Tams Progress

[Blitz]

Keep it moderate and steady and you should be ok.

Kim

[Tams]

week 0 pm: 64, am: 61.7
week 1 pm: 61.9, am: 60.4
week 2 pm: 63.2 am: 62.1
week 3/4? pm: 62.6, am: 61.9

There IS more muscle though.

[Blitz]

Toning and fitness! I think that you will be finding the dancing easier too, right?

Kim

[Tams]

Gosh I wish I could say it was easier! I was gasping through my practise yesterday groaning inwardly that my fitness really does not seem to have progressed. But then today, I thought it WAS a bit easier (for the first time!). I don't really have an empirical measurement...and my mind is mostly on all the things I have to remember, and critiquing what isn't working or doesnt look good, so the gasping thing and progressively heavy body as I tire is quite annoying. The funny thing I DID notice, was that I did 15mins spin practice on Monday night while I was waiting for a student who was late...EVERY TIME I fell out of them. At most, I'd get a single - I'm needing a double, with my leg raised (not a type of spin I have EVER done before, so I dread them). But on Tuesday's practise, and again today - they all worked!! (Hope I haven't jinxed myself).

The other thing fitness wise which may be a good sign (??), was Monday I ran exam dances with one of my students (I danced with them) as a complete run through no breaks. Some other students were waiting and watching, and amidst the praise, commented that we were working hard as I was puffing. I hadn't even noticed!

I am pleased to report that I am dragging myself to every practise session; despite really not wanting to exercise, I've kept my goals. (There was one day last week I skipped...but I made up for it on the Sat with 3 hrs dance and 1hrs pilates.)

Maybe I've used up all my grim willpower on meeting the dance targets...and have none left for diet! (That's what it feels like, cause I've been bad.)

[Blitz]

As a magician I know a lot about effective practice. A few tips that you might find useful...

Practice smarter not harder: This means practice correct technique not incorrect technique. Use expert advice or you are just throwing darts on the board blindly.
Don't over practice: There comes a point when you are past your best and technique slips. Short sharp sessions are better than long ones.
Have fun: Those who are truly good at anything - love to practice...for it's own sake.
Visualisation: An Australian athlete recently said in a interview that the difference between her medal winning performance at the last Olympics and the washout of the one before wasn't her training (indeed the one before she was more prepared); it was that she spent an hour each day on her bed visualising her event and her performance. Playing it in your head gives clarity and confidence. I always visualise a performance of a trick well before I even pick up a prop to practice with. Maybe it was this technique of visualisation that made losing weight easier for me to undertake and succeed.

Kim

[Tams]

Loved those tips Kim!

I know them, try to follow them, but so good to be reminded. (not sure i can do 1hr visualisation a day tho!!!)

[Blitz]

Only recommended if you want to win a Olympic Medal!
But running it through your head a few times does work.

Kim

[Tams]

Agreed - this is how I 'train' when I'm sick (if I'm actually well enough for thinking that is!! I never knew that my eyes somehow move when I think - any eye movement makes me hurl when I have a migraine so that's how I discovered that phenomenon).

[Blitz]

Everybody's eyes move when they think. That is one of the ways scientists can tell when someone is dreaming in their sleep. It's also one of the "tells" that tip police and mentalists when someone is lying or making up a story.

Visualisation is a useful tool (even for weight loss). In the olden days they just simply (and derisively) called it daydreaming. That is why some of your most creative ideas can happen just before you go to sleep. The front brain relaxes and allows "deeper" unedited thoughts through.

Kim

[Tams]

Oh, I so agree!! Although Lol, when that creative spark happens, sometimes it engages the rest of my brain in working out how to 'make' the thing!!

[Tams]

week 0 pm: 64, am: 61.7
week 1 pm: 61.9, am: 60.4
week 2 pm: 63.2 am: 62.1
week 3/4? pm: 62.6, am: 61.9
week 5 pm: 62.7, am: 61.3

Hurrah, I finally got my mojo back!

[Blitz]

Seems like you've got a good maintenance routine going there. 61.48kg average weight over the period.

Kim

[Tams]

week 0 pm: 64, am: 61.7
week 1 pm: 61.9, am: 60.4
week 2 pm: 63.2 am: 62.1
week 3/4? pm: 62.6, am: 61.9
week 5 pm: 62.7, am: 61.3
week 6 pm: 62.1, am: 61.2
week7 pm: 61.8, am: 61.1

Seems like the scales aren't telling the whole story here...my skinny clothes fit, my normal clothes don't, and I went shopping last couple of days...the cincha was shopping in a teenage store I normally avoid like the plague as nothing ever fits - I was in size 12 shorts (unheard of!!), and the size 10 top was almost too big (have to take in the straps and think it will be ok). My objective observer has also made several unsolicited comments. And I dropped a JEANS size

[Blitz]

Well the clothes are telling the story. Obviously you are getting muscle and toning...that or your scales are on the blink!

Good work
Kim

[Tams]

Yeah, well that did cross my mind! There have been a couple of occasions where the reading was in the 60s....fleeting, not to be repeated the next day, and never on weigh-in day!! This morning was 60.2, but I will just have to wait to see if that is going to keep popping up on the reader.

At the least, with the clothes confirmation, those scales aren't lying to me the OTHER way!!

I got my dress today - it's AMAZING - and some of the side straps are on the verge of too loose (thank goodness the bust is all firm!). So no more losing weight for me now - got to maintain for 1 month at least. First comp is next weekend. After that, we'll see. I'm pretty happy with the way things are looking (and will look even better with the tan!)