An urge to write…

It’s rare that I have the time to spontaneously sit down and write; but at this present moment I do.  You guys will know by now that I normally have to schedule in my blogging and even then it doesn’t always happen!  But today has been a productive day and suddenly I have this urge to write.

My Friday began with a gym session with Coffee2Words, followed by a tasty breakfast here.  It used to be some what of a ritual for us but doesn’t happen so often anymore.  After breakfast I headed off to uni for a lecture and then had a hot beverage with another friend before heading home to complete an online test for the same subject.  It was harder than I thought, so I’m a little worried about my results.

Following the test, I did some cleaning around the house and had some lunch.  I read a little bit of my current ‘30 things‘ novel “The Kite Runner” and then did a couple of other daily tasks.

I’m feeling good.

For those of you who may not know, I have finally begun studying – a plan I’ve had in place for a couple of years now.  Initially I was looking to study Nutrition on its own but instead I am studying a Bachelor of Sports and Exercise Science and a Bachelor of Human Nutrition.  A double degree.  And I’m loving it!  It’s hard work but I am finding the course just as fascinating as I hoped.

As I continue my studies I’m hoping to share with you any facts or interesting information I come across along the way and if you guys have any questions at all I’d love to hear from you!

I was planning on moving over to a different site but that has taken a bit of a back seat for now.  My whole routine has taken a bit of a tumble and I’m still trying to figure myself out.  Uni, the gym, my 30 things project, my social life.  Trying to find some sort of order.  I know I work best when I have order and a routine; so why is that the hardest part???

Next week we have a class free week.  My main aim is to get up-to-date with all of my classes; but I also think working out a routine might be on the cards too.

Happy Friday everyone 🙂

March Madness

March…Autumn…we’re already closing in on April!  Where the hell has 2014 gone already?  I know we say this every year, but surely – this year is disappearing quicker than any year before!!!

Maybe it’s because we are constantly looking towards our next goal..our next project…our next meal even?  But it’s this preparation which can often help us achieve big things.

Just under 2 weeks ago I created a calendar scheduling in my work outs and decided to get back into the habit of taking my food with me to work etc.  So far it’s been working a treat!  And I’m loving the routine!  But I feel, as I’m constantly looking towards the next day or the next few days, that the weeks are slipping by!  How do you stay prepared whilst living in the moment?  Is there a way to stop time from moving so quickly?  I don’t know if this is possible to answer and with my 30 Project I find I’m constantly doing one thing or another.

I recently double booked myself not once but twice with the same friend and I felt horrible.  Luckily I was able to get out of work but the other double booking was a wedding so I can’t really not go!  Luckily my friend is extremely awesome and understanding and so she didn’t make it into a huge deal (although she did admit it didn’t make her feel good); but it still got me thinking with SO much going on I need to ensure I am keeping track of everything.  I was really good at writing everything into my diary at one point, but have been a bit slack lately – so I’m going to make sure I get this habit back on track!

This isn’t the only thing though, and I’m sure I’ve touched on this many times before; but with so much going on in life; I think it’s more important than ever to spend some time simply relaxing / letting ourselves unwind.  Even for just ten minutes a night.  So I’m going to spend 10 minutes before bed doing some deep breathing exercises on my foam roller.  Trying to empty my mind of the day so that I am relaxed, ready to sleep and begin the next day.

Looks like that’s another thing to add to the calendar 😉

Crossing things off the “to do” list!

Yesterday was a great day!  It was a long day, but it was a day in which I went to bed feeling a sense of accomplishment and contentment.  I woke up early at 5:15am (and wasn’t feeling too bad surprisingly), dressed and headed to the gym.  I had decided this week to do GRIT on both Tuesday and Friday morning as this week it is highly unlikely I will be able to train in the evening at all.

GRIT, like last Friday, was release 7 which involved mostly upper body (clean and presses, shoulder press etc) and cardio – squats, burpees, push ups.  I was stoked to be able to do a few of the push ups on my toes – huge achievement for me!  They weren’t very deep but it’s a start!

Work yesterday was one of those days where you manage to cross a few things off the “to-do” list.  Love those days!  I hope today will be similar….

After work I headed off to a cooking class (one of my 30 things) which I was a bit nervous about, but ended up being a lot of fun!  I am looking forward to the second installment next week!  It’s a two-week course which gives you ideas to make meals which can be frozen so that you can have a quick meal if you’re low on time.  We also got a book with recipes, tips and hints and even variations on common meals.  I’ve learnt a few things already 🙂

When I got home yesterday I was pleased to find that my “sponsor pack” had arrived in the mail for the tiger I have adopted.  His name is Hunter.  He is gorgeous!  For more information on sponsoring an animal from Australia Zoo – check out this link!  If you’re not in Australia, I’m sure zoos all around the world have similar programs.  They are such a good idea 🙂

Here’s a picture I put up on instagram last night 🙂

By the time I had read through my pack and had a light dinner, it was almost 10:00pm.  So I read a little bit and then headed to bed.  I went to sleep feeling like I had achieved a lot and it was a great feeling to have.  It also got me thinking about maximising time during the week – days like yesterday are so worth the getting up early for!

It also got me thinking about a conversation I had with Coffee2Words yesterday.  I discussed getting up at the same time each day, no matter what I have on, and using those extra hours to get things done.  Maybe even scheduling in the same day each week to write my blog.  I’m sure I’ve touched on this before; but it’s something I struggle with.  I’ve gotten into a good routine with my exercise, I just need to do the same with other aspects of my life.  I think it will also help down the track when I am studying.  This weekend I plan to prepare in another way – organising a proper routine for myself.  Doing the same thing each week no matter when my shift at work is!

Do you have a routine?  Do you think that it works for you?

GRIT – Pump on speed!

My friend Coffee2Words and I both go to the same (awesome) gym.  When I first joined I started going to boxing/kickboxing classes with her, but then I realised it wasn’t really for me.  I really enjoy my weights training and so stuck with that – going on my own or to my PT sessions.  Recently my boyfriend has also joined and come along with me a couple of times so that’s good too.

Anyway, C2W decided she wanted to try GRIT:

I’m always up for trying something new and although the idea of it scared the crap out of me I figured it’s only 30 minutes – I could do that, right?

Well, yes, I did – but OMG!  Hardest 30 minutes of my life!  I have done Pump before, and my best way to explain GRIT is it’s like Pump on speed!  FULL ON the WHOLE 30 minutes!  But, as full on as it was, it was well worth it, as you can see from the below:

Although I did swear numerous times throughout the class and I thought I was going to die at one point it was a great class.  The best bit is it’s a full body work out – squats, lunges, push ups, curls, chest press, burpees, ab work and much more!  There was music playing, but to be completely honest I don’t think I even noticed it!  The instructor was awesome too – when we told him we were new he explained what we needed and kept us motivated the whole time.  He also mentioned that if we were to do it once a week we would definitely see results (WOO HOO!)

Next week apparently they move on to another release so it will be interesting what they do in that class.

So, yes – I’m going to pull my butt out of bed at 5:15am again next Tuesday to give GRIT another go.

I highly recommend it if you’re looking for something challenging, to kick-start your morning! LET’S GO TUESDAY!!!!!! 😉

That thin line…

DOMS,

also known as Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness is something I’m sure every one of us has experienced at one time or another.  You know that feeling when you struggle to sit up in bed because your abs are so sore?  Or you walk up the stairs and your butt hurts so bad you don’t think you can make it to the next flight?  Or the muscles which bother me the most, quads – I walk around with my legs straight because I can’t even bend my knees without the pain ohhh the pain!!!

Obligatory Milestone Post

You know those days?  Those days you wish you had stayed in bed?  That, or a giant hole could come and swallow you up…today was one of those days.  Just a generally bad day at work!  Then, when I was leaving work; standing at the lights, I looked across the road and saw someone waiting on the other side.  I glanced down and then back up and he was gone.  I looked all around me and couldn’t see him anywhere.  It made me wonder if he’d been there at all….was I going crazy?  No, I don’t think so…I think I just needed to get home!

Now at home, I logged in to find that I had hit that magic number – 1000 views!

photo credit: http://bike2culture.org/uploads/images/about/thank-you.jpg

I can’t believe I’ve made that milestone.  It really is exciting and I’d like to thank those of you who have stuck with me along way.  Special thanks go out to Coffee2Words for getting me started!  I still have a long way to go and I know this blog will continue to develop along with me and I’m excited to see where I’m at in another thousand or so views.  I hope you will join me on the journey….