Home made muesli bars - NUT FREE!

For awhile I've been trying to find a nut free muesli bar recipe (since I'm allergic).

Today I decided to just make up my own, and they aren't half bad if I do say so myself!! Thought I would share them here. The best bit is, each bar is only 80 calories!

Jackie's yummy (NUT FREE) chocolate muesli bars:

INGREDIENTS:

3 egg whites
2 tsp ground cinnamon

1 tbsp cocoa powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup rolled oats (I used uncle tobys multigrain)
2/3 chopped dates
2 weetbix (crushed)
1 tbsp buckwheat flower
1 tsp honey

METHOD:

Preheat oven to 160 degrees.

Line a baking tin with foil and give a light spray of oil.

Combine egg whites, cinnamon, salt and cocoa in a bowl. Add oats, dates, weetbix, honey and flower. Mix until everything is coated.

Pour into tin and make an even layer by pressing mixture down using the back of a spoon.

Bake for 20-30 minutes. Leave to cool in tin.

Once cool, cut into 16 bars.

PUMP it up

Yesterday I sucked it up and faced one of my biggest gym fears.

Body Pump.

This class has always intimidated the hell out of me, I think it's because of all the equipment, having to change the weights throughout, and the fact that I have skinny, overcooked noodle arms that don't lend themselves well to weight training.

Originally I was going to be going with a friend who goes to my gym, but she kept making excuses not to go, and I wasn't about to use HER excuses as mine. There was no reason I couldn't go by myself. So that's exactly what I did.

While preparing to go I googled a lot to find out what to expect from my first class, but couldn't find anything overly helpful, so I thought I would do exactly that in this blog for other first timers (I might also do some about other classes that I've attended).

Firstly, what is pump? (According to the LES MILLS website...)

BODYPUMP™ is the original barbell class that strengthens your entire body. This 60-minute workout challenges all your major muscle groups by using the best weight-room exercises like squats, presses, lifts and curls. Great music, awesome instructors and your choice of weight inspire you to get the results you came for – and fast! Like all the LES MILLS™ programs, a new BODYPUMP™ class is released every three months with new music and choreography.

If you've ever looked in on one of these classes you will know that they are pretty intense. It is, from what I've heard, the most popular LES MILLS class worldwide, and at my gym at least, they classes are often packed.

Keeping this in mind I decided to go to my first class on a Thursday at 2pm because it seemed like a time that would be less busy, and it's easier to learn without a huge crowd, and easier to ask the instructor questions.

When I got to the gym the first thing I did was go straight up to the instructor and said 'Hi, I'm new to this class so what do I need to know?' I've NEVER been good at talking to people I don't know unless it's absolutely crucial so even doing this was pretty hard for me, but I'm glad I did, she was lovely and straight away told me to grab a step (the same step you need for Step class) and 2 risers, as well as a mat, and then she showed me all the weights.

For my first class she only gave me 4 discs, all 1kg.

So in the end all the equipment I grabbed was

1 x step
4 x risers
1 x bar
2 x clips (I don't know their real name but those things that stop the weights falling off the bar!)
1 x mat
4 x 1kg discs

Then she gave me the following advice:

1kg for warm-up
2kg for legs, chest and back
1kg for biceps, triceps and shoulders
NO WEIGHT OR BAR for squats and lunges

Basically she wanted me to concentrate on technique before worrying about loading up weights, but even with a very small amount of weight I am still feeling the DOMS the next day, so there is no doubt it worked.

Since she knew I was new, I'm pretty sure she talked a lot more about technique than she usually would have, which is why it is pretty important to tell an instructor that you are new. If they don't know, they sometimes assume you have heard the technique spiels a lot of times, but if you don't do it right you could really hurt yourself.

I'm pretty sure my technique was terrible but I tried my hardest to take in her advice, and plan to keep using the light weights for another couple of classes and really get the technique down before I load up.

Once I knew my way around the equipment, the class was really fun and flew by. I'm really glad I did it, and especially glad I faced my fears.

The best bit is, next time I go, I won't be the new one anymore. You only have to be new once!

Wednesday Weigh In

I was scared for this weigh in. In fact I stayed in bed for quite a long time after I woke up because I was terrified that I had gained, or at least stayed the same (which wouldn't be quite as bad, but still slightly upsetting).

Not sure why I thought this though. I have stuck to the eating plan exactly, haven't had one single slip up or one day over 1200. I have trained 6 days a week making sure I burn a minimum of 500 each session, and 1000 on Saturday.

I guess it was because I was feeling heavy and bloated. At the risk of giving away too much information, my system was a bit backed up. I was sluggish.

Just like Mish said it would though, it worked. I now officially trust her. This woman is my new idol! I will worship the ground she walks on until the day I die.

Today I weigh 57.4kgs (That's a 1.3kg loss from last weigh-in)!
Today was also the first time I was unable to burn 500 calories in a single class, so my body is getting fitter and needs to be worked harder!

Today has been a GOOD day! My confidence, which as I said last post, was at an all time low, is slowly creeping it's way back to the top.

Skin is clearing.
Hair is looking good again.
I can see my collarbones!
My arms are looking more shapely.
My legs are MACHINES (I have now TRIPLED the resistance I can use in RPM from my first class).

I have been slacking on my running goals though, which is terrible, so my focus this week is to get in more running.

I FEEL AWESOME. Loving life. Cannot WAIT until next week and all the weeks after. Bring on life. I'm ready to enjoy it!

Confidence at an all time LOW.

Yes, you read right. My confidence SUCKS right now.

I'm bloated.
My skin is breaking out like it's nobody's business.
The bags under my eyes are foul.
My hair is constantly greasy.

Ugh.

I'm assuming this is my body detoxing. I hope. Pleasepleaseplease.

I would like clear skin and shiny hair to go with my new body.

Do not hate anybody.

Ultimate Reward

Who remembers that Sex and the City episode where Samantha decides to get nude photos done so that she can look back on it in years to come and remember how hot she was?

I've decided I want to do that. Tasteful of course, I'm not talking about anything pornographic here.

So, when I've got my body (and confidence) exactly the way I want it, I'm going to do the same thing.

Selfish on a Sunday

I've decided that these next 12 weeks I'm going to be as selfish as I want to be.

I'm going to say 'no' to things I don't want to do.
I'm going to go to bed when I'm tired rather than feel obliged to stay up and go out.

I'm not going to date anyone. Every offer will get a firm 'thanks but no thanks'.

I will NOT share my food.
I will not say 'yes' to extra shifts at work if it will interfere with my workout plans.
I will not feel pressured to drink alcohol.

I will not worry about losing friends over being anti-social. Real friends will stick around.

These next 12 weeks I want to find myself, figure out my limitations and my strengths. By Christmas I would like to be more at peace with who I am as a person and the direction in which my life is going. I would like to love myself without the love or approval of others.

These 12 weeks are mine.

My kingdom for a doughnut...

So while the food plan on this program is delicious, I am finding myself obsessing over unhealthy food.

McDonalds, chocolate, doughnuts, nutella straight from the jar, creamy pasta, icecream, mountain dew... the list goes on.

I'm not sure if I always thought about food this much, but just went out and ate it whenever I had the urge, or if I'm thinking about it so much because I haven't had it for so long. It's probably been about 5 weeks now since I ate anything like that or had any soft drinks, and only a few days since I've been limiting my calories to 1200, so I guess it's just my body adjusting.

Usually this is the point where I give into my inner demon and go out to the supermarket for a family sized block of chocolate (or two if it's on special), but not this time. I know I don't need it. I WANT it, but I've come to this realisation:

I want a rockin' hot body and some amazing self confidence more.

That's worth so much more than the temporary pleasure I get from eating chocolate.

Eye on the prize.

And this shall be my prize...

Challenge ACCEPTED!

Welcome to blogging challenge number one. Thanks to Kath for organising it!

And here we go!

Describe yourself in 25 words or less:

"Basically what we have here is a dreamer. Somebody completely out of touch with reality. When she jumped she probably thought she could fly."

What brings you to 12wbt? Are you a first timer or a repeat offender?

12WBT virgin right here y'all. I'm doing it for a plethora of reasons.

First and possibly most importantly, I am here to lose my 'Mickey Weight'. I spent all last year living in the United States and working for Disney, and while it was an amazing experience, I can definitely now understand why America has such an obesity crisis. Even their 'healthy' options are super sized or all you can eat!

On my way home, I spent a month in Europe gorging myself on french pastries and pasta in Italy. Didn't help matters.

Sadly, even though I've been home since Febuary, I have done nothing about this situation, that stops now.

I'm also here to learn about my body and my limitations. I have a huge list of things I want to do (climb to Everest Base Camp, run a marathon, become a Les Mills instructor) and these were all things I previously believed were pipe dreams, because only fit, young, healthy people could do these things.

WHAT THE HELL!? I am young and healthy and definitely soon to be fit. I'm not wasting my life wishing I could do things, I'm going to get out there and do them!

Why do you blog?

Because I'm a narcissist who thinks everyone wants to know what I'm doing all the time. Anyone who follows me on twitter will know that.

Seriously though, I find it easiest to express myself via writing, always have, and it's nice to have something to look back on at the end of a journey and remind yourself of things you may have forgotten.

Who is your biggest inspiration in life and why?

In my own life my biggest inspiration is my paternal grandfather. He's lived a crazy life, travelled all over the world, and slogged his guts out working for years and years. He is also the only person in my family who supports me 100% without ever saying a nasty or discouraging word. Making him proud is my priority! I love him and would be so happy if by the time I get to his age I've done even half the things he has.

What things in life bring you the most joy?

Trashy reality TV
Clean sheets
New clothes
Spooning
Forehead kisses
Big sunglasses
Bubblegum
Sundresses
Glittery nail polish
New car smell
Hanging out with my family
Woodfire smell
BBQs
Late night cruising
Humid mornings
Cheesy pop songs
Midnight beach trips
Laughing until you pee your pants

In short.. the small things.

What do you think your greatest challenge is going to be this round?

Battling my self esteem issues that I have already touched on in this blog. I hope the happier I get with what I see in the mirror, the easier it will be to be happy with who I am on the inside. I'm going to try my hardest to make sure low self-esteem days don't lead to self sabotaging.

I want to feel free, happy and in control of my life and where it is heading, I'm hoping this program will help me on the path to that.

What are you most excited about 12WBT?

Pushing myself out of my comfort zone and pushing my body to its limits.

Also won't lie, kind of excited to run into ex-boyfriends with rocking new body and matching awesome attitude so they know what they are missing. (Don't lie, there are more people than just me thinking the same thing!)

And what scares the pants off of you?

Failing. Both by giving up, and by trying my hardest but not seeing results. Either of these outcomes scares the crap out of me.

Tell me - right now - today - how do you feel about exercise in no more than 10 words.

This is how I feel about it while I'm actually in the process of doing it:

Woo! - Fuck, I'm stuffed already - Quitting time? - Now? - Finished! BOOYAH!

Complete this sentence - in 12 weeks time - on the last day of 12WBT I am going to be feeling...

Rejuvenated. As young as I actually am. Confident.

Most of all, happy within myself!

Terrible Confession

Day one. DAY ONE of 12WBT, and I did not work out.

There are no excuses. I let myself sleep telling myself my body needed it, and by the time I got up there was no time before work to do anything.

At least I ate clean, only the foods on Mish's program. Burning at least 1000 calories tomorrow to make up for it.

Terrible start but still going to get great results!

New day

I love this program so much because of all the lovely people that give so much support. The comments I got yesterday were so nice and made me feel so much better.

So in honor of a new day:




Happy kickoff everyone!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Lucky number 4

Fourth date with guy mentioned a few blog posts ago. Fourth (or is it usually third) date activities transpired.

Here to put in writing that if he does not call, I will not self sabotage. I will not eat junk and stay in bed all day. I will get over it. I will not let it determine my self worth.

Strong, independent woman. Hear me roar.

(Maybe I will also try and work on why my brain automatically assumes that once a guy has had his fun with me that he will immediately lose interest).

Intermediate! Wha..!?

Who would have though, lazy, unfit little old me would do her fitness tests and average an intermediate level rather than a beginner level (3 of the 5 tests)? I was totally prepared and ready to start at a beginner level, but now pretty excited to push myself in the intermediate level.

MY RESULTS:

1km time trial: 5.38.6 seconds (intermediate - 8.6 seconds from advanced)
Pushups: 28 in a minute - on knees (intermediate)
Abdominal strength test: Level 1 (beginner)
Wall sit: 33.2 seconds (beginner)
Sit and reach: -1cm (intermediate)

BOOM goes the dynamite.

Boy sabotage

More people who I allow to bring me down and sabotage me.

Boys boys boys.

I completely allow them to determine my self worth. A whistle out a car window can make my day, but being ignored by a guy in a bar can send me into a spiral of depression. I don't even KNOW THESE MEN.

Somewhat recently a boyfriend that I had, broke up with me for a plethora of ridiculous and selfish reasoning, but that's beside the point. The point is we broke up, and I got deleted from every aspect of his life immediately. I had no right of reply or any chance to come to any kind of understanding. Never to hear from him again (or so I thought). Until now. Now, months later, he decides it is appropriate to bombard me with messages such as this:

"Hey Jackie... you still think I'm hot, right?"

"Let's bang"

"Do you still have the rose from that date?? Probably don't. It would make sense if you didn't. You looked really pretty that night. On the occasions when you smile, it's truly beautiful. You could melt the ice caps with that smile and drown us all."

"You know why I miss your smile? Because it was so satisfying. I didnt see it that often, so when I did, it was like a reward. A beautiful, smiley award."

(Warning, sailor language ahead).

WHAT THE FUCK? Get the fucking McFUCK out of my fucking life you scumbag, asshole, piece of shit, life ruining, SON OF A BITCH.

Now my brain automatically thinks I want... no, NEED chocolate, bed and a depressing movie. It's been my go-to medication for all aches and breaks of the heart.

Since we broke up I have worked really had to try and not allow the male opinion of me effect my opinion of myself, but it's hard. Really, really hard. My entire life I have been taught by the media, and movies, and music, and society, and even to an extent, my friends and family, that life is nothing without love and approval and respect from a guy.

Therefore, whenever I didn't get it, I felt a kick in my self-esteem so hard the only thing that could cure it was eating and crying, and crying and eating, and eating and crying.

This year has been especially brutal in the men stakes, there has been a lot of drama and a lot of what I perceive to be rejection. I think it's partially because I'm 22, and it's being constantly pointed out to me that I am the same age my mother was when she got married, and I am still pathetically single.

From here on in I'm calling these thoughts out for what they are... ridiculous!

I'm 22! I will never be younger or have more freedom than right now, in this moment. I do not need a male to define me. I can define myself, as a smart, strong, beautiful, independent woman. Maybe one day I will meet a guy who agrees that I am all of these things, but I will no longer settle for guys who don't. I don't need them.

The only person I need love from is myself.

First workout with new HRM

I think my old heart rate monitor was lying to me. Seemed like it took a lot more effort to get to 500 this workout session, but it made me dig deep!

Session consisted of:

7 minute warmup on Xtrainer
Leg presses
Chest presses
Assisted chin ups
C25K week 2 on treadmill
Then back on the Xtrainer for 10 minutes + cool down


Usually I would have finished after the treadmill run but I really wanted to see those calories reach 500. Great motivator!

For anyone wondering this is the Polar FT60 model.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Small Wins

Two small wins yesterday that have made me feel AWESOME today. (This will be quick as I only have half an hour before I have to leave for uni and I'm still sitting here in my pajamas, oops).

Win 1: I jumped on the scale yesterday morning and the number staring back at me was 59.5! WOOOHOOOOOOO! Goodbye 60s. Never again will I allow myself to weight over 60kgs (unless one day I happen to get pregnant, one and only exception).

Win 2: I ran a whole 1km without stopping, walked some, and the another 1KM without stopping, which I know is lame in comparison to all the other 12WBT, but is huge for me since I'm recovering from a knee injury, so once again: WOOOHOOO!

Feeling a bit cute to be honest, lucky because I have a kind of a date thing tonight! Nervous and still haven't planned my wardrobe. Wish me luck!