A bit retrospective this week - its been our busiest week of the year at work (and I do mean a rolling year not a calendar year!) so things have been hectic and meals have been what I can be bothered with on the night:
Mon 26 - friend's house - lamb chop with veg and gravy
Tue 27 - bolognese, with baked potato and steamed veg
Wed 28 - Moroccan chicken casserole
Thu 29 - Moroccan coley casserole (with leftovers from last night!)
Fri 30 - Asda four cheese pizza
Sat 31 - Roast chicken breast with vegetable gratin
Sun 1 - homemade pizza
Somehow too much pizza always gets into my menus...
31 January 2009
29 January 2009
Moroccan Chicken
This is one of my favourite recipes at the moment - it's great for cold winter days, really warming, and full of loads of veggies! It's a slow cooker recipe (crock pot for all you Americans!)
Ingredients:
1 tbsp oil
1 onion thinly sliced
1 crushed garlic clove
2 carrots thinly sliced
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground turmeric
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
425g/15oz tin of chickpeas
350g/12oz sweet potatoes cut into cubes
450ml/2 cups chicken stock
finely grated rind of 1 lemon
1 tbsp lemon juice
8 skinned chicken thighs
Method:
1. Heat the oil in a large saucepan, add onion and garlic, cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally until beginning to turn golden.
2. Stir in the carrots, then the salt, turmeric, cinnamon, ginger and pepper. Add the chickpeas, sweet potatoes, stock and lemon rind. Bring just to the boil and transfer to the slow cooker.
3. Arrange chicken on top of vegetables, pushing it gently into the liquid
4. Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours. Stir in the lemon juice just before serving.
5. Serve with heaps of fluffy couscous with some fresh mint stirred into it.
(Serves 4)
Other suggestions:
This works well in a normal oven too - follow the recipe as above but place it in a casserole dish instead of the slow cooker. Add some extra liquid so that all the meat and veg is just covered. Cook it for an hour and a half on 180C (350F). You may want to add some cornflour for the last 20-30 minutes to thicken it up a bit.
I've tried the following variations with success:
Ingredients:
1 tbsp oil
1 onion thinly sliced
1 crushed garlic clove
2 carrots thinly sliced
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground turmeric
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
425g/15oz tin of chickpeas
350g/12oz sweet potatoes cut into cubes
450ml/2 cups chicken stock
finely grated rind of 1 lemon
1 tbsp lemon juice
8 skinned chicken thighs
Method:
1. Heat the oil in a large saucepan, add onion and garlic, cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally until beginning to turn golden.
2. Stir in the carrots, then the salt, turmeric, cinnamon, ginger and pepper. Add the chickpeas, sweet potatoes, stock and lemon rind. Bring just to the boil and transfer to the slow cooker.
3. Arrange chicken on top of vegetables, pushing it gently into the liquid
4. Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours. Stir in the lemon juice just before serving.
5. Serve with heaps of fluffy couscous with some fresh mint stirred into it.
(Serves 4)
Other suggestions:
This works well in a normal oven too - follow the recipe as above but place it in a casserole dish instead of the slow cooker. Add some extra liquid so that all the meat and veg is just covered. Cook it for an hour and a half on 180C (350F). You may want to add some cornflour for the last 20-30 minutes to thicken it up a bit.
I've tried the following variations with success:
- tinned green lentils instead of chickpeas
- adding other root vegetables instead of chickpeas, such as potato or parsnip
- you may only need 1 thigh per person if they are big, or chicken breasts work as well
- you may not need the salt depending on how salty your stock is
- BUT don't leave out the sweet potato, its not the same without it
Enjoy!
26 January 2009
Solved a problem
Today I tried to add a couple more minutes into my walk/run plan:
7 mins warm up walk and stretch
23 min walk/jog: (2 mins jog + 1 min walk)x3, (3 mins jog + 1 min walk)x2, (2 mins jog + 1 min walk)x2
10 min cool down walk, forgot to stretch
Total 40 mins, 16 mins jogging
Must remember to stretch argh! It just flies out of my head. One day I will regret it!
Today I consciously slowed down and paced myself right from the start, so that I could make it through the three minute sections - and everything went to plan. Then it occurred to me that I had been going quite a bit faster at the beginning last week. That would be why I started to run out of energy towards the end then... So, must try and remember that lesson, even if I feel fine to start with, I have to pace myself and not race otherwise I wont make it to the end!
7 mins warm up walk and stretch
23 min walk/jog: (2 mins jog + 1 min walk)x3, (3 mins jog + 1 min walk)x2, (2 mins jog + 1 min walk)x2
10 min cool down walk, forgot to stretch
Total 40 mins, 16 mins jogging
Must remember to stretch argh! It just flies out of my head. One day I will regret it!
Today I consciously slowed down and paced myself right from the start, so that I could make it through the three minute sections - and everything went to plan. Then it occurred to me that I had been going quite a bit faster at the beginning last week. That would be why I started to run out of energy towards the end then... So, must try and remember that lesson, even if I feel fine to start with, I have to pace myself and not race otherwise I wont make it to the end!
24 January 2009
Exercise Update
I did another run on Thursday, with the 2 minute jog/1 minute walk cycle. I made it through, although it was hard work in the middle. I just slowed down until I was going really quite slowly, but still running, as I think at this stage stamina is more important than speed. I might try to add a couple more minutes of jogging in next week. I'm not sure I'm quite ready for it, but I can always go back again if I don't make it.
The exercise bike is going well - I beat the 300 calorie mark the last two times I've been on it (in 45 minutes). So I'm quite pleased with that. I've been increasing the intensity slowly and I seem to be coping with it. I'm not sure how accurate the calorie counter on the bike is, but I guess its all relative and if I keep beating my own score then at least I'm burning more calories each time.
I haven't quite got round to doing much in the way of toning, strength or flexibility exercises in the evenings. We're very busy at work during January, so hopefully when February rolls round I may feel a little more like it. Maybe I should try and start slowly, just doing 10 minutes at a time or something. If I've already been for a jog or on the bike I feel like I've done enough for the day, but I really need to do a bit of strength work as well. I think I need to try and strengthen my stomach a little - maybe it will make me less likely to get a stitch when running.
The exercise bike is going well - I beat the 300 calorie mark the last two times I've been on it (in 45 minutes). So I'm quite pleased with that. I've been increasing the intensity slowly and I seem to be coping with it. I'm not sure how accurate the calorie counter on the bike is, but I guess its all relative and if I keep beating my own score then at least I'm burning more calories each time.
I haven't quite got round to doing much in the way of toning, strength or flexibility exercises in the evenings. We're very busy at work during January, so hopefully when February rolls round I may feel a little more like it. Maybe I should try and start slowly, just doing 10 minutes at a time or something. If I've already been for a jog or on the bike I feel like I've done enough for the day, but I really need to do a bit of strength work as well. I think I need to try and strengthen my stomach a little - maybe it will make me less likely to get a stitch when running.
22 January 2009
Meal plan w/c 19 Jan 09
Mon 19 - homemade vegetable soup with bread and butter
Tue 20 - thai green chicken curry, rice, steamed veggies
Wed 21 - frozen chicken bbq pizza (man came to fix boiler, he didn't finish in the kitchen till 9pm!)
Thu 22 - italian baked fish, with baked sweet potato and boiled veggies
Fri 23 - turkey pie, with steamed veggies, and maybe a little mash
Sat 24 - beef pot roast in the slow cooker, roast potatoes and parsnip, steamed veggies
Sun 25 - homemade pizza
Tue 20 - thai green chicken curry, rice, steamed veggies
Wed 21 - frozen chicken bbq pizza (man came to fix boiler, he didn't finish in the kitchen till 9pm!)
Thu 22 - italian baked fish, with baked sweet potato and boiled veggies
Fri 23 - turkey pie, with steamed veggies, and maybe a little mash
Sat 24 - beef pot roast in the slow cooker, roast potatoes and parsnip, steamed veggies
Sun 25 - homemade pizza
20 January 2009
Back to the old route
Went back to my old route today for my walk/jog and fared slightly better. I chopped a bit out of the middle and the timing was about right:
9 min warm up walk, and stretch
21 mins: (2 mins jog + 1 min walk) x 7
10 min cool down walk, forgot to stretch
Total 40 mins, 14 mins jogging
My last jogging section now came on the main road, but it was a big downhill so gave me a bit of momentum to finish that final bit! I got through it okay today, no particular problems, so was fairly pleased. I do feel like rather a wuss for finding running for 2 minutes at a time quite a challenge, but keep remembering I've got to compare myself to me and no-one else.
All the other joggers out at lunch time seem to go very fast and look much better than me! Today for the first time I caught another one walking, I was beginning to think no-one else ever did walk/run programmes.
And then I hate it when I pass a person in the other direction and my brain thinks I have to look like a proper runner and makes me speed up a bit and try not to puff too much!
Must think in baby steps!
9 min warm up walk, and stretch
21 mins: (2 mins jog + 1 min walk) x 7
10 min cool down walk, forgot to stretch
Total 40 mins, 14 mins jogging
My last jogging section now came on the main road, but it was a big downhill so gave me a bit of momentum to finish that final bit! I got through it okay today, no particular problems, so was fairly pleased. I do feel like rather a wuss for finding running for 2 minutes at a time quite a challenge, but keep remembering I've got to compare myself to me and no-one else.
All the other joggers out at lunch time seem to go very fast and look much better than me! Today for the first time I caught another one walking, I was beginning to think no-one else ever did walk/run programmes.
And then I hate it when I pass a person in the other direction and my brain thinks I have to look like a proper runner and makes me speed up a bit and try not to puff too much!
Must think in baby steps!
19 January 2009
Homemade Pizza
Homemade pizza is our Sunday favourite these days, who needs a roast dinner anymore! I just put the dough on (in the breadmaker) before we go to church, then when I get home its all ready! Just let it rise, prepare the toppings, and then I cook it in my special microwave pan, which is designed to make it extra crispy on the bottom!
This one was smoked sausage (reduced fat!), green pepper, mushroom, and some red chilli (but not on my half!). Yes, I only ate half, I have to share it with Choc Chip, although I'm sure I could polish off the lot if it came to it hee hee!
Tried a new route
Today I tried a new route for my run, I want to try and have only a 10 minute cool down walk instead of 15 minutes. Well, the route I tried didn't work. It was one I had walked many times before, but I hadn't realised how many small inclines and hills it involved! They are really not as obvious when you are just walking. Plus the route had a lot less grass on it, and running on pavement is a bit harder on the knees.
So, anyway, I was doing the same plan again with 2 mins jog plus 1 min walk x 7 with a little walk either end. I again lacked in energy in the first half but I think it could well have been due to those unexpected hills. I started getting into it towards the end again. I'm still going to have to stick at this stage for another couple of runs at least though.
The route I did had only a 5 minute walk at the end - not quite enough. I think I shall go back to my original route and modify the middle section a little. The problem is it takes 10 minutes to get to the nice flat grass bit whichever way you go and I've been trying to avoid jogging back down the main high street where everyone can see - I think I just have to get over that!
And as for stretching in public - oh I feel very silly doing that! I think I shall just move on to doing it in my office before I go out and when I get back, not ideal, but its very hard to stop in the street and stretch.
I didn't have a great weekend, very tired and headachy all the time. Its our busy period at work at the moment, and its all getting a bit much. Still I had a good nights sleep last night, I think I'm surfacing again, as today I felt some energy returning.
So, anyway, I was doing the same plan again with 2 mins jog plus 1 min walk x 7 with a little walk either end. I again lacked in energy in the first half but I think it could well have been due to those unexpected hills. I started getting into it towards the end again. I'm still going to have to stick at this stage for another couple of runs at least though.
The route I did had only a 5 minute walk at the end - not quite enough. I think I shall go back to my original route and modify the middle section a little. The problem is it takes 10 minutes to get to the nice flat grass bit whichever way you go and I've been trying to avoid jogging back down the main high street where everyone can see - I think I just have to get over that!
And as for stretching in public - oh I feel very silly doing that! I think I shall just move on to doing it in my office before I go out and when I get back, not ideal, but its very hard to stop in the street and stretch.
I didn't have a great weekend, very tired and headachy all the time. Its our busy period at work at the moment, and its all getting a bit much. Still I had a good nights sleep last night, I think I'm surfacing again, as today I felt some energy returning.
16 January 2009
Running not so good
My last two running sessions have been deteriorating. Yesterday I did the same plan as Tuesday, with the run/walk programme consisting of 2 min jog followed by 1 min walk x 7. I JUST made it to the end.
Today I did the same thing, but first I got a bad stitch, and then my energy just gave out in the 6th jog. So I gave up the running and just took a brisk walk back to the office.
I think I'll have to try again with that stage next week and see how it goes. I have been quite tired and busy this week so I don't expect that helped on a Friday.
Tomorrow I'll either have a go on the exercise bike or have a go at the second half of my Davina DVD. I have to go into work in the afternoon so I'll see what I feel like when I get home. Hopefully I will be feeling a little more awake tomorrow after an evening of relaxing.
Today I did the same thing, but first I got a bad stitch, and then my energy just gave out in the 6th jog. So I gave up the running and just took a brisk walk back to the office.
I think I'll have to try again with that stage next week and see how it goes. I have been quite tired and busy this week so I don't expect that helped on a Friday.
Tomorrow I'll either have a go on the exercise bike or have a go at the second half of my Davina DVD. I have to go into work in the afternoon so I'll see what I feel like when I get home. Hopefully I will be feeling a little more awake tomorrow after an evening of relaxing.
Recipe: Beef Burritos
Beef Burritos - serves 2
Ingredients:
250g lean minced beef
1/2 small chopped onion
1/3 chopped green bell pepper
1 crushed clove of garlic
1 tsp chilli powder
1/2 tsp oregano
1/2 tsp basil
1/2 tsp parsley
1/2 tsp ground cumin
salt and black pepper
4 tbspns salsa
2 tbspns tomato puree
handful grated cheese
some shredded iceberg lettuce
2 large tortilla wraps
Method:
1) In a frying pan brown the onion and green pepper
2) Add the minced beef and cook till brown
3) Stir in the chilli powder, herbs, cumin and salt and pepper
4) After a couple of minutes stir in half the salsa and all the tomato puree
5) Spread lettuce on tortillas
6) Top with the beef mixture
7) Top that with the rest of the salsa and the grated cheese
8) Wrap it up and munch away!
roughly 450-500 calories per person
Ingredients:
250g lean minced beef
1/2 small chopped onion
1/3 chopped green bell pepper
1 crushed clove of garlic
1 tsp chilli powder
1/2 tsp oregano
1/2 tsp basil
1/2 tsp parsley
1/2 tsp ground cumin
salt and black pepper
4 tbspns salsa
2 tbspns tomato puree
handful grated cheese
some shredded iceberg lettuce
2 large tortilla wraps
Method:
1) In a frying pan brown the onion and green pepper
2) Add the minced beef and cook till brown
3) Stir in the chilli powder, herbs, cumin and salt and pepper
4) After a couple of minutes stir in half the salsa and all the tomato puree
5) Spread lettuce on tortillas
6) Top with the beef mixture
7) Top that with the rest of the salsa and the grated cheese
8) Wrap it up and munch away!
roughly 450-500 calories per person
14 January 2009
Meal Plan w/c 12 Jan
(Sun 11 - missed off last plan, but want to start on a Monday now - homemade pizza with pancetta, mushroom and yellow pepper)
Mon 12 - out, bring n share buffet at choral class, turned out to be mostly egg sandwiches and cake!
Tue 13 - turkey mince bolognese, steamed veg, Choc Chip cooked and forgot to do any carbs with it
Wed 14 - chinese takeaway with a friend
Thu 15 - honey mustard chicken thighs, mash, steamed veg
Fri 16 - minced beef burritos and salad
Sat 17 - salmon fillet with citrus sauce, mash, steamed veg
Sun 18 - homemade pizza probably with either smoked sausage or pepperoni
Mon 12 - out, bring n share buffet at choral class, turned out to be mostly egg sandwiches and cake!
Tue 13 - turkey mince bolognese, steamed veg, Choc Chip cooked and forgot to do any carbs with it
Wed 14 - chinese takeaway with a friend
Thu 15 - honey mustard chicken thighs, mash, steamed veg
Fri 16 - minced beef burritos and salad
Sat 17 - salmon fillet with citrus sauce, mash, steamed veg
Sun 18 - homemade pizza probably with either smoked sausage or pepperoni
13 January 2009
Made it to stage two!
Running went well today:
9 min warm up walk and stretch
21 mins - 7 x (2 mins jog + 1 min walk)
15 min cool down walk and stretch
I had a couple of extra minutes in there somewhere as I hit a hill and couldn't run up it. But overall it went quite well. I think yet again I have hit another limit so I will need to do that programme at least a couple more times before going on to the next step. I found it quite hard work today, but I just about managed to keep going till the end. 14 minutes running! Not bad.
9 min warm up walk and stretch
21 mins - 7 x (2 mins jog + 1 min walk)
15 min cool down walk and stretch
I had a couple of extra minutes in there somewhere as I hit a hill and couldn't run up it. But overall it went quite well. I think yet again I have hit another limit so I will need to do that programme at least a couple more times before going on to the next step. I found it quite hard work today, but I just about managed to keep going till the end. 14 minutes running! Not bad.
9 January 2009
Exercise and schooldays
I only realised a couple of years ago that its possible to learn to run, and to learn how to become better at running. At school I was the kid who was picked, well not quite last for team games, but probably second or third to last. I wasn't the fat kid - but I was the kid who slowly got slightly chubbier each year. The highlight of my school PE days was coming last in the girl's cross country age 15.
I used to dread the athletics in the summer, with the horrible 800 m and 1500 m run round the track. I distinctly remember either walking the entire way, or pulling out after a lap with "breathing problems". Now that I look back at it, I wasn't particularly fit, but in my head, that was the box I lived in and the box I would stay in. The "not very fit" box. The "will never improve my fitness because that's just the way I'm meant to be" box.
The teachers didn't help matters. The good kids - the naturally good at exercise kids - they got the help. They got the training. They joined extra-curricular classes and school teams, and the teachers focussed on these kids, and all I ever heard was, "you didn't put much effort into that now did you?" Consequently by the time I got to the top of the school - I didn't bother to even try and put effort in.
Why did none of the teachers ever say, "hey I can see you need a few tips on how to get better at running/breathing/throwing the ball, let me help you?" Or even, "hey don't you realise exercise isn't about which school is the best at kicking a stupid ball round a field, its about keeping each and every one of you healthy for life?"
Of course every one has their own individual accountability, but a helping hand/kick up the backside at a vulnerable age would have meant a lot to me - and would probably mean a lot to all those kids out there who really hate their PE lessons.
So for anyone out there who had similar experiences - YOU CAN DO IT. You'll get there, and you're not alone.
I used to dread the athletics in the summer, with the horrible 800 m and 1500 m run round the track. I distinctly remember either walking the entire way, or pulling out after a lap with "breathing problems". Now that I look back at it, I wasn't particularly fit, but in my head, that was the box I lived in and the box I would stay in. The "not very fit" box. The "will never improve my fitness because that's just the way I'm meant to be" box.
The teachers didn't help matters. The good kids - the naturally good at exercise kids - they got the help. They got the training. They joined extra-curricular classes and school teams, and the teachers focussed on these kids, and all I ever heard was, "you didn't put much effort into that now did you?" Consequently by the time I got to the top of the school - I didn't bother to even try and put effort in.
Why did none of the teachers ever say, "hey I can see you need a few tips on how to get better at running/breathing/throwing the ball, let me help you?" Or even, "hey don't you realise exercise isn't about which school is the best at kicking a stupid ball round a field, its about keeping each and every one of you healthy for life?"
Of course every one has their own individual accountability, but a helping hand/kick up the backside at a vulnerable age would have meant a lot to me - and would probably mean a lot to all those kids out there who really hate their PE lessons.
So for anyone out there who had similar experiences - YOU CAN DO IT. You'll get there, and you're not alone.
Nearly on to the next stage
Today's run went really well. It just goes to show you can never tell one day how you will be feeling the next day. And it was fantastic weather - very cold, still not above freezing at lunchtime, but the large grassy area I walk/run on was covered in frost, with that pale blue winter sky and a low sun - beautiful.
Today I did:
10 min warm up walk, quick stretch
19 mins - (1 min 30 secs run + 1 min walk) x 4, with (2 min run + 1 min walk) x 3 in the middle
15 min cool down walk and stretch
So the same amount of running (12 mins) as last time, but with fewer breaks. Feel very pleased with myself. I suppose running for 2 minutes without stopping isn't terribly impressive, but its something I don't think I've ever done in my life before today!
Today I did:
10 min warm up walk, quick stretch
19 mins - (1 min 30 secs run + 1 min walk) x 4, with (2 min run + 1 min walk) x 3 in the middle
15 min cool down walk and stretch
So the same amount of running (12 mins) as last time, but with fewer breaks. Feel very pleased with myself. I suppose running for 2 minutes without stopping isn't terribly impressive, but its something I don't think I've ever done in my life before today!
8 January 2009
Meal plan w/c 4 Jan
Meal plan:
- Sun 4th - homemade pizza with sweet chilli turkey topping
- Mon 5th - out (friend's house) - braised lamb with baked potato and veg, sticky toffee pud
- Tue 6th - frozen pizza, mega meat feast
- Wed 7th - moroccan chicken and root veg casserole
- Thu 8th - frittata with extra veg
- Fri 9th - steak with homemade oven chips
- Sat 10th - out (grill bar)
Wish it was Friday already
This week seems to have gone on forever - and its only Thursday. That's what you get I suppose after having an easy couple of weeks over Christmas and then back to the grind at the beginning of January.
Had a good exercise bike session yesterday:
4.5 mins warm up - level 3
36 mins - (4 mins level 4 then 30 secs level 3) x 8
4.5 mins cool down - level 3
Calories burned 291.
We have bought as our Christmas present to ourselves a small telly to go on the wall above the exercise bike. Previously we had been watching DVD's by setting up a laptop on top of the fish tank! The telly is much better -Choc Chip spent yesterday morning setting it up.
Feeling a bit tired today, went for a walk/jog at lunch but didn't quite have enough energy.
10 min warm up walk, quick stretch
20 mins - (1 min 30 secs jog + 1 min walk) x 8
15 min cool down walk and stretch
The lower part of my legs was aching a bit today, and I had to give up on my second jog as it goes up a slight slope (unavoidable) and couldn't make it up. I did get into the swing of it and made it to the end. Have a slight headache now. Don't know if I'll have the energy for a run tomorrow, will see how it goes.
Had a good exercise bike session yesterday:
4.5 mins warm up - level 3
36 mins - (4 mins level 4 then 30 secs level 3) x 8
4.5 mins cool down - level 3
Calories burned 291.
We have bought as our Christmas present to ourselves a small telly to go on the wall above the exercise bike. Previously we had been watching DVD's by setting up a laptop on top of the fish tank! The telly is much better -Choc Chip spent yesterday morning setting it up.
Feeling a bit tired today, went for a walk/jog at lunch but didn't quite have enough energy.
10 min warm up walk, quick stretch
20 mins - (1 min 30 secs jog + 1 min walk) x 8
15 min cool down walk and stretch
The lower part of my legs was aching a bit today, and I had to give up on my second jog as it goes up a slight slope (unavoidable) and couldn't make it up. I did get into the swing of it and made it to the end. Have a slight headache now. Don't know if I'll have the energy for a run tomorrow, will see how it goes.
7 January 2009
Slow and steady
Running went well yesterday:
10 min warm up walk, couple of stretches
20 min walk/run - (1 min 30 secs jog followed by 1 min walk x 8)
15 min cool down walk plus stretches
I managed to accomplish this quite easily which felt good. I know its only baby steps at the moment but probably better to do baby steps and feel good about them rather than overstretch myself.
I did feel the stitch trying to come back but managed to get rid of it this time. No leg or breathing problems at all.
Then in the evening I did 20 minutes of a yoga DVD I have. I would have done a bit more but the phone rang and it was my Mum calling for a chat, so I called it a day on the yoga.
10 min warm up walk, couple of stretches
20 min walk/run - (1 min 30 secs jog followed by 1 min walk x 8)
15 min cool down walk plus stretches
I managed to accomplish this quite easily which felt good. I know its only baby steps at the moment but probably better to do baby steps and feel good about them rather than overstretch myself.
I did feel the stitch trying to come back but managed to get rid of it this time. No leg or breathing problems at all.
Then in the evening I did 20 minutes of a yoga DVD I have. I would have done a bit more but the phone rang and it was my Mum calling for a chat, so I called it a day on the yoga.
5 January 2009
New exercise DVD
Just after posting my last blog my new Davina DVD (Super Body Workout) arrived in the post so I decided to have a go at that instead of going on the exercise bike. I did the first section of the DVD - Super Fit, which is an aerobics workout including punching and kicking routines. The warm up is about 8 mins, the aerobics about 22 mins and the cool down about 10 mins (total 40 mins).
It turned out to be quite a good level for me, I could follow the routine easily, but by the end of the workout section I had a very pink face and was sweating somewhat. The routine is 11 mins long and repeated twice. There is nothing terribly exciting about it but its something new to do, and felt quite effective. The warm up is good, as always with Davina DVDs, the stretches are held for a good length of time. The cool down section involved some gentle core stability work as well as stretches.
I didn't ache at all the next day. When I get time I'll have a go at the next routine - Super Sculpt, which is toning based.
Back to work today, and back into my lunchtime exercise. I did quite well on the "run" today, developed a slight stitch but managed to keep it at bay. Did the following:
10 min warm up walk, followed by calf stretch
20 mins consisting of 8 x (1 min 15 secs jog + 1 min 15 secs walk)
15 min walk (forgot to stretch again at the end ...dur)
Apart from the slight stitch this was the best I have felt, so may try and move up to 1 min 30 secs of jogging very soon.
It turned out to be quite a good level for me, I could follow the routine easily, but by the end of the workout section I had a very pink face and was sweating somewhat. The routine is 11 mins long and repeated twice. There is nothing terribly exciting about it but its something new to do, and felt quite effective. The warm up is good, as always with Davina DVDs, the stretches are held for a good length of time. The cool down section involved some gentle core stability work as well as stretches.
I didn't ache at all the next day. When I get time I'll have a go at the next routine - Super Sculpt, which is toning based.
Back to work today, and back into my lunchtime exercise. I did quite well on the "run" today, developed a slight stitch but managed to keep it at bay. Did the following:
10 min warm up walk, followed by calf stretch
20 mins consisting of 8 x (1 min 15 secs jog + 1 min 15 secs walk)
15 min walk (forgot to stretch again at the end ...dur)
Apart from the slight stitch this was the best I have felt, so may try and move up to 1 min 30 secs of jogging very soon.
2 January 2009
The day after Christmas
My Christmas was a little later than most people's. Due to a stomach bug laying low to the husband (now to be referred to as Choc Chip) on Christmas Day itself, the turkey didn't really happen. So we had it yesterday instead, along with all the accompaniments, and very nice it was too.
However the cunning plan of recently changing my weigh-in day to a Friday didn't work out well this morning given that I stuffed myself yesterday. So I must now keep the leftover goodies for treats, and try to not stuff myself on chocs/nuts/cheese inbetween meals, as I now weigh the heaviest I've weighed for quite some time.
Anyway, the plan is not to stress about weight, but to go easy on food, and plan in the exercise. So... Dec 31st I went in to work for the day, although came home early, and then did my Rosemary Conley Salsacise DVD (50 mins). Yesterday we had Christmas Day so that was a day off from exercise. I'm not back at work until Monday now so have plans to go on the exercise bike this afternoon, and either the bike or a DVD tomorrow.
On Monday hopefully I will get back into the running again. I just wish it wasn't so cold. It hasn't been getting above freezing all day, and the sun hasn't appeared either - its really not condusive to outside exercise.
However the cunning plan of recently changing my weigh-in day to a Friday didn't work out well this morning given that I stuffed myself yesterday. So I must now keep the leftover goodies for treats, and try to not stuff myself on chocs/nuts/cheese inbetween meals, as I now weigh the heaviest I've weighed for quite some time.
Anyway, the plan is not to stress about weight, but to go easy on food, and plan in the exercise. So... Dec 31st I went in to work for the day, although came home early, and then did my Rosemary Conley Salsacise DVD (50 mins). Yesterday we had Christmas Day so that was a day off from exercise. I'm not back at work until Monday now so have plans to go on the exercise bike this afternoon, and either the bike or a DVD tomorrow.
On Monday hopefully I will get back into the running again. I just wish it wasn't so cold. It hasn't been getting above freezing all day, and the sun hasn't appeared either - its really not condusive to outside exercise.
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