Weighing in and running for it

Things are going well in discovery land, every day is a new day and I need to keep pushing through temptations and trying to make the right choices.

No, I don’t need that cookie at Mrs Fields’, even if it’s called a “nibbler”, how harmful could it be?? I didn’t choose to find out! I was standing longingly at the counter having an internal debate about it being ‘okay’ if I just got one with a coffee. Lucky for me, I’d just been in a few stores and tried on some clothes, fitting into mediums and size 12 dresses!!!! This gave me enough confirmation to walk away, so I did. My hips thank me for it, but even better, the scales today reflected the decision.

Today I jumped on the scales and it’s official! 71.0kgs! (156.2lbs) which makes it an 18kilo loss so far!! My original goal for 12 months was 15-20 kilos, so we’re well on the way to surpassing goals! I also measured myself from the end of the last round and I’ve lost 8cms, mostly off the hips (that’s a very good thing!!!) I started this journey back in September and it has well and truly changed my life and who I am.

I’m hoping, for the sake of myself, that it hasn’t changed me too much. I’ve noticed that I’m always thinking about nutrition and exercise, but I have so many interests that I’ve been losing focus. For example, I haven’t done any creative writing in over a month. This makes me sad. When you’re living a ‘healthy’ lifestyle, or you’re trying to lose weight, you tend to concentrate and start to prioritize in regards to how to go about it. Unfortunately, I’ve neglected to prioritize the other things I love to do too. I must make a conscious effort to do this from now on.

I’ve been doing my dedication run this week and managed to run out another 19kms since my last blog post. I’ve only got 14 to go to have achieved the 45kms nominated. I have honestly found that having to be accountable has pushed me that little bit further, so to everyone that ‘liked’ and ‘commented’ to get me there, I thank you! The kms were for me, but they were also for you! I have a training schedule for a half marathon in 10 weeks that I’m trying to stick to. If I can stick to it, I’ll participate in the Canberra half marathon in April. I’m going to reassess my progress in about 4 weeks and see whether I should enter the 10km or go for broke! Wish me luck!

I’ve been contemplating the next step in my weight loss journey. Last night I was on the bed and pushing through the doona of fat on my belly and contracting my muscles. I was super excited that I could actually feeling my abs contracting every time I squeezed! Don’t get me wrong or let me mislead you, there is still a big belly in the way, and a layer of fat keeping everything nice and snuggly, but the fact that I could feel ‘something’ under there made me focused and determined to not stray from goals.

I have to say, I am determined and I am focused, but I am also very easily understanding how a person can to a point and think that “Oh well, I’ve already lost a bunch of weight, I can give myself a leeway every now and then.” For that I give myself a huge mental and physical slap and remember what it’s taken me to get here. When ‘they’ say blood, sweat and tears, ‘they’ weren’t lying! I’ve been on this journey for six months now and I can’t believe the changes taking place. I just have to remember that. If you have a day where you may stray, pick back up and move along. Just don’t make every day a stray day!

I have to sign up for the next round of the 12WBT and am still contemplating what I’m going to do. I am 2kgs away from my original 69kg goal, but to be in the ‘healthy’ BMI I think I need to be 65ish. I was thinking of doing the Lean and Fit program. I want to keep running, it’s definitely a mind clearer and sense of achievement every time I complete a run, but I also want to start getting stronger. I have limited upper body strength and my core needs more work! If you’ve done these rounds, or have experience with these type of programs I’d love to hear from you. I definitely need to work on the preggy belly and get those abs out and proud!!!

If you’ve never run before and you’d like to give it a try, I’d highly recommend the C25K program, that’s Couch to 5 km.  It will set you up to be running in no time! It starts out nice and easy and very achievable. If you’re an iPhone app freak, you can also download the app from iTunes to help you along! I’d love to hear if you’ve started this, how you’re going with it and what you’re getting out of it, if you start it or have done it!

For everyone doing pre-season of 12WBT let me know how you’re going with it! I’m excited to hear the new journeys and the return journeys!

Until next time! Be Safe and Stay Pretty everyone! Thanks for reading!

Finale Celebrations and In Between Weigh Ins

Hi All!

I haven’t posted about last weeks finale celebrations because I wasn’t sure how to put everything into words (I know right, me…not knowing how to put things into words?!?!)

Basically, it was amazing, inspiring, fun and an opportunity of a lifetime.

Through the generosity of Mum looking after the kids and a ride in from a fellow 12WBTer  (thanks Sue!) I was able to attend the Finale Workout at Centennial Park. I was among 1000+ other people, celebrating our 12 week achievements!!!! It was an amazing vibe and there was so much passion and happiness in the air. Wearing my purple “Sydney crew” singlet it was great to be able to identify fellow Sydneysiders and say Hello to them and introduce myself, even if I’ve never met them before.

I thought the best way to show you was in photos, so I’m just going to post some up here…

Sydney Crew with Mish before the workout - already pumped to go!

Getting into it!!!!!

Why am I smiling? Oh right, a break in the routine!!

We did it!! Sydney Crew AFTER shot!! (What is UP with my face?!?!!!)

It was a brilliant morning and I was so glad I got to go. It truly was a celebration of the 14.1kgs I managed to drop on my own. I thoroughly enjoyed working out with others and hope that they can do similar things during the rounds (not just at end, that’d be awesome!)

Up until the Friday, I wasn’t going to be attending the finale party. We couldn’t afford it, nor could we find babysitters. Through the generosity and luck I was given a ticket by a fellow 12WBTer! (Thanks Diana)

It was a wonderful night and I was truly inspired by the people who were there. The night was a definite affirmation for me to come back next round and to smash my final weight loss before possibly getting into a Lean & Fit program. If they can, then I definitely can!

Me all dressed and ready to go!!!

***as a follow-up, I am now giving this dress away! Dare I say it, it was too big!! I spent all night making sure the top wasn’t falling apart or off and letting everything hang out! Even the Hollywood tape failed me!!! Another cause for celebration!!!***

and now…. the official round of 12wbt is over and the pre-season of the new round doesn’t start until mid-January, but that’s not stopping me! I still have just under 10 kilos to goal and I’m giving myself a head start. So without further ado .. another update:

This whole experience has been a change for life. So many small things are making sense and are making a difference. I recently read something on my Facebook written by a health advisor. She said something to the effect of: Use your calories like you would with money. Budget them. Don’t give up the things you really love, if you don’t want to, but instead put them within your budget.  I truly believe this is also a successful way to help you out. If you aren’t ready to give up the things you’re attached to, then don’t. Just be accountable for them, but also remember to think – does my body need this to survive, or am I just eating this because I’m emotionally attached to it!?! Food for thought.

This has been my mini mantra throughout - it just makes sense!!!

AND WHEN ALL ELSE FAILS..this is WILDLY APPROPRIATE:

Thanks so much for reading about this journey. I hope in some way I’ve helped you out in your own journeys. I’ve appreciated all the wonderful words and signs of support. It’s meant so much to me! I’ll be back next round to blog lots and I’ll also be adding a vlogging component to the site. It’ll be easier for me to talk things out and you’ll be able to see me in all my tired, exhausted worked out glory!! Hope to see you then!!

It’s the End… but it’s only just begun

Hi Everyone! GUESSSSSSSSSSSS WHAT?????????????

I DID IT!! I survived to tell the tale of my 12 week body transformation journey!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Can you believe it’s been three months already?? I can’t!! There have been bumps in the road, there have been teeny tiny set-backs, but in the end…there was joy!

It’s been a crazy ride and I’m not ready to get off yet! I still have a goal to achieve and am starting again tomorrow, from scratch! We’re putting the results of these 12 weeks aside, and we are going for gold again!

Soooo… here’s the summary:

If you’d have given me ANY of those numbers at the beginning of the program I would probably have scoffed at you!! I sit and stare at my before and after photos, still in disbelief!!! I am well on my way to being the person I want to be, and this program has been it for me.

I am going to blog more very very soon about feelings, but for now I just wanted to give you the final results!!! Thanks for coming along with me and for reading and commenting and blogging and texting and inspiring ME to be the best version of me!

Wednesday Weigh-In Week 11 + Revisiting Goals and Expectations

It’s week 11 of the 12 week body transformation program that I signed up for. I can’t believe it’s been almost 3 months.  In pre-season we set goals for ourselves. As this round comes to a close I thought it would be good to go back and see what the ‘pre-season’ goals I had written for myself were, and to check out how far along I had come. Well then, wasn’t I a low expectation setter!!!

1 month goal: lose 1-2kgs – run ANY distance without huffing and puffing — CHECK

3 month goal: lose 5kgs – Run without needing to stop after a few minutes – CHECK
Buy a pair of jeans in the ‘normal’ section – CHECK

6 month gaol: lose 10kgs – Run 4kms without stopping

As you can see, I blitzed 1 & 3 month goals and need a heavy re-evaluation!! As for the 6 month goal, I still have 3 months to get to the 4kms without stopping, but that should be helped along with the Run Clinic I’m doing this weekend through Mind Body Motion Fitness Solutions.

My new goals are to run as many fun-runs as I can leading up to a half-marathon. I’m thinking of giving myself about 6 months for this goal.

As for the weight – the numbers are in for this week! I’ve been pushing myself on the weekends and again, hit the 1000 calorie mark on Saturday and then attended a Boxing training class at the park on Sundays with a program called Pain in the Park with AC Fitness. Combined with at-home workouts and eating well I’ve lost more weight this week!

After yesterdays post I’ve had time to reflect and come to realise that I do need to be concentrating on how far I’ve come, instead of how far I want to go. In working towards success I must also celebrate the victories that I’ve achieved. I’ve said previously that you must celebrate the small things, in order to see the big picture. Looking at these numbers I surely can say without a doubt that I am smiling at my success.

If ever there was a time where I thought I would doubt myself, or I thought that I’d just do it tomorrow, it’s now. I’ve stepped up the plate and I’ve met the challenges set out for us and the changes that needed to happen, head on. I always seem to go into things enthusiastically and full-force, and I believe in one of the earlier posts I mentioned that I often start to fade and end up missing out on the completion of tasks. Or I get distracted and move onto other things. I decided to join up for this round because I knew I needed the help to stay focused and I needed the right person to tell me how it is and what to do. Seriously, this program has been that. A life-saver really.

I can’t say that this has been easy to do, but the moment I took control and responsibility of my actions it did become a lot, lot easier.

In saying that, it actually wasn’t all that hard to stop doing the things we’d been doing to sabotage ourselves. I remember a couple of months ago, my husband and I decided to add up a ‘typical Sunday’ in regards to food. A typical day when we didn’t really watch our food or portion sizes and we thought we were doing good, because we were having salad with dinner… I was HORRIFIED to see that it all added up to over 4000 calories!! I can’t believe I was putting that through my body, then sitting and being miserable because I felt so fat!!! The lessons in mind and body that this program has taught me have become so invaluable to me. Only last night my husband and I were discussing food and I pointed to a nice dessert in a magazine saying that it looked really good. He actually said to me that it didn’t really appeal to him. I nearly fell off my chair. This is the dessert man and the man who would sit and eat a whole block of chocolate, not three months ago! It’s as if our body chemistry has changed and we no longer crave that manufactured food!!  What a bloody wonderful thing that is!!! Although I did say I could go one of those gorgeous french pastries you find in the boutique bakeries!!!!

I’m a  huge believer in the program and if you want to change, then I say go for it. Do it. But know this…You have to commit over 100 % of yourself to the program and the lessons. Nobody can do it for you and nobody can change you, but yourself. People can ‘help’ you along with support and such, but in the end it’s you that has to do the hard work. It won’t happen overnight, but it will happen *insert hair flick!* and although times might get tough and you might want to give-up, it’s a lifestyle change,  not just a fad and not just an in-the-moment-ideal…a new way of life.. a new lease on life! Creating the best version of me that I possibly can.

The weather lately hasn’t been the best. We’ve gone from hot-as-hell to rainy-and-want-to-stay-in-bed weather! This morning was a definite CBF day but I thought I better get down and do something! Pilates seems to be my go-to when I’m in one of those moods. Rather than a high-cal burn it’s still stretching and toning muscles. It’s usually a quick and easy work-out except for this morning. The kids were in cuddly moods too! I just wanted to show you, to prove that YOU can do it too, that work-outs can be done when you have kids, you just have to adapt!!

       

Mini Milestone Week 8 Smashed

My running bib and spot prize "visor" I won

Holy Grilled Cheesus what have I done?!?! That’s exactly what I thought Saturday morning after picking up our running bib and timing chip for the Brooks Spring into Shape Race 2, at Parramatta Park. You see, my husband and I talked ourselves into changing our distance from 4km to 8km!!!

It’s been seven years since I’ve ‘ran’ any distance of length and I guess I was up for the challenge??  Definitely up for the challenge! It was a beautiful Sydney morning and hubs and I had left the kids at the in-laws and headed into Parramatta. Due to changing the distance we had time up our sleeves, so we popped home and had a quick coffee! Nothing like that little extra oomph to help out! I was actually nervous. I knew in my heart that I could do this, but it was such a big step. I’d been on YouTube checking out running videos and technique to brush up and to prevent injury, and I was raring to go!

Watching everyone come over the line for the 4k race was great and I tried to clap for everyone, knowing that it’s such a huge effort to get out and do any type of distance. I spent the 20 minutes before the start reining in my excitement and nervous energy so that I could use it to my advantage!

Hubs and I at the START - why are we smiling?? We're crazy! We're just about to torture ourselves and we're smiling!

A quick group warm-up and we were ready. I would say there were about a hundred participants, and when the buzzer went off, we all pushed forward.  I had my iPod on and my ‘running track’ music pumping the whole way. The km markers seemed like they were a great distance apart (ha-ha, yeah yeah, I Know, they were 1k apart!!) but each time I saw them I pushed that little bit harder. Going around the first time and onto the second lap I knew I’d made the right choice to change to the 8k. I felt extremely determined. I wasn’t worried about my time, although I was trying to get less than 8 minutes because that is what I’d been doing on my regular flat runs.

The scenery was lovely (erm..I may be talking about the shirtless footy players that had finished training, sorry hunnnni!!) One of the great things about running is anyone can do it! There were so many people of different ages, different shapes and sizes!  With each step I took I knew that this was the right choice for my mini-milestone. As I was coming onto the 7k marker, my iPod switched to “This is the best thing that has ever happened to me” and I couldn’t help but break into a huge smile. This whole journey, the 12WBT journey, has truly been the best journey I’ve had in a very, very, very, very, long time, if not ever!   My husband had left me behind half way through, he’s taller and slightly faster and I didn’t want to hold him back! It was really great to run into the final few metres and have him with me, smiling and encouraging me!!!

The adrenaline shot through me as I crossed the finish line, knowing I had finished it! I had run the 8kms in approximately 1 hour 2 minutes! (There’s been a glitch in the system and my time hasn’t been recorded. I sent an email and they’re having the timing manager look into it).  I walked a few times, to catch my breath and recover, but I am really happy with my efforts!

We did IT!!! Now we can smile and have a valid reason!!! Mini-milestone SMASHED!

I just want everyone to know that being in the right frame of mind and challenging yourself will reap the most awesome benefits!!! I feel great and can’t wait until we do our next event!  I’m also going to do a running clinic at the end of the month, to get to the right ‘tools’ to succeed. I’m definitely looking forward to that!

Wednesday Weigh-In Week 7

It’s a double celebration today and a very busy one, so just a quick blog post—I’ll do a more detailed one tomorrow, I have a few things I want to say!

First off, it’s my youngest daughters 1^st birthday!! I can’t believe a year has gone by, but she is a joy and is truly a very happy baby—which makes my life a lot easier, especially with the other 2 terrors gorgeous darlings!

In typical style, she enjoys the cheap stacking cups over the expensive doll!

 

I’ve also FINALLY DONE IT! It’s taken 7.5 weeks of commitment and focus but I’ve finally done it! I’ve cracked the 10kg loss!!! “Officially, it’s 10.1kgs” and I am more than thrilled!  It was actually unexpected as I’ve felt myself feeling a little unfocused and slipping in regards to socialisation.  I’ve managed to start wearing Size 14 work-out gear and whilst it is ‘snug’, I can still move in it and don’t remember the last time I’ve worn 14. I must admit, I am very unimpressed with the clothing styles/sizes though. I’ve tried on other things that are 16-18 and they haven’t really ‘fit well’. I’m just going to keep going and not purchase any clothes until I can fit into a comfortable 12, at least!!!

 

 

 

 

I checked out my BMI and to move from Obese to Overweight I only need 1.7 points… that’s a little bit exciting!

My mini-mantra is focus, believe, achieve…. I don’t remember who says it, but they were spot on! It’s about being mature, not letting your inner-voice pout and tell you that it’s okay to eat what you don’t need, or to not exercise today, and it’s also about wanting something so bad that you’ll commit to it.  It’s all about organisation as well! Know what’s coming up (whether it be a party, a night out or a picnic), plan for it, and make your choices around it. That way, you will succeed and continue to!

Weigh-In Week 6 and Emotions-a loaded 8 letter word

Emotions—how one 8 letter word can mean so many things, or have such a huge impact on me is amazing. I feel that this week I’ve been emotionally fragile and on that ever riding non-stop rollercoaster of life, where the highs and lows never seem to fade.

I often go through and re-read my posts in the blog, to see how I’m going and where I’ve come from. I’m glad I do that, and I’m glad I have this to make it possible. I’ve found that some of the things I’ve written, I’ve actually forgotten I was feeling or experiencing.  I also noticed that at the beginning of the program and blog I was relying heavily on expressing emotions. You can see that from the little icons I would put at the bottom of the post.

Although I might say “I’m alright,” quite often it doesn’t mean internally I am. That was until this week. ((TMI warning)) It’s TTOTM (If you have to ask, you must be male!!?!?) and I’ve been feeling extremely flat and blah (refer to last post). I often get extremely lethargic and am in a lot of pain and do not feel enthusiastic about life at all. It’s one of those weeks of curling into a ball and sleeping and escaping. I’m happy to report that’s the old me! I did pout a little, feel a little sorry for myself and do a little scale hopping this week *slaps self on hand-we talked about this!* and I saw that the scales were moving in the up, up, up direction. Instead of pouting and getting shitty about it, I put on my tunnel vision and knew that lazing around, feeling sorry for my self would do nothing but make those numbers stay there, so I got off my arse and exercised. I kept it pretty light this week, but I still moved. I paid particular attention to the food I ate. I’m human; I’m normal. I had those terrible TTOTM cravings and wanted sugary, sweet, fatty useless food. My weekly confession: I tried 1/12^th (yes, a tiny smidgen) of a piece of choc iced sprinkle donut that was bought over by a friend (who didn’t know any better). That one tiny bite was DISGUSTING! I couldn’t believe that I didn’t enjoy it at all. It was gross and the flavours sat on my tongue in a most unpleasant way. BOOM—at least we can tick that crappy food off my want list now! Last night I grabbed a handful of ‘hot chips’ that were in front of me (5 in total) and ate them, thinking they’d be yummy and delicious. Anyone who was around last night, when I did this, knows what happened. They were soooo gross. Even grosser than the donut! I felt oil in my mouth and I felt like I’d swallowed a cup full of oil and it sat in my stomach. I actually got nauseous and wanted to go and throw up. Lesson learned. My body is telling me I don’t need it and my mind has finally clicked.

You may “think” you want it, and the emotions that we all experience will convince as that we “want” it, but our body doesn’t “need” it and soon, you won’t even like it. How exciting, right? I think so!

Basically, what I’ve been rambling on about is the fact that Michelle says to “take the emotion out of it” — become disciplined and conscious of what you’re eating. Nowhere in the program does it say you can’t enjoy food. I enjoy food, quite a lot. I never thought I’d say I was looking forward to Lentil Spaghetti Bolognaise, but it’s one of my favourite menu items. Plan, be organised and you won’t be placed in a situation where you might make bad choices.

 The other most important thing I’ve learned from this week is to Never Give Up. It’s true to say that when things  seem ‘too hard,’ you just want to throw in the towel and give up, say screw it, why bother? It’s quite possible to  convince yourself that if the scales don’t move, then it’s not worth it and you’ve just worked out for  nothing…..Well there’s a reason to bother and it isn’t just that fact that you’ll feel such a difference in your life.  Your body, your attitude, everything will change—for the better. I’m not perfect and I’m not emotionless, but I know a journey worth going on is a journey full of experience and wonders and discovery.

Who wants to know about weigh-in?!?!?

YAY!!!!! Hard work and consistency DOES pay off. I am so excited about the results. I had set myself up to not be emotional if there was no loss, or a gain, because I knew that I was having my ‘off’ week. The results have just made me even more determined. I am 1.2kgs off of a 10kg loss. I’m writing this down to be accountable–I want that 1.2kgs gone next weigh-in!  I am also ‘officially’ down 1 pant size. I can fit into pants I haven’t worn in years and the current jeans I have keep falling down. Wooooo!! *throws sparkles in the air–the sprinkley kind, not my new phone!*

Thanks for all the support — I seriously love it and it helps to keep me in check and encourage me. I know that only I can do this and only I can decide what I eat and how I exercise, but I love knowing that there are people out there who might read this and think that if I can do it, they can do it, because quite frankly, it’s true — YOU CAN!!!!!!

And if you have one of those days where things seem like crap and you don’t think you can go on–do this:

Weigh-In Wednesday Week 5

I have a confession to make. I have always been one of these people that wanted to lose weight and I would tell myself, eat a salad, drink more water, it’ll be okay you can exercise tomorrow. I was never committed to it and in my own way I was talking myself into making it seem okay to pick up the chips or eat the cheese and bikkies with a glass of wine. I was ‘all talk’. Disney was correct in saying, “the way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.”  I remember the exact moment I made the decision to join the Michelle Bridges 12 week body transformation. We were at Mums and she had made a beautiful roast, as she is prone to do! I was tucking into the remains of the cauliflower cheese and I felt heavy and full, but I couldn’t stop. I had a reality moment and knew that if I did this for the rest of my life, I wasn’t going to be happy with myself and I wasn’t going to be happy in general.

I need to make a CHANGE. I needed to do something for myself, and to make everything click into place. Of course I knew I needed the right tools for this. I’m so glad I bit the bullet and spent the money. It’s only 5 weeks into the 12 week program and hubs and I have already commented on what a cheap investment it’s been. You can’t put a price on health and happiness, cliche I know, but it’s the truth. A builder can’t build a house without the right tools, just like a person can’t change their lifelong habits without the right tools. Michelle has been able to give that to us.

I’m not saying the last five weeks have been easy. At times they have been hard, however it’s amazing what happens when you put the pressure aside and just do things. I’ve spent many a day pouting and not ‘wanting’ to do exercise, but while I’m pouting I’m thinking, If I don’t get up and do at least 20 minutes, then what am I going to achieve? Nothing..Nothing will change, it will be the same as it always has been, which was unhappy. Why would I want to keep making myself unhappy?  With a kick in the pants I usually complete a work-out DVD and feel fantastic afterwards. Of course I usually feel exhausted, but I know that I’ve given it my all and contributed to the change that is happening within me. 20 minutes is not a large commitment of time within a 24 hour period, but it’s a hell of a lot of time in life.

I never thought I would be excited to eat healthy, fresh food or to exercise. Coming from the girl who spent a lot of her teenage years sleeping all day on the weekends or eating Chips and Gravy, this has been a long time coming. It’s true when you hear that if you don’t enjoy it, you won’t succeed. However, I find that although I might not like what I’m doing at the time (plank position is NOT easy!) I know that the burn I am feeling and the pain is worth it in the end! Yesterday, I went out to complete my 2nd part to my fitness test. The 1km run. Back at the beginning of the program I clocked 11:40 for 1km. Poor poor form, however we know that I haven’t been moving or exercising in a long time. I set off to prove to myself that the last five weeks haven’t been nothing. I knew I was going to improve on that time. I started with a brisk walk to warm up and then set the Runkeeper app to pace me, however I forgot to factor in the 30 minute walk – 2 minute steady jog – then the 1 km run. I made it to 800 meters when it told me my average pace was 10:40. I knew this was impossible! I was huffing and puffing and pushing myself. I stopped and checked the app and realised I’d set myself up with the extra time, which wouldn’t calculate correctly. *Insert face-palm here*. I took a two minute rest and re-set the app to a solid 1km program to actually time me correctly. I set off and pushed myself as hard as I could. I knew the only way I would succeed is to push… push through the burn and breathe…. I think the results speak for themselves:

The fact that I shaved 3.38 minutes off my 1km time in only five weeks is testament to the program. If I hadn’t lost any weight, at least I know my fitness is improving. I feel like I’ve always been healthy, but never quite fit! I plan on smashing this time again in four weeks, but I want to come back to the enthusiasm issue. I was so excited that I’d done this that I pushed myself for a light jog home, but would you believe, I was jogging with a Smile! I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face. I had proved to myself that I could do it and I did it! I’m sure I looked a little crazy to the people I was passing on the path, but I didn’t care. Even when I saw the two extremely fit female joggers pass me I didn’t care. I knew I’d made a personal decision to change myself and I have; I am.

This brings me to today’s week five weigh-in. I said last week that I could taste the ten kilo mark and I am determined to get there as fast as I can. I think I knew that I would have to push hard this week, to make it count and so I did. Going the little extra and making myself move is paying off. I truly understand the quote I’ve put up on the left. Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.  It’s not something that will happen overnight, or by doing something one off. You need to constantly work at it and know that the small efforts you are putting in, whether it be saying No to a glass of champagne *sobs* or saying Yes to the opportunity to go for a walk. It all pays off. I really am making an effort not to get hung up in numbers. By overcoming the need to constantly see the numbers changing, but to actually stop and listen to my body and know that I am feeling better, both physically and mentally, I know that I am already a success. I’ll admit, seeing the numbers move is definitely incentive and adds to the feeling.

I’m excited and proud to give you the results for this week:

I am so incredibly proud and excited at these numbers. I knew after small losses I needed to put in the time and effort to achieve the results. I’m very happy that my body hasn’t let me down!!!

Like I said earlier, this whole situation is far from easy, there are struggles and self-doubt and sometimes I have a split second moment of wanting to give up. Then I snap out of it and realise how stupid that is, considering the great results I’m achieving! I feel like a better person inside, I feel happier and although have the three kids can sometimes make me feel like I’m going completely crazy, I know that I’m handling it a lot better and I don’t feel so ‘stressed’. I want to throw things and say I can’t believe all the cliches are right, but they are… you will feel better, you will notice a difference and you will be making a change for life.  I saw the below image of Facebook this week and have decided to print it out and put it on the bathroom mirror.  It’s a great self mantra to have.

That’s it for today, thanks for reading the ramble! I believe it’s the longest post I’ve had to date!! It’s a Double Celebration so I had double to talk about!!!!  I absolutely love hearing from everyone, and the encouraging messages I’m receiving on Facebook and Twitter are keeping me excited and determined! Thank You!!!

Oh and being called a Legend by Michelle Bridges, kind of helps!

Wednesday Weigh-In Week 2

 

I have to be honest and tell you that I was scared to get up this morning and weigh myself. I have been eating right and I’ve been moving at any opportunity I can but I also feel that in the last 2-3 days I haven’t done as much calorie burning as I possibly could. I’m not sure what happened to my mind-set but it started to lag. I knew this would come, just didn’t realise it would come so soon! We’re only a week and a half into the challenge and we have a long way to go so I have to pull myself together and keep going!

After weigh-in this morning I can now say that I am more than motivated to move. I was worried I wouldn’t lose or it would be a small loss, and although a loss is a loss I was looking for numbers. I was thrilled when I weighed myself! Half asleep I managed to read through the scales and see the numbers have dropped!

We are now down a TOTAL of:

 

I am absolutely astonished, excited and amazed and completely, utterly motivated to keep those numbers moving!

The self-control is a lot less challenging than I thought. I went to Gloria Jean’s yesterday and when I would usually indulge in a Banana Bread or Pear & Raspberry Bread (yum) I actually bought some fruit & nut mix (after checking the packet!) Mochas are still my vice but I’ve cut down rapidly!

I am enjoying the food on the program and find that at night it’s quite enjoyable cooking something new and cooking with fresh ingredients. When I ‘plate up’ and we sit down at the table it’s a nice feeling, and then realising that the portion sizes are ‘more than enough’ makes me think of all those meals that I piled on my plate and ate, regardless of whether I needed that much, or most likely, I didn’t!

I think I’ve managed to get a Double Jogger pram from someone, just need to arrange to pick it up. If I do then I plan on having Cooper ride his bike and the girls in the pram while I go for a jog! On the days Cooper is at day-care, or next year, he’ll be at school, I’ll be able to pop the girls in and get out and move, move, move! I was at the park the other day and Cooper insisted we play chasings – who knew a 4 year old could out run a 32 year old! Wow, that was a reality check to get fit!

We’re only in the middle of week 2 but I’m ready to keep going. Goals seem achievable now, more than ever.  I never thought I’d be able to shift the first 5 kilos, but that’s because I’ve never really tried before. If I’d known it was this easy, I would have done it a long time ago!

 

 

Just keep Moving - Just keep Moving...

 

On an end note, I’d like to send a special shout-out to my Mummy! Mum has struggled with her weight for a long time, due to a lot of things. After spending time with her, she’s now on a mission to get her health back on track and has started walking on her treadmill and making the right food choices! I’m so proud of that! Together, we can support each other…although…I still do love your chicken schnitzel, rissoles and cauliflower cheese, Mum! Maybe next time, I’ll just have to have ‘smaller’ portions…not the whole container!!!!!   x

 

Mum - this is me giving you a high-five! Keep Going Keep Going!

 

 

I also forgot to mention that I tweeted to Mish when the kids were working out with me! I showed her the blog post and got this response:

Knowing Mish is on my side HELPS keep me moving!

First workout

It’s been a week or so since my last post. I went away to the South Coast of NSW with the family and it was lovely. The weather was very kind to us this time and we were able to do many things as a family. Our first ‘real – successful’ holiday! We tried when Lil Miss (now 10.5months) was only 3 months and it was all sorts of fail!

The lovely South Coast of NSW

I haven’t done all my pre-season tasks yet as I was away and the internet reception was very sketchy, but I’m ready and raring to sit down and view them all and action them.I wanted to write this post now because I am feeling pumped. I downloaded MyFitnessPal for iPhone today, after hearing a lot about it. It’s fantastic! I’ve never been a numbers girl; anyone could tell you that, but this app is brilliant! I enter in my food/meals and hey presto…here’s how much you’ve eaten!I was shocked and amazed to see the numbers and it puts everything into perspective. This excites me!

Another big move today was that I moved!  I exercised for the first time in what I’m dubbing “I-can’t-remember”!!! I downloaded another app (have I told you that I have a love affair for my iPhone!?) that tracks you as you move. (BRILLIANT!) It was working out distance, pace, time and most importantly, calories burned. Every time I’d glance at it and see the calories moving higher I was pumped!!! It kept me moving!

 

Just to prove it, I’ve taken a pic of myself after!!  (Be warned – NOT glam at all!!!)

I've never been so excited to have a red, flushed face!

There’s still much to do but it’s a true flow on effect. Do one thing and the next will happen!

Thanks for all the messages of support I’ve received, I’m excited to know that I can share this with others. The support I’ve found for people who are involved in the 12WBT is amazing and motivating. Two things that will lead me on when times aren’t so easy!

MOODS: Excited – Happy – Exhausted (but a good exhausted!)

   

We’ve Only Just Begun…

Hi There! If you’re reading this – then welcome to my blog! If you’re not – then, never mind!

I’m starting this blog to keep myself on track and accountable. I’m about to make a big step and commit to something. I’ve never been great at follow through. I tend to go into things head first and be very enthusiastic and then it dies away and I end up leaving a trail of many half-open projects and endeavours. This is something I won’t be able to do that with. This involves me, being the best I can be and doing the best I can do. This is for me and for nobody else. I’ve decided to start the Michelle Bridges 12 week body transformation, or as people in the know call it 12WBT.

I have tried everything and anything under the sun, as you can imagine. The most weight I’ve ever lost was 5kgs on Lite N Easy and also having some guidance from my sister, who is involved in the world of active lifestyle, and has competed in Body Shaping competitions.  But now, I want to lose a minimum of 10kgs. At least! I want to lose the hips, the bum, thighs, all of it! I want it smaller. In fact, I think it’s a great day to start because when I went to put my only pair of jeans that I own on today, they started to rip! I refuse to go and buy another pair, until I can buy a smaller size!

Maybe I should start with a little about me and why I want to do this?

I’m 32 and a married mum to 3 children under 4. I am currently a stay at home mum but have recently applied for full-time work. As a mum to young children I always feel like I’m on the go and ‘busy’; at the same time I feel like I get nothing achieved! It’s a tough battle of balance and I definitely haven’t mastered it, not sure if I ever will! I can’t join a gym, because the packing all the kids up and trekking off to a gym seems like too much hassle. I also have a husband who does a lot of overnight or lengthy travel. That means I join a gym, I pay the money and then I can’t go. I could walk around my lovely neighbourhood, however when you take 3 kids for a walk, it’s more of a leisurely stroll, not a power walk. I also have the issues of the travelling husband.

These all sound like excuses and I believe they might possibly be. In fact, these excuses are no longer valid. As of today I am putting a stop to all excuses and I’m making myself ‘do’. I can do this, I can achieve this, and I can see this through. I want to make myself a better person and I hope through this challenge I can.  I want to be more self-confident. I want to be happy with myself. I want to look in the mirror and not absolutely hate what I see. I want to buy clothes that look good on me. I don’t want to be frumpy anymore.

I have been watching a lot of the videos and reading the success stories from people who have already completed or are currently completing this challenge. They are inspiring and amazing and I aspire to be one of those stories that people can look back on and say “Wow, if she did it, I can do it.”

If you’re reading this, I need your help in a little way! I need you to hold me accountable! I find that if I am accountable to myself first, and then have others for support and back up I can achieve this. Together, we can help discover myself one gram loss at a time!

I’m just about to go and sign up and pay the money! Look out for updates soon as I start on this journey, join me in the ups and downs. I can’t wait to hear your stories too!

Emotions: Excited, Nervous, A little Scared, Determined.