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Trusted Sara's Trusted Saskatoon 2018 Fitness Focus Challenge Week nine: Rowing is hard

Trusted Saskatoon owner and founder Sara Wheelwright accepted a fitness challenge from the excellent team at Trusted Saskatoon gym Fitness Focus. Follow along on her fitness journey as she blogs and video journals her motivations, successes, failures, frustration and her pain as she struggles to get fit and fabulous in her forties!  


WEEK 9 - NO TAKING IT EASY!  

Let's start by giving my trainer Denise some kudos! This woman is an inspiration and so dedicated to fitness it is mind-blowing. She competed in Vancouver and as you can see she was in staggering shape. ( I think she should have won - but what do I know) She has been a big part of my fitness journey and there have been times when I have just dragged myself to the gym because of her. 


 

I leave on vacation soon and I feel energized, healthy, lighter and I definitely look and feel better overall- the numnbers below really do speak for themselves. 

Thank you so much  Denise and the team at Fitness Focus for helping me change my lifestyle - I'm determined that I am not going back!   

SARA'S PROGRESS BEYOND THE BIKINI 

So its all great that I look better in a bikini - but true fitness is more than just being lean.

STRENGTH -FLEXIBILITY -STAMINA-  the 3 pillars of fitness. 

Strength - By doing resistance training and weight lifting I am getting stronger and I can feel my muscles and am starting to see them appear from under the layers of inactivity I'd formed over last 7 years!  

Flexibility - Stretching, stretching and exercises like yoga. If you aren't flexible you will hurt yourself- so I stretch before and after every workout. 

Stamina- Physical fitness is key to a long life and good health. Your body’s capacity to transport and use oxygen during exercise (VO2 max) is the most precise measure of overall cardiovascular fitness.  Changes in VO2 levels equate to changes in aerobic fitness and this, in turn, can affect your chances of getting a cardiovascular and pulmonary disease....so this number is IMPORTANT! 


After punching in the numbers my results were provided and they matched up exactly with what my Fitbit has been showing me. 

In the first 2 screenshots, you can see that I  have VO2 of 41 - this is an excellent score for a 44-year-old woman ( It increased from a VO2 of 35 in April) - and I have the same score as an average 29-year-old woman. Woo Hooo!! 


 
 

The next 2 screenshots clearly show the change in my resting heart rate (RHR) 

Resting Beats Per Minute (BPM).

   

What the RHR Numbers Should Say

According to the National Institute of Health, the average resting heart rate for adults is between 60-100 beats per minute. Well-trained athletes tend to fall somewhere between 40-60 beats per minute. Regardless of what your RHR is, that first baseline measurement will be an important number by which you’ll be able to spot trends over time. 

This is why it is important to regularly check your RHR.

1. If, for example, you notice that your RHR is rising, it could be an early warning sign of a heart problem. Much research has been devoted to demonstrating the link between elevated heart rate and the development of conditions such as hypertension, atherosclerosis, and other cardiovascular diseases.

2. Alternatively, you can also experience a reduction in your RHR as a result of increased fitness, meaning your heart is working more efficiently. These numbers can be especially motivating as you progress through a workout program or training regimen. When you notice your RHR slowly declining over weeks and months, it’s an indication you’re getting fitter. ( THATS ME!!) 

Methods for Lowering Resting Heart Rate

There’s a reason they call them “cardio” workouts. As previously noted, exercise is perhaps your best bet when it comes to decreasing your resting heart rate and boosting heart health. Going hand-in-hand with that is good nutrition and achieving a healthy weight. Hydration also plays a role in keeping your heart healthy. To be sure, good hydration means your heart doesn’t have to work as hard to pump blood through the body. This thereby increases the overall efficiency of your cardiovascular system.

Another factor that can increase your risk of heart issues is a poor sleep over a prolonged period of time. When you get the right amount of high-quality sleep, blood pressure and heart rate drop overnight, giving your heart a break.  What’s more, not enough sleep has also been connected to weight gain which is yet another factor that can affect resting heart rate and heart health.

Want to see where you rank for your age? 

Based on the extensive research of The K. G. Jebsen Center of Exercise in Medicine at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, you can easily estimate your fitness level by answering a few questions. Simply click on this link to find out. www.worldfitnesslevel.org 



 



ROUNDUP

Postive of week 8-9

  • I have lost 10lb
  • I feel energized and I am looking forward to working out. 
  • Cardio is easier! 
  • I feel the urge and the energy to do things I never had time for before - cleaning out closets and draws! 
  • My resting heart rate has dropped from mid 80s range in April to high 60's in July!! 
  • I have the fitness of an average 29year old! 
  • I worked out 12 days in a row!! 
Negatives from week 8-9

  • Darn friends - I just am not good at just hanging out without a drink!  
  • Had a few cheat days for food because we had house guests. 
  • I have not hit my weightlooss goal - but that is because of mey cheats - I take full responsibility. DRAT
Goals for vacation 

1. Eat mindfully - 2 meals of each day to be healthy choices( so hard in Scotland !!) 
2. Walk walk walk everywhere 
3. Take my work out gear with me and actually use it. 
4. Try NOT to overindulge drinking - this is particularly hard in my hometown in England and on Islay- the home of the best Scotch in the world!  

 Wish me luck. 

Trusted Sara's Trusted Saskatoon 2018 Fitness Focus Challenge -Week seven -Hard work does pays off

Trusted Saskatoon owner and founder Sara Wheelwright recently accepted a fitness challenge from the excellent team at Trusted Saskatoon gym Fitness Focus. Over the next few months, you can follow along on her fitness journey as she blogs and video journals her motivations, successes, failures, frustration and her pain as she struggles to get fit and fabulous in her forties!  


WEEK 7 - GETTING INTO A STRIDE &  SEEING RESULTS


I am back - eating better, seeing Denise and I am starting to see ( and feel ) the results. I have more energy overall and even spent time last week organizing my closet and drawers ( If my Mother in the UK reads that she will be shaking her head in disbelief!). I am finding the cardio easier and, I must admit, I am starting to enjoy myself. 

In the last 7 weeks, I have had to navigate many many many temptations.   Mothers Day, events with girlfriends, Grad parties, my 44th Birthday, time at the lake and even multiple shows at Jazz Fest. I have spent time in hotels, on the road, eating in restaurants with clients.  May, June and the beginning of July this year has brought hot temps and it has been perfect for sipping cocktails on a deck.    I cannot hand on heart say I have not lost my way a few times and overindulged, but what I can say is for the first time I haven't let that get in the way of me moving forward. 

The team at Fitness Focus have not judged my slips, and that is why I love the gym ( Also the coffee protein shakes!! GENUIUS!)  - such a supportive, relaxed atmosphere. 

Denise is the best trainer ever, and she really does inspire me with her dedication and the passion she has for fitness. You go, girl!! She is competing this week. 


As I count down the last 3 weeks to my UK trip, I pledge to be better, to be more focused and to get fully onboard with the drinks, eats, cardio and activity. I know it is working and I look forward to the final weigh-in ( of phase 1 )  at the end of July.  


You can see some of the results in the video and pic below - the rest you will have to wait and see. 




ROUNDUP

Postive of week 6-7 

  • I have lost 5lb
  • I feel energized and I am looking forward to working out. 
  • Cardio is easier! 
Negatives from week 1

  • I am 44 now.  
Week 3 goals

1. Eat clean 
2. Increase cardio and weight load.
3. Go to bed earlier!   
4. For England to Win World Cup! 

 Wish me luck. 

Trusted Sara's Trusted Saskatoon 2018 Fitness Focus Challenge -Week Four -Nothing to see here

Trusted Saskatoon owner and founder Sara Wheelwright recently accepted a fitness challenge from the excellent team at Trusted Saskatoon gym Fitness Focus. Over the next few months, you can follow along on her fitness journey as she blogs and video journals her motivations, successes, failures, frustration and her pain as she struggles to get fit and fabulous in her forties!  


Fitness Focus Challenge -Week Four- Sara Fell Off The Fitness Wagon...HARD.



Well, it happened ....what happened? 

LIFE, Life happened.

The biggest barrier to me starting this fitness challenge before now, was my life is so hectic and often it sabotages my plans to prioritize myself. This has been the case so far in June. My last work out with Denise was May 31st and every time I have tried to go to the gym since then something has wrecked my plans. 

I was on a cancellation list for the periodontist - and 2 appointments in 1 day came available so I had to take them, an unplanned business road trip to Manitoba robbed me of another 2 days, Trusted 7th-anniversary event, a family event in Regina, my son's school city track meet- one thing after another conspired to stop me moving. Then the events - with wine and food. Essentially taking 2 hours to go to the gym would have meant missing client deadlines or important family moments - and I wasn't getting to bed till at least 11 pm every night ( sometimes not getting in from work stuff till then). 

Activity? What activity?


See my Fitbit for visual representation! I dropped from averaging over 75,000 steps a week to my ' old habits ' of just over 40,000. I did go paddleboarding and walking at the lake this weekend, fit in a bike ride with my kids last Sunday night and tried to walk the stairs ...but as you can see it wasn't enough. 

Weigh-In

This, of course, means I didn't lose any weight, in fact, I put 1lb back on and I feel like 2 big steps back as my energy levels have dropped off. 

I can't express to you how much I am disappointed in myself, as I should have cut back / modified my food ( and drink ) intake to accommodate my crazy schedules impact - but I also failed miserably at that too. 

So I failed - this is when people normally quit ( and when I have before to be honest ), but I am not going to let this happen. 
It happened, its done - now time to start over again! 

I have booked 6 more Denise sessions, my first is on Wednesday- I am going to go to the gym at least 5 days this week and will be sticking to salads and shakes for the foreseeable future. 


ROUNDUP

Postive of week 3-4 

  • I ONLY gained 1.LB back. 
  • I was able to be there all day  to see my son compete at track and field ( he was awesome) 
  • Trusted had an amazing 7th-anniversary event-  my clients are amazing and all the extra work / long hours has resulted in lots of new contracts/work for the team.  
Negatives from week 1

  • Too many to mention.  
Week 3 goals

1. Eat salads and drink less ( I see a theme here )
2. Take the 5 flights of stairs to the office instead of the elevator.
3. Increase Cardio on all days - I need to speed up the fat burn. 
4. Go to bed earlier!   

 Wish me luck. 


 

Trusted Sara's Trusted Saskatoon 2018 Fitness Focus Challenge -Week Two-


Trusted Saskatoon owner and founder Sara Wheelwright recently accepted a fitness challenge from the excellent team at Trusted Saskatoon gym Fitness Focus. Over the next few months, you can follow along on her fitness journey as she blogs and video journals her motivations, successes, failures, frustration and her pain as she struggles to get fit and fabulous in her forties!  

Fitness Focus Challenge -Week Two- Dealing With Temptations 


Week two was very tricky to keep on track as I was so busy, I knew it was going to be challenging, so I was concerned that it would affect my results. 
 
Trusted was in the process of moving offices, so chaos was the norm! Moving day was Friday, but there were lots of things to do before and after. I had so many deadlines that needed to be met before the move and many work meetings, not to mention kids activities, dentists appointments and other family commitments.  Also, I was going out with the girls on Saturday night - dinner plans followed by dancing at Buds On Broadway...I know that EQUALS temptation!! 

In the past, this kind of week has derailed my previous fitness/ diet attempts, so I was a bit worried I'd repeat my pattern and blame being busy for failing to keep on track.  

I'll be honest...it was not a perfect week by any means! 

I saw my trainer Denise at Fitness Focus on Wednesday at 7 am and again Saturday at Noon. She took me through 2 more of my (unique to me and my goals) weight training work out sessions that are making up the final plan. 
Her goal is to have me doing this myself,  and as such, she is creating a 2 week ( 5 days a week ) program for me to follow. I do 10-15 min cardio before our session and at least 20 mins after. In addition, I  am trying to get at least 20-30m mins of cardio a day on the days I don't train with Denise- that can be jogging, walking fast, swimming, biking, group fitness, jumping on a trampoline or cardio machines etc.. whatever I can do to move!  

The conclusion of a weights session with Denise always end with 3 sets of ab exercises. On Wednesday I found my new least favourite exercise. Swiss Ball Transfers - This medieval torture training move is where you squeeze a Swiss exercise ball between your feet and switch from feet to hands while crunching- just to make it even more friggin painful, Denise likes to keep feet off the floor at all times and insisted the ball has to go all the way over your head and touch the floor behind you. So you lay almost flat with the ball above your head - transfer in the crunch back to laying flat when the ball goes down to the floor between your feet. I told Denise I'd rather sign up to run a Tough Mudder Obstacle course than do 3 more sets of those again!
 
Check out my attempts at rope pulldown crunches at the end of Saturday's gym session- OUCH 
 

When Denise did my initial assessment she said I was eating too little and too infrequently during the workday. This meant I was essentially starving myself then feasting, which is not good for the metabolism. I think LOTS of us working Mums/entrepreneurs do this to ourselves, we get busy and simply don't stop to eat.  
I eat pretty well at home as I like to cook, so I just decided to make extra portions of healthy suppers and take leftovers to work, along with fruit and nuts to snack on.  I am trying to keep away from carbs and to drink lots more water, specifically water with lemon in it. 
                                                                      
Some tasty food from last week. 

 
I have never been a huge fan of protein shakes, but I have found a great Vanilla flavoured one by Forever Living, it's so tasty!  Shakes are a must because I struggle to eat early in the morning, it is my go-to breakfast, especially before training or I'd pass out. My favourite breakfast shake is 2 scoops Vanilla, almond milk and 2 shots of espresso with ice ...It is DELIGHTFUL!




BBQ vegetables and kebab / Asian Chicken Lettuce wraps with beet slaw 

10,000 steps a day goal. 

 

I have also been trying to get in the ' recommended 10,000 steps a day' as part of my lifestyle change.  Last week I missed the mark on Monday and Thursday - with just 8400 between both days. However, on the Trusted moving day I did over 25,400 ...moving IS a workout. 

All in all, I did over 81,300 steps last week!!

Consider this, prior to this challenge, my average number of steps in a week was around the 25,000 mark!! 



ROUNDUP

Postive of week 2 

  • I  have now lost 1.5LB total. 
  • I feel lighter in my clothes.
  • I am enjoying moving more.
  • My resting heart rate has dropped from 79 to 72BPM this is very encouraging.  
  • I can see some definition starting to show! 
Negatives from week 1

  • I overindulged on Saturday night and was hungover on Sunday, so was lazy AND we had Chinese takeout ( NOT good) 
  • Stiffness and soreness STILL.
  • I feel like I should have lost more than 1.5lb by now- then I remember Saturday and Sunday. 
  • STILL Not getting enough sleep. 
  • I really look like crap when I am working out - 💪 ( see above picture for proof ) and I hate how the tight work out clothes look. 
Week 3 goals

1. Eat better and drink less ( I see a theme here )
2. Take the 5 flights of stairs to the office instead of the elevator.
3. Park further away so I walk to work.
4. Increase Cardio on all days - I need to speed up the fat burn. 
5. Go to bed earlier!   

 Wish me luck. 

Trusted Sara's Trusted Saskatoon 2018 Fitness Focus Challenge -Week One


Trusted Saskatoon owner and founder Sara Wheelwright recently accepted a fitness challenge from the excellent team at Trusted Saskatoon gym Fitness Focus. Over the next few months, you can follow along on her fitness journey as she blogs and video journals her motivations, successes, failures, frustration and her pain as she struggles to get fit and fabulous in her forties!  


Fitness Focus Challenge -Week One


Week one was tough, I went through some pain barriers as my body reacted to the shock of change. It's quite the shift going from a sedentary lifestyle for the last few years, to working out at high intensity for 5 days in the first week.  I could barely lift my arms above my waist on Tuesday and forced myself to go jogging on Wednesday, which started the leg soreness that I still have today. I understand why so people give up at this stage. It's much easier to stop as you see very little return for your efforts. However, I know that it is how I react at this stage that will determine my long-term results. 
I cheered myself up on Thursday by booking our family trip to the UK at the end of July- so the clock is ticking and if I am to reach my weight and fitness goal I must keep this up. The 10 weeks countdown has begun! 



Postive of week 1 

  • I lost 0.5LB - I fully expected to put weight on, so this is a win! 
  • My skin looks better
  • I have more energy/motivation - even tackled some home organizing tasks I'd been putting off for ages.
  • Some extra quality time with my 14-year-old son, as he is joining me at the gym on the weekends.
Negatives from week 1

  • Drank too much wine this week - Mothers day and an event or 2 
  • Stiffness and soreness- my arms ached for the first half of the week and my legs and butt for the rest of the week.
  • I feel fat in my work out clothes - I hate the mirrors at the gym! 
  • Not getting enough sleep. 
Week 2 goals

I have a busy week with 2 conferences, moving offices and deadlines that must be met- so I need to ensure I fit in workouts, eat clean, stay away from wine and get more sleep! Wish me luck. 


Read more of Sara's Fitness journey from the beginning here:  Fitness Focus Challenge 

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TrustedSaskatoon.com
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Saskatoon, SK   S7K 1N7
Ph: 306.244.4150

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