For Balance of Body....

Well folks, it's been a long time since I've felt THAT uncoordinated and unstretchy.

The last time I did a "Body Balance" class at a gym was easily seven years and several clothes sizes ago. (I should explain, for those who don't know: "Body Balance" is a mixture of yoga and relaxation exercises.)

So tonight I finally did my first class at the gym since joining. I figured after a particularly annoying day in the office I could do with a little balance and relaxation, so confirmed the class time, and obediently turned up. And it was frustrating, in a way, knowing what my body was meant do, but finding it physically impossible to make it do it (perhaps this is something like what people feel when they reach elderly years?). But I figure anything that helps me stretch, and could help my back, is worth it.

And really, I don't think I did too badly. Definitely room for improvement, and I really do need to learn how to relax, switch the brain off. Thankfully I wasn't the only noob: there was one other. We had a good laugh about it afterwards, with promises to see each other at next week's class too.

So here's hoping, folks, that I discover a newfound bendyness over the coming months to compliment my increasing fitness level.

Eating Out: Esspressino

Shop 7, 50 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne
Ph: 03 9662 3334

If you're up the eastern side of town and looking for a great coffee, snack, drink, or lunch, then look no further. This relatively new little place has very quickly become a favourite of mine - so much so that I rarely think to go anywhere else for my coffee or snack.

But really, where should I start when it comes to singing the praises of this little gem? Should I start with the friendly staff? The delicious selection of tarts, bombolone, or gluten-free treats (warning: these in particular are sinfully good), among other things? The yummy array of piadinas? Or the pasta I had for lunch today with Mel and Danny?

Wherever I start I can guarantee that you'll be happy with whatever you get from here.

Mel has assured me that she will put up her review of the place (and lunch today) this weekend, so once that's done I'll add a link to her post, where you can read more and see the pictures of the feast from today.

EDIT: And here it is: Esspressino, Rumbler-style

90-Day Check-In

Well, folks, I was slack, and didn't report my 60-day results. They were good, in that there were losses in weight and centimetres instead of gains, but they weren't all that note-worthy.

But despite all the fine food in Canberra, and a few brushes with the dreaded flu, I've managed to keep up some steady progress.

Tonight I had my 90-day check-in, and thought I'd report some results (figures are total to date):

Resting heart rate: down 4 beats per minute
Blood pressure: MUCH better
Weight: 5kg
Hips: 5cm
Waist: 17.5cm
Thighs and Arms: 1cm each

Again, I've been told not to stress too much about the centimetres on legs and arms, as there are now definitely muscles in there! I just have to get rid of the insulation :-)

So, guys, I'm getting there. It's a slow and often painful (quite literally) process. But I'm getting there. My eating habits are also turning around.

So yeah, it's hard, but I keep trying, and it's nice to see results keep coming, however small.

Eating in: Bacon Leek & Cheese Muffins

When I've got something on my mind, or I'm suffering an extreme of some emotion, I love to bake. I find the structure and actions required to follow the directions soothing, I think. And today I'm in need of soothing.

So I decided to bake something I saw on Rosemary's blog a while ago, and here's the recipe.

I omitted the cheese, purely because after I started making these babies I discovered that I had none, and while I think they were lacking something, they still worked quite nicely without. Fresh from the oven (I ended up baking them for about 20 minutes instead of the 12-15 mentioned in the recipe, but these were also medium-large sized muffins), the one below was so soft and delicious it should have been criminal. Definitely something I'll be making again. Thanks Rosemary!