Down in Monterey

Got to the gym yesterday morning at 5.30am after feeling very guilty and fat after yesterday. Had a healthy 2 eggs and toast breakfast and jumped in a Mustang and drove thru' Carmel and some amazing golf courses, down Californian Highway 1 (for 5 hour round trip) so lots of sitting but spectacular scenery. Last night had dinner at 'Casanovas in Carmel by the Sea' and had the most delicious medium rare lamb 'chops' I've ever tasted. Been here 2 days and haven't seen Clint Eastwood yet. Just about to go to the famous aquarium in Monterey and 'be good'.

Off the chain

Flew from LA to Monterey. Staying in marine sanctuary. Beautiful hotel on Cannery Row. Very grateful.

OMG... Three course breakfast, three course lunch, cocktails and a four course dinner. Today was pretty much 'off the chain! Granola, berries and salmon were some good choices...

It's Tuesday... so it must be Santa Monica

It has been a whirlwind since my last post. I'm in America for two weeks and as always the stress of going away makes me really need a holiday! Only the usual - work, home, children, dog, elderly mother etc. but we got on the plane!

I'm in trouble with my trainer for not posting and got a text yesterday from him as he's worried that I'm going to bring the fat, old lady back home with me. At this stage of my trip so am I.

It's going to be difficult here in the US to stay on track as even the portions of good food are 4x what I need to eat. Yesterday we had lunch at Malibu on the pier and almost everything was deep fried. So the answer will be lots of exercise - hotel gyms, pools and lots of walking.

Dinner last night was one of my favorite restaurants in the 'whole world'. Last time I was in LA we went to The Border Grill and it was fantastic to go again. It's a creative, modern Mexican restaurant, run by two celebrity chefs who have a cable food channel show called Two Hot Tomales. Wonderful salads, spicy lamb soft tacos, ceviche (raw fish 'cooked' with lime juice and ginger), guacamole, chicken (fried) with more hard tacos, beans and a great sauce. Sorry, but I also had to have two margaritas (...when in Rome).

Trouble in paradise

Weigh in this morning. Put on 0.4kg. Relieved.

Made a list of why and how. 10 drinks over the five days in Singapore/on the plane is the equivalent of eating around a loaf of bread!

Now is about the time I realise that this is all too hard and divert my focus.

This time I won't. I'm back on track.

Water and steamed rice... Yum

Singapore would have to be the best place in the world to be at the moment.

We were at Level 33 (a bar ... 2 beers is the answer to your text Alex...it was hot) overlooking the GP track, amazing harbour, light show... amazing+, when the qualifying rounds started... OMG what an unforgettable sound. It gave me goosebumps... so exciting.

So ... alcohol... I've had 4 drinks since arriving Thurs night. Omelettes and toast for breakfast at the enormous buffet - food generally pretty good - minced chicken and steamed rice, steak sandwich, steamed fish and vegetables. Snack may have been cheese and water crackers and a glass of Moet but by a resort style pool with friends, it was perfect. Lots of walking. And lots and lots of water.

I've brought my protein powder with me and will have a shake before we are out today. Went to the gym at the hotel this morning. My husband took a photo as proof - not my best side, sorry - so it's not going up for the world to see!

Lunch planned with unlimited 'flowing champagne'. Mmmm might be a bit tricky. What's my strategy? I'm sure there will be lots of flowing water as well!

And my first Grand Prix tonight. Can't wait.

Week 2 Weigh in

Minus 0.3kg.

Didn't 'ring the bell' for me. That's what I get for having a great birthday weekend. I was ready to have my cardio session with my beautiful new pink boxing gloves but it was time for a chat with my trainer, Alex.

We went into the 'Results Room' and I was half expecting to come out 5 kgs lighter with an arm amputated, but that didn't happen. We talked about not being 100% focussed (I know... still can't stay focussed eventhough I'm doing this blog! It's helping). How I can improve my weight loss? I'm actually feeling fitter and slimmer, so that's great. I'd had a good few days but no accelerator day and the positive is that I've lost 0.5kg in 2 weeks. This is great as I'd been piling this amount on very week prior to knuckling down. An accelerator day would have really helped but thought it best not to be too grumpy as there were a few family things on.

I'm flying to Singapore this afternoon for a few days to see friends and the Grand Prix. Looking forward to it and Alex has given me a few strategies for staying on 'track' (Grand Prix joke). I'll keep up the blog, get to the gym in the hotel, drink a lot of water - it's 32 degrees and do lots of walking.

Off to the gym

I didn't make it to the gym this morning as I had a big proposal to complete for this afternoon. It's now done, so I'm leaving the office early and going to the gym. I've only ever been twice in my life after work, as I find it best to go before I actually wake up in the morning!

It's very easy for me just not to go after work even with the best intensions. I'm tired and hungry.

My trainer Alex may well have a heart attack. I'm only really going because I told him I would in a text message. Why did I do that? I'm sure once I'm there, I'll be glad I went and once I'm done I'll feel fantastic.

Happy Birthday

Had a perfect day with my husband. He'd drafted the itinerary and put it it my birthday card! Lots of walking (3 hours) around Cockatoo Island on the second last day of the Biennale and a fantastic dinner and play at the Opera House.

My neighbour said that chocolate on your birthday doesn't count when she gave me some fantastic salted caramels. I decided that a couple of glasses of wine were OK too. My husband ate all of my birthday cake (a sculpture of handmade chocolates and toffee) for me after I blew out the candle. I made some good food choices and some bad food choices. Am I feeling guilty about it? No.