Sunday, October 30, 2011

Fitness freak in disguise

By Virginia Winder
Lots of people have begun saying that I look different.
Some haven't even recognised me because my hair is longer and I'm getting smaller.
I'm sure it has nothing to do with my sunglasses. But are they Batgirl or Catwoman glasses?
It was interesting wearing them out walking yesterday because people's reactions were so different.
Some adults just wouldn't look at me, like I was a madwoman, kids grinned at me and teenagers gave me that OMG look, thankful I wasn't their mother.
The truth is they were the only sunglasses I could put my hands on in a hurry. But I quite like them, simply because they are so ridiculous and one should never take oneself too seriously.
My kids bought them for me at the Big Day Out this year, so they've got to be good, don't they?
Walked 7.8km yesterday. I've got this great gadget - my Sony Walkman (no they are not sponsoring me) - which tells me how far I have walked, how many steps I've taken, how many calories I've burned and, of course, it plays my fantastic walking tracks to inspire me.
As I walked along yesterday, I grinned at the world with Monty Python's Bright Side of Life playing in my ears. The weather was lovely and I saw one of my friends on the walkway near Ngamotu Beach.
"I nearly didn't recognise you," Irena Brooks yelled from her bike.
"I suppose it was the glasses," I replied crossing the road.
"No, they helped me realise it was you," she said.
Damn, cover blown.
Perhaps a cape next time?
"You look different - fitter, healthier," she said.
We chatted about fitness and what a great day it was. I told her about my stair sprints and she admitted she didn't know I was a sprinter when I was younger.
Everybody always assumes that because I was a surf lifesaver I was a great swimmer. I'm not bad, but my reason for joining was to race along the hot black sand. If you're reading this from afar and never been to Taranaki, you may not know we have black ironsand on our coast.
On sunny days it burns your feet, so you have to run over it. I've always reckoned that's why our region has always had so many top beach sprinters.
You have no idea how much I would love to sprint again.
I have sprinting dreams, kind of like flying dreams. I also have skateboard-riding dreams, but that's another story, completely.
The closest I get are those hills, which I power up in my walking version of fartlek training, similar to what I did in my running days.
Anyway - that was yesterday.
I'm sitting here finishing this off in my togs!
Just walked to Fitzroy along the walk way (including underneath Kawaroa) and went for a swim in the sea with Warren, who went for a run.
It was gorgeous.
I wanted to go for a bike ride today, but didn't fancy pedalling home and getting hot again. Guess I will get used to that though, because I'll be doing it lots this summer.
There are things I'm looking forward to as I get fitter and slimmer:
Getting a new pair of togs (when I get under 100kg).
Wearing a T-shirt with those short, short sleeves (when my arms are firmer).
No longer having to only shop in the larger women's section.
Having a waist again.
But most of all, being able to run again.
Hmm, I wonder if I could skateboard again too - or at 48, perhaps I should leave it to the next generation.
Second thoughts... a long board for my 50th birthday? I reckon!

This weekend, I:
Worked for 6 hours (Sunday)
Have eaten only delicious, healthy meals
Walked for 7.8km (Saturday)
Walked for 4.9km (Sunday)
Slept for 7 disturbed hours (Friday night)
Slept for 10 blissful hours (Saturday night)
Drank lots of water
Drank 4 cups of coffee (2 each day)
Started reading a book (I haven't read one for months)

Friday, October 28, 2011

Importance of a good night's sleep

By Virginia Winder

Have a new swimming goal - to beat my niece in a one-length sprint.
Tonight Rebekah's cheeky face popped up at the end of the outdoor pool and so I joined her lane. Rebekah is a machine in the water. She lapped me a few times, but when we did a 50-metre sprint, I wasn't too far behind her.
She swam 70 lengths tonight and I swam 30, which is equivalent of 60 inside.
Gosh it's great to be outdoors - so fresh and clean. Way less cramped too.
Am still focusing on my new style, which means I'm not yet as fast as I used to be. Elbows, elbows, elbows!
Next week is looking great for lots of training and I feel excited about having a few days of double doses.
The good news is I've lost more weight and am now down to 106.3kg.
So, my training is going well, eating is good, work hours are slowing down, but my big challenge is getting enough sleep.
Feel like I've had days of broken sleep, mainly because I have. This is for a whole variety of reasons, 99% of which have been out of my control.
Lack of sleep or disturbed sleep is no good for training, working and health - both mental and physical.
The Harvard Women’s Health Watch suggests six reasons to get enough sleep:

1. Learning and memory: Sleep helps the brain commit new information to memory through a process called memory consolidation. In studies, people who’d slept after learning a task did better on tests later.
2. Metabolism and weight: Chronic sleep deprivation may cause weight gain by affecting the way our bodies process and store carbohydrates, and by altering levels of hormones that affect our appetite.
3. Safety: Sleep debt contributes to a greater tendency to fall asleep during the daytime. These lapses may cause falls and mistakes such as medical errors, air traffic mishaps, and road accidents.
4. Mood: Sleep loss may result in irritability, impatience, inability to concentrate, and moodiness. Too little sleep can also leave you too tired to do the things you like to do.
5. Cardiovascular health: Serious sleep disorders have been linked to hypertension, increased stress hormone levels, and irregular heartbeat.
6. Disease: Sleep deprivation alters immune function, including the activity of the body’s killer cells. Keeping up with sleep may also help fight cancer.

Now you know why my big focus is to get enough shut eye.
Am getting tired just writing this!
So, hi-ho, hi-ho, off to bed I go...

Today, I:
Missed breakfast (not ideal) and had fresh Mexican food for lunch and dinner (mmm)
Drank 3 cups of coffee
Two few glasses of water (again)
Swam 30 lengths of a 50-metre pool
Worked for 8 hours
Slept for about 7 hours, but it was broken sleep so probably managed about 3 hours straight

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Uphill battles of life and legs

By Virginia Winder
When I was young, I loved hill sprints.
Standing at the bottom of Calvert Rd, a steep hill round the corner from home, I'd psyche myself up and then go for it; pumping my legs and arms as fast as they'd go.
Sometimes I'd put on my spikes and sprint the grassy hills in the school behind our house.
As I powered uphill, I'd hear my Dad's words in my head.
"Go, go, go," he'd yell at the end of our jogs through Pukekura Park and I'd fly around the terraces of the cricket ground.
It was such a joy to push myself so hard, to sweat and feel the energy flowing through my body.
A few decades on, I still love those steep slopes and the feeling of speed.
Tonight I walked up the Morley St hill and it wasn't too hard at all.
Then I did stair sprints.
There's this great set by the old Barrett St hospital, so with Michael Franti singing in my ears, I went up those steps lickety split.
What's so good about doing stair sprints is they don't hurt my Achilles tendon, which is still a bit niggly. Raced up three times, which is a good start, and then headed around and up Churchill Heights.
What's amazing to me is that a few weeks ago, hills took my breath away, but not now.
Workwise, I've had a quiet day, mainly because I had other things planned.
However, didn't even do those because am still feeling down and it's taking its toll a bit.
Don't really want to talk too much about the ups and downs of my life here, but just know there are times when I struggle. Now is one of those times.
Thank goodness for those wonderful exercise endorphins and my wonderful, crazy, funny whanau.

Today, I:
Worked for 1.5 hours
Barely slept (someone was intermittently letting off fireworks - even at 4am!)
Drank 2 cups of coffee
Drank 1 chai latte
Ate 3 great meals - muesli with blueberries, grated apple and Bio-farm yoghurt, a chicken salad and spaghetti bolognaise (small portion) and lots of green salad
Upped my water intake - thanks Irena!

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Turtle comes out of shell in search of air

By Virginia Winder
Finally got on my bike.
But it wasn't a fun ride with views of the sea; it was an inner-city outing looking for a petrol station with free air to pump up bike tyres.
Not my pink beast, but my husband's purple bike. For some reason he thought it was OK to head out with flat tyres, believing the nearest servo would do the trick. But no, BP and Shell both failed - their air machines had crosses over wee pictures of bicycles.
So they both get the thumbs down for their lack of support for human-powered transport.
Caltex, however, get the big tick for cycles.
Out on my today bike, I learnt a couple of things.
1. I need wing mirrors to see behind me. You can get that grin off your face - I know you're doing it because my husband gave me the same look. The truth is I can't turn my neck to see what's coming up behind me. I'm sure this is some sort of karmic payback for teasing my Dad about how he couldn't turn his neck properly while driving. He always looked like an awkward turtle. Now I'm the turtle.
2. I'm more bike fit than I thought, but it could just be a comparison thing. When you do normal, out-in-the-open-air pedalling, it's a doddle compared with spin class. I could pedal up the hill past the Taranaki Daily News with relative ease and that surprised me. For those not from New Plymouth, it's a bit of a climb, but not too strenuous.
3. Intersections scare me, especially when faced with a standing start.
4. When you're in the bike lanes, cars whizz past and they feel incredibly close.
5. The biggest surprise was that I enjoyed biking. When I was a teenager I biked everywhere and raced the boys home from high school. They were on 10-speeds and I was on a bike with no gears and I often used to beat them. My body is starting to remember that.
So there you have it - I'm back in the saddle for real and it feels damn good.

Today, I:
Biked for 20 minutes (a start!)
Worked for 12.5 hours
Slept for 6 hours
Drank not enough water
Drank 3 cups of coffee
Drank 2 glasses of pinot gris
Ate two healthy meals and one that was a bit rich, but delicious (went out for dinner with the witches - you'll meet them soon enough)

Monday, October 24, 2011

We Are The Champions - a perfect soundtrack

By Virginia Winder
Saw a special sight when I was striding along the coastal walkway this morning.
A bloke was on the beach wearing an All Black shirt and cap, but the best accessory was his dog. It looked like a golden labrador and was trotting along with a wee All Black flag tucked into its collar.
I was wearing one of my husband's long-sleeved All Black supporter T-shirts and so I called out to this kindred spirit, who was so proud to honour the new rugby world champions, and we gave each other the thumbs up.
In my ears at that time, I was listening to Queen singing We Are The Champions, so that little exchange had the perfect soundtrack.
Last night, was the most tense I've ever been watching a match. But I know I wasn't alone; it appears the whole of New Zealand felt like that.
Weirdly, the more stressed I got, the calmer I became.
The only other time I've felt that was at Movie World on the Gold Coast when I took the Lethal Weapon ride about six times straight. At the end of those rides I wasn't a nervous wreck, but in a zen-like place of utter calmness.
That's how I felt during the last 10 minutes of the game.
But when that final whistle went, oh the joy, the relief and the swelling of pride and the feeling of rightness. Woohoo!
So there it is, the Rugby World Cup over for another four years - and it's ours. I use the collective "ours" because it did feel like the entire country was behind our boys last night.
My sister sent me a text from Australia that used words I can't repeat here, but it gist was of relief and happiness. I had sent a few texts to my brother, a rugby coach, in Perth, but he didn't answer. Concerned, I asked if his heart was alright - and how was he? His answer came in one word: Tears.
Just before midnight our French daughter, Camille (who had been an exchange student with us), contacted us on Skype and we learnt she was one of the 10,000 who gathered outside the town hall in Paris to watch the game on a big screen.
She was sad her team didn't win, but happy for the All Blacks. She has a soft spot for Dan Carter, you see.
So my exercise today was a 6km fast walk to powerful music thinking about triumphs and personal goals. My playlist included Queen, Eminem, Michael Franti, Muse, MC Hammer, Kasabian, Pink, the Black-eyed Peas, Proclaimers and Violent Femmes.
Now I'm off to plan my week, which is what a good friend of mine recommends doing to help de-stress herself and stay on top of things. She plans exercise and her work week, so everything can be fitted in.
Am feeling a bit better, than Thursday and Friday, but still a little fragile.
What I do know is that giving to others helps, which I have done this weekend. But I've got this policy not to talk about any kind things I do, unless it's to help promote someone else's cause. That's because my mum taught me not to talk about your good deeds.
But from a healthy mind viewpoint, doing things for others does stop you focusing inward.
This week will definitely be outward.
It's not about me... it's about those victorious Men In Black.
Good on ya Richie and the boys.
You made me and my whanau cry with pride.


Today, I:
Walked for 6km
Had a protein smoothie for breakfast and salad for lunch and dinner
Drank a moderate amount of water
Had no cups of coffee (ah, that's why I've got a headache!)
Had 1 chai latte
Worked for 2 hours
Slept deeply for 8 hours

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Exercise, friendship and hugs chase blues away

By Virginia Winder
Swimming didn't hurt my left shoulder tonight.
Did my 60 lengths, slowly, but concentrated on the style points that Ayla Dunlop-Barrett gave me and it wasn't painful.
She says that when you swim with a straight arm you put a lot of pressure on your rotator cuff, which is group of muscles and tendons that stabilize the shoulder.
I've got friends with stuffed cuffs, but it's possible she's saved mine in time.
Also, the exercises I do at the gym for my lower arms now make sense. "This is good for swimming," the instructor told me.
Now that I bend my arms after reaching out in front, I can feel those muscles working. Goodness knows what I was doing before.
Exercise is a great tonic if you're feeling down.
On Thursday and yesterday, I felt those niggles of depression start to worm their way into my gut and mind.
To be honest, yesterday was a terrible day. Faced some shorter deadlines because of Labour Weekend, slept badly, had stress chest pains again, and had to sleep for 30 minutes between writing stories.
Never got out of my PJs all day, just wrote, slept, wrote slept and felt myself spiralling down. Still felt yucky today, but after getting random hugs from my beautiful husband and talking to an understanding workmate and then a dear friend, I felt better.
Then I had the energy to knock off another story, spend time in the artroom, care for my son who's been feeling sick and then go for a swim.
After my session in the pool the endorphins kicked in and I feel great now.
This has made me rethink the rest day idea. Perhaps, for my own sanity, I need to do something physical, but it could be something a bit more low-key, like a stroll with my husband or a friend (and the dog of course!).
When I was a teenager and feeling a bit blue, my mother would send me off for a run and I'd always come back my bright, chirpy self.
Mum was wise, wasn't she?

Yesterday, I:
Worked for 12 hours
Did no exercise
Slept off and on during the day
Drank 3 cups of coffee
Drank hardly any water
Ate extremely well thanks to my attentive husband

Today, I:
Worked for 6 hours
Swam 60 lengths of a 25-metre pool
Slept deeply for 10 hours
Dranks 3 cups of coffee
Drank some water
Ate fantastically well, including lots of salmon and seasonal veggies

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Oh, the things I have learnt... and other obsessions

Do nothing by halves - that's my motto.
A friend of mine reckons us adults with OCD, well a form of it at least, are driven people. When we decide on a goal we go for it and we become blinkered, yes, alright, obsessed.
Last night shared a gorgeous, healthy pot-luck dinner with friends and realised, that boringly, I keep talking about sport, training - and myself.
So here I am again, doing the same and the Gracious Me and Ego Me, are having as much of a battle as Inner Athlete and Wheedle Voice.
What happens is that the GM keeps downplaying my efforts, in a joking, piss-take way, just to keep EM at bay. "Stop putting yourself down," one of my friends said last night.
The EM agrees, of course, but the GM is the boss. See what crazy psychological games happen in this quest for fitness, balance and peace?
In this journey, I have discovered some telling things about myself:
1. When it comes to walking (or running, when I get there), I prefer to train alone. So please don't take offence if I decline your offer to stride out with you. It's just that you won't be able to match my rhythm, simply because it completely depends on what is blaring through my headphones. Also, my life is extremely social, so this is my dream time and I spend a lot of it refocusing myself on what I have to do in terms of training.
2. I am terribly competitive. That doesn't mean I be first all the time, but when I'm walking, I want to pass people and when I'm swimming I subconsciously race the people in my lane or the next. I don't often win these aquatic races, but they spur me on.
3. While I love variety in most things, especially work challenges, in sport I could walk every day and do nothing else because I love it so much. But to do a triathlon, I need variety, so I'm mixing it up big time. This is taking an effort.
4. Am coming to the conclusion that I probably need a rest day, or at least one when I don't do a full-on, sweat-it-up, training session. It's about recovery, I guess, so am thinking Thursday might be the day because that always seems to be my downer of a week. If I look back, that's always the day I want to sleep a lot and, work-wise, I always find it a struggle. It's also the day I'm most likely to get sick. I like the idea of having indulgent Thursdays, so will earmark this day for massages and other pampering activities.
5. I hate being the bottom of the fitness class. When I was at school, I was one of those kids that excelled at PE and was a Sporty Spice. Now in my late 40s, it's horrible to find myself the worst in the class at exercise dancing and bike spinning. It's quite off-putting and it's tempting never to go back to these classes and, instead, do what I find easy. However, that's not going to happen because I need the spin classes to help me get cycle fit.
6. While reading stuff to find information is great, I prefer to get it straight from the experts. Yesterday, I had a swimming-style lesson with Ayla Dunlop-Barrett, who is one of New Zealand's top surf lifesavers. She's actually a world beater. Ayla takes squad training at the aquatic centre and was extremely practical, helpful and encouraging. I knew my style was completely wrong and I was right. Now I have to do lots of elbow bending and not worry about the fact I only breathe on one side - she does too! I have to reach through a hole in the water and reach out for a pocket of firm water and pull it towards me with bent arms. Lots of lovely images there to think about while swimming.
7. I need to read the sports pages more. Ayla introduced me to her partner, a rather handsome young man with a lovely smile. His name is Glenn Anderson and he's been sort of rail-roaded into putting together a triathlon-training programme for me. This is all part of their training business, so remuneration will be happening, I'm sure. Anyway, I arrived home feeling buoyed and told my husband, Warren, about this. "What did you say his name was?" he asked. "Glenn Anderson," I replied. He shook his head in wonder and said: "He's the captain of the New Zealand surf lifesaving team." I grinned: "Really?! Oh well, may as well go to the top, eh?" Note to self: Keep up with the news, Virginia, you're a journalist - and a former lifesaving reporter!
8. I do need moral support and encouragement. In fact, I thrive on it. Every time someone puts a positive message on on Facebook or sends me an email, it gives me the biggest boost. I suppose this makes me a bit needy and I know, from all the self-help books, that I should find inner contentment, not rely on outward sources, but I still love them. My niece Sarah called me from Perth last night and that left me sooooo uplifted. My whanau are so brilliant and so are my friends. Arohanui to you all. xxx

Yesterday, I:
Walked extremely fast for 45 minutes
Had a swimming-style lesson
Drank heaps of water
Ate three incredibly healthy meals
Drank three cups of coffee
Worked for 8 hours
Slept for 7 hours

Today, I:
Decided to have a rest day
Worked for 10 hours
Slept for 6 hours
Have eaten one healthy meal and one that was a bit too cream-cheesy (that was lunch and am yet to have dinner)
Have had two cups of coffee
Had two green teas
A few glasses of water

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

No back-pedalling on bike training

By Virginia Winder
Went into a spin this morning.
Rose early to head off to a 6.15am spin cycle class at the gym and discovered I am not bike fit, in the slightest.
I know, I've said I'll starting biking, but have been avoiding it. To do this triathlon and start my long haul towards the half ironman, I just have to get back in the saddle, so to speak.
The spin class was a good start and a moment of truth.
The women around me could do all the moves, like stand-up pedalling, back-pedalling and sprinting with bums off the seat. I wobbled about, my thighs burning and had to sit down heaps.
It appears I'm going to have to go into training to do a spin class. My bike is going to be getting lots of use (unless it's monsoon-like out there).
Just been talking to my niece and she shared a saying that's on the wall of her boxing club: "Pain is weakness leaving the body."
That's an excellent sentiment to focus on and I must have a lot of weakness. The opposite of course is strength!
Tomorrow morning I have an improve-my-style swimming so am heading to bed early. Watched the final of True Blood last night (OMG!), so didn't get enough sleep - again.
So I'll head off, and think about today's big lesson - trainee triathletes have to work on their weakest disciplines.

Today, I:
Did a spin cycle class
Ate 3 meals (2 of them extremly healthy, and 1 lovely, but not so good)

Drank some water, but probably not enough (any tips to drink more?)
Drank 2 cups of coffee
Drank 1 chai latte

Slept for 6 hours
Worked for 9 hours

Monday, October 17, 2011

Winder versus the All Blacks

By Virginia Winder
I'm shrinking.
Went to the gym tonight for an appointment with a personal trainer and she was terrific.
This young woman listened to my stupid fears about exercising among others, like how gawky I think I look, and also adjusted my routine to protect my fragile neck.
Did an exercise test and, according to the results, I was average. That's apparently pretty good first up, but am determined to hit the excellent mark.
But the best news came when she measured me.
All over I have lost about 34cm, including 15cm just under my bust! She was blown away, I was blown away, but so encouraged.
Yes is my success meagre compared with last night's victory by the Men In Black?
So pleased I ran to that puddle yesterday - I'm sure that was the entire reason the All Blacks won. It's OK, I'm not deluded or superstitious; I know it was actually my singing the national anthem that did it, with hand on heart, AB flag flying behind like a superhero cape...
Or perhaps Israel Dagg's brilliance, maybe Cory Jane's high catches or the sheer bloody guts of Brad Thorne, Jerome Kaino, Ma'a Nonu and Keven Mealamu. Oh yeah, and I suppose the leadership skills of Piri Weepu and Ritchie McCaw might have had a hand in there somewhere too.
So there you have it - my fitness, weight-loss successes versus New Zealand beating Australia 20-6 in a Rugby World Cup semifinal. Which effort is the most inspiring? The most momentous? The most life-changing?
From my perspective, the answer is simple: All Blacks - you bloody beauties!

Today, I:
Ate three nutritious meals
Snacked on some unroasted nuts and dried cranberries
Drank about six glasses of water
Had two cups of coffee and one chai latte
Went to the gym for a session with a personal trainer
Slept for six hours
Worked for 11.5 hours

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Running for the All Blacks and other mind games

By Virginia Winder
Over-working is appallingly bad for my health.
On Friday, I worked for 18 hours. That was 3am to 9pm, without a lunch break and no dinner.
Blame the migraine, which put me back terribly when I still had deadlines to meet.
Not only was my brain fizzing with over-use, but I had no time for exercise, my family, friends, the dog, eating properly or writing this blog.
Even had stress chest pains again.
I did walk home from town though, which sort of counts as activity, but not training.
When I went to bed I couldn't sleep properly because my mind wouldn't shut up and I was terribly restless.
Saturday was another rush day and I missed exercising because I was too tired to get up early, then had a radio slot to do (love it) and an early wedding (beautiful and wouldn't have missed it for the world).
Won't beat myself up though because nothing good will come from it.
I did start to feel down though and thinking "I'm a failure" thoughts, but decided it's better to be kind to myself and simply start over again.
There's this wonderful song by Michael Franti called Never Too Late, which always reminds me that at any moment of any day, you can start over again.
So am back into it.
Went for a 1 hour 15-minute fast walk today and even ran some of it. To make certain that my Achilles wasn't injured, I only ran downhill.
Well mostly. I was on the lee breakwater and my aim was to fast-walk past this couple in front of me before they reached a particular puddle. If I got there first the All Blacks would win, but these people were getting too close so I had to break into a run. Whew, I made it.
Ridiculous, I know, but we play these little mind games don't we? A mate of mine called Mark Belcher plays mind soccer while out running. If he passes someone he gets one point and if he gets passed, the opposition gets a point.
I got some big ticks for eating today and yesterday. Made an extreme effort to choose healthy food and feel better for it.
People are always giving me great tips and research information, like this one about monkeys and protein (click on link - after you've finished reading!).
In other news, I did a cardiac exercise stress test this week. It was a followup to my wee trip to hospital with chest pains several weeks ago. My resting pulse was 55 and it took ages to get my heart rate up to the required level for the test and, afterwards, I was down to under 100 in less than three minutes. Apparently all of these things were great news.
I've also lost more weight!
Slowly, surely it's happening, even though I do get damn impatient.
Meanwhile, my quest to be better continues...
This week I'm having a session with a personal trainer from the gym to get my triathlon schedule on track and have an appointment with one of Taranaki's best swimmers for some style tips.
Have definitely increased my water intake, which one friend suggested may have been the reason for my migraine.
Another woman talked about how she has lost heaps of weight simply by running and healthy eating - not dieting - and how it's completely changed her outlook on life.
"I feel like I have woken up from a very long sleep," she told me.
Inspirational stuff!

Today, I:
Walked/ran for 1 hour 15 minutes (and the All Blacks!)
Slept for 10 hours
Ate fantastically well
Drank heaps of water
Had three cups of coffee

Friday, October 14, 2011

Migraine wipes out day

Was wiped out by a migraine yesterday, which I blame on exercising without fuel.
Not certain if that was the trigger, but it has happened way in the past.
Will write a fuller post tonight, because there have been some interesting developments on the weight front (yes, I've lost more), my fitness levels and the need for sleep.
But for now, work beckons.

Yesterday, I:
Slept for hours
Got a migraine
Ate one good meal (didn't feel like eating much)
Did no exercise
Struggled to do a bit of work

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Student becomes the master

By Virginia Winder
A journalism student with a double-degree in exercise prescription and management, plus sport and leisure reckons I should be eating more.
I was asking her about hitting a weight-loss plateau and what nutrition advice she'd learnt at university.
"What snacks are you having?" she asked over lunch at Sandwich Extreme.
"None, really," I said.
That's apparently the problem.
She recommends six small meals a day rather than three large ones. Also, I need to up my protein and drop my carbohydrates, which I knew.
It's interesting how our New Zealand diet is based so much around bread, rice, potatoes and other starchy foods. And I love them all, but haven't been indulging a lot.
However, it's time to do some more research and interview an expert or two.
On that note, I've got deadlines pending and a mega-early morning.
So, hi-ho, hi-ho, off to bed I go...

Today, I:
Swam 60 lengths of a 25-metre pool
Ate two meals (ran out of time for breakfast - not good!)
Drank 2 cups of coffee
Drank hardly any water
Slept for 6 hours
Worked for 9 hours

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Lose Yourself in the Best Day Ever!

By Virginia Winder
Music with a beat is my driving force while out walking.
Underdog by Kasabian powered me up Cutfield Rd hill, which, for the unknowing, is a long steep stretch that got my heart pounding.
Vlad The Impaler propelled me across Sanders Park and Fire helped me get through the cramping Achilles pain along Tukapa St. Yes, Kasabian again.
Added Eminem in there with Lose Yourself because it makes me dream of what could be and it's a great walking beat.
Have got a large collection of upbeat songs on my Sony Walkman sports MP3 player, which is a few years old but still great.
I am definitely inspired by music, even more so than stories. It's easy to think: "Right, I'll push myself hard for this song."
It's like there's a concert going on in my head and, crazily, I even imagine I'm there, in the crowd, watching it live. If I'm hurting, I focus on the sound in my head, and often I can simply walk through the pain.
There's music that makes me feel powerful, songs that make me want to dance, and others that tickle my muse and still more that evoke a deep peace inside and a smile from my heart.
Walking to music is my happy place.
If you might striding me out there, a goofy grin on my face, chances are I'll be listening to Michael Franti or the The Best Day Ever by that famous singer... Spongebob Squarepants!
Yep, I'm having fun.

Today, I:
Walked for 40 minutes
Ate three nutritious meals, including lots of green salad
Drank a good amount of water
Had 3 cups of coffee
Worked for 8 hours
Slept for 9 hours (I couldn't wake up!)

Monday, October 10, 2011

Tagging along with Margaret and Diane

By Virginia Winder
Had my best night in the pool thanks to Margaret and Diane.
I have no idea who these women are but they let me tag along with them and do lengths. OK, so they didn't get much choice; I just followed them.
Yes, I've become a creepy lane stalker.
But it's OK, because when we had to move lane and I asked them if it was alright to chase them, they said yes.
In fact, Margaret suggested we each take turns leading out for two lengths at a time.
Wow, that was fun, although Diane did two incredibly fast lengths that left me gasping for breath.
The lengths went by so quickly, it was terrific and they've said I can join them any time we're at the pool at the same time. Yes, you're right, I asked them and they couldn't really say no, with me standing there like an eager pup.
So, I'll be looking out for them.
Other parts of my life aren't so hot.
Worked at home today because I've been having these ongoing upset stomachs. Pretty certain it's IBS because I've had this problem on and off for years. Not certain what causes it, but think stress is a factor. Have read a bit about it, but haven't taken it on board. Think I'll be forced to.
Blew it on the work front today. Clocked up 14 hours, which is pretty bad. Also slept badly and not long enough.
Felt too tired to exercise, but went anyway and it revived me.
Also didn't do so well on the food front today. Ate nuts and dried fruit, mainly because I didn't have time to makes something decent for lunch or breakfast.
I'll cut myself some slack though, because I have been pretty good for days, even weeks on end.
That's my day, one buoyed by the All Blacks' win over Argentina.
What has happened to me? I have become a rugby nut and am not looking forward to the end of the World Cup.
What will I do in November?

Today, I:
Worked for 14 hours
Ate 1 healthy meal, and nibbled my way through the rest of the day
Swam 60 lengths of a 25m pool - thanks Margaret and Diane!
Drank 3 cups of coffee
Drank hardly any water
Slept badly for 4.5 hours

Sunday, October 9, 2011

Life is just a walk in the park

By Virginia Winder
Avoided the bike again today, but in my defence, the chain needs oiling.
I couldn't find the lubricant, so headed to Pukekura Park and took to the hills.
Took some up-and-down paths off the main track and listened to music in just one ear. With the other I listened to the birdsong.
The music in my earphone was, appropriately, REM. That was one my favourite ever concerts at the TSB Bowl of Brooklands, so could imagine that wonderful night while walking past the outdoor stage.
After that is a peaceful path through bush and a long hill up to the puriri tree that I used to run when I was younger. It was a killer then and still is, but walking is definitely easier.
During my running days with my dad, friend Susan and sometimes my bro, we'd get to the top gasping for breath and have to stop for a minute or two.
The walker in me, just kept right on going today.
Went via the zoo and peered at the monkeys, then through the Kunming Garden where a woman was meditating on the beauty of the place.
Then I meandered, at a fast pace, back down through the park and around the top lake until I saw a cheery bunch of teenagers. It was my son and five mates, and they greeted me with hugs. Cute.
Can't imagine not exercising now and am loving it.
Talked with my friend Susan on the phone today - yes the same running Susan from all those years ago - and we talked ocean swims and triathlons. Have decided I want to take part in events during February, March and April, so watch this space for other race entries.
Have to get ready to watch the All Blacks now - Warren and mates are at Eden Park.
Will drape myself in an AB flag for luck.
GO NZ!

Today, I:
Walked for 1 hour
Worked for 6 hours
Ate extremely well, focusing on fresh, nutritious, unprocessed and protein-packed foods
Drank just 1 coffee
Drank 1 chai
Drank quite a bit of water
Slept for 8 hours

Saturday, October 8, 2011

Fast walk with Michael Franti

By Virginia Winder
Had a slow day but a brisk walk invigorated me.
Listened to Michael Franti and Spearhead as I strode along the walkway.
Great beat for walking! Felt so energised afterwards.
This is a short post because it's half time in the France vs England quarterfinal of World Cup. The earlier quarterinal was tough because I wanted both to win. Poor Ireland, good on ya Wales.
It's OK to have a slow day, my husband keeps telling me.
He cooked a fantastic fish curry for tea tonight. He's such a master.
I ate well, rested, made plans, read, dreamt and finally tidied my terribly messy bedroom.
You would think that I'd have moved on from my teenage untidiness, but every now and then I digress. Badly.
I like the idea of decuttering for 15 minutes every day, so will have a go at that tomorrow.
Also, I've been slack at biking, which is my weakest discipline for this upcoming triathlon.
All the books I've been reading say you should focus on your weakest link. To be honest, it should be my strongest because I've got strong legs.
So tomorrow, will get on the bike.
Back to the rugby...

Today, I:
Ate three healthy meals and am cutting back on my carbohydrates
Had 1 coffee
Drank more water
Drank 2 glasses of pinot gris
Walked for 50 minutes listening to music
Worked for 2 hours
Slept for 8.5 hours overnight

Friday, October 7, 2011

Lane rage and raising funds

By Virginia Winder
You've heard of road rage, well tonight I seethed with the aquatic equivalent.
Let's call it lane rage.
There's an unspoken swimming pool etiquette, similar to the good manners that should be shown on road passing lanes.
Well, I was swimming quite happily at my own pace, when a new woman joined my lane.
Good on her for getting out and exercising - always great to see - but please learn the rules.
She was slower than me, which meant that I lapped her and needed to pass. But when we got to the end of the pool, she didn't stop to let me go in front; she just pushed on.
That meant I had to do a dangerous pass, which could have caused a head-on collision with another swimmer if one joined our lane unnoticed.
Not good for any poor unsuspecting freestyler and certainly not good for me, especially because I have a precarious neck problem that could be seriously damaged through impact.
This failure to giveway happened a few times, until she switched lanes.
I never said anything to her about etiquette, mainly because I didn't want to be aggressive or scare her off from swimming. Perhaps I should have, so she'd understand why I was gently tickling her toes.
Let's get this straight here - I am no speedster. The blokes in the next lane were zipping past me like sharks chasing prey. I'm just a plodder who needs a style overhaul.
Great thing was a good mate joined my lane and I asked her to chase me in sprints. She certainly tickled my toes! We swapped places and I didn't reach her feet. There's always next time...
As a rule, I'm a bit of solo trainer and always have been. I love geting lost in my own thoughts, or better still, emptying my mind.
But I enjoyed doing a spot of training with my fit young friend tonight and last night, it was great walking with a friend and chatting.
In fact, I love the idea of this whole team thing for both training and competing.
So if anyone wants to join my team, JustGot2DoIt, for the January 29 triathlon here in New Plymouth, New Zealand - just do it!
I've registered my team as a fundraiser for breast cancer research too.
You can register of the event by going to Contact TriWoman Series.
Hey, I'm going to get cerise T-shirts printed for people too, but you will have to buy them.
These shirts will be cheap though, cos I only want to cover my costs!

Best of all, my daughter, Clementine, will be creating a beautiful design for the team shirts.
I suppose I'd better tell/ask her...

Today, I:
Ate 3 healthy meals, but it was a bit tough at a barbecue tonight
Swam 62 lengths
Slept 6 hours
Worked for 12 hours
Didn't drink enough water

Thursday, October 6, 2011

I love my feet with good socks

By Virginia Winder
There's a song by Kiwi musician Shona Laing that all athletes need as their anthem.
"I love my feet," she sings.
For years, I've found myself getting blisters between and under my toes.
But now I have invested in some sports socks that cushion my feet and wow, what a difference they make.
Yes, they are more expensive than the standard fare found in markets, supermarkets and big stores, but to be blister-free after five weeks of walking, well they are worth it.
I've also been cutting my toenails short to prevent rubbing and also been using a vitamin cream to keep my skin supple.
Good running or walking shoes are also a must. My old pair have been relegated to beach-walking so I'm not bothered if they get wet crossing shallow streams. A new pair, bought on sale, are fantastic.
Because I have exceptional pronation, i.e. I go over on my bendy ankles easily, I've also got a pair of tramping boots that are as light as running shoes for park and reserve outings. These were more expensive and a luxury, but will also take me on national park tramps.
All because, yes, take it away, Shona...
"There's a part of my body that can't be beat, I love my feet."

Today, I:
Walked for 50 minutes on a beautiful evening with Warren and met up with friends on the way.
Ate three nutritious low-fat meals, but ate my lunch at breakfast (long story). Had first of the season's asparagus at dinner with baked salmon - yummy!
Slept 8 hours last night
Worked 10 hours
Had a restoring nap at 5pm (wonderful!)
Drank heaps of water
Drank 2 coffees

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Being mindful helps form new habits

By Virginia Winder
Just over five weeks ago, I was sluggish and unmotivated to exercise.
My life was only about work, long hours and stress.
It's time for another confession here... six weeks ago I spent a day in hospital being monitored for chest pains.
Turns out they were from stress-induced reflux, which is something that happened to me 10 years ago. I thought that was the case, but thought I'd better get checked out. See, sometimes I can be sensible.
Then of course came the appointment with my doctor, which was my tipping point.
My changes came from necessity.
The eating alterations have been easy, but only because I was ready to make them.
These are some of simple changes I have made:
1. I now eat slowly and enjoy every mouthful. There is research that shows that the faster people eat, the more overweight they are.
2. My dinner is now served on a smaller plate than the rest of the family, so my portions are less.
3. The big one is removing temptation. I used to finish the kids' meals or go for seconds - simply because food was sitting there in front of me. Now I get the family to move them out of sight, and yes, out of mind.
4. When I come home from work I used to have crackers and cheese, especially blue cheese. I'd also eat potato chips. This was a bit downfall time for me. Now, I have a wee snack - fruit or a smoothie - to fuel me for exercise.
5. I have cut down on bread. I still eat it and love it, but only have a slice or two, instead of four or five - or more.
6. If I'm in a hurry, especially at lunch time, I choose healthy fast food - not burgers, chips and Coke. Now, it's sushi, salads and sandwiches.
7. To be honest, I don't think much about food when I'm not hungry. But when I do need to eat, I make healthy choices and opt for fresh, unprocessed foods. Also I ask questions - is this good fuel? Will it help my body and mind? Will it energise me?
Don't think I'm an angel. I still have a couple of glasses of wine at the weekend and eat a square or two of dark chocolate most days.
There is absolutely nothing I'm not allowed and, because of that, I don't get into that craving-versus-guilt mind battle.
Once again, remember this - I am not slim yet. Yes, I've lost weight, but I am still medically obese. I have a long way to go.
My goal isn't so much about losing weight and looking slim; it's to be fit, healthy and have a balanced life.
Also, I'm loving the exercise and have a big goal with tangible, achievable ones on the way (thanks Margaret Carr for reminding me of the importance of these).
Lately, I've met some people who are finding my quest inspiring. They also say how it's motivated them in their own lives.
But not everyone.
Some people feel guilty or bad about themselves because of what I'm doing. Please don't. That's ridiculous. You are all beautiful and wonderful the way you are.
Remember, I was you just six weeks ago.
Then I had my health warning, my hospital trip, the hard word from my doctor and so I had to take a different path.
And guess what? I'm loving it!

Today I:
Ate three nutritious, healthy meals
Drank 1 coffee
Drank lots of water
Went to the gym and learnt my new fitness regime
Spent 15 minutes on the exercycle
Slept for 7.5 hours
Worked for 8 hours

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Dreaming of marine creature style

By Virginia Winder
Swam next to a dolphin tonight.
There was this young woman who hadn't been in the pool for a few years and she just glided past me, effortlessly.
We met at the end of the pool and I remarked on her speed.
Turns out she only learnt to swim as an adult and discovered she had this exceptional gift, though was incredibly modest about it.
We discussed style and she gave me some tips, including running my thumb up the inside of my body before reaching out for the next stroke.
Have decided that since I will have hours and hours of pool training ahead of me, I'll get some expert advice and a schedule.
This human dolphin was incredibly inspiring. Although I won't be able to grow her size 11 feet, I want to emulate her style so I too can slide through the water like a marine creature.
Before swimming, I went for a 50-minute walk and have moved on from stories to music. That means I'm fit enough to stride out to a fast beat.
Tonight it was Kasbian, an English band I discovered at last year's Big Day Out. Kept imagining myself in the mosh pit for January's BDO, because Kasbian is one of the headline acts! Yay!
Just got the new album,Velociraptor, and it's great.
If my teenagers read this right now, they would say: "Mum you just think you're so cool - and you're not."
Put that in there, just so you know that I live with humbling influences and no, don't think I'm cool. Never, ever!
But determined... oh yes, more than you can ever imagine!

Today, I:
Swam 60 lengths of a 25m pool
Walked for 50 minutes at a fast pace
Ate two healthy meals - I forgot breakfast, so came home for lunch to eat my muesli
Drank a smoothy of half a banana, juice from home-grown oranges and a splash of yoghurt
Slept terribly again (about 4 hours)
Worked for 8 hours
Hung out with whanau

Monday, October 3, 2011

Time to sit-up and avoid the lightning

By Virginia Winder
Today is the first day I just didn't have time - or the desire - to do aerobic exercise.
Had back-to-back meetings after work, including the launch of a friend's motivational speaking and stress-busting business. Pretty inspirational and undoubtedly 100 times more useful to me than a walk in the elements.
Yes, I had a 20-minute window to head out for a fast trot, but decided to flag it.
Why?
Because for hours on end we've been experiencing electric storms and torrential rain. There's flooding, tornado warnings and the ever-present sound of thunder rumbling like an awakening volcano. It's scary out there.
Instead, I have been doing sit-ups.
Once upon-a-time I had washboard abs and could do 100 situps easily.
Now, well let's just say, I'm rediscovering my inner self and know I'll be hurting tomorrow.
"I'm hurting now," says Wheedle Voice.
"It's all fun though," says Inner Athlete.
Wheedle Voice is not permitted a Tui retort.
Just so you know, the whole time I've been writing this, the thunder and lightning continues.
This storm has now been tumbling overhead now for about eight hours, maybe longer.
Time to snuggle down in bed with the sound of the rain on the roof.

Today, I:
Did sit-ups
Ate three excellent meals
Turned down fried nibbles at a business launch
Worked for 9 hours
Slept about 3 hours (who knows why)
Drank lots of water

Sunday, October 2, 2011

Dan, downsizing and advice from the Laude

By Virginia Winder
Felt like crying today.
Not for me, but for Dan Carter. Imagine being so close to the Holy Grail of rugby and getting injured.
OK, so I did have a few tears watching the national anthem and the haka. Kept putting myself in Dan's boots.
But a team is not just one man and the All Blacks looked magnificent against Canada - especially Jerome Kaino and Zac Guildford.
Now I'm sitting here with the laptop watching the NRL final. Go the Warriors!
Haven't been sitting around watching TV all day.
Went for a 55-minute walk tonight and my pace has improved greatly. However, my left Achilles tendon is niggling me. Thought about jogging a couple of times, but pleased I didn't! Don't want to snap the jolly thing.
Tried on some jeans today that I haven't been able to wear for two years! They fit just fine.
Put on another pair and they were way too big for me.
They will go into my pass-on pile - I'm not keeping any clothing that is too large for me.
There was another period in my life when I lost some weight. Just hovered around the 100kg mark, but never got lower. That time I kept my bigger clothes - just in case.
This time there will be no going back and I look forward to ceremoniously discarding.
Always to a good cause - anybody who wants them or to the Taranaki Hospice Shop. Hey, and my clothes are pretty cool, so if you're keen, make contact. I'm giving away only (not selling).
Had an offer of some smaller clothes from a friend who has also down-sized herself. So good to have some in-betweens until I get to my goal weight.
Have no idea what size clothes I'll end up wearing. Started off at size 22 or 2xl, so will keep you posted. Got some 24, 26 and 3xl in there too, so if you're keen...
The only clothing I'm allowed to buy now are bras, undies (necessities, that I won't buy second-hand), sports shoes and socks.
Size 20 and 18 hand-me-downs in other clothing will be gratefully accepted!
So were some words of wisdom from Fred Laude, the owner of Petit Paris.
"You know why French woman don't put on weight, don't you?" he asked today, while I was buying bread.
"No," I shook my head.
"It's because we start a meal with a green salad that lines the stomach and gets the enzymes working."
Must investigate that, but will give it a go.
Fred also recommends finishing with cheese and a bite of something sweet.
Will give the cheese a miss (that was one of my greatest downfalls), but a square of chocolate works for me.
Always.

Today, I:
Walked for 55 minutes
Discarded 3 pairs of jeans
Worked for 30 minutes
Hung out with whanau
Slept for 8.5 hours
Ate three great meals, but discovered I don't like polenta
Drank 3 cups of coffee
Drank lots of water
Drank 1 chai latte

Saturday, October 1, 2011

From Paris to Paris - the big dream

By Virginia Winder
My day began and ended in Paris.
Well almost.
Met a friend at Petit Paris for morning tea and a motivational chat. Another friend, a Kiwi who has been to Paris this year, joined us.
We talked of dreams, songwriting and the peace of this place by the sea.
The other woman, a Frenchwoman from Paris, works at Sport Taranaki.
She talked about tramping on the mountain after work in summer, staying in a hut overnight and getting up early, walking off and heading to work. She inspired me so much I bought tramping boots on the way home.
Now ready to tackle Te Maunga o Taranaki.
My exercise for today was not on land, but in the pool. Swam 50 lengths of the 25-metre indoor pool and am feeling fitter and faster.
Came home and watched Tonga beat France in the Rugby World Cup - allez la rouge!
Then got Skyping.
The first call was to my sister, Felicity, and her husband, Bevin, who are house-sitting in Sydney, near Manly. Go the Warriors!!! Gosh, I'm getting more patriotic by the day!
The second Skype was to Camille, our French daughter, now living in Paris.
Camille was a French exchange student who lived with us for a few months in 2006. We love her dearly.
We also have a Swiss daughter called Jeanette and an Italian daughter called Lucia. We love them too!
Can't show favouritism!
In fact, we often say these young women would probably be great mates if they met each other.
Now, you're probably wondering what on earth this has to do with my quest.
Actually a huge amount.
You see when my doctor suggested I consider stomach reduction surgery, I instantly thought: "I could spend that money on a trip to Paris."
So, along with the goal of losing half my body weight and completing a half-ironman I want to go to Europe to celebrate the year I turn 50. Warren also hits the half-century in 2013, so we've got a double reason to go.
But it's important to have tangible, achievable goals closer at hand. That means the Big Day Out in January 2012, camping at Oakura Beach after that and the triathlon on January 29. Have got my eye on a series of walk/run events this summer and am also considering a mountain summit in a few months' time.
For now, I'm living this moment, training for my life and dreaming of Paris.

Today, I:
Ate three healthy meals
Drank lots of water
Slept for 8 hours
Worked zero hours
Swam 50 lengths of a 25m pool
Spent time with friends and family