My program update

Guten Tag,

I have invited a few more people to read this blog, so my total readership (if everyone reads it) is now up to 55! Welcome!

So what have I been up to this week? I've had more of my new ING 'Fit for life' program this week. Following my fitness test on Monday, Tuesday morning I recieved the results:


Here are your initial fitness test results from Monday 6 April:

Push ups: 6
Sit ups: 25
Triceps Dips: 21
Beep Test: 3.6
Predicted/Estimated V02max: 25.1ml/kg/min

Below is a table that will give you an idea of your current fitness level, compared to the population. Using your results from the beep-test, we are able to calculate an estimated V02max (Cardiovascular fitness indicator). This is not the most accurate test of V02max, however it will still be very useful to track your progress from test to test.

26-35years old

excellent >56
good 49-56
above average 43-48
average 40-42
below average 35-39
poor 30-34
very poor <30

So you can see that from the above, unfortunately, my fitness level is 'very poor' :-{

When I expressed my dissappointment at that, the group leader said it is only indicative, and it is mainly affected by my weight - ie - it is harder for me to keep up with the 'beep test' as i'm carrying all that extra weight. This rating will be reviewed regularly as part of the programme so i'm looking forward to seeing a good improvement here with extra fitness and further weight loss.

Some good news came on Tuesday with my nutritionist consultation though. After reviewing 5 days of my food consumption the verdict was - 'very good'!! My breakfasts are perfect, lunches are great, and dinners are spot on!! I just need to 'graze' a little more. So I have introduced almonds this week - I have a big bag on my desk at work, and I have a handful in the morning, and a piece of fruit in the arvo as well! Hopefully this should make a difference.

Yesterday I had my first personal training session. It was supposed to be 1 on 2, but as the other girl who i'm supposed to be training with is away, it was 1 on 1! We spent some time on the bike, cross trainer & rower, followed by some weights - and then back to some cardio with the treadmill - and I ran for 2 mins!!! My longest yet!! Tell you what - I was buggered after!! Richard said I did really well, and was impressed with my efforts.

I also had some extra 'stuff' to do on my walk home. When walking home I use the first set of stairs up to the Bridge - just past the Shangri-La Hotel - not the main set of stairs opposite the Glenmore. My task was to walk up those stairs, back down, walk up (2 at a time), back down, then up again. Then walk to the main set of stairs - and walk all the way down, then back up, alternating 2 at a time/1 at a time with each flight. Then across the span of the bridge. Once on the Kirribilli side I walk down those steps, back up again, then back down!! It was a bit harder than normal!!

So that's my week so far - except I should prob tell you about another change to my eating this week - it's still good, but i have introduced something new - FISH!!! Haha! I have had fish not one, but twice this week! A Smoked Salmon salad on Monday, and Snapper with salad on Tuesday! This is new for me - fish at least twice a week! It wasnt too bad - and I really enjoyed the smoked salmon salad too. And balsamic vinegar ROCKS!

Today I have a 'boot camp' as part of my programme, and tomorrow I am walking from home in North Sydney, on the main roads to the Spit, then doing the coastal Spit to Manly walk, stopping in at Mum & Dad's in Fairlight for lunch. Once at Manly, it's the ferry to the City, and then the last bit, walking back to home across the bridge! It will be my biggest walk ever, and I'm very happy that Jeremy will be joining me for the entire walk!!! I will report on it and the boot camp on Friday evening - with some photos too!

Thanks all, and have a very happy easter!!

Pete