Run, swim, yoga

30 Day Shred - Day 13

I woke up with renewed energy this morning. I did a double shred work out yesterday, so today was my rest day.

I didn't rest though.

Two of my friends came over for a 5km run around Coogee. Ever since I started the 30 Day Shred, I haven't done my usual run. I'm so busy trying to keep up with the workouts, soccer and gym time that I've just combined treadmill and step machines for my light cardio. Running is a different experience. It pushes your body harder than a treadmill ever would.

I was nervous to lead the run. But I kept telling myself, my friends chose to run with me. My run, my pace.

We ended at Coogee Beach. One friend jumped into the ocean. I didn't have dri-fit gear on but I dipped my legs in. The water was refreshing. I looked forward to jumping in later.

We met another girlfriend at Oneness Cafe in Coogee. They're known for their clean cooking and many vegan and glutenfree options. I chose the quinoa and haloumi cakes with a poached egg on a bed of spinach. It's right in line with the 30 Day Shred meals...not too sure about the haloumi, but it tasted amazing. I'll never say no to my favourite cheese! I did feel a little guilty about eating the gluten free soy and linseed toast, but hey it's gluten free.

Quinoa and haloumi cakes

My friend wanted to meet up not only to catch up but to talk about the 30 Day Shred. I convinced her to buy the program too. She just hadn't started it because she had a hectic last few weeks of her job. She's now finished and ready to take on the challenge. It was so good to talk through my experience - even if it's been two weeks. I told her I'd be her sponsor to help her get through even when she felt like quitting. I don't have a sponsor, but writing these blog posts keeps me accountable. Sometimes it's not enough to just have will power.

After breakfast, our third friend left us leaving just me and the first running buddy. I put on my new bikini I bought last weekend. It felt good to see less love handles and a slimming pear shape around my hips. We jumped in and out of the water because it was so hot. We had to leave by 2:30pm for yoga but managed to squeeze in a 20 minute snorkel. I couldn't believe how much wildlife we saw. There were many tropical fish, schools of the needle nosed fish and the bluest groper I'd ever seen! Coogee isn't known for it's snorkeling but today it was teeming with wildlife!

At 3pm, were were laying on our mats. A headache was starting to come on. Was it my dehydration from running this morning? I definitely drank at least a bottle of water during brunch. Was it all the go go go today? Perhaps it was because I was starting ahem that time of the month?

I was trying my hardest to get through the vinyasa flows. I was so close to packing up and leaving in the middle of class, but I knew deep down inside that I'd feel better if I finished the 90 minute class. What I really wanted was to jump back into that ocean. If I did that my headache would be gone.

I did just that. I put on that wet bikini from earlier and went back into the ocean. It was refreshing and gave me renewed energy. I fell off the program on Friday and then didn't eat enough on Saturday. Tonight, I was going to replenish my body, mind and soul with a nutritious meal from the 30 Day Shred cookbook.

Portobello Stack

Mushrooms with quinoa, onion, red capsicum, spinach and cottage cheese

A special hens party

30 Day Shred - Day 12

This was no typical Saturday. Usually I wake up at 8am because I'm hungover or hungry. I split a 3 egg omelet filled with spinach, tomatoes, olives, mushrooms and cheddar cheese plus white rice with Dave. It doesn't sound too unhealthy right? But I haven't told you about all the butter it's cooked in and the hot sauce it's doused in. This brings on a food coma that relaxes my brain synapses thinking my body is tired again while my stomach gurgles to try to digest the rich meal. My eyes roll back and the lethargy sets in to accommodate for all the oils penetrating my body. So I fall back asleep until noon. I wake up annoyed that I've wasted the morning, yet I have no regrets about eating my favourite Saturday brunch.

Since I've been on the 30 Day Shred, I haven't had the luxury of indulging in my typical Saturday breakfast. Instead I wake up ravenous for my usual four egg white and one whole egg omelet sans rice. I have energy to get up and get out. But I get in this cycle of housework - load the laundry, do the dishes, clean up the house, prepare lunches and hang the laundry. By the time I'm done with the chores, I'm ready to go out, but only have half an hour before I have to go out again.

I made grand plans this morning to get all of the above done and dusted, plus do my shred workout for the day. Instead Dave and I had a nice stroll along the beach promenade. So much more worth it because I knew I wouldn't see him for the rest of the day. 

By 12:30pm, I took off to two beaches over at Bronte Beach where my friend was having her hen's party aka bachelorette party. Sounds weird to have it during the day right? This was no typical hen's party. My friend is a very spiritual person. Instead of having a booze filled hummer ride through Kings Cross, she wanted to bring all her girlfriends together for a peaceful yoga session in the park. In fact her celebrant was running our yoga giving it much more meaning for her. We sat in a circle and practiced Kundalini Yoga. It uses constant movements to drive and create energy and awareness. 

We opened the circle by passing around a branch and stating a sentence or two about the impact our friend has on our lives and why we love her so much. I was very honoured to be a part of such a strong and passionate group of women. I had only met her a few months ago when Dave started playing beach and indoor volleyball with her now fiance. We both wanted to join in on the fun and so the boys started giving us lessons.

We closed the circle by passing around her grandmother's antique crystal heart shaped box she would be using in her ceremony. We said one word that we hoped for the new couple in their new journey together. It was a powerful moment. Tears ran down our friend's cheeks the entire time. She was overwhelmed by the love in the circle. It was a perfect hen's party. It was a beautiful day with the sun shining and a slight breeze. We were nestled in a gully behind Bronte Park on a plateau encircling each other with love and joy for our friend.

The ladies stayed, but I had to dash. I was bummed because I missed a specially catered lunch. But when you have responsibilities you have to see them through right? My friend understood.

I went to Bondi Junction Fitness First - The Edge. I usually go to the Randwick gym, but I needed to be in Bondi Junction for some secret shopping. On Tuesday it's mine and Dave's 6th anniversary so I needed to get one of his presents, but I'll tell you more about that on Tuesday. I still had to do my shred workout for today and tomorrow. It was going to be high 30s tomorrow and there was no way I was spending that time inside a gym.

Do you know who you find at the gym at 3pm on a gorgeous sunny Saturday afternoon? A bunch of guys. I was the only woman in there for at least an hour. It was empowering though. It was like I had the gym to myself because the guys were definitely too focussed on their muscles to notice me thank god!

I did not one but two shred workouts. At first it felt daunting. The reps and sets felt endless. I walked in with my training log and pen. After each set, I'd mark it off in my training log and it was bam! it was done.

I went shopping and found not only his present but a dress for the occasion. I still hadn't eaten since 10am and was fading fast. I again was out of time because I had spent so much time shopping, but had managed to drink a green Top Juice smoothie. 

My friend's day ended with an engagement party. It was an early dinner back at Ex Lounge in Bronte Beach. Since it was a 6:30 pm dinner, I thought I'd be OK with the lack of meals I've had today. Unfortunately for me the server forgot my order. Angry Shady was coming out. It was very hard to hide especially in front of all the lovely chatty women I met today. By 9pm my salmon and veg was laid in front of me. I devoured it. You couldn't hear anything coming from my side of the table except chewing and plate scraping. I was so hungry I didn't take a usual #instafoodie photo. I did take a photo of my antipasto. It was absolutely delicious... or was it because I was so hungry? The restaurant were so accommodating for me and even gave me a vegetarian version.

Vegetarian antipasto board

The plan for the rest of the night was to take her and her partner on separate hen's and buck's nights. I was supposed to go but I was crashing fast. I had pushed my body to exercise a lot plus run around to finish all those errands. I wasn't drinking either. My friend understood and respected my decision to go home. I went home and watched an episode of Scandal and slept hard.

Days like today make me so happy not only for my relationship with Dave, but also for the friends I've made. This particular friend was the one who introduced me to Emily Skye's 30 Day Shred. She knew my motivations and understood my need to be 'good'. I can't wait to take on the day tomorrow...no sleeping in either because it's all about getting up and getting out to embrace the day!

Breaking the rules

30 Day Shred - Day 11

Today was the biggest write-off. For the first time in this shred, I didn't prepare any meals and ate out for all my meals. I blame work.

We had an all-day off-site, which means you gotta stay in one place and eat their food. I could have brought my own meals, but how weird would that be. Everyone is digging in and I bust out my salad and boiled eggs.

So instead of submitting myself to possible ridicule, I decided to eat as sensibly as I could.

For breakfast, I met my colleague at Gowings Bar & Grill. They're known as an after work bar, but my friend swore their breakfasts were to die for.

My breakfast
Black Truffle Scrambled Eggs
Finished with Asiago Cheese, Grilled Asparagus,

Lemon Balm, 11 Seeded Bread gluten free toast

I know - I ate bread and cheese.

I have no regrets. It was absolutely divine and the truffle and cheese combo was outstanding. I could have done away with the gluten free toast.

Our off site was at Bar 100 in The Rocks. Great part of the city. Venue is again great for after work drinks, not so much a 30 Day Shredder.

For lunch, finger sandwiches made of white bread were served. Gasp!

I ate the most sensible one - tomato and brie...just one.

Then paddles of pizzas were strewn along a bench top. Followed by another round of pizzas. And another. I ate two palm sized Margarita pizzas. My thighs hate me.

Then came salads and fries. Finally, something my body wants. Forget the fries, I devoured the salad and my body felt whole again.

The day ended and some of us went to a cafe. There goes my second cup for coffee - and I never drink coffee. It's a Sydney thing. Definitely not a 30 Day Shred thing.

Feeling remorse for all the carbs I had consumed at breakfast and lunch, I decided to walk across the bridge to meet Dave. That afternoon, I was feeling particularly down. I wasn't happy with myself. I fell off - not like one foot on the ground, but completely face down into the dirt. Plus the looming question, "What am I doing with my life" question weighed heavy on me. I needed that walk across the bridge. It was a sunny afternoon and I was on my way to meet my biggest fan - Dave.

He was already at the bottom of the stairs at Kirribilli with his usual grin. I wrapped my arms around him and laid on his chest.

"I'm so happy to see you. I've had a bad day."

He held me close and listened to my unravel the details of fall and my worries about life.

I jumped on the back of his scooter. We had plans to meet our friends Lauren and Jason at Via Napoli Pizzeria - "the best pizza in Sydney", Jason claims.

They laughed at Lauren when she asked if they have gluten free options for me. Oh well. Their babysitter fell through so we decided to get take-out.

It was good to see our old friends. Ever since we moved to Coogee, we hardly see them. We tend to stay in the Coogee bubble always convincing people to come visit us. They came to us last time, so we made the effort this time to visit them in Waverton on the north side of the bridge.

We played with their son Alex who was walking like we'd never seen before! A few girlfriends were also there whom I hadn't seen in months. It was a great catch up session over meter long pizzas.

I have to give them credit for the best pizza title (in 2013). The meter option is three pizzas in one. You get to choose three different styles and the meter is sectioned into thirds. The slices are huge, but piled up on with toppings. The only downside is that the base is so thin, it's quite floppy and the crust is very thick.

Knowing my indulgences of the day, I decided why quit now? I gave Dave the crusts to minimise my carb intake.

Via Napoli Pizzeria

1 Meter Pizza

Eggplant, White pizza and Margarita

I broke the rules. The 30 Day Shred told me it's inevitable you'll be going out here and there. You just need to eat sensibly. The Facebook support forum has many stories of women often falling off like me. The women are so supportive though. They all empathise and tell each other it's okay. It is okay. I just have to get back on the plan tomorrow. What's done is done, but there's still plenty of time to make progress. I'll sleep well tonight with all the carbs I've eaten, but I wonder how my body will take it?