As one can see from the mish mash in the title, I am getting sick of titling everything “Training Updates - XXXXX” and yet not in a creative enough mood to think of anything more interesting.
I had a relatively good week of training. In particular, I had a great training day during the week itself. The day didn’t start out so good. In actual fact, I felt like I was coming down with a serious flu halfway through the week. I spent the day sleeping and resting and by that evening, I felt fully rested and energetic. By the time I reached the gym, I could feel the power coursing through my limbs, and felt the incredible urge to pull heavy. I thought Popeye probably felt like this every time he got some spinach. I felt so good that I told Coach E that I could do anything that night and probably get some PRs. And I did – back squats at 55 kg. I really do believe I could have done 57.5 kg or maybe even 60 kg if I was in a mind to do so, but decided to be prudent and hone my form on 55 kg. Chin ups was great – finally able to get my chin above the bar and managed controlled lowering for up to 3 sets.
The weekday bout probably tired me out for the Saturday lifting, so I found myself making single lifts of 60 kgs and not being able to do anymore. But I wasn’t too concerned.
Muay Thai has become kind of a roulette wheel experience. I never know whether I am going to have a good session or be wiped out halfway. I can’t even pinpoint, much less control the factors which affect each session. So I guess I can only hope for the best until I graduate from bootcamp and put an end to Saturday heavy lifting and concentrate on Muay Thai. Anyway, I managed to survive this week quite well.
My planned derailment from my diet finally arrived on Saturday afternoon – a glorious afternoon of gourmet delights at Chihuly Lounge, Ritz Carlton. The Chihuly Lounge afternoon teas have always been one of my favourite treats, and the chocolate and nuts theme for the month of April to June was definitely not to be missed. I was not disappointed.
The savoury canapés deserve their own honorable mention. I kept going back for the Wagyu beef sandwich, crab wrap, crab salad, and the asparagus wrapped in beef. The last was a combination of taste and textures that was simply heavenly. I never realised asparagus tasted so good.
While I had meant to gun mostly for the desserts, I could only endure so much sweetness and richness before I had to take a break. I took a little of most of the chocolate stuff, and avoided the peanut butter items, which was too rich for my liking. But the crowning glory of the day was all those scoops of dark chocolate ice cream – best I ever tasted. If logistics didn’t intervene, I would probably have smuggled a whole tubful home to enjoy at leisure.
I go back onto my strict(er) diet regime today. Breaks like yesterday’s afternoon tea makes it all worthwhile….for if I didn’t make the effort to maintain a certain level of diet cleanliness normally, I wouldn’t have been able to enjoy yesterday’s spread without any guilt.
And I also believe, however blasphemous it may seem to people of certain persuasions, that if God really made the world, the best thing he did was when he uttered, “Let there be chocolate...and ice cream.”
Showing posts with label Training. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Training. Show all posts
Sunday, 14 June 2009
Sunday, 7 June 2009
IT’S BEEN A GOOD WEEK….
…..the title says it all.
Work has been relatively uneventful for the past two weeks, which is really a good thing in this line. No news is good news. At the very least, I am not constantly plagued by those moments when I sit down in front of my work station and start typing resignation letters. The phone is silent for most part, and my inbox have contained a current low of 46 emails for three days running, which is totally unheard of in my career so far. I ignore that little unsettling voice in my psyche that whisper that this is only the eye of the storm, and the worst is yet to come. After all, the holy mountain prophet predicted bad times at work in the months of October and November. But for now, I am counting my blessings when I can get them and taking a breather until those dreaded months arrive. This good week may be all that stands between me and the train tracks if the predictions for bad times do come true.
Training has gone relatively well this week. Due to several absences for the bootcamp, I was able to do the heavy stuff instead for most of the week. No new personal bests, but no major boo-boos either. I did manage to up the deadlifts to a 62.5 kg 1RM, which is more than what I have managed for weeks. And I continue to feel appreciable improvements in my upper body strength. Push ups, chin ups, overhead and flat bench presses are all significantly better. Muay Thai was not too bad either, although coach wasn’t too happy with some kicking and landing techniques. Still, I am happy overall. And whatever soreness I was feeling throughout the week is just another reminder of a reasonably good training week.
I have also been rather good with my diet this week, with only one major “surprise” when my mother managed to sneak in fried rice for one of my lunches. Fried rice is one of my big weaknesses, and my mother’s fried rice is out of the world, so guess who won? But other than that, and a planned cheat with 220 calories worth of Ben and Jerry’s chocolate fudge brownie ice cream (soooo good…), I had been doing well….and the scale appears to agree.
By the way, I have spoken to Coach J, and will “graduate” from the bootcamp after one more term and sign on for PT instead. Details have not been worked out yet, but I figured I would probably be training two to three times a week at the gym, and Saturday mornings would be for Muay Thai alone. No more feeling like I left my lungs and limbs somewhere else after Saturday training(s). The only thing I haven’t yet decided is my training goal. I would have continued to gun for fat loss, but I suspect the limiting factor for that is ultimately my diet and nutrition, so I may as well train for maximal strength anyway, and work at fat loss from the nutrition angle.
I have not been a total jock this week though, and managed to enjoy two theatre productions over the weekend. My father jokes that I am trying to be what the Chinese call 文武双全 or literarily “being well-versed in both the scholastic and martial endeavours”. I don’t think I have anything that lofty in mind, though I do hope to be as well-rounded as I can within the constraints of my own personal interests and available free time. I have to admit that I do miss the presence of the softer arts in my life these days, and have been considering bringing my trumpet out of storage and joining a band again, if I can find one that allows me to practice without performance commitments.
I also managed to catch up with some friends while attending the theatre performances, so now I feel more socially connected as well. Facebook, for all its virtues, can only do so much to maintain ties. We all still need the human connection. Oh, something else came out of our small gathering – a date for an MCR game two weeks hence. It has become embarrassing to tell people that I have not played for months after the Straits Times Life! article was published, so now at least I won’t be lying exactly when I say I am still playing. I only hope that we can at least continue with monthly games, if not weekly. I still haven’t given up the dream of competing at WSM one day.
The crowning touch for this week? I received my monthly statements for my equity investments today. My investments have rebounded somewhat, and are at the pre-recession levels. My paper losses are no more as of this moment. But I shall, as instructed by our ruling big brothers, be only cautiously optimistic instead of wildly overjoyed.
And I remain cautiously optimistic that the coming week will be just as good.
Work has been relatively uneventful for the past two weeks, which is really a good thing in this line. No news is good news. At the very least, I am not constantly plagued by those moments when I sit down in front of my work station and start typing resignation letters. The phone is silent for most part, and my inbox have contained a current low of 46 emails for three days running, which is totally unheard of in my career so far. I ignore that little unsettling voice in my psyche that whisper that this is only the eye of the storm, and the worst is yet to come. After all, the holy mountain prophet predicted bad times at work in the months of October and November. But for now, I am counting my blessings when I can get them and taking a breather until those dreaded months arrive. This good week may be all that stands between me and the train tracks if the predictions for bad times do come true.
Training has gone relatively well this week. Due to several absences for the bootcamp, I was able to do the heavy stuff instead for most of the week. No new personal bests, but no major boo-boos either. I did manage to up the deadlifts to a 62.5 kg 1RM, which is more than what I have managed for weeks. And I continue to feel appreciable improvements in my upper body strength. Push ups, chin ups, overhead and flat bench presses are all significantly better. Muay Thai was not too bad either, although coach wasn’t too happy with some kicking and landing techniques. Still, I am happy overall. And whatever soreness I was feeling throughout the week is just another reminder of a reasonably good training week.
I have also been rather good with my diet this week, with only one major “surprise” when my mother managed to sneak in fried rice for one of my lunches. Fried rice is one of my big weaknesses, and my mother’s fried rice is out of the world, so guess who won? But other than that, and a planned cheat with 220 calories worth of Ben and Jerry’s chocolate fudge brownie ice cream (soooo good…), I had been doing well….and the scale appears to agree.
By the way, I have spoken to Coach J, and will “graduate” from the bootcamp after one more term and sign on for PT instead. Details have not been worked out yet, but I figured I would probably be training two to three times a week at the gym, and Saturday mornings would be for Muay Thai alone. No more feeling like I left my lungs and limbs somewhere else after Saturday training(s). The only thing I haven’t yet decided is my training goal. I would have continued to gun for fat loss, but I suspect the limiting factor for that is ultimately my diet and nutrition, so I may as well train for maximal strength anyway, and work at fat loss from the nutrition angle.
I have not been a total jock this week though, and managed to enjoy two theatre productions over the weekend. My father jokes that I am trying to be what the Chinese call 文武双全 or literarily “being well-versed in both the scholastic and martial endeavours”. I don’t think I have anything that lofty in mind, though I do hope to be as well-rounded as I can within the constraints of my own personal interests and available free time. I have to admit that I do miss the presence of the softer arts in my life these days, and have been considering bringing my trumpet out of storage and joining a band again, if I can find one that allows me to practice without performance commitments.
I also managed to catch up with some friends while attending the theatre performances, so now I feel more socially connected as well. Facebook, for all its virtues, can only do so much to maintain ties. We all still need the human connection. Oh, something else came out of our small gathering – a date for an MCR game two weeks hence. It has become embarrassing to tell people that I have not played for months after the Straits Times Life! article was published, so now at least I won’t be lying exactly when I say I am still playing. I only hope that we can at least continue with monthly games, if not weekly. I still haven’t given up the dream of competing at WSM one day.
The crowning touch for this week? I received my monthly statements for my equity investments today. My investments have rebounded somewhat, and are at the pre-recession levels. My paper losses are no more as of this moment. But I shall, as instructed by our ruling big brothers, be only cautiously optimistic instead of wildly overjoyed.
And I remain cautiously optimistic that the coming week will be just as good.
Saturday, 30 May 2009
TRAINING UPDATES – 30.05.2009
I’m a mess. I have bruises, big and small everywhere, from my foot to my shoulders. The ones on my shoulders and collar bones are from the front squats earlier this week, the ones on my shins are either from Muay Thai or deadlifts today, the ones on my left foot is definitely from Muay Thai. My knuckles are also scrapped and bruised, though how that happened when I was wearing my hand-wraps is a puzzle. Calluses – check. Sore abs – check. On top of everything, my throat feels rather raw from all the yelling during Muay Thai. No yells, no strength.
Strength training - analysis with Coach E today made me realize I have been too used to the Romanian deadlift form. In Romanian deadlifts, there is less bending of the knees and more bowing and use of upper body strength, as opposed to conventional deadlifts, where I have to set up lower, more like a squat, and drive from my legs. Well, it seems that I have been relying more on my upper body strength for conventional deadlifts, and as such limited my lifts. Some adjustment today improved matters somewhat. At least 55 kgs was a given, although 60 kgs still felt hard and I couldn’t complete 5 reps in a single set. I have no idea how I managed 60 kgs so easily the last time. I am also starting to believe that the 1RM of 65 kgs that I achieved weeks ago was just a fluke. Did I perhaps ingest some spinach accidentally before lifting that time?
The mind is a strange thing. Weeks ago, those barbells looked friendly and inviting. Today, I got this sense of dread when I see them lying there. I wonder if my mind set me up for failure before I even started. I never thought the day would come when I would have preferred to squat rather than deadlift. It is true then, that we always enjoy better the things we are good at.
Anyway, I have left my ego at the gym door, and shall work my way up slowly but surely from 55 kgs. No way am I going to chance a back injury just for the sake of loading the bar too quickly. At least after the adjustment today, I am happy to report that my legs and abs are sore, but my back is fine, and my calluses don’t hurt like they used to. I can take comfort, albeit a little cold, in the fact that I am doing things properly.
By the way, did we know that we are ideally suited to deadlifting and squatting, because our limbs are shorter (so we have less distance to move the weights)? I never thought the day would come when having shorter limbs would actually be useful. But frankly? Give me longer legs, and I would gladly give up 20 kg off my PRs. But since this is what the good God has seen fit to give me, I have been advised to make the best use of it.
Muay Thai today – poor. It looks like I need not have forgone the last set of tabata jump squats, since it appeared to have made no difference to my performance at Muay Thai anyway. For the first time ever in a long, long while, I had to call for time-out in the middle of a padwork bout because I was seeing black around the edges of my vision. I managed to rally and finish up, but it was still tough. Half the time, I was on autopilot, because I was so tired I couldn’t process the instructions. Pad here, punch here, pad there, kick there, pad high, punch high, pad low, kick low. It was actually kind of cool that I could go on autopilot, because it means quite a bit of it has been internalized. I seem to be taking a lot of my comfort cold, though.
I repeat again, my throat is raw. When one has to “Urgh!”and “Argh!” hundreds of times in an hour, it happens. It honestly amazes me how much additional strength and momentum I get from making those noises. And it seems I am not the only one. Earlier this week, I was watching the earlier session bootcamp ladies do their stuff, when I realized they were all making louder exhalations from the exertion. Take about 8 ladies, each of them making soft groaning noises rather rhythmically, you get the picture. I was pretty amused at how suggestive it all sounded. I wondered if anyone else also had their minds in the gutter like me…and made the connection, though.
Finally, I have decided to move on from the bootcamp to proper personal training, and plan to speak to Coach J on Monday to see if something can be worked out. I do not see otherwise how I can continue to maintain the barbell lifting session and Muay Thai training on a single day, one after another. I refuse to continue with crappy performance when I know I am capable of much better.
By the way, I think I have gained back some dreaded inches after the poor food choices in the last one to two weeks. I had to exert a smidgeon of extra strength to close the snaps on my shorts today. Alert! Alert! It’s no-no to sweets until further notice.
Strength training - analysis with Coach E today made me realize I have been too used to the Romanian deadlift form. In Romanian deadlifts, there is less bending of the knees and more bowing and use of upper body strength, as opposed to conventional deadlifts, where I have to set up lower, more like a squat, and drive from my legs. Well, it seems that I have been relying more on my upper body strength for conventional deadlifts, and as such limited my lifts. Some adjustment today improved matters somewhat. At least 55 kgs was a given, although 60 kgs still felt hard and I couldn’t complete 5 reps in a single set. I have no idea how I managed 60 kgs so easily the last time. I am also starting to believe that the 1RM of 65 kgs that I achieved weeks ago was just a fluke. Did I perhaps ingest some spinach accidentally before lifting that time?
The mind is a strange thing. Weeks ago, those barbells looked friendly and inviting. Today, I got this sense of dread when I see them lying there. I wonder if my mind set me up for failure before I even started. I never thought the day would come when I would have preferred to squat rather than deadlift. It is true then, that we always enjoy better the things we are good at.
Anyway, I have left my ego at the gym door, and shall work my way up slowly but surely from 55 kgs. No way am I going to chance a back injury just for the sake of loading the bar too quickly. At least after the adjustment today, I am happy to report that my legs and abs are sore, but my back is fine, and my calluses don’t hurt like they used to. I can take comfort, albeit a little cold, in the fact that I am doing things properly.
By the way, did we know that we are ideally suited to deadlifting and squatting, because our limbs are shorter (so we have less distance to move the weights)? I never thought the day would come when having shorter limbs would actually be useful. But frankly? Give me longer legs, and I would gladly give up 20 kg off my PRs. But since this is what the good God has seen fit to give me, I have been advised to make the best use of it.
Muay Thai today – poor. It looks like I need not have forgone the last set of tabata jump squats, since it appeared to have made no difference to my performance at Muay Thai anyway. For the first time ever in a long, long while, I had to call for time-out in the middle of a padwork bout because I was seeing black around the edges of my vision. I managed to rally and finish up, but it was still tough. Half the time, I was on autopilot, because I was so tired I couldn’t process the instructions. Pad here, punch here, pad there, kick there, pad high, punch high, pad low, kick low. It was actually kind of cool that I could go on autopilot, because it means quite a bit of it has been internalized. I seem to be taking a lot of my comfort cold, though.
I repeat again, my throat is raw. When one has to “Urgh!”and “Argh!” hundreds of times in an hour, it happens. It honestly amazes me how much additional strength and momentum I get from making those noises. And it seems I am not the only one. Earlier this week, I was watching the earlier session bootcamp ladies do their stuff, when I realized they were all making louder exhalations from the exertion. Take about 8 ladies, each of them making soft groaning noises rather rhythmically, you get the picture. I was pretty amused at how suggestive it all sounded. I wondered if anyone else also had their minds in the gutter like me…and made the connection, though.
Finally, I have decided to move on from the bootcamp to proper personal training, and plan to speak to Coach J on Monday to see if something can be worked out. I do not see otherwise how I can continue to maintain the barbell lifting session and Muay Thai training on a single day, one after another. I refuse to continue with crappy performance when I know I am capable of much better.
By the way, I think I have gained back some dreaded inches after the poor food choices in the last one to two weeks. I had to exert a smidgeon of extra strength to close the snaps on my shorts today. Alert! Alert! It’s no-no to sweets until further notice.
Sunday, 24 May 2009
TRAINING UPDATES – 23.05.2009
I never meant for it to happen this way, but my training updates seemed to have regularized itself to a weekly kind of format.
This week has not been too good for me. For a start, I fell sick at the start of the week. No, I did not have H1N1, though I was in contact with several people who HAD travelled to affected countries. I only wish it were H1N1, since it doesn’t seem to be too bad if caught early, and a whole week of self quarantine (aka R&R) is just too attractive to turn down.
Anyway, training for the entire week was sub-optimal. I was tired most the time, could not really lift as heavy and just did not feel like training anyway. The training program has been recently changed, which could account for the poor recovery as well.
Saturday heavy lifting was not too bad, considering how I felt for the entire week. I actually managed a new PR of 52.5 kg on the back squats. I have to attribute that to Coach E, really. He noticed I was keeping the barbell in a rather uncomfortable position and helped me with some adjustments, after which I could pile on the weights. There are improvements on the chin ups front too, although I am definitely still far from the day where I can do a dead hang chin up by myself.
Coach J mentioned that I should be seeing lifting gains every week and was suggesting the use of fractional plates (like 0.25 kg plates) to break PRs if necessary. But I don’t think I really agree, especially when we start lifting really heavy. Two of those small plates probably amount to manufacturing tolerances when the weights get really heavy. I doubt I’ll be consoling myself with new PRs that way anytime soon….or so I hope.
Muay Thai – same old, same old. Just like last week, I got through only by the skin of my teeth, and with the help of some 100 plus. However, while I manage to last physically, techniques for the pad work sessions suck, because I was so tired and my muscles are so fried. I have to rethink my training schedule soon, because I don’t like the idea of half-assing my way through Muay Thai training. I am definitely capable of much better and I want to move on.
Oh, my testimonial video is up at the Coach J’s blog. I cringed a bit as I re-watched it, because, gosh, I sound like a total bimbo, complete with silly giggling. I wish I had thought of smarter things to say other than the fact that my clothes fit me better. That sounds so totally shallow and vain somehow. I am not like that in real life, REALLY.
Highlight of the week? Got served by the cute maitre d’ with the sunny smile at my favourite pork chop place again. And I was offered free tea, coffee, ice cream etc on the house. Just because I am such a regular customer. Wow, that’s a first for me and makes me feel really special. For reasons that I have not figured out yet, I actually declined the offers. But not before flirting a bit with the guy and trying not to show too much teeth when I smiled at him (all the while frantically wondering if I have something stuck between my teeth!). I made a mental note to myself to make sure to pick my teeth surreptitiously before he comes to clear my plate and chat me up the next time I lunch there, so that I can dazzle him with MY sunny smile as well.
PS: With all these mental notes to self, I imagine my brain looks worse than some of my colleagues’ computer monitors with yellow post-it notes plastered all over them.
This week has not been too good for me. For a start, I fell sick at the start of the week. No, I did not have H1N1, though I was in contact with several people who HAD travelled to affected countries. I only wish it were H1N1, since it doesn’t seem to be too bad if caught early, and a whole week of self quarantine (aka R&R) is just too attractive to turn down.
Anyway, training for the entire week was sub-optimal. I was tired most the time, could not really lift as heavy and just did not feel like training anyway. The training program has been recently changed, which could account for the poor recovery as well.
Saturday heavy lifting was not too bad, considering how I felt for the entire week. I actually managed a new PR of 52.5 kg on the back squats. I have to attribute that to Coach E, really. He noticed I was keeping the barbell in a rather uncomfortable position and helped me with some adjustments, after which I could pile on the weights. There are improvements on the chin ups front too, although I am definitely still far from the day where I can do a dead hang chin up by myself.
Coach J mentioned that I should be seeing lifting gains every week and was suggesting the use of fractional plates (like 0.25 kg plates) to break PRs if necessary. But I don’t think I really agree, especially when we start lifting really heavy. Two of those small plates probably amount to manufacturing tolerances when the weights get really heavy. I doubt I’ll be consoling myself with new PRs that way anytime soon….or so I hope.
Muay Thai – same old, same old. Just like last week, I got through only by the skin of my teeth, and with the help of some 100 plus. However, while I manage to last physically, techniques for the pad work sessions suck, because I was so tired and my muscles are so fried. I have to rethink my training schedule soon, because I don’t like the idea of half-assing my way through Muay Thai training. I am definitely capable of much better and I want to move on.
Oh, my testimonial video is up at the Coach J’s blog. I cringed a bit as I re-watched it, because, gosh, I sound like a total bimbo, complete with silly giggling. I wish I had thought of smarter things to say other than the fact that my clothes fit me better. That sounds so totally shallow and vain somehow. I am not like that in real life, REALLY.
Highlight of the week? Got served by the cute maitre d’ with the sunny smile at my favourite pork chop place again. And I was offered free tea, coffee, ice cream etc on the house. Just because I am such a regular customer. Wow, that’s a first for me and makes me feel really special. For reasons that I have not figured out yet, I actually declined the offers. But not before flirting a bit with the guy and trying not to show too much teeth when I smiled at him (all the while frantically wondering if I have something stuck between my teeth!). I made a mental note to myself to make sure to pick my teeth surreptitiously before he comes to clear my plate and chat me up the next time I lunch there, so that I can dazzle him with MY sunny smile as well.
PS: With all these mental notes to self, I imagine my brain looks worse than some of my colleagues’ computer monitors with yellow post-it notes plastered all over them.
Sunday, 17 May 2009
LOUSY TRAINING DAY, AND I GOT INJURED TOO
I recently gave someone a pep talk about having bad training days. I guess it is only poetic justice that I had one too today. Note to self: Stop giving pep talks.
Another note to self: Never do yoga before lifting day. It might be other factors that resulted in today’s poor showing (like the fact that I am actually really weaker than I thought), but I am sticking the Friday hot yoga session in the scapegoat’s seat for today’s debacle.
Anyway, the gist of today’s lifting session was that I was struggling with 55 kgs deadlifts when I was lifting 60 kgs, and even 65 kgs two weeks ago. And even with 55 kgs today I had to abort the sets halfway. And the bad thing about lifting once a week is that I don’t get to wipe out a poor record with a nice fresh one by Monday. I have to wait two weeks to prove my mettle again. Sad, that.
Muay Thai was better, but not fantastic either. The best I can say about today’s session is that I lasted the entire bout, but it was obvious I was tiring early and not at my best. The last twenty minutes of the session was run on willpower alone. At that point in time, I honestly felt for those pro boxers who have to keep going during their matches. Mind over body takes on new meaning for me.
And to top it all, today had to be the day I broke my injury free training record (muscle aches that felt like trucks rolled over me do not count). It feels like a strain in my left foot, which feels rather painful when I walk or flex my foot. It is actually very minor and definitely not serious enough to halt my training, but it still sucks. And the thing is I can’t even remember sustaining it. I only started feeling the pain after my long, wonderful afternoon nap today. I suspect I must have gotten it during Muay Thai, when I misjudged the distance to the boxing bag and kicked it with my foot instead of my shin. Now I feel like a klutz on top of everything else.
I have to keep reminding myself that I’m into all this fitness stuff for FAT LOSS, otherwise I may just hide under the blankets and cry. Strange how priorities shift subconsciously. Anyway, there is good news on the fat loss front. Pinch test measurements this week revealed that I lost three bodyfat percentages since mid February, which leaves me just 2% away from acceptable bodyfat percentage range. Just 2% more and I will be officially not overweight anymore. Of course, BMI and WHR and a host of other ratios will not agree, but I have decided to adopt bodyfat % as my guiding light and the other ratios can retreat to the acronym retirement village. A girl’s got to do what a girl’s got to do.
The pinch test measurements also revealed that I have got to sleep more, which means no blog hopping and Facebook for me during weekday nights from now on. This pinch test is as good as a psychic reading when it comes to my lifestyle habits. The last time it was done, my coach correctly analysed that I was still piling on the carbohydrates, hence no loss in the love handles though I went down everywhere else. This time, calves showed no losses, which apparently translates to sleep deficiency. Some girls lie to their coaches to maintain a good impression or to avoid incessant nagging. There is no sense in lying to mine. He’ll just grab my fats and prove me wrong.
A few days ago, I went window shopping and tried on some stuff in some shop. These days when salespeople ask me what size I wear, I’m kind of clueless. Given my obsession with fat loss, it is kind of weird that I’m not obsessive compulsive about tracking my clothing size. But my body composition keeps changing on me and it gets difficult to judge what size I should be getting. Anyway, the salesperson seemed to have some kind of built in size radar and got me all the right sizes to try. Then I found out that I was trying “M” sizes. That clinched it. I walked out of the shop with a shopping bag full of clothes I hadn’t intended to get. I haven’t worn “M” sizes since forever. Of course, it could be that the cut of the clothes in that shop happened to be bigger….but an “M” is an “M”. It is like artificial sweeteners. You know they are not real sugar, but who cares if they taste sweet anyway?
And I got yet another compliment today about my visible flab loss, which kind of makes today somewhat less lousy.
And lastly, when I went to my favourite pork chop place for lunch after Muay Thai today, the cute maître d’ personally served me my pork chops and commented that he didn’t see me last Saturday. I didn’t even realize he remembered me from my weekly visits; much less that he missed me when I skip a visit. I was so flabbergasted that I don’t remember what I mumbled back. Last note to self: Need to practice more at spontaneous flirtations. Nevertheless, the pork chops tasted extra nice with a serving of his sunny smile.
And it wasn’t such a lousy day after all.
Another note to self: Never do yoga before lifting day. It might be other factors that resulted in today’s poor showing (like the fact that I am actually really weaker than I thought), but I am sticking the Friday hot yoga session in the scapegoat’s seat for today’s debacle.
Anyway, the gist of today’s lifting session was that I was struggling with 55 kgs deadlifts when I was lifting 60 kgs, and even 65 kgs two weeks ago. And even with 55 kgs today I had to abort the sets halfway. And the bad thing about lifting once a week is that I don’t get to wipe out a poor record with a nice fresh one by Monday. I have to wait two weeks to prove my mettle again. Sad, that.
Muay Thai was better, but not fantastic either. The best I can say about today’s session is that I lasted the entire bout, but it was obvious I was tiring early and not at my best. The last twenty minutes of the session was run on willpower alone. At that point in time, I honestly felt for those pro boxers who have to keep going during their matches. Mind over body takes on new meaning for me.
And to top it all, today had to be the day I broke my injury free training record (muscle aches that felt like trucks rolled over me do not count). It feels like a strain in my left foot, which feels rather painful when I walk or flex my foot. It is actually very minor and definitely not serious enough to halt my training, but it still sucks. And the thing is I can’t even remember sustaining it. I only started feeling the pain after my long, wonderful afternoon nap today. I suspect I must have gotten it during Muay Thai, when I misjudged the distance to the boxing bag and kicked it with my foot instead of my shin. Now I feel like a klutz on top of everything else.
I have to keep reminding myself that I’m into all this fitness stuff for FAT LOSS, otherwise I may just hide under the blankets and cry. Strange how priorities shift subconsciously. Anyway, there is good news on the fat loss front. Pinch test measurements this week revealed that I lost three bodyfat percentages since mid February, which leaves me just 2% away from acceptable bodyfat percentage range. Just 2% more and I will be officially not overweight anymore. Of course, BMI and WHR and a host of other ratios will not agree, but I have decided to adopt bodyfat % as my guiding light and the other ratios can retreat to the acronym retirement village. A girl’s got to do what a girl’s got to do.
The pinch test measurements also revealed that I have got to sleep more, which means no blog hopping and Facebook for me during weekday nights from now on. This pinch test is as good as a psychic reading when it comes to my lifestyle habits. The last time it was done, my coach correctly analysed that I was still piling on the carbohydrates, hence no loss in the love handles though I went down everywhere else. This time, calves showed no losses, which apparently translates to sleep deficiency. Some girls lie to their coaches to maintain a good impression or to avoid incessant nagging. There is no sense in lying to mine. He’ll just grab my fats and prove me wrong.
A few days ago, I went window shopping and tried on some stuff in some shop. These days when salespeople ask me what size I wear, I’m kind of clueless. Given my obsession with fat loss, it is kind of weird that I’m not obsessive compulsive about tracking my clothing size. But my body composition keeps changing on me and it gets difficult to judge what size I should be getting. Anyway, the salesperson seemed to have some kind of built in size radar and got me all the right sizes to try. Then I found out that I was trying “M” sizes. That clinched it. I walked out of the shop with a shopping bag full of clothes I hadn’t intended to get. I haven’t worn “M” sizes since forever. Of course, it could be that the cut of the clothes in that shop happened to be bigger….but an “M” is an “M”. It is like artificial sweeteners. You know they are not real sugar, but who cares if they taste sweet anyway?
And I got yet another compliment today about my visible flab loss, which kind of makes today somewhat less lousy.
And lastly, when I went to my favourite pork chop place for lunch after Muay Thai today, the cute maître d’ personally served me my pork chops and commented that he didn’t see me last Saturday. I didn’t even realize he remembered me from my weekly visits; much less that he missed me when I skip a visit. I was so flabbergasted that I don’t remember what I mumbled back. Last note to self: Need to practice more at spontaneous flirtations. Nevertheless, the pork chops tasted extra nice with a serving of his sunny smile.
And it wasn’t such a lousy day after all.
Sunday, 10 May 2009
QUESTION OF EGO
There was no Muay Thai training yesterday due to the Vesak Day holiday. I guess coach wanted to enjoy a rare day off with wifey, but I was disappointed. I so wanted to ride on last week's high and see if I could do as well this week.
This week's training went as expected, except for Monday. I must have been still fatigued from the deadlifting the previous Saturday, and so, on Monday, my lower back went to hell during the deadlifts and bent over rows. Managed to get the numbers up for all the finishers, but I think these numbers are REALLY my limit. Of course, I keep saying that, and next week I go and break my own records. But it is hard to imagine I could go any higher when I am half expired from the effort at that point in time.
Strength training was good on Saturday. Managed to up the back squats to 50 kg. Truth to be told, I didn't particularly want to try that last set of 50 kg. I thought at 47.5 kg, my form was already poor. It goes again the grain to try for heavier weights when I couldn't do the lighter at good form, because it feels like ego talking. I definitely want to avoid being one of those people who would sacrifice anything just for new PRs, even though sometimes it really is very tempting.
And I definitely have an ego when it comes to training these days. I didn't start out with one, but once I became better at it, the ego and competitiveness started to set in. I frankly admit that I was disappointed that I could only do 1 rep of the 65 kg deadlift last week, not because I thought I should be able to do more, but simply because I wanted to keep a decent lead over the rest. There, I've gotten it off my chest and I feel better. Sort of like going to confession.
Training in a bootcamp can be bad for people like me, because my innate competitive nature sets in. Hey, I'm not an Aries for nothing. Once I get my teeth into the fantastic feeling of leading the pack, it becomes hard to get them out of it again. And when I start failing in further attempts, I start to get frustrated and disappointed. It becomes hard to feel happy for others who have surpassed me in their endeavours, and that makes me feel even crappier, because what does that say about me? I feel like a selfish and self centred bitch, especially when the rest of the pack always congratulate me so sincerely when I do well.
Anyway, a pep talk with myself worked, kind of. I can't say I won't continue to push myself to surpass my own performance, AND others as well. But at the very least, I can honestly say that it doesn't bother me so much now when I see others performing as well, or better, and I can give sincere compliments. And I'm glad that I stopped to consider the 50 kg back squat yesterday.
Oh, and I gave a video testimonial of my gym yesterday. And for anyone who wonders why there is anything special about that, it is because the process involved two of my personal phobias:
1) Public Speaking, especially the scriptless kind
2) Looking at my own photos and video replays
The last time I saw a video of myself was back in University, where we were videoed doing presentations in the Technical Communication module. I got a decent enough grade for that, but I was cringing all the way during the replay because I look so fat. I was mentally going "Man, I actually look like that?" and resisting the urge to grab the remote control from my tutor.
One of things I read in another dieter's blog that had me nodding my head in vehement agreement is the perception that we maintain of ourselves when we were fat and when we are slimmer. Back then, though I knew I was big sized, I never really let myself acknowledge exactly how big I was. It was like if I did, I would not be able to escape anymore, and would HAVE to do something about it. So everytime I viewed a photo or a video of myself, I would be totally devastated at exactly how bad I look.
After I lost the excess baggage, it was like my brain still hung on to my fat images from last time. It was as if my brain could not really accept that I HAD lost that much weight. Part of the reason was probably also due to the fear that if I let myself be too happy about the fat loss too early, the fat would come piling back before I had a chance to breath a sigh of relief (in local terms, I am pantang lah).
So I was apprehensive about the testimonial videoing. It took some courage to view the replay, but I was quite pleasantly surprised. No doubt I would be cringing at some other detail when I get to view it again in detail, but it will not be at how bad I look.
Oh, and I managed not to gabble myself into incoherence, which is pretty awesome in it's own way.
This week's training went as expected, except for Monday. I must have been still fatigued from the deadlifting the previous Saturday, and so, on Monday, my lower back went to hell during the deadlifts and bent over rows. Managed to get the numbers up for all the finishers, but I think these numbers are REALLY my limit. Of course, I keep saying that, and next week I go and break my own records. But it is hard to imagine I could go any higher when I am half expired from the effort at that point in time.
Strength training was good on Saturday. Managed to up the back squats to 50 kg. Truth to be told, I didn't particularly want to try that last set of 50 kg. I thought at 47.5 kg, my form was already poor. It goes again the grain to try for heavier weights when I couldn't do the lighter at good form, because it feels like ego talking. I definitely want to avoid being one of those people who would sacrifice anything just for new PRs, even though sometimes it really is very tempting.
And I definitely have an ego when it comes to training these days. I didn't start out with one, but once I became better at it, the ego and competitiveness started to set in. I frankly admit that I was disappointed that I could only do 1 rep of the 65 kg deadlift last week, not because I thought I should be able to do more, but simply because I wanted to keep a decent lead over the rest. There, I've gotten it off my chest and I feel better. Sort of like going to confession.
Training in a bootcamp can be bad for people like me, because my innate competitive nature sets in. Hey, I'm not an Aries for nothing. Once I get my teeth into the fantastic feeling of leading the pack, it becomes hard to get them out of it again. And when I start failing in further attempts, I start to get frustrated and disappointed. It becomes hard to feel happy for others who have surpassed me in their endeavours, and that makes me feel even crappier, because what does that say about me? I feel like a selfish and self centred bitch, especially when the rest of the pack always congratulate me so sincerely when I do well.
Anyway, a pep talk with myself worked, kind of. I can't say I won't continue to push myself to surpass my own performance, AND others as well. But at the very least, I can honestly say that it doesn't bother me so much now when I see others performing as well, or better, and I can give sincere compliments. And I'm glad that I stopped to consider the 50 kg back squat yesterday.
Oh, and I gave a video testimonial of my gym yesterday. And for anyone who wonders why there is anything special about that, it is because the process involved two of my personal phobias:
1) Public Speaking, especially the scriptless kind
2) Looking at my own photos and video replays
The last time I saw a video of myself was back in University, where we were videoed doing presentations in the Technical Communication module. I got a decent enough grade for that, but I was cringing all the way during the replay because I look so fat. I was mentally going "Man, I actually look like that?" and resisting the urge to grab the remote control from my tutor.
One of things I read in another dieter's blog that had me nodding my head in vehement agreement is the perception that we maintain of ourselves when we were fat and when we are slimmer. Back then, though I knew I was big sized, I never really let myself acknowledge exactly how big I was. It was like if I did, I would not be able to escape anymore, and would HAVE to do something about it. So everytime I viewed a photo or a video of myself, I would be totally devastated at exactly how bad I look.
After I lost the excess baggage, it was like my brain still hung on to my fat images from last time. It was as if my brain could not really accept that I HAD lost that much weight. Part of the reason was probably also due to the fear that if I let myself be too happy about the fat loss too early, the fat would come piling back before I had a chance to breath a sigh of relief (in local terms, I am pantang lah).
So I was apprehensive about the testimonial videoing. It took some courage to view the replay, but I was quite pleasantly surprised. No doubt I would be cringing at some other detail when I get to view it again in detail, but it will not be at how bad I look.
Oh, and I managed not to gabble myself into incoherence, which is pretty awesome in it's own way.
Saturday, 2 May 2009
TRAINING UPDATES
Had a fantabulous (is that even a word?) Muay Thai session this morning, my best ever to date. I am still feeling high from the class even now!
I didn't really expect it, as I was already half expired from the strength training session before that. Based on last week's performance, I thought I could at most hold up for 3/4 of the session and then fall apart. Truth was, I not only manage to last the entire 1+ hour, but managed sharp, clean punches and kicks, with quite a bit of strength and relative alertness and agility (for me)! The one obvious clue whether I had a good session or not is how I perform at the speed drills. We skip the drills when I'm really tired and my performance sucks. On mediocre days, speed drills are also mediocre; the speed punches are especially telling - I look like a cat scratching the punching bag, and it takes a lot out of me to complete the drills. Today, woah! The punches were strong all the way, with good enough form. I could have probably done another one or two sets if I had been made to. Another good sign is that we did new moves and combinations today, which never happens unless I'm really doing very well on the other basics. Even my instructor commented on today's performance, and let's just say that while he never says anything mean, he never praises either unless it is really up to par. I am just so hyped up! Woot!
I really hope this is not some one off thing, and the trend continues.
Strength training went ok. This week is conventional deadlift again, and I managed to up the weights from 55 kg 60 kg for my sets. On the last set, I tried 65 kg, but managed only one lift and that was that. Frankly, I still can't reconcile myself to how different 5 kg feels on its own and when added to a loaded barbell. Still I'm happy enough to see improvement. Will try upping my romanian deadlift weights during the weekday training slowly and see if I can up the load again two weeks later. DB flat bench went up to 10 kg per side, but was rather shaky still. I think my upper body strength sucks.
On a side note, this week has been good for all the finishers. Everything improved. Even the burpees. I thought I was at my max for that already. Likewise the leg matrix. But I continue to surprise myself.
One thing I learnt about training, especially from the finishers, is that sometimes, a lot of it is mind over body. Mental strength can accomplish an incredibly lot sometimes. Of course, it can become dangerous during training, if one pushes to the brink of injury, but I hope I'm way smarter than that. Though I sometimes wish I could extend this willpower to other parts of my life which needs it (like finishing my MSc...big sigh!).
All that exertion in the morning meant that my afternoon was gone too - came home and collapsed on the bed and didn't surface until dinner time. Sometimes I just think it is a waste of good weekend time, but oh well.....there is still Sunday.
PS: In my opinion, girls who want nice perky butts should really deadlift, deadlift and deadlift, especially the single legged variations. I spend so much time admiring my improved posterior in the mirror these days. Oh, and all those Muay Thai high kicks help too.
I didn't really expect it, as I was already half expired from the strength training session before that. Based on last week's performance, I thought I could at most hold up for 3/4 of the session and then fall apart. Truth was, I not only manage to last the entire 1+ hour, but managed sharp, clean punches and kicks, with quite a bit of strength and relative alertness and agility (for me)! The one obvious clue whether I had a good session or not is how I perform at the speed drills. We skip the drills when I'm really tired and my performance sucks. On mediocre days, speed drills are also mediocre; the speed punches are especially telling - I look like a cat scratching the punching bag, and it takes a lot out of me to complete the drills. Today, woah! The punches were strong all the way, with good enough form. I could have probably done another one or two sets if I had been made to. Another good sign is that we did new moves and combinations today, which never happens unless I'm really doing very well on the other basics. Even my instructor commented on today's performance, and let's just say that while he never says anything mean, he never praises either unless it is really up to par. I am just so hyped up! Woot!
I really hope this is not some one off thing, and the trend continues.
Strength training went ok. This week is conventional deadlift again, and I managed to up the weights from 55 kg 60 kg for my sets. On the last set, I tried 65 kg, but managed only one lift and that was that. Frankly, I still can't reconcile myself to how different 5 kg feels on its own and when added to a loaded barbell. Still I'm happy enough to see improvement. Will try upping my romanian deadlift weights during the weekday training slowly and see if I can up the load again two weeks later. DB flat bench went up to 10 kg per side, but was rather shaky still. I think my upper body strength sucks.
On a side note, this week has been good for all the finishers. Everything improved. Even the burpees. I thought I was at my max for that already. Likewise the leg matrix. But I continue to surprise myself.
One thing I learnt about training, especially from the finishers, is that sometimes, a lot of it is mind over body. Mental strength can accomplish an incredibly lot sometimes. Of course, it can become dangerous during training, if one pushes to the brink of injury, but I hope I'm way smarter than that. Though I sometimes wish I could extend this willpower to other parts of my life which needs it (like finishing my MSc...big sigh!).
All that exertion in the morning meant that my afternoon was gone too - came home and collapsed on the bed and didn't surface until dinner time. Sometimes I just think it is a waste of good weekend time, but oh well.....there is still Sunday.
PS: In my opinion, girls who want nice perky butts should really deadlift, deadlift and deadlift, especially the single legged variations. I spend so much time admiring my improved posterior in the mirror these days. Oh, and all those Muay Thai high kicks help too.
Friday, 1 May 2009
SOME FITNESS RAMBLINGS
In the last two days, several people have commented on my visible flab loss. I say flab loss, because alas, the scale weight is still not moving.
In addition to the comments, the other day during training, I was discussing the situation of my flab loss with the BIG COACH while resting between sets, when he suddenly reached over without warning and grabbed my love-handles, while the rest the entire gym population looked on, and held on for (what I felt) the longest time, while he reassured me that there was improvement in that area. I was really happy to know that, but it was SO majorly embarrassing! We normally do the pinch tests and measurements in the privacy of his office, so I never did expect my flab to be "revealed" to the world like that. But I guess, what doesn't kill you, makes you stronger. I am determined to lose all that flab so that it can't happen again. =)
But anyway, I am much gratified with all the comments, and thank these kind souls with all my heart, for their timely pick-me-up. I did think I looked somewhat better, and I did manage to fit into some clothes which had been tight three months ago. But the human mind, sorry, human FEMALE mind, likes to play games. So despite my own observations, there was this little niggling doubt that I was maybe deluding myself, seeing improvements where there were none, being too confident too early etc etc. The comments did me worlds of good, and has pushed me to watch my diet and training even more closely, now that I know that things are really working out. Bikini days look possible after all. =)
One thing that I am helpless to change though, is that in the past year of slimming, I have lost my "upper body endowments". I found myself in the same company that consists of Stephanie Sun, Kate Moss....and airport runways. Very very dismal. I had to stop wearing tube tops, because there was nothing much to hold them up, and having to keep tugging them up is not sexy. I found myself poring over the Figure Athletes website, trying to figure out how those gorgeous ladies managed to keep their figure while leaning, and found many had probably had augmentation done. Sigh....looks like there is too much of a good thing, and no "best of both worlds scenario" in this case. These days, I am always looking at bust boosting ads, and maximiser bras - rather amusing sometimes.
Last night on my way home from my workout, I suddenly recalled this conversation I had with a cab driver in my last trip to Norway. He was an African immigrant in Norway, and his parents still lived in Kenya. He recounted a conversation with his father, where he described the life of a typical Norwegian and mentioned going to the gym to workout, a practice which left his Kenyan Dad all confused.
Dad: You mean these people, they pay the good money to go to these places to run and lift heavy stuff and sweat?
Cab-Driver: Yeah.
Dad: Heck, why'd these people actually pay money to do these things when they can do them here for free?
I had to agree with the irony of the situation. Here we are, slogging from a young age to do well in school so that when we grew up, we could sit in an air-con office all day instead of a sweating on a construction site carrying heavy stuff and running around, in order that we may make more money to pay for the privilege of sweating it out in expensive gyms, carrying stuff and running around. Seems like we could have saved ourselves the trouble and enjoyed our childhood to the fullest, since we end up doing the same things anyway.
Then again, you don't get to wear Adidas by Stella McCartney on a construction site, and the rest are but small inconveniences when measured against this fact....haha.
In addition to the comments, the other day during training, I was discussing the situation of my flab loss with the BIG COACH while resting between sets, when he suddenly reached over without warning and grabbed my love-handles, while the rest the entire gym population looked on, and held on for (what I felt) the longest time, while he reassured me that there was improvement in that area. I was really happy to know that, but it was SO majorly embarrassing! We normally do the pinch tests and measurements in the privacy of his office, so I never did expect my flab to be "revealed" to the world like that. But I guess, what doesn't kill you, makes you stronger. I am determined to lose all that flab so that it can't happen again. =)
But anyway, I am much gratified with all the comments, and thank these kind souls with all my heart, for their timely pick-me-up. I did think I looked somewhat better, and I did manage to fit into some clothes which had been tight three months ago. But the human mind, sorry, human FEMALE mind, likes to play games. So despite my own observations, there was this little niggling doubt that I was maybe deluding myself, seeing improvements where there were none, being too confident too early etc etc. The comments did me worlds of good, and has pushed me to watch my diet and training even more closely, now that I know that things are really working out. Bikini days look possible after all. =)
One thing that I am helpless to change though, is that in the past year of slimming, I have lost my "upper body endowments". I found myself in the same company that consists of Stephanie Sun, Kate Moss....and airport runways. Very very dismal. I had to stop wearing tube tops, because there was nothing much to hold them up, and having to keep tugging them up is not sexy. I found myself poring over the Figure Athletes website, trying to figure out how those gorgeous ladies managed to keep their figure while leaning, and found many had probably had augmentation done. Sigh....looks like there is too much of a good thing, and no "best of both worlds scenario" in this case. These days, I am always looking at bust boosting ads, and maximiser bras - rather amusing sometimes.
Last night on my way home from my workout, I suddenly recalled this conversation I had with a cab driver in my last trip to Norway. He was an African immigrant in Norway, and his parents still lived in Kenya. He recounted a conversation with his father, where he described the life of a typical Norwegian and mentioned going to the gym to workout, a practice which left his Kenyan Dad all confused.
Dad: You mean these people, they pay the good money to go to these places to run and lift heavy stuff and sweat?
Cab-Driver: Yeah.
Dad: Heck, why'd these people actually pay money to do these things when they can do them here for free?
I had to agree with the irony of the situation. Here we are, slogging from a young age to do well in school so that when we grew up, we could sit in an air-con office all day instead of a sweating on a construction site carrying heavy stuff and running around, in order that we may make more money to pay for the privilege of sweating it out in expensive gyms, carrying stuff and running around. Seems like we could have saved ourselves the trouble and enjoyed our childhood to the fullest, since we end up doing the same things anyway.
Then again, you don't get to wear Adidas by Stella McCartney on a construction site, and the rest are but small inconveniences when measured against this fact....haha.
Sunday, 26 April 2009
SATURDAY TRAINING 25/4/2009
I had one of the most exhausting training days in my life yesterday. Did strength training at 8.30 am in the morning, then rushed down for Muay Thai, with a half hour break in the middle. By the time I finished Muay Thai, I could barely summon enough energy to shower and crawl out of the school. I came home and spent the rest of the day in a semi-comatose state. Although, surprisingly enough, the expected muscle aches didn't appear.
Did squats this week, and managed to back squat up to 40 kgs, though by the last set, form was not quite impeccable, but at least my spotter didn't have to rescue me....yet. Managed barbell flat bench presses up to 22.5 kgs. So I've at least managed to determine my limits for the "Big Three". Finished up with two sets of leg matrices, which felt brutal after all the squatting.
I had to rush down for my Muay Thai session, getting about 30 minutes of respite during the transit. As expected, the 5 min skipping felt like hell. However, the rest of it went amazingly well until the last 2 bouts. I managed quite a bit of strength and energy, but finally ran out at the last 10 minutes. My techniques still need work, but I am starting to see some light. Oh, and I overheard this other girl, who was training with another coach alongside me, saying that she thought what I was doing looked "scary". I took it as a compliment to mean that I looked strong and gung-ho, and I really put in every bit of effort after that to "scare" her even more, which probably helped to keep me going even though I was kind of wrecked already. Haha. Pride and ego does that for me everytime.
Speaking of pride and ego, one of the S&C coaches mentioned in passing that I now hold several records among the bootcamp ladies, which really made my day, even though it was not what I set out to do deliberately in the first place. We are talking about me, who had never been any kind of an athletic, or even of mildly active personality for the first 29 years and 9 months of my life. For someone who was 30 kgs overweight and used to pant just walking to the bus stop, my fitness achievements to date really means a lot to me. That comment also gave me the added impetus to continue the drive towards my ideal weight/fat % as well as to get better and stronger.
During the strength workout on Saturday, I got my first taste of being yelled at, in the positive sense of course. It was my last set of squats, and I was the last one to do it my team of 3 ladies. During my last two reps, I could hear my coaches yelling (cheering?) in the background for me to go! go! go! complete the rep! really loudly. I don't know if anyone else was also calling out encouragement, being that I was struggling hard to rise from the bottom of the squat, but I have to say it really works.
I really have to admit that having the correct coaches, both in terms of technical know-how as well as coaching personality, contributes greatly to keeping to a fitness/weight loss program, no matter the level of personal commitment of a person. This is especially true of ladies, who thrive better in social environments when it comes to such things. Too much "tough love" will get our feelings hurt and demoralise most of us; too much pampering will get little compliance and no results. Kudos to my current coaches for finding the right balance. I have never looked forward to my workouts like I do now.
Tomorrow is another training day. Did I hear feel my heart giving a little jump of excitement?
Did squats this week, and managed to back squat up to 40 kgs, though by the last set, form was not quite impeccable, but at least my spotter didn't have to rescue me....yet. Managed barbell flat bench presses up to 22.5 kgs. So I've at least managed to determine my limits for the "Big Three". Finished up with two sets of leg matrices, which felt brutal after all the squatting.
I had to rush down for my Muay Thai session, getting about 30 minutes of respite during the transit. As expected, the 5 min skipping felt like hell. However, the rest of it went amazingly well until the last 2 bouts. I managed quite a bit of strength and energy, but finally ran out at the last 10 minutes. My techniques still need work, but I am starting to see some light. Oh, and I overheard this other girl, who was training with another coach alongside me, saying that she thought what I was doing looked "scary". I took it as a compliment to mean that I looked strong and gung-ho, and I really put in every bit of effort after that to "scare" her even more, which probably helped to keep me going even though I was kind of wrecked already. Haha. Pride and ego does that for me everytime.
Speaking of pride and ego, one of the S&C coaches mentioned in passing that I now hold several records among the bootcamp ladies, which really made my day, even though it was not what I set out to do deliberately in the first place. We are talking about me, who had never been any kind of an athletic, or even of mildly active personality for the first 29 years and 9 months of my life. For someone who was 30 kgs overweight and used to pant just walking to the bus stop, my fitness achievements to date really means a lot to me. That comment also gave me the added impetus to continue the drive towards my ideal weight/fat % as well as to get better and stronger.
During the strength workout on Saturday, I got my first taste of being yelled at, in the positive sense of course. It was my last set of squats, and I was the last one to do it my team of 3 ladies. During my last two reps, I could hear my coaches yelling (cheering?) in the background for me to go! go! go! complete the rep! really loudly. I don't know if anyone else was also calling out encouragement, being that I was struggling hard to rise from the bottom of the squat, but I have to say it really works.
I really have to admit that having the correct coaches, both in terms of technical know-how as well as coaching personality, contributes greatly to keeping to a fitness/weight loss program, no matter the level of personal commitment of a person. This is especially true of ladies, who thrive better in social environments when it comes to such things. Too much "tough love" will get our feelings hurt and demoralise most of us; too much pampering will get little compliance and no results. Kudos to my current coaches for finding the right balance. I have never looked forward to my workouts like I do now.
Tomorrow is another training day. Did I hear feel my heart giving a little jump of excitement?
Sunday, 19 April 2009
TRAINING UPDATE - NEW PR
Upped my Deadlifts to 60 kg on Saturday. Although I thought my form was not exactly perfect at that load, plenty of rounding of back and shoulders. I suspect this is my max for some time though. Unless I start training this heavy more frequently than once a week, I probably won't see any further increase in loading for months to come.
I hope we get to do squats next Saturday. I want to see where I am now. Suspect around 30 kg to 40 kg back squats.
Note to self - need to improve upper body strength. C'est terrible now....
Started keeping a food and training log to see if it would help me to meet the target fat loss of 2 kg by mid May set by my coach. I am not too stressed about it, but it would be nice to be able to report something positive by the dateline. Well, it seems so far that I am not eating too badly, I just have to start eating less. So....here we go.
A colleague at work came to me for advice on losing weight last week. Unlike some others who had asked me before, she was actually willing to continue listening once I informed her that I took no shortcuts and had no magic pills. I was happy to share (imagine that, me giving nutrition and exercise advice! Me!). I will keep track of her progress with interest. May bring her to bootcamp if she is interested.
I am staring at the container of almonds/peanuts that I have prepared for work. Have to put it away now before I succumb. Mid May.....mid May......
I hope we get to do squats next Saturday. I want to see where I am now. Suspect around 30 kg to 40 kg back squats.
Note to self - need to improve upper body strength. C'est terrible now....
Started keeping a food and training log to see if it would help me to meet the target fat loss of 2 kg by mid May set by my coach. I am not too stressed about it, but it would be nice to be able to report something positive by the dateline. Well, it seems so far that I am not eating too badly, I just have to start eating less. So....here we go.
A colleague at work came to me for advice on losing weight last week. Unlike some others who had asked me before, she was actually willing to continue listening once I informed her that I took no shortcuts and had no magic pills. I was happy to share (imagine that, me giving nutrition and exercise advice! Me!). I will keep track of her progress with interest. May bring her to bootcamp if she is interested.
I am staring at the container of almonds/peanuts that I have prepared for work. Have to put it away now before I succumb. Mid May.....mid May......
HOUSEWIFE TURNS PRO BOXER AT AGE 45
Meet Kazumi Izaki, a housewife who turned professional boxer a year ago at age 45.
Earlier this year, I was wondering whether there was any point in my continuing the expensive Muay Thai lessons, since I was almost certain that I would never be good enough to compete. Even if I did manage to reach a level of proficiency in the sport, I was almost sure that my age would work against me by the time I achieved that level. All Muay Thai could be to me was a fun and interesting way to lose/maintain my weight and fitness levels.
And don't quote me Dara Torres. As impressive as I find her, she HAD been a medal winning athlete before she retired to take up marriage and motherhood. We are definitely not in the same league.
Don't get me wrong. I am definitely not intending to go pro. But it would be nice to be good enough to compete one day, even at an amateur level. Gives me some impetus to work at improving my skills.
Ms Kazumi Izaki gives me hope yet.
Earlier this year, I was wondering whether there was any point in my continuing the expensive Muay Thai lessons, since I was almost certain that I would never be good enough to compete. Even if I did manage to reach a level of proficiency in the sport, I was almost sure that my age would work against me by the time I achieved that level. All Muay Thai could be to me was a fun and interesting way to lose/maintain my weight and fitness levels.
And don't quote me Dara Torres. As impressive as I find her, she HAD been a medal winning athlete before she retired to take up marriage and motherhood. We are definitely not in the same league.
Don't get me wrong. I am definitely not intending to go pro. But it would be nice to be good enough to compete one day, even at an amateur level. Gives me some impetus to work at improving my skills.
Ms Kazumi Izaki gives me hope yet.
Saturday, 11 April 2009
KICKING ASSES
Didn't manage a really good Muay Thai workout today, in part due to a bum knee acting up. Coach is starting to really tear my techniques apart, and nitpicking quite a bit, which is kind of good, as it means he considers me past the beginner stage. But oh god, it can be demoralising, as I have to relearn certain moves all over again. What I thought was working apparently wasn't. Generally felt like a rank beginner today. It feels like I'll never be good enough to start sparring.
Anyway, there was this other couple also having their session alongside me. I got to sit and watch them a bit after I ended my session. I wasn't so much impressed with the man, but his wife kicked ass! Including his! She is one strong woman, and her punches and kicks packed lots of power. But mainly I was entranced with her moves. She was so fluid and smooth, so sharp and strong, and so unlike my own clumsy and unstable attempts, and I fell in love with Muay Thai all over again just watching her. It looked so beautiful, poetry in motion. I imagine this is why the genre is called martial arts in the first place (and no, I don't consider wrestling martial arts, or any kind of art form for that matter).
Oh, by the way, I finally managed to put on the hand wraps all by my little self, although it took me some time wrapping and unwrapping every so often.
And we are going to start regular strength training (once a week) over at my other gym in addition to the metcon work that we've been doing for the last few months. This came at just the right time, as I was considering switching fully over to strength training. I love strength training, and I suspect part of the reason why I really like it so much is because I'm good at it. OK, at least better at it than any other sporting or fitness endeavour I have ever undertaken. No need to further elaborate on the psychology behind this then. So yes, I'm really excited to start testing myself and finding my limits, and pushing on, improving and kicking asses. The only down side is that the sessions are going to be just before my Muay Thai every Saturday, so I hope I don't kill myself in the process.
On a side note, the recent carbs cutting seems to be working, in a way. Scale weight is unchanged, but there is some improved body composition. I am feeling somewhat leaner, tummy appears to be slightly flatter. And I recently noticed that I seem to have lost some girth in the thighs (yay!). Managed to fit into a pair of shorts which I couldn't wear three months ago. On the other hand, I have been losing my temper more at work and kicking my team members' asses, and I can't figure out whether it is because of the lack of carbs, PMS, or just generally having reached the venting point after all these months of unhappiness and general suppression of emotions at work. I suspect it is more of the latter, though hormonal changes from PMS and cutting carbs might have exacerbated things a little. Whatever it is, I am quite the unpopular person among my subordinates these two weeks.
I guess I am just going to let things ride for a while and see what happens. But I do know that I am not giving up my newly svelte (ok, nearly there) body for anything in the world, so the carbs can just stay where they are (in the rubbish bin), and my team can just grin and bear it, until someone votes me off the island.
Anyway, there was this other couple also having their session alongside me. I got to sit and watch them a bit after I ended my session. I wasn't so much impressed with the man, but his wife kicked ass! Including his! She is one strong woman, and her punches and kicks packed lots of power. But mainly I was entranced with her moves. She was so fluid and smooth, so sharp and strong, and so unlike my own clumsy and unstable attempts, and I fell in love with Muay Thai all over again just watching her. It looked so beautiful, poetry in motion. I imagine this is why the genre is called martial arts in the first place (and no, I don't consider wrestling martial arts, or any kind of art form for that matter).
Oh, by the way, I finally managed to put on the hand wraps all by my little self, although it took me some time wrapping and unwrapping every so often.
And we are going to start regular strength training (once a week) over at my other gym in addition to the metcon work that we've been doing for the last few months. This came at just the right time, as I was considering switching fully over to strength training. I love strength training, and I suspect part of the reason why I really like it so much is because I'm good at it. OK, at least better at it than any other sporting or fitness endeavour I have ever undertaken. No need to further elaborate on the psychology behind this then. So yes, I'm really excited to start testing myself and finding my limits, and pushing on, improving and kicking asses. The only down side is that the sessions are going to be just before my Muay Thai every Saturday, so I hope I don't kill myself in the process.
On a side note, the recent carbs cutting seems to be working, in a way. Scale weight is unchanged, but there is some improved body composition. I am feeling somewhat leaner, tummy appears to be slightly flatter. And I recently noticed that I seem to have lost some girth in the thighs (yay!). Managed to fit into a pair of shorts which I couldn't wear three months ago. On the other hand, I have been losing my temper more at work and kicking my team members' asses, and I can't figure out whether it is because of the lack of carbs, PMS, or just generally having reached the venting point after all these months of unhappiness and general suppression of emotions at work. I suspect it is more of the latter, though hormonal changes from PMS and cutting carbs might have exacerbated things a little. Whatever it is, I am quite the unpopular person among my subordinates these two weeks.
I guess I am just going to let things ride for a while and see what happens. But I do know that I am not giving up my newly svelte (ok, nearly there) body for anything in the world, so the carbs can just stay where they are (in the rubbish bin), and my team can just grin and bear it, until someone votes me off the island.
Saturday, 4 April 2009
TRAINING THOUGHTS PART II
Had a kick ass Muay Thai session today (ok, by my own standards. I'm sure my instructor thought otherwise). Those external rotator cuff exercises that my other SnC coach made me do are finally paying off, or maybe it is my wishful imagination, but I definitely thought I was punching harder than usual.
Just occurred to me that I have two coaches now, one for Muay Thai while the other takes care of SnC. Wow. That's like....like what professional atheletes have. So I guess I've really arrived in the fitness world. =) And I only started this whole thing to lose some weight (ok, a lot of weight) and meet some cute guys (ok, you didn't hear that from me).
I am just wondering if I am overdoing things as usual. I have this cursed character trait of being totally immersed with whatever takes my fancy for the moment, and go all out and take all steps to ensure I get the best experience of whatever I'm doing (including spending lots of $$). Been there, done that for computer gaming, been there, done that for my romance novel collection, been there, done that for my skincare (still doing it).....
So I wonder if it is even worth it for me to invest my time, effort and money in all this Muay Thai/fitness stuff, since at my age and current proficiency level, it is obvious I'll never become a professional or even compete at any kind of amateur level. But it goes against the grain for me NOT to put everything I can into this when I am so into it at the moment. So I guess, yes, I shall continue....until the next fad takes me.
Edit: I noticed I had another post with the same title "Training Thoughts" right after I posted. I am having major problems putting interesting and applicable titles on my posts, due to my lack of creativity. Going to see a lot of Part IIs and IIIs if this goes on.
Just occurred to me that I have two coaches now, one for Muay Thai while the other takes care of SnC. Wow. That's like....like what professional atheletes have. So I guess I've really arrived in the fitness world. =) And I only started this whole thing to lose some weight (ok, a lot of weight) and meet some cute guys (ok, you didn't hear that from me).
I am just wondering if I am overdoing things as usual. I have this cursed character trait of being totally immersed with whatever takes my fancy for the moment, and go all out and take all steps to ensure I get the best experience of whatever I'm doing (including spending lots of $$). Been there, done that for computer gaming, been there, done that for my romance novel collection, been there, done that for my skincare (still doing it).....
So I wonder if it is even worth it for me to invest my time, effort and money in all this Muay Thai/fitness stuff, since at my age and current proficiency level, it is obvious I'll never become a professional or even compete at any kind of amateur level. But it goes against the grain for me NOT to put everything I can into this when I am so into it at the moment. So I guess, yes, I shall continue....until the next fad takes me.
Edit: I noticed I had another post with the same title "Training Thoughts" right after I posted. I am having major problems putting interesting and applicable titles on my posts, due to my lack of creativity. Going to see a lot of Part IIs and IIIs if this goes on.
Saturday, 28 March 2009
MORE EMBARRASSING MOMENTS
Damn. Something embarrassing is always happening during Muay Thai classes. I should start a blog series dedicated to these moments. It's a wonder that I'm not outta the place yet.
I was wearing shorts for my MT class today. When kicking out during shadow boxing, my shin will come into contact with the trainer's palms. Again, its damn unfortunate (and as usual, unfeminine), but I do perspire a lot during workouts. So, I noticed my trainer surreptitiously wiping his palms against his shorts/shirt after every kick. Which embarrassed the hell out of me. It was really quite subtly done, and I wondered how long it had been going on without me noticing.
Anyway. this means I have to start covering up, and wear longer bottoms to Muay Thai, which I totally hate. But....anything to save me from further embarrassment.
My 10 sessions are ending soon. Time to sign up for another 10. Oh, when is that bonus going to come?
I was wearing shorts for my MT class today. When kicking out during shadow boxing, my shin will come into contact with the trainer's palms. Again, its damn unfortunate (and as usual, unfeminine), but I do perspire a lot during workouts. So, I noticed my trainer surreptitiously wiping his palms against his shorts/shirt after every kick. Which embarrassed the hell out of me. It was really quite subtly done, and I wondered how long it had been going on without me noticing.
Anyway. this means I have to start covering up, and wear longer bottoms to Muay Thai, which I totally hate. But....anything to save me from further embarrassment.
My 10 sessions are ending soon. Time to sign up for another 10. Oh, when is that bonus going to come?
Saturday, 21 March 2009
ANOTHER EMBARRASSING MOMENT
I realise I have been making sounds during my Muay Thai sessions. Kind of like feminine grunts. Especially when I do knees, or kicks. It happens unconsciously, sort of like moaning and groaning during sex. You don't know it will happen until it happens. It took me a while to realise I was grunting.
Now, I often hear guys grunting, shouting, making weird noises when they lift heavy (or not so heavy) in the gym. They get weird looks from everyone around them, me included, and reactions like "Yeah we know you are macho, but you don't need to announce it" or something similar.
So I was horrified to find myself doing the same at Muay Thai. I tried to control it, because it is so unfeminine. Now this is worse than the previous episode of wiping my nose on my sleeve (Please check out the other post....it is less crude then it sounds.), because the wiping can be carried out surreptitiously. Turn away, quick swipe and its done. Now, grunting.....is grunting. Unless there is some way of rendering everyone within hearing distance deaf during the grunts, everyone around is going to KNOW....that I did something UNFEMININE.....horrors.....
But unfortunately, like what happens during sex, I learnt that grunting cannot be controlled. As long as maximum effort is applied during the session, the grunt just leaks out by itself. Trying to suppress it ends up suffocating me. And it seems that the louder I grunt, the better I kick. Catch-22 again.
So again....I have to live with it. I really wonder how those pretty girls I see at the boxing gym deal with it.
At least it has not happened for the heavy lifting workouts yet. During those sessions, we do this little hiss thing when we exhale, but no grunting.
I guess when the grunting starts, it is a sign that I'm finally REALLY strong.
Now, I often hear guys grunting, shouting, making weird noises when they lift heavy (or not so heavy) in the gym. They get weird looks from everyone around them, me included, and reactions like "Yeah we know you are macho, but you don't need to announce it" or something similar.
So I was horrified to find myself doing the same at Muay Thai. I tried to control it, because it is so unfeminine. Now this is worse than the previous episode of wiping my nose on my sleeve (Please check out the other post....it is less crude then it sounds.), because the wiping can be carried out surreptitiously. Turn away, quick swipe and its done. Now, grunting.....is grunting. Unless there is some way of rendering everyone within hearing distance deaf during the grunts, everyone around is going to KNOW....that I did something UNFEMININE.....horrors.....
But unfortunately, like what happens during sex, I learnt that grunting cannot be controlled. As long as maximum effort is applied during the session, the grunt just leaks out by itself. Trying to suppress it ends up suffocating me. And it seems that the louder I grunt, the better I kick. Catch-22 again.
So again....I have to live with it. I really wonder how those pretty girls I see at the boxing gym deal with it.
At least it has not happened for the heavy lifting workouts yet. During those sessions, we do this little hiss thing when we exhale, but no grunting.
I guess when the grunting starts, it is a sign that I'm finally REALLY strong.
Saturday, 14 March 2009
I LIKE IT HEAVY
I updated my personal record today. I deadlifted 50 kg (5 sets of 5).
I am starting to really enjoy the heavy lifting. For one, no panting like a dog, and perspiring like a....a....whatever (couldn't find an appropriate analogy). Everyone knows THAT is majorly important for a girl - image, image and image. And I like the gungho image that doing things MEN do give. Hey after all, I'm dabbling in a traditionally male dominated industry at work, I box and I play real time strategy games. Haha...all the trademarks of a sound masculine mind. Maybe I should also start hogging to remote control (to channel surf), DON'T ask for directions when I'm lost and cursing female drivers when I drive. And lastly, it is that sense of achievement that I get when I set a new PR for myself.
I also started on HCl and fishoil supplements last week. In order to avoid the inevitable questions and comments from family about the wisdom of supplementing, I have been skulking around and trying to take the stuff as inconspicuously as I can. I find it rather amusing to have to:
1) leave the dining table halfway into the meal
2) walk to my room and pretend to look for something and while in the room quickly puts the HCl capsule on my tongue
3) siddles furtively to the kitchen and gulps down a cup of water with the capsule
4) walk back nonchalantly to the dining table
5) 5 minutes later, casually walk to the refrigerator with my spoon (acting like I've forgotten I'm holding a spoon in my hand)
6) Casually open the fridge door and pretend I'm looking for something (yeah, again).
7) Here is the tricky part - quickly extract the bottle, pours a tablespoon of fishoil, swallows, repeat, cap the bottle and put it back into the fridge. All the while keeping my back to the dining table and still trying to pretend I'm looking for something in the fridge.
It is a good thing I eat most of my meals alone. Otherwise the whole process is going to give me indigestion before the supplements can cure ANYTHING.
I am starting to really enjoy the heavy lifting. For one, no panting like a dog, and perspiring like a....a....whatever (couldn't find an appropriate analogy). Everyone knows THAT is majorly important for a girl - image, image and image. And I like the gungho image that doing things MEN do give. Hey after all, I'm dabbling in a traditionally male dominated industry at work, I box and I play real time strategy games. Haha...all the trademarks of a sound masculine mind. Maybe I should also start hogging to remote control (to channel surf), DON'T ask for directions when I'm lost and cursing female drivers when I drive. And lastly, it is that sense of achievement that I get when I set a new PR for myself.
I also started on HCl and fishoil supplements last week. In order to avoid the inevitable questions and comments from family about the wisdom of supplementing, I have been skulking around and trying to take the stuff as inconspicuously as I can. I find it rather amusing to have to:
1) leave the dining table halfway into the meal
2) walk to my room and pretend to look for something and while in the room quickly puts the HCl capsule on my tongue
3) siddles furtively to the kitchen and gulps down a cup of water with the capsule
4) walk back nonchalantly to the dining table
5) 5 minutes later, casually walk to the refrigerator with my spoon (acting like I've forgotten I'm holding a spoon in my hand)
6) Casually open the fridge door and pretend I'm looking for something (yeah, again).
7) Here is the tricky part - quickly extract the bottle, pours a tablespoon of fishoil, swallows, repeat, cap the bottle and put it back into the fridge. All the while keeping my back to the dining table and still trying to pretend I'm looking for something in the fridge.
It is a good thing I eat most of my meals alone. Otherwise the whole process is going to give me indigestion before the supplements can cure ANYTHING.
Friday, 13 March 2009
GUYS AND BOOBS
What is it about guys and pictures of hot chicks, and boobs (female ones) and asses (female ones)?
Everytime I go on T-nation to read the articles; good, useful articles about training and nutrition, I have to close the room door, lock it, take down the curtains and turn down the light, before I can do so. Otherwise everyone who comes into my room takes a look at my PC screen and assumes I'm surfing porn sites.
Go figure.
Everytime I go on T-nation to read the articles; good, useful articles about training and nutrition, I have to close the room door, lock it, take down the curtains and turn down the light, before I can do so. Otherwise everyone who comes into my room takes a look at my PC screen and assumes I'm surfing porn sites.
Go figure.
Thursday, 26 February 2009
FIRST PERSONAL RECORD
I deadlifted 45 kg today. How's that for a first personal record?
I was told that to be considered strong, one has to be able to deadlift two times body weight. Way to go.....
By the way, I got my fat percentage. Currently at 29%. As expected. My target is to lose another 10%. Way to go.....
I was told that to be considered strong, one has to be able to deadlift two times body weight. Way to go.....
By the way, I got my fat percentage. Currently at 29%. As expected. My target is to lose another 10%. Way to go.....
Wednesday, 25 February 2009
ANOTHER TRAINING SESSION
Whoever who invented the Tabata Protocols training method ought to be canonised.....or shot.
For the first time in the last one year, I actually felt like puking after a workout, all thanks to Tabata. 20 secs of hard work followed by 10 secs of rest, for four minutes. Sounds short and sweet. By the 4th set, 20 secs feels like two minutes while the 10 secs of rest seemed like nothing. I hated the sound of that computer voice going "And start the next exercise in 3-2-1". For the first time, I started wondering if losing fat was worth this torture.
I also got my fat percentage measurements done using callipers today. The process involves pinching fats at 12 sites all over the body (face, arms, lats, tummy, thighs etc) and measuring the pinch-outs with a calliper. One of the most demoralising process ever, and all the more so when the one taking the measurements is a member of the opposite sex.
Regardless of the final fat percentage numbers, the whole process just made me want to go out there and start losing it....pronto! A great motivator for people who need a reason to climb into gym gear. Unlike those electronic measurements (which are usually not accurate by the way), there is just no hiding from the truth. No quickly stepping off the machine and grabbing the tiny slip of printout before anyone gets a gander at the numbers. The cold, hard facts (or fats) stare you in the face, and that of whatever cute guy taking your measurements.
I get to find out my fat levels tomorrow. The good news is that the numbers obtained via the callipers measurement are normally lower than the machine numbers. There is hope for me.
For the first time in the last one year, I actually felt like puking after a workout, all thanks to Tabata. 20 secs of hard work followed by 10 secs of rest, for four minutes. Sounds short and sweet. By the 4th set, 20 secs feels like two minutes while the 10 secs of rest seemed like nothing. I hated the sound of that computer voice going "And start the next exercise in 3-2-1". For the first time, I started wondering if losing fat was worth this torture.
I also got my fat percentage measurements done using callipers today. The process involves pinching fats at 12 sites all over the body (face, arms, lats, tummy, thighs etc) and measuring the pinch-outs with a calliper. One of the most demoralising process ever, and all the more so when the one taking the measurements is a member of the opposite sex.
Regardless of the final fat percentage numbers, the whole process just made me want to go out there and start losing it....pronto! A great motivator for people who need a reason to climb into gym gear. Unlike those electronic measurements (which are usually not accurate by the way), there is just no hiding from the truth. No quickly stepping off the machine and grabbing the tiny slip of printout before anyone gets a gander at the numbers. The cold, hard facts (or fats) stare you in the face, and that of whatever cute guy taking your measurements.
I get to find out my fat levels tomorrow. The good news is that the numbers obtained via the callipers measurement are normally lower than the machine numbers. There is hope for me.
Tuesday, 10 February 2009
TRAINING THOUGHTS
I had several things I wanted to blog about for the last two days. I didn't blog because I was lazy. Now that I'm actually on the blog, I kind of forgot what I wanted to say. It's all a jumbled mess in my head. So typical.
We're coming to the end of the bootcamp now, and it has been most enjoyable so far. I am going to continue, but I hope that the Norway trip will not hold me back just when I think I am progressing just nicely. I am quite sure that my Muay Thai kicks have improved since participating in the bootcamp. Must be all those single leg dead lifts. They work my glutes like nothing else. On a side note, I think my butt is perkier too, by the same token.
Next week they are going to start on the new term, and doing Tabata protocol related training! Woah!
Joined a group of fitness enthusiasts last Sunday for a "300" session. This is a group of guys who get together regularly for a training session inspired by the gung-ho movie "300". Went with a new friend, S, from the bootcamp. And how tough it was!
If anyone had told me a year ago that I would one day participate in something like 300, I would have said it would only happen on the day I strike 4D. Then again, in this past year, I did so many things I thought I would never have done that I am kind of not surprised anymore.
I was pretty nervous at the onset, as I was warned that it was going to be a tough work out. When they started with the runs/sprints, my heart was somewhere near my toes. After the run it wasn't as bad, but only because the guys let us go easy (since we were girls....and not very strong ones at that). I liked the mood, it was just challenging enough, but not too competitive that one would feel self conscious and push too hard. It is what YOU achieve in absolute terms that mattered, not what you achieve relatively against another's achievement...(I am making a hash of explaining this). Anyway, I believe I will be back to join them.
And now, I need to plan exactly how I can keep up my exercising in Norway.
We're coming to the end of the bootcamp now, and it has been most enjoyable so far. I am going to continue, but I hope that the Norway trip will not hold me back just when I think I am progressing just nicely. I am quite sure that my Muay Thai kicks have improved since participating in the bootcamp. Must be all those single leg dead lifts. They work my glutes like nothing else. On a side note, I think my butt is perkier too, by the same token.
Next week they are going to start on the new term, and doing Tabata protocol related training! Woah!
Joined a group of fitness enthusiasts last Sunday for a "300" session. This is a group of guys who get together regularly for a training session inspired by the gung-ho movie "300". Went with a new friend, S, from the bootcamp. And how tough it was!
If anyone had told me a year ago that I would one day participate in something like 300, I would have said it would only happen on the day I strike 4D. Then again, in this past year, I did so many things I thought I would never have done that I am kind of not surprised anymore.
I was pretty nervous at the onset, as I was warned that it was going to be a tough work out. When they started with the runs/sprints, my heart was somewhere near my toes. After the run it wasn't as bad, but only because the guys let us go easy (since we were girls....and not very strong ones at that). I liked the mood, it was just challenging enough, but not too competitive that one would feel self conscious and push too hard. It is what YOU achieve in absolute terms that mattered, not what you achieve relatively against another's achievement...(I am making a hash of explaining this). Anyway, I believe I will be back to join them.
And now, I need to plan exactly how I can keep up my exercising in Norway.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
