Put simply...

Ps: there are no shortcuts worth taking!

The big questions

So unemployment is fun. Not. In comparison, after visiting the museum earlier in the week I firmly believe retirement would be but unfortunately I'm not in a financial position to do so.

Instead I've been facing the big questions? What will my next job be & how am I going to get this weight off?! 

With this on my doorstep...

...I've been "running" this week instead of getting up early to get to the gym. Sleep, pounding the pavement & great friends have starved off cabin fever thus far but going forward I want to brave enough to hold out for a role I'm passionate about which is going to be challenging. A. Because I can't relax not knowing what is next and B. I need whoever is hiring to agree with my objectives! 

I know I do a better job, whether that is with work or exercise if I am enjoying it so please remind me in a few weeks when I get desperate and start heading back towards underemployment that passion is worth fighting for.

I'm off to New Plymouth for the weekend with snow gear and exercise equipment so who knows what we will be getting up to!

So proud of your social but challenging physical week Chloe! Keep it up!

Fingers crossed NZ warms up soon,

P x

Personalities at the GYM

WOOHOO I am so excited because a few of my friends have decided to sign up to Les Mills and want to give the classes a go. I know I have mentioned this before but for me having people to go to classes with or even just seeing friendly faces around the gym makes a HUGE difference. I don’t think I had ever considered that the gym could be a social occasion but it really can! Have a look at my plan for the week and see how many friends I can manage to squeeze in!

Monday- PUMP @ 4.45pm with JT, Richard & Emma

Tuesday- Evening WALK home, SWIM @ Jellie Park with Jessy

Wednesday- PUMP @ 5.45pm, VIVE @ 7pm with Lucy, Claire & Juliet

Thursday- Muscles feeling fatigued this morning so changed plan to: Evening SWIM with Jessy ( Forget how much I LOVE to swim!)

Friday- BALANCE @ 7.15am with Johanna, PUMP @ 5.45pm, CX WORX @ 6.30pm with Lucy, Juliet & JT

Saturday- REST DAY

Sunday- BALANCE and CX WORX

 

In my limited time as a ‘gym goer’ I have used my highly advanced imagination and people watching/cataloguing skills to identify some of my favourite gym personalities (read. Stereotypes).

The Cougar- The older gym junkie woman complete with breast implants and/or collagen ‘enhancements’. These women are here for one reason and one reason alone- to stake out their latest prey in the form of young male PT’s. Often found feigning ignorance on a weights machine in order to get help from good looking gym staff or front and centre in the group fitness classes taught by, you guessed it, young men.

The Midlife Crisis Guy- The older guy at the weights racks trying to keep up his younger and fitter counterparts. He arrives outrageously early for every class and is seldom seen without his protein shaker. This guy seem to think that he is god’s gift to women (why?!) Desperate to be perceived as young and hip he may be heard singing tunelessly to the pop music his teenage daughter listens to. And a word to the wise- watch out for the unnecessary stretching in shorts two sizes too small.

The Lurker- Creep alert! This guy stands out more than anyone despite spending most of the time with his back to the gym wall or scrolling furiously on his ipod. An expert at shoe lace tying and water fountain operation, no matter how long you watch him you will not be able to discern what he is actually doing at the gym.

The Treadmill Socialite- This girl is so popular she cannot avoid the barrage of calls and hilarious texts she receives at the gym. She will conveniently plonk herself on a cardio machine in the very middle of the bunch so as many people as possible can get the deets on the weekend goss. Her obnoxiously loud and nasal voice is the reason other gym goers may develop hearing loss from turning their music up full noise and/or skimp on their cardio that day.

What are your favourite/least favourite gym personalities?

See you later alligators,

Chloe x

Running

We all know them, those crazy people that just don't feel 'right' unless they have been for their morning run, who consider going for a run with friends as a social activity rather than torture.

I am not one of those people. In fact whilst I was doing Bevan's Couch to 5km  program in Christchurch late 2011 an old friend from College House sent me a text asking if I was ok because quote 'saw you running around Hagley Park hating life'. Cue embarrassment. Cue awkwardness. Cue running in dusk to avoid recognition! 

Anyway I digress, one of these 'crazy' friends sent me an email on Saturday, subject line 'Inspiration'. It hit close to home so thought I would share the link with you all. 

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10892244

If you, like me, agreed with my first paragraph you really should read it. 

So I am going try, I have no excuse & for the interim a lot of time on my hands so here goes. I'm actively going to try to become Crazy.

P x

["Run" around Tamaki Drive, ???, ready to take on new challenges]

Are you in need of some INSPIRATION?

It is freezing in Christchurch today and apparently not much better around the rest of NZ! On days like today I think we need a bit of extra motivation to get us to the gym or off the couch- it really does sound more appealing to go home than to get into your sports gear in this weather.

Thankfully today I have a few volunteers joining me for a gym class YAY! I find it so much more fun when I have friends to go with- I guess that is just part of being a social person. However, some days I do feel like I need some external inspiration to get me going. This post is visually dedicated to those days…

This week in exercise…

Monday- Walk (40min)

Tuesday- Pump

Wednesday- Body Balance, Body Pump

Thursday- REST DAY

Friday- Pump, CX Worx

Saturday- Not sure yet…

Sunday- Not sure yet…

I don't know what the weather is going to throw at us this weekend hence why I have left the weekend's exercise options vague. I plan on going home to hang out with my family at the beach so a sandhill adventure could be on the cards if it isn't wet or snowing!

Keep warm and dry!

Chloe x

Respect

This morning I got to try Les Mills Christchurch. As impressive as the bright paint, new equipment and ample space is it was one individual that drew the most respect.

Cameron, our Pump instructor referred to her as ‘Nana’. I’m not sure if she was in fact his grandmother or he was simply using an affectionate nickname but ‘Nana’ was incredible. I doubt she reads this so I can be blunt, I’m pretty sure Nana was pushing 80. Her back was slightly bowed and her hair a shock of white. The second shock was the weights she was lifting. I found myself competing with her, surely Nana couldn’t be lifting more than I was?!

I kept interrupting Chloe’s workout to say ‘OMG have you seen Nana’? I’m used to feeling motivated by athletic Barbie’s but this was next level respect. So to anyone that said they were too tired/sore/couldn’t be bothered to exercise this morning just know an 80 year old got out of bed, faced the brisk Canterbury air and showed us up….does your excuse still stand? None of my usual excuses would!

Respecting your elders just took on a different meaning!

P x

[Pump with Chloe J, ???, happy to be in the 03]

See you when I wake..

Chloe I am SO excited about working out with you in the morning.

5.30am never looks pretty on my alarm clock. 

(Even with fun filters!) but it is so much easier setting it to come & meet you rather than getting up to fly down for work as I did today. 

I'm so impressed that you doubled up classes. One of these days we might run to the gym as a warm up. As for tomorrow let's stick to this...

Because

P x

[Pump, Balance, Tamaki walk & 2 x 8 hour sleeps since I last posted, scales in AKL, looking forward to our 50+50 workout in a couple of hours!]

DOMS- A pain in the butt (literally)

On Saturday I did my first ever double-header class at the gym- Body Pump followed by CX Worx. I had a terrible run at the gym last week- I was home sick Monday and Tuesday and the rest of the week was a blur of work, Stan mourning and family commitments. My only exercise was a few brisk walks through freezing Hagley Park and boy did I feel the difference when I turned up at 7.30am Saturday and started the first of what felt like 1 million squats…

What has really got to me is the extreme post workout pain I am now grappling with 2 days later! DOMS or Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness also called muscle fever is the pain and stiffness felt in muscles several hours to days after unaccustomed or strenuous exercise. Today I have been struggling to get up out of my chair at work and getting up and down stairs for meetings has been HELLISH! I know that the best think I could do to ease the pain is to keep moving and stretching so my muscles don’t seize up but it is very hard to motivate yourself when all you want to do is stay as still as possible and avoid all muscle strain.

I think the moral of the story here is don’t have too big a break between gym sessions- it really does make it harder when you eventually go back! Secondly, I think there comes a time when we have to choose to just push through the pain and have faith that it will get easier with time! I need to find a way to make working out a part of my life every SINGLE day- it doesn't mean I have to get to a gym class everyday but planning and committing to exercise is the only way I can make it happen.

To get the ball rolling I have a gym date tomorrow will the lovely Pizey who is in Christchurch for a few nights for work. Trying my luck back at Body Pump- hopefully my muscles feel a bit better tomorrow morning!

See you again soon,

Chloe x

RIP Stanislav

Last week my other half and his family had the painful experience of losing their beloved cat Stan.



Stanislav xx



Stan or Stanislav was a pedigree Russian Blue and I think he knew he was something special. I’ve never met a more regal and distinguished animal. He was very gentle and never scratched or got aggressive even under duress from the youngest and most curious family members. Stan was also a prolific hunter- I witnessed the satisfied parading of his victims at the doorstep. I always enjoyed his company when visiting his home- he enjoyed sitting on my knee whilst I pored over magazines or Food TV and despite my protestations in the morning, it was nice to have a fellow early-riser in the weekends.

I only knew Stan for 2.5 years of his glorious 8 year life but in that time I felt I truly got to know and love him. However, the real reason I chose to mention him today was in honour of my aforementioned ‘other half’ Ed. Stan was Ed’s cat when he was still living at home and the adoration and respect that they had for each other was a sight to behold. I have always considered myself an animal lover but the bond between these two boys was nothing short of brotherhood.

So Stanley our four-legged friend you will be so very dearly missed. You were the most beautiful and elegant cat I ever had the pleasure of meeting. Ed and I will always remember and love you and you have certainly set a high bar for any future pets in the family.

Have you dealt with the loss of a treasured pet? It really is like losing a family member.

To all those who have lost friends and family of the furry variety- we feel your pain.

Chloe x

Remember that time....

That you did that boot camp...

Movember....

Threw a Breast Cancer Breakfast....

Walked the 100km Oxfam challenge...

I sincerely hope I supported all of you because the tables have turned and I need your help.

As Chloe mentioned in her post we are going to complete New Zealand's first night time 1/2 marathon in November. Before then I want to raise as much money as I can for the Cancer Society because I respect their efforts to reduce the incidence of cancer and ensure the best cancer care is available for everyone in New Zealand.

So here goes kids, I think you all know what to do....https://walkingstars.everydayhero.com/nz/pizey

P x

You win some, you lose some..

I made it to Pump/CRX with two wonderful friends. One step forward. 

I had a lovely breakfast with one of Pump buddies. Another step forward.

I got a $45 parking ticket for being in a park I thought I was ok in until 8am. One step back. 

So I had taken two steps forward, one back & had a choice. Fixate on the step back and be irritated or remember that I'm still one step ahead. I chose the latter. Returning to Parnell, sunshine & this view helped! 

Have a good day everyone, I hope you all stay one step ahead.

P x

[Pump/CRX, 3.5% goal lost, reflective & mildly annoyed with parking wardens!]

Chloe apparently these glow in the dark...

Not exactly 8 hours...

Shine bright like a DIAMOND

Good afternoon peeps,

I finally got myself organised and created my official Walking Stars Supporter Page. I know that race day isn't until the end of November but I would love to get started on the fundraising side of things as soon as possible.

For those of you who didn't read my previous post about the event, Walking Stars is the first walking half marathon in NZ to be held at night under the stars!  The walk is in support of the Cancer Society New Zealand  and all funds raised by entrants go towards cancer research.  If you would like to offer your support please visit my page here https://walkingstars.everydayhero.com/nz/chloe and make a donation. Remember EVERY little bit counts!

I have always loved walking. I used to walk to school as a child and now as an adult without a car (read: license) I still enjoy walking as a mode of transport as well as for leisure. Despite constant reassurances from others that I will eventually love long distance running- at this point I am still not convinced. As a general rule, we use more energy to run than we do to walk thus making running a more economical exercise in terms of what you need to do to get results. However, there are many documented benefits of walking ~

I am looking for some walking buddies in Christchurch who want to join me when I start training in earnest (August) and also any advice more experienced long distance runners and walkers may have about training, nutrition, footwear, blisters...you name it- I am keen to learn! 

I am also looking for practical suggestions for a costume Pizey and I can wear for the event as all competitors are encouraged to dress up and SHINE BRIGHT on the night! Think glow in the dark...

Looking forward to getting started on this new adventure!

Chloe x

Sleep....

“I love sleep. My life has the tendency to fall apart when I'm awake, you know?”
Ernest Hemingway

Admittedly, that was a melodramatic way to start but it felt appropriate, both because of life at the moment but also the direction I am going to take this blog.

In an ideal world I would swan home at 5pm to the setting sun to the west and witty banter coming out of the radio. Curl up with a good book or catch up with a friend whilst once again revelling in the fact my exercise was done for the day, dinner was planned and prepped and bed was on the near horizon.

My life is simply not like that. At all.

Sorry if I have already used this....it is just so accurate!

Instead, at 5pm I stop doing Solid Energy business admin and start doing life admin. I live in Auckland so it is often teeming with rain rather than stunning sunsets (although I appreciate the sunsets when they do happen), I need a new fuse for my radio so instead of witty banter I sing to myself…well I try, the truth is I never know the lyrics so it is painful, even to me. Most importantly however, I am struggling to fit exercise in so instead of revelling in virtue I am coercing myself out the door each day.

My self-proclaimed #1 fan came to visit on Sunday morning bouncing after being up for hours. It was a harsh comparison to my sunken eyed slightly seedy sloth-ness. Over the past 24 hours I have been pondering our differences and thinking through what I could mimic. Although my legs will never be as long nor my tummy as flat there is one difference I can (I want to say easily) add to my goals for the week.

For the first time, in a very long time, I am going to attempt to get 8 hours of sleep a night.

The simplest Google search has confirmed this as a very good idea. Not just for escapism as Hemingway suggests but to compliment my goals in starting this blog, to achieve weight loss and more regular exercise.

To compliment my increased sleep and according to this random study, more efficient body I will also be:

Tuesday:              Doing week II of my Run to 5km. As Chloe mentioned, we’ve signed up for                        Auckland’s first night time ½ marathon so I need to improve my aerobic fitness so                         I can power along beside her!

Wednesday:        Pump/CRX with Laura at Britomart if anyone else wants to join

Thursday:            RPM (morning class if anyone else is keen)

Friday:                 Pump at Britomart

Saturday:             CX Works then Body Balance at Britomart

Sunday:                Walk around Hobson Bay with #1 fan (taking advantage of location)

Monday:              Walk from the Port to Kohi for coffee and back….then I may be flying to                         CHCH…..WATCH THIS SPACE....oh and keep Tuesday morning free for a workout!

I may have a long way to go but everyone starts somewhere, just like this police pup....

P x

[Urgh since last blog, Pump, couch to 5km attempt...aka became a walk, swim and a very social weekend. Scales packed. Frothing over how cute that puppy is]

Happy Birthday dear QUEENIE

I bet you're all super stoked that I am writing another blog post so soon after the last one huh? Well truth be told I just had to post some photos from the MARVELOUS weekend Ed (my taller, more freckled other half) and I had in the City of Sails over Queen's Birthday weekend...

                                                                                                     

                                                                                                             

So many fabulous friends, food to try and places to see... I look forward to seeing and doing it all again in November!

AROHANUI,

Chloe x