The Diva and the Pineapple.

So I did the Discovery Walk the Talk and there were thousands of people ahead of me, good news is that there were thousands of people behind me too :)

Faizel has this cool application on his cellphone, its called Sports Tracker and he makes sure that our training sessions and events are recorded each time.

He always sends me the stats and yes, Faizel is the one who takes all the pictures. Its like having my own paparazzi following me everywhere. This time I was spotted in the crowds with a "Peculiar Pineapple"...

I completed the Discovery WTT 8km course in the following times for the last 3 years respectively:

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2007 - 01:58
2008 - 01:31:53
2009 -01:29:03

I managed to shave off a whole 2 minutes 50 seconds from my previous year's time. My average pace was 9 min 29 sec per km as opposed to last year's 10 min 5s per km. I was so focused and intent on improving my time, that for a short while I was walking by myself ahead of Faizel and my family. They caught up with me when I reached the hills. From the attached stats, one can see that even though my fastest lap was 8min 20 sec per km in 2008, my lap times in 2009 was more consistent, except for at the start when one needs to find a gap to walk lest you make someone fall.

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The 8km event was fun to do and yet still challenging, and if I look back to where I've been and where I'm at now, I've come a long way. This is one way of staying positive, when all other progress, like losing a few grams seems so negligible. This week, I lost 400g, putting me now at 84.05kg. Another way to stay positive, is to think positive. I'm gonna think "sexy, gorgeous, voluptuous Diva"...I already have the paparazzi following me and my 2 seconds of fame on TV :)

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W

Battle of the Scales...

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Another week gone, another 450g down, I'm at 84.45kg, officially. Today, I had to wake up really early (and for those of you who know me, will know that I am NOT a morning person) to go to the gym, to weigh myself on the "official scale". I was at gym last night and forgot to do my weigh-in on the "official scale", but I did weigh myself on the "Virgin Healthzone scale" (just to accumulate points of course). I was shocked and started justifying why the scale suddenly went above 85kg, it was frustrating because as much as I had good food over the weekend, I had worked my backside off (you may take that literally) trying to increase my fitness levels.

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I actually went to gym twice last week, completed a 10km run/walk and had a 45 min squash session but yet, the weight loss is slow. Now one might argue that I'm building muscle (I know I am) or that it was the time of day that I weigh myself, use water retention as another reason or even mention that I was layered with too many clothes on the "Virgin Healthzone scale". But, just to confuse things a little more, I weighed myself on Faizel's little mechanical scale too over the weekend, and it said 82kg! Faizel congratulated me and said that its been a good week, but I was sceptical and was proven right...its not over until the Fat Lady has sung, or more appropriately, its not over until the Fat Lady gets on the "official scale"...

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So why do we do this to ourselves? We have this love-hate relationship with scales, we love the ones that show us what we want to see, and hate the ones that don't OR, we just don't get onto them at all. So, the battle may be lost on the scale, but the war is won by my reducing waistline!

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W

Absence makes the heart grow fonder...NOT! (It makes the hips grow wider)

Hi All,

I've been quiet for a while now, and not as diligent as I should be when it comes to the updates. Thanks to everyone who has enquired about my status and also motivated me to continue, I do appreciate that you're expressing an interest in my cause and in my life.

From my last update, I informed you all that I would go for the Vitality Health Assessment and a Zumba class. I kept true to my word and did both. From the results of the assessment, you'll see that I still have a long way to go in terms of getting fit and healthier. Not everything is doom and gloom, I thoroughly enjoyed the Zumba class and loved the rythms and the hips swaying and the busts moving seductively (picture Beyoncè and her most daring dance moves here).

I've been absent from gym for a while after my Zumba class and my absence made me pick up a little weight. I'm currently at 84.9 kg. I have started following a new work-out plan that incorporates cardio and weight training, this specially adapted for me by my biokineticist.

Yesterday, 12 July 2009, I completed my second Pirates 10km race. It was a good route, with uphills within the first 5km and then downhill for most of the second 5km. I didn't go as fast as I wanted to, but did keep a steady pace...jogging that is. I even managed to run uphill and have a conversation with Faizel and other passers-by (and they do pass me). The thing I enjoy most at these races are the camaraderie amongst all the people. The bonding between family, the people you often meet at other races, people on whom you've made such an impression, that they still remember you after a year (even if you don't remember them at first) and can compliment you on your weight loss (Thanks Linda!) and most of all, the organisers, cheering you on, getting excited when they see you working hard at it and shouting "Good on you girl, keep it up". My time for this 10 km is: 1h 44 min. On 26 July 2009, we'll be doing the Discovery WTT, its going to be fun because most of my friends will join me in the walk.

Till next week (I promise)...

W

Still going Strong!

Its only when one is sick, that you find true appreciation for your [relatively] healthy body.
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This week was the first week I didn't have to suffer with headaches and congestion and its amazing how one takes for granted one's limbs, physical and mental capability. So another entry in my gratitude journal is to be thankful that I can walk, run, play, swim and feel like I can fly. And, to treat my body with more respect than I have in the past. So to show my appreciation, I think I'll celebrate by attending a Zumba class this afternoon at my VA gym.
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The numbers are looking good, I lost another 900g over the last 2 weeks. I'm down to 84.5kg! It really does make a difference, when my niece, Kaashifa, makes comments like "When did you get so thin?"
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I've also booked a fitness assessment for next week with a VA Biokineticist, and I'm hoping to get closer to my goals by applying the information from the Biokineticist's report.
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Keep warm and safe.
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W

Jive for 5!

I broke through the 5kg mark, I am now at 85.4kg, and lost 0.9kg over the last week. I was alternating my meals and did a bit of work on my exercise ball (though I think I had more fun just bouncing on it).

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The most difficult part is to get myself to the gym or get ready for my jog but the results are sweeter than the sweetest koeksister...yes, I can say things now like chips, cake, cookies without craving for it all the time :)

Keep well all.

W

Mini Plateaus and Really Mini Triumphs

Hi All,
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So I've hit a "mini plateau", and only lost about 100g again this week. Seems I can't get away from the 80's. I'm now on 86.3 kg and really need to up my game (though its difficult to get myself to gym these days, especially when its so cold).
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I completed my first 400m "sprint" (if you can call it that) yesterday, without stopping to walk or rest. Though I started seeing spots when I tried to repeat my triumph second time around.
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I've also started doing some resistance training in conjunction with my cardio exercise. So despite the slow weight loss, I'm feeling better and looking better. In fact, I had noticed earlier this week that my stretch marks are disappearing...just imagine the stretch marks being an army of soldiers and an Army Sergeant shouting "Retreat men, pull back!!...Sir, Yes Sir!"
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Till next week.
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W

Slow Week

Its been a slow week for me. I lost only 100g. I tried my utmost best to stay on the straight and narrow, but the samoosas/chicken nuggets and sweet chilli sauce was too lekke at Shaahida's place :)
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I'm still trying to maintain my jog sessions on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, and now at work, we've started walking during our lunchtimes. The irony of it all is that the more I excercise, the more I feel hungry. I wake up hungry and try to supress the pangs, but every time the tune of Lilly Allen's lyrics plays in my head - "And I am a weapon of massive consumption and its not my fault its how I'm programmed to function" (from The Fear).
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At least I'm not afraid to try again and again, even when there's negative progress, it brings me to one of my all time favourite star's lyrics (Aaliyah, may her soul rest in peace): "And if at first you don't succeed, Then dust yourself off and try again, try again". But, before I break out in song and dance (on the desks), let me sign off.
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W
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PS: Thank you to those who show their continuing support, I've "recruited" a few more people to walk with me and I think we're gonna have a blast at the Discovery Walk the Talk!

Gratitude

My apologies for not updating you last week, I was away on holiday.

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I was aiming for that 5kg mark this week, but alas! It has eluded me. To date, I have lost a total of 4.15 kg! Yes people, I'm down to 86.5kg! Its not as much as I'd hoped for but still something to celebrate, I celebrate the fact that I'm healthier (my blood pressure has decreased), I notice the difference in the mirror and I'm still feeling positive and having fun at the same time.

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This week, I'd like to take a page out of my Gratitude Journal (I'm a big Oprah Fan):

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I'd like to thank everyone who made my birthday special, all the phone calls/sms'es/birthday wishes, the appropriate gifts (all relevant to my cause), the donations (though some of you struggled to donate, I appreciate the gesture), and then to those who stopped me from eating too much chocolate cake :)

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Then, I'd like to thank my sister, Sharmilla, for being such a worthy opponent. There's this little thing called "Sibling Rivalry" between us, and it doesn't matter how fast I run, she just runs faster! Well done on beating me in the Cradle of Humankind Race! On Sunday, 03 May 2009, I managed to improve my time for the 10km race by 8 minutes (1h 49min to 1h 41min), but Sharmilla just managed to get in there before me.

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Also, a special thanks to Chaneen, who offered those words of encouragement during the race. Hope to see you at the next one!

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Have a beautiful week ahead, till next week.

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W

Entourage

Since tomorrow is a public holiday, I'd like to give my update to you a day earlier. I'm into my 3rd week of the challenge now and I'm happy...no, relieved, that the number on the scale is down to 87.8 kg! That's a weight loss for this week of 1.2 kg, bringing my total weight loss to 2.85kg. I'm more or less on track with where I want to be and I can see the results, especially around my waist.

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This week, I had lots and lots of support. My long time friend suggested we jog around the stadium in our area and we've recruited a few more ladies to join us today. It's actually a brilliant idea: We complain that we don't get to see each other often enough and that work and personal commitments keep us too busy. This way, we're doing something constructive as well as spend time together...thanks Noby!

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Also, on Sunday, I had my own "Entourage" :) My nieces, Kareema aged 19 and Kaashifa aged 12, also showed their support by joining me on my weekly Emmerentia training sessions. Despite all the ups and downs during this session, I managed to finish 3.7km in 38 minutes 55 seconds. That is, 2minutes 30seconds less than my work out on 13/04/2009. As always, Faizel was there to hook me up to all his gadgets and cheer me on!

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Be safe and have a good vote tomorrow...till next week!

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PS: Don't forget to please sponsor my cause. Do it 4 Charity has a celeb fundraiser...to find out who it is, browse the Do it 4 Charity website a bit more after you've read my update.

Challenges over the Easter weekend.

Hi All,

I'm accountable for my actions and since I made my weight challenge public, I owe it to the people who support me an update. So, here I am, telling you about the challenges I faced over the Easter weekend.

First off, I want to congratulate everyone who took the challenge with me, and thank my friends and family for their ongoing support.

Over the Easter weekend I asked myself "How does one maintain a diet and still get involved in social events?" The answer I now know is with a strong will and a lot of determination, something which I lacked this weekend, but aspiring to achieve through the next few months.

To recap, last week I lost 1.85kg, which put me at a weight of 88.80 kg. This week however, I picked up a whole 200g! I'm back at 89.00 kg and feel like I have to start all over again. That's the thing about changing your lifestyle. It has to be one day at a time.

The whole weekend wasn't lost though - I started my training again on Sunday. We were out at Emmerentia Dam early on Sunday morning and went for what I thought was a gentle walk. However, I was nudged a bit to do a bit more (thank you Faizel), and I ended up doing a brisk walk and worked up a bit of a sweat. I did 3.7km in 40min 58sec.

I knew I had to "catch up" on exercise (especially since Craig's mantra is "Eat Less, Walk More"), so I decided to do it again on Monday morning. This time, I thought I could beat my previous time by jogging instead of walking. I thought I did pretty well, and according to the heart rate monitor that Faizel let me use, I was in the "fat burning zone" for most of the time. However, not being as fit as I should, my recovery times were longer for jogging and because I wanted to rest a bit more under the Wild Cherry tree (its tough), my times was a bit worse than on Sunday. I completed 3.7km in 41min 25sec.

Immediately after the jog I thought "What's the point?". But every little bit helps, even just taking a walk across the street to the shops makes a difference.

So the moral of today's update is: "Instead of giving yourself reasons why you can't, give yourself reasons why you can." If I can get out there, jog and try (eventually I'll succeed), so can you...