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 😉

When life gets busy

What do you do when life gets busy?  When the buzz of the holiday season finally wears off and it’s back to the “daily grind” so to speak?  Do you find yourself unable to fit in those work outs?  Do you find yourself more tempted by those sugary treats your colleague brought in to the office?

This is when I find it the hardest – the period just after Christmas/New Year/my Birthday.  During that period I always tend to wind down a little.  I’ve been happy with my work outs (I’ve actually increased those!) but my diet suffers a little.  I’ve found excuses to have that “piece of cake” or “cheeky beer”.  Overall my diet is still much better than it was a year ago.  I just need to keep up the consistency.  I know back in my post here I mentioned wanting to give IIFYM a go, and part of me still wants to do this but I need someone to explain it all a bit more to me – anyone out there able to assist?

I am currently coming to the end of Week 3 of the 12 Week Transformation Challenge and I can’t believe how quickly these 3 weeks have passed.  And with things getting busier, this is when preparation is more important than ever!  Already a quarter of the way through, and I’m not seeing the results I was hoping for as yet.  But it’s all a learning curve really…each time I’ve done a similar challenge I’ve come away with lessons learnt and have moved that step forward towards a healthier lifestyle overall.  

Tomorrow I have decided to have a day off working out and use my Sunday to prep for the coming week.  Make sure I know exactly what I am going to eat when and plan my work outs.  If next week is as busy as it was this week at work, I am going to schedule in some work outs both before and after work – that way if I get stuck back at work a couple of days my work outs don’t suffer.

Sometimes I read back over my posts and I can’t believe I’ve become so into my fitness.  I’ve become one of those people I never really understood!  But I LOVE it!  I’ve found something I really enjoy again.  I haven’t been this into something since I was 15 and was really into my karate.  I just need to find a similar passion when it comes to cooking up healthy, yummy meals… haha!

Enjoy your weekend everyone 🙂  Remember – preparation is key!!!!

What will you do?

I saw this video posted on an amazing blog I follow and I thought it deserved more than a “reblog”. I thought I’d write an actual post about it.

It really puts into perspective how much time we have (or don’t have) and that we really should be making the most of each and every day!

It is another take on “life is too short” and that if we aren’t happy doing what we are doing then we need to change it.  We really don’t know how many jelly beans we have left…

Take a look at it, and I hope it inspires you to do something incredible today 🙂

Friday fist pump!

So last week at work my colleague and I were the only ones in and we had some music playing.  We were being a bit silly, and when a Tiesto track came on we started Fist pumping along to the beat.  I joked and said it could be “Fistpump Friday!” which then got me thinking, how about I start a regular post on a Friday about something which has got me excited, or which has made me happy that I’d love to share with you all – a bit of a virtual Fist pump!

Then, over time, I would love share some of your “Friday fist pumps” so if there’s something you would like to tell the world about, that has left you super excited or left you feeling happy and wanting to fist pump PLEASE do let me know!  

I’ll start the Friday fist pump’s off with a bit of a small one – today is my last day of work for 10 days as I have taken some leave.  I am excited about getting to spend some time with friends, get away for a couple of days and have plenty of time to exercise too.  I will also be finalising a couple of things for my 30 things for 30.  Bring it on!

photo credit: http://www.keepcalm-o-matic.co.uk/p/keep-calm-and-fist-pump-40/

And we’re done…

My final day at work in Sydney.  Possibly, the last day I will ever work in Sydney…possibly not.  Who knows what the future will bring, but now it’s time to say goodbye to this vibrant, often-crazy city and rekindle my relationship with the city I grew up in.  

A lot has happened in the past 6 or so years.  I’ve achieved some great things and learnt some very valuable skills and lessons.  I have made some friends who I know will be part of my life forever.  I also know that there were people that I met along the way who may not have liked me or visa versa but they were a necessary part of the journey.  I think too, that each person you meet influences your life in one way or another.

So why would I want to leave Sydney?  If I had a dollar for every person who has asked me that…well I’d be a very rich person.

Honestly?  It’s just time.  Sydney has opened it’s arms to me and I’ve taken from it what I’ve needed.  Now it’s time to move on….to take what I’ve learnt and use it elsewhere.  Somewhere slower paced, with my family and close friends around me.  I’m excited for this new chapter and next week I plan to sit down and write a list of new goals.  I think I’ll do a bit of updating of this blog too…. 

A new city…a new structure.  

To Sydney – thanks for the journey.  It’s been fun.  To the amazing new friends I now have in my life, it is you that have made the journey!

Week One Done and Dusted!

Wow – what a week.  All I have to say is – where is my bed?!?  It’s been a busy one, particularly with work – which brings me back to the work/life balance situation – and finding when you’re concentrating on your health the perfect work/life balance is very important.  But, even with a couple of close to 12 hour days thrown in for good measure I’m extremely happy with my achievements this week.