Saturday 24 September 2011

12WBT Bloggers Challenge

So everything is always better if you can have fun while your doing it so I've decided to join in on Shrinking Kaths Blogger's Challenge......

1. Describe yourself in 25 words or less. You can get straight to the point - or bring your creativity into play. Determined, a little bit crazy but what you see is what you get.

2. What brings you to 12wbt? Getting fitter? Losing weight? (Gaining weight??) Are you first timer, a repeat offender?? It began just to lose weight but this is my second round now and I am back not only to get to goal but to continue the amazing change that is expanding into my whole life, the program is so much more than fitness and diet!

3. Why do you blog??  I have only just started but I used to love writing when younger and there are always stories in my head, blogging is easier timewise than writing in a journal and if by putting my crazy brain into words it helps someone else make sense of their own mad journey then I will be a happy girl.

4. Who is your biggest inspiration in life and why (doesn't have to be weight loss)  Myself...yes that may sound bigheaded but each time I achieve something new it strengthens me to push myself further, nobody can want anything for you nor do the work for you....if I don't inspire myself then nobody else can.

5. What things in life bring you the most joy?  My husband, my son and being in beautiful surroundings.  We often spend weekends just driving and hanging out in the country.  I don't aspire to wealth or immense fortunes, one day I'd love to live in a cottage on a hill in the middle of nowhere.

6.What do you think your greatest challenge is going to be this round?  Getting to goal.

7. What are you most excited about 12wbt? Finale party!!!!

8. And what scares the pants off you?  The workout :-)  Can't look bad in front of Mish!  Seriously though I am stressing about working out in the heat of the day, I hate getting too hot and plan all my workouts accordingly.

9. Tell me - right now - today - how do you feel about exercise in no more than 10 words Thanks god it's my rest day!

10. Complete this sentence - in 12 weeks time - on the last day of 12wbt I am going to be feeling immensely proud of myself!

Friday 23 September 2011

Lightbulbs and all things bright....

I have been waiting patiently till Bryce went down for his nap just so I could write this blog.  Amongst the 12WBT members that phrase "lightbulb moment" is bandied about so much and sure I have had some realisations along the way but really wondered if I could actually call  them lightbulb moments.  I mean is it a lightbulb moment if you still struggle a few days later to find your way again.  Today I believe I know the answer and have not had a lightbulb moment because it finally came this morning in the middle of my run.
This week for me has been particularly hard with alot of emotional stress and drama from extended family that to put it bluntly really hasn't been necessary.  I think for once I actually dealt with it alot better than ever before and feel confident that in future when these sort of conflicts arise I will continue to handle them with more and more ease.  And this is where the 12WBT and my Perth Crew family has helped me to realise I just don't need it anymore and I actually now have better confidence in myself that allows me to act better when put into these conflicts.
And so to this morning....
I was on the treadmill completing a 7km run and I really don't enjoy the tready as much as running outside as I tend to get bored.  So at about 2km in I was completely bored already and thinking about the week that had just passed.  I started thinking about my husband and how great he has been and how much I love him which of course led me to thinking about our beautiful son and just how much I adore him. 
It's funny though because even though I have been with my husband for more than 5 years now and a mum for more than 2 I had still been looking for something, it used to leave me feeling bewildered as I had everything I always wanted, I was happy and I had my family.  So why the feeling of needing more??
Today, in mid stride sweat dripping off my nose I realised I didn't anymore.  The feeling was gone!  And I finally realised what was missing....ME! 
Whenever I'm doing a hard training session I think, I can't wait till the round is over and I'm at goal and don't have to do this anymore but now I know it's not true.  Yes I might ease up a bit because like most things I throw myself in full throttle and to keep up this pace all the time just isn't sustainable for me.  But even during the mid round break I missed exercise if I didn't do something most days.  I was so active during highschool and have been on and off throughout my life but have never looked after everything all at once, now that I am doing that I have finally found peace, finally found true happiness.  I know that this is it for me, I am on my way to a healthy weight (I'm about 3.5kg off a healthy BMI now) and I won't ever go back.
Now all the pieces are in the puzzle and I just can't take the smile off my face.  I cannot ever remember feeling so calm (with a little bit of buggered and ready for a rest day thrown in) in my life to date.  Today I decided to take myself out to buy some lunch and have just finished what was some of the freshest most delicious Sushi I've eaten.  Seems the universe is looking after me, the sun is finally shining and life is going to be fun from here on in!

Monday 19 September 2011

Unexpected Celebrations

This week has been nothing short of amazing for me.  Last weekend saw me heading off to Perth to celebrate the last round of the 12wbt and finally able to meet with so many of the Perth Crew girls (and guy) that I so regularly chat to on facebook.
I left for Perth early Saturday so I could hit some of the shops with a friend I have met through the program, Emma.  It was a whirlwind of a shopping expedition for me as I was led to a change room and then bombarded with gorgeous dress after gorgeous dress.  For once instead of finding nothing that looked any good I actually found alot that would have passed and in a combination of size 10 & 12 (!!!!!), but we were after something with some wow factor.  It took only two shops and I don't know how many dresses but we eventually found it!  And I must admit I was absolutely stoked at how I looked...I honestly cannot remember EVER having felt so good.
Then our other down south training buddy Bree arrived and we were off to find an outfit for her.  I don't know whose outfit I was more excited about, I literally jumped up and down when Bree came out of the changeroom I was so excited by how fantastic she looked!
So that night all glammed up and ready for some fun we headed off to dinner - a little difficult for me as I really was struggling to walk with the height of my heels!  I couldn't believe how many of us were there and it was brilliant being able to give a hug to and chat with so many of the girls that I have supported and been supported by over the past few months.  I was having a fantastic night and couldn't stop smiling.
It wasn't until the very end of the evening that all the excitement really happened though!  After dinner we were presented with a slideshow set to music that one of the ladies had set up.  It was amazing, no doubt a miniature version of what I can expect at the Sydney finale but it showed all our achievements for the year and really captured everything the Perth Crew is about.  I was loving it albeit feeling a little bit emotional watching all the unbelievable stories being flashed up on the screen.  Then it came to the winners for the round for our Perth Crew.  I remember thinking "oh wow how cool is this", I had no idea this had all been organised by the girls.  When 3rd place flashed up - Sarah Fontana - I remember clapping and being excited that Sarah got it as she is lovely and also thinking oh bugger she only just beat me for 3rd, her weight loss was 15.5kg, mine was 15.4kg, I wasn't thinking percentages.  Next came Lian Everett in 2nd and I was super happy again as I had through the round completed a few "chellenges" that Lian had put out there and also emailed her when we were going through a bit of a rough patch together off round.  Lian had been having a particularly crappy time of it and it was great to see something good happening to her to make up for it a little.
So then we are all sitting there with the winner to come, I think the slide said and the winner is....and it just sat there......and it seemed to sit there forever (great suspense Andrea) and I turned to Sheena beside me and said "who is it" just as the pictures revealed who it was.......ME!!!!  I was absolutely gobsmacked to say the least!  After just watching a presentation of all these amazing people and sitting there amongst them and now hearing them all cheering and clapping I was blown away.  I laughed, I nearly cried and then I sat there shaking.  It was awesome!
It's a really strange feeling to have won though.  Everybody was saying congratulations and it was lovely but in some ways it was embarrassing, I mean here were ladies who I admired for all that they have done congratulating me!  Then the next minute I was proud as punch, because it meant I had done what I set out to do and that was kick arse as much as I could, in making sure I did all I could to be my best version I had managed to actually come first amongst my crew.  It may not have been the big finale in Brisbane but here I was in a room full of people that helped me get where I was and being given a huge pat on the back, I think it was all the more special because I was with the Perth Crew.
Now that it's a few days later I think I am still spinning out.  I've had so many positive messages from everyone and I'd be lying if I didn't admit it has given me even more drive and ambition for this round.  If I can be right up there amongst the Perth Crew in losing my weight then why am I doubting I can reach my goal weight this round? 
Now there is no room for doubt, now all there is in my mind is determination.  I will be at goal come final weigh in, just watch me!!!!

Tuesday 13 September 2011

G'Day

So I decided I would give this blogging thing a go.  I'm intending that it be about my weight loss journey as that is what seems to be dominating my life at the moment - obviously next to my beautiful toddler Bryce - but who knows where it may end up....maybe 3 posts in and nothing haha!

I guess to begin with I should tell you a bit about myself.  I am a 33 year old wife and mum to a 2 year old who has had issues around her weight for most of her life...yada yada yada.......it's the exact same story as so many before me.  The silliest thing is that my issues began in high school and when I look back now wow what I wouldn't give to have that body.  Over the years I have tried Gloria Marshall, Weight Watchers (with some success), and so many other diets and fitness regimes I couldn't even keep track but none have really worked that well.  Mainly because I have never really combined ALL the things I knew about how to lose weight, I'd eat well and exercise but then the whole reward system would kick in and I'd eat the wrong types of food or overindulge because I'd earnt it.  Right?  Wrong! 

I purchased Michelle Bridges Crunchtime books a little while after my son was born and began following her workouts and diet plan, I started losing weight and felt fantastic.  But then we went on holiday and sold our house and lived with relatives for a month and all my planning and organising went totally out the window and yet again I started putting the weight back on.

I so badly wanted to set the right example for my son and I knew something had to give, I NEEDED and WANTED to change.   My number one excuse for not doing anything was that I couldn't afford it, I talked to my husband and we decided that our health was worth it and I signed up for my first round of Michelle Bridges online 12WBT in May of this year.  I lost 15.4kg and my husband lost 12kg.  It was the best money I've ever spent.

Today is day 3 of my second round and I am giving it my utmost to get to goal by the end.  I put on about 1kg during the time between rounds so I have my work cut out for me, I need to lose 15.5kg to get there.  But I'm determined that I will do it and as the saying goes "I'm not giving up without a damn good fight". 

I'm not really certain exactly what it is that makes this program work for me but I know that it does and it will and that I won't go back.  I have rediscovered how much I enjoyed keeping fit, I am running again and I had written myself off as being past it.  Yesterday I purchased my first running magazine and as of Monday have begun training for a half marathon in conjunction with the 12WBT's exercise program.  I feel happy and alive for the first time in a long time and thats how I know this is a forever change for me.  I also have a network of inspirational women in the 12WBT Perth Crew that I know I can turn to for whatever it may be that I need, a shoulder, advice, a pat on the back or just a good old kick up the arse!  I have met some fantastic people through this program and I know that in itself has been instrumental in my success so far.

So this blog will be full of my ramblings as I take myself down to my goal weight.  I'm hoping that it will just be another tool to help me get there!
Thanks for reading
XX