Days 9 - 10 & 11 of 17 Day Diet

I was so proud of myself on Day 9...I went to meet my daughter at Frankfurt airport as she flew in for a few hours ( she works for an airline )...and took all my meals with me...I was prepared...I bought a light dressing Tuna salad for our dinner....stayed on plan ~ it was due to me planning my meals and snacks before going.

Day 10 ~ WAS also successful...No cheats....

I did teach and participate in a Kettlebell workout...this was my first full workout in over a week, and as I hurt my leg 3 weeks ago, I've done NO cardio what so ever since...

This morning ~ Day 11 ~ I decided to weigh myself...to see I have GAINED weight...

2 kgs ( 4.4lbs ) Have no idea how this could be possible as have been so strict...eating no carbs or anything not on the plan...the only reason I can think why I had this gain is due to my injury and not being able to do the amount of training my body has become used to...I remember when I stopped teaching ( fitness ) 7 years ago, I gained 10 kg's ( 22 lbs ) in one month....

As from today I have upped my activity level...

Today I cycled for 30 mins and did KB for 30 mins...I took a long walk with my friend this afternoon...

I do not enjoy seeing a gain on the scale when I am putting in all the work food wise...

Am not demotivated....I will be completing the 17 days...this small hurdle in my way will not push me off the wagon, but motivate me even more to do more...

Monday week...I leave for South Africa...when I think about it I get excited but also nervous as so much to do before I go....

The way I see it, isn't necessarily the way you see it.

Days 6 - 7 & 8 on 17 Day Diet

I'm still having no problems keeping to this plan....this is the strictest I have been on this plan..the first time I did it I was fine for about 10 days...and struggled the last 7....the 2nd time I did this plan, I followed cycle 2 more than cycle 1...but this time round I am doing it as close to the book as I know how, as the more others do it and the more I read the book, the more I learn...* The How To *

I also think one of the biggest reasons I've not been as strict on plan ( had sweet potato at dinner time ) has been my weight....I have managed to maintain my weight lost for over two years now and still weigh +- 61kg's, few grams up and down ( 134 lbs )

This time round I decided the reason I was going to do this plan was in preparation for my holiday.

I'm away for 8 weeks ~ over Xmas, New Year, my sisters 40th, my grandson's 3rd birthday and not forgetting meeting up with friends for snacks, cakes, lunch, dinners and drinks.

I read in the 17 DD that if you prepare your body by doing this plan of 17 Days before going away, you stand the change of picking up less weight than had you not done the plan..

AS I am very good with my food choices I'm hoping all in all I am going to Rock this holiday weight wise...never come back from a holiday in South Africa having gained...most times I've lost...So with that thought in my mind...I'm ready!!

The only area I feel needs looking into while on this plan for me is the yogurt....every 2nd day I have Greek yogurt for breakfast...and on those days I have 3 yogurts...one for breakfast and 2 for snacks...I need to looking into finding new idea's for snacks...I'm eating scrambled eggs with cooked tomato, spring onion and mushrooms for breakfast on the days I dont have yogurt and finding I it not enjoyable...I did in the beginning, but not anymore...so will be adding a Kerfir shake into my plan for breakfast. I don't mind having a boiled egg salad at lunch time....

I'm still photographing all my meals daily and putting them up on group ~ it keeps me accountable in a way...and gets me to use my camera which I so love...

I've trained two short Kettlebells since I taught the class last Tuesday night and damaged my leg further....I am concentrating on the upper body, abs with the Kettlebell....yesterday I did a few swings to see how my leg was coping...its getting better.

Still far far from running better...but I am patient and look forward to the challenge of getting running fit again when I start...I know with muscle memory I will be fine....2 weeks and I will be rocking the running again...now body needs the rest.

The way I see it, isn't necessarily the way you see it.

Day 4 and 5 of 17 Day Diet

I've finished both Day 4 and Day 5

But so bored of doing photo food blog already....

You see I do it in my group and here it feels like I do a repeat...

To be honest I don't think anyone is really interested what you eat as long as you stick to the plan

And I am sticking to the plan...no problems, no cravings...all is good.

The way I see it, isn't necessarily the way you see it.

Day 3 of 17 Day Diet / 2nd Round

Warm lemon water

Coffee

Breakfast

Tub Sheep Greek yogurt

2 Tsp Flaxseeds crushed

Blueberries

10 Grapes

Green tea

First Snack

Yakult

Apple

Lunch

Salmon

Mixed Salad

Coffee

2nd Snack

Activia Blueberry yogurt

Green Tea

Dinner

Fried ~ onions, mushrooms, yellow pepper and tomato in Tsp Olive oil

Chicken cooked in spices

Green Tea

My mood

F~R~U~S~T~R~A~T~E~D

Mainly due to my leg which was really causing me problems...NO PAIN...just can't walk normally..climbing stairs and I do as I live in a four level home takes a lot out of me.

I had no cravings and was not tempted to break away from plan.....I was not hungry either after my meals and snacks.

I taught a Kettlebell with boxing class all while sitting on a chair...the girls mentioned that it was the hardest workout for them....:)

The way I see it, isn't necessarily the way you see it.

Day 2 of 17 Day Diet ~ 2nd Round

Started my day off with a glass of warm lemon water and coffee while lying in bed...both brought to me by hubby...I prepare the night before always.

Breakfast

2 scrambled eggs

Tomato and mushrooms

* Fried * in South African SPRAY AND COOK

Green tea

Snack

Sheep Greek Yogurt

2 Tsp Flaxseed

Blueberries

Lunch

Left over half chicken breast

Broccoli

Apple

Green Tea

2nd Snack

Activia yogurt

80ml of Kefir

Dinner

Salmon

Mixed Italian veggies

Salad

Green Tea

My mood

Yesterday ( Day 2 ) I was feeling terrible...medicine fog head. I had taken a pain killer (with codeine ) and a catiflan for the swelling and I think the two together effected me as I am not a medicine taker....

Around 3pm my fog brain lifted...up until then I lay in bed or on the couch all day, I had to rest my head..had difficulty keeping it up!

My leg was really bad yesterday...

Today my ankle is swollen, the top of my foot is still sore, my knee feels weird, like jelly.

~Can only get to the DR on Monday as she is away till then, I need an Xray as something seriously is wrong with my leg ( knee )

So with this I did no training yesterday ...now even 17 minutes the book suggests.

The way I see it, isn't necessarily the way you see it.

Day 1 of 17 Day Diet ~ Round 2

1st November I started the 17 Day Diet as having tried this plan once before a few months ago, I really believe in it...its the one plan that makes total sense ~ as I am at goal weight I have only done Cycle 1...Cycle 4 is how I try maintain my day to day eating plan...

The reason I decided to do 17 Days again.....

I'm off to Cape Town in 20 days time for a 9 week holiday and want to get myself back into this way of eating ( a little stricter ) so that I have a few kg's to play with over Xmas and New Year...birthday party's and family time.

On waking ~ warm lemon water and coffee

BREAKFAST

2x scrambled eggs

5 mushrooms

1 tomato

Green Tea

Did one hour of Kettlebell from 9.30 - 10.30am

First Snack

Tub sheep's Greek yogurt

2x Tsp Flaxseeds crushed

Handful Blueberries

I feel asleep on the couch while watching tv, when I woke up it was too close to dinner time to have lunch so skipped lunch and had another snack.

2nd Snack

Yakult

Apple

Green Tea

Dinner

Chicken breast

Broccoli

Toss Salad

Green Tea

I taught a mixed cardio class from 7.30 - 8.30pm

Got home and jumped in a bath as my leg was really sore and my ankle very swollen

For those who don't know...last Wednesday I went for a run with a sore calf after my Monday's run, the section with lots of stones was covered in beautiful Autumn leaves so stepped in a stone I could not see...

My ankle cracked and I fell straight down to the ground.

I put out my hand to support my fall so now also have a sore and lethargic arm

I will not be able to run for sometime...

and know I have to rest it as much as possible.

Day one was good, I had no cravings for anything.....

The way I see it, isn't necessarily the way you see it.

17DD starting soon

I'm starting the 17 Day Diet on Tuesday 1st November

This has been my plan since my visit to Italy ~

I have 17 days where I can focus, then its my Hubby's birthday party on the 19th November ~ then on the 21 November I will be flying out to Cape Town, South Africa.

I will be keeping a food journal and taking photo's of my meals to keep me motivated over those 17 days...I will be sharing it here with those who are interested in following....

I am doing it to refocus on my eating before my holiday as I know its not going to be that easy for me to keep 100% to plan over Xmas and New Year with friends and family

My leg is injured, so not sure when running will be possible for me again...

Right now I will take it day to day.....

Teach my classes, do Kettlebell at home, walk on treadmill and do elliptical at gym.

I can do something...running is not the beginning and end of everything...

The way I see it, isn't necessarily the way you see it.

Where am I right now

I'm drinking a glass of Merlot wine while doing this entry tonight....:)

For the last while my eating has not been stella....I've been snacking and not eating proper lunches like I know I should.

I also have not been drinking my 3 cups of Green Tea...one if I'm lucky and not enough water...some days as little as two glasses...when I'm cold I really struggle with water...I want to drink coffee instead.

I've been having toast and peanut butter most lunch times...

I bought ingredients for my fav Green shake last week and never made one!!!

I have to throw the plain yogurt away as past sell by date now.

So what I'm saying here is since Italy, I have not been very good with my eating..

I dont eat bad foods, but just not the way I normally eat so its rattling me a bit.

On the 1st November I'm joining a few of the ladies on my online group to do the 17 DD again as this plan works...I have lots of energy and drop kg's.

I want to get my eating under control before I go on my South African 8 week holiday in a months time...

If I don't I fear returning having gained weight and this is something I've never done before.

My training is going well...in that department I am totally in control

I run 4 x a week always 8km or more, never less

I do kettlebell for strength training

I teach 2 class and PT once a week...

I'm enjoying the next few days before the eating plan starts....hence the red wine tonight as once on plan that is something I cant have..

I have warned my hubby that I will be doing this plan....

Weight wise am still holding my maintenance weight...

The way I see it, isn't necessarily the way you see it.

Running Tips

I enjoyed hearing the South African accent again!!!!!!!!

Weekend chat

This weekend we had cold minus temps in the morning and by the afternoon a high ( hahaha ) of 10 degrees...still cold, but the sun was out and the sky was blue...I can deal with the cold weather when the sun is out and the sky is blue, I cant when it rains and the sky is Grey...sometimes we have this for weeks on end and I really do get very depressed....so far so good, but do know that in about 5 weeks I will be heading off to Cape Town, South Africa for sunshine as it will be summer time there...3 months of summer....while Europe is freezing, bliss I cant wait...I will not be envying everyone in the snow this year I promise....I just cant face having to return to snow...but then THANKFULLY :) two weeks after I return to Germany from South African I head out to Abu Dhabi, the land of heat and sunshine all year round.

Okay, I know I just bragged a little...but am honestly so excited about our planning to go home this year as I really struggle in the cold and even more so since I lost the weight...the weight helped keep me warm...but if I had to chose the weight or being warm, I chose this weight!!

I did Kettlebell toning workout with my 10kg KB on Friday for 45 mins

Saturday, Hubby and I ran for 9.5km

Sunday my neighbor and I ran or 7.92 km

So am happy that I did my training this weekend...

Now I look forward to next week...

One PT session

Teach Step class

Teach KB class

Then the rest I will decided when I wake as need to see what the weather is like and what I'm in the mood for.

Wednesday will be my off day this coming week as take my car in for a service and then have my nails done.

The way I see it, isn't necessarily the way you see it.

Short Update

Things are going well....I am missing going out for my run, instead I have returned to the treadmill.....I hope to still have a few runs before I leave for CT in 5 weeks time, but in general with the cold and rain this time of year...its TREADMILL time again.

Last night I joined hubby at the gym for my workout...Ran on treadmill ~ 5km in 30 mins then went and did 30 mins of own body weight training...

I had a good workout, and really enjoyed it.

I was drenched when I was finished....

Today is my off day...

The way I see it, isn't necessarily the way you see it.

Last Weeks Catch up

This is the one and only photo I took of any of the meals I ate in Italy

I ate pasta, pizza and ice cream while there...but this evening I had duck!!

I haven't blogged all of last week as been so busy with other stuff....

But I have to say I did manage to get my training in even with being crazy busy!!

I read a STATEMENT on FB the other day and so agree with it...

IF YOU GOT TIME FOR FaceBook, YOU GOT TIME TO TRAIN!!!

So during my crazy busy times, I made sure I found an hour to get in my workout.

Last week I trained 9 x for 9 hours

I ran 3x Monday, Saturday ( Treadmill ) and Sunday

Taught 1x Step Class

Taught 1x Mixed cardio class

PT 1x Kettlebell workout

Did 3x Strength and Kettlebell workouts

I'm very aware of my food, but do feel as the weather gets colder I want to eat more...and not happy with that...

I'm going to have to think of something before this runs away with me....

On Saturday evening Hubby and I took a friend who's wife is in UK at the moment for dinner....at Italian...I ordered a Tuna Pizza and drank 2 glasses of Champagne...we were celebrating their new grandson's arrival...

I did say NO to dessert and more champagne...

Last night Hubby asked me if I wanted a magnum ice cream...I did say NO..

Now that I'm writing things down it does look a lot better than what I think in my head..

I'm going to work hard this week on my food intake :)

The way I see it, isn't necessarily the way you see it.

Monday was good

Since doing the 17 DD I try drink 3 Green Tea's a day...I don't always manage 3..but I do try.

I don't like the taste of the plain Green tea, so have bought many versions of taste ~ last Saturday I found this one while out shopping and must say, for me, its the nicest tasting...the Orange is so refreshing.

I am going to stock up on this tea as I only bought one box.

Today I got my training done..

One hour of toning biceps, triceps, shoulders and Abs, then did forward lunges and Step ups for legs. I did most with the 7.5 and 10kg Kettlebell

After a snack of activia yogurt and 1Tsp protein powder I decided it was time for my cardio

Jogged the first while, then walked up the hills and ran the flats for about 3km, then ran the rest of the way, but slowly, keeping my pace no faster than 10km and ended up with an average pace of 8km...perfect for what I set out to do training wise today.

Eating wise I was on track.

I downloaded a program to my ipad and it tells me I should eat about 1 350 calories a day...gosh I would starve as I love eating.

The way I see it, isn't necessarily the way you see it.

Weeks feedback

I had a good training week, considering I've been so busy with photo shoots and photo editing...not forgetting other normal chores I have during the week.

The weather has been amazing, its called * Indian Summer * so wanted to outdoors for at least an hour each day as by Wednesday the dreaded cold weather is back.

I challenged myself this week ( first week back from Italy ) to train for 7 hours this week, but each workout had to be one hour and no less... I managed that..did 7 hrs with 7 sessions.

I reached my goal

This coming week I'm going to train one cardio session of 1 hr and later toning session of 30 mins...so its one hour and 30 mins a day...

I need to get my metabolism working a little faster, feel its got a little sluggish with one week where I only trained for 55 mins...

My eating will be as clean as possible this coming week as well, I'm going to be focusing on how much sugar I have in my daily plan...will be keeping a note on sugar and not calories this week.

This coming week I teach a Personal Training Kettlebell class...My first step class to my ladies on a Tuesday for them and its been over 7 years since I taught step...but one never loses the ability to teach so basic step will be fine for the level my class is at...then on Thurday I teach my group Kettlebell...so thats 3 hours already planned for my coming week.

I do plan to run tomorrow....hopefully the weather is okay for me to run on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday....the rest will be filled in with toning...

I have set an October Challenge on my online group for the ladies so its great motivation for me to keep to good eating and training...cant expect them to and I don't :)

The way I see it, isn't necessarily the way you see it.

Day no 4 ~ Going Well

Yesterday I did a baby photo shoot...took me sometime to get the room ready and then the shoot took 3 hours.... didn't have much time to think about food...which I like of course...so the answer is to stay busy!!! :)

I also taught a mixed class last night....Warm up, boxing, Low Impact, squats, toning and stretch...was a good workout for me as sure the other ladies thought so as well as most only train once a week so not very fit.

Today I went for a Trail run...I left home not worrying about my time verses kilometers....and was really surprised to see it was my fastest Trail run ( on that route ) that I've run ~ so it was a nice surprised for me at the end of the run.

It was very misty this morning and around midday it opened up to this beautiful day,so rushed out!!!

Eating wise ~ Day No 4 and still on track, not tempted to eat anything wrong after all the eating I did in Italy! :)

Tomorrow is Kettlebell day...no running ~ trying to split my cardio and toning up equally.

The way I see it, isn't necessarily the way you see it.

Modern Hotel Gym In Italy

Took these photo's at our first stop in Italy...

I loved the gym and wanted to train the moment I saw it, but was too late and Hubby kept telling me to relax, give my body a break!!

I gained 500g's ( half a pound ) while on holiday and thankfully have already lost it as I got right back to my eating plan on Sunday, I was not going to wait for Monday...

I ran in Italy on Friday morning for 55 mins, then on Sunday Hubby and I ran for 10 km, yesterday I ran for 11km...Today I'm teaching my Power Ladies....so making sure I'm staying active with being back on the 17 DD plan.

The way I see it, isn't necessarily the way you see it.

Am back from beautiful HOT Italy

I'm back from beautiful, HOT, friendly Italy

I ate without thinking for one week...

I ate Pasta, Pizza, Ice Cream and drank lots of wine

I ate all things white...( and suffered ) :)

I did get to run once for 55 mins while hubby went for a meeting

I did walk KM's every day and climbed so many stairs it was scary

Today ( Sunday ) our first day home, Hubby and I went for a 10km run in the beautiful sunshine...Is such a beautiful day, we lay in the sun tanning as well....so happy as I would be so depressed having been in Italy where the temps were over 30 degrees every day...

I climbed on the scale this morning and with all my eating I only gained 500grams

Am back on track today...

Doing the 17 DD plan for two weeks as I need to detox from all the sugar.

8 weeks to my South African * Summer * holiday...

I cant wait.

The way I see it, isn't necessarily the way you see it.

Not In For Awhile

I won't be blogging for the next week as off to Italy tomorrow...

The way I see it, isn't necessarily the way you see it.

Bell ~ 5.4km run

The ~Bell Equipment~ team that entered the 5.4km run on 10th September in Alsfeld.

This is the South African company my husband works for and this was also his first organised run.

First man to come from the company was the 5th young man from your left

Second in was the 2nd man from your left ( doesn't work for the company, was a replacement )

Then my hubby came in 3rd....I came in 4th and the first lady to come in from the company.

I set up my camera on the tripod with self timer to take this photo of the team.

This photo of Hubby running up to the finish and the start where taken by my friend Heidi, she was training to run with her hubby Heinz, when she broke a bone in her foot...so she was our photographer that day.

I love seeing this photo of hubby as I was behind him so didn't get to share the joy on his face as he came up to the finishing line....at such a good time...He did 5.4km in 28 mins
At the start of the run, Hubby and I were together, our pace was fast...I could not see how fast as my Garmin's battery died before the start ( no idea how that happened as I had charged it after my neighbor used it last Wednesday for her run ) anyway...at one point he went past me and encouraged me to run faster...I told him that for me, my Heart Rate was very high and I was going as fast as I could...so to run ahead of me......to run his best time. So he and the Bell replacement who came in 2nd ~ went off together at one fast pace.

I was boiling, it was so hot out, I have never run in a t-shirt, so after the first 10 mins in I took it off and ran in my sports bra, feeling the air on my skin was such an awesome feeling. I actually didn't care what anyone thought of me, I was struggling and had to do this for myself...without the T-shirt!!!
My HR was high from the start to the finish of the run.....I was running so fast.....my right leg was so sore, my mind was playing tricks on me, telling me to walk....*come on, you can walk*...but knowing myself...I don't allow myself to walk....not in a 5.4km run!!!! So I kept pushing myself to run faster.
There was such a wonderful atmosphere along the way ( besides the forest area ) people cheering and clapping to keep the runners pushing. As I got closer to the end, fireman were standing spraying cold water across the street...you had to run through it ~ it was wonderful, it helped to cool one down, I knew the end was insight so told myself to keep going as in the distance I could see Hubby running ~ I wanted to try catch up to him ( he tells me he had to walk 2x but still I never managed to catch him )

As I approached the end, I started chasing a man in front of me, he sensed this so turned around to me and said in German * Come lets sprint to the end * ~ so off we went...he went ahead of me as was faster, but I was sprinting as fast as I could up that hill to the finish line, I could hear the people cheering and clapping for us...was such a good feeling as we were really giving it our all and they noticed that.

My time for 5.4km was 29 mins and 31 sec

We hung around the venue for three more hours, drinking and chatting to everyone, I saw a few of my dancing ladies there....we cheered at the awards celebration...the winning man ran the run in 18 mins, the winning lady in 25!

Later that evening we went up to friends apartment to shower and then went to the Greek restaurant for dinner.

I had a mug of Radler, alcohol free as I was the driver home.

Grilled chicken breast, chips, ( only ate a few ) with cabbage salad

Dessert I had....Greek yogurt with honey and few nuts

It was such a beautiful day and evening, we ate outdoors..

This afternoon a thunder storm arrived....right now its chilly, with thunder and lightening....

Cannot believe how lucky we were with the weather yesterday.

The way I see it, isn't necessarily the way you see it.