January H2O

It's nearly 2011, a New Year and a new attitude is required! I am looking forward to setting new monthly challenges and January's challenge has already been set!

Challenge number one! The challenge for the month of January is to drink nothing but water! This idea came about after a conversation with my workmates. I returned from a few days off and they informed me of this challenge. But they also said that they didn't expect anyone to complete it successfully. But I plan to prove them wrong!

December was a disaster in regards to eating and drinking the wrong foods. The fact that there were multiple Christmas parties to attend is no excuse. Exercise took a back seat as I spent days recovering from one big night out after another.

No alcohol, no coffee, no soda's, just water! I do believe that my work colleagues will have a harder time with this challenge than I will as most of them consume at least 3 x cans of Coke or Diet Coke throughout the day!

I don't drink soda's at all so that's not going to be a problem. BUT I am a coffee addict. I LOVE my coffee in the morning. And I also love a latte mid morning when at work.

I know I will feel better after the initial shock of weaning myself of coffee. I gave up coffee a few years ago (I drank 7 - 8 cups a day then) I experienced the worst headaches for about a week then felt great. Why did I start drinking coffee again? I'm not really sure, but I do really enjoy it! At this stage I drink 2 x cups per day, sometimes 3 - 4 cups per day. Each day is different.

Alcohol may be a problem. My fella and I like nothing more than to go out for dinner and share a bottle of wine on our days off........

I already drink a lot of water so the taste of H2O is no problem for me. Does anyone have any suggestions for challenges for the rest of 2011?

I'm looking forward to a healthier, fitter and stronger 2011!

Boosting Energy Levels

What do you do to boost your energy levels? I am the typical stress puppy, things get me down very quickly. Combined with shift work, lack of sleep, a less than average diet (which I am working to improve) that I find myself in a very deep hole at times.

Finding motivation to exercise when I've had a rotten nights sleep and knowing that I need to work a 12 hour night shift is often enough to say "not today".

My energy levels are very low at the moment. I've been eating lots of fruit and vegetables, protein etc. I've actually been sleeping like the dead and waking up feeling like I've had no sleep at all. I've had issues in the past with low iron, so I've even started taking iron supplements again as well as my daily Berocca.

I really think that I've reached the end of my shift work quota. I've been working shift work for 16 years and I'm so sick of it! Plus I haven't had a real holiday for almost a year, you know, the one where you can sit and do absolutely NOTHING for a week and not feel guilty!

I've been exercising regularly on my days off, weight training, long walks, interval training and even a bicycle ride. And I'm suffering such terrible aches and pains which is unusual for me.

Does anyone have any hints on boosting energy levels?

The Benefits Of Yoga

I'd forgotten how much I enjoyed Yoga. I'd practiced it off and on for many years but really haven't practiced much for the last couple of years.

Lo and behold, I hurt my back, yet again! I'd been working out quite happily in the gym, squats, dead lifts, lunges etc with no problems. The after workout pain was that good pain you get, you know, when you can feel you've had a good workout and can enjoy those benefits coursing through your muscles?

I'd done all the right things, not lifted too heavy, ensured I warmed up and cooled down, had a rest day in between.....

Then, 3 days ago, as I bent down to look in the fridge, BAM! I ended up on the floor in agony! FFS! Beats me what I did, but the last 3 days have been a nightmare. The day after I ended up in pain I thought, hmmm gentle exercise is the way to go, so went for a walk. A walk that should have normally taken me 10 minutes (to the local supermarket) took me 45 minutes! I was crying when I got there! So I waved down a taxi to take me home! (I am sooo ashamed)

My usual 5 minute walk to work this morning took me 15 minutes! So when I got home I dug out my Yoga Mat and took it out onto the terrace and performed the basic Sun Salutation. I could not do the Upward Facing Dog without pain so the Low Cobra did the trick!! I had absolutely no problem with any of the other moves and was pleasantly surprised at my flexibility. I'm not as flexible as I once was but am still above the average.

Needless to say, Yoga is going to become a regular in my fitness routine...... I miss it, I love it and I think I need it!