Eat Clean, Train Dirty Post#3 < do what makes you happy >

05-06-2014

Inspiration, motivation and creativity collide…

I love catch phrases, quotes, motivational speaking (listening to it and encouraging others).

The catch phrase "Eat Clean, Train Dirty" has stuck with me since I saw it the first time. I've made it my own personal catch phrase for the current journey I am on. Being the do or die personality type, I tend to really invest in an idea. Go big or go home I like to say. So I went a little overboard and had two vests printed.  I know that some people might find it silly, but I feel like such a badass wearing these lol.

So remember to Eat Clean, TRAIN DIRTY! and honestly, just do whatever makes you happy!!!

Because if that isn't the point of life, what is?

Eat Clean, Train Dirty! Let's Begin

This is my goal; 27 and in the best shape of my life… I turn 27 on the 10 August 2014, a mere 3 months and 11 days from when I started this journey… but lets say I'll be 27 for the next 364 days after that ;) which makes my goal more realistic.

I started on the 29 April 2014… weighing 65kg, unfit and eating just what I feel like…
I started CrossFit (29 April 2014) 3 times a week and gym twice in-between, a strict eating plan(Started 30 April 2014) and a determined mindset, I'm going for it!!!

Eat Clean, Train Dirty Post#2 < weighing in & my fitness role model >

04-06-2014
So I got onto the scale when I said I would… it was bad. I had only lots 1.2kg and I felt low, but what’s the one thing people always say, weight doesn't matter, measure yourself, see how your clothes fit, how do you feel and well, I felt great, and I could fit into my old jeans (you know that one pair us girls like to keep aside just in case we loose a couple of kilo's and we might be able to wear them again…) Those fit!

The same day I weighed myself however, I started feeling sick, and had an annoying little cough. Well by that evening I was sick as a dog and went straight to the Doc. Two courses of anti-biotics and 10 days of NO training I eventually felt better and went back to gym. The funny thing though was I kept loosing weight and by the time I finished my first week of training I had lost 2.2kg and now I'm down a flat 3kg!!! Training hard and eating clean.

It's amazing how one's body adjusts. Now if I have a weak moment and eat something like a chocolate or a piece of cake I get an instant headache, the type that lingers and needs a painkiller. Which is great, it makes not eating the bad stuff so much easier.

I've also had the privilege to have 3 personal training sessions with my fitness role model, Melissa Strijdom. I found Melissa somewhere on the Internet while looking for fitness inspiration or maybe it was on Pinterest. In the midst of my journey through cyber-space I found Melissa, and one link lead to the next I figured out this was a South-African girl, training as a fitness model in France of ALL places. The romantic idea of being in France and doing something I have always wanted to do or have always admired and respected, made me an instant fan. She was a great resource; tips, clean food-blogging, lifestyle, exercise advice and just plain visual inspiration.

And much to my benefit she recently moved back to South Africa, to my hometown and became a personal trainer at MY gym (well the one I frequent at).

So when I finally got my head right and started this "eat clean, train dirty" journey she was the one I got into contact with. Her meal plan, exercise plan, motivation, personal training and awesome personality has kept me going and on track. So if you're interested in health and fitness and you're ready to start your own journey to a better you, contact her!!! She offers online training, custom meal and fitness plans and personal training :)

Check out fitizfab.blogspot.fr.

This is Melissa Strijdom :)

Eat Clean, Train Dirty Post#1 < avoiding the scale >

14-05-2014
2 Weeks down and I'm feeling good. I don't know if I've lost weight, because I haven't weighed myself, but my clothes definitely fit better and I feel good. I haven't had sugar, chocolate or BACON! or more than 1 glass of red wine FOR TWO WEEKS and I feel gooooooooood!!! I'm almost afraid to get onto the scale though. What if what I see discourages me… I told myself I'd weigh in on the 16th…(in two days time). Lets see if I decide to follow through or rather stay motivated in the dark.

Also, I have a cheat weekend coming up (boyfriends' going to be in town) lets hope I don't fall off of the wagon! :(

30 Day Challenge - follow up

Today my 30 Day Challenge comes to an end... 

Am I happy with the results... honestly off hand I'd have to say no. 

Like anyone that sets off and tackles a challenge, one hopes for the optimum results. I haven't lost much weight, and thats actually what I wanted! But me being the eternal optimist has to focus on the positive and look at what this challenge has resulted in.


1. I haven't bought a chocolate in 30 days, so I've saved money :)

2. I have eaten chocolate maybe 3 times in 30 days... which is HUGE because I was having chocolate and sweet things almost everyday before. My cravings have almost completely disappeared and I can say NO! (and it feels good)

3. I've developed a different mind set. I often tell myself "how bout I don't and say I did". What this does is fool myself into thinking I've had a chocolate or whatever... not really, but what it does is make me realise that the craving that I think I have is all in my mind, I don't really need it, it's not contributing to my well being, and I'm going to have to work harder to burn the energy and avoid the weight gain by eating it.

4. It has made me realise that I comfort eat, which is a classic case of avoidance, and it's not healthy! Deal wish your feelings - don't eat them!

5. I've become more aware of how I fuel my body and more conscious of how I feel when I eat whatever I eat. I actually read labels now. It's like putting petrol in your car, your tank is only so big, if you want to put more in you're going to have to start putting fuel in canisters and storing it in the trunk which inevitably slows you down and is just down right dangerous.

6. I've started exercising again, and even though I haven't yet found the sustainable activity that will keep me trim and happy, I now actually want to try things and find it!


Soooooooo... my 30 day challenge was more about breaking bad habits, forming some good ones and becoming more conscious about what i eat and focussed on continuing a healthy lifestyle. If you're in the same boat, don't loose hope reframe and learn from your results and keep at it!

It's my birthday weekend coming up so healthy eating and exercise will take a backseat till next week, but soon I'll report on the next challenge! 
xxx

30 Day Challenge

Sunday night, on the couch, just before starting "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire", soaking up the heat from the heater, Cadbury Bubble chocolate right and ready for devouring! Very subtly, the words are uttered... "last chocolate for a month, ok?"

dum, dum, dum! 

Last chocolate for a month... 

Last chocolate for a month? 

Last chocolate for a month.

What does that even mean?!!!

Without pause, I hear myself saying, "ok" (casually, without any fight).

Last chocolate for a MONTH!!!!! but but but... 

This is what started my 30 day challenge. 

I'm a true believer in accepting one's body, but in the same breath I believe it's important to feel comfortable with your body and your weight.

comfortable = feel good = confident = attractive

At the same time, I know that I need to exercise, because 1.) I love food (have a sweet tooth), 2.) my body type (sporty), looks stupid with extra weight (I don't develop sexy curves, I just put on fat everywhere, which sucks, because it takes a while to notice it, but once you do, it's like "dam, when did this happen") and 3.) ultimately exercise makes me happy.

I've always had a tainted philosophy; "I exercise so that I can eat what I want." Well, when your lifestyle changes and exercise doesn't happen so often, you sure as hell need to look at what you eat.

I don't "diet", crash diets lead to binge eating, and with my personality, I'd crash, binge, crash, binge, crash, binge. So no dieting, rather making a lifestyle change.

So I've found a eating plan and I'm changing.

My 30 day challenge consists of the following:

No chocolate

No bread/wheat/pastry etc

More water

More exercise

I've broken this down into 3x 10 day cycles (Day 1-30). After each cycle I increase my daily water intake, exercise and do a "weigh-in". Today is day-3... and so far so good...

If I'm brave enough I'll reveal my progress at day-10.

Here goes nothing.