So I decided that I sort of had enough. I didn't like it when my kids would takemy phone and snap pictures of me from random angles. I looked dumpy. Middle aged. Old.
I didn't feel it, but I looked it. I believe I'm a lot fitter than before the kids were born (the older twin boys have just turned 7). Definitely. I bootcamp two mornings a week, did core abs sessions, and jogged about 10k every week. Nutribullet raw veg and fruits for breakfast, soup or salad for lunch, and eat normal for dinner (which does include rice, noodles and pasta, mind you). But we do eat very late... Around 10, after I've got home, put the kids to bed, cleaned up the kitchen and started cooking. And I probably don't get enough sleep, maybe 4-5 hours on most weekdays.
3 years ago, I decided that turning 40 would be a new beginning. I was dreading the big number for some reason, but my lovely husband threw me a surprise party with my closest friends and family, reminding me how very lucky and loved I was. The only part of my life I wasn't happy with was my physical being.
So I got myself a personal trainer, and trained twice a week, doing routines myself for the other days. I also saw a nutritionist to get some advice. He did an analysis of my food intake (I gave him my food diary for 2 days) and told me what I already knew, and a few facts I didn't - such as iodine deficiency.
After my pregnancy, I noticed that my left knee started to crunch, and I would get a sharp pain every time I went up steps. It got so bad that we had to change my car into an automatic as I could not depress the clutch without pain. So I had scans done, and I saw a physio. I did all the recommended exercises, got my PT to help me 'strengthen' knee muscles, and had physio sessions for about a year.
It took her a long time to figure out that my knee cap wasn't tracking. But nothing she recommended seemed to work. And I had been tired of not exercising because of the pain, so I got myself a knee strap and began exercising. It's been years, and the pain has been retarded somewhat (it has increased a little lately, which I have put down to aging and constant use and friction due to jogging and lunging and squatting). I've given up finding a fix, and have resigned myself to get on a 'pain management' routine.
I was doing all this, but I knew it wasn't 'joined-up' and I wasn't doing things right.
I am a fitter and healthier than I was before my 40s, but my weight didn't go down. I was a teeny bit leaner, but the flab was there. I didn't look good in family photos.
And I was at a loss. There must be something out there that could help me with this. I researched for awhile, and came across this body transformation programme in London. It promised results, and had a team to help you get to your goal. The programme included intense 3-4 times a week with a personal trainer, a food plan, sessions with the nutritionist and sports therapist.
It's not cheap, as I expected. But I'm really committed to creating a change for life. It will be worth it.
So I went for my assessment last week, where I saw the nutritionist and the sports therapist.
My session with the sports therapist was quite uplifting. She identified my weak areas and said that she believed that I would be out of my knee straps within a few sessions. She specialised in sports rehabilitation, and felt confident that she would be able to help me. I was quite elated. To think that I am not on the way to 'decrepitdom' was fantastic, and that joint pain isn't inevitable as I had believed.
I was given a food plan of high protein, no carbon diet for 2 weeks, and a carb refeed on day 15. It looks like the food plan is going to be a tougher challenge than the training.
I shared the plan with Ross, an ex-colleague and friend who has qualified as a personal trainer and nutritionist, having rehabilitated himself after a spinal surgery years ago. (Coincidentally husband also had a very similar op around the same time).
He did not think very much of the food programme, which he said had some misinformation and unnecessary restrictions, and challenged quite a few points laid out. Fundamentally, he felt that it wasn't tailored to me, and that lasting change would be a challenge. Despite the criticism, he believes that it would still work, as a calorie deficit programme.
I feel very much reassured having him on my side, as I very much want a change that would last my whole life.
I've got an amazing family, and a great job. And I'd like to do what I love and enjoy being around my amazing little people for as long as I can.
So that's the preamble. I had chicken rendang and rice yesterday, with ice cream and gu lemon cheesecake. My last indulgence for awhile.
This morning, I had a protein shake - the recipe provided by the coach.
Breakfast Smoothie:
Water
1/4 avocado
1 scoop of protein
1 tsp of almond butter (meridian)
1 tsp ground flaxseed
1-2 handfuls of spinach
1 tsp of cocoa powder
I only had unripe avos, so left that out. It was OK though, almond butter does smell like peanut butter. And I am now on my way to Bank for my first session.
That smoothie has made most of its way through my system. The train better get there soon as I can only hold on for so long!
I shall continue later with an update.
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So I've had my first introduction. Jay's my trainer, and he is nice. We started with stretching on the foam roller, first on my thighs (agonising!), then butt muscles and then calves. He spent a lot of time going through where he thought I should focus on, given my knee issues. Then stretching on the pecs and sides, followed by proper planking engaging the lower abs, and then both side planks.
The revelation probably came through during lunges, squats and kettle bells, traditionally exercises I didn't like due to my knees. However he got me to focus on trying to split the earth with my feet, and that made a huge difference to how my knees felt. It felt like the right muscles around my knees were engaged correctly.
I forgot my cashew nut snacks and left my water bottle at the gym so I hadn't snacked today, and haven't drank enough water.
For dinner, I had smoked mackerel, roast peppers and courgettes, hummus, salad and Broccoli. It was OK, but not hugely satisfying.
But I have to work late tonight, so I won't be able to get to bed at 10 as advised, and thus my body won't be able to "make that hormone that promotes fat loss", I can't remember the name, cortisol? Sorbitol? Adrenaline? Cortisone?
Still hungry when I get to bed.
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