tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23645176204583186502024-03-13T11:27:56.908-07:00The Diary of a Super Loser Siobhánhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06398467296437889073noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2364517620458318650.post-42291610973455037942012-12-12T08:55:00.002-08:002012-12-14T16:13:39.636-08:00Striptease....<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hello my good people!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">FYI PUKEY MC PUKERSON HAS LEFT THE BUILDING!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hope you are all well. This week has been another great week. I really think I have made lifestyle changes that I am both willing and able to keep. Even though exercise has been a huge part of my life for the last two years (although not to the extend it is now), my 'diet' is something I (in error) considered a temporary thing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have banned the word 'diet' from my daily routine. It is now a lifestyle. I am beginning to appreciate and understand the need for diet and exercise to be complementary of each other. I have become increasingly interested in nutrition - so much so that I have started to look into completing a certificate in it somewhere down the line. I spend ages researching foods I should eat before and after different types of exercise (cardio/weights), what I should be eating on my 'off' days, how to 'shake up' my diet healthily if it needs it, what I should eat in the morning, what I should eat at night (if i need to)...you get the message. That said, I am NOT going to be become obsessive about what I eat, as, at the end of the day, I have to live and enjoy myself. The other day, mom made sausage rolls. I had two of the little buggars, but I made up for it by having a smaller dinner and working out harder. It's all about balance and allowing yourself some simple pleasures. This time last year, if I had eaten a sausage roll, I would have been riddled with guilt and that would have led to comfort eating. It was a vicious circle really!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Another thing I have had to learn to deal with is my metabolism. I have known for years that I have a metabolism that ticks over at snails pace. I have filled myself with miracle metabolism pills over the years - none of which have delivered on their far-fetched and dreamy miracle promise. I have now accepted the facts that I have to deal with it and just drink copious amounts of green tea, drink plenty water, sleep (anyone with a cure for owlitis, let me know!), not cut calories too much, etc. I might actually do a full blog post on that in the future. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My running is still going well also! I am so, so happy. I get up at 6.30 every morning so I can pound the pavements with my eager legs! It's such a great feeling. My Friday run was horrendous - I overdid the exercise last week and didn't listen to my body. My head wanted me to run but my legs were begging me to stop. By Monday I was as fit as a fiddle again and even managed to finish the run with a sprint (at -2 degrees too!). I have much to thank my running partner (Roisin) for - her mental strength and physical fitness inspire me...as does her patience. I do miss having Amy beside me (Amy is my other running partner who I haven't run with in ages), but we plan on doing a race in Tuam in January which I am very excited about. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I went out on Saturday night for a Christmas dinner and to say goodbye to my friends (I am going away for the festive season!). I was so good...I enjoyed a small portion of dinner, and refused desert and mince pies. I did wash it down with plenty vodka and sparkling water, however (as well as other tipples that I really don't want to think about!). Oh ya, and I lost my shoes. How does one even do that?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In my last post, I promised some photos. So allow me to deliver. I am reallllllly nervous about baring myself to the world in this way - but it is what I have been working towards. This are NOT the official pictures. I will get them from Shauna once I get back to Ireland in the New Year - it is motivation for me to keep going! My mom is a woeful photographer - so apologies! And YES this photos HAVE been Instagrammed but NOT photoshopped. I would also like to point out, these were taken at night when I had my dinner in my belly! I am happy with my results. However, I do see I need to work a bit more on my upper back - I've a 'bit to pinch' up there. But I guess it is better up there than on my tummy or ass!!! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am going to shut up now.....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I may do a few posts over Christmas - I'll see!!! I'd like to keep you all motivated - as well as myself!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Speak to you all soon,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Love,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Little Miss Shamed Redface</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">xxx</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">PS Thank you to EVERYONE who has helped me so far - ESPECIALLY Shauna, Gareth, Roisin, Maria, Noreen, and Katrina!</span><br />
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Siobhánhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06398467296437889073noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2364517620458318650.post-34576513580370155532012-12-05T14:51:00.002-08:002013-07-22T03:03:39.846-07:00Introducing...Pukey McPukerson & Her Skinny Jeans Phenomenon<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hey people!<br /><br />This is the longest I've gone without posting! I have just been up to my beautiful eyeballs this last week! Good complaint, I suppose!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So how am I getting on...?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I still feel incredibly in control and focused on everything. I think this is the longest I have gone without 'ruining' this 'lifestyle change.'</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The weekend was full of highs as I managed to man-handle myself into my first ever pair of skinny jeans!!!! I NEVER thought I would fit into them as I have huge Irish-Dancing-induced calves and thunder thighs that would put any overweight superhero to shame. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fcwPiO7UAQk/UL_OgaLOwCI/AAAAAAAACl0/mGgMKjTnW9A/w497-h373/2012+-+1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fcwPiO7UAQk/UL_OgaLOwCI/AAAAAAAACl0/mGgMKjTnW9A/w497-h373/2012+-+1" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Me in a pair of straight legged jeans</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">SKINNY JEANS!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've had a busy week so far. I spent about two hours Sean Nós dancing on Sunday (thanks Cathy - and yes I've been practicing!). I legs were quite achy on Sunday evening! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">From Monday, I decided I needed to shake things up and increase the intensity of my exercise before I reached a plateau. The very lovely Róisín Thomas (from Metafit!) offered to come running with me. Apprehensively, I took her up on her offer. When I say I was apprehensive, I guess I was just worried that I wouldn't be able to run at her pace or the distance she was aiming for. However, Shauna's words kept ringing in my ears 'PUSH YOURSELF.' So I replied to her text and agreed a time of 7am on Monday morning, </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On Monday, my alarm went off at 6am. After putting my alarm clock on snooze until 6.20am I jumped out of bed and made myself drink some coffee (I hate coffee, but I felt I needed a kick start). I manhandled myself into my running skins and hopped in the car. I met Róisin at a local shop. She told me were were going to take it nice and easy, and she really made me feel at ease (inside I was positively shitting myself!). We agreed on a target landmark. So off we went, pounding the pavements of Achill Sound, and being guided by streetlights. I was still dark. I felt like a crazy person. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />Running felt SOOOO good. We got to around 3km and our landmark, but Róisín kept going forward. I was delighted though, as I was really enjoying it and my head was 'in the space.' We incorporated a loop into our run and before long, we were running towards home. A couple of times, Róisín said 'right, up the pace until we get to the next sign.' I really had to push myself to keep up...but I did. Then we were about 500m from home, and I felt as if I was going to die. I am not even joking. You hear about these 'runner's walls' people face, so I thought it was one of those so I just pushed through - despite my feeling of impending doom. We sprinted the last 200m or so. For a split second, I was ecstatic that I had managed to run 7.5 km without stopping having not run that distance since last August.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />However, my ecstasy was short-lived. My impending doom feeling came pack to haunt me. And it wasn't pretty. I threw up...yup out came my coffee! It was disgusting. I was sooooo mortified puking in front of Róisín. I am sure she was dying to laugh inside (as it was funny), but she remained composed God bless her! Despite the disgustingness of it all, I have to admit I felt great. I think it was my body telling me....'o hold on a second McGinty, you're pushing me out of my comfort zone.' My body just went into shock. And that is what made puking so great. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I should have got a picture of it....:p</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I enjoyed a super hot shower and poached eggs when I got home (not together, mind!). I was buzzing for the whole day, and it really made me realise - why would anyone pay for happy pills when you have exercise? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Monday night was Metafit night. It was a fairly challenging workout and I sweat a lot! Róisín and I agreed to run again on Tuesday morning. I did some stretches before bed so I would be as right as rain the next morning. I tried to have an early night but I just couldn't sleep. I eventually fell asleep at 4am. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Needless to say, I slept through all 25 alarms I had set. Thankfully, my most reliable alarm clock - mammy McGinty' came and woke me up at 6.45. Without my coffee, I set off again to meet Róisín. We aimed for 8km on Tuesday and I felt confident despite my pukiness and slighted achiness from Mondays run/Metafit. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We got to the half-way mark and stopped to stretch a little bit. It was a bitterly cold morning so it had been hard to warm up. I think the stretching gave me my second wind! Off we went again. I was really trying to concentrate on getting my breathing right. I find breathing while running really difficult (and yes, I know it is sort of necessary!). I could feel blisters forming on the soles of my feet but I tried to ignore it and keep going. That was my main goal...not to stop. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />All was going well (well apart from a but of a breakdown at 7km, through which Róisín became my psychologist!) until, again, 200m from home, my stomach started cramping. I had to stop and as soon as I did I become overcome with the feeling of frustration and the need to puke. I started dry retching, but as there was nothing in my tummy, Little Miss Pukey McPukerson stayed in her box. I tried to start running again but I just couldn't. I actually thought I was going to pass out. So I gave in and walked. Body 1 - Siobhan 1. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bad news though., I acquired some seriously impressive blisters on my feet! And before people start hounding me with suggestions, YES I got a gait analysis done before I bought my trainers, NO my trainers don't need replacing and YES I have tried 1000 mile socks. I usually run with two compeed patches stuck to my feet...but that just didn't cut it this time!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xOJsRlqyykg/UL_N6dmRAeI/AAAAAAAAClc/UWYIYe17Caw/w497-h373/2012+-+1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xOJsRlqyykg/UL_N6dmRAeI/AAAAAAAAClc/UWYIYe17Caw/w497-h373/2012+-+1" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You probs don't want to see this but seeing as you didn't get a picture of my vomit, you should count yourself lucky :p</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Waking up on Wednesday (today) was cruel. I felt like I had been hit in the face by 2 weeks worth of DOMS. As soon as I got up and did some stretches, I was fine though, and looking forward to kettlebells this evening. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kettlebells was really good this evening. We used the 12kg weight for a few swings and ab work. Lying here in bed, I can feel some tightness in my tummy -WOOHOO!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Is it wrong that I get a kick from self-inflicted pain through exercise?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On a more negative note, I weighed myself today. I KNOW, I KNOW, I promised myself I wouldn't but I really feel as if I am skinnier than I ever have been. I was sickened to see I am still around the 10 stone mark. But bla bla bla muscle...fat...etc. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Anyways, I have to go and sort out these stupidly sexy blisters. I have another run in the morning with Róisín - we might hit the 9km tomorrow! Tomorrow evening I have dancercise, which I LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!!! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Over and out,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Siobhán</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">P.S. I will do the challenge on Friday! :) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">P. P. S. Before and after pictures (half naked) coming next week! :/ </span><br />
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Siobhánhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06398467296437889073noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2364517620458318650.post-58094473876641828852012-11-26T18:56:00.000-08:002012-11-27T04:20:05.702-08:00The Sex-Life of a Vegetarian<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Happy Tuesday everyone!!! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am nearing the end of my challenge….:( I must say, I am
going to miss everything about it: the challenges, the pain, the sense of achievement,
the blogging - but most importantly, I am going to miss the support from you guys.
The beautiful public. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Therefore, I am opening the floor…or the web space…or
whatever…to suggestions! I am prepared to do another challenge and blog about
it. I have had some suggestions to do a half marathon – which I am totally up
for. However, I would like to see if someone has a better idea. More to the
point, I need to know if you people want to keep reading my literal shite talk
(Conor, I know your answer already so shush!).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Back to the task at hand.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had such a bad week last week. I gained about a two stone,
suffered a dreadful case of acute acne (the sort where your skin is so greasy
you could actually use your face to run a chipper for a night), broke a toe
(doctor told me to suck it up - not sure if he meant my toe or the pain - I tried both - no improvement), enjoyed my weight in chocolate, takeaway and
beer, and I did my challenge in nothing less than 30 minutes – that’s up from 9
minutes 20 seconds last week.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Needless to say, I woke up sweating and screaming from that
nightmare. Yes people, it was a dream. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This week was all colours and butterflies. My motivation,
inspiration, self-control and raw desire to continue this challenge right to
the end (and beyond) drove my fitness and weight loss efforts last week. I know
I said it in the last post, but honestly, I feel like I have such a tight rein
of this craic at the moment. It is such a good feeling. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My eating is controlled, but I enjoy what I eat. I am in a
routine now. I do not eat anything I don’t enjoy. I keep telling myself that
this is a lifestyle change – and not just a change that is going to last until
mid-December. Therefore, it is important that I make diet choices that are
sustainable for my tastebuds. I’m filling up on eggs, cottage cheese, ryvita
& crackerbread (which I actually adore), banana’s, fish (and lots of it),
chickpeas, that new ‘Slim Pasta’ stuff I found, green vegetables, and salad until
it comes outta my ears. I have also developed a bit of a grá for parsnips. I
kid you not. Even though they are a root vegetable, and my time on Tony
Ferguson taught me that root veggies are bad as they are full of starch, I did
a bit of research on the humble old parsnip. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It turns out that <a href="http://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/food-nutrition/natural-foods/natural-weight-loss-food-parsnips-ga.htm">parsnips
are high in fibre and lots of other good things</a>, and are better for you
than spuds. The fact that they are high in fibre means they will keep you
fuller for longer. They also have a peculiarly pleasant sweet tang to them
which means parsnips ward off hunger pangs. I roast them in with a LITTLE BIT
of honey, pepper and mixed herbs. You may think – honey....sugar….and yes you
are right. BUT honey contains vitamins, minerals and amino acids. These all work together to help in fat and cholesterol metabolism, and that helps prevent obesity (in the right amounts of course).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Furthermore, I have to say, I am not eating much meat these days and am
contemplating becoming vegetarian (well one of those vegetarians that eat
fish!). I have the immune system of an ox at the moment (do ox’s have strong
immune systems – because that’s what I mean?).
My notion to turn veggie was accelerated today when I heard Ray D’Arcy
discussing recent research which uncovered a favourable finding about
vegetarians…ahem…see for yourself here (it should also explain the title of this post) -> </span><a href="http://www.thenewage.co.za/71699-1020-53-Vegetarians_have_a_better_sex_life_research_claims" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*fascinating
report!*</a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My exercise efforts were good last week – I enjoyed Metafit,
Kettlebells and dancing. I am also the proud owner of a 7.5kg kettlebell
(thanks Ang) as well as a stepper machine. I spend my evenings squatting,
snatching and stepping to my heart’s content. We’ll see how long that lasts….<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I did my challenge this week too. Shauna kicked me out the
front door for a 4km run at 7am on Friday morning. I haven’t run properly in
ages and the run was no problem to me so that gave me a great boost. When we got
back, I started into my challenge. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The View During my 7am Run</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I really tried to give it my all again this week. However,
during the whole thing, I felt like I had more to give and I just couldn’t push
my body to do it. I cannot even try to describe how it felt. I guess…imagine you
were driving a car and the engine was labouring, but you know that it does not
usually labour and it is capable of a lot more power. That is how I felt! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After finishing my final lunge, I felt a little deflated. I
wasn’t half as fecked as I usually am, and I wasn’t swearing either! I just lay
on the mat and gave myself a telling off. Shauna told me that my time was a
little behind what it was the previous time. And even though I thought that
before she told me, I could physically feel a pit of disappointment form in my
stomach. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me Giving Out To Myself. Note: Shauna has a shakey hand</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Shauna made her way over to me with my piece of paper with
my time. I was about to tell her to shove it up her pert little backside – and then
she said 8 MINUTES 30 SECONDS!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was absolutely dumbfounded! That is 50 seconds better than
last time. I am well on the way to HALVING my time since the first day of my
challenge – which is a feat in itself! I was so shattered from beating myself
up that I didn’t even have the energy to do my victory dance; I was dancing
inside! :)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/c0.0.403.403/p403x403/15229_10152277766045203_1277956933_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/c0.0.403.403/p403x403/15229_10152277766045203_1277956933_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Aside from everything else, I feel great! People are
noticing that I am becoming slimmer, which is great! I went to visit a friend of mine
who I hadn’t seen in months and he looked shocked when I got out of the car; he
followed up with a ‘you’ve got so small’ comment….which was great! Thanks Ant! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That is all for now. I have two more weeks…pedal to the
metal right to the end! I know it is not about weight, but I could lose four
pounds in two weeks which would be super! I am hoping to do my challenge again
on Friday, followed by a 5km race dressed in a Santa hat on Saturday! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Finally, to all the people in the last week who have told me I have inspired them and kept them motivated - keep it up! Stay with me! You help me too! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I shall keep you updated…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Love S x<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />Siobhánhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06398467296437889073noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2364517620458318650.post-50064323072228722242012-11-20T09:51:00.001-08:002012-11-20T09:53:20.818-08:00Ahoy Matey...Treasure!<br />
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Happy Tuesday one and all……I was going to be really annoying and start with a
big fat juicy HAPPY CHRISTMAS (see Lorna, I have reinstated the Christ!), but I
decided I did not want to lose any of my beautiful loyal followers at such a
late stage of my journey! I was listening to the radio today and the DJ kept
saying ‘Merry Christmas & Happy New Year’ to people on air and I was like ‘IT’S
FLAMING NOVEMER…let’s get over movember first!’ Sooooo annoying!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Anywho, I have had a really exciting week this week. I am
suffering from terrible insomnia at the moment…yawwwwn. At night time, I have
started rooting through the back of my wardrobe. I have found treasures in the
form of clothes from my….ahem….youth which I thought would never fit me again. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now when I say youth, I mean like last year! I was never
much of a skinny mini as a teenager, apart from that time I contracted
campylobacter or some other exotic-sounding food poisoning which left me
addicted to pethadine (yes the stuff they give women in labour) and weighing in
at about 7 stone 3lbs. Wonderful time of my life which lasted about a week after I starting eating again!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The first of these treasures was a pair of uber flattering
stonewash-grey jeans from La Boutique de la New Look (very posh and exclusive).
These jeans are about 6 years old and are my most favouritist jeans ever when
they fit me. And when they don’t fit me they are the worst jeans ever. They are
what I call my ‘indicator’ jeans, that is, they are the jeans that tell me if I’ve
got fatter or skinnier. They are very worn at the bottoms, and my mother keeps
telling me they are only fit for the bin. The last time they fitted me
(definition of fitted: closing without the existence of a ‘muffin top’) was
last September. This time 3 months ago, they would not even close on me, which
is what led me to wind myself up into a Hurricane Sandy-like rage and dispose
of them to the back of my wardrobe. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On Saturday, my owlish tendencies led me to try them on.
This is how they looked: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not only do they fit me, but for the first time in 4 years,
they are actually LOOSE on me!!! I ached to run around the house screaming in a
non-drug induced ecstasy, but I value my life far too much (mom would have gotten
the wooden spoon to me).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My second feat happened last night at approximately 2am
(Irish time). Again, I a pottering about fuelled by my unnatural nocturnal
energy. From the back of my wardrobe, I pulled another treasure…a size ten dress
that a bought during my first week back from Australia last year. I got it in
Swamp to wear to my good friend Rob’s epic birthday bash. It is the only night
I wore it, as I reignited my love of Irish Cider in the weeks after and was
always to bloated to wear it on nights out. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With caution, I tried it on. The zip went up seamlessly
without me having to squeeze myself into sexy spanks, or indeed suck myself in
til I felt ill. BINGO!!! My waist looked nice and trim in it…DELIGHTED! I could
still afford to lose a few lbs in order for it to look magnificent, but hey…SCORE!!!!!
Christmas dress SORTED! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio4xMLxemACIl7_OeGnGyDhrn5jkuBahukQn1msxUw1M5uKJ0BzFks4pNLIiRayMOV-UaR0XVGEbW2_dUyyjf84CxJYgZnVsancQC_a5y7eTyc32ZjQHiyWGObOepAEe_X_HYx0KWDrSs/s1600/IMG_20121120_020329.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio4xMLxemACIl7_OeGnGyDhrn5jkuBahukQn1msxUw1M5uKJ0BzFks4pNLIiRayMOV-UaR0XVGEbW2_dUyyjf84CxJYgZnVsancQC_a5y7eTyc32ZjQHiyWGObOepAEe_X_HYx0KWDrSs/s320/IMG_20121120_020329.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am so happy right now…it is the BEST FEELING EVER!!! This
is the point in the weightloss process where it becomes addictive. Though I don’t
think it is the act of losing weight that is addictive, but rather the FEELING
it gives to you. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The last few weeks have I made few couple of adjustments to
my diet, and I feel all the better for it. I have cut out grapes and started
drinking sparkling water. I have always been good for drinking my two litres of
water, but since I started drinking sparking water I have been eating less. I
have also been diluting it with a little Lime cordial which is warding off any
sugar cravings I get from time to time. Other than that, I am eating plenty
eggs, lean meat and veggies! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Exercise-wise, I did not do my challenge last week but plan
on getting to Galway later this week to do it. I am still doing my Metafit
(thanks Roisin & Gerry for putting out extra weights), kettlebells, dancercise,
sean –nós dancing and jogging. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am most definitely on the home straight now WOOOOHOOOO!!!!
There is part of me that wants to hop on the scales, but I am a bit afraid in
case my weight doesn’t reflect how much smaller I feel – that would drive me
crackers! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here’s to another great week!!! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">P.S. Can’t thank <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SMCFitnessGalway?fref=ts">Shauna</a> (and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GOSBodyDynamics?fref=ts">Gareth</a>!!!) enough for all the
support!!! You guys are awesome! </span><o:p></o:p></div>
Siobhánhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06398467296437889073noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2364517620458318650.post-79170340765687856332012-11-12T17:26:00.001-08:002012-11-12T17:27:10.192-08:00Tasty Dreams and (un)Constipated Frogs<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hey guys!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So here we are...embarking upon yet another delightful week in windswept, rain-drowned, recession-ridden Ireland. Woohoo!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As you all know from my <a href="http://diaryofasuperloser.blogspot.ie/2012/11/a-machine-in-making.html">last post</a>, I saw last week out on an absolute high after completing my challenge in 9 minutes 20 seconds.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On Thursday evening, I went to Dancersize. The class was taught by the lovely Maria O Connor and it was the quickest 60 minute class I've ever taken part it. It was so much fun and really go my heart rate up! We did some salsa-style, jazzy-style and zumba-style routines. What I absolutely loved about the class was the fact that we learned a complete routine and did it a couple of times. Most of the Dancersize classes I have just flown through a routine once before moving onto the next one. I love learning new things, so this class suited me down to the ground.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Even though I loved the class, I am sure I was a funny sight. There was one move and I just could not do. It involved alternating your left leg and right arm with your right leg and left arm. I just could not do it not matter how hard I tried! I can be so uncoordinated at times! Nevertheless, I am sure I was entertaining for anyone watching a frustrated little me, and I can assure you that I am more than ready to provide top class entertainment for our next family wedding!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For dinner on Thursday, I had a real treat! Despite loving pasta, I NEVER eat it - for the simple reason that it just bloats me like constipated frog. I am not joking. After 3 mouthfuls of pasta, I look about 6 months pregnant - God forbid. I had some time to kill in Westport on on Wednesday, so I wandered into the health food shop on Bridge Street. Sitting on a shelf in front of me, glowing like a coin fresh from the coin-maker people and shouting 'buuuuuyyyy meeeee!' at me was this.....</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A tasty dream...</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is a little steeply priced at €2.99 but it made me very happy! I cooked it with a little bit of tomato-based pasta sauce and tuna. It STUFFED me like pasta, kept me full, and didn't give me a food baby. It's the answer to one of my life problems. It's WONDA-FUL! There are noodle and rice varieties too...so I am going to do a beef stir fry next time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On Friday, I was expecting to be crippled from DOMS after having worked out so intensively all week. However, I woke up feeling GREAT! I was full of energy, and even managed to get shrinking booty out for a brisk walk.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had decided Saturday would be my rest day from my exercise. It was a friends birthday (HB Brown Siobhán!), so I had planned to go out with a few friends (including Amy, the Pumpkin-pie maker person). My eating and exercise were so good last week that I decided it would be a shame to ruin it by going on a bender, drinking loads of beer, and garnishing it with chips, burgers and sandwiches come the end of the night. So I drove, drank sparkling water and lime, and danced the night away. Plenty shite-talking too!</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Happy Birthday Brown Siobhán! Despite holding two bottles, I was not drinking! I fought all temptation! </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Despite not drinking, I did not wake til 11am Sunday. Not only that, but I woke to a text from Miss Pumpkin Pie who had been drinking the night before. Furthermore, she had sent the text at 9am. Crazy person. After lunch, I went to for a walk on the beach with a friend from my college-going years (so long ago!), who came to visit Achill for the day (good to see you Danny!). I finished Sunday with an hour long Sean-Nós dancing session - thankfully I think I was a little more co-ordinated!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Overall, my diet was great over the weekend! I've really got to grips with my eating, which is wonderful! Shauna from<a href="https://www.facebook.com/SMCFitnessGalway?fref=ts"> SMC Fitness </a> has me filling out a food diary this week, so I think that is why I am super-focused. Also, it's only SIX WEEKS 'til Christmas....jingle bells...jingle bells.....well hopefully there will be not bodily jingling this Christmas!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had Metafit again tonight (Monday). I really was not in the mood for it tonight...I was lovely and cosy beside the fire watching online tutorials on HTML. But of course Katrina came to the rescue again (superwoman-style), and gave me a reason to go. It was challenging tonight as we did a new set of exercises! Another enjoyable class - and there were so many people there too!! Definitely glad I went! I did spend much of the class pulling up my tracksuit bottoms though, so apologies to anyone who got a picturesque view of my behind. It made me happy though (the fact that my trackies are falling down, not that I'm showing my ass to the world)!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That's all for now folks...I will be doing my challenge on Friday so I shall be updating you guys then! Fingers crossed I smash 9 minutes this week!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sin é...laters! :) xx</span><br />
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<br />Siobhánhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06398467296437889073noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2364517620458318650.post-27128148223642703952012-11-08T06:46:00.002-08:002012-11-08T06:46:50.476-08:00A Machine in the Making...<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hello!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thanks to everyone you emailed/text (some of you who I don't even know) over the last 2/3 days wondering where my blog posts were!! Sorry I have been busy working, exercising and making life choices!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Overall, I have probably had the best week since I started this challenge - eating and exercise-wise! Here is the lowdown....</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Weekend</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To be honest the weekend was a bit of a non-event. Apart from a really short jog (it was cold and wet) on Saturday, I stayed in my PJs all weekend and watched an about five hundred episodes of Come Dine With Me, as well as The XFactor (both nights), The Xtra Factor (both nights) and The Xtra Factor - Best Bits. Promise, I don't have a problem!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Eating-wise, I did OK. I always try to get some red meat into me at the weekend, so I had my grilled steak and filled up on my salad. However, because both my siblings were home at the weekend, the fridge was full of grapes and orange juice - two weaknesses of mine. You may be thinking 'Big Wow Drama Queen - it's fruit.' However, I did over-consume. One must remember that both grapes and oranges are full of sugar. So while they are fine on moderation, a binge can be quite destructive. Grapes in particular have been tooted has being one fruit which is particularly <a href="http://www.shape.com/healthy-eating/diet-tips/sugar-wise-how-fruit-stacks">high in sugar. </a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I did have an extreme high at the weekend, however!!! I fitted into a dress which has not fitted me since I came back from Australia. I must say, there is plenty of room in it too!!!! SCORE!</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Monday</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Monday, as always, meant starting afresh. I am very in control of my eating habits during the week, thankfully, so my focus was on staying active.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had Metafit on Monday night with Roisin and Gerry. Again, we did the circuits first, and then the metafit workout. I was sweating afterwards, which is a good sign. I was paired with my good friend Katrina this week, so it was great to have someone to motivate me and to have someone to motivate also!! Over the past few weeks, I have learned that about myself - I engage in far more productive exercise when I have someone along side me that I can compare myself to. So I guess I pushed myself more this week and made sure to do that 'hard versions' of every exercise. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I still wasn't 'absolutely fecked' afterwards, but it was a great start to the week nonetheless! I was pacing myself for a strenuous week! </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tuesday</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On Tuesday, I went to Galway. I accompanied Shauna to her training session with Gareth at Body Dynamics. We started off with some warm up squats before starting into a five-point circuit all involving weights. Again, I did my 60kg squat lift, step-ups using a weight in each hand, reverse ab crunches, and a dumbbell exercise on a bench where we had to lift the dumbbells over our head. Oh, as well as another exercise where we lay on the ground with a bar over us, and we had to lift our bodies up with the bar - basically lifting our own weight of about, in my case, 63kg. We did that circuit three times!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For some reason, this week I could not bring myself to do the step ups. My body just seemed to have a block to them!!! I have not been sleeping very well lately, and only got two hours sleep on Monday night. So perhaps that was the reason my muscles felt so exhausted. I did as many as step ups as I could, and beat myself up over the ones I could not do. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We also did some boxing - which I ADORE, and we finished with some sprinting. I have not sprinted in ages, so it was a good variation to the work out. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After the work out, I went to visit a few friends at the university. I had a few cups of green tea, which has loads of<a href="http://www.loseweight4abs.com/green-tea-benefits-weight-loss/"> benefits for weightloss </a>including: </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* It is a metabolic stimulant</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* It suppresses the appetite</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* It is low in calories</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I went back to Shauna's house for dinner. She made a yummy healthy Shepherd's Pie made with turkey mince and turnip (yes, I thought EWWWW at first, but it was really tasty!). </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wednesday</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After a really energising slumber, I got up at 9am to do my challenge. As always I got very nervous before hand. Shauna got me to warm up by doing some Sean Nós dancing (secretly I think she just wanted to laugh at me). Once warm, I started into the challenge. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I guess the main reason for my nervousness was the fact that I did the challenge on my own last week and I was afraid that I would not do as well and then it would look as if I did not do the challenge at all (paranoid much?). That made me even more hungry to do well at the challenge this week. As with the previous few weeks, followed my 10-10-10-10-10 strategy. The first three rounds were easy peasy. I am really starting to notice how much fitter and stronger I am getting. I got a bit frustrated doing my get-ups as Shauna wouldn't count my first five as I was doing them wrong. I did not realise I was doing them wrong as I had forgotten the technique, so I got really frustrated. I couldn't stop to ask her what I was doing wrong as talking would just eat into my time! Eventually I copped on and got them right. Knowing I had wasted about ten seconds there made me even more motivated to push myself right to the end. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">By the last set of ten back lunges, I had tears in my eyes. My legs ached and my tummy felt as if I had been vomiting constantly for a week (that is the only way I can describe the pain!). Usually when I finish, I lie on the exercise mat and tell Shauna to hurry up and tell me what I got. However, I could not even speak this week. I had to get up and go outside for some fresh air. I was in pieces. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I got my wits about me, I went back inside. Shauna's pokerface gave absolutely nothing away. I genuinely did not know whether I had beat my last time of 11.06 or not. All I knew was that I gave it everything and had absolutely pushed myself as far as I could go. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">9.20. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That was my time. Nine minutes and twenty seconds!!!! I nearly collapsed in sheer shock. So did Shauna, I think. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And do you know what the awful thing is? All I thought about was....HA, I BEAT SHAUNA!!! I thought I had overcome my competitive streak.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the space of one minute, Shauna's competitive streak revealed itself. For the record, she is JUST as competitive as me - and she makes me out to be bad!!! She threw the timer at me and set off to beat my time. I could tell she was nervous. As she set off to into the circuit, I sat in awe of her technique. She moved from station to station so fluidly. She is in such fantastic shape as well. I promise Shauna, I was not perving on you but I would kill for your arms and tummy! See what I mean....</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Shauna from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SMCFitnessGalway">SMC Fitness</a></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I could see Shauna gave it everything and by the end of it she wanted to puke. However, she definitely put me back in my box with her time of 8 minutes and 8 seconds. Biatch. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">O well....something else to aim for!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I returned home to Achill on Wednesday afternoon and went straight to bed. I was just really tired again. I really don't know what is up with me these days. I signed up for a Kettlebells class last week and the first night of it was last night. I was not in any humour to go. However, I knew at the back of my mind that I would feel so much better if I did go. I text Katrina again (the one from metafit - she also signed up for kettlebells) and asked her for some motivation; this is what she replied:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">'I am aching as well. No pain no gain. We won't get fit sitting on our bums. Xmas is coming up and we need to look hot in our dresses so stop being lazy and come to kettlebells. You will feel great after as well.'</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With that, I got out of bed, got changed, and hopped in the car. I am so glad I did now. The class was not too fast-paced. I have not done a kettlebells class in quite a while, so it was a nice way to ease myself back into it. We had a 4kg or an 8kg kettlebell to chose from. I had the 8kg for most of it (see Shauna, I can chose the hard road sometimes!). And again, I used Katrina as motivation (thanks Kat!).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Me pre-kettlebells all cosy and stuff....</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thursday </span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was half expecting to wake up unable to move this morning. But I feel fine! I was awake at 7am and buzzing off the walls! I can tell I was exercising obviously, but I can walk! That is not to say DOMS won't invade my body tomorrow....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I feel a little bit nauseous today, and have not been able to eat anything yet (and it's lunchtime). I hope I can stomach something soon as I want to go to dancercize this evening. However, I won't be silly about it; if I am still not right, I will stay at home! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So that is my week in a nutshell. I am definitely fitter, stronger and skinnier. I feel great (apart from the tiredness). I have surprised myself so far, and am excited to see how far more I can push myself...I may be machine-like yet! My legs are developing more of a shape, my waist is becoming more defined, I think I may have possibly dropped a bra size, and you can see my biceps becoming more pronounced. WHOOP!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sorry about the long, wordy post - but it makes up for me being slack all week!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now to face the weekend.... </span><br />
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<br />Siobhánhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06398467296437889073noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2364517620458318650.post-64083356493090151332012-11-01T13:06:00.001-07:002012-11-01T13:06:47.245-07:00Lessons from Nike: Just Do It!<span style="color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hey everyone! </span><br />
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<span style="color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Such an amazing week this week!! For those of you connected to me or <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SMCFitnessGalway">SMC Fitness</a> on Facebook, you will know that this blog passed the 2000 views this week. I am over the moon :) Thank you! </span><br />
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<span style="color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was as high as a kite when I wrote my<a href="http://diaryofasuperloser.blogspot.ie/2012/10/putting-super-back-into-loseryeeeeehaaw.html"> last post</a> - not on drugs, before ye start spreading rumours that I'm a crack head or, worse, reporting me to the guards! I was so proud of myself after lifting such heavy weights, more or less keeping up with Shauna at training, and also because my eating was going so well. </span><br />
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<span style="color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I woke up yesterday and I felt pretty stiff. My upper arms, tummy and outer thighs were the main areas affected. It was a good stiffness however - I get such a kick out of being in pain after exercise as it feels as if I have done something. Shauna was feeling the same kind of pain, and she told me she had gone out for a brisk walk to ease the stiffness a bit (refer to second blog post:<a href="http://diaryofasuperloser.blogspot.ie/2012/10/a-remedy-for-ouchiness.html"> A Remedy for Ouchiness</a>). I did the same, and I felt elated when I got back. I thought I had overcome the stiffness surprisingly quickly. </span><br />
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<span style="color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That was until this morning. I woke up at 9am with every intention of getting my ass to Metafit. But I couldn't move. I felt like I had been hit by a rockbands doubledecker tour bus (containing singers, luggage, amps, a drumkit - the works). </span><br />
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<span style="color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am not partial to swearing too often - I save it for extreme circumstances. However, all I could muster was 'F*** You DOMS.' For all of you who do not know what <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delayed_onset_muscle_soreness">DOMS</a> is, I have covered it in some previous posts. I had a run in with it after my first challenge. DOMS refers to Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness and is simply that<i> </i>pain that nearly everyone experiences after intense or unfamiliar exercise, often peaking as long as a day or two later. I have read a couple of articles on it and it has been aptly referred to as 'natures little tax on exercise.' </span><br />
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<span style="color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Anyways, as well as waking up today feeling like crap, I was also greeted with a text from bloody Shauna which she sent at 08.03:</span><br />
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<span style="color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">'Morning...don't forget your comp is today, yeahhhhhhhhh :) :) xx</span><br />
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<span style="color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 17px;">Needless to say, she also got a 'F*** You Shauna.'</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 17px;">At 6.30pm, i began to feel human again, and decided to do the challenge. It was so difficult to find the motivation to inflict such pain on myself on my own. Think about placing your hand on a carpenters workbench, getting a hammer, and trying to talk yourself into hammering your hand. That is how it felt. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 17px;"> This was the first time I would be attempting the challenge without Shauna. I set up my room with a blanket box (those super sophisticated ones that Supervalu gave away centuries ago with about 500 stamps and £19.99) for my tricep dips and half mountain climbers; a semi-solid sofa cushion for my get-ups, and my yoga mat for my toe touches and ab crunches. I warmed up to Moves Like Jagger, with a funky warm-up routine drilled into us by Rowena and Paula from my Irish Dance Class, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Fitness-Fusion-Adult-Irish-Dance-Class/181896554802?fref=ts">Fitness Fusion</a>. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 17px;">I set my timer and off I went. There was no one around to time which was unfortunate, but I followed a pattern of the exercises so I was sure not to miss any. I thought it would be really hard to keep going on my own without Shauna throwing me daggers, but somehow I managed to push through and keep going. I think I was extra motivated as I skipped my challenge last week and still feel bad about it. Saying that, I felt much stronger than I have done in previous weeks. Usually my stomach and legs are burning my the end of the challenge. However, whatever about my legs, my tummy muscles are definitely strengthening. I only felt like throwing up for five minutes after the challenge, rather than fifteen. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 17px;">I don't have any mirror in my room. That is one thing that I find very useful at Shauna's studio in Galway - I can keep an eye on my back lunge and squatting techniques. Therefore, I can not guarantee my lunges were as good as they should be, but they felt good! </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 17px;">I finished my last toe touch and lept for my stopwatch.....</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 17px;">......11.06!!!! Not has big an improvement as other weeks, but I didn't expect to keep improving at the rate I was. I am pretty happy with that. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 17px;">Shauna is DEFINITELY timing me this week, so we will see how accurate my time was. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 17px;">Here's a picture of my red face to prove I did it :) </span></span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nqjmp2PoWis/UJLHn2rtJjI/AAAAAAAACeQ/fEwjnX9g52w/s539/2012+-+1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nqjmp2PoWis/UJLHn2rtJjI/AAAAAAAACeQ/fEwjnX9g52w/s320/2012+-+1" width="239" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 17px;">Now to face the weekend, a full fridge and tonnes of temptation. The <a href="http://diaryofasuperloser.blogspot.ie/2012/10/newsflash-im-not-powerpuff-girl-afterall.html">box of roses</a> is still looking at me from beside the Saorview box, but it has not bothered me this week. Just goes to show that your mood really has a big part to play in your eating habits. I am SUPER HAPPY this week, and I see it's knock-on effects in my eating and training. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 17px;">That is all for now....wish me luck for the weekend! </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 17px;">Siob xx</span></span>Siobhánhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06398467296437889073noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2364517620458318650.post-64547844294427504432012-10-30T15:15:00.000-07:002012-10-30T15:15:28.704-07:00Putting the Super back into Loser......yeeeeehaaw! <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hey everyone! </span><div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What a weekend/start to my week! </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Saturday</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On Saturday, I dressed up for Halloween. I LOVE Halloween. I had planned to go out sober and be home by midnight so I would be bright-eyed and bushy-tailed for Bryan Adams on Sunday. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So that did not exactly happen....</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GzxzRzBgzWE/UJBKUd3_8XI/AAAAAAAACck/Cg7_dt7wEjc/s571/2012+-+1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GzxzRzBgzWE/UJBKUd3_8XI/AAAAAAAACck/Cg7_dt7wEjc/s320/2012+-+1" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had quite a bit to drink, but I don't feel bad about it. I had such a great night, and woke up the next morning as if I had laughed for the whole night! I had been so down in the dumps last week - I think I needed to go mad! And mad I went....I drank a wide variety of beverages - everything from high-end cheap wines to premium quality Miller to top class Huzzar vodka. I think the last time I drank so much was the August Bank Holiday. I probably should not be writing this here in case future employers stumble across this blog. But hey, as we established last week, <a href="http://diaryofasuperloser.blogspot.ie/2012/10/newsflash-im-not-powerpuff-girl-afterall.html">I am not a powerpuff girl</a>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I must confess, however, I ate about six million tomato sandwiches when I got home from my night out. On white bread. But I have learned that I must not dwell on such boo boos. </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sunday</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On Sunday, I was so hungover. It made me realise why I don't drink copious amounts of alcohol on a regular basis. I woke up with my pillow stuck to my face (obviously, I had not taken my make-up off). I totally forgot the time changed and was running around like a headless chicken for fifteen minutes before I realised I actually had time to get the muck off my face. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I had to endure the longest car journey to Westport to catch the train to Dublin. It was sheer hell. I cannot even begin to describe the discomfort I was in. It is a real wonder I did not puke along the way. I felt every bump in the road between Achill and Westport. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I got to Dublin at around 5pm Sunday - and still had not graced my stomach with any kind of food. My friend Edel picked me up from the train and we went to<a href="http://www.fridays.ie/pages/menu.php?subPage=salads"> TGI Fridays.</a> Being hungover, I craved carbs and all things salty. However I fought my cravings and ordered a chicken salad. It was nomilicious.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After dinner, we toddled off to the Olympia to see Bryan Adams. I am not going even start speaking about it as I won't stop. The concert was fantastic! </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Monday</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On Monday, I woke up hoarse. Unfortunately, my stomach was still feeling dodgy and I could not face any kind of food until around lunchtime. I had a chicken wrap in the lovely <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BrascosRestaurantSkerries">Brasco's Restaurant in Skerries.</a> It was lovely - Brasco's is definitely a treasure! So yummy! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Come evening time, I sat my shapely backside upon a <a href="http://www.gobus.ie/">GoBus</a> and got myself to Galway. I arrived late Monday night and stayed at Shauna. She terrorised me with chocolate cake, but I fought my cravings and came out the better person. I think she was testing me. </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tuesday</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On Tuesday, my stomach finally started to feel better. I spent the morning carving pumpkins with Shauna - so much fun! Here is our handiwork...I did the one on the right. Shauna did three in the time I managed one. But it was my first time. I am no longer a pumpkin carving virgin. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Shauna and I headed over to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Body-Dynamics/141727362624444?fref=ts">Body Dynamics</a> in Knocknacarra for a weight training session with Gareth. It was a challenging session, but I really enjoyed it. Gareth always tells me I look like I am going to burst out crying when I lift weights, but it is just the way I channel my energy I think. I also curse a lot under my breath...I think my Aussie trainer, Marita, can vouch for that! I think I taught that poor woman some swear words! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was super proud of myself...I lifted and squatted 60kg!!! Here are a few photos from my session.....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am back home now and I am beginning to ache...tomorrow ain't gonna be pretty! I did not get a chance to do my challenge, but I am definitely going to do it tomorrow or Thursday - depending on what my mobility is like tomorrow! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I also found out that I won a competition today! I won a Sothy's Slimming Discovery Kit from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mulranny-health-and-beauty-Salon/219234718137021?fref=ts">Mulranny Health & Beauty </a>. Very excited to see how it works - I will do a review once I get my hands on it! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I will update you guys on my time challenge when I do it! :) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">P. S. Thanks to Doreen for the lift from Galway! Hope you enjoyed my in-car entertainment!!! :) x</span></div>
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Siobhánhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06398467296437889073noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2364517620458318650.post-40632925887184493362012-10-26T11:46:00.003-07:002012-10-26T13:25:33.315-07:00NEWSFLASH: I'm not a Powerpuff Girl afterall...<div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Happy bank holiday weekend people!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The aim of this post was to update you guys on my time challenge thing-a-me-bob. Unfortunately, I have not done it yet.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After Tuesday, this week was disastrous. I don't know what happened me at all. I wouldn't say I became less motivated. Rather, my willpower seemed to weaken. Poof. There it went....into thin air, like something something expelled from a chimney (smoke).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am not a huge sweet person AT ALL. I am much more of a savory kind of girl. But this week, there was a tin of Roses in the house. The tin just sat there beside our shiny Saorview box and played mind games with me all week. I swear, it grew puppy-dog eyes, arms and legs. The tin was on it's knees gaping at me with a Puss In Boots-like expression on it's face.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Like, how could I say no to that?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So yeah, I ate quite a number of sweets. I was good with my eating besides, but the guilt from eating the sweets just really got to me. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That all had a bit of a knock on effect of making me feel like giving up. As a result, I did not go for my jogs nor could I motivate myself to do the challenge. I did dance every day but I suppose my body is so used of that now that it makes little difference to anything. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's all a bit of a fuck up really. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This has happened before - that I get demotivated. But I guess it's the sign of one thing - I'm human. Damn it for years I thought I was some kind of powerpuff-esque superhero (The Powerpuff Girls were superheros, right?). I didn't see Shauna this week either, so the lack of her motivational magic was the equivalent of a perfectly baked cake missing the cherry on top. All my fault. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Dream is Over</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So what do I do now??? I cop the feck on and get up of my arse and do something about it! I have submitted a written request to the oul pair for the Roses to be removed from beside the shiny Saorview box and placed somewhere out of my reach (shouldn't be too difficult - I am a midget at just 5 foot tall (on a good day)).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I will have to go on a super long walk tomorrow and Sunday (you hearing this Gráinne?). It is Halloween this weekend, so not drinking will be hard, but I am determined not to drink. When I drink, I want bread. When I eat bread, I inflate like an over-sized helium balloon. And not a pretty one at that!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">O ya, and BRYAN ADAMS is playing in the Olympia on Sunday. Words cannot describe how excited I am. I have to be sober for that, just in case I get to meet him. I would not want the occasion to be ruined by slurred words and general culchie mythering and shite-talk.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So that's that. Disaster. But as the song goes: I get knocked down, but I get up again!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Happy bank holiday!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Siob xx</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">P. S. Sorry Shauna!</span></div>Siobhánhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06398467296437889073noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2364517620458318650.post-5395088160744203772012-10-23T09:33:00.003-07:002012-10-23T10:13:11.481-07:00Metafit-icent Monday!<br />
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Happy Tuesday my good people!</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">I am finally over my high of
<a href="http://diaryofasuperloser.blogspot.ie/2012/10/week-3-tears-ecstasy-eye-candy.html">beating my challenge</a> time last week, and my mind is now thoroughly </span></span><span style="line-height: 18px;">focused</span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> on
beating it again this week! I am aiming for 11 minutes this week. It will be a
difficult feat, but hell, God loves a trier! Shauna told me her clients are
using me as motivation to keep beating their times, which is absolutely great!
To all of you, keep it up…and let the best man win ;)<br /> <o:p></o:p></span></span></span><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am now on week four of my challenge,
and it is getting easier I think – eating-wise anyway! Like the previous
weekend, this weekend I was very good at saying ‘no’ to being bold in the
kitchen! I got out for a walk on Saturday and Sunday, which was great! I cooked
myself a treat on Saturday evening – my close friends will have heard me rave
about this! I stuffed a chicken booby with a little extra light philly, a teeny
tiny bit of pesto and a blast of herbs and spices. I baked it in the oven with
some pecan nuts, freshly sqeezed orange juice (had no lemon, but it tasted
funky), and some tomatoes. I had a big salad with it and it was absolutely
scrummy! Nom nom nom!</span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On Sunday, I went to visit my good
friend, Amy. I knew she had made pumpkin pie…and I LOVE pumpkin pie! So I made
sure not to eat my dinner before I went, and to instead indulge in a slice of
that. I am glad I held out for it as it was really nice (apologies to Colin for
stealing some of your weekly college rations!). I went for a stroll when I
returned home to make myself feel better about eating pastry! </span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.joyofbaking.com/pumpkinpie.html">Amy & Colin's Pumpkin Pie</a></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On Monday, I got hit by a tsunami of boredom. I had decided not to
go near my laptop all day, as my eyes are actually turning square. I did some
research and found out that there was an exercise class on not too far from my
house (The Sound Hall for any Achill people reading and interested in going!).
I roped my cousin Emma in, and off we went. The first half of the class was
made up of two rounds of circuits with about ten different stations of
weight-lifting, sit-ups, lunges, kettlebells, tricep dips, and so on. It was
good, and definitely got my heart rate up – though the weights were not as
heavy as I am used of lifting. The second part of the class was something
called <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=j_-05YGZ0xA"><span style="color: windowtext;">Metafit</span></a>, which I hadn't heard of before.
<a href="http://www.metafit-training.com/">Metafit </a>is a 30 minute workout which combines traditional bodyweight exercises with the latest interval and Tabata techniques to set the metabolism on fire. Basically, we followed instructions for three sets of three exercises which were performed three times each (if my memory serves me correctly). We had 15 seconds rest between each set. The sets were made up of exercises such as sumo-squates, lunges, push-ups, burpees, and so on. It was a decent work out and I was sparkling with sweet-smelling perspiration by the end of it. To finish, we did some ab work and stretching. Thanks so much to Roisin and her dad for making the class so enjoyable!! I will definitely be going again! :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I woke up this morning in great form (not sore at all...DOMS seems to have listened to me when I told them to feck off before!!!)...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">...which was soon dampered by a pending hair appointment. For anyone who knows me, my hair is my everything. Before today, I had not had it cut in almost a year. Getting in cut stresses me out no-end. People just do not understand! However, I manned up and took myself off to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Gallahair-HairBeauty/271603139526797">Gallahair</a>, my local hair salon. I got a few inches off the bottoms of it, and am quite happy with the cut - it no longer looks like Weils disease-carrying rats tails. But I think I need to be sedated the next time I get my hair cut. It is good to have a decent side-fringe back again though - thanks Gallahair!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Apart from all that, I don't think I have anything to report. I still feel skinnier than I was, which is great motivation in itself! People have commented that I look like I have lost weight too - but I am wondering whether that is just because they are reading this! Who knows! At the end of the day, what is most important is how I feel!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I will get back to you guys near the end of the week when I have done my challenge!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thanks for the continued motivation & support!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />Siob xx</span></div>
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Siobhánhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06398467296437889073noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2364517620458318650.post-44913967218195631802012-10-20T16:46:00.001-07:002012-10-20T16:49:53.495-07:00Week 3: Tears, Ecstasy & Eye Candy :) <br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Happy weekend :) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Firstly, I would like to thank everyone for the kind
donations of ropes and sympathy for Dougal. I am still seeking offers of a
kettlebell (at least 8kg) or any kind of weights!! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I know you have all been checking here every day to check
how my challenge went, right? Well as they say, you have to wait for the best
things in life, eh? :)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I went to Galway on Thursday. I trained with Gareth - Shauna’s
boyfriend from <a href="http://www.bodydynamics.ie/">Body Dynamics</a>. It was
really intense – very much weights-focused. Exercise has never made me cry
before, but I was darn well near it on Thursday. I trained along Shauna and to
her programme, which I think was way beyond what I am able for. But at the same
time, I completed everything - so that must account for something. It was also fantastic
to have someone to train alongside. I think the most difficult thing I had to
do with the TRX. My feet were elevated using the handles of the TRX, and my
hands were on the ground in front of me…it is hard to describe, so <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kn-Cuk55WLY&feature=channel&list=ULhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kn-Cuk55WLY&feature=channel&list=UL">here
is a clip</a> of what I did. Thank you so much to both Gareth and Shauna for
allowing me to train with you! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Shauna wanted me to do the challenge after the session, but
I would have cried if I had to do anymore! She eventually gave in, drove me
home and made some nomilicious turkey burgers, quinoa, and a beetroot, mint, pecan nut
& feta salad. I must get her to write out the recipe so I can share it with
you all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I thought I was going to absolutely ache on Friday morning –
and I was really worried that it was going to affect my time. However, thanks
to loads of stretching on Thursday, I was as right as rain! I woke from my
magnificent slumber at 7.15am. I had a mental chat with myself (you know, usual
pleasantries: good morning Siobhán, are you ready to do this shit?), got
dressed and took off - as light footed as a baby elephant - down the stairs to
Shauna’s studio. Shauna followed, cackled like a witch, and asked me if I was
ready. I used the <a href="http://www.google.ie/imgres?um=1&hl=en&rlz=1C1CHJW_enIE474IE474&biw=1280&bih=709&tbm=isch&tbnid=-O1dkuYkgB7CRM:&imgrefurl=http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/9237221.htm&docid=4zc4BD62LwfLgM&imgurl=http://www.argos.co.uk/wcsstore/argos/images/31-9237221MMA73UC627802M.jpg&w=250&h=300&ei=4yiDUKjELJOFhQfF7YDwCg&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=181&vpy=132&dur=247&hovh=240&hovw=200&tx=127&ty=108&sig=107792163134154340613&page=1&tbnh=146&tbnw=122&start=0&ndsp=25&ved=1t:429,r:0,s:0,i:63">step</a>
to warm up. I love using the step as I can really step out the beats to the
tunes and it makes me feel really energised! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not long after, Shauna blew the whistle. I had planned in my
head that I was going to follow a different strategy to the previous two weeks.
I did ten of each of the exercises in rotation and moved quickly from station
to station. This meant my muscles did not fatigue as quickly as before. This
week, I really noticed an improvement in my ability to execute each of the
exercises without it burning too much – especially the back lunges. I think the
reason for this is that I had gone through the exercises a few times during the
week – not against the clock, but just to add some variation to my cardio-laden
fitness regime. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was so relieved when I was finished – but I was wrecked
too! I had, once again, given it my absolute all. However, like last time, I
really was not sure how I did. I seem to lose all concept of time when I am
concentrating on…ahem…staying alive! This is me when I did my final back lunge
(hate those things). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Shauna looked at me, and a wave of disappointment and
sympathy washed over her face. My heart sank. I felt like crying (again – seems
I was a ball of emotion last week). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">‘It may have been because you changed your strategy….’,
Shauna said, with an air of melancholy in
her voice. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">‘…but it worked!!! 11 minutes, 33 seconds!!!!’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I screamed and shouted, and an air of absolute satisfaction
came over me! I was so happy! I had said in my <a href="http://diaryofasuperloser.blogspot.ie/2012/10/acrobatic-dogs-kettlebell-donations-rope.html">previous
post</a> I hoped to shave one minute off my last time. I knocked one minute and
four seconds off it! DEEEEE-LIGHTED! I gave Shauna a big huge massive
sweet-smelling sweaty hug, and did little happy dance in my head (my burning
limbs prevented me from physically executing a top-class expertly-choreographed
one). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Needless to say, I am super happy! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have been meaning to try to incorporate some pictures into
my posts. I know they are really wordy. But I love words. Shauna took a couple
of photos of me mid-workout on Friday. Something for you guys to have a laugh
at!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thanks for all the continued support and stuff!! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Love Siob xxx<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">P. S. Shauna as an awesome <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SMCFitnessGalway/app_128953167177144">competition</a>
running at the moment – just like her page to be entered into it! </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Siobhánhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06398467296437889073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2364517620458318650.post-20070195005575381702012-10-16T16:53:00.001-07:002012-10-18T16:26:07.744-07:00Acrobatic Dogs, Kettlebell Donations & Rope<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hello there! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We have reached the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/leonefabre/2086863269/">hump in the week</a>.
The weekend seems like so long ago…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well I am into week three at this stage. For those of you
who threw an eye on <a href="http://diaryofasuperloser.blogspot.ie/2012/10/excursions-of-craziness-3030-class.html">my
previous post</a>, you will know that I was quite worried about staying on
track over the weekend – no matter how focused I am during the week I usually
go crazy at the weekend. I blame Simon
Cowell and the producers of Come Dine With Me. Honestly, with so many hours of…ahem…quality
TV, is it any wonder I don’t budge from the couch and scoff on anything that
comes within ten meters of me? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This weekend was different. I did awfully well – awfully well
indeed (so much so I was GOING TO celebrate on Monday with food; see how I
roll?). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To sum up my weekend: work, <a href="http://www.tv3.ie/shows.php?request=thexfactor">The X-Factor</a>,
acrobatic dogs, <a href="http://www.trocaire.org/trad">chooooons for the starving</a>
(Trocaire, not me), and DETERMINATION!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I feel the need to vent about my dog. As is usual for a
Sunday afternoon, I took off pounding the village roads (I sound like a
professional athlete). I was only two hundred metres into my jog, following in
the wake of my beloved Lassie-esqueish dog (Dougal, named after Fr. Dougal from
Fr. Ted due to his above average level of intelligence), when a car (dark blue
polo, DL reg) came out of nowhere and HIT Dougal. Dougal did a very stylish 360
degree rotation mid-air (tongue hanging out á la Bus Eireann dog), and landed
in the ditch. I instantly burst into tears and ran over to the ditch (car had
sped off – damn you driver if I ever get my hands on you). Thankfully, Dougal
got up and just took off again. PHEW…close shave! Bet you all thought that was
going to end badly! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">See I told you I rant!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Back to this challenge…It is going very well. I am trying to
be strict with my carbs so I am checking labels meticulously and Googling
things that don’t have labels. I also made it through the weekend without drinking,
something I felt so much better for on Monday. Seeing as I am living at home
most of the time now, I thought I would have a problem with snacking. I have worked on establishing a daily routine,
however, and I am keeping my snacking to a minimum. I do enjoy sitting down in
front of Corrie with a <a href="http://www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org/archives/1049">portion of
grapes (1/2 cup or 16 grapes)</a>. If I’m still peckish later in the evening, I
munch on a concoction of chopped cherry tomatoes sprinkled with pepper, paprika,
mixed herbs and chilli. <a href="http://www.shape.com/weight-loss/food-weight-loss/top-50-spring-diet-foods-weight-loss?page=12">Cherry
tomatoes</a> are made up of mainly water, and the seasoning gives them more of
a taste. It works for me as often I eat out of boredom, rather than being
actually hungry. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Regarding exercise, I have been doing my usual brisk
walk/jogging, and I also try to spend 30-45 minutes dancing every other day. I
have to start doing some kind of weight training, so I’m going to have to dig
out my dumb-bells. I could also do with a <a href="http://www.toneathome.ie/fitness%20equipment%20accessories/kettlebell,%20kettlebells/adidas-kettlebell-8kg">kettle
bell</a> if anyone fancies donating one to me? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am really feeling the benefits of the challenge. I have so
much energy and am no longer a crabby biatch. Above all else, my trousers are
DEFINTIELY loser than they were three weeks ago. Being so broke, I am going to
invest in a high-quality second-hand rope to keep my pants hitched up – though I
will gladly accept donations for that too. Good news all around. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I got a text of<a href="https://www.facebook.com/SMCFitnessGalway"> Shauna</a> this evening
saying she got her time down to just over ten minutes. I am seeing her on
Thursday. I am going to, once again, give it my all. It would be great to knock
a minute of my time and get it down to around eleven and a half minutes. I will
report back post-challenge. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Keep your fingers and toes crossed for me :) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Siob x<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Siobhánhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06398467296437889073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2364517620458318650.post-9431990255446548872012-10-13T14:58:00.002-07:002012-10-13T14:58:21.191-07:00Excursions of Craziness - 30/30 ClassHaving been enlightened with some motivational magic after
smashing my challenge time, I decided
that while the going was good, I would tear the sexy backside out of it
and do a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=420697824657466&set=pb.158630414197543.-2207520000.1350165289&type=1&theater">circuits/boxfit class</a> (something Shauna calls 30/30).<br />
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I had done the class before, so I knew what to expect. I was
a little worried about the boxing part of things, as my usual boxfit partner,
Charlene, could not go to the class. I tend to scare people away with my Katie
Taylor-inspired punching. Thankfully, I was paired with a lady who could take
my punching ways, and could fairly give them back as well! I enjoy boxfit so much – it is great for
expelling any kind of pent-up frustration. I always feel so energised
afterwards too. If you really concentrate on your core muscles while
throwing the punches, it really gives your abs a great work-out, as well as
your arms, shoulders and upper back. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The circuits were difficult. I was never a huge fan of them.
We had loads of different exercises, skiing, front lunges, TRX explosive
jumping, jumping jacks, plank, and crunches – with a whole range of stability
and core exercises thrown in for good measure. The girls in the class were
great though – there was a real energy in them. And you could see how fit they
had become since I was at that particular class a couple of months ago. All that made the experience a far better one. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Despite being achey from my timed challenge – as well as
having a semi-dislike for circuits, I REALLY enjoyed the class. I was expecting
to feel sore the next morning, but honestly, my remedy for ouchiness seems to
be working. I can tell I was exercising, but to be honest, I am nowhere near as
sore as I was last week (I can go to the loo without having to wince!) – just
shows the best way to recover is just to get on with it and keep moving!<o:p></o:p></div>
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The weekend is here now, so I have a lot of work to do (having
been galavanting all week on the Siobhán McGinty tour of Ireland - coming to a town near you soon!). I am hoping to get out for a jog at some stage,
but my biggest concern is eating. Weekends at home are so difficult as the
fridge is stuffed with yumminess - typical Irish Mammy Style. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I shall let you all know how I get on. In the meantime, I
would like to thank Ruth for the lift to town on Thursday <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span> x<o:p></o:p></div>
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Happy weekend,<o:p></o:p></div>
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Siobhán xx<o:p></o:p></div>
Siobhánhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06398467296437889073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2364517620458318650.post-32496251975660842352012-10-12T09:01:00.000-07:002012-10-12T09:49:45.489-07:00Week 2 - Smashed<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As they say in Honolulu, HALLO-HA!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had a brief meeting with Shauna from <a href="http://www.facebook.com/SMCFitnessGalway">SMC Fitness</a> this week, and
she suggested she time me doing the challenge this week – rather than me
waiting to get home to get my mom to time me. I became instantly nervous as I did
not want to come back here and tell you guys my time if it was worse than last
time.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Anyways, she flicked on the music and handed me a 7.5kg
kettlebell and I swung that for two minutes. We did some other warm-up
exercises but to be honest it was a blur as I was so nervous and focused on my
A-game. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The she blew the whistle and started to time me. I implemented
a different strategy (I had put a lot of thought into it!) to the last time I
did the challenge. I found the <i>get ups</i>
and b<i>ack lunges </i>the most difficult
last time so I decided I would get them out of the way first and finish with
the exercises I was strongest at (<i>tricep
dips, ab crunches </i>and <i>toe touches’</i>.
I also tried to stagger the exercises so as I balanced the impact between my
legs and my arms. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It felt as if I was going forever – I had convinced myself I
would be close to 17 or 18 minutes. I was dying to ask Shauna what time I was
on, but I knew she would not tell me and that would be a time waster in itself!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I finished the challenge with 10 ab crunches and I felt like
puking. It took me everything to push to the pain. My whole body was burning
and trembling. When I got my wits about me I demanded my time. Shauna’s face
was so hard to read…..<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">…12 minutes and 27 seconds!!!!!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That is over 3 minutes better than my first time, and only
20 seconds behind Shauna. I was genuinely SHOCKED. I did gave it absolutely
everything though. It just goes to show you what focus can do – with a little
bit of focus and a hell of a lot of hard work, you can do anything. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am not sure how better I can do with that time. I think if
I tweak my strategy some more, I could get it down to under 12 minutes but
after that, I will be looking at knocking seconds off my time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am so delighted with myself. However, if I had chickened
out of launching this blog, or if it had not been so popular, I really don’t
think I would be half as focussed. So for that, my good people, thank you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To everyone who has messaged me, commented on my Facebook
status, Tweeted to me or whatever….thank you! And to Conor – I bet you will be
my biggest follower. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
Siobhánhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06398467296437889073noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2364517620458318650.post-58291274647862478222012-10-12T08:35:00.001-07:002012-10-12T08:37:25.993-07:00★ Bring it ON! ★<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What a whirlwind few days! For those of you who know me
well, you will know that I have wanted to start a blog for some time. I had
mentioned my idea for this blog to a few people two weeks ago. Since then I was
being hounded with ‘so McGinty, when are you launching this blog…’ So I decided
to just bite the bullet and put myself out there. I am absolutely OVERWHELMED
with the response. 400 views in 12 hours – words cannot describe how much that
massaged my ego. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now the pressure is on for me to actually see this challenge
through. I hope I can do it – or else I will be NURSING a bruised ego. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This week has been interesting. At the moment, I am looking for a new job.
This means very regular visits to Le Big Schmoke for les interviews. I set off
to Dublin at 6am on Tuesday morning. I found it really difficult to eat
breakfast so early in the morning, but I knew that if I skipped breakfast I
would be tempted by the variety of flab-enhancing delicacies offered by the
uber-gourmet food peeps at Iarnród
Eireann. So I graced my drowsy stomach some unsweeted museli, a little
yoghurt (the full fat type because I
read an article during the week saying <a href="http://today.ninemsn.com.au/healthandbeauty/269250/low-fat-yoghurt-lies">that
low fat yoghurt is high in sugar content compared to full fat and that is worse
for you that the higher fat content</a>), some banana (which looked as if it
had been mugged by some kind of WWF wrestler it was so bruised). I also added
some linseeds as they are <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2007/mar/06/healthandwellbeing.health1">high
in fibre and therefore keep you fuller for longer</a> (whilst also, ahem,
cleansing your bowels – if you get my drift). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I kept busy all the way to Dublin – I was preparing an
awesome presentation on Prezi so I could blow my interviewers away with
initiative. By the time I got to Dublin it was lunchtime and I was becoming
nervous about the interview, so I could not stomach much more than a cup of
Barrys tea. My interview went quite well and the following few hours gave me a
lot of food for thought – which made my stomach really uneasy. Deep in thought,
I got on the wrong DART train thing and ended up in Killester. Thankfully, I
had packed my flat shoes so I took the opportunity to walk and think – so I had
a brisk 4km walk back to Connelly station. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had yummy <a href="http://www.food.com/recipe/marks-low-fat-chicken-fajitas-93016">homemade
chicken fajitas</a> for dinner (thank you Neasa). I must confess, however, a
glass of wine was offered to me and I simply had to take it! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On Tuesday, I took off on another adventure to Carlow or
Laois…I’m not sure which one I was in. I went to visit Niamh, a girl I met in
Australia last year. Her mom had dinner ready for me: pork, carrots, spuds and
cabbage (I didn’t tell her this, but it was my first time eating cabbage!).
Niamh dragged me unwillingly out the door to the pub later that evening (I was
screaming and shouting, of course). I told her I was not drinking alcohol and
instead would prefer a diet coke or sparkling water. She started to create a
scene and draw attention to us, so I took a Coors Light (only to shut her up of
course!). Four bottles later, we decided to go home. She asked for a mention in
the blog…so here you are Niamh. You are a bitch, a bully, a diet ruiner, and a
bad influence overall. But I missed you – good to have you home).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am now on the way back to Galway from Carlow/Laois (still
don’t know where I was). I am meeting Shauna from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SMCFitnessGalway">SMC Fitness</a> this evening. She wants to take
some half-naked pictures of me for before and after purposes, but I am not too
sure how I feel about having to subject you guys to pictures of my
washboard-like-to-be stomach. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Despite cheating alcohol-wise, I did make healthy food
choices. I made a conscious effort to power-walk everywhere, and I think the
4km walk from Killester made a difference. I also had to sprint for 2 trains
and buses (whilst carrying half of my worldly possessions on my back). I really
feel so much better than I did last week. I FEEL like I have lost weight, but
as a minimum I am definitely less bloated. I am in two minds whether to weigh
myself every week – I tend to get very wound up with figures on the scales when
I try so hard – and that tends to have a knock-on effect of making me feel
miserable if my efforts are not reflected on the scales. Then what do I do? Eat
of course. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I think I will play this by ear. With regards to my exercise
challenge, Shauna has informed me her time last week was 12 minutes and 7
seconds. I will do my challenge when I get home and I am going to try my damn
hardest to get as close to that as possible. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">BRING IT ON!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I shall keep you beautiful people updated! <span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Over and out,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Siobhán x<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Siobhánhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06398467296437889073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2364517620458318650.post-32473423456631778872012-10-08T15:47:00.001-07:002012-10-09T14:14:10.592-07:00A Remedy For Ouchiness<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Good evening good people.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have been in so much pain over the last couple of days - so much pain that I felt like some breed of geriatric.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was quite sore on Wednesday, as I am sure you could tell from my previous post. Pain was brought to an entirely new level when I woke up on Thursday morning however. I stirred in my bed and winced. It took all of about ten minutes to muster up the courage to get out of my bed to go to the loo. And without being too graphic, it took another minute to sit on the toilet and about three minutes to get off it. It was HORRENDOUS to say the least!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Needless to say, after my breakfast of two Weetabix garnished with super duper low-fat cow juice, I returned to my boudoir and remained as still as I could until I got hungry again (two hours passed between getting from my bed to the toilet to the kitchen, and back again).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have been really good with lunch and dinner too - lot's of protein from eggs, fish, quinoa and chicken. Usually I'll have some carbs with my lunch such as a whole meal pitta or ryvita, and then bulk up on a salad of tomoato, onion, lettuce, beetroot, feta, apple and a crazy concoction of sunflower and linseeds.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On Friday I needed to get out of the house. Due to my severe case of ouchiness, I had not exercised in two days. I pushed myself out the door for a brisk walk. When I came back I felt like a new woman! No stiffness at all! It was a miracle.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There were traces of my ouchiness syndrome on Saturday but I did an hour dance practice and hey presto, I was as good as new again.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So my remedy for ouchiness - get moving!!!! Stiffness and pain disappears much quicker if you push yourself to move!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is Monday now and I'm buzzing! I feel great! I went for a run today and did some core work. I am due to time myself doing my crazy workout again on Wednesday - DREADING that! But I am confident of beating my time!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wish me luck!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Your Master in De-Ouchiness,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Siobhán xx</span>Siobhánhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06398467296437889073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2364517620458318650.post-28304568090632053112012-10-03T13:59:00.000-07:002012-10-10T01:49:13.193-07:00Week 1, Day 1 | The Birth of Something Beautiful <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">.....I am hoping that 'beautiful' will be abs
and other such chiselled features!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today is the day. I did not plan any of this – it
just happened. Last night, my personal trainer friend, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SMCFitnessGalway">Shauna</a>, was telling me
all about this challenge she was doing with her clients. I must have looked
half-interested, as she offered to take me through it this morning. In bed last
night I came up with the bright idea of creating this blog (see <a href="http://diaryofasuperloser.blogspot.ie/p/about-me.html">About Me</a>).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So what happened?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My alarm rang at 6.55am. I had gone to bed in my
sports bra and work out top so all I had to do was pull on my tracksuit bottoms
and trainers. Shauna appeared at my door and I very graciously showed her my
two fingers. But off I toddled down the stairs in her wake.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Before we started, she said ‘are you sure you are
ready for this?’, and accompanied this ridiculous statement with a questioning
look which shouted ‘YOU’RE GONNA DIE!’ ‘HELL YA…give it to me biatch!’, I
replied. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Deep down I was excited. I had a personal trainer in
Australia a couple of years ago, and she instilled a love of exercise within
me. I love being pushed and the feeling of accomplishment you get after it. My only problem is,
I hate exercising on my own. I need someone to train with, someone to compete
with and compare myself to. It is quite sad!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">‘We’ll see if you are half as enthusiastic
afterwards!,’ Shauna said. ‘I’ll show her!’ I thought, and shrugged my
shoulders. I was going to blow this out of the water and show her what I was
made of. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As bright as an annoying button, Shauna switched on
the music and cranked up some Black Eyed Peas. We did a warm-up using an
exercise step before starting into this eleven week challenge she was telling
me about the night previously.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The idea is that you have a fixed number of
exercises and over the eleven weeks you compete against yourself to better your
time. The client who has improved the most wins.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I went hell for leather: 50 squats, dips, get ups,
crunches, mountain climbers, back lunges, and a bit of TRX chest presses thrown
in for good measure.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I moved swiftly through the first couple of
exercises, and tried to remain composed in doing so. By the time I got to 25 of
the back lunges my legs were burning. I decided to do 25 chest presses, 25 back
lunges, and a final 25 chest presses to finish off.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Result?</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I felt like puking. My whole body was confused with
a mixture of trembling, burning and general aching – as well as the shock of
being pushed to its limits at crazy o’clock. My face was puce and beads of
sweat were appearing from all over my body.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then Shauna looked at me and said ’15 minutes, 37
seconds, wow you crazy bitch. You’re not half competitive, are you?’ She
informed me I had the best time of her clients so far. I got such a buzz from hearing that. I’m good, but I
know I can be exceptional. Shauna is going to do that challenge herself and I
am going to better her time before the 11 weeks is out.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am going to report back to her each week on my
time. Coupled with this, I am going to continue with my normal fitness regime
of dancing and jogging. My biggest problem at the moment is my eating. I am
living at home and the availability of food is just dericulous. I eat and I
don’t even realise I am doing it. I love food. I am very aware about what foods
are good, and which ones should be avoided (thanks to <a href="http://www.weightwatchers.ie/">WeightWatchers</a> and <a href="http://www.tonyferguson.com/">TonyFerguson</a>). But following these guidelines is another ball game.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have a feeling this is going to be a great
journey….and MAN am I going to have a smokin’ body by Christmas – and I don’t
mean the tobacco kind!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So to summarise my goal(s)....yes, plural:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -18pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -18pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -18pt;">Beat
Shauna’s time (me? Competitive? Never!)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -18pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -18pt;">Get my
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Body_mass_index">BMI</a> into a healthy range (I need to lose just under one stone – very achievable
in 11</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -18pt;"> weeks (FYI here is a really handy </span><a href="http://nhlbisupport.com/bmi/" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -18pt;">BMI calculator</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -18pt;"> if you lovely readers want to calculate your own BMI)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -18pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: -18pt;">Motivate
as many people as possible to do something similar</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As well as everything else, I am going to post a
food diary at the end of each week. This means I have to think about everything
that goes into my mouth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Phew, wish me luck!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A very achey but extremely satisfied…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=77603483&trk=tab_pro">Siobhán</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">x<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Siobhánhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06398467296437889073noreply@blogger.com3