Leaps and Bounds

So Tom, you said I needed another update, here it is.

Since my last post so much good has happened.

I have dropped a decent amount of weight (3.4kg since last post) and it is steadily dropping still. My measurements have also dropped significantly, and I now have a healthy waist measurement. I am also no longer obese according to the BMI scale.

My paleo eating has been going well. I have one or two non-paleo treats a week, and that works fine for me. I'm feeling more energized. I enjoy what I eat, and obviously my body is happy with it as well.

My exercise is great, I'm doing at least two different forms of exercise each day. I'm also easing myself back into strength training, which is working out really well, judging by my measurements and my muscle tone.

I also have the wonderful news of being accepted into my course. I will be studying for four years, and coming out as a qualified nutritionist and naturopath. I'm really excited about this. I can't wait for my passion to become a career. I have a few ideas of where I'm going to take it, but we'll wait and see for now.

Dancing is going well, I have started a modern class on Wednesdays. The waltz is a much harder workout than you'd think, if you have the correct form! Heel-toe-toelower is dreaded by my calves, but I love the challenge.

Overall life is pretty damn good at the moment. I just hope I can keep it rolling!

First Steps

What a beautiful day. I'm so thankful that sunshine is good for health, especially with the weather sitting in the high 20s all week.

I've lost half a kilo through healthy eating in the last week. I also got a two hour massage from my friend Kate, who is studying massage therapy. However I've been a bit slack with walking and skipping. Skipping is affecting my calves, leaving them too tight to walk properly sometimes! I'm hoping I can figure out some way I can do both dancing and skipping without crippling myself.

Also, I only have to submit my extra documents to VTAC this week, and then my application for Endeavour College will be complete! A bit excited =)

In The Beginning..

So let's just start with a little explanation/update.

My name is Samantha. I'm 22 in a week and a half. I have always been interested in health, fitness and nutrition, but was set back majorly due to illness, and eventually cancer surgery and treatment.

I studied a certificate 3 in fitness, and started my certificate 4, but couldn't continue due to surgery and then the next year, due to treatment. Needless to say I became disillusioned, and sank into depression.

In this depression I gained weight, and spent most of my nights out drinking and partying with 'friends'. About 3 months ago, thanks to living with my mum again, I dragged myself out of the cycle, and now spend my time on more important things.

But many positive things happened over this period in time though. I got myself out of an abusive relationship, I moved out of my other ex boyfriend's place, I applied for a Bachelor of Health Science majoring in nutrition, and I returned to ballroom/latin dancing.

So now I work Thurs-Mon, I go out Saturday nights as long as I can afford it, I spend Wednesdays babysitting my niece and nephew with my mum, and I dance every Wednesday and Friday night.

I have my life balance pretty good now, and I'm happy with how much I work, socialize, and spend time with my family. It's time to turn my focus back to my fitness and health.

So my first goal is to reach 80kg by the time I return to school. It's a pretty easy goal, and I hope to easily surpass it, but I'm starting with small steps.

I will be continuing my dancing twice a week (except for the holiday break), and as my birthday present to myself, I am buying myself a treadmill off a friend who is closing her PT business. I will also be getting a chin up bar, to help strengthen my upper body, particularly my shoulder joint which has damaged muscles after the surgery. Combining the treadmill and chinup bar with dancing, the incidental walking I do, and getting back to doing some skipping every day, will hopefully give me a great kickstart to my journey.

My nutrition is also quite good at the moment. I try to stick to a semi paleo eating plan most days. I eat eggs with garlic spinach and chilli mushrooms for breakfast, and have protein with salad for lunch. I snack on fruit and nuts and seeds at work. I eat what Mum cooks for dinner, but depending on what she makes, I subsitute the carb she has with potato or sweet potato. I'm not overly strict on this plan, but I have found that my energy levels are much better with less carbs.

So, welcome to my journey. It hasn't been an easy one so far, but I've learned so much, and found my calling thanks to it.