym, sun and just enjoying life!

I'M BACK

2008-09-23T19:21:00.004+10:00

(this is just a few steps from our front door, nice!)

I'm just loving the weather at the moment! I'm actually home and getting to enjoy living on the beach. Most days I've been sneaking out of the office in the afternoon and getting about 40minutes just laying on the beach, its heavenly!

Today I'm feeling so so sore. I'm back into the straight set heavy weights and they are hurting! I'm actually enjoying my weights again at the moment as I seemed to have lost my mojo for a while there. I've discovered that I have to get all my training out of the way before lunch otherwise I just dread it all day! I have so much more energy in the mornings but tend to hit a bit of a wall in the afternoons. I've learnt to listen to my body and use the energy when I have it, so most afternoons I go for a walk, but it's more so to just wake me up and get me out in the fresh air.

I'm home until Saturday and then I'm back up to Cairns and off on a 4 day trip around the countryside!

Anyway just a quick one, my stomach is rumbling and I'm hanging out for my Barramundi, yummy!!!!

2008-09-17T16:49:00.004+10:00

I love Weddings!

2008-08-03T15:34:00.003+10:00

I just love weddings, they are so much fun! We went to a friends wedding yesterday and it was so nice. Awesome setting, great day, good group of people, yummy food and lots to drink, what more can you ask for! It's so nice watching a couple on such a high, the bride and groom truly had an awesome day as they had the day just as they wanted it!

So today I'm feeling a bit bloated from all the food and drink but I'm sure after a few days I'll be back to normal. I did do a lot of grooving on the dance floor last night although don't think it would have come close to burning of even half the calories I consumed, oh well it was all worth it. Cam even got up and was doing some (funky), well not quite sure what moves but he was moving on the dance floor alright!

So I'm all packed up ready to fly up to Cairns in an hour or so. I'm actually looking forward to heading off on my work trip as its been a while now and it will be good to get back into the swing of things, although not looking forward to the cold down south. I know Canberra is always cold and so is Melbourne and I'm sure Adelaide will be too! It's a bugger coz I can't pack much stuff as it's a six day trip but I can never check a bag on, so I'm a bit limited on clothes to take. Especially since I need 5 sets of training gear and my sneakers plus a lot of my food (protein powder/oats/ tuna etc), it doesn't leave much room for clothes!

I'll get to catch up with the family in Adelaide and lots of friends in Cairns so I'm really looking forward to the next couple of weeks. In saying that the social eating and drinking is about to get cut in half. If I'm going to get on stage in 8 weeks I need to get my act together and start making some serious progress! I've started to change my training around and have been challenging myself a bit more. I managed a couple of soft sand beach runs this week and geez it was hard, but strangely love the buzz I get out of pushing myself. So if I can just stay on track with my nutrition I should be alright.

Anyway better get moving, need to have a cuppa with the lovely hubby before I head off for 2 weeks!

Hope everyone is well, love Hilds

FEELING GOOD

2008-07-27T16:00:00.004+10:00

I'm feeling great at the moment, it's been two weeks since comp and I've managed to get back on track and I'm loving life! My weight and measurements are all pretty much where I was at the week before comp which I'm really happy with.

I'm right back into training and have actually been enjoying it, strangely loving my running at the moment (actually a bit addicted!), I even went for a run on Saturday morning after going out for a Hen's night on Friday and having some bevies (Cam thought I had lost it). I think I could be the new campaigner for exercise, it seriously is better than any medicine out there! I've realised recently that exercise for me is much more than about being fit, lean, healthy etc etc, I actually love exercise for my mental well being. It might sound a bit nutty but I'm such a happier person after a good run and just love those endorphins running through my body, I've got to the point now that I don't even think about not doing it as the mind games wouldn't be worth it.

I introduced some plyometrics into my routine last week (gotta get that wobbly bum in shape) and it hurt to sit all week (not good when I go to the toilet so often), I was still bloody sore by Friday. I've got to do it again tomorrow so I'm hoping I don't pull up as sore as it made my running and spin classes a bit difficult last week. So as usual the training is going along nicely although the nutrition is a bit up and down. I tend to be pretty good throughout the week but have been having one day on the weekend where I allow myself some treats, yesterday it turned into a few too many treats (still a work in progress). So I'm not sure how my day of treats will affect my progress but honestly at the moment I'm really enjoying being "normal" for a while. It's so nice to be able to have a piece of cake if you feel like it and not have to say no to everything. The good thing is I have found that after a day of foods I don't normally eat I'm ready to get back into the good clean food the next day...

So I would love to compete again at the Qld INBA State show in 10 weeks and then at the Nationals but I'm just going to see how the next few weeks pan out. If I can slowly drop a little weight over the next month then I might just do it as I will be in a good place, although I'm not quite prepared to get too strict just yet as I know that I couldn't maintain it, so we will just wait and see!

So all is good from me, I'm loving life and feeling fantastic. We have got lots of exciting things happening over the next few weeks. Tuesday we have friends arriving from Cairns for a couple of days, then more friends coming on Friday night, Saturday we have a big wedding to go to. Then on Sunday I'm off to Cairns for a 6 day trip on Monday, I've got 2 nights in Canberra, 1 night in Melbourne and 2 in Adelaide so I'll get to catch up with the family! Then I've got a weekend in Cairns to catch up with lots of friends, another 4 day trip to Canberra and Perth, home for my Birthday on the 16th and then 2 glorious weeks at home. I've planned a 70's Disco Party for the weekend after my Birthday, I just love theme parties and I love the 70's!

So lots of exciting stuff happening but have already planned all my training regardless of where I am, who says you can't be fit and healthy and live out of a suitcase!

Bye for now, love Hilds

Time to get back on track!

2008-07-20T13:59:00.007+10:00

Mmmmmm all my favourites!!!!

So it's been one week post comp and as I promised myself I've had a full week off from my nutrition plan. I've been a bit of a pig this week, having lots of treats and just enjoying myself socially but the day has come where it has to stop! So today I'm back on track, no more being a pig as if I want to compete in October I can't afford to keep eating crap! I wanted to have a whole week off training and nutrition although I've still been for 3 big runs and a couple of power walks as I just feel better mentally after a good workout! Although I made up for it on the food front, forgot how much I could eat!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm back into it today, went for a big run and the weights start next week! Nutrition is back on track, I'm actually a bit over all the crap food anyway, I'm looking forward to waking up feeling lean and hungry again (not bloated and sluggish!). I'll be tracking all my food in Calorie King and blogging a lot more just to help me stay on track.

So overall I'm feeling bloated and fat but strangely ok with it as I know after a full week of eating clean and training I'll be ok, I just need to make it through this next week and I'll be feeling a lot more confident with achieving my next lot of goals.

Anyway better keep moving, lots to do!

Love Hilds

I JUST LOVE EVERYTHING HEALTH & FITNESS!

2008-07-17T13:10:00.004+10:00

I must say I'm absolutely loving helping others with their Health & Fitness Goals. My online business Get Active Online is going great. One of my very first clients Lee Horton is this months WH&F Mags 12 Week Body Blitz Winner!

So since returning from Comp I've been pretty busy with business stuff, although loving every minute of it. A big thanks to everyone for their comments regarding comp, I just loved everything about comp day and might just do it again yet!

The big challenge at the moment is finding that balance. I've given myself a week of freedom, although struggling a bit with it all. I tend to have a day where I'm really good (trying to be too good most probably) and then a day where I just crave junk! I'm not stressing about it this week as I wanted to give myself a full week not to stress over it. I've managed to go for a couple of big runs and will try and fit two more in before the weeks out. I'm avoiding going to the "actual gym" this week as I need a break.

I would really like to give the Nationals a go in October but it means I'd have to get back into it on Monday (11 weeks out). If I decided to do it I'd want to be a lot leaner this time around plus really work on my stage presence and posing! I do get excited about the thought of doing it again although just wonder if I'll be able to get my mojo back (next week will tell!). I think I've discovered I'm a girl who needs a goal! If I don't have something to work towards I feel a bit lost, I don't know if it's a good or bad thing but it's me. My biggest concern in competing again was my wonderful hubby cam, but he just supports me 100% whatever I want to do so can't use him as an excuse. (Some more fun pics & me getting glued and makeup touch ups back stage, geez I felt like a princess for a day!)

Anyway better keep moving, the sun is shining and I've got some dirty cars to wash (how exciting, not!)

Thanks again to everyone in blog land, your all an amazing support and thanks again for your kind words!

Love Hilds

I've done it & I had the best time ever!

2008-07-15T20:25:00.006+10:00

I can't believe I've finally done it. After wanting to compete for so long I've finally achieved my goal & it was better than I could have ever hoped for.

The whole experience has just been so much fun and I feel so lucky to have met so many amazing people! I don't think the weekend would have been quite so good if we hadn't all stayed in the same place. From Friday onwards it was just fantastic sharing all the lead up and excitment of the day together. My biggest supporter and fan, my amazing hubby Cam didn't arrive until late Friday night after sitting at the airport all day trying to get a flight, he wasn't going to miss it for the world. So once Cam arrived the whole team was there, Di & Gerard, Shar & Paul, Vicki (Hair & Makeup superstar!), Cheryl & Christy, Jenny & her Mum Pat.

Saturday started with Hair & Makeup at early hours, but who can sleep the night before comp anyway! Then it was off to the show for registration and get ourselves sorted.

The first time I had to step on stage I was quite nervous but by the 6th time I was loving it! The day just flew by as there were 3 rounds in Sports Model and I basically had enough time to get changed and I was out there again. I can't even begin to thank everyone for all there help back stage, Vicki was truly amazing, she was there everytime ready to fix my hair and just help out (I felt like a superstar for a day!). Di was the best, without her and my amazing hubby I wouldn't have achieved my goal. Di made the whole process so much fun and nothing has ever been too much trouble. I just feel so lucky to have met and become friends with so many amazing people. Oh my god nearly forgot the cheer squad, you all made my day! I couldn't help but grin from ear to ear with all that cheering going on. THANKS!

My Comp goals were to step on stage and feel confident & to have fun & I well and truly had lots of fun! I know that I have a lot of improvements to make if I want to compete again but the goal this time wasn't about being the best, it was about feeling confident and proud about what 'I' had achieved and truly enjoying the experience. The bonus was I game 3rd in my round and got a trophy to take home. Initially I was quite intimidated by all the other competitors and felt way out of my league, but once I reminded myself I had done the best that I could I stopped comparing myself to everyone else and just enjoyed what I had achieved.

So for me, comp has been a fantastic experience. After comp the weekend was spent catching up with people and eating lots of yummy melbourne food! Oh and the coffee's, I don't know how many coffee's I had but they are sooooo good in Melbourne.

So I'm back home now and back on the good food, couldn't handle much more junk after eating flat out for 2 days. I even went for a run this morning and it felt fantastic! I've decided not to step near the scale for at least a week and then I'll see where I'm at.

I'm toying with the idea of competing in October although need to give it a couple of weeks to see where I'm at.

Anyway enough for one post. I've attached some pics, not the best quality but lots of fun shots!

Keep Smiling, Luv Hilds

I'm here!

2008-07-10T18:14:00.003+10:00

I've made it to Melbourne and it's bloody cold! I decided to come down a day early as flights were getting full due to school holidays and coz I travel on standby I didn't want to risk it on Friday. I'm just hoping Cam gets on a flight tomorrow.

So I'm just hanging out in my toasty apartment in town, I'm enjoying having the heaters going flat out and just relaxing. Although too much time on my own doesn't seem to be a good thing. I just tried on all my outfits for the comp and I'm not too happy with how I'm looking, I kinda felt better a week ago. I'm hoping once I've tanned up and Saturday arrives I'll be looking better. Obviously I've still got a lot of work to do on my legs and butt but I've done the best I could to get where I am now. It's hard coz I know I don't need to be super lean like the figure girls but it's hard not to compare yourself and next to a figure girl I still feel fat! Anyway enough of the negativity, I think I'm just starting to panic. I've got to keep reminding myself that I'm doing this for me and I've done everything I could to get where I am and I need to enjoy Saturday!

I'm so excited about tomorrow, Cam should get here along with Di & Gerard, I'll get to catch up with Shar and meet her hubby and Christy and Cheryl will also be coming in. I feel for the poor boys caught up in it all (although I don't think many blokes would mind being surrounded by bikini clad girls!).

Anyway that's it from me, most probably won't be checking in until after comp. Thanks Hilary & Selina for your well wishes and I promise photos as soon as I get back home.

Luv Hilds

4 DAYS TO GO!

2008-07-08T08:02:00.002+10:00

Wow how close is it now! I'm excited but getting a bit nervous now, worried about controlling my nerves on the day, will I look ok....... So many things, but overall I'm just excited, IT'S GOING TO BE SO MUCH FUN! My biggest goal is to have a blast and enjoy the moment! I still can't quite believe I'm going to finally do it!

I'm finding these last few days tough to say the least. I'm tired, having big cravings, sick of having no energy, generally look and feel like shit! You start to wonder how in 4 short days you are going to feel fantastic, I think one bite of chocolate would do it (he he he, already drooling at the thought).

So I've been keeping myself busy. Sunday was an AWESOME day, we went out for breakfast (I had herbal tea) and then I went on my first chopper ride! Some good friends own Whitsunday Helicopters and were nice enough to take us on a ride over the Gorges, dams and rain forest. We were hunting out cool camping sites, and we found plenty. I loved being in the chopper, so smooth and fun! Although felt a little queasy went we did a few crazy moves, but overall an awesome experience.

Yesterday I ran around like a headless chicken, getting all my comp goodies. I think I'm finally sorted and just need to find a way to fit it all in, I can't believe how much stuff I've got. Having three outfits to sort out plus the Sunday photo shoot is has taken some organising.

I hit the gym early today and got my training out the way as the pampering starts today. Firstly I need to get my waxing out the way and then this arvo it's time for a much needed Hair appointment, I'm hanging out, bring on that head massage!

Tomorrow is my final day of training and then it's off to get my nails done! In between I really want to clean the house. As after comp I'm off to Adelaide for a few days and when i get back I want to be able to finally relax with Cam in a nice clean place!

Anyway time to free this body of all signs of hair! OUCH.....

Keep Smiling, Luv Hilds

Buzzing......

2008-07-02T21:00:00.002+10:00

That describes me at the moment! I should be feeling shattered but instead I can't stop doing things buzzing about with too much energy for what I should have! I'm sure I'm just super excited as the last couple of nights I haven't been able to sleep well either.

I'm enjoying being on holidays for these last few days of comp prep, it is such a relief not to be flying. Although not all rest and relaxation, the business is going along nicely and keeping my just busy enough (don't want too much work for the next 9 days!). So everything is on track for Melbourne, I even started getting clothes out ready to pack (just a little excited). Just waiting on one of my costumes to be altered and everything is all organised.

I'm looking forward to next week as I get to do all the girly stuff. Have booked in to the Hairdresser, need to get my nails done, waxing and lots of time on the beach!!!!! Sounds like the perfect week, except no wine or chocolate.

Anyway nothing exciting happening here, just counting down the days.

Looking forward to meeting lots of bloggers soon.

Hilds

Struggling.....

2008-06-30T18:17:00.002+10:00

Oh my god I'm sooo hungry! I keep telling myself only 12 days to go, don't lose it now! It's funny how some days you just breeze through and others are a constant struggle. I'm sitting here just counting down the time until I can go to bed so I don't have to fight the urge to eat something I'm not suppose to.

I've done a bit extra training today, so that is most probably why I'm so hungry!!!!!! Geez I can't wait to have some energy and more food again. Anyway only 12 short days and it will all be worth it!

Today I've been planning all my catch up dates when I go to Adelaide after the All Female Classic. All my family and close friends are in Adelaide and I can't wait to catch up with them all, and I'll actually be able to have a glass of wine. I've learnt from past visits that it's best to organise it all before I go or I never have enough time to see everyone I want to. So it's looking like all my days are full and I should have a great week, as long as it's not too cold!

Anyway not much else happening with me, just trying to train as much as I can and keep my head out of the fridge.

See you all soon, Hilds

Pushing Through......

2008-06-28T13:02:00.003+10:00

Geez I've been a slack bogger this year! I've been loving reading every one's but when it comes to posting I have so much to say coz I've left it too long that it all seems to hard!!!!

Anyway 2 weeks to go and I'm counting those days!!!!! Had a fabulous weekend last weekend with the amazing Di. God that girl is an inspiration, she is so motivated but most of all so giving! Gerard is one lucky man, I kinda felt guilty going home to my poor neglected Cam who tends to fend for himself, especially at the moment with the little energy I have it doesn't necessarily get spent on him. Oh well not long to go and life should be little more normal.

So after my weekend away I was feeling so motivated and super excited about the show. I just want it to be here now and my biggest goal is to have "FUN" with it. It is going to be a great amazing opportunity to meet so many amazing people, I'll apologize in in advance if I forget names (a really bad trait of mine), please don't take it personally, I'm just really bad with names! (will work on it!).

Feeling a bit run down at the moment, got back from my weekend away with the razor blades in my throat, which is always a sure sign of a cold to come. Have managed not to get too sick, but haven't been feeling great. Especially since I picked up another trip which saw me fly out Tuesday night, fly around the country and get back late last night feeling very very average! Too many early starts, not enough sleep and no cooked food! Anyway I'm back at home and managed a spin class this morning, maybe shouldn't have been there but this close to comp I couldn't bear the thought of not training! Also I checked my weight this morning and no movement, although cm's are still coming down nicely. Wasn't expecting much weight movement this week as I had a massive drop last week although was still secretly hoping!

Anyway better keep moving, need some food for the fridge and it's house cleaning day today! (oh joy).

14 DAYS TO GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So much going on!

2008-06-17T07:55:00.006+10:00

It seems that when things happen they tend to happen all at once. I can't believe it's only Tuesday and we have had so much exciting news already!

Can't reveal all just yet but things are finally looking really positive!

So less than 4 weeks to go until Comp time, I'm starting to count down the days now. I'm very excited about it all and also looking forward to getting my life back. At the moment I seem to live in sweaty gym clothes, constantly preparing food and generally just thinking about comp. This weekend I'm off to see the fabulous Di! I can't wait to get some tips from the pro, as I need as much help as possible getting my confidence up on stage! So with everything about comp at the moment it hasn't left time for my new business venture!

For a while now I've been in the process of setting up Cam's and my own online personal training site & yes it's finally up and running! Check it out www.getactiveonline.com , obviously it's a work in progress but it's so exciting to be finally following my dream. I can't wait to help others reach their health and fitness goals and generally just feel better about themselves. So I've got 6 weeks off from Flying and I will be busy getting things off the ground!

Anyway time to get these sweaty gym clothes off, just finished my spin class and geez I'm feeling it today! (might need a nana nap before my arvo cardio sessions).

Keep Smiling everyone!

Luv Hilds

I'm doing it!

2008-06-11T12:06:00.003+10:00

Well no point avoiding it any longer, for a while now I've been training my ass off and eating well in the hope of making it to the INBA All Female show in July! Today it's officially 1 month out and as freaked out as I am there is NO WAY I'm not making it to that stage in July!

I've had the help of gorgeous Di from Fabulous figures getting me prepared (& just listening to all my whinging along the way!). I have decided to give the Sports Model Division a go!

At the moment I have the constant mind games going on, one day I'm feeling great and can see myself making it and the next I can't imagine how this huge ass of mine is ever going to shrink enough for me to feel good about getting on stage. For me I just really want to do this to prove to me that I can! It scares the hell out of me and the thought of standing on stage freaks me out (I'm nervous just thinking about it now!), but for some bizarre reason I really really want to do this!

So 1 month to go! I've got one more trip to Japan to survive tomorrow and then I have a few weeks at home to burn some serious fat! I've done a few overseas trips lately and I'm really struggling with the lack of sleep. Yesterday I got back from Japan, had two hours sleep and felt like crap all day! Anyway only 1 more to go and then there are no excuses for not being 110% with my nutrition and training!

Today I've managed to get my weights out of the way nice and early and backed it up with an RPM class. Geez I burned some calories this morning! I've got a big run to go this arvo and I'm all done for another day, one day at a time!

Anyway time for a coffee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Luv Hilds

Busy, Busy, Busy...

2008-05-20T18:34:00.003+10:00

Well it's been a while! I've been flying all over the countryside but finally home for a week or two.

At the moment I'm part time flying (flight attendant) and fly about two weeks out of the month. As I'm now living in Mackay I still have to fly up to Cairns for work but tend to do longer trips so I don't have to go up too often.

This month I had my worst nightmare happen to me! I got the dreaded phone call at 4:50am asking where I was as my flight was leaving in 40 minutes!!!!!! Geez I thought an interval run was hard, but have you tried getting ready, packing bags for a 6 day trip, driving to the airport, running to the terminal (all with a head cold) in 40 minutes!!!!! Well, let me tell you it's bloody hard, but possible. It's amazing what you can do on adrenaline, I couldn't imagine not making it and having a aircraft full of people stuck because I slept in.......

Anyway got that trip out the way and got to come home for two days to participate in "Relay for Life". It is such a great event, and amazing to see everyone get involved. It really hits home that Cancer can hit anyone and it felt good to be helping in a very small way.

So after a couple days home, I was back up to Cairns to go to Japan, not once but twice in one week. Geez I haven't done a Japan for a while and I sure don't miss the lack of sleep on the way home. Although I did enjoy Japan, managed to go for a great walk and do some stair sprints with a fantastic temple as the back drop! So anyway landed home on Saturday a very very tired tiger. I contemplated flying straight to Brissie for the comp but didn't think I'd be looking or feeling too flash, and I don't think it would have been a great look sleeping at a Body Building Comp. So very annoyed I didn't make it, but completely inspired by everyone who competed (more pics everyone, you can't post too many pics!).

So back home, doing lots of training and enjoying being in one place for more than two days!

Well enough rambling for one post, time to eat!!!!!!!!

Love Hilds

Entertainment at the gym.........

2008-04-30T19:34:00.002+10:00

There's many reason we all choose to go to the gym, I love the feeling I get AFTER a great workout. Some people love the different classes or just having some time out from the kids. Well I've discovered a new reason to go to the gym! Pure entertainment! Man I could just sit in the corner for hours and watch all of the funny little things that everyone does. Everyone seems to have their little habits or special routines they like to do. I'm not saying there is anything wrong with it, it's just some leave me feeling a little bewildered. There is this one lady who goes to my gym who insists on cranking the treadmill up on full incline and then at a running speed hangs on to the handles for dear life and runs. It's just the funniest thing to watch, it looks like her arms are going to snap off at any time! Anyway at least she's out there doing stuff (or maybe just out there!).

Anyway I'm loving my spin classes at the moment! I'm truly hooked, i just wish my gym had more on. I find it so much easier to really push myself in a class environment. My training has been going great, although today I woke up with a cold. Don't really know where it came from but have felt rotten all day. I'm not very good at being sick, so have been bored out of my head all day just hoping a good day of rest will help me to get back on track asap. I've been a good girl and haven't trained today. I still put my training gear on this morning and contemplated it for a good couple of hours, although after realising how much I was struggling to just walk around the house I figured going to the gym was a very bad idea.

I'm flying up to Cairns to start my next 6 day trip on Friday. It's a pretty cruisy trip so I should be fine to go! I'm hoping I can train tomorrow but will just have to wait and see how I feel in the morning. It's strange how much I hate missing my training sessions, don't get me wrong I love having a day of here and there but when I can't train it really annoys me.

Anyway better get organised and bags packed to head of tomorrow. Hope everyone is having a fabulous week!

Cheers, Hilds

Back to normal!

2008-04-19T21:21:00.004+10:00

I just realised how long it had been since I have blogged. I suppose when your feeling down you don't really want to keep whinging about it!

The good news is I'm back to normal (if there's such a thing). And wow is it great to feel human again. I can finally fit back into my clothes again and my moods are back on track. It's amazing when you start to talk to other people about what your going through you find so many others who have experienced something similar. So after many weeks of hormonal hell I'm feeling great. Training is going great guns and nutrition is good. I've been pretty busy flying around with work the last 3 weeks but am happy to say i'm at home for 2 1/2 weeks now. Lots of exciting things happening at the moment, but will save that for another post.

Keep Smiling! Hilds

Things are looking up....

2008-03-04T20:08:00.002+10:00

I finally feel like things are getting better. The last few days I feel I have been in control of my moods so much more. On Friday I went to see a Naturopath who specializes in women's hormones. I felt so much better after leaving as I could start to understand why I have been feeling so down. So I'm taking a couple more supplements which should help level my hormones out. Already I'm noticing a difference and I have lost a lot of the puffy feeling. I've also managed get stuck right into the training and have been loving my spin classes and long walks in the arvos. As much as I dread it on most days, just getting out in the fresh air in the afternoons helps my mood so much. I'm also tracking my moods to see if there is certain things that affect it and just to help me become more aware of my monthly cycle (whenever I get one!)

I'm of tomorrow, up to Cairns and then of to Sydney on Friday. I've got my dreaded Emergency Procedures training, I can't wait until its all over (bring on Friday afternoon!). Then I've got another week at home before my next trip. Must say I'm loving being part time. Anyway better get organised, I've got to get some songs to put on Cam's ipod as mine isn't working and I can't cope without and ipod. Cam's idea of music to train to and mine are very different (he might get a shock when he uses his ipod next time!).

Anyway just wanted to say a big thank you to everyone who left a comment, it has helped so much just hearing other people's experiences. It's great to know your not alone. THANK YOU.

Love Hilds

Hormones and Depression

2008-02-27T11:06:00.003+10:00

Oh my god sometimes I just wish I wasn't a woman! The last couple of weeks my hormones have been completely out of control. After 15 years I decided to go of the pill, not realising what a complete nightmare it would be. The last couple of weeks I've been so depressed, crying all the time for no apparent reason, forgetful, tired and just not at all myself! My poor new husband! (I think he has had moments where he was wondering why we got married!).

At the best of times I struggle not to slip into depression and rely heavily on exercising and eating well to keep me in a good frame of mind but with the change in hormones even that hasn't been enough. I went to the Dr the other day and was a blubbering mess and I was informed I'm depressed! Well I knew that, but what can I do to fix it! I pretty much know I have to exercise, eat well, think positive thoughts just to stay on track, but it is so so so frustrating when you are so down and there isn't a real reason for it.

Many of my family suffer from depression and up to now I was hoping that by living the way I do I could avoid it. My sister has got to a point where she relies on anti depressants and until seeing what dark places she got into I always thought there was so many other options. I still believe that for so many the benefits or a good clean diet and regular exercise are amazing although when it gets to the point you cannot function in your daily life then I do believe that medication can assist. In saying that I'm trying to keep positive and have been exercising lots, eating so well and taking every supplement known to man!

Although even with all the healthy living I am successfully putting on a kilo each week! I think (hope) a lot of it has to do with my hormones being out of control and not having a period since being of the pill. I just feel so puffy and fat that it is a depressing vicious circle.

Anyway just needed to get that of my chest. If there is anyone out there who has experienced anything similar I would love to hear from you.

For now I will keep positive and in saying that I'm of to the gym for session number two today (gotta do something to make me feel good!)

Love Hilds

Hooked on FACEBOOK

2008-02-14T19:05:00.002+10:00

I never thought I would be one to get hooked on something like facebook. The last couple of days I've been amazed at how many friends I have found through facebook. Its been great seeing pics of all your old school friends and seeing where everyone is at. Although it hasn't been too good for me achieving my massive TO DO LIST.

Is anyone else out there a bit of a list freak. Each day I have to have my list of things to do, I rarely get it all done but without my list I feel a little lost. I've found after getting back from holidays I'm finding it really hard to get my mojo back!

I used to get up at 5am to do my workouts and would rarely miss one although this week I've been struggling to get up at 8am and have been up to midnight most nights. Don't know what's happening but can't wait to be an early riser again, I seem to get so much more done.

Just heard that Cam & I are off to Airlie Beach for 2 nights on Sunday. I can't wait I haven't even spend a night with Cam yet as he is on afternoon shift this week. I haven't been to Airlie for years so if will be great just to get away for a couple of days. Also next weekend we are off to Adelaide as its Cam's Dad 60th. I really don't think I'm meant to sleep in the same bed for more than a week.

Anyway stomach is rumbling, time for a big juicy salad!

Love Hilds

So good to be home....

2008-02-12T17:35:00.000+10:00

I'm finally home after two weeks of flying all over the place. It was a bit of a shock to the system going straight back to work after only 2 days at home. I ended up doing a 6 day trip to Singapore, with lots of flying back and forth. On one day we flew from Singapore to Perth and back to Singapore, it was a very long day. So anyway all the hard work is over and I'm very very happy to be home until the end of February.

I am no longer working at the gym as I was just getting way too tired to fit it all in. So now I have heaps of time to get stuck into my many exciting goals for 2008.

This year I will be getting stuck into my own business (will reveal all once it is all finalised). Keeping up with my fitness and trying to get a bit leaner and fitter. I also need to complete my cert 4 (nearly there, I have just been dragging out the last little bit!).

I've also gone of the pill after about 15 years so I'm looking forward to seeing if I even get a proper cycle and getting myself ready to have a baby! Its kinda freaky thinking about having a baby but we can't keep putting it off forever. So were not trying right now (just practicing!!!) but later in the year we will most probably try. Its kinda funny that you put so much thought into wether to have a child or not and its quite possible that you can't, but we will cross that road if it comes.

So I'll be focussing on getting myself fit and healthy and in a good place before we think about having a bub. I'm seriously starting to get clucky although quite scared at the same time (I think about all that will change a little bit too much). I've downloaded this ovulation calender and its pretty groovy coz it tells you when you should/shouldn't be having sex, it says it can also help you determine what sex your baby will be (no idea if this works but sounds interesting).

Anyway I got back to the gym today as I have only been doing bits and pieces over the last few weeks. I did legs on friday and geez I have been sore the last few days. I don't think I have ever been this sore, ever, I could barely walk up the aisle on the aircraft and had to fall into bed as it hurt too much to bend, even had to lower myself on the loo (you know your in a bad way when that happens), I felt like I had done some serious damage. I should learn to ease back into things, although I do love getting Doms as you know you have trained hard. So back on track and hopefully the holiday weight starts to come off. I'm always a bit bigger after a good holiday but I expect it now (I like to truly relax on holidays!) and just know it will take me a few weeks to feel back to normal again.

Anyway enough rambling for one day!

Love Hilds

BEWARE LONG WEDDING POST!

2008-02-01T20:07:00.000+10:00

The Italians!

I'M MARRIED!!!!!!!!!!!

And wow what an amazing time it was. I still can't believe that we had so many friends and family come all the way to Thailand to help us celebrate getting married!

We had the best day ever, I could do it over an over again.

It wasn't your typical wedding! I saw Cam the morning of the wedding and we hung out and had breaky and caught up with some friends. I was maybe a bit too relaxed and didn't start getting ready until way way too late. So I was a bit flustered when my hair wouldn't go right (95% humidity and a broken aircon didn't help!). So with my makeup melting of my face and my hair that wouldn't hold a curl to save its life I wasn't feeling too flash! The funny thing is as soon as I saw Cam and we were all on the boat I couldn't have cared less (wouldn't have mattered how my hair turned out anyway, as once I got on the speed boat it went everywhere anyway!). I couldn't stop smiling and just had the best day ever!

We caught a speedboat over to Bamboo Island, which is just off of Phi Phi Island. We ended up getting there a bit early, so when we arrived at Bamboo there were still a few Day Tripper tourists on the beach. It turned out to be the funniest part of the day, as we were all getting of the boat everyone (50+ people) on the beach started cheering and clapping (by the way we weren't even married yet!). I think they thought we were famous or something because I have never seen so many cameras in all my life. We were getting photos with old italian men in their speedos (nice!), their children and whoever else they could throw at us. Don't quite know what I was thinking getting married in the heat of the day in Thailand, I was just glad I'd had a couple of champas before arriving!

So it was lots and lots of pictures a very funny ceremony where our celebrant Noi could not pronounce my name to save his life (it was quite entertaining). I thought I would have been a blubbering mess but it turned out I was having too much fun and had troubles to stop laughing.

So the wedding day was just perfect!

Although all didn't go too well in the lead up. On the way to Thailand we lost our bags (first crying session). Our flight to Phuket was delayed, meaning we missed the ferry to Phi Phi, wasted a nights accommodation and had no where to stay in Phuket. The room we booked on Phi Phi was right near the pool, which is fine but also right near the noisy bar, most nights didn't get to sleep until 2am, lucky we were drinking every day!

Because some guests were only arriving a couple of days before the wedding we decided to have the combined Hens/Bucks night (I know not traditional to have them together but lots of fun!) on the Saturday night and the wedding was on the Monday. We drank to who knows what time, went swimming fully clothed and danced on the beach all night, it was soooo much fun. So Cam was half dead all day Sunday, I was sorta coping but not too well. Thank god for an amazing sister and some great friends who got all my crap together for me. You plan to eat well and exercise right up until your wedding day, well I think I did the opposite. I didn't want to regret not enjoying every minute with our family and friends in Thailand, so I did enjoy every minute!

We ended up having to change our honeymoon accommodation due to making sure we got to spend time with everyone. So the amazing place we were suppose to stay wasn't free on the dates we needed so we stayed in Krabi instead. It was an amazing resort although they had a French Conference group there who had big party/bands on every night (lucky we got room moved). Then on the way home we couldn't get any accommodation in Singapore so we had to spend the whole night hanging in Changi airport (2nd crying episode!).

All in all it was a big adventure and the best part is that the wedding couldn't have been better if we wanted it to be! Just might need another honeymoon.

So on to an exciting year. I have so many plans, both personal and business wise this year (but I'll save that for another post!).

Will visit everyones blogs soon, have been outta the loop for too long.

Lots of Love Hilds

2007-12-15T08:42:00.000+10:00

NEARLY FORGOT, GOT THIS PIC THE OTHER DAY. IT IS WHERE WE ARE HAVING COCKTAILS AFTER THE WEDDING CEREMONY, HOW PERFECT!

Counting down the days!!!!

2007-12-15T08:03:00.000+10:00

Geez I'm hanging out for a holiday! I don't think I have ever left it this long without having a proper break and its killing me!

Had a sickie on Monday as I was feeling like death, after a manic week last week I think I got a little run down. After my Japan flight I ended up getting stranded in Townsville as our aircraft broke down. So I hadn't slept, was in my smelly uniform with everyone staring at me as I'm trying not to fall asleep in the airport lounge (not a good look in Qantas uniform). So anyway only got an hours sleep in total and I wasn't a happy camper! Then I had to be back at work in the gym the next day, not good. So anyway I survived (sort of) and made it to the weekend where I decided getting pissed and eating heaps of crap would make me feel better, didn't really work but the good news is I've had a great week this week, eating clean and training hard!

I'm just kinda at the point now where I'm happy to go to Thailand looking however as I am just so excited about getting married and having a big holiday with our family and friends. So I've just been trying to limit the social functions as there seems to be so many at the moment and I just really can't be bothered. Piked out on two functions last night and went to bed at 8:30 instead. Feeling heaps better for it and just went for a 50min run and 40min beach walk, now its breaky time!

Having quite a few ups and downs at the moment as I'm struggling with working so much and really need to make some serious changes next year as I'm just getting burnt out. But I don't really want to make any decisions just yet as I know after a good holiday I will have a better perspective on things!

Have posted some pics, the one of me and Cam is at the gym Chrissy Party, oh nearly forgot to mention the gym I work at "City Fitness" just won Queensland Fitness Facility of the year (pretty cool!). The other two pics of me are taken out the front of our place in Mackay, loving living on the beach!

Anyway better go, lots to do as usual.

Lots of love Hilds

Getting so so excited!

2007-12-03T12:53:00.000+10:00

Well here I am sitting back in Japan, it feels like forever since I've been here! I think my last trip must have been back in August. So I'm just using my day here to get super organised for the wedding.

We still or should I say I still have so much organising to do, wedding planning definitely isn't a favourite thing for men to get involved in. Cam is just now starting to get excited, its so funny I get excited so far out where as it isn't until Cam is sitting on the airplane that he seems to get excited. So for him to seem excited this far out is a very good sign, he he. It was funny as on the weekend he was trying to explain our travel/wedding plans to his Mum who lives in Thailand and he really had no idea! I had to get on the phone and explain where we were going to be when. I'm glad we are not having a big flash wedding as I can imagine it would be an absolute nightmare to organise.

I'm very excited that we have decided to do exactly what we want. We have about 20 or so family and friends heading over to Phi Phi Island Thailand for our wedding. The day will be very casual and hopefully lots and lots of fun. The plan is that we will be getting picked up by speedboats from Phi Phi and taken to Bamboo Island where they will have set up for the ceremony as it will be much quieter over there. After all the formal stuff its straight into champagne on the beach and back on the boats to go to the Coconut Beach Bar for lots of Cocktails, food and dancing. We have no formal dinner, speeches cake or anything (we sound slack, dont we!), but we just didn't want anything formal coz its just not us!

So anyway just need to finalise all the little things and better book some flights soon. So 6 weeks from today I'll be getting ready to get married, oh how exciting. So another 5 weeks until we fly out. So I'm still training hard and slowly getting there. I've really tightened up my nutrition for the next three weeks while I don't have too much stuff on. Its been pretty hard with all the Chrissy parties and stuff but I've just been doing the best I can. I'm feeling pretty good at the moment but just need to really tighten things up for the next couple of weeks.

I'll be flying all over Christmas and have a 5 day trip starting 5am Chrissy morning. So I know that week will be tough as I always struggle after early starts and especially 5 in a row plus trying to fit in a bit of Chrissy celebrations. So I won't be home for Christmas but wasn't too fazed this year as I start my holidays on the 31st of December. The good news is I will be flying in to Adelaide on Boxing day and will be able to catch up with all the family (as tired as I will be!). So I'm being a very good girl at the moment as I know that Chrissy will be hard and I'm running out of time. Although in saying that I'm pretty happy with where I am at and should be feeling even better by the time we fly out. Will post some progress pics when I get some time to download some pics.

Anyway enough rambling for one post. Sorry for my lack of posting life is just a little frantic as usual and we have only just got broadband on (dialup isn't much fun!).

Well bye for now better try and rest up as I'm flying throughout the night and not used to that anymore, don't think I'll be a happy camper tomorrow.

Cheers Hilds

9 weeks to go!!!

2007-11-04T15:17:00.000+10:00

Ok so its crunch time! I've only got 9 weeks until we head over to Thailand to get married. Obviously I want to look and feel fantastic for my wedding but for some reason I just can't seem to get my shit together at the moment. I've been training really hard and eating really well most of the time, although when the weekend hits I seem to really struggle. Friday night and Saturday were pretty average food wise this week and I feel like I am constantly taking a step backwards as soon as I start to make some progress. You'd think having the wedding so close would keep me motivated but I just can't seem to stay on track for more than a week!

So anyway here I am back blogging hoping it will keep me a bit more accountable. In my first week I managed to get rid of about 10cm although too scared to take my measurements this week as I feel like a puffer fish after all the carbs I've had. Anyway will check them tomorrow and will start blogging my progress to keep me on track. Well now I've got that of my chest, the rest of my life is going really well. I'm managing to combine part time flying with working in a gym when I am not flying. I'm enjoying the variety at the moment, although not used to have so little time to myself and getting up at 5am for training is killing me!

Well anyway will update soon with progress reports and maybe even some pics if I'm feeling brave.

Hope everyone is having a fantastic weekend!

Hilds

I'm Back..........

2007-09-30T18:44:00.000+10:00

Well I survived, just.......

The last two months would have to go down as the hardest months of my life ever! As you know I was all set to step on stage in October, but due to so many challenges thrown at me I had to make the decision not to compete. I would love to be saying I will be up on stage in a weeks time although unfortunatley I will have to take another bash at it later down the track, preferably when life isn't so out of control.

So August was hell! I started out trying to fit in comp prep with moving and changing jobs, which I was coping with just. Although it all got a bit too hard when a close member of my family was diagnosed with Multiple Scelrosis, then 2 days later my Auntie died and then a week later another close member of my family was in hospital with heart problems. Somehow I managed to get through it all, its amazing how special family is in hard times. Cam has also been amazing and I'm sure found it very hard knowing that a lot of the times I was alone in Cairns.

I don't normally take too much notice of my stars but for the month of August they were spot on. " LEO, This is potentially one of the most important months you'll have for the next 30 years. Once August is over, the planet of hard lessons and obstacles, Saturn, will leave your sign. You'l have passed through one of the hardest levels of life ever. Your hard work and any problems of the past few years have left you older and wiser."

So I've survived and things are looking great. I can finally see that light shinning at the other end of the tunnel. With all that has happened one of the most positive things is that you really appreciate everything you have and really want to make the most of every day!

I have decided to go part-time flying, so as of October I will be part time (yee-ha). I have now officially moved to Mackay and will hopefully be down here more than I am away! I've still been jettsetting all over the place and can't remember the last time I was in the same place for more than three nights but at least I can smile about it now.

Health and fitness wise, I have managed to maintain a good training routine although nutrition has left a lot to be disired. I normally have a few good days followed by a few really bad days! So tommorrow is the D Day. The time has come to get serious and get my butt looking hot for my wedding in Thailand in January. So I'll be back blogging a lot more as I need every bit of motivation I can get at the moment.

So here is to a great October!

Break from Blogging for a while

2007-08-28T17:02:00.000+10:00

Just taking a bit of a break from blogging for a while. Still reading lots of blogs just not posting at the moment! Be back soon........

Bring on January and holidays!

2007-08-19T17:40:00.000+10:00

Well this month would officially have to go down as one of my hardest months ever!!!!!!

I know that there is a light at the end of the tunnel somewhere although I'm really struggling to see it just now. So this week hasn't been the best. The good things were I managed to get the furniture moved down to Mackay, so at least Cam has a bed to sleep on. Although it meant that my Birthday was spent waiting for removalists, who seem to always be late! So now I'm in Cairns with no bed and an empty house although hopefully not here for long.

Anyway the last couple of days would officially be classed as shit! On Friday night we flew back to Cairns from Mackay. We had to go the long way home (via Brissie) coz there were no seats on the direct flights! We got back home about 11pm and crawled into bed about 1am. I was on call from 4am - 4pm on Saturday so I was just praying that I didn't get called to fly out. Although at 4am the phone rang and I had to be in at work by 5am! Well I was a bit of a walking zombie yesterday and purely survived by eating shit all day (I'm a big time emotional eater!). So on top of it all I had two lots or really bad news!

So anyway I've stopped eating shit today and made myself go for a run this morning and aiming for a few days of good eating, exercise and lots of sleep! I'm of to Melbourne on Wednesday for 8days training. Then I'm planning on surprising Mum for her 60th Birthday on the 29th. She doesn't know I'm coming over but thought while I was in Melbourne I might as well make the quick trip over to Adelaide for the night (she will be sooo happy!). And then finally after two weeks away I'll get to see Cam for a day or so. So life is busy at the moment and I'm coping and I know that things will get better week by week! So here's to tomorrow and a great day!

Moving onwards & upwards!

2007-08-11T09:29:00.001+10:00

Things have been hectic, but going really well this week. I've managed to cram in back to back Japan trips, plus organise the house to be moved and done all my training!

I'm just in Osaka at the moment and went for a big run plus 20 minutes of stairs at the amphitheatre. I am still recovering as it was stinking hot at 6am, thought I'd get going early and I'd be ok, but the sun was out and beaming. So my face is still a beetroot and I'm just waiting to cool down before I jump in the shower.

I'm feeling much better about everything this week. My head is in a better place and starting to feel like things will eventually get a bit calmer. Since I've decided not to compete I have had mixed feelings, I feel relieved but at the same time a little lost. Di has been fantastic support through it all and has made the whole decision making process a lot easier. I was really concerned with letting her down and will miss the contact as she is a great trainer, but I just honestly didn't want to be only putting in 70%, as if I'm going to compete one day I want to be able to put everything in to it, and unfortunately right now I have higher priorities. Although in saying that I'm still training hard and following my nutrition plan (maybe not quite as strict some days but trying!). So I'll keep going along strong and doing the best I can each week and see where it gets me.

I am heading down to Mackay for my Birthday on Thursday and the great news is that all the furniture should arrive that day. I'm so excited as I can't wait to move into our new place as it is in such an awesome location. I have never lived right on the beach before, I'm already looking forward to doing some beach runs. There is also a big park next to us with some awesome stairs and a running track, so I'm set!

Will post some pics when I can get my hands on the camera. Cam has been taking lots of snaps of him in the helicopter and out on the ships. He is loving his new job, so it makes it all worth it to see him so happy! Can't wait to finally move, not long now!

Have a great weekend everyone and thanks for all the comments! Love Hilds

What a weekend!

2007-08-08T10:35:00.000+10:00

Not quite as planned but a lot of stuff got sorted out this weekend. As you know I was hanging out to go and visit Cam and try and find our new home in Mackay.

So I got down Thursday arvo and finally saw Cam which was awesome! I spent Friday going around town checking everything out and went to all the gyms in town and had a sneak peak at what was available. By the end of Friday we had been approved on our first choice place to live. It was such a relief as I had my heart set on living at the Marina although our choices were limited, anyway we got an awesome Villa on the beach. So Friday night we celebrated and went out to dinner and even had a few drinks (all approved by Di!). So I was on a bit of a high on Friday. Although Saturday was a different story, overnight I had turned into this grumpy, moody depressed person. I was a bitch all day and really couldn't seem to snap myself out of it. I was ruining my only time with Cam for the next couple of weeks and was getting more frustrated by the minute as all I wanted to do was be settled in one place and just be happy. Although the more I thought about things the harder it all seemed.

The plan was while I was trying to compete, to stay in Cairns and keep all the furniture (gym stuff) so at least I had a base. As its hard enough trying to fit in an overseas trip each week and prepare all of my food and do my training without trying to stay at a friends house before and after trips. So I thought it was best to keep the house in Cairns until I competed. Although this meant that when Cam moved into the place in Mackay he would have no furniture (nothing) until October! It also meant I wouldn't see much of Cam and would mainly be living in Cairns by myself.

So after a very emotional day on Saturday I took some time to work out what was most important to me. Obviously it wasn't even a process as I new regardless of everything I just wanted to be where my partner is and start our new life together, not Cam in Mackay and me in Cairns!

So as hard as its been I have decided I will not be competing in October as I just know I cannot honestly put in 100%. There will be some weeks coming up when I will not be able to fit in all my training and I don't want to feel so guilty about it that it effects everything in my life. I am also changing employers in September and as such I have two weeks full time training in Melbourne in 2 weeks time, over this time I am in a hotel room and trying to cram as much study in as possible so I can pass. Also with my new employer I have a lot less control over my rosters and we have new flying patters so I don't even know where I will be flying or if I will get certain days of. So all of this has been stressing me out. I had always known that things were going to be hard and that I would deal with it as the time came. And I suppose that is what I am doing now. I never ever expected to be making this decision after my weekend with Cam as I have been feeling fantastic and noticing some good changes. Although at the end of the day my relationship, mental and physical health is the most important things to me. So I've had to tell myself I can't always do everything that I want.

So after a bit (that's an understatement!) of a binge on the weekend, I've pulled myself together and back into the training and eating well! It took Monday and Tuesday to get rid of those sugar cravings and get my motivation back. You forget how shit you feel after a binge session, it will take me at least this week to feel good again. But the good news is that my motivation is back and I'm just in Japan waiting for the gym to open so I can get an awesome cardio session out of the way.

So the removalist is booked for next Tuesday. I get back on Thursday from Japan and will be madly packing as I'm of to Japan again on Friday back on Sunday and have to have the house all packed up by Tuesday. Then I'm down to Mackay on Wednesday for my Birthday on Thursday (staying in our new place with absolutely no furniture) and then back to Cairns on Friday! Oh what a busy week, but at least I'm smiling about it now.

I nearly wasn't going to post this update as Its sometimes so easy to only post the positive things, although I feel so much better for getting it all of my chest.

Hope everyone is healthy and happy!

Love Hilds

I'm still alive!

2007-07-30T10:08:00.000+10:00

I'm back! Have been a bit slack on the blogging front, reading lots of blogs just not posting much. So much has been happening I don't even know where to begin.

Firstly I had an absolute ball in Melbourne, loved watching the show and couldn't have asked for a better room mate! It was fantastic to meet Di in person and she is even more lovelier than I imagined. I also got to meet so many others (Sue, Jodie, Selina , Ali, Kerry, Nat, Kelly and I 'm sure more!). I felt a bit bad coz I really didn't get to chat to anyone much as I was so engrossed in watching the show and trying to work out if I could really do this.

Anyway I'm still going ahead, planning on stepping on stage in Oct 6 Brissie INBA show. At the moment I'm having massive up's and downs with it all (poor Di has to listen to it all!). Some days I feel on top of the world, really feeling like I am making changes and can see myself up on that stage. Where as other days I feel fat and frumpy, don't feel like I will be ready in time and why am I even bothering with it all (as I definitely don't feel like sports model material). Anyway aside from it all I am just taking every day as it comes and trying to do the best with the day at hand and hopefully all these baby steps will get me closer to where I want to be. I've worked out that my biggest struggle is when I am sleep deprived, my mood plummets, I struggle to stay on track with my nutrition and training is the biggest effort known to man. I'm slowly learning though that normally it only lasts for a day and as soon as I have a good nights sleep I'm on top of the world again. Will post some progress pics when I feel brave enough! (not for a few weeks yet). So I'm about 10 weeks out and lots of changes to be made in that time.

On the home front I'm feeling a bit lost at the moment. Cam is now down in Mackay and I'm still in Cairns. I'm finding it all a bit hard and really just wanting to get packed up and be there with Cam. Although due to changes with work and training it just isn't possible just yet.

On a positive note I have 3 more sleeps and I'll get to spend a few days with Cam! I'm so excited and I even get to have a free meal while I'm down there, I can't wait.

So right now I'm in Japan. I went for a 50 minute run this morning, followed by 20 minutes of stairs and feeling really good about everything (on an up day!). I'm trying my hardest to get a lot of my training done before I get to Mackay so I can enjoy some time of with Cam.

Anyway better get moving, got some shopping to do!

Have a great week everyone. Cheers Hilds

2007-07-11T10:18:00.000+10:00

Melbourne here I come! (sorry no title as blogger wont let me)

So only a couple more days and I'll get to see my first ever show! I can't even begin to describe how excited I am and even more so now as Di is coming too and staying with me. Although that's freaking me out a little having your trainer see you in person and check out all your bad bits! Especially since I'm going to have to take the next couple of days of training because I have this rotten flu and just can't seem to kick it. I'm actually going to go to the Dr as soon as I get in tomorrow morning from Japan and see if I can get some antibiotics. I don't normally take them, think I've only had them twice in my life but with all this flying I just don't seem to be able to get over this cold. And all I really want to do at the moment is train hard, I'm already missing being able to go for a run but I just don't have the energy at the moment. So I want to be feeling fine for Melbourne, so trying to rest up today before my night flight home as the next few days are going to be busy.

Due to School holidays I've actually had to fly to Adelaide for a night just so I can get to Melbourne on Friday as all the flights are full out of Cairns. Anyway will get to catch up with the family for a night which will be lovely. Although now that I'm flying out a day earlier it means I only get in tomorrow morning and then I'm of at lunch time to Adelaide. So I don't think I'll be sleeping tomorrow as I have to pack and try and find some shoes (mine have gone missing, great timing) and other stuff before I fly out. Was originally planning on getting my hair done on Thursday although no time now so will be looking a bit dodgy. Oh well still extremely excited about it all.

Hope to see everyone on Saturday when I'm feeling much better ! (positive thinking)

2007-07-07T16:09:00.000+10:00

I'm home! God it's good to be home after 6 days away.

Firstly I should apologize for my last angry post, as you can tell I was feeling very shit! Anyway it's amazing what a good nights sleep will do. I woke up the next day feeling a million dollars, sleep is my new drug!

So its been a busy but good week, my trip went quite quickly which is always great. I had a great crew to work with which makes such a huge difference so it was a great week. I managed to stay on track with my nutrition as I was very organised and had a weeks worth of salad packed, lots of chicken and heaps of tuna. So I can happily say I was a very good girl. I also managed to get all of my training done as the gym in Manila has quite a bit of stuff compared to your normal hotel gym, although could do with a few fans as I sweated to death.

I have my weekly check in tomorrow, check weight and measurements so hopefully I will get a good result. Its funny some weeks you can feel as you have done really well but the results don't show and others you feel you have gone backwards and all the measurements have actually gone down. I feel like I am shrinking so I just hope that the measurements prove me right.

Anyway getting excited about moving now, Cam is off in two weeks and then I'll start to organise when I can go down. I know I will want to go straight away although with comp prep and changing work shifts I am going to have to wait a little bit. I still have some days when I wonder if I am doing the right thing trying to compete this year when things are so busy. I kinda feel very selfish as I need to hold on to the house for a couple of months to keep the gym here so I can still get all my training done, otherwise we would rent it out a lot sooner. Anyway lucky I have an amazing partner who is happy to support me in all the decisions I make.

Anyway enough for today I have lots of DVDs to watch as I stocked up on all the new releases while I was in Manila, I hope they work wouldn't want to waste a whole dollar on a DVD!

Will check in tomorrow with how I have gone for the week.

Hope everyone is having a great weekend!

Love Hilds

Sleep deprived!

2007-06-28T18:12:00.000+10:00

Geez I hate the feeling when you are so tired but just can't sleep and you just can't seem to get motivated to do anything! Well this is how I feel today, I always feel pretty crap after a night flight but today I'm feeling very very average. I got in at 6am this morning and crawled into bed where I tossed and turned for three hours before deciding I was over it and was going to get up. Its really strange coz I'm super tired but just can't seem to sleep. So today has just been one big struggle not to overeat and really just survive the day. Haven't done any training as I decided it was best to wait until I could actually put in a decent effort, and I still have enough time this week to get all my training sessions done. So anyway just needed to have a whinge, I'll be over it tomorrow and feeling 100%, amazing what a good nights sleep will do! Anyway hope everyone else has had a far more productive day than myself! Sleep well! Hilds

Week 3

2007-06-26T20:39:00.000+10:00

The weeks just seem to be flying by at the moment. I'm already into week 3 (13 weeks out), things have been going along well until the dreaded flu hit last week. Anyway I took my trusty trainers advice and took 3 full days of training and have managed to get over it quite quickly and back into normal training again. It was a bit of a tough week, only being my 2nd week and having to miss training sessions really did my head in a bit, but I'm slowly learning that there is no point training and getting worse when your body really needs rest. So I survived the week and managed to stay outta the gym long enough to get better.

So I'm back in Japan at the moment, have got a couple of nights here so spent the day browsing the outlet stores and ended up getting a new camera (should have been studying but the shops were calling!). Got a good run in this morning, actually went for longer than I had to as I was on a bit of a roll, did 55mins included 10mins (warm up and cool down), felt a bit shattered afterwards but its a good shattered! So tonight I'm just having a quiet one as the rest of the crew have gone for an all you can eat and drink buffet for 1 1/2 hours, I decided to pike as I wasn't really feeling like it (too hard to explain why I'm not eating all the crap they are!) and all you can eat is a bit wasted on me at the moment! Kinda prefer to save a special treat for when I am at home and can really enjoy it. I'm hoping for a great week of training this week, I really want to push myself a bit harder with the weights and might get Cam to take me through a couple of session. I always find you can push yourself that little bit more with someone pushing you along.

Have also advertised for a housemate this week, seems a bit strange but since I'm going to have a massive house to myself for a while thought I might as well get someone in (I'm a scardy cat on my own). Have been getting a few odd responses so hopefully I can find someone decent, never thought I would be sharing a house again! I'm trying not to stress too much about the next few months as I know it is going to be absolute mayhem, with changing jobs which involves 8 days straight of training in either sydney or melbourne (who knows how I'm going to fit all my exercise sessions in that week). Plus packing up a lot of the house stuff, helping Cam get settled in Mackay, finding a place to live in Mackay, plus still flying to Japan/Manilla and wherever else my roster tells me to go. Also looking after the house in Cairns until I permanently move to Mackay. All this while preparing for two comps and trying to plan my wedding.......arghhhhh. Anyway all exciting and only looking at a couple of weeks ahead at the moment otherwise I start to freak out.

Overall all is going well with comp prep so far although been having a couple of fat, frumpy days this week. Not really sure why, but might need to spend some girly time making myself feel a bit nicer. I think when I don't get any sun for a while I start to feel all pasty and a bit flat, can't ever see myself living anywhere cold and miserable (I would be on antidepressants!).

Well enough babble for one night. Keep smiling everyone. Lots of Love Hilds

Mackay here we come!

2007-06-19T12:17:00.000+10:00

We found out yesterday that Cam starts his new position on the 23rd July! I'm so glad he finally knows what's going on as I could sense he was stressing out a bit. So finally we can start making some plans. It looks as though Cam will head down on the 22nd July whereas I'll be in Cairns for a while longer.

I'm still stressing out whether I have made the right decision to stay full time. So at the moment my plan is to keep the house in Cairns until October and then look at moving all the furntiure down. It would just be way too hard to commute full time until I can work out how my new rosters are going to work. At the moment I am still working for Australian Airlines (we look like qantas but where not quite yet!), so my rosters are pretty good with mainly Japans and the odd Manilla thrown in. Although as of September 1 Australian Airlines closes down and we will be employed as Qantas Short haul based in Cairns. Which means we now bid for our trips depending on seniority, which is great if your up the top but if your down the bottom like me who knows what my rosters will end up looking like. I also have 8days training in Melbourne coming up which will be very very long days, so I don't really know how I'll fit all my training in that week, but I'll just deal with it when it comes. I won't even know if I can get the comp dates of until very close to the time but again will just deal with it when the time arises!

So plan is stay in Cairns until about October, then move down to Mackay and apply for part time. Hopefully I can get part time later in the year as then I can finally try and get into doing a bit of personal training work. I'm looking at getting a couple of students in as we live right near the uni. I think I'd be too scared being here on my own all the time! And I will just head down to Mackay when I have a block of days of. So it will be a bit weird not seeing Cam all the time as we spend heaps and heaps of time together. But I'm thinking of it as a positive thing, we can go on lots of dates and it will only be for a few months. Will just make our wedding in January all the more exciting!

So I'm home until Thursday and then of to Japan again, back for the weekend and then of to Japan again for a two night Osaka on Monday. Well better get moving, groceries and washing to be done (all the exciting stuff!).

Have a great week! Hilds

Funny old Japan!

2007-06-17T12:12:00.000+10:00

God Japan makes me laugh! I've done so many trips here now and the things I see never stop amazing me. I was just in the gym and was trying to figure out one of their weight machines, they have lots of different pieces of equipment and some look as old as japan itself. So I thought I'd ask one of the staff how it works, and when I did she just looked at me and shook her head and said I don't know (obviously they don't need the same qualifications to work in a gym as we do in Oz). Anyway had a great cardio session on the treadmill, just did 7km steady state, was dripping with sweat by the time I was done as Japan doesn't like their gyms to be too cold. Its funny you quite often see people still wearing those sweat suits. They also have these things that just shake you around, there is one in the gym that looks like a rodeo bull riding machine, its hilarious to watch people on it. Can't say I'll be jumping on one soon, it looks like all it does is wobble your fat around so everyone can see your wobbly bits!

Anyway have had a great week, all training sessions done and have had an excellent nutrition week as well. I can't even begin to describe how much better I feel after just one week of eating well. I haven't even really craved any junk this week, most probably because I've loaded up on it the last couple and have definitely had my fair share. We even have visitors at the moment and they have been enjoying a beverage or three every night and I haven't even felt like one (just hope that I can feel like this every week). So I'm now 14 weeks out from my first time I step on stage. Still no idea if I will be remotely close to where I want to be by then but just following my trusty trainers advice (superstar poster girl) and will see what happens. I also managed to get another exam out the way, I actually walked out feeling quite good. So only two more modules to go and I'm all done!

Still don't know when Cam has to go to Mackay so I can sense he is a bit edgy with the waiting so I'm quite enjoying having lots of trips at the moment (he he it's the easy way out!). I'm in Japan again today so have squeezed in 2 japan trips and 1 Sydney overnight and still managed to stay on track so I'm pretty happy with that. I have also got my roster for the next month now, so can start planning away! Some awesome news is that I have definitely got the time of to go to Melbourne, hanging out to see my first show. It is going to be so so so exciting as there is so many girls going that I'm looking forward to meeting. Just going to start checking accommodation out now and I suppose I better get some tickets.

Anyway enough rambling for one day, hope everyone is having an excellent weekend.

Enjoy!
Hilds

What a week....

2007-06-11T19:07:00.000+10:00

Well last week was suppose to be my relaxing 10 days at home, it didn't quite work out that way! After a lovely weekend of indulging we decided to get motivated and paint the lounge room. Don't know quite why as we were just out for coffee and next minute we are at mitre 10 buying paint and getting stuck into it. So after painting the lounge room I decided it looked so good that I would paint the rest of the place (don't know what i was thinking!). Anyway after a full week of painting, putting in new lights and getting new carpet in the bedrooms the place looks fantastic. Only as soon as I had finished and packed that paint brush away we found out we are moving to Mackay! (have already harrassed Selina for all the inside information, thanks Selina)

Anyway its been an event filled week, with moving news, cams graduation and lots of planning as to what to do. So i'm feeling very fat and frumpy after a week of finding any reason to have a drink or eat crap! But on a good note it all ended on Saturday as I started my new program on Sunday and I'm loving the good stuff again. I can't believe how much better you feel when you eat well, my body just doesn't handle the crap food very well. I don't sleep well and I lack energy big time. So I'm in comp prep mode, still can't fathom the idea of getting on stage but I just not even thinking about that just yet. I've got Di keeping me on track and it's just awesome having someone who you admire help you get to where you want to be. I find it so much easier to stick to a plan and do well when I have someone telling me exactly what to do.

So I've got a very busy week ahead, the price I had to pay for having a week at home. I'm in Japan now about to fly home, back home Tuesday morning and have got my next exam booked in for Wednesday (lots of studying to be done tomorrow). Then i'm of to Sydney on Thursday, back on Friday and of to Japan again on Saturday. So I've had a bit of planning to do this week to make sure I get all my training in around it all. We have also got Cams parents arriving on Thursday for two weeks, its going to be tough not being able to drink but I'm sure I'll cope (sound like an alcoholic!).

Anyway gotta fly (literally).

Will check in soon with progress reports.

Cheers Hilds

My little sisters Wedding pics!

2007-06-01T11:24:00.000+10:00

Well I've finally got some pics of my little sisters wedding! It's great to look back over them as it was such a great weekend, or should I say two weekends! They had the reception with immediate family only one weekend followed by a big party the next weekend! It was so much fun and I overindulged on both occasions!!!!!! (but what are weddings for!)

Love Friday's

2007-06-01T08:27:00.000+10:00

Gotta love Friday's! Even though I don't work Monday to Friday I still love Friday's, I think its because everyone is in a better mood as they know the weekend is just around the corner.

So far today is of to a great start. I forced myself outta bed at 6:30 for my 45min jog. Its hard to make myself get up early sometimes as I don't really have anywhere to be so I could quite easily sleep in. Not that my body will let me sleep in as the guilt seems to creep in and before I know it I'm crawling out of bed and putting those sneakers back on! Had a great run this morning, bit of a struggle to get going as legs were a bit sore from my high intensity leg training yesterday but once I got into it and had the Ipod going full bore I was ok. My morning run is so worth the awesome feeling when I've finished, it really gets things moving for the day (he he if you know what I mean, sorry to be gross in the morning!). Anyway on to brighter topics.

Have planned to go out for a couple of bevie's tonight as we haven't gone out for ages! So might head down to the beach for a couple and then I've planned to be Chef for the night! Since we eat pretty simply throughout the week I thought it was about time I got creative and made something different. So Cam has chosen Spaghetti Di Mare and Apple Strudel (reminds us of our trip to Austria, ate strudel everyday!) for dessert! So a bit of a carb/fat fest tonight (glad I ran a bit faster this morning, he he).

I'm also catching up with a girlfriend for coffee today, god I love being home! I can't describe how good it feels not to be shattered from lack of sleep and be able to maintain a bit of a routine even if it is only for one week. I'm going to have a pretty relaxing weekend just catching up with friends. Because as of Monday I need to get some serious study in, as my next exam is booked for Thursday and I haven't really been doing much study. I'm not a lover of study, I love learning but just hate the whole exam thing!

Well anyway time to get motivated for the day!

I hope everyone has an awesome weekend.

Love Hilds

2007-05-28T09:37:00.000+10:00

Well I'm so glad it's Monday! Last week wasn't the best week I've had. It started out ok, I got my new car on Tuesday which was awesome and am absolutley loving it! Also had managed to swap my trips so I could help Cam out with finishing of this aircon job which we nearly got finished! But as the week progressed I just felt like crap, I was tired, grumpy and feeling quite down. It was so frustrating as I couldn't work out why and no matter what I did I just couldn't seem to snap out of it. I'm guessing it was really bad PMS although wouldn't know as I have gone of the pill and don't really know when they come anymore. Anyway I got back from Japan yesterday and could only sleep for two hours, so felt crap all day and decided I'm going back on the pill as I just couldn't cope with myself. So hopefully I'll start to get back to normal this week. So yesterday I let my emotions win over and ate crap all day, even tried to have a nana nap as I knew I was just really really tired but the more I tried the more my body just wouldn't let me sleep. Anyway got to bed about 10pm last night and up and into it this morning. Managed to fit a 5km run in before getting ready and I'm about to head of to Japan again today, it's going to be a long day!

Anyway on a more positive note, when I get back I have 11 glorious days at home. I'm going to use this time to get motivated again and really get stuck in to training hard and eating well! Positive, positive, positive! So hopefully I won't have to bore you with a depressing, negative post next time!

Anyway better fly!!!!

Love Hilds

Feeling Motivated!

2007-05-22T11:33:00.000+10:00

Just thought I'd better do a blog update while I remember. I'm home today and in the process of tidying up our garden (or should I say destroying it). I'm not much of a gardener and tend to just do a massive cutback every few months. I feel a bit sorry for our plants as they don't get much loving around here. It's funny whenever we go to the nursery to buy something (which is very rare) we always ask for the plants that survive on little water, full sunlight and not much attention! The poor nursery staff kinda look at us strangely and explain all plants need water. Well that's our problem we are not very good at consistently watering, we might need to invest in an automated system, oh well its all looking ok and we still have plants so we can't be doing to bad.

So anyway feeling pretty motivated at the moment, not really sure why but I'm not complaining. Feeling quite happy with my nutrition and training at the moment and just extremely excited about my upcoming challenge. I'm so glad I've made the commitment to compete and have stopped stressing as much and am just ready to give it my best. I've had a big change in mind set due to a few reasons. But one big one is that someone close to me is going through there own personal challenge at the moment (sorry can't tell details) but it has made me realise if they can face their fears head on then mine seems easy in comparison (still terrifying though!). So I'm ready for whatever is given to me. I've got Sue working out a program for me and I hopefully I will also be getting some help from Di (need as much help as I can get). I'm still looking at trying to get down to Melbourne for the INBA comp as I think it would be good to see a show before I do one myself (or maybe not, might scare me even more. he he).

All is going well on the work front. Things should be staying the same for now which is nice. The rosters are pretty good at the moment and tending to get lots of time at home. Although things will change in the next couple of months as we will cease to be Australian Airlines and will instead be employed by Qantas. This means we all need to undergo training to work on different aircraft. So hopefully by September the change over will be complete, this will mean very different flying for me and I will also have to bid for my roster. Currently we mainly just do short Japan trips and Sydney overnights and the occasional long Manilla trip. Whereas with Qantas we don't really know where we will be flying. So far its looking like possibly Shanghai, Narita, Auckland, Hong Kong and domestic destinations around Australia. In a way I'm hoping that the change over will be delayed so I can get the competition out of the way while I have easier rosters to work with. Anyway can't stress over it now will just have to wait and see as the time gets closer. I have also spent months trying to swap my annual leave for January so I can go to my own wedding although now I not even sure if I will still have this annual leave spot. So many what ifs at the moment which is so frustrating.

Another what if! Is the whole moving thing, now its looking like we might be staying in Cairns. So I've started to get all excited about staying, although there is still a possibility we will go. Arghhhhhhh I've had to stop worrying about this too and just deal with it when the times comes (should know for sure in a couple of weeks).

Anyway enough babble for another day! Time to get cleaned up because I'm going to get my new car!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm very excited!!!!!!!!

Hope everyone is having a great week!

Cheers Hilds

\

Mind Games!

2007-05-19T14:11:00.000+10:00

Well another week down! It has been a busy one both physically and mentally.

Had to help Cam out with aircon cleaning on Monday and Tuesday, and boy was that fun (can you hear the sarcasm in my voice!). No it wasn't too bad we got heaps done, but sitting in the sun reading a book sounds so much better. We are both pretty busy at the moment, as Cam is trying to finish of his Customs training plus fit in his aircon work and I'm well not as busy but flying here and there and studying for my next exam and helping Cam out when ever I can. Have actually managed to swap my long Manilla trip next week so I can help out with more aircons. I think I must be crazy, I'm missing out on 2 Sydney overnights to clean aircons!

Anyway all is going well, managed to get back in to proper training again. Did my high intensity leg routine on Thursday and haven't been able to walk properly since. I actually think its the worst doms I have ever had. I had to fly home from Japan last night and really struggled walking up and down that aisle!!!!! Anyway I made it and actually got 4 hours sleep this morning, so I'm feeling pretty good (for now anyway). Want to start getting back into a bit more cardio next week as I have scaled back a bit lately and think I need to get a bit more motivated again. Eats are going pretty good, still struggle on those night flights but working on it.

So that was about it for last week, well except for my massive indecisiveness! I have been contemplating competing in the Sports Model category in one of the shows later in the year. So I really wanted to make a decision this week if I was going to give it a go or not. Every time I thought about it I got so excited but at the same moment extremely nervous and thought of every excuse under the sun as why I wouldn't be able to do it:

These are just a few -
- I'll never get into shape in time
- I get so nervous I won't be able to walk on stage
- I'm not the most co-ordinated of people
- I don't think I look like a sportsmodel
- It will be to hard with my new job
- We might be moving to Townsville
- I will have to commute to work, try and find somewhere to train, be staying at friends houses and have to avoid eating crap and alcohol.
- I change employers in September and don't even know if I can have the time of.
- We need to save for our wedding and I can't afford it.
And the list just goes on.........

But with all of those excuses I have decided what the hell I'm going to give it a shot anyway!

I've always said I regret the things I don't do, so who cares if I'm not as good as I think I should be. As long as I can honestly say at the end of it all I gave it my best shot then I'm a winner anyway! So as the saying goes "Feel the fear and do it anyway". (I'm still nervous as hell though).

I wasn't going to say anything but I find I get so much encouragement from all the other bloggers it was a great way to stop me from chickening out! So here goes........ It's only early days and will obviously have to see where I am at a lot closer to the time but I'm going to give it a go.

So that's it for another week, I've done my training for today and I'm of to enjoy the sunshine and a lovely BBQ at some friends house.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Love Hilds

New Car!

2007-05-12T10:22:00.000+10:00

I'm feeling so much better today after a massive 13 hours, yes that's right 13 hours sleep last night. I crawled into bed at 7:30pm after only 2 hours sleep the night before. I got back from Japan on Friday morning and had to go to the bank in the morning to sort out my car loan details so I only managed to squeeze in 2 hours sleep! Not good as I struggled all day and ate way too many carbs, we even endulged in some pizza and chocolates last night (thanks Carolyn they didn't last long!). It all went down a bit too easily, although had a great HITT session this morning and about to hit the yard to start working it all off, straight back on track!

Things are slowly coming together. Bought a new car this week! Its very exciting as I have been driving a bomb for the last 7 years and most probably another bomb before that. I have never actually had a nice car as I have always had better things to do with my money. But I decided it was time to spoil myself as I earn decent money and while I can, what the hell! So I did it, Cam went to Brissie on Wednesday to check out my new (well not new but as new as I will get!) Toyota Celica. It looks so nice, not that I have seen it in real life yet but should get it in a week or so as we are getting it transported up here. I was going to getting a more practical car, maybe a Mazda 3 or something similar but I decided while I am kid free I'll get myself a toy car instead of the family wagon! So that's one thing of the list.

So now I'm just trying to stop constantly thinking about whether we are moving or not. I find it hard at time like this as I can't seem to get on with much else as I'm just hanging out to know. So anyway have decided to get motivated today and finish of the path I'm doing in the back yard and then might clean up my little old bomb as its looking a bit worse for wear!

So time to get motivated! Have a great weekend everyone.

Love Hilds

My head is spinning!!!!

2007-05-06T16:13:00.000+10:00

Wow so much is going on at the moment. So I apologize for my lack of posting but have had way too much to think about latley.

So where do I start!

Two weeks ago Cam and myself headed down to my little sisters wedding in Adelaide. It was an awesome weekend with a beautiful little ceremony in the Adelaide Hills. The night before the wedding myself and my two sisters and Mum and Dad stayed at a B&B together. It was so much fun as it has been years since we have all spent the night together with no partners, kids or anyone else, it felt like we were kids again. We all went out to dinner then got back to the B&B and put our pj's on and had a family slide show in front of the open fire. It was fantastic and amazing to look back at all the baby pics and Mum and Dad when they were all spunky! (not that they are not spunky now, just in case they are reading!) Myself and my older sister got stuck into the redwine and vodka and ended up sitting up quite late munching on any goodies we could find stashed in the B&B! The following day was the wedding and we all had an amazing day. At the end of it all Cam & I stayed back and cleaned up while the newly married couple went of to dinner and then went to go back to our B&B until we discovered my sister had locked the keys inside. It was a close call as we really didn't want to crash the wedding couple on their wedding night but luckily the owners came down and let us in! The next day it was an early flight back to Adelaide.

The next day I had my surgery booked in for Monday afternoon. All went well and I woke up feeling rather happy (gotta love the hospital drugs!). I ended up taking the week of work and just rested at home as I wasn't quite up to flying to Japan. I must say it was really hard for me to not train all week, but I managed it and I'm sure it has helped me get back on track. The following Friday I flew down to Adelaide again, this time for the big wedding party! It was a very wet weekend in Adelaide, which everyone except us was very happy about. Anyway to keep it short the pary was awesome, heaps of great people, dancing and a few too many drinks! We got back to our hotel room about 2:30pm and it felt like only a minute before our alarm was going at 6:30am to head to the airport. I'm glad we were catching a cab as I still felt drunk from the night before! I'm so glad it was a direct flight as 3 hours later we were back in Sunny Cairns and a very relaxing day!

So on to this week! Another full on week, I've managed to get back into training and have done two trips, one to Japan and the other down to Sydney. Cam and I have had to do a lot of thinking this week and make some big decisions. Cam has decided to put in a for a position with Customs in Townsville. It would be a good opportunity for us as Cam would be put on full time, we would get our rent paid for and and it would be a nice change. So we thought what the heck lets give it a go. So hopefully we find out next week if we will be moving in a couple of weeks. I'm also in the process of getting a new car as mine is about to die. I also found out on Thursday that all of the Cairns base Australian Airlines crew will be employed full time with qantas short haul. This was great news as we all thought that they were just going to get rid of us all and we would be lucky to get redundancy packages. So I have been checking out places to live in Townsville plus deciding what to do with our house plus organising somewhere for me to stay as I would commute to work from Townsville. So its all happening for us, but all very exciting.

Haven't had a minute to think about wedding stuff, but need to get motivated and make some bookings as a few friends have already booked their flights and we don't even have anything organised!!! So in all this mayhem I'm managing to keep up with my training an nutrition and have a much more balanced approach.

Well enough rambling for one post, should never leave it this long between posting as I have way too much to say!

Hope everyone is well! Love Hilds

P.S Congratulations to all the girls who have competed latley you all look fantastic! And also to Carolyn who had her final pics taken and is a true inspiration.

Changed my mind!

2007-04-14T18:11:00.000+10:00

As you can see I changed my mind and decided I needed to take some final pics. Even though I'm not quite where I want to be, as the last few weeks have all been a bit hard and hence I haven't been abel to put 100% into my training and nutrition. I decided I still needed to finish of what I started and this puts an end to another 12 weeks with Sue and IBO. I'm happy with the positive changes I have made over the last 3 months and now have a much more balanced outlook on my training and nutrition and am enjoying the journey all that much more. I figure I am a constant work in progress and if I can consistently make positive steps forward that is the most important thing.

Anyway Cam and I had a lot of fun taking some pics today, we decked out the gym and turned it into our own little photo studio and enjoyed a nice bottle of red while doing so. Anyway enough for tonight I've got a vodka to enjoy!!!!!

Have a great weekend! Love Hilds

Tired Tiger!!!!!

2007-04-10T18:09:00.000+10:00

Yes I'm back and feeling a bit tired, just got in from Japan this morning and after my usual 3 hours of sleep I'm feeling pretty crappy! I always hate the day I fly back in as I always feel like crap and crave carbs really bad, but I know after a good nights sleep and I'll be all back to normal. So only a few more hours to survive and I'll be sound asleep (YAY!). Anyway on a more positive note I had a great Easter, managed to get a couple of days of with Cam. So we spent Easter veging about the house, we sanded the outdoor furniture and spa down and put some much needed stain/oil on them so they look like new now. Its funny how you put of some jobs for sooo long and then once you actually do them they don't even take that long. So after that we got all motivated and thought of another fifty things we could do to the house. After a trip to bunning (god I love that place!) we discovered maybe we can't afford to do them all just yet and we might have to do things slowly.

The last couple of weeks have been a bit hard for me and I've had to do a lot of thinking about what some of my goals are and what I am trying to achieve. I've nearly finished my 12 week program although have had to ease things back quite a bit and also decided not to do the final week depletion diet. I've been having a few health issues lately and I decided it was better not to stuff my body around especially with my surgery coming up soon. So its been a bit hard as I feel like a bit of a failure as I just haven't been able to put as much into my training and nutrition as I normally do. But on the other hand I'm quite happy with myself that I'm finally listening to my body. It also made me realise that I'm doing this all for me and that if it takes me a bit longer to achieve the things I had set out to then that's ok too! So I'm still training hard and eating well just not obsessing about the little things as much at the moment. So no photos just yet!

I'm also starting to get really excited about little sisters wedding coming up. I've only got one more Japan trip to get through and I'll get to catch up with my whole family in Adelaide. I always get so excited when I get to see them all for a couple of days, the only problem is it is always so rushed. Anyway it should be fantastic I just hope the weather is good as my outfits aren't the warmest!

So I've got a few days home now, don't have to go anywhere until Sunday. Tomorrow is a busy day, I've got cardio in the morning, that's if my legs work there still trashed from my leg workout on Sunday plus I did the stairs in the hotel yesterday (fifty flights) so can barely walk today but hopefully they will be ok tomorrow. Then after that I'm of to the tailor to pick up my top for the wedding, then to the hospital for my pre surgery appointment, then to the Solarium and finally a couple of relaxing hours at the hairdressers. Then if I can motivate myself of to the red arrow for some more stairs and my friends house for a cuppa. Its amazing with my job, I have so much free time when I'm away but it means when I'm home I always have a big list of things to do. The rest of the week I'm hoping to just hang at home and get a fair bit of study done. So that's about it from me, I'm of to veg in front of the telly haven't seen the biggest loser in a while and was a bit upset to hear Damien had left, it seems all the real losers are the only ones left!

Also nearly forgot needed to say a big WELL DONE to Carolyn she is looking amazing and is a true inspiration! Can't wait to see her final pics. And also well done to Di, your looking fantastic and sounds like you motivated heaps of bloggers over Easter to do heaps of Cardio. Not long to go now you are going to look amazing, I might even get to see you on stage!

Have a great week everyone. Cheers Hilds

Long time between posts!

2007-03-27T11:13:00.000+10:00

Where do I start! Things seem to be hectic lately although when anyone asks it doesn't really sound like I've been doing much!

This morning I got back from Japan and the sun was up so I sat up for a while and crawled in to bed around 7:30am and here I am back up at 11am just waiting for the gym to cool down so I can get my workout done for the day. Strangely enough I actually sort of look forward to my workout this morning as it seems to keep that yucky hungover feeling from lack of sleep out of my system. Although in saying that my workout will be as motivated as I get all day and plan on chilling out and maybe even sitting in the sun for the rest of the day (I don't function too well after night flights and the day is usually a right off!).

I've had a bit of a downer of a week last week, seemed to have lost my MOJO! Just couldn't seem to get into anything, training was even an effort. It was TTOM and I was a real grumpy bum (just ask Cam he'll tell you!) although at the time of course I wouldn't admit to any of my moods being hormone related. I managed to still get in all my training done last week although every session took a hell of a lot of motivation to get me there. Nutrition was hard as I can usually eat a house when its TTOM and anything sweet is such a temptation. Normally I can resist temptation ok, but for some reason last week I was really struggling I haven't had PMS that bad for ages! So anyway pretty good all week until a bit of a massive blowout on the weekend, I haven't had one of those for a while either, but I can honestly say I kinda needed it! It actually helped get me back on track on Sunday and haven't had a problem since. I think its kinda good to have some indulgences every now and then as I've been trying to be super good for too long now and I was getting over it!

On a positive Cam took me out for dinner on Saturday night. I had requested a date as I wanted to wear a dress. I bought a new dress for my sisters wedding party and wanted to break the shoes in (any excuse to go out!). I can relate to Hilary about not wearing dresses very often, I felt very weird and actually felt like a girl for a change, I'm a real comfort dresser and love anything where I feel comfortable and a dress is hard work. Although in saying that I did feel very nice and got lots of compliments, so I might have to wear one more often. We went to this awesome place at the Casino for dinner, I had my favourite Salmon steak and it was to die for. The atmosphere, food and staff were all awesome so I'll definitely be going back.

I finally got my roster for April which I have been hanging out for as there is so much going on. As I've mentioned my little sister is getting married. She is having a small ceremony at a B&B in the Adelaide hills one weekend and then a bit party then next weekend for extended family and friends. She has organised it so that Cam and I can stay at a B&B near by for the weekend so it is going to be lovely. So I've anxiously been awaiting the roster to see what time I had off.

I've also been waiting to find out when I have been booked in for surgery. I recently found out I had to have more cells removed from my cervix (this is the second time) as I have CIN2 again. It's something that has been playing on my mind as it is so frustrating when you make such an effort to live a healthy lifestyle and then things like this come up and there is nothing you can really do to change it. It was 3 years ago I had the last lot removed and since then they have progressively been getting worse again. So ladies make sure you are having regular pap smears as I have been having them every six months for years now and it doesn't take long for changes to happen. I suppose the good thing is I'm on top of it but still very frustrating that I cannot do anything myself to fix the situation and am just relying on surgery to remove the cells. So it turns out the surgery is booked for the Monday after my sisters wedding. So in April I have heaps on, I finish my 12 weeks with IBO in the 14th, then have a Brisbane and Japan trip, back to Cairns then fly to Adelaide on the 19th for the wedding, back to Cairns on the 22nd. Surgery is booked for the 23rd, two days of then back to Japan if I'm ok then down to Adelaide again on the 28th for my sisters party (jeez I'm tired just thinking about it). The good news is I will have finished my 12 weeks before surgery as I really need to take a week of training as last time I didn't rest as much as I should have and it took ages for things to get back to normal.

And on top of all that I have been trying to organise our wedding, I have been having great difficulty finding someone to organise the ceremony where we want it without all the dancing monkeys and elephants parading around. The Thais idea of a wedding ceremony and ours are very different! But it looks as though I have found a company that can do what we want which is a great relief as I just want someone else to organise it so we can enjoy sitting on the beach, eating and drinking with friends in Thailand. So I'm very excited now!!!!!

So I suppose I've just had a lot on my mind but I think once April is over things will be a bit easier and I can enjoy just plodding along again.

Well enough rambling for one day, time to hammer my legs in the gym!!!!!

Love Hilds

Amazing what a bit of sleep can do!

2007-03-13T10:06:00.000+10:00

I'm feeling heaps better after a good 10 hours sleep on Sunday night and then another great nights sleep last night. Its so much easier when I am home and can have a proper routine! On Sunday I felt sooooo average all day I was barely coping due to a serious lack of sleep and the more I tried to sleep the less I could. I'm sure all this flying and lack of sleep is no good for my body, its actually quite frustrating as everything else in my life is aimed towards feeling good, eating well and exercising regularly and then I have this job that contradicts all the good work I put in. Oh well I suppose we can't have it all, my job is great in many aspects as it gives me much more freedom and time off than most jobs, its a no stress job (and I've had the stressful jobs and this is way better), my job also allows me to have a pretty awesome lifestyle and a lot more travel than I would ever be able to do in a 9-5 job. So I suppose its all not that bad and it also allows me to study, not that I have done much lately. I seem to go through stages where I study hard get an exam done and then don't want to look at a book for a few weeks afterwards. Anyway I'm in no rush to finish quickly, I'm trying to enjoy the process this time and it seems to be working. Lately I've had so many ideas on areas I would like to get into in the Health and Fitness industry which is very exciting and makes everything that I'm doing now worthwhile.

So this week is of to a pretty good start, have already crossed of a few training sessions which is always a good feeling. I always try and get the hard ones out the way early. Have planned to do the Blue Arrow at lunch time today, its a 1 1/2 bush walk in Cairns. So Cam is meeting me there after he finishes work, I imagine he will be a tired tiger as he has to get up to start work at 2:45am (not a nice time!). He has already warned me that if I want to speed ahead I'm on my own (he he). So I'm looking forward to the walk, should be drenched with sweat by the end of it, considering its stinking hot today, really not that much different though from any other day in Cairns, its always hot and humid! Tomorrow I have to work and have a Brisbane return, so its a nice and early start for me, I think I need to get up at 3:30am, yuk. I should get back to Cairns about 12 and have booked in for a RPM class at 12:30. I gather its easier to do it straight away as if I go home it will be sooooo hard to motivate myself to do any training later as I'm usually pretty shattered after the early starts, they're nearly worse than the night flights. And then on Thursday I'm on to Japan again, just for something different! Might actually motivate myself to do some study this time. Anyway time to sit in the sun for a while while the weather is so good!

Hilary thanks for the lovely comment and to everyone else who has commented on my article in Women's Health and Fitness! I'm looking forward to seeing some other IBO before and after pics, I'm sure there are lots of people finishing around now!

Have a great day! Hilds

Feeling a bit flat....

2007-03-10T15:20:00.000+10:00

(just wanted to add a pic of me and cam. It was taken at my Chrissy party)

That pretty much sums up how I have been feeling this week. I think it may be due to all the training I'm doing at the moment, my program for these last few weeks is pretty intense and hard to keep up with my work. But its only 5 short weeks to go so I'm just going to keep slogging away at it, although I'm really looking forward to cutting my cardio back a bit at the end of it all.

I flew over to Japan yesterday and felt quite average all day, all my fault mind you. I had a bit of an indulgence on Thursday night. I kept telling myself I deserved it as I have been so good so far and only had two free meals in six weeks, so I had a bit too much apple crumple cake! Oh my god it was good but did I pay for it yesterday, I had stomach cramps and heart burn all day, don't really know what thats about but all I could think of was it must have been the cake! Its amazing how your body reacts when you have been eating quite clean for a while. So anyway moving on and have made sure I have done all my cardio for the week. Had a great session this morning and did my 55minute Steady state on the tready followed by and hour incline on the treaty. It was a bit of an effort but I knew it would be easier to do today than tomorrow, as I only get home about 6am and will be lucky to get 3 hours sleep and still have one weight session to get done for the week! So anyway nearly all over for another week, still need to get my nutrition spot on, don't really know why I struggle with it so much but its always an effort.

Didn't end up getting my free PT session as the trainer cancelled on me!!!!! I thought it was supposed to be the other way around, I was really pissed off as I had gotten up really early to get my interval training out the way and make sure I had enough time for breakie and a relax before my session. Anyway won't be going there for any PT sessions. So as I was a bit disappointed I got Cam to take me through my new Chest & Bicep routine. Well, I don't know if that was a good thing, I'm still soooo sore. I managed heaps of PB as its great having someone spot you, but the bad thing is I now have to maintain, and better the weights I've started out on, bugger! I also did my interval training on the oval, it was quite different but a nice change. I felt a bit odd at first as there was some guys there flying model planes and must of thought I was a bit strange stopping and starting. Although I soon forgot they were there as I was too busy watching the stopwatch the whole time, I really noticed the difference when I jogged home along the road, it felt so hard and my legs were very heavy! I'm glad I wore my old sneakers as they got trashed from the wet oval and lawn clippings.

Oh yeah think I figured out who I saw at the gym the other day, I'm sure it was Jules from the blue team, biggest loser! I'd love to know if it is really her and when she got out and how she is going. She looked better, not super small or anything but I'm sure she's shrunk. Also what is it with some of the contestants on that show, they are given this amazing opportunity and they still can't seem to stop with the excuses, Munalita (don't know if that's how you spell it!) and the girl on the blue team who never stops crying do my head in!!!! I love the commando and how he just says it like it is anyway its great to watch as it gives us something to gossip about! Even Cam sits there and yells at the telly when it's on, quite funny to watch.

Anyway enough rambling for one post, should try and get some rest before my lovely night flight home. Hope everyone is having a great weekend!

Love Hilds

Where are the weeks going?

2007-03-07T18:49:00.000+10:00

Time is flying lately, I can't believe that it is March already! All is going well with me, have been busy working and training, don't really know what else I've been doing but the days seem to be flying by. Feeling a bit shattered today. I got back late last night from Sydney as I had to go down for a couple of days training for work. I'm glad that its all over and we only have to do our emergency training every six months. As I always get really stressed out about it but its never as bad as you imagine its going to be.

Anyway couldn't seem to sleep in this morning I must have been excited about my new training program. So I got up early and got my high intensity leg session out the way, I love doing it early in the week so I know it is done for another week. After finishing that I decided I might as well get all the hard stuff out the way so I booked myself in for a lunch time RPM class, glutton for punishment today! I think I must have sweated about 2L during the RPM class and my legs felt heavy for the first track which isn't a good thing. And just to top it of I have just finished an hour incline power walk on the tready. So burnt a big 900 calories today, god I love my heart rate monitor. So I'm sure I'll be sleeping well tonight. Tomorrow I have my interval training, so now that the weather has cleared up I'm going to go down the oval and do it rather than on the treadmill, so I should be able to push myself a bit harder. It will be interesting to see the difference. I also scored a free PT session at the gym, so I'm really looking forward to that as I haven't had anyone train me for quite some time, will let you know if I can move after tomorrow.

So as you can tell I'm hitting in hard for my final six weeks aiming for some awesome after photos! I'm looking forward to the after photos as my partner is also doing a 12 week challenge with me so we took couple photos before. Its actually really motivating having your partner to do it with you as it puts the pressure on as you don't want to let the team down.

Oh yeah nearly forgot, I'm sure I saw one of the biggest loser contestants at the RPM class. I can't think of her name but she was in the blue team. I'll have to find out tomorrow if it is her coz my curiosity is killing me!!!! Anyway the biggest loser is on now and I'm hooked. Hope everyone is having a great week. Cheers Hilds

Been a while.....

2007-02-25T10:33:00.000+10:00

Finally back home for a couple of days. I've been away for the last week on a Sydney/Manila trip so its good to be home.

Have had a good week, managed to clean up my nutrition a bit and get all my training done. Although my knee has been playing up a bit so I have had to find alternatives to running and have been mixing it up with the bike, cross trainer and stepper. I struggled a bit at the start of the week as I did my weekly check in with IBO and in 4 weeks I've had absolutely no change in the scale. I know that this is due to many things but its still a little disheartening, but anyway had to kick myself up the butt and get over it and keep moving forwards. I know I have made progress as I'm feeling heaps better, I've just gotta get over that little number on the scale.

Anyway all that aside I'm looking forward to a great week this week. I won't be away as much so it should be a bit easier. I'm working on the wedding invites tomorrow as I decided to do them myself. I've bought all this beautiful paper and designed the invite, its kinda like a holiday ticket (appropriate as its in Thailand!), so want to get them all done tomorrow so I can get them in the post, its all very exciting.

Loving being home this weekend, got home yesterday and went out on a date with Cam. We went to a comedy show which was great and had an awesome night. So its out for coffee now and then its time to get the house sorted after me destroying it yesterday with all my bags. Poor Cam has it all tidy when I get home and it only takes me five minutes to turn it upside down.

Anyway better fly got friends waiting!

Have a great weekend!

P.S Have you seen my big head in the latest Women's Health and Fitness Mag - very exciting!!!! (thanks Sue!)

Sticky Date Cake!!!!!

2007-02-15T09:55:00.000+10:00

Yes I had some of that last night and oh my god was it rich! I had my first free meal in 4 weeks last night. Being Valentines day and all we treated ourselves to a nice massage and a lovely dinner at home. We had quite a healthy dinner (Salmon Steak, sweet potato mash and salad, my favourite!) but I treated myself to a crunchy white bread roll and butter with dinner, yummy! We even had dessert afterwards, my favourite Sticky date, although I must say I might be losing my sweet tooth! The cake was so sickly rich I thought I was going to be ill, normally I would have just wanted more sweets but not last night. I think I might actually be making some progress, normally sweets would send me into a full sweet binge but last night I was just waiting for my heart to stop jumping out of my chest so I could go to bed. I even had 2 vodkas, its funny when you haven't drank for a while as it hits you so much quicker, I'm quite the cadbury now. After two drinks I was happy to stop and go back to my water, all sounds a bit sad doesn't' it!

Anyway it was a lovely night and I got straight back into it all this morning. Hit the treadmill for my 50min steady state session. I was a bit slow starting of, I think a combination of tired legs from RPM and interval training yesterday and also all the crap I had eaten last night. Anyway after the first 15minutes I was into it and it went pretty quickly and cardio is done for the day. Have got Chest and Biceps tonight and if I have any energy after that might squeeze in a powerwalk. Anyway time to get motivated for the day.

Hope everyone had a lovely Valentines Day! Hilds

Another week down

2007-02-12T09:51:00.000+10:00

So another week is over! Overall it was a good week, I completed all my planned training and even managed to add in another RPM class. I actually dragged my partner Cam along as he has never been to a group fitness class before. He hated me all week for booking him in but after the class he absolutley loved it and is ready to go back for more this week (he he, I've got him hooked now!) So as usual training was great, managed to increase my weights a fair bit this week, which was a nice suprise. Training never seems to be a problem other than the usual mind games before a hard training session (already dreading my leg workout tommorrow, but know I will do it anyway!).

Whereas my nutrition is always more of a struggle, I think I just love food to much! Anyway was pretty good all week slipped in 2 x skinny cappaccinnos (becoming a habbit I might have to kick) but didn't really eat of plan. Haven't had a free meal yet or any drinks but actually starting to crave a little treat now. My main problem with my eating is that my portions start to grow in size and I tend to pick in the arvos when I am craving sweets (nothing really bad maybe a bit more protein or cottage cheese but it all adds up). So this week that is going to stop and back to strict portion control (sounds nasty!). Anyway have set aside Valentines day for my free meal. We have planned a couple of massages for us both Wednesday arvo followed by a relatively healthy but free meal and maybe even a couple of glasses of wine. So knowing I have a little treat ahead should keep me motivated this week!

I had to do my weekly checkin yesterday as I was flying out to Japan. So I jumped on the scales to discover I had put on .5kg (I really really really hate scales). So I was really dissapointed with that but kept telling myself that it was only a little number and not to let it get you down. I still find it so frustrating that you can allow a number on a scale effect your mood. So following the horrrific scale incident I decided to get my partner to check my Body fat and measurements. Overall I have lost about 2cm from most places and also dropped about 4% Body fat and I am feeling much better. So as hard as it is I'm ignoring those scales this week and just getting on with it!!!!!

So on to another exciting week! Spending the day in Japan today just waiting for the gym to open as usual. Then I will hit the treadmill for a good hard cardio session followed by abs. Might spend the rest of the day doing a bit of study, time to get stuck in to this next module and then hopefully a little nana nap before the long flight home. Have got my leg workout tommorrow followed by a relaxing stint at the hairdressers. I love getting my hair done as it is one time I can just sit and do nothing for a while and not feel even a little bit bad about it. Anyway enough from me hope everyone else is having a great start to the week. Luv Hilds

WHOOO HOO!

2007-02-08T11:31:00.000+10:00

As you can tell I am just a little bit happy!!! For the last week I have been a grumpy bum waiting for my exam results to come back, as I walked out of the exam feeling less than confident. I was so frustrated as I studied quite hard for it (and I don't like studying) and the thought of having to resit was not a pleasant option. So anyway for the last week I have been putting of starting my next module as I didn't want to get into it and have to re-study all the stuff for my last exam. So with my lack of patience I rang Fitnation just querying the resit procedures and if by any chance they had my exam results yet... she had them and said that I had blitzed it (I thought she must have had the wrong person). Anyway it turns out as it is quite a hard exam the pass mark was only 70%, not 80% like I thought, so I got 81%, not quite blitzed it but I'm extremely happy that I don't have to do it again, so yesterday I was one happy camper (i think Cam was even happier don't think he even wanted to think about the possibility of a re-sit, for his sake!)

So now its on to the next module where I have to do my gym placement, I'm really enjoying it all actually as it is what I am so interested in. Bit worried about the gym placement as I do most of my training at home. I am a member of a gym, just to do the occasional spin and pump class though so I might approach them and see if I can do it there.

Did Chest and Biceps yesterday and surprisingly I managed to up my weights on quite a few exercises which I wasn't expecting as I was a bit tired after flying all night, must be all the glutamine and driven I have been taking!!!! Nutrition has been going great, much easier this week without all those insane cravings, I even managed to avoid picking on my night flight and just drank green tea (bit of a breakthrough). The only problem was once I got home and crawled in to bed at 6am I was a bit hungry and could only sleep for a couple of hours. Oh well I'm sure I'll get the right mix one day. Have done all my training for today, got up early for my interval training, followed by some yummy oats and then off to the gym to do a spin class. I even jumped on the cross trainer for an extra 20minutes afterwards, so I'm feeling a bit shattered now!

So overall the week is going well, they're even saying the rain might stop tomorrow (another big Whoo hoooo) might actually be able to go for a walk outside, how lovely that will be.

Bye for now Hilds

Escaping the rain!!!!!!

2007-02-05T21:40:00.000+10:00

Well I've managed to get away from the never ending rain in Cairns for a couple of days!!! I just got into Japan where it is nice and cold but no rain in sight. It has been horrible in Cairns for the last week, never ending rain. I can't even remember the last time I went for a run outside, the treadmill is definitely getting a work out! I'm even weakening to the idea of getting a dryer, we have managed without one this long and I know as soon as we get one we will use it all the time, especially Cam I can't imagine him every hanging the clothes out again!! Anyway I'll see what its like when I get home and I might have to lash out and get one.

So another week is over and overall it was ok, wouldn't say perfect but managed to get through it ok. I lost another .4kg which is always good. It still amazes me how easily the weight comes on but what an effort it takes to get it off again. I'm really enjoying all of my training though, well except this morning was kinda dreading my leg workout as my legs were still a bit sore from all my stairs the other day(Selina I just did 60 floors and it took about 35mins), but once I got started there was no stopping me. Not sure how I'll pull up tomorrow but just got to get a run in and then will take it easy! My nutrition last week was ok but slipped in two skinny cappuccinos (yes Di I weakened, but they did taste great!). Didn't have a free meal last week, so haven't eaten off plan or had any alcohol in two weeks and for some strange reason I'm not really craving it. If I do get cravings it is for something boring like more oats and cottage cheese (mmmmm could eat that for every meal!) So now that my insane hormonal cravings have disappeared I'm aiming for a cleaner nutrition week this week and possibly adding in some extra power walks (if it ever stops bloody raining, gets a bit boring on the treadmill). So that's it for now feeling a bit tired after the flight, might even sleep in since the gym doesn't open until ten. Thanks for every ones comments and dropping by my blog. Cheers Hilds

Lots of stairs today!

2007-02-02T14:55:00.000+10:00

Well guess what I'm in Japan again, just for something different!!!! Flew over yesterday, it was a loooong day as we didn't have many passengers and as such the day just seemed to drag on. As nice as it is to have a quiet flight every now and again, it makes the day just go forever (Kelly, by the way I'm an international flight attendant, hence why I am constantly on planes!). So yesterday was a bit of a struggle as I felt extremely drained as it was that lovely time of month arriving just a bit early. Anyway managed to get my training out of the way nice and early, had to double up and did both weights and interval training before I flew out. Its always a struggle mentally when I have to do two sessions consecutively but I always find once I get started there is no stopping me.

My training has been going good this week so far on track have just got 1 weight session and 1-2 powerwalks and I'm all done for another week. Have stuggled a bit more with nutriton this week which is pretty typical for this time of the month, my appetite seriously doubles but have managed not to let it get out of control. Some of my portions most probably have been a bit over and I have been having meal 6 a couple more times this week and even treated myself to a skinny cappacinno (first coffee in two weeks!). Which isn't too bad since I'm not having a free meal this week as I don't really need one and haven't been spot on so don't really deserve one either. Haven't had a drop of alcohol either, don't really want one either, might treat myself on valentines day to 2 glasses of wine. So still aiming to get those portions spot on, sometime I just wish I had more of a routine as I'm sure it would be a lot easier. So tonight is another challenge, surviving the long boring night flight home! I always struggle on night flights as we have a few hours where we don't have much to do and its amazing how much your mind tells you that you really really need that chocolate bar at 2am and there is no shortage of chocolate around. I can normally avoid chocolate but still struggle but tonight I AM going to only have green tea after my late dinner..... Will let you know how I go (kinda keeps me accountable then!).

So today for cardio I did the hotel stairs, all 60 floors, hope those calves aren't too sore tommorrow. Just veging out now until we fly out tonight, have tried to fix my blogger template since everyone else has these amazing new ones, but obviously mine is supposed to stay the same for a little longer as I really can't figure out how to make it really individual like some of the others I have seen. Anyway back to playing on the internet, studying and drinking lots of green tea! Will check back in on Monday with my progress for week 2.

Have a great weekend. Hilds

Tired today....

2007-01-30T17:01:00.000+10:00

Can't say I like getting up at 3:30am it really throws me out for the rest of the day. I had an early flight today and as such am struggling a bit today. Have managed to stick to nutrition plan although maybe just a little bit too much cottage cheese today. Have decided to have a rest day from exercise as I didn't have one last week. Sometimes I find it a bit of a struggle to do no exercise as it always makes me feel more alive after training, but I think my body is telling me a day off will do me better. Legs are pretty heavy and sore from yesterdays workout, so I'm hoping a rest will give me heaps more energy for my session tommorrow. Have spent the arvo studying as my exam got put off until tommorrow morning so just doing a bit of last minute revision ready for tommorrow. Also found out today that i should get time off for the wedding in January, so getting really excited about it now. It is going to be sooooo exciting having the whole family and friends over in Thailand at once! Anyway just a short one today, feeling a little flat, a good nights sleep is in order. Hilds

I HATE POP SQUATS!!!!!

2007-01-29T13:40:00.000+10:00

Yes well that says it all! Just finished my leg workout and fifty million pop squats later and the legs are just a little wobbly. I don't really hate pop squats as I know my butt will be loving them in the long run, I just hope I'm not too sore tommorrow. Anyway it was an awesome leg workout, I actually put my Heart Rate monitor on this time as it feels more like a cardio routine and to no suprise my Heart Rate sat up around 80%. I decided to get it out the way early on as I knew if I left it until this arvo I would be dreading it all day. So training is all done and dusted for today, time to go out shopping!

Also just a quick update on week 1:

Nutrition: Great, still sturggled a bit on my night flight home but did ok. Avoided having a free meal this week, no alcohol or coffee either.

Training: All sessions completed

Weight: Lost .6kg

So overall a great week, not feeling much different yet but its only early days so I will just keep plodding along.

Thats it for today! Cheers Hilds

Waiting for the gym to open!!!!!

2007-01-27T08:51:00.000+10:00

Hope everyone had a great Australia Day! I spent it flying over to Japan, so didn't really feel much like a holiday. But anyway here I am just waiting in my hotel room for the gym to open. It doesn't open until ten which is a bit frustrating as I like to get straight up and get my cardio out the way. Whenever I have to wait those horrible reasons why I don't want to go creep into my thoughts, although I still know regardless I'll do it anyway. The feeling of not doing my training is worse than any reason I may have come up with for not doing it. So anyway just a quiet day today, hoping to get some more study done as my exam is booked in for Monday morning. I've discovered I'm definitely not one who loves study, I love to learn although hate the formal study, but oh well has to be done! So anyway nearly at the end of week one, I've had a great week so far, managed to get all my training done and clean eats all week, haven't even had a coffee! Can't say I'm feeling just fabulous yet but I know I just have to be patient. Its funny as this time around I am trying to only have a free meal and drinks if I really need them, and it is actually much easier. As last time I spent all week thinking about the treats I was going to have at my free meal and it made you crave them all the more. Whereas now I'm not even craving a drink or chocolate as I know I can have it but don't really want it, strange I know. I'm sure there will be times when I do but I will enjoy my little treats all the more then.

Its great weather in Japan at the moment, nice and cold such a great change from hot and very humid Cairns. We have been getting a lot of rain lately and I've had the aircon on most of the time so most of my training has been done in the airconditioned gym!!!!! When I have ventured outside for a walk I end up soaked either from sweat or rain, gotta love this time of year. So only another 1 1/2 hours and the gym should be open, yah (sad isn't it!). Anyway will check in on Monday and let you know how the scales liked my first week back into it!!!!

More Pics

2007-01-25T08:19:00.000+10:00

Lucy & Matt at the beach

Tina & Pauli

Trying to post pics!!!!!

2007-01-25T08:07:00.000+10:00

Dillon, Luke & Me

Tina & Me

Me & my sister Lucy

Jas at her best!

Week 1 Day 2

2007-01-23T19:04:00.000+10:00

Well its only early days but all is going well! I've clicked into the positive mindset and know that I will achieve my goals I just have to put in a bit of hard work along the way. I'm already feeling quite sore, I did my new leg routine yesterday and it was a killer!!! It felt more like an intense cardio session than the weights I am used to, If it doesn't get my butt into shape I don't know what will. Also just finished of a big bushwalk including heaps of hills/stairs which was a bit of a struggle with my sore legs, but 1 1/2 hours later and I felt great! Will be an early night tonight as I had to get up at four thirty for work this morning so will be struggling to make it until nine (its a bit sad isn't it!). Anyway eats have been great, although have been hanging out for my next meal each time. I'm trying to be more aware of my portion sizes and not letting little bits creep in here and there and all is going well so far. Had some frustrating news today, we got our holiday bid form from work and I'm number 249 so I have a very very very slim chance of getting the holidays I need for our wedding in 2008. Plus it also means if I can get them in Jan that I won't get any holidays until then which will kill me. Anyway will have to talk to the big boss and do some begging and see what happens!!!!!!! On a more positive note I have been studying hard and set my exam for my next module in my Cert 4 in fitness for next Monday, so I'll be busy studying until then...... Well enough from me tonight I better get back to whinging to my partner about how sore I am (he he he)

Fun, Fun Fun!

2007-01-19T11:01:00.000+10:00

Oh my god what a busy busy week, but it was all worth it coz I had a ball! I went down to Hervey Bay last Saturday to visit my best friend Tina. I hadn't seen her for about a year and hadn't even met her new hubby yet, she had a bit of a quick surprise wedding last year. So it was awesome to spend the night with her and meet her hubby, who is absolutely lovely. But since we hadn't seen each other for a while the drinks started flowing and before you know it your having a few too many...... So the next day we just hung out and she showed me around Hervey before I had to fly out. She put me on one of the aircraft she flies over to Fraser Island and then down to Maroochydore. It was an awesome flight on the little 8 seater aircraft (I'm used to the 200+ seat aircrafts) got to see a bit of Fraser Island and check out the coast on the way down to Maroochydore.

When I got to Maroochy my brother inlaw was there waiting to pick me up to take me to see the rest of the family in Moloolaba. They were holidaying there up from Adelaide. So I got to spend some time with my sis Lucy and her kids Dillon, Jasmin and Luke. It was so good to see them all as I miss them so much living in Cairns. Anyway same thing happened this day, as soon as I arrived I had a drink in my hand and it just never seemed to stop!!!!!! Wow did I feel like dying the next day, I can't even remember the last time I consumed so much alcohol and I can't say I miss it!!!!!!! The next day was spent in the pool, on the beach and just lazing around (about all I could manage!). So it was an early night the next night and a quiet dinner out, no drinks of course. So after all the eating and drinking we forced ourselves to go for a run the next day but I think I am only now feeling normal again (five days later)!!!! I got back to Cairns on Tuesday feeling a bit worse for wear only to have to pack the bags again to go to Japan, and finally I am home for a few very healthy, active but relaxing days at home, yippeeee!

All in all it was worth it as I had an amazing time and got to spend time with some of my most precious people in my life. So now the fun is out of the way, I'm really really really excited to be starting a new program with Sue from IBO, Michelle will be my feedback coach and I start on Monday. Did I say how excited I am! Its funny when you finally find a lifestyle you love when you go back to old ways for a while it only reinforces why you live the way you live now. I can't even imagine going back to the days of drinking every weekend and half hearted exercise attempts. I'm trying not to beat myself up about my excessive eating and drinking while away and just got straight back on track as soon as I was home. My new program starting on Tuesday should be great, I love it when I have a program to follow as it makes me so much more disciplined just the fact that someone else has written it for me and I will be accountable to someone else.

So here goes another 12 weeks, I am hoping for even better results this time as I know what is possible! One last bit of exciting news is that my little sister Sarah is getting married in April. She just told the family last weekend after getting back from her holiday in New Zealand and getting engaged. They were all a bit surprised and excited that is was so soon, although I have known for a few months now and it has been killing me keeping the secret, so its a nice relief for me. So I will be all finished my 12 weeks by her wedding and will be able to buy myself a nice new outfit (any excuse for shopping). So I'll be down to Adelaide in April for the wedding and possibly the following weekend for their big party to celebrate the wedding, here goes the savings plan already, oh well your little sister doesn't get married every day!!!

Will check back in soon with reports on how the new challenge it going.

Cheers Hilds
P.S will post some pics of my little mini holiday!

Frustrated....

2007-01-12T16:22:00.000+10:00

Well its been a few days now and I'm still feeling very average. I haven't trained since Monday and have been resting up and doing all the right things and am still not back to normal. It is soooo frustrating I'm not very good at being patient and am really hanging out to do some training again, its funny when you can't train its all you want to do, and when you have to train you try and do everything possible to put it off. I got back from Sydney today and had a nanna nap this arvo and just going out to dinner for mexican tonight and hopefully an early one. I'm praying i'll wake up feeling fabulous tommorrow as I am going down to Hervey Bay to visit my best friend. I've been looking forward to this weekend for ages and feeling very annoyed that i'm not 100%, so anyway spending the night in Hervey and then down to Maroochydore for another 2 nights to see my sister and her family who are on holidays. Then back up to Cairns on Tuesday only to fly out to Japan on Wednesday, back on Friday for a very relaxing weekend at home with my lovely man Cam! I'm feeling tired thinking about it, but it should all be worth it. Anyway will be back next week with my weekend fun update!

Back home!

2007-01-09T14:05:00.000+10:00

Well I'm finally back home after my 6 day trip and wow I love coming home. Had a great week last week, managed to get back into things full swing. Fitted in all my training while I was a way plus a lot of extra running (I'm a bit hooked on my heart rate monitor at the moment), don't think I've ever run that much before. My heart rate monitor continuously beeps at me until I am in the zone, so it kinda motivates you to get in the zone pretty quickly and stay there so you don't annoy the other people at the gym, not that I can normally hear it as I have my music on quite loud!!! Also managed to fit in all my weight training sessions as there was an awesome gym at the hotel in Manila, so no excuses for skipping any sessions. Manila was interesting, didn't really see too much as we were only there for two days, so mainly enjoyed the hotel pool and gym as I didn't really feel too safe walking around by myself. The hotel was great though and they had this amazing buffet, seriously the biggest one I have ever seen in my life. So of course we all had to go check out the buffet and I made that my free meal, I was actually extremely well behaved and walked away not feeling overly full (major accomplishment for me!), the food at the buffet was sensational and they had everything you could imagine. The desert buffet alone was bigger than any buffet I have seen in oz! So now that I have tried it don't think I'll be going back, the temptation is a little bit too big. So anyway overall last week was a good one and managed to loose .9kg with buffet and all!

This week has got of to a very frustrating start, I arrived back in Cairns yesterday and went straight to the red arrow (a small bushwalk with heaps of steps), I did three laps which took me about 40minutes. It was a great effort considering it was sooo hot and humid and I walked away drenched. Yesterday arvo I had planned on doing weights although started to feel a bit average and feel like I've got a cold. So no training yesterday arvo and nothing today in the hope that I will get some energy back for tomorrow and be able to get back into it full swing. It is so frustrating when you want to train hard but your body just doesn't seem to agree. I have learnt though that it is much better to have a days rest and get better than to half heartily exercise and feel worse at the end of it all. So here's hoping that I wake up tomorrow feeling fabulous all set for a big run!

Some other very exciting news for me is that I am a NEW YOU finalist with IBO, I was so excited to find out because there are so many awesome transformations it is pretty cool to be a finalist. Well anyway that's it for now, hopefully will be reporting back soon in full health. Cheers Hilds

2007-01-02T19:34:00.000+10:00

Back into it today! Managed to get a run, spin and Body Pump class done and wow am I feeling tired now. For Chrissy I got a polar heart rate monitor and its funny but I'm actually loving all my cardio now (well maybe not the spin class this morning it was very hard!) I get a buzz out of checking where my heart rate is at and how all of my different cardio sessions match up with what I thought I was doing. I also downloaded some songs onto my ipod last night and made a great running playlist, I don't even think I could go for a run without it now. I also got some new asics in the Boxing Day sales and they are just the best. I love asics as they just fit perfect straight away. So I'm all set with my fancy gadgets and training clothes so I have no excuses now.

My nutrition has been going well, struggling a bit must be sugar withdrawals after all the sweet treats I've been eating over Chrissy! Anyway just been getting organised as I head of tomorrow have a 6 day trip to Sydney & Manila. I've been so used to my 3 day trips that it was a bit of an effort trying to organise all my healthy food to take and what training I can fit in. All sorted now and finally managed to sit down and veg out for a bit, I've got to get up about 4am so hopefully I can get to sleep early. Otherwise I'll be having a nanna nap tomorrow. Oh nearly forgot I got to buy some new sports tops today, I was feeling a bit daggy at the gym so I'm all set now. Well anyway that's it from me I'll check back in after my trip and will tell you how good I have been (he he trying this positive thinking thing!)

Happy New Year!!!!

2007-01-01T14:43:00.000+10:00

Well another year over and another exciting year ahead. Last year was a fantastic year and I managed to achieve many of my goals. I successfully finished my 12 Week Challenge, went over to Austria and Germany which I have wanted to do for many years, started my Personal Training certificate, turned thirty and had a lot of fun doing so! and also managed to get engaged to the best man ever! So overall 2006 was an excellent year for me. I know that 2007 will be just as good and I always get really excited about starting a new year.

So I have kick started the New Year in a healthy way for a change. I had a quiet night at home last night, just enjoyed a bottle of bubbly in the spa with Cam. I think it is the first year ever I haven't woken up feeling hungover and definitely the first year I have ever got up on New Years day and gone for a run and I must say I quite like the feeling! So I am of to a good start, after a slack couple of months and an indulgent Chrissy I am ready to get back into it all. I have set all my goals for 2007 and excited about achieving them all. Right up the top of the list is another 12 week challenge, I've enlisted Sue's help again and will be starting my next challenge on the 22nd of Jan. So I will be blogging a lot more and touching base with others to help keep me on track. I've set my goals a bit higher this time as I know I can achieve it after successfully completing my last one. I think it is a bit daunting though knowing what it takes although exciting at the same time. So anyway that's my New Years news. Will be back soon! Happy New Years everyone.

Merry Christmas!!!!!!

2006-12-18T21:20:00.000+10:00

Just wanted to say Merry Christmas to everyone in Blog Land!

Sorry I haven't posted for a while, just taking a bit of a break from blogging. I am planning to start a new challenge to kick start 2007! So until then I will be away (still checking everyone elses blogs though!) but will be back in full force late January!

Happy New Year, Love Hilds

On a roll!

2006-11-23T18:33:00.000+10:00

I'm having a great week. I seem to have all this energy this week and have managed to get in heaps of training and actually enjoying it all (well nearly all of it!). I'm also finding my eating is a breeze this week, I just wish every week was like this. I don't really know why I'm feeling like this, maybe after being sick last week it just feels great to be healthy again. Have managed to get in two spin classes, a pump class, a couple of runs and have been up the hill powerwalking every afternoon, oh and weights twice! I seem to have my motivation back and I'm loving it.

Work is frustrating me at the moment as I'm on reserve this month, which means I cannot plan anything. I was suppose to go to the Gold Coast this weekend for an engagement party but it has turned out I'm on reserve all weekend so tied to the house. Oh well Cam will get to enjoy the five star resort all on his own! So since I can't go this weekend we have planned a night at Sea Temple Port Douglas on Monday night. This is to celebrate our 4 year anniversary plus Cam got a new job, so we will be cracking the bottle of Moet which has been sitting in the fridge for a while now! So I'm going to be a good girl all weekend so I can enjoy the pool, spa and moet on Monday night ( I can't wait!). Cheers Hilds

Been Busy!

2006-11-15T18:59:00.000+10:00

Sorry its been a while, have been a bit flat out! Had heaps of trips in a row so I could enjoy a few days off when our visitors arrived. I had my 14 year old nephew and also Cam's sister and her friend up for the last week. So as you do I have been out and about doing all the touristy things. Its good to have visitors every now and then as it makes you get out and enjoy all the local things you should do more often. We all went out to Green Island snorkeling for the day, which was great, although a bit too much sun for everyone. Another day was spent at the Bungy site (I didn't brave a jump although walked to the top and watched Alice jump off!) I think I might actually do one soon, never had the inclination before although it was very exciting up the top. Also took my nephew to the mountain bike track, which he rode around and I jogged, thought I was a little lost for a while but managed to find my way out! So along with a few more outings and a quick trip to Brissie for me it was a pretty busy week. Topped of by a big night out on the town for my good friends 30th Birthday. So Saturday was spent feeling very sorry for myself, yes I was extremely hungover! Followed by a trip to Japan on Sunday when I still felt extremely tired and very run down, and now to top it all off I managed to get a cold (always happens when I don't look after myself!). So have had to take a few days off training which is killing me but unfortunately the only way I will get over this cold. Tomorrow I am going to go for a powerwalk and start to ease back into my training. Its sooo frustrating as my training has been going really well. Have actually joined a gym and started going to spin and body pump each week. Still struggling a fair bit to get my nutrition spot on, seem to be great one week and then constantly struggling the next. I just keep plodding along trying to do the best I can, it is definitely much easier with no visitors to look after. So the goal is at the moment to just take each day as it comes and focus on clean eating and keep the training interesting! Definitely feeling much better than when I first got back from holidays, so will keep up the hard work and continue to get inspiration from all the other bloggers out there. Will update again soon. Luv Hilds

Week 3 down!

2006-10-31T13:27:00.000+10:00

Another week down. Spent the most of last week in Bali, I managed to get some time in the sun and stock up on all my Bali goodies. We will stop flying there soon so had to make the most of my time there. Managed to have a great week of training and nutrition although was a bit disappointed with my weigh in and measurements Monday morning. I shouldn't have really checked my weight as I had missed a nights sleep flying home from Bali plus I had my free meal Sunday night so felt pretty average on Monday morning only to have to get ready to fly to Japan. In three weeks my weight really hasn't moved much although I know that changes are happening and I just have to be patient, but it is so hard when you put in so much effort and all you want to see is a bit of a drop in the scale! Anyway I flew over to Osaka yesterday and struggled all day, I was sooooo tired and struggled to make it through the day. It wasn't my best nutrition day but I managed not to let it get out of control. I managed to do some stair climbing today and went for a long powerwalk, so feeling human again. Have got a pretty busy week ahead, I fly home tonight have Thursday of and then of to Tokyo on Friday, back on Sunday and then my nephew arrives. He is 14 and hasn't been up to visit Cairns before, so I will be taking him diving out on the reef plus some other fun stuff so it should be a great week.

Anyway enough from me, should get some rest before flying throughout the night.
Have fun! Hilds

Week 2 down!

2006-10-23T20:28:00.000+10:00

Well week two is over and it was a bit of a challenging one. I started back at work and flew to Tokyo last Thursday. I forgot how tired I get after night flights and how hard it is to control those sugar cravings. So the week got of to a good start although after getting home at 6am on Saturday morning and only having a couple hours sleep I felt very tired for the rest of the weekend! Still managed to get all of my training in although struggled with those sugar cravings and just felt hungry all weekend! Anyway didn't do too badly although it was reflected in my weekly weigh in (no change!!!!!). Well I can only hope for a better week this week, I'm trying to stay motivated and get my nutrition spot on this week! I'm off to Bali on Wednesday and get home on Sunday so have planned all my training and nutrition to fit in. Other than work all is going well, got back into my Cert 4 in Fitness study today and slowly getting through it. The weather is pretty average up here at the moment pouring with rain now, its seems like the wet season might be coming early (so glad I've got my treadmill). Bye for now Hilds

It hurts to walk!

2006-10-17T18:56:00.000+10:00

I'm still recovering from my leg session on Sunday. I think I must have overdone it just a little bit as I have been struggling to walk, sit (any movement really!). I've still managed to keep up my training although my usual Hill walk has been a lot harder than usual, actually managed a 5km run this arvo, it felt a bit strange at first but managed to get through it. I'm on to my second week now, managed to lose half a kilo last week, although was expecting a bit more considering what a great effort I put in with both training and nutrition (its hard work trying to get rid of all those studels and beers I had during my holidays!). I have to just keep telling myself to keep plodding along and the results with come! So anyway have been busy around the house the last couple of days. We managed to paint the last room in the house that had the original yellow walls and blue doors, its fantastic to see it finally go. I also got stuck into the garden today and well pretty much destroyed it, we have a few shrubs that just grow uncontrollable so I decided it was time to get rid of them. The garden is looking quite bare now and lots of rubbish to take to the dump tomorrow. So only one more day before I head back to work, its been great having five weeks off, I don't quite now how I'm going to cope working again!!!!! Anyway enough from me. Luv Hilds

Back on Track

2006-10-13T15:24:00.000+10:00

Well its nearly the end of week one and so far so good. Although oh my god have I been sore this week. I started the week with Chest and Back weights and I'm only just getting over it!!!! I do love feeling sore though, it makes all the effort feel worth it. I'm currently following a nutrition plan with Sue, all is going well so far and it definitely helps me a lot being accountable to someone. I haven't deviated from my plan all week and am just deciding if I need a free meal this week. I think its going to take me a good few weeks before I feel back to normal its amazing how much blubber can creep back on after a few weeks holiday, oh well it has been great and I've enjoyed every minute of holidays. So anyway time for me to get motivated I've decided to paint the office and am going to get stuck into it. Chat soon Hilds