ING Fitness test

Barev,

Today at 4pm I had my fitness test for my work 'Fit for life' program. We gathered at the gym and walked to Pyrmont park, out front of Star City. We did a series of tests - push ups, crunches, dips, and a 'beep' test.

So how did I do...

Push ups - poor - 7 in 30 secs
Crunches - good - 25 in 30 secs
Dips - good - 21 in 30 secs
'Beep' test - 3.7 (its the level you get to running back & forth between cones)

After the test I did a good 30 mins in the gym on the cross trainer and then a fast walk home. Good activity for the day!

Tomorrow I have an appointment with the nutritionist, and Wednesday morning I have a personal training session! This ING thing is gonna be hard work!! GREAT! I am looking forward to it - and guess what - i'm even gonna try some exercise tomorrow morning! Let's see if I can get up to do it!

And I think I have had my healthiest meal to-date tonight - a smoked salmon salad! Cool! Was yummy too!

See ya!

Encouragement from a stranger...

Здравствуйте,
Yesterday I decided, in the interests of ‘pushing it’ and to save time, to incorporate some running on the way home. My previous ‘best’ time walking fast, from ING door, to my door, is 35 minutes – that also includes having to stop at lights etc to cross the road.

Yesterday though a ‘first’ happened – as I was jogging across part of the bridge, this guy who was running in the opposite direction gave me a ‘thumbs up’ and a big smile! Cool! He was really good looking too! It’s really nice that a stranger would bother to give someone encouragement - something as simple as a thumbs up can make such a difference!


Oh and by the way - my time? 31 mins!

March results

Goddaj,

Well it’s time for the results from March. I think there has been a general slow down in weight loss as it is 3 months now since I started. But that is to be expected. A body cannot maintain high weight loss as it wants to hold on to weight – like a safety blanket. I’m actually very happy with my overall results for March (4.2kg) – even though I did not meet my goal (it was too high a target to realistically reach) I know that I did well in March with my diet and exercise.

Walking home across the bridge is now so easy – I barely raise a sweat – so I have been doing gym sessions beforehand. On Sunday I got up early (for a SundayJ) and drove to work to use the Gym. I did a good 40 mins on the Cross Trainer – steadily increasing to maximum resistance. I then wanted to do more…… but….. I didn’t want to do the normal things – I wanted to do something different. So… I looked around the Gym – and found something that I wanted to do. Organise the Gym!!

I picked up all the weights from all over the Gym – from 25kg to 1.25kg and organised them in their racks from smallest to largest. I picked up the hand weights & placed them in a row in order. Organised the medicine balls & fit balls, moved around the benched to be better placed & heaps more. By the time I was finished, I had a good work out & the Gym looked immaculate! Took about 30 mins! And my legs were sore after! I then also went for another 15 mins interval training on the treadmill.

On Sunday I then went for a great drive – to celebrate my 10 year anniversary with my beloved Pulsar SSS – you’ve prob seen my photos on Facebook. I took my car to some great locations & took photos – Cremorne Point, Curl Curl, Manly Vale & others. It was a lovely drive, and my car is still going as well as ever. Photo below at Curl Curl – and you can see my changing body! Compare that photo to one at Sculptures in the same shirt in 2007…

Now

Then
Also I’m beginning to fit into ‘off the rack’ regular size clothes!!! I was in Chatswood on Monday and DJ’s had a great menswear sale on. I picked up a ‘Gazman’ polo shirt in XXL – and IT FIT!!! I was so stoked! I also got a Polo XXL jumper/hoodie for winter – THAT FIT!! And finally I saw the most beautiful pink Gant button up short sleeve shirt. It was really nice – and 50% off! I tried it on and guess what? IT DIDN’T FIT! But… it almost fit – It was about 3 cm from fitting – so I bought it too! I really liked it – and it WILL FIT very soon! It was such a great feeling to be able to buy clothes from DJ’s – I have NEVER bought clothes from DJ’s before! I normally go to Target and get 7XL clothes!


So on to my results from March:

Weight
Original – 150 / February – 137.5 / Now – 133.3 = overall loss of 16.7 kgs!

Waist
Original – 157cm / February – 142cm / Now 138cm = loss of 19cm

Chest
Original – 136cm / February – 129cm / Now – 126cm = loss of 10cm

Leg
Original – 81cm / February – 75cm / Now – 73cm = loss of 8cm

I also have a couple or results to report from my recent tests at the doctor. There’s a heap but these are the only ones I understand! I put in my result & the target range:

Blood Glucose = 4.6 (normal range 3.4 – 5.4)
Cholesterol = 4.9 (normal range 3.5 – 5.4)

So that’s my results so far – I’m happy with my progress – correction VERY HAPPY with my progress – and the best thing is I’m still motivated – and looking forward to being in the 120’s!

So to my goals in April.

I’ll put a realistic & a stretch goal for April below;

Realistic goal – 128 kilos – that’s a weight loss of 5.3 kilos
Stretch goal – 126 kilos – that’s a weight loss of 7.3 kilos.

The reason for 126 as a goal – is that 126 kg’s will be the LOWEST WEIGHT I HAVE EVER BEEN IN 10 YEARS!!!!! Not a bad goal huh!

Thanks all for reading. Please give me your feedback via this site or Facebook.


Pete


And to follow the trend of last month…

The weight I have lost so far is equivalent too…..



A Photocopier!!!!

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...

Exciting news - x2!!! Read on...

Bula!

Well I have two VERY important announcements to make - both are very excitement!!

But before I do, here's a condensed version of my food intake since Friday;

Friday

Breakkie - Large fresh Oj & Bacon & Egg wrap with BBQ sauce. Large Mocha no sugar.

Lunch - Havash Shich - Turkish marinated bbq'd chicken with chick pea salad & cucumber & tomato salad. Water. Chomp bar.

Dinner - 1/2 a BBQ chicken with Lemon & Herb + Vegies. Sunkist light. 2 nectarines.

Exercise - Walk home

Saturday

Exercise - Gym at 10:00am - did 5 k's on the treadmill, running & walking - about 45 mins. Then 15 mins on Cross trainer.

Brunch - 2 eggs on 2 pieces wholegrain toast with a little butter & vegemite. Fresh OJ, Apple, Carrot & Celery juice.

Early dinner - 1/2 a BBQ chicken with Lemon & Herb + Vegies. Sunkist light.

Late Afternoon - a sausage in a bread roll with BBQ sauce - 3x diet cokes (I was playing lawn bowls)

Sunday

Breakky - 2 eggs on 2 pieces wholegrain toast with a little butter & vegemite. Fresh OJ, Apple, Carrot & Celery juice.

Lunch - Can of Vege soup with fresh chilli - Sunkist light.

Afternoon - Ice Tea with Mango, a large 'snake' & bottle of water (on the walk)

Dinner - Grilled chicken with salad & Chilli sauce & rice + Sunkist light + large glass water + 600 ml bottle at bed time

Exercise - went for a MASSIVE walk with Neil, Jo, Ash & Tom. It was 15 kilometres & over 3 hours! I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO buggered right now. This is my largest & longest walk to date. See map below:

So a very active weekend!

So.. to my two very exciting announcements..

1st - with my weight loss to date... I AM NO LONGER MORBIDLY OBESE!!!!!! That is so awesome for me to say. The term 'morbidly obese' is really a digusting term, and I am so happy to not be 'that' anymore. My weight loss to date has put me in the next category down. Yeah!

2nd - i'm very lucky to work at a company with a real health focus. Twice a year, ING holds a challenge for selected employees, where they are given support from health programmes developed especially for the individual, along with a nutricionist & classes. They only choose 6 people for this programme per 6 months. I applied last year, and was not chosen. This time though.... I WAS PICKED!! I'm having some tests done this week, and the programme starts on the 30th!

So I hope you enjoyed reading this, as much as I did telling you!

Thursdays..

Yow Wah gwaan,

In lieu of the gym I went for a big walk after work today. Ended up being about an hour and a half in total - a few stops though I must admit. One was because I found out the answer to something I always wanted to know - how does the Pyrmont bridge open? I was unsure if it even did as the Monorail track runs along it. But I discovered that the bridge does indeed open - and the Monorail track stays put!! One of the supporting pylons rotates with the bridge, and stays supporting the track - and they still travel across the bridge even when it opens!!

Below I have pics of the bridge in its open state, along with the pic of my walk, and my food from Thursday.

Breakfast

Glass water - 375ml

Fresh Juice - 1 orange, 1 apple, 1 carrot, 1 stick celery

2 slices (small) of Bergin 'Men's health' bread - wholemeal with lots of seeds

2 eggs

A little butter

Vegemite

Morning

4 Wafer biscuits - very light!!

Bottle water (600ml)

Lunch

6 inch wholemeal baguette with Portugese chicken

Various vegies - lettuce, carrot, parsnip, sprouts, coriander

Bottle water

Afternoon

Bottle of water

Small box of sultanas

Apple

Dinner

Lamb roast - small mini roast

Vegies - carrot, corn broccoli

Gravy & Mint Jelly

11/2 glasses Sunkist light

Supper

1 nectarine

1 tub Ski d'light yoghurt

Exercise

Extended walk home - 90 mins (approx)

Spicksday...

Namaste,

Here's my wrap up of Spicksday - known elsewhere as Wednesday. I had a lovely 1 hour massage after work today, and that loosened me up a bit. I tried the rower, but I find that exercise sooo BORING that I gave up after 2 mins! then did 40 mins on the cross-trainer and worked up a sweat! Then walked home.

Here's my eats.

Breakfast
Glass Water (375ml)
Fresh Juice - 1 orange, 1 apple, 1 carrot, 1 stick celery
2 slices (small) of Bergin 'Men's health' bread - wholemeal with lots of seeds
Low fat Peanut Butter
Honey

Morning
Nothing

Lunch
Wholemeal baguette with lemongrass chicken with vegies - Lettuce, rocket, tomato, radish & carrott.
Bottle water - 600ml

Afternoon
Bottle of water - 600ml
1 Orange slice biscuit

Dinner
Marinated lamb chops with mixed vegies - corn, carrott & broccoli
1.5 glass Sunkist light

Evening
Bottle of water - 600ml
1 tub ski d'lite mixed berry yoghurt
1 necterine

Total water consumpion - 2175ml

C ya!