Morning
- Bowl of muesli with a handful fresh blueberries
- 1 Glass of fresh grapefruit juice

Mid-Morning
- 1/4 melon and 10 grapes
- Handful of mixed nuts
- 1 glass of water

Lunch
-  Tuna and salad
-  1 small bottle of water

Mid-afternoon
- wholemeal flat bread with chicken and pesto (340 calories)
- Cup of coffee (two sweeteners)
- glass of water

Evening
- brown rice, broccoli and tablespoon of sun-dried tomato sauce (YUM)
- 1/2 glass of fresh cherry juice
- 2 small bottles of water
- Green Tea


Exercise

Today I worked with one of the in-house trainers at the gym with the view to switching up my routine. Balancing my cardio and weights as Debra has suggested. He worked with me earlier this year (just to induct me into the gym and test my stamina – which wasn’t a lot at the time)  and was pleased to help me again. He’s given me brand new goals now which really focus on fat loss – which is great!  He spent a whole hour with me.

30 minutes on the bike – yep upped my time again!!! (resistance 4 – I did one minute all out fast paced and then alternated it with a minute at a slightly slower – this was done for 30 minutes)

10 minutes on the cross trainer. My trainer had me do this course where you basically go up a hill and come back down again. I did it but I had to focus because the hill was tough!!!

200 metres sprint program on the rowing machine.My trainer told me I could cuss at him if I wanted to when doing this. LOL It was such a slog but I was NOT going to let that rowing machine get the better of me. NO WAY!! I kicked its butt and I didn’t cuss when doing it. That alone is a miracle! He said once I feel that this is not a slog I should take a small rest and do another 200 metres. That is one of my new goals on this piece of equipment.

Cardio took 45 minutes.

We upped my weight training.

18 reps at 35lbs on the Leg Press plus another 10 just for good measure.
20 reps at 35lbs on the Lap Pull plus another 5 (just to see how many I could do after the initial set)
40 + reps at 55lbs on the Chest Press – My trainer was really impressed with the strength in my legs.

He suggested I do two circuits of the weight training. He’s going to monitor my progress.

All the while we were talking which means I had energy to chat and do the workout. The only time I really had to concentrate on my breathing was when I was on the cross trainer. But only when I was going up the hill section of the workout.

My trainer said that Pilates would be good but when I looked at the timetable both classes fall on days I have to go out of town – so I decided to go for the Ashtanga Yoga class instead. That’s on Friday. He said with either yoga or pilates I can work on my abdominal muscles so that’s great – because they do need work. I’ve never done Ashtanga before (only Bikram) so we’ll see how I get on.

I have to admit after coming back from London today I really didn’t feel like going to the gym – but I made a point of taking my gym kit with me to London and walking to the gym immediately when I arrived back on the train – this was great because I didn’t go home and get all cosy. Once I was at the gym and on the bike I instantly felt energized and it’s only now (a few hours later) I’m beginning to feel tired. Just the right time for a good nights sleep.

I know that’s one of the main hurdles for many women is having the energy after work. All I can say is you have to push yourself to go – but you will be rewarded by a natural high once you’re done with your workout. It’s working for me!

One last thing – Tonight I bought my son some large choc-chip cookies as a treat. He offered me one and I said no. He held it there and waited. I said no again. He said, ‘Well done Mum, you’ve passed the test!’ HA! So yes – you can tell I’m focused and driven – and most of all content, even without chocolate!

P.S. To follow Vanessa’s thoughts and feelings along her journey go to http://vanessareece.com/category/wellbeing/