Over 12 weeks I will be doing the Ashy Bines Bikini Body Challenge. This challenge involves regular exercise with professional trainers and a clean eating diet.
http://abbbc.com.au/
I have just finished week 1 and have completed 3 boot camp sessions before work which included boxing, weight training and running. We have also done a time trial around the Botanical Gardens in South Yarra and I am going to my own PT sessions (not apart of the challenge) this morning.
This week I have had 2 rest days of no exercise and 1 day off the diet, I am already feeling more energised and active - its great.
A few things I have found difficult are:
1. Getting out of bed at 5:15am 3 mornings a week to get to training by 5:45
2. Craving sugar around 3pm each arvo because I'm tired, hungry or bored
3. Exercising in the cold (the cold air affects my sport induced asthma).
Ways to deal with these are:
1. You get used to the early mornings quite quickly actually, however going to bed at 9pm and reading/watching TV till 9:30 has helped me not feel too tired when I wake up. I'd be careful with watching TV tough as it stimulates the brain, making it harder to fall asleep. Staying away from caffeine in the afternoons helps too
2. I have strawberries or apple with organic peanut butter to try and push through the sweet cravings - sometimes have a Diet Coke (I am trying to limit these though). I am also making up a superfood drink for a little extra kick in the arvo - it doesn't look very nice, nor does it smell or taste great but if you mix it with a lot of water and some lemon it is drinkable http://www.passionprojects.com.au/product-page/superfood-powder-boxes/triple-green-superfood-powder/ (it does come in other flavours too)
3. I take my preventer about an hour before exercising and make sure I do a proper warm up to get my body used to the cold air.
Over the next few weeks I will be blogging about what we have been doing at training and how I am going.
Here are some great, easy meal ideas:
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| Pancakes made with almond meal instead of flour and rice milk instead. Add any fruit you wish and some cinnamon for flavour. |
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| Tuna, celery, cucumber, corn, four bean mix (strained and washed), tuna and a pinch of salt. |
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| Same as above with mushrooms, tomato, peas, cottage cheese, basil pesto and chia seeds. |
Here are some of my motivational bikini bod pics for motivation...
