BIG NEWS!

Well, I finally had enough of working days AND evenings and I cant weasle out of the day job (because its family) so I have let my boss know that I wont be working there after this week. Not only do I prefer not to work evenings because I only see my family on weekends now, but there were a few issues regarding the employment contract (Kerryn knows what I mean) which pushed me over the edge. To cut a long story short, he wanted me to agree to certain changes that wouldnt really be of benefit to me in the long run. Well, at least he seemed understanding (to my face anyway). The weird thing is, I dont think he will be replacing me and just prefers to lose the clients. Oh well, thats up to him. I told him if he could give me more hours during the day I would stay but he wasnt prepared to give them up to me. So, that's that I guess.
I guess in this industry you have to be prepared to work hours in which people are most available (ie. early mornings and evenings/weekends) and I just want to be at home in the evenings. I think it may be something to do with winter and S.A.D symptoms. Not that we spend quality time with one another - I usually muck about on the net, my daughter watches Nick Jnr on Foxtel and hubby just does whatever.
Now, I'm off to make tonights dinner, jump on the spin bike for a HIIT session and then shower and go to work (second last day). I feel liberated for some reason....

I had a weird dream last night that I was pregnant (I can assure you I'm not). But it got me thinking. If I was pregnant, how would that affect my goals? Can you successfully lose fat while pregnant? Can the female body do two things at once (ie. support a growing foetus and reduce body fat) ? I'm curious now and I'm off to google it!!

Yes, I can feel the dreaded monthly visitors coming. No wonder I've been craving (and eating) crap all week :(
On the bright side, I went to the footy last night and Hawthorn demolished Carlton by 100 points! Was great to watch because every time I go (which is rarely) we lose.
I made this salad yesterday which seemed very boring at the time but it was DELICIOUS!! A small can of chickpeas, tin of tuna, garden salad mix and a little olive oil and balsamic which I placed on some toasted pita bread - OMG! It tasted so good I will make it again today. If the others dont like it as much as I did then I know that its PMS (which makes everything taste good).
Another good thing is that my abs hurt today. It seems every time I do them on the ball I get sore - its great.
What else? Well, I took my daughter to the hairdressers yesterday for her first ever hair cut - her hair was down past her bum. They cut her hair, gave her 2 chocolates, a lollipop and even made her a Babychino - and all for just $12! How come I dont get treated that well??? Needless to say, hair brushing and washing will become a whole lot easier from now on - hurray!!
Its cold again today - I just want to sleep. But unfortunately the never-ending housework is calling me again.

Oops! I had a run in with some chocolate yesterday - well, OK, a lot of chocolate! Somebody slap me. Well, at least I've well and truly got it out of my system now. That teaches me to put a ban on things - I just end up worse off.

I love this one - what a crack up!! I discovered it after seeing Kek's blog with a t-shirt from the same website (www.noisebot.com).
I'm afraid I may be coming down with something. You know when you can just feel it. SO, it doesnt look like its going to be a good long weekend for me :( Sorry, I'm just cranky.
You know something that pisses me off?? WHen people say "chillax". Arrgh, it drives me crazy. I assume its meant to be a mix between "chill out" and "relax" but whatever it is, its bloody annoying. Does anyone else have sayings they cant stand?

Its just occured to me that I have been really slacking off on my diet lately and I have been very lazy in keeping track of my P/C/F ratios. Its just disappointing that I already know these things and should be more aware of the traps considering I preach to others about them. I feel like a fraud. Sometimes, especially during cold weather, you just fall into the trap of eating too many carbs. Is it because they are comfort food? I have decided to monitor my intake and replace some carbs with a little more protein. Not all of them of course, I will still keep my earlier meals the same, just less unnecessary snacking (which is the probably the reason why lately I feel like a big bloated cow).
I did my workout today at the gym - doesnt it just make it a whole lot easier when there is some talent to look at?? Even though I'm happily married I'm still allowed to look but not touch, right? RIGHT???
ANyway, better get back to work:( Its not a good sign when you start to look for excuses you can use to get out of going. Hurry up spring and summer, I need you!

Isnt it amazing how one comment from a stranger can make or break your whole week?
This morning after Body Step, I was refilling my water bottle when the instructor came up behind me and said "Can I just tell you that you're great - you work so hard in Step and in Body Attack" And I just said "Wow, that's really nice, thanks for the lovely compliment" We'd never spoken before and I didnt even think she had ever noticed me in a class full of women. Now, prior to this (for the last few weeks) I had been feeling down and stressed and generally moody but all of a sudden it seems I can take on the world and nothing seems as dire as before. Its weird how you can get yourself so down by letting your negative thoughts take over you head. I still have the same issues to deal with as before but now it just seems do-able.
Did I mention that last Thursday I did stiff leg deadlifts for the first time in a long time and my hammies are still sore? Is that weird or what? That's the longest for me ever. Usually I recover pretty quickly. Oh well, all's good. I've been doing a few different things this week - we tried group skipping on the weekend with the girls and it was sooooo much fun we didnt want to stop. Sunday night I got called in as an emergency for netball and I hadnt played in aaages so that was good. Monday morning I did my usual Attack class but for a change of scenery I did a Pump class afterwards. Triceps a bit sore from that. My friend Mary and I have decided to do a "Supermodel" challenge whereby at the end of 12 weeks of diet and training we miraculously (sp?) morph into supermodel bodies and supermodel looks. Kidding, but that's what we're calling it just for fun.
Meanwhile, I have just discovered how to navigate my way around the ATO website (thanks Kerryn) and need to do some more investigation regarding my work situation. So I'm off to bug the tax office people now...wish me luck!

300 workout

Kristy wanted to know what this is so here goes:
It is basically an intense workout of 300 repetitions with no rest in between. Its similar to when you train with supersets whereby when one body part is resting another is working so your heart rate remains elevated and your workout is over before you know it! Its usually based on compound type movements such as squats, lunges, pull-ups etc but you can really do whatever you like. I've done some with all upper body or all lower body or a mix of both. Combined with HIIT this is a great way to train for people who dont have time to do the usual "rest between each set" type workout. Craig Ballantyne's "Turbulence Training" and Alwyn Cosgrove's "Afterburn" are a similar style of training. When I first started I did all reps without weights but as my body got used to it I started adding weights which of course makes it sooooo much harder. You can choose how many repetitions of each exercise you use, it doesnt really matter as long as you dont stop. To start off you could maybe do 30 squats, 30 pushups, 30 lunges, 30 dips and 30 pullups and then repeat to make 300 or you could do less of each if you wanted or whatever really. As you get better you can add extra weight to each rep. The whole thing probably takes about 15 minutes but you can hardly move afterwards so maybe have a rest before doing your HIIT - perhaps you could do this workout in the morning and do your HIIT in the evening?
Anyway, gotta go now but will post again soon.

I think its about bloody time I updated! I've still been checking up on everybody but have been too lazy to post myself. Oh well, its not as if there's anything exciting to report anyway. Still been working and training and all the normal crap. Had a few dramas at work with the boss. He wants me to work there as a sub-contractor rather than an employee which is what I am now. I'm a bit wary though because I don't know if I'll be better off this way. I think the rent he's proposing to charge me is steep to say the least so I've been speaking to a few people to make sure the agreement is fair.
Anyway, enough about that. I've been doing all my resistance training in the form of "300 workouts" which are great. Yesterday I did a lower body one which included straight leg deadlifts and today I can barely move my hammies are so tight. Today I did the upper body equivalent and everything was like jelly afterwards. I'm really enjoying them. I'm also doing my usual Body Attack, the occasional run outside and using the spin bike at home for intervals. So cardio is pretty much taken care of.
Work has been busy and I've been doing extra shifts for my brother too. My Saturday sessions are still going strong and this week I am introducing something new for a bit of fun. A long rope for skipping like we used to in Primary School - you know, when two people turn the rope and the rest jump in the middle? Something different is always good.
Nothing planned as yet for the weekend but I'm sure we'll do something to get out and about.
Liz N tagged me so I'll play along even though its a bit late in the game.
7 facts about me.....
1. My husband was my first 'real' boyfriend. It seems like we've known each other forever and I sometimes joke about getting a 'trade-in'. LOL.
2. I hate cooking fish but I love eating it. I think its something to do with the smell and feel of raw fish.
3. I hate clutter around the house yet I don't have a problem with dust/dirt at all (well OK, to a certain extent). Although, if you came to my house you would be amazed at how messy it is.
4. I love travelling and going on airplanes but hate boats/ships.
5. I hate window shopping with a passion! If I am to go to the shops I have to buy something.
6. I have never won anything in my life (cash, prizes, titles, etc)
7. The only sweets I DON'T like are licorice all-sorts. They are absolutely vile!!
Well, that's it for me, pretty boring but whatever! I'm now off to pick up the baby and back home to whip up a three course meal for dinner. No, only kidding, it will just be leftovers.
Have a fun weekend!