on eating clean...

So last week I started an official 'clean eating' program. 

Over the past 6+ months I've been following Amanda (of Amanda's Daily Dose of Awesome or her previous blog Me vs The Bulge), and absolutely impressed of her efforts to not only loose weight, but compete in not one, but two sports model competitions!

I got Amanda to write me a tailored clean eating program and stocked up on good, healthy, clean foods. Protein, brown rice, sweet potato, heaps of vegies and fruit and supplements.

I already ate fairly well, but had a shocking sweet tooth (afternoon chocolate, biscuits etc), and sometimes deserts. Then on weekends my eating fairly well would go well out the window!

So I started last week as I said, and have had success already! Weight and centimeters have both been lost, and my sugar cravings have (almost diminished). I'm feeling more awake, less tired, and have more energy.

It's amazing how just a few changes in your diet can make such a difference - even to someone who wasn't eating crap day in day out!

I don't see this as a 'diet' at all. It's a lifestyle change, and can see myself sticking to it. Yes, I've had a few set back (especially those office occasions where cake is bought out), but for the main part I'm sticking to the plan. :)

At the moment, my aim is to continue to build up my running (to complete my first 1/2 marathon here in Darwin in July), and also continue to build muscle and strength.

Amanda is about to launch her meal/exercise plans soon - so keep an eye out on her facebook page! 

Q Have you made any changes to your meals/diet lately?

A snapshot of my weekend...

a music festival. a new singlet & necklace from sportsgirl. strongbow clear cider. BBQ. sun. new friends. dancing. moshpit. The Jezabels. Hangover. grocery shopping. house cleaning. making 'healthy' shepherds pie.

Q How was your weekend?

Project Life: March

So I'm a little late... :/ But at least it's done, and I'm so glad I'm doing these monthly pages this year. It's a quick and easy way to sum up the month - and then I use other leftover photos to scrapbook other pages. :)

March was pretty busy. I sent care packages to friends, had my car broken into, enjoyed glorious sunsets, went out for dinner and to the Wave Pool here in Darwin for a friend's birthday. I also had a whirlwind trip back home for a Taylor Swift concert, went to see the local AFL football grandfinal up here, went to Litchfield National Park to the Buley Rockholes and more...

 And that's it for March. To come... April project life layout and April Instagram layout.

Crossfit review and fitness update

So I've now been "doing" CrossFit for about 3 months now. I remember coming off my 'intro" sessions, and doing the WOD 'Angie' and having t-rex like arms for a few days! The pain was the most intense DOMS I've EVER had!

Well since then I've definitely improved. I haven't done any of the same workouts - hence I can't really see how much i've improved in the respect. However, I do know that I have increased my weights, lowered my use of resistance bands (doing pullups) and more!

When I started I could only do pull ups on the red band (it goes blue, red, orange,yellow, then unassisted), now I'm on the orange band.

I can now do around 6 kipping pullups in a row, and 2 strict pullups un-assisted! :)

I still can't do handstands, let along handstand push ups! :(

In terms of weights, my overhead squats are my worst - with my PB sitting at 17.5kg (squatting to a box) - but usually it's 13kg. In the rest I'm increasing and improving. My PB deadlift is 70kg (4 sets, 3 reps), Back Squat 42.5kg (4 sets, 3 reps) or my 1 rep max was 65kg and Push Press 35kg (5 sets, 5 reps).

Just this last week one of my fellow CrosFitter's said, "Ali you're getting so much stronger, and your arms are getting heaps more defined", and "your back has amazing definition". I'm definitely feeling stronger, more toned, fitter and have noticed changes in the mirror too. :) Which is a nice benefit.

Pictures taken 12 April 2012.

And the difference a year can make...

While my running has taken a back foot (it's hard to run and go to crossfit 5-6 days a week!), I feel like it's for a good cause. I've got the NT City to Surf 12.7km run coming up, and yes I haven't been training as good as I can or for as long a distance as I should be (having only run two 7km runs and a few 5-6kms), I feel strong, and come race day I know I'll be able to finish it - and that's my aim...

I'm feeling great and looking forward to my next fun run, and then training for my first 1/2 marathon in July!

Q Have you ever tried CrossFit? Do you lift weights? What kind of exercise do you do and do you set goals for yourself?

Review: Berry Springs Nature Park

Just 47km from Darwin lies Berry Springs Nature Park. The Park protects part of Berry Springs Creek, which has steps leading down to two large pools which are available to swim in (when open in the dry season).

The park itself has signs for flora and fauna, several walking tracks (which we explored), picnic and BBQ facilities and public toilets. It's a great day out - as it's right next to Berry Springs Wildlife Park too.

Be sure to check if the pools are open before going - it's not necessary to visit, but would be definitely nice!

Q Have you been to Berry Springs Nature Park?

where i stand...on work

We work to live, yes? 

Some of you may agree with me, some won't... In MY world, I work full-time, 40 hours a week in a marketing position. I spend the majority of my time at work to be able to have fun after work and on the weekends.

I've studied PR, marketing and journalism at university to get where I am today, and after having worked for 4 1/2 years in full time work in PR/marketing, I feel like I've earned my place. I love writing, and social media, building communities and gaining publicity for good services. I have a keen eye for design and love papercrafts and fitness. 

I'm currently living in Darwin for a set period of time, before most likely moving back to Melbourne, buying a house and settling down. I want to learn, grow and develop my skills as much as possible while I'm here in Darwin and enjoy my time at work. My current job in Darwin, allows me to live a much more comfortable life than I was living in Melbourne, and at the moment am able to save for a house deposit.

Unfortunately, while my job allows me to live (comfortably), I'm not enjoying it (as much as I should) due to circumstances out of my control. My employers know this and it's frustrating not being able to do what you want to be doing.

I'm in a situation where I am really getting to develop my skills in PR and marketing, and am learning what I like doing and what I don't. I know my strengths and weaknesses, and what area's I'd like to develop further. I have a fair idea of the kind of dream job I'd love to have, and have had these discussions with a similar like minded person.

It excites me and makes me wishful for a brighter and more enjoyable work future. But for now, I just have to wait it out, learn a  little more and plan, research and prepare. :)

Q What about you? How does your current job line up with your 'dream job'? Do you have passions/hobbies outside of work that you wished you could 'do' full time?

Review: Wagait Beach

Just on the western side of Darwin harbour lies the Wagait beach, nestled on the Cox Peninsula. A couple of weekends ago, Brad's parents and I drove a good 2 hours to get to the Cox Peninsula. It's an interesting drive from Darwin, taking you past Berry Springs (there is a nature reserve there and huge Wildlife Park), however it is accessible via ferry too (only a 15minute ride) - which meets at Mandorah (4km from Wagait beach).

Wagait beach (named after Wagait tower, built after cyclone Tracy). It's a pebbly little beach, with beautiful white and pink rocks that stretch for miles. 

Also to see on the Cox Peninsula is Mandorah - where the Mandorah jetty and Mandora Hotel is - a great spot to each lunch (we just missed out, as the kitchen closed at 2pm!)

We had a great little trip on this day, and on the way home, stopped at Berry Springs nature reserve (blog post to come in a couple of days!)

For more information on the Cox Peninsula head here.

26 years - celebrating in style

This year I was a bit apprehensive thinking about my birthday, and how I might celebrate it (or not)... With having moved 4000+km away from all my loved ones, family and friends... I knew I'd been feeling a bit sad not being able to celebrate with dinner and/or drinks.

At first I wasn't going to do anything. For Brad's birthday we were back in Victoria celebrating Easter... and mine, it was just us. So I thought, "stuff it" - I'm going to celebrate in style! :)

It all started with purchasing my first designer dress, my Camilla kaftan. From there I booked dinner at Ruby and drinks at Viva La Vida here in Darwin CBD. I'd been to Ruby with work once and knew the food was amazing, and the new wine bar in time, Viva La Vida would be perfect for sophisticated drinks! ;)

I rounded up Brad's family, his cousins and their partners, one of his mates from work and his girlfriend and a couple of my friends along for the night. 

It was a lovely dinner, everyone's meals were excellent and no complaints. We then walked a couple of doors down to Viva La Vida for drinks too (Mojito sours, espresso martini's, pear cider!)

I had an awesome night and am super lucky to have amazing family up here in Darwin and some pretty awesome new friends too! ;)

Review: Darwin Military Museum

Just recently in February, the Govener-General opened Darwin's new $10 million 'Defence of Darwin Experience' at East Point.

I discovered the new state of the art museum (which includes digital sound and light displays, interactives features and cool touch screens), with Brad's parents just a couple of weekend's ago. 

For those who don't know, just 70 years ago, on 19th February 1942, Darwin was bombed by Japanese air forces, 243 people were killed, and a further 400 were injured. It's astonishing that more bombs were dropped on Darwin than on Pearl Harbour!

The museum is fantastic! It's set on East Point - between two huge gun emplacements (built to defend the city and the harbour) and is a great day (or half day) out for families and adults. With a cafe on site, and much to see, it's definitely worth the visit to find out about how Australia was affected in WWII.

At the museum there's a 15minute film including live footage, photos and special effects that depicts the first air raid (one of at least 60 that hit Darwin), there is also artillery,armored vehicles and photographs. The museum displays war memorabilia, gun aiming equipment, firearms and aviation, navy and army exhibits.

Darwin Military Museum

5434 Alec Fong Lim Drive, East Point, Darwin.

open daily 9.30am - 5pm

website

phone: 08 8981 9702

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NT City to Surf 2012: Training plan

The NT City to Surf (12.7km) is on Sunday 3rd June. My goal is to run it in 1:10.00 (5.31min/km). My last fun run I did (in November last year) was 12.1km and I did it is 1:05.09 (5.22min/km).

Given that I haven't been doing as much running lately, and mainly focusing on strength training at crossfit, I need to come up with a training plan to get me back into running longer distances.

Lately, as I've just moved to Darwin, and getting used to the humid weather (although now it has cooled a little), I'd only been on a few 4-5km runs. 

I'm also aimed to complete my first half marathon in late July, so with a little help from Ally I found an 'Asics training plan' calculator. 

So I built my training plan for the half marathon, and have altered it slightly so I can complete the 12.7km NT City to Surf in just under 4 weeks! I hope this plan works - I haven't been running too much, and don't want a re-occurence of last year when I had a stress fracture in my ankle! So I'll just see how it goes, and back ff if i need to.

Q Do you have any fun runs coming up? Or tips for my training plan or first long fun run since November?

Weekend recap - May Day long weekend

Woah! What a huge (long) May Day weekend! Brad and I had his parent's staying so we got out and saw a few things and ate pretty well!

Here's just a snapshot of just a few things we got up to....

Berry Springs Nature Reserve, Driving along NT roads (to ' Douglas Hot springs), a visit to Mandorah (Waigit beach) and Darwin War Museum.


Other things worth mentioning... a lovely dinner at "La Beach", Saturday morning Crossfit session, soft boiled eggs for breakfast, pizza & cold rock ice cream, rekorderlig pear cider and BBQ dinner and mini cheesecakes.

A lot of the places we visited there will be upcoming blog posts over the coming week about them.

Q How was your weekend?

May goals

This month I've expanded my goals a little, to include running, putting good food in my belly, scrapbooking (as always - because I still need a little motivation, and time set aside to get it done), smile more and frown less (it's getting easier and easier)... And of course, get out and see more of the Northern Territory! ;)

 

Q What are your goals for May?

Website review: Endless.com

Last week I mentioned I was in need of some help ordering some shoes to match my Camilla kaftan.... The first place I turned to was Endless. I know my mum had ordered a wallet from there for my Christmas present last year and said the service was good, and they have free shipping to Australia (for orders over $100).

Endless is run by amazon and specialises in shoes, handbags, wallets, accessories and jewellery. Brand names like Michael Kors, Nine West, Kate Spade, Fossil, Hush Puppies, Rebecca Minkoff, Kenneth Cole, Sam Edelman,

So I picked a pair of shoes (thanks to you guy who helped out), added a net wallet for myself and a couple of other gifts and clicked 'add to cart'. I placed the order late last Thursday afternoon. Platinum shipping was free (my order was over $125), and a delivery time estimates was available immediately (they estimated 3rd May)! 

I tracked my order carefully, and then I checked it at work and saw it had attempted to be delivered on Tuesday 2nd (a day early). I changed the delivery address, and it was delivered to my work today!

I must say I was so happy with everything (apart from my order being split into two separate boxes (and deliveries for some reason). My shoes fit perfectly, and I know I saved at $120 on the three wallets I purchased! :) Gotta be happy with that!

Oh and for those peeps wondering, the shoes I picked... were the Michael Antonio ones. They match my Camilla oh so perfectly!

Q What recent online stores have you found to be of excellent service?

April Goals review

So this month I tried to set a few goals for myself.... and met a few of them...

So I aimed to do a few things this month, but only completed a few! I did scrapbook two out of the four layouts, and didn't get the March project life page done (it's partially done, just not scrapbooked). As for the rockclimbing I do have a groupon ticket to use and Brad and I have to use it this month before it expires! And the Vietnam digital album, I didn't do any more on it!

I ran 14.15km - not 20. Oh bugger!

Stay tuned for my May goals!