Heart Rate Monitors

Hellooooo!

So on Thursday last week I discovered the greatness of heart rate monitors!

I used to think that they were just something extra if you felt like/could afford one that gave some kind of slight benefit to your training sessions, but only if you really knew anything about heart rates and things like that (which I don't, really).

However, I was totally wrong!

So obviously they're not a necessity but if you're thinking about getting one I encourage you to do so! I didn't really know anything about heart rates and the zones and whatever before but in the few days I've had it I've learnt quite a lot from it, and it helps me to maximise my workouts for the most effectiveness and really shows me exactly how hard I'm working during the workout!

Because of my 12WBT membership I got a discount on Polar heart rate monitors and I've heard only good things about them so I decided to go with the Polar FT40. I liked all of it's functions, but it was also pretty :P that's always important, right? hahaha.

So you have the watch part which displays everything and then that thinh that says POLAR is the transmitter which you attached to the chest band thing which records your heart rate... pretty cool.

So this is the screen when you're during a workout it shows your heart rate on that bar. Up the top where it says "Fitness" - that's what range your heart rate is in. So for me above 135 is my fitness improving heart rate, and under that would be my Fat Burning heart rate. Very clever hey haha :)

and then this is what is displayed after you end your workout. Calories burned, the percentage of calories burned that were from fat, and the total time of your workout. Pretty useful and great to keep track of how effective your workouts are! I found this really easy to use, but I haven't tried any other models or anything so I'm sure any decent heart rate monitor that tells you this kind of stuff is going to be just as useful. I just really like the layout of this one and then look of it. (It looks way bigger than it is though in the photo, I think it's cause I have unusually tiny wrists haha).

Anyway yeah if you're considering getting a heart rate monitor I definitely recommend it! I'm kind of obsessed with mine now and wanting to use it gives me some extra motivation to get into the gym everyday :P It's a really handy device and can help to help you keep track of and maximise your workouts!

Danni
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12WBT!

Hey everyone!

Haven't updated in a while, been really stressed out/sad/confused but I'm ok now hahah!

I'm pleased to announce that I have signed up to Michelle Bridges' famous 12 Week Body Transformation! Yaaaaaaay!

For those of you unfamiliar with the 12WBT, it's a 12 week program that helps you achieve your fitness goals, whether it be weightloss, muscle gain, running, etc. It's been designed by Michelle Bridges' herself, and each week you get your exercise and meal plans. It's priced at either $20 a week or $200 upfront, and while you may think it sounds a lot, it is SO worth it after looking at how amazingly well structured and organised it is as what you get for your money! And after all, health is important, and $20 a week for 12 weeks that are going to change the rest of your life in my opinion is SO worth it!

Since I don't really need to lose weight (less than 5kg to lose) and I reached the Advanced level in the fitness test, I'm doing the Lean & Strong program, which is focussing on reducing body fat % and increasing muscle. I've really want to put on muscle now so if I put on 5kg over the 12 weeks in muscle I'd be extremely happy!

The program started yesterday and so far I've been so happy with the meal plan and the exercise plan! I really needed a plan in the gym because it's hard to know what exactly to do to achieve your goals but everything is set out and explained so well and I used a few different machines I'd been too scared to try before! It was a little bit intimidating because I felt like I was venturing into the "man" section of the gym where all the bulky guys go but I settled in and it's been so much fun I just can't wait for every session. All up my program involves 6 days of training a week. My muscles are already sore but I love the feeling and it makes me feel like I'm actually achieving something!

The recipes in the meal plans are actually really delicious! So if that's what you're worried about, then you don't have to! I was pleasantly suprised with everything - breakfast, lunch, and dinner. And the great thing is if you're not really a fan of one of the recipes in the set plan, you can customise your plan and replace recipes with one of the MANY recipes they have in their database! So good! And it just makes life so easy - you don't have to think about what you're going to make or how you're going to make up the calories, it's just there for you!

Another amazing thing that 12WBT has already taught me in such a short space of time is planning! Already I've started structuring my days so much better so that I can fit in everything that I need to do and it feels so great! This isn't just a weightloss program, it's a lifestyle changer and it just benefits so many other aspects of life aside from physical health!

I actually joined up about 2 weeks ago but I kept forgetting to blog about it but now that I'm finally on I can't say enough good things and I'm only 2 days into the actual program! The pre-season tasks were also fantastic and really get you into the right headspace! I quick google search of 12wbt shows some of the INCREDIBLE transformations people have gone throughout the program and for me that was enough to sign up because it just looked like such a positive thing to do! It makes exercise and healthy living so appealing!

I believe that the sign up date has been extended til the end of the week so if you're ready to change your life I SERIOUSLY recommend doing this!! Start now and you won't have to wait another 3 months til the next round starts! Honestly, it's been 2 days and it's been absolutely fabulous - you don't get to see just how amazing it is until you're actually logged in and everythings there for you!

I weighed in at 51.5kg last Wednesday, so obviously I'm not overweight, although I have put on 4.5kg since January (oops, too many brownies) haha so I wouldn't mind losing the 4.5kg of fat and putting it pack on in muscle. I'd be happy at anything over what I weigh now anyway if it was muscle because I don't really believe in looking at numbers to determine how happy you are with your body. Everybody's different, and since I'm only 5'1 my number will mean something totally different to someone who's 5'6 you know, so I try not to go off the numbers and look towards the mirror as a guide instead haha :) But yeah hopefully by the end of the twelve weeks I'll be pretty ripped and bulked up :P 55kg would be nice! I was going to post my before pic but it's a really unflattering angle so I'll save it for 12 weeks time (depending on how much of an improvement the after pic is hahahah)

Anyway yes I seriously recommend joining up 12wbt if you're looking for a change or just need help with exercise planning because it's been so fantastic and it's $200 absolutely well spent!

See you next time!

Danni
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On The Bike

Hey all,

So I've been spending a lot of time on the bike at the gym lately because I hurt my ankle on Saturday running which is super annoying because the Gold Coast Half Marathon is approaching and I need some way to keep up my fitness without putting pressure or stress on my ankle. It's nothing to serious but I need to stop it from becoming something serious.

Even when I can run, I still love going on the bike because it's a great way to improve fitness and work the lower body (as long as you don't just sit there with the resistance right now, effortlessly moving your legs while facebooking haha). What I like to do on the bike is intervals, where you alternate between high intensity and recovery periods. I love this kind of training because usually I passionately hate cardio in the gym because I find it boring, but because this is split into different sections I find it much more engaging - plus it's a great workout!

I set the bike to a resistance level that I can consistently pedal at over 110 RPM for a number of minutes not at a super easy level but enough that it's hard but bearable. As long as it's high enough that your legs aren't flying everywhere effortlessly because that kind of defeats the purpose. I start with a 5 minute warm up, the go straight into 1 minute fast pedalling at least over 110 RPM but preferably over 120 RPM for this first minute. Immediately follow that have 1 minute recovery just spinning slowly. Then go straight into 2 minute fast, 2 minute recovery, and continue adding a minute on each time up until 7 minutes. This all takes about 60 minutes to complete. If you can't maintain over 110 RPM over 100 is fine too - especially when you're going for 6 or 7 minutes. This kind of training is great as it builds fitnes and is also great for burning fat and calories! 

That's all from me for now, won't be doing anything spectacular today because I am pretty ill right now with a cold but I should be fine tomorrow. It tends to hit me for a day and disappear the next.

See you next time!

Danni
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2013 Australian Fitness & Health Expo

Hi again, long time no see! (not really, I posted like 30 minutes ago, but you can never have too many blog posts, right?)

So yesterday (21st April) I headed on down to the Sydney Convention Centre for The Australian Fitness and Health Expo!!

Oh my god I am so happy I decided to go. I was seriously considering not going but it was AMAZING! If you can next year you HAVE to go and check it out. So much incredible stuff to see and buy and everything is so amazingly cheap and discounted!!

By far my favourite stall of the day was the BodyScience stall - so great I had to visit multiple times. I spent a good amount of money there... more than I intended, but seriously how could I resist? Picked up some full length compression tights, a "Run Wild" singlet, and a sports bra, and because I spent over $100 I got a free sports drink powder:

I swapped it with my friend mixed berry flavour which I tried out at the gym this morning and it tasted amazing. Full review on all this BodyScience stuff coming sometime in the near future.

I also stopped by at Lorna Jane and got this awesome bright purple sports bra which is beautiful - everything was 20% off, it was mad!! Wish i had brought $10000 with me so I didn't have to think so hard on what to spend my cash on hahaha

I got so many free samples of so many products, I had enough protein in me to last me for the next year I think haha but it was so great getting introduced to all these different products that I'd never seen, used or even heard of before. Some were amazing (Giant Sports Delicious Protein in Cookies and Creme flavour) and others were not the greatest thing ever haha (I had some drink that tasted a bit like pool water...) but overall there was so much stuff to try and eat and drink that I didn't even have to buy lunch after haha! It was like the Easter Show but replace the fairy floss with protein bars and the best in the country animals with best in the country body builders!

Here are a few pics from the Expo:

Hot Fitness Models Competing.

Made me wish I was one, they had the most amazing figures.

Crazy Fit Guys doing Crazy Fit Stuff!
It was insane we were just like standing there with our jaws dropped to the floor.

5'1 tall me infront of an enormous car!!

annnnnd all the stuff I picked up! Love it.

This morning I hit the gym, excited to test out my new stuff. Will do a proper review later but here's some pics.

Anyway, that's all for now. Got some exciting things happening soon so stay with me and look forward to writing some more soon!

(Ps. Yes, I did break my veganism at the expo. Most proteins are whey protein which is a by product of cheese production. I also think I accidentally consumed eggs in a few things, and milk. But once in while, it's ok haha. I'm actually probably going to change up my diet and do vegan 5-6 days a week and vegetarian 1, but I also want to switch to whey protein from pea protein just because I think for what I want it for it'll be a lot more effective.)

See you next time!

Danni

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