Finishing my fitness training; What do I look like now?

I have had a huge break from blogging about my fitness, I moved house and life became a little bit more mental.

I actually officially moved from my home of 19 years on the same day I finished the 8 week course. I was a bit emotional so it’s taken until now for me to able to reflect on my experiences.

It’s been completely life changing. I will never think of my body or my mental and physical ability in the same light. From waking up at 5am to bench pressing, I achieved the impossible (for me anyway!).

My body has never been happier. This has taught me about my wheat and oil intolerance and how to control it. Going out for food can still be a bit stressful for me but I’m managing it. Although I’ve been treating myself a bit more (it is Christmas after all!) I feel that I have a diet plan that works for me, a little bit less protein…

Enough of my emotional rambling now, let me show you the difference. It might not look as dramatic as those before-and-after ‘weight watcher’ 20 stone-loss people, but for me it feels that big. I can’t thank Tim enough for how much happier he has made me. I have worked so hard but he has worked even harder. Without a doubt he has changed my life, I now truly believe that Australians are all slightly crazy!

Continue reading “Finishing my fitness training; What do I look like now?”

The Jessica Ennis six-pack ambition: The Final Phase (pictures so far!).

So we’re now into the final part of the training. I can see the end and I’m so happy with what has been achieved so far.

I’m not 100% certain how much weight I’ve lost but hopefully these pictures can show you the difference in how I feel:

Continue reading “The Jessica Ennis six-pack ambition: The Final Phase (pictures so far!).”

Who should be responsible for educating people about food?

Whilst doing this body challenge the subject of food is a huge part of my life.

I am coming to terms with how little I know about nutrition- I’m still learning! But if it wasn’t for Tim and this course then I know I would still be doing all the wrong things and wondering why I wasn’t losing weight.

So many people think they are eating well but when we actually take a second to look at the label we can have a very horrifying moment realising we are very wrong.

Continue reading “Who should be responsible for educating people about food?”

Phase 2 begins. Endorphins and struggling with ‘days off’

So today, Wednesday, is my ‘off’ day.

When I say ‘off’ I mean I am grumpy, unsociable and tired.

I don’t have work and I don’t have exercise and no matter how much I sleep I constantly feel shattered. It’s exactly like people say,

“energy creates energy”

Also this keeps running around my head about endorphins:

Continue reading “Phase 2 begins. Endorphins and struggling with ‘days off’”

Why have I decided to get fit? Update: the 2nd week.

Apologies for the delay in blogging. I started a new job this week and the hours have been very tough on me, physically but more mentally!

Everyday I get up at 5, get to the workout for an hour, shower and get ready at Tim’s and then drive straight to work. (In case you were wondering I am a Trainee Car Sales Executive for Lifestyle SEAT! The dealership in Brighton hasn’t actually opened yet so I’m training at Lifestyle Ford in Horsham. Pop in if you’re local! But this isn’t what I’m blogging about here!)

Continue reading “Why have I decided to get fit? Update: the 2nd week.”

The first week.

It’s Friday afternoon and there is only one more early morning training session left for this week!

As I type this I am really aware of the muscles around my shoulder blades- they are throbbing like mad! I also have a large bruise on my right knee but I don’t remember knocking it.

This has been tough! I have personally found the toughest part eating. Eating all that is required on my daily plan and keeping up with it. This morning my head was throbbing and I was going a bit dizzy and then I realised that I had missed a meal and my body was sending me warning signs.

It’s easy to forget one of the 6 meals I need, but I have to make sure I’m keeping it up or I don’t have the energy for the work outs.

This week Tim fitted me with a heart monitor watch, looks like this:

It’s really useful for seeing how much I’ve worked throughout a session and I’m really beginning to get used to these early starts!

Motivation!!

Keeping up the Kalories

I have to eat sooooo much food! (I’m not complaining) My breakfast makes me feel like this guy (from 2.29):

(minus the ‘every last inch of me is covered in hair’ bit!)

So for breakfast everyday I have 1 3gg, 3 egg whites, 2 slices of wholemeal bread and tomatoes and peppers. 

I then have a protein shake, 2 apples and almonds. Continue reading “Keeping up the Kalories”

Why the NUJ is important for Student Journalists

Last week I went down the Angel Hotel in Cardiff where the NUJ and General Secretary Michelle Stanistreet visited the Welsh Branch of the NUJ.

She addressed the importance of the NUJ having the chance to speak at the current Leveson Inquiry– they were initially not considered as core participants. (I particularly found her comments on regulation interesting as my dissertation is focusing on the PCC.)

Continue reading “Why the NUJ is important for Student Journalists”

Gary Speed: a lesson to be learnt.

This time last year, my friend Nick Ota took his life.

What makes the situation more painful is that no one knew about his suicidal thoughts, not even his university flatmates (whom he had been with the evening before) until he didn’t emerge from his room the next day.

It’s devastating to witness the destruction that suicide leaves behind.

With the suicide of Gary Speed announced this morning by the Football Association Wales, it is about time that men’s mental health becomes more openly discussed in our society. I had the personal honour of meeting Gary Speed, his family and close friends whilst waitressing at the Millennium Stadium at the Wales V England game in March. Continue reading “Gary Speed: a lesson to be learnt.”

Hacked off over the future of the press.

Over the past two weeks I have attended two conferences held in Cardiff that discussed local and national journalism practises.

The first of these was on Saturday 19th Nov where I was invited by freelance journalist and lecturer, Joni Ayn to help with the live coverage of the ‘Future of the Press in Wales’.

Continue reading “Hacked off over the future of the press.”