This is a big one! Get your coffee ready...

Dia duit!


Good morning all! I hope everyone is having a wonderful life at the moment! I am actually in a very good place. My weight loss has actually slowed down a bit and I am now for the second week in a row, behind my target. But I’m OK with that. I know that I am doing well. I know that I am exercising well, and eating well. I know that I am putting in a good effort – and that this is just a slow time for weight loss



I’m actually as positive and committed right now than I have ever been! It was amazing – going through the supermarket on Sunday – and not even being tempted to buy anything less than healthy! As per my last post, I am really looking forward to the ING ‘Fit for life’ challenge that I was chosen for, and every time I look at myself now, I smile that I am no longer Morbidly Obese – I have been for so long, and it’s such an awful term that I am so glad not to be ‘it’ anymore!



I went to see a Doctor also on Monday (just to have a check up – I haven’t seen a Dr for a while and with all my activity lately I thought I should) and the good news continued (so far). I had my blood pressure monitored, and for the first time in quite a while, my blood pressure was in the ‘normal’ rage. Albeit, the higher side of normal, but still NORMAL!! For years now, my blood pressure has been high – due to nothing but my weight. Also my resting heart rate was monitored – and it was a 68. That’s better than the average! I checked the resting heart rate of a ‘thin’ co-worker – he’s only 22 – and his rate was 82!! BELOW average!! He’s gotta start doing some exercise like meJ! The Doctor also took some blood tests to monitor my cholesterol, and insulin (diabetes test) amongst others. I should have the results of that on Thursday evening so I’ll let you know!

I'm having dinner with Mum & Dad this evening too (Wednesday). She knows about the weight loss, and knows ABOUT this blog - but has not seen it - and probably won't until the end. It will be interesting to see if she notices anything yet!



So that’s my update so far – below you will find my weight loss chart – and see the very bottom of this post for details on the ING “Fit for Life’ challenge.

Here's my food intake for Monday & Tuesday:

Monday

Breakfast
Large glass water
Fresh juice – 1 orange, 1 carrot, 1 apple, 1 stick celery
2 slices Bergin wholegrain
2 eggs
Vegemite

Morning
Mocha – no sugar

Lunch
Chilli chicken wrap with lots of vegies
Natural sparkling mineral water

Bottle water

Dinner
Lean steak with Horseradish cream
Vegies – carrot, beans & broccoli
Glass Sunkist light
Glass Water

Supper
1 tub light strawberry yoghurt
Bottle water

Exercise - nothing - was still recovering from Sunday's 15 k walk!

Tuesday

Breakfast
Large glass water
Fresh juice – 1 orange, 1 carrot, 1 apple, 1 stick celery
2 slices Bergin wholegrain
2 eggs
Vegemite
Mocha – no sugar

Lunch
Rye baguette with Lemongrass beef
Lots of vegies
Water

Afternoon
One biscuit – orange cream
Bottle water

Dinner
Lean steak with chilli & wholegrain mustard
Vegies – carrot, corn & broccoli
2x glasses Sunkist light

Supper
1 Nectarine
1 tub light Strawberry yoghurt

Bottle water

Exercise - 30 mins on Cross trainer (upped resistance every 5 mins - max resistance for last 5 mins) then wask home - (35 mins)

2009 Fighting Fit for Life competition

In 2008, ING Australia launched its very own competition, Fighting Fit for Life, to help staff in their fight for fitness. Congratulations to Samantha Daher and Sam Lee, who were our winner and runner up, respectively.

Fighting Fit for Life proved to be extremely successful, and feedback from those who participated in 2008 was that this should become a regular fixture on the Health & Wellbeing calendar. As a result of this feedback, I am pleased to announce that we will be running Fighting Fit for Life again in 2009.What is the aim of Fighting Fit for Life? The program aims to educate participants on how they can lead a healthier lifestyle, and more importantly, how they can maintain it. To keep participants on their toes, some healthy competition is thrown in. Participants are given three months to see who can make the greatest improvements to their health and fitness, and shed those extra kilos through a combination of healthy eating and consistent exercise.

When does the 2009 program start?

The first Fighting Fit for Life competition for 2009 will start on Monday, 30 March and finish on Sunday, 14 June. Eight employees will be selected based their responses to our Fighting Fit for Life survey. We will run a second program around August 2009.

If I get selected, what will be expected of me?

You will undergo extensive health checks before, during and after the competition. These tests will measure your weight, body fat percentage, blood pressure, heart rate, blood glucose, cholesterol, and hip and waist measurements. You will also complete fitness tests at three stages throughout the competition. This will involve a beep test to measure cardiovascular fitness, and sit ups, push ups and tricep dips to measure strength.

Throughout the program, you will also be expected to:

*follow a personalised training schedule, made up of at least 5-6 exercise sessions per week, including a personal training session, group exercise session and a fortnightly Pilates, Yoga or meditation class
*meet with a Health & Wellbeing Consultant for three sessions, and follow the nutrition schedule provided.

Who is this program suitable for?

Anyone who wants to lead a healthy lifestyle and needs some help to kick start it. This is a unique opportunity to be guided and encouraged by health experts, and could be the key to a longer, healthier and happier life.

In addition to the obvious health benefits, the winner will receive:
three-month gym membership at the ING gym
2 x 1 hour massages
$100 Rebel Sport voucher

The runner up will receive:
one-month gym membership at the ING gym
1 x 1 hour massage
$50 Rebel Sport voucher

Best of luck to those of you who sign up.

2009 Fighting Fit for Life competition – You’re in!

Congratulations – you have been selected to participate in the first Fighting Fit for Life program for 2009.

Confirm your commitment to the program Before I confirm your place, I would like to ensure you are fully committed to the program. While I’m sure you gave this thought when you applied, could you please re-read the introductory email below and confirm you will be able to meet the expectations of the program.

Yes, I am fully committed to the program (my response)

Do you feel comfortable featuring in internal promotions about the program?

Over the next three months, we may ask you to participate in some internal promotions about the program, for example, articles in FYi or ROAR. These promotions may focus on your personal progress and/or highlight the benefits of leading a healthy lifestyle to all staff. Participation is optional, so please let us know if you do not feel comfortable featuring in internal promotions.

Let the games begin…

Next week we will book you in for a 30 minute health check with Ben St Lawrence and myself. This health check will be sometime on Monday 30 March. We will then perform a fitness test on that Monday afternoon or Tuesday afternoon. We will confirm the time shortly.

You will also have a nutrition consultation on either Tuesday 31 March or Wednesday 1 April, where we will discuss your current diet and any changes you may need to make. I will send through a food diary upon your confirmation with instructions on how you should complete it.

Let the journey begin...