Tag: exercise

Weighting Around

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It’s been over a month since I’ve come off the Cambridge Weight Plan diet and I think I’m kind of doing ok.

Well, I’m trying not to put on what I’ve already lost! After coming off Cambridge, I definitely put on a kilo or two. I suppose you can’t go from five hundred or six hundred calories a day for three weeks to about a thousand calories a day and not expect to put any weight on. I think I put on one or two kilos.

The first couple of weeks were difficult as I was trying to control myself, but struggled a bit.

However, I think I’m managing quite well now.

The exercise isn’t going very well, but I’m being careful about what I eat.

Generally, my diet consists of boiled eggs, salad, mung salad, fruit, stir fried vegetables and a bit of chicken or chicken salad. No oil. No fat. And I’m trying to have any sugar. But that generally depends on where I am in my cycle! If we’re going out – then I eat what I like. If we’re going out several times in the week, I’m a bit careful about what I choose to eat.

In the past I’ve rarely thought about whether I’m making a good decision when it comes to choosing food off a menu – but I suppose I have to start now. Apparently the older you get, the harder it is to shift excess weight. Great.

Anyway, I’m going to try!

So… Here’s to the next ten kilos!

 

It’s Time

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I look around at my friends and acquaintances, people I see regularly and not so regularly – and I wonder at how they look so fabulous all the time. I wonder about it – especially since most of them have at least two kids. I wonder about it – even though I know the answer already. They exercise and they watch what they eat.

When I say they ‘exercise’, I mean they really exercise. Every day. Whether it’s cardio, yoga or with their personal trainers – they do it. One or two of them do it twice a day (why they’d put themselves through that, I don’t know).

And, as I said, they watch what they eat. And I mean they really watch what they eat. They count calories. Or they only have soups, salads and wraps. They don’t eat carbs. They don’t eat white rice or white bread. And they definitely don’t eat anything fried. Or dessert. Unless it’s a special occasion.

So while I marvel at their willpower, I wonder why I can’t do the same. I envy their skinny jeans, slim thighs and lack of pot belly. I HAVE to have a Coke if I go out to eat. And I WANT to have the French fries. And I WON’T deny myself some dessert – on any day. Why? No really, why? Why can’t I just say, ‘Right, today I won’t have a cupcake’ and actually not have a cupcake? Or a KitKat. Or a Nutella sandwich. Mmmm… A Nutella sandwich!

Last month I decided to start going to Zumba classes with a couple of my friends. I went twice a week. For two weeks. I enjoyed the music. And I didn’t mind too much about getting extremely sweaty. But I hate jumping around. First of all there’s no sports bra in the world that will stop my girls bouncing around. And secondly, I’m so heavy I just can’t move fast enough! My other excuse reason for not going any more is that between taking Booni to playgroup three mornings a week and then going to Zumba the other two mornings, I’m not at home on any morning. And therefore, I’m not getting anything done!

I’m getting a bit tired of the digs LagosDad is making about my lack of enthusiasm for exercising. Just because he’s super slim, he goes on about how ‘I don’t eat bread’ and ‘I exercise at home’ blah blah blah. What he doesn’t realise is the more he goes on at me, the less likely I am to trade in my Havaianas for trainers.

So it was after my last conversation with Vins that I decided it was time. Time to start doing something.

I went onto Jumia and ordered my Clean 9 detox kit (N24000). I’ve done this detox before – about two years ago, and I’m ready to do it again.

So it arrived on Wednesday. And I decided I’ll start it on Saturday. LagosDad is going away for work on Saturday, so I thought it might be easier to do it while he’s away.

I opened the box and saw that while the whole detox thing is basically the same as when I did it before, some changes have been made. It’s now called C9 FIT. I had to go online to find the instructions on what to do and when to do it because… The instruction booklet wasn’t in the box. (I have emailed Jumia about this twice. But I’ve still not heard back from them.)

Anyway, so I’m ready to start on Saturday. I just have to go and buy some almond milk tomorrow. And some brown rice and whole wheat pasta or noodles or whatever – and I’m good to go. I think. I can’t remember what the aloe vera gel tastes like – but I do rememer it being absolutely disgusting. I’m dreading that part.

Oh – and once you finish the C9 F.I.T., there’s a 30 day programme called Forever FIT 1 (N42000 on Jumia) followed by another 30 day programme called Forever FIT 2 (N45000 on Jumia). I’d like to try the Forever FIT 1 later in the summer (and maybe even FIT 2 after that) – so if you sell it for less, or know anyone who does, please let me know!

So, it’s time.

Wish me luck!

 

Sigh

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Yesterday evening V decided that we were going to have cuddles. Him, me and LagosDad. Three of us at the same time. It’s been a long time since he’s instigated the cuddles, so we were happy to comply.
What usually happens is that we all lie in bed with V in the middle. And when he gives the command (he’s good at that), LagosDad and I roll inwards and put our arms around each other. And V gets squashed in the middle.
We were having a lovely time. Giggling and hugging.
Then…
V: Mama, why is your tummy still so big?
Me: Mmm. Because I need to exercise. *wanting to die*
V: Yes you must exercise. Look at papa’s tummy. It’s become so teeny tiny because he exercises.
Me: *avoiding LagosDad’s smug look* Yes. He does exercise a lot, doesn’t he?

So now… I have to start.
Soon.

ROCKTOBER!

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Ok…  Here it is…

You know I’ve been saying that it’s been really tough for me to get back into my exercise routine since I got back from holiday, right?  It’s been weeks now.  I came back on August 16th.  And I’ve started working out again.  But I only started two weeks ago and I’ve only managed a couple of times each week.

You’d think that the fact that I’ve dropped a dress size would make me more motivated.  But it really hasn’t.  I’m a bit tired of feeling disappointed in myself every day.

I’ve been drinking a lot of Coke and since V’s birthday on 7th September, we’ve had a lot of cake in the house ALL the time.  And yes, I’ve been eating it.

So now I’m going to do Betty Rocker’s Fitness Challenge – Rocktober.  And I’m telling you about it so that I HAVE to do it!

The first video came yesterday, but because of the time difference between here and the US, I’d already showered and gone out.

So today… I start!

Anyone joining me?

Anyone?

Back Into It

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Before we went to Dubai in March (for my sister’s 40th), I was chatting with my mum on WhatsApp. She told me to bring my gym clothes. I think I made some excuse and cut the conversation short.

Did my mother not know me at all? I wasn’t going to go the gym!

As you know, since then I’ve gotten a bit ‘into it’. The whole exercising daily, eating healthy thing.

So when we went to Dubai last month, I decided to take my gym stuff with me (shock, horror, I know).

I took my trainers, two pairs of HotPants, two t-shirts and some socks.

I exercised twice.

I thought about it a lot – but just didn’t quite manage to actually do it.

It’s the thought that counts, though. Right?

So now I’m back and have been for 10 days. And yet, I’ve been eating like I wasn’t eating healthily before and I’m not exercising yet.

First I was busy unpacking and putting things away. Sorting out the house, etc. Then there was the whole power issue – so even if I wanted to exercise – I wouldn’t have been able to as the TV and DVD player wouldn’t work.

Then because of the keratin thing (see previous) – I couldn’t get my hair wet or sweaty until I was ready to wash it.

Although the scale doesn’t say so, I know I’ve lost weight because all the clothes I bought in Dubai were a smaller size 🙂 I need to keep exercising!

It’s just a matter of getting back into it.

Can someone kick me up the butt, please?

Clean 9 Detox – Days 3 to 9

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Hooray!  Today is the last day of my detox!  I only have to have that Aloe Vera gel twice more! *big smile*

I couldn’t wait for Day 3 to start because that meant I could eat!

Essentially, the set up of Days 3 to 9 are the same as the first two, except you can have a 600 calorie meal either at lunch or dinner.  I chose dinner so I could eat with LagosDad.

I’ve never done any calorie counting before – so figuring out the weight of everything hasn’t been very easy.  I’m pretty sure I went over 600 calories on most nights.  But, having said that, all my meals have been healthy!  I’ve even downloaded My Fitness Pal again.

I’ve switched to brown rice, wholewheat pasta, that spray oil stuff and I’ve started eating quinoa.

The detox requires you to exercise for twenty minutes every day.  They recommend walking, swimming, cycling or running.  First of all, I don’t run.  And the other three just weren’t possible.  So I stuck to my usual exercise routine – a Davina DVD.  Some days I did the required twenty minutes, other days I did an hour.  But there were two days where I couldn’t bring myself to do anything!

There was one evening when I nearly let everything go down the drain.  We went to a movie.  It isn’t possible for me to go to a movie and not have popcorn!  The last two times we went to the Palms to see a movie they didn’t have salt popcorn.  So I had sweet.  This time, they said they did have it.  Typical.  Absolutely typical.

LagosDad told me to think about whether I wanted it or not while he went out for a quick ciggie.  He came back, looked at me and I nodded.  Yes, I wanted it.  We stood in the queue, me ringing my hands out of guilt.  When we got to the front of the line, they suddenly didn’t have any salt popcorn left.  Problem solved!  I sat through a movie (White House Down – loved it!) and didn’t eat!

So in the last nine days I have lost 2 kg, 1 inch from my waist, 0.5 inches from my hips, 1 inch from my thighs and 0.5 inches from my chest.

To be honest, I thought I would lose more – but I’m not disappointed.  

I feel good 🙂

I’ll continue with my exercise and with my new healthy diet (as much as I can).

Clean 9 Detox – Days 1 and 2

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My Clean 9 Detox pack arrived on Tuesday morning (see previous post about drama surrounding delivery) and I just couldn’t wait to get started on Wednesday morning.

I woke on Wednesday morning, had my two Garcinia Plus soft gels and waited 20 minutes before having the 120 ml of Aloe Vera gel.  I’d read several reviews about this detox and all of them said that the Aloe Vera gel tastes disgusting.  I thought I was prepared for how disgusting.  Really, I wasn’t.  I don’t even know how to describe the taste.

You’re then meant to do twenty minutes of exercise.  I didn’t do my full workout – only about forty minutes.

I had a mid-morning snack of Bee Pollen tablets (yum, yum).

Lunch consisted of two Garcinia Plus tablets, 120 ml of Aloe Vera gel (puke), a meal replacement vanilla shake (300 ml) and two more Bee Pollen tablets.  All the reviews I read said that the shakes were yummy.  For me…  I’m not so sure.  It might be because of the UHT milk we get here.  But it is certainly better than the Aloe Vera!

I have to say, I wasn’t hungry.  But I wanted to eat.  

I had a nap while V napped (has anyone noticed how I’m not pushing him to drop his afternoon nap?) and then took him out to meet a friend later in the afternoon.

My friend wanted to buy him a chocolate brownie.  So we were in a restaurant for about an hour or so.  

I found myself getting hungrier.  Or maybe not hungry – but I wanted to eat.  I wanted French fries.  I wanted an omelette.  I wanted a bite of Vinay’s cake.

As it happens, I had to go do groceries after that.  We all know going to the supermarket when hungry is a big mistake.  BIG.  Everything (and I really mean everything) I saw on the shelves suddenly looked ten times more delicious.  I wanted to buy and eat things I’d never even tried before!

By the time we got home I had a headache, I was tired and I was hungry.

I had dinner (two Garcinia Plus soft gels and 120 ml of Aloe Vera gel) and lay down for a bit.

V went to bed eventually and my headache got worse.

LagosDad sat down to have his dinner and I suddenly felt very, very sick.

After throwing up all the Aloe Vera gel (tmi?) I got into bed and slept for 10 hours.  

Thank God day 1 was over.

I woke on day 2 (yesterday) feeling pretty… ok, actually.  The structure of the ‘meals’ was the same as the day before, but I didn’t have any headaches, I didn’t feel hungry and I didn’t throw up!

I forced LagosDad to try the Aloe Vera gel, which he did reluctantly.  He then proceeded to tell me that it wasn’t *that* bad and that I was making it worse for myself by taking so long to drink it. *tuts* (What does he know anyway?)

I was able to sit with him while he had his dinner.  I wasn’t hungry (I’d had my dinner) – but I couldn’t stop watching him while he ate.  The food just looked so good!

At about 10 pm I started to feel a bit hungry, so I had some more Aloe Vera gel.  Why would I do that to myself?!

Today is Day 3.  The structure of meals/tablets, etc. is a bit different.  But what I’m so excited about is…

I get to have a meal!  I’m busy planning my 600 calorie dinner.

I can’t wait to eat!

Oh – I had to take my measurements on Day 1 and then again on Day 3.

I have lost 1 inch from around my waist, none from my hips, 0.5 inches from my thighs and 1.5 inches from around my chest.  And I’ve lost 1.5 kilos.

I’ll take measurements again on Day 6.

 

Result!

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I’ve been quite focused on exercising over the last month.  

I’ve made an effort to try and workout at least three to four times a week, and it feels good! I’ve even managed to fit into one or two pre-pregnancy dresses!

I have to admit though, that Davina’s Body Buff DVD is getting a little irritating now, so I’ve ordered a couple of different ones to do.

Anyway, so I took my measurements on June 4th and have been putting off taking them again.  But I finally did it this morning.  I didn’t want to – because I fell off the wagon last Thursday and have been binge eating for four days – chocolate, coke, pizza, cake, etc. *ashamed face*

Anyway, so… 

I’ve lost 1.5 inches off each thigh, 1.5 inches off my hips, 1.5 inches off my waist and 0.5 inches from around my neck.

Hooray!

Go ME!

Service

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Two weeks ago I wrote this post, and I’m happy to say that I’m still exercising and I’m still enjoying it!

Now the actual point of this post is to tell you about my Zaggora HotPants.

I had one pair already and I ordered a pair of Capris and another pair of HotPants.  They finally arrived last Friday (two weeks before they were scheduled to) and I could NOT wait to wear the Capris during my Saturday workout.

Come Saturday morning, I pulled them on and started my workout.  Halfway through I thought they felt a bit funny.  I pulled up my t-shirt and saw a hole in the Capris just over my bellybutton!  

Yes, yes – let’s hear the jokes about how I obviously need to lose weight or about how I should have bought a bigger size!

I took a picture immediately and sent it off to Zaggora customer service.  I won’t attach the picture here, it might frighten you!

Their customer service got back to me this morning and they are sending me a new pair!

Hooray!

Now THAT is what I call service.