Blogger Challenge Week 12: Celebration

WOOOO HOOOO!!!  Week 12!!!  You have made it!!!

It is an amazing thing to get to the end of a such a challenging program and know that you have given it your all.  Let’s be honest, everyone has down times, but there are also all of those triumphs you have had along the way.  The fact that you have made it to the end, is such a huge feat in itself and you should be so proud and recognise all of your hard work!!

My final question to you this week is how will you be celebrating your final week?  What will you be doing to reward yourself? (You might like to refer back to the Week 3 post on rewards). Tell me about what you have done, add pictures if you can!

This is the final post in the blogger challenge, I would like to thank you all for participating and I hope that you have all had as much fun responding to these questions as I have in putting it all together.  I hope that you have achieved all that you have wanted to achieve through the 12WBT program! Thanks once again, it's been a blast!! 

If you are a little confused about what to do, please read through the blogger challenge instructions (opens in a new window).

To link your answer to this blog post, just click the add your blog button below. From here you paste the link for your actual post (not your blog).This weeks Blogger Challenge will close at 11:59pm on Wednesday 9th May 2012.

Blogger Challenge Week 11: Reflection

Only one and a half weeks to go!!!  Can you believe it?!

In week 1, I asked you to answer some introductory questions about yourself and why you had decided to do the 12WBT.  I think it’s a great opportunity to reflect on how you have done and how you feel about everything now that we are at the tail end of the program.

1. How are you feeling about the 12WBT program now that you have almost completed it?

2. Looking back on what you wrote in week 1, did you achieve all that you were hoping to?

3. Did you find that blogging was beneficial to your 12WBT journey? Will you continue to blog once this round is over?

4. Did your exercise go according to plan or  did you have to change it around compared with what you wrote in Week 1?

5. How did your greatest strength help you this round? Was it as you thought it would?

6. Did the fears that you outlined in Week 1 come to pass? How/how not?

7. What is the most valuable lesson you have learned from this program?

8. In question 9 of the Week 1 challenge question, you wrote about your downfall.  How did you go with this challenge over the last 11 weeks?

9. What is your biggest achievement since the start of the program?  What are you the most proud of?

10. Will you be coming back for another round of the 12WBT?

If you are a little confused about what to do, please read through the blogger challenge instructions (opens in a new window).

To link your answer to this blog post, just click the add your blog button below. From here you paste the link for your actual post (not your blog).This weeks Blogger Challenge will close at 11:59pm on Wednesday 2nd May 2012.

Blogger Challenge Week 10: Benefits

Now that we are nearing the end of Round 1 of the 12WBT, you will have noticed a few changes in yourself, in how you look, how you act and your fitness levels.  By now you will have seen many benefits from doing the program.  Some of you will have reached a lot of your goals, others may have felt as though they haven’t done as well as they had hoped.  Either way, you will have noticed many benefits and had a few breakthroughs along the way.  The important thing to remember, is that you are still here, and you are still trying.

What are the benefits you have noticed in the way you look?

What are the benefits you have noticed in your mindset? What breakthroughs have you had along the way?

What are the benefits you have noticed in your fitness levels?

And finally, what benefits have you noticed in your health? (You may want to look back at Week 5’s post on Health)

If you are a little confused about what to do, please read through the blogger challenge instructions (opens in a new window).

To link your answer to this blog post, just click the add your blog button below. From here you paste the link for your actual post (not your blog). This weeks Blogger Challenge will close at 11:59pm on Wednesday 25th April 2012.

Blogger Challenge Week 9: Support

Support is a fundamental part of any life changing event – including weight loss.  As you know by now, weight loss is a mind, body and soul journey, there are so many ways that you need support.

Unfortunately, some people can struggle as their partners/work colleagues/friends may not be supportive, or may sabotage your efforts – you have probably seen quite a few of these kinds of posts on the forums.

In saying this, having that support doesn’t make or break your weight loss success.  It’s true, it can be harder with saboteurs around.  What I really want to get out of this week’s question is acknowledging those that have supported you and most of all how have you supported yourself?

1. What would you tell yourself at the start of the program in support of yourself?

2. What would you tell those around you that may not have been that supportive?

3. Who would you like to thank for being there for you and helping you on your 12WBT journey so far?

I would like to take this opportunity to say a thank you to you all for doing this Blogger Challenge, by having people complete this challenge, I have received support from you all by knowing that you all are visiting and reading my blog – it keeps me accountable.  I would also like to think that you have all been supporting each other when you read the other bloggers posts and commenting on them.  We really are one big family. 

If you are a little confused about what to do, please read through the blogger challenge instructions (opens in a new window).

To link your answer to this blog post, just click the add your blog button below. From here you paste the link for your actual post (not your blog). This weeks Blogger Challenge will close at 11:59pm on Wednesday 18th April 2012.

Where is Everyone?

Well, it seems with the Easter rush, people have forgotten about the Blogger Challenge!!

The next question is up and waiting for your answer! Consider this a friendly little nudge :D

Hope everyone has had a wonderful break :)

Blogger Challenge Week 8: Learning

We never stop learning, it is a constant factor of life.  In the 12WBT, we have such a big learning curve, and most of it is early on.  Sometimes we don’t fully realise what we have accomplished until we stop and take a look back.

1. What has been your biggest learning curve of the program?

2. Have you had to learn something new over the last 8 weeks? ie cooking? Have you learned a new sport?

3. Are you planning on learning a new skill in the future? eg taking up a new sport, learning a new technique, etc

Learning always makes me feel so alive, especially when I ‘master’ a new skill.  Take control of your life and live it!

If you are a little confused about what to do, please read through the blogger challenge instructions (opens in a new window).

To link your answer to this blog post, just click the add your blog button below. From here you paste the link for your actual post (not your blog). This weeks Blogger Challenge will close at 11:59pm on Wednesday 11th April 2012.

Blogger Challenge Week 7: Motivation

Generally around this time, people tend to lose some enthusiasm... It's just one of those strange things that seems to occur at the same time each round.

So, how about a little pep-me-up?

This week I want you to paint me a picture - Why did you join the 12WBT?  What has been your biggest achievement to date? What have you struggled with? How can you overcome these issues?

Have a look at the questions you answered at Week 1, these might help you to answer this post.

By looking back at why you joined, writing about your successes, your struggles, you may find that by getting it all out there, you can put it behind you, and move forward.


If you are a little confused about what to do, please read through the blogger challenge instructions (opens in a new window).

To link your answer to this blog post, just click the add your blog button below. From here you paste the link for your actual post (not your blog). This weeks Blogger Challenge will close at 11:59pm on Wednesday 4th April 2012.

Blogger Challenge Week 6: Adjustments

You are now halfway through the program! Wow!! Hasn’t it gone quickly??

As it is now the halfway mark, you may or may not have come to realise how far you have come since Week 1, or even since pre-season.  In the last 6 weeks you have had your ups and downs when it comes to food, exercise and your mindset.  These struggles are what have shaped your journey thus far and how you have responded to them will have shaped how your last 6 weeks have been.  Mind, body and soul, this has been your journey.

1. What adjustments have you had to make to your exercise regime over the last 6 weeks? ie Have you upped your training? (Added more weights or can run faster/harder, etc)  Or have you gone up to a new fitness level in the 12WBT?

2. What have you changed in regards to your food intake? ie Do you follow Mish’s plan to the letter? Have you had to alter it due to dietary/family needs? 

3. What is the difference in your mindset?  ie Are you more confident? Are you happier within yourself? Do you still struggle to get out that door for your workout?

 It is important to realise how far you have come, all of the little adjustments along the way, and all of a sudden, you are doing something vastly different to when you started.

If you are a little confused about what to do, please read through the blogger challenge instructions (opens in a new window).

To link your answer to this blog post, just click the add your blog button below. From here you paste the link for your actual post (not your blog). This weeks Blogger Challenge will close at 11:59pm on Wednesday 28th March 2012.

Blogger Challenge Email Confusion

There seems to be a bit of confusion regarding the email system I set up initially.

This system was set up to send out ONE email for when the blogger challenge was set to start. This will be the only one as I don't want to bombard people with a weekly email letting them know that the challenge is out (it just seems too spam-like to me lol)

I have since set up an email notification system on my blog, however this will let you know about ALL the posts that I write, not simply the blogger challenge ones.

If you aren't interested in this option, then please keep in mind that the challenge question is released each Friday at 9am.

I hope this clears up some of the confusion :)

Blogger Challenge Answer: Week 5 - Health

So, what does being healthy mean to YOU? What is it that has made you start this journey into being a healthier you?

Well, at the moment, I have actually come down with a horrible head cold, so health is actually something I am thinking about a lot at the moment.

For me, I can feel the difference in my body from when I am eating healthier and exercising compared to when I am not.  I know that all of the nourishing food that I am feeding myself is helping to build up an excellent immune system and it is all working towards helping me keep nasty bugs away.

The only way I can really explain this feeling, is that I just feel so much more "vibrant", I actually feel as though I am glowing. I don't think I really am, I think it also comes from a place where I am feeling great about myself; I am doing what I am supposed to be doing and all of the extra energy really makes me feel so alive!

Because I can always feel the difference between feeling vibrant and alive, compared to feeling down and have no energy, I think that my journey back into the world of weightloss has stemmed from that. I loved being able to finish a class at the gym and just feeling so pumped about myself and that I knew that while I felt like crap during the class, I would just feel so energised later.

I miss that feeling.

So, here is to becoming a healthier version of me, with all of the perks and benefits of eating right and exercising!!

The 7 Words I Never Thought I Would Say...

I am at my heaviest weight... ever!!

That's right... my weight has gone up... and up... and up... I weighed myself this morning and discovered that the last few weeks of comfort eating, not facing my fears and hiding from the world has done exactly what I was afraid of... I am back at the beginning... in fact, I have gone even further back!

I have to admit that I have been avoiding my blog.  I didn't want to be held accountable, and the very real truth is, I don't even want to tell you all this.  I am embarrassed.  I am disapointed in myself. And most of all... I am ashamed.

My pants and clothes were getting tighter and tighter, and I just kept putting off what I know that I need to do, and that is to rein in my eating habits.  I have gotten lazy.  I don't cook anymore, and anytime I have been stressed I have reached for the chocolate (and worse!).  Last night I realised it had gotten bad when even B noticed how much chocolate I had been eating... it's strange, I knew that it wasn't right, or healthy, but it took someone else to notice for me to have a bit of a wake up call and to have a reality check.  It's not that B is unobservant, it's just that he doesn't always voice the observations.

So after thinking about it all night, I did what I have been avoiding for weeks... this morning I jumped onto the scales... and I couldn't believe the number that came up... How could I have gone so far backwards.  It took me over 4 years to lose 23kg and then I go and put it all back on in a year plus some more!!  I always read about people who did that, and I always told myself I wasn't going to be one of them... Turns out I am...

I think the thing that gets to me the most is that I have had people tell me that I inspired them because I had lost weight.  I have put it all out there, my friends and family know that I had been losing weight, and now I feel like a big disapointment not only to them, but to myself.  I have friends who read this blog, and I wish that they weren't reading this post, as I just want to hide from the shame and avoid the awkward conversations that I know will come up.

The truth is, I know what I need to do to fix this, I am just struggling with confidence in myself to actually do it. I have to say, that right now, I don't think that I can. I know I have to, I just hate that I have to go through it all again and I can't help thinking "why bother? I'm probably going to put the weight back on again..."

I am too embarrassed to post up my current weight (something I haven't experienced before), but I am here, trying to climb back onto the wagon and trying to put my shattered self confidence back together again. Right now, my focus is simply to get my eating back on track and hopefully from there start incorporating exercise and getting my life back.

Blogger Challenge Week 5: Health

A lot of people looking to lose weight, initially consider their appearance first and foremost.  One thing that generally comes once some weight has been lost and fitness has been built up, is the affect it has had on their weight.

Other people need to lose weight for their health, and the appearance aspect is secondary.  There are fears from health conditions which can include the possibility of death.

And yet again, others are already considered healthy but want to continue on their journey of having a healthy life.

It doesnt matter which category you fit into, each of you will have your own idea of what being healthy means to you.  Is it, being able to run? Lowering your blood pressure? Being able to run after your kids? Is it eating healthy?  Is it feeling energetic?  These are only some of the ideas.

So, what does being healthy mean to YOU?  What is it that has made you start this journey into being a healthier you?

If you are a little confused about what to do, please read through the blogger challenge instructions (opens in a new window).

To link your answer to this blog post, just click the add your blog button below. From here you paste the link for your actual post (not your blog). This weeks Blogger Challenge will close at 11:59pm on Wednesday 21st March 2012.

Blogger challenge glitch

Hi all, I have just had a look at the post for this morning, and there seems to have been a glitch in the post going out (and I may have lost my post! Gah!!!) I will need to fix this up tonight once I get home. Sorry for the inconvenience!

Blogger Challenge Week 3: Rewards

You have made it to Week 3!!  Congratulations!  Are you starting to get the hang of the program now?

This I wanted to touch on rewarding yourself for your efforts during the program.  I find that I (and many others) get bogged down in focussing too much on what hasn't gone right and getting upset that they are 'failing'.

One of the key things to remember is that each time you try you are taking one big step forward, afterall, where would you be if you actually stopped?? Nowhere, right?

You can have small wins and bigger accomplishments, these are personal to you, your lifestyle and your mindset - everyone will be different, although you might find some interesting ideas that resonate with you on your fellow 12WBTer blogs.

Rewards don't have to have a monetary value.  Is there something you have always wanted to do? Something that you seem to put off for a later date? The thing to remember, is not to use food as a reward - this is how you got into trouble in the first place (well, in most cases anyway lol  - I am one of them!!).

Some ideas (both with and without a cost and for big and/or small achievements) are:

• Take a bath - candles and bubble bath galore
• Get a pedicure/manicure - give one to yourself, or pay to get one done
• Get a massage
• Buy a new book
• Go for a bushwalk - check out our national parks
• Go and see a movie (just bring your own healthy snacks)
• Catch up with friends you haven't seen for a while - in person or over the phone
• Climb the harbour bridge (or another national monument haha!) - some 12WBTer's did this before the 12WBT finale/workout
• Go for a swim
• Buy some new shoes

These are only some ideas - find some that work for you.


So, my question to you is: How will you acknowledge and reward yourself during Round 1, 2012 of the 12WBT? What are the small wins?  What are your big accomplishments? How will you achieve these and how will you reward your efforts? (food doesn't count!)

I can't wait to see what you guys come up with!  Happy blogging!

If you are a little confused about what to do, please read through the blogger challenge instructions (opens in a new window).

To link your answer to this blog post, just click the add your blog button below. From here you paste the link for your actual post (not your blog). This weeks Blogger Challenge will close at 11:59pm on Wednesday 7th March 2012.

Leap Day!

Today is Leap Day!!  I have always been facinated by the fact that every four years we get an extra day... although I reckon it would be a pretty awesome public holiday... but then again us Aussies do love our public holidays! haha!!

There is a tradition that a on a leap day, a woman can ask a man to marry him (and back in the day if a man refused apparently he had to compensate her! lol), and while that hasn't happened to me (and it probably won't, I think B and I like traditions too much lol), my Mum did propose to my Dad on a leap day all those years ago :)

Anyway, I just basically just wanted to check in today.  The urge to get back into exercise is getting stronger with every day that my stress levels are dropping (although in saying that, I think that the amount of time I am spending in study is dropping too haha!).  I even had a plan last night to pack my gym bag as I really wanted to go to the gym and jump on a treadmill after work today.

Unfortunately, that plan didn't quite workout as I was up super early this morning with Miss 3, getting her ready for daycare so that I could start work at 7.30am.  I am not disapointed in myself for not going though, as it is stocktake time at work and believe me, I got a workout!!  Up and down, up and down! Bend and straighten, bend and straighten. I kinda wish I had of worn my HRM to work! That would have been interesting!!

A Shout Out!

I just wanted to take a quick break from studying to pop on here and say THANK YOU to everyone who has taken the time to comment on here or email me (or even post on your blog!) to give me support.

I am amazed by how supportive people can be.  As you all probably know, it's really hard to put yourself out there sometimes and own up to the fact that you aren't coping, that you are worried that you are failing or even of how people will percieve you.

I have recieved so much loving support from my blog readers and I just feel so grateful to have this support network here.

Another thing that has helped me is knowing that there are other people in the same boat as me. I realise that there can be a point where this can become an excuse, but I just want to say to others out there, that you will know in yourself it is really an excuse or if it is more than that.  Don't let others put that pressure on you - and don't compare yourself to how everyone else is going.  Just because you don't have the same results, doesn't mean that you are any less of a person (I need to remember this too!!).  Make the program work for you and your situation!

All of the support has helped me over the last few days.  I feel much more relaxed and the pressure on myself has eased.  I even went and did a grocery shop and picked up some stuff to make some of my 'back to basics' meals that I used to have when I was losing weight on my own. I am actually looking forward to have something nutritious!

Thank you all for helping me!!

3 Weeks into Uni... and the TRUTH about where I have been....

WARNING: post contains revelations (and seems to have become a novel!)

3 Weeks into Uni... and already there have been tears (a lot actually!), major melt downs, stress, poor nutrition and lack of exercise...

I have been putting off this post for the last 2 weeks (since the 12WBT started), because, well... I felt like a failure...

I touched on this in my blogger challenge answer I wrote earlier today, however I don't think that post quite told you the whole truth - not that I was lying, but the point of the post was positivity lol, and I just didn't want to bring it down.

So, let's get to the crux of the problem - I wasn't coping with so many life changes going on at the same time, and I was putting far too much pressure on myself, which is not a good combination!! When I am stressed, not happy or just don't know how to handle a situation, I basically "shut down".  I avoid people, I don't ask for help, and I don't want people to see that I am struggling.  I guess, that maybe I don't want to admit to myself either... The problem with this was that I didn't put it out there where it usually helps me, and where I recieve a lot of support - here! On my blog. 

I have negleted my blog over the last couple of weeks, and I am so glad that I had the foresight to have all of the blogger challenge questions ready and scheduled, because otherwise, it just wouldn't have happened.

University isn't like I thought it would be... or to be more accurate, I'm not the uni student I thought I would be.  I have really struggled with my classes!!  I have had a lot of problems trying to comprehend topics (mostly chemistry), and I have spent so much time in my study it's, quite honestly, unbelievable.  I have barely seen my partner, and when I did I was usually in tears of frustration or stress, so the poor bugger hasn't had an easy time of being a boyfriend at the moment. 

I struggled with my subjects so much, that before week 2 was over I could see (thankfully!) that I wasn't doing so well, and recognise that something had to go... and in fact, it was 2 things... the 12WBT (don't panic, I will get to this in a moment!) and my Anatomy subject.  I simply couldn't focus on so much going on, especially with my priority being university at this point in time.  If I have any chance of surviving uni, I need to realise and accept that I am not Wonder Woman.  I am actually human and it is ok to not to try and do everything!

My main confusion (at this point in time!) to do with chemistry has been resolved and for the forst time in 3 weeks I don't feel as though my neck and back are just one giant knot. I feel semi-human again and that I might be able to do this.  Yes, my time is completely taken up by uni, work and studying around all of this (bedtimes are about 10.30pm atm, and that's basically filled with study from as soon as I get home for the day), however, the other day I had a bit of an epiphany... I can still loose weight if I try!!

My thinking on this, is that in all honesty, I don't think I will be following Mish's plan to a T, however I want to concentrate mostly on what I am eating. So, in my case, making sure I eat breakfast, eating a healthier lunch and making sure I am eating a healthy dinner.

I realise this probably sounds really simple, but I am going to make it even easier for myself.  I will be eating some of Mish's meals, however I am going to go back to some old faithful's from when I was losing weight on my own.  I won't be sticking to 1200 calories, but aiming for 1500 calories instead.

I have come to realise that at this point in time, I need to make things really easy on myself...  My partner is in the US for the next week, but I am not going to let this stop me. I am going to sit down with my Meal Planner app on my iPad and put in my meals I want to eat this week, get a shopping list and get all of my ingredients.  I think in a way, I want to use this time on my own to get back to where I was a year ago on my weightloss journey. I think that because I was single, it was actually a little easier for me foodwise.  I in no way blame  how I eat on my life now, it's just that it was a habit I was in a year ago, and so far I don't really have many healthy habits... I need to find that will that I used to have instead of being in a 'comfort place'.

I am lucky enough that B is supportive and is happy to cook meals but I think first off, I need to remember what my favourite healthy meals are...

Right now, it's time for me to get back to basics!!

So, while I still consider myself to be a part of this round, I won't be participating to the full extent. I realise that this isn't the best use of my participation to the program, but right now, I think it is the only way that I can participate.

My weightloss journey will be slow... but I will lose the weight!!

Blogger Challenge Answer: Week 2 - Positivity

This weeks challenge is to look at what are you actually TAKING up? What are you giving yourself? Are you learning something new? Taking up a new sport? Giving yourself a social life?

You know, when I initially wrote this post, I didn't think that I would be writing what I am about to...

First off, I have to say that this round hasn't gone to plan.  In fact, to give you an idea of where my plan is, if I was to stay completely still, my plan would have lapped me twice and is in Timbuktu.

While this has been the case, I have come to realise that this round, I am really giving myself something special... I am finding the balance!!

I am living a goal that I have had for the last couple of years - to go to university.  While this isn't directly 12WBT related, it is in reality such a huge gift to myself that I have been able to do with the help of my partner.

I have been looking at this year as my time. I am finally in a position not to have to worry about everything all by myself (money, mortgage, food, work, study).  I have an amazing partner who wants nothing more than to see me happy and to see me succeed.

While this probably doesn't seem like much of a connection to balance in my life, it really is as for years I have always wanted to be able to find some time to focus on myself, to work my way towards a goal and to have some freedom in my lifestyle and mindset to be able to actively work on who I am now!!

So, while I haven't followed Mish's plans - in any way, shape or form at this point in the round, I have come to realise that part of learning balance is not to stress myself out so much... which is a big undertaking let me tell you!! I am such a stresshead, and I know that this isn't good for me at all!!

It is now week 3 in uni, I am still ironing kinks out, I am still trying to figure out how my brain will retain all of this wonderful new knowledge, but I feel that by taking a step back I am able to find my centre and be able to look at my tasks and changes and ease myself into it, rather than panicking and wondering why I can't seem to do so much like others can (note to self (and anyone else listening!: don't compare yourself - make you life, tasks, work, study, etc work for you!! No one else has your life, and you don't have theirs - everyone copes differently!!)

So, basically, at this point in time I am giving myself time to cope with all of the BIG changes in my life and learning to take baby steps to get to my goals!

Blogger Challenge Week 2: Positivity

Usually when you make big lifestyle changes, the focus can be more on what you are giving up... This can make you feel like you are missing out and make you resent the choice you have made.

Something positive can always be found in a situation. The majority of participants are overweight, and have been so for years. Some may have been bullied, others are ashamed and it can be a struggle to look on the bright side. By starting out small and flipping a negative to a positive, you can turn those negative feelings into feelings of self worth and be happy with who you are. It might not seem possible now, but believe me - it works!!

So this weeks challenge is to look at what are you actually TAKING up? What are you giving yourself? Are you learning something new? Taking up a new sport? Giving yourself a social life?

If you are a little confused about what to do, please read through the blogger challenge instructions (opens in a new window).

To link your answer to this blog post, just click the add your blog button below. From here you paste the link for your actual post (not your blog). This weeks Blogger Challenge will close at 11:59pm on Wednesday 29th February 2012.

Blogger Challenge Answer: Week 1 - Introduction

Well, I suppose I should answer my own questions now!!

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself. What makes you, you?
   Let's see, I'm 27, I have just gone back to uni to study nutrition, I'm a crafter (mostly knitter), I live with my awesome partner and a gorgeous 3 year old girl.  I'm independant, outspoken, an expert procrastinator, a massive stress-head and I always (always!) bite off more than I can chew - if there is a task, I will make it harder! I have a sweet tooth, I always argue with myself in my head and I have recently gotten into gardening.
   
   
2. Why did you decide to do the 12WBT?
   I joined the 12WBT Round 3, 2011 to lose weight.  I didn't reach my goals, and I have come back to continue on my weightloss journey.
    
3. What are you hoping to achieve through the program?
   I would love to not have a sweet tooth.  I don't think that is possible, but I would also like to lose about 20-25kg and be able to maintain it. 
   
   
4. Why have you decided to blog about the 12WBT? What will be the main focus (eg, food, exercise, a bit of everything?)
   For me, it's everything.  I love chocolate and I am an emotional eater, so when I stress I wan't sweet foods.  I am also not a lover of exercising (give me my knitting or a good book any day!), but I would love to enjoy exercising and not have it be such a chore.
   
   
5. How will you be exercising this round? Gym, home, outdoors or a mixture?
   I will be exercising at the gym and at home.  I will also do a little bit of outdoors work when I meet up with the Capital Punishment 12WBT crew in Canberra.
   
   
6. What is your greatest strength that will help you?
   To be honest, I struggled with this question... my self confidence isn't as great as what it used to be... I suppose my greatest strength, is that I am always thinking about losing weight, so it's never far from my mind... other than that, I am a natural planner, so being organised helps.
   
   
7. What are you afraid of?
   Like most people, I am afraid of failing... again...
   What I try to remember is that if I don't try now, then I will be in the same place (if not worse off) in 6 months time.
   The other thing that worries me, is that I will let my fear of failure stop me from actually trying...
   
   
8. 
   What are you looking forward to the most over the next 12 weeks? My goal this round is to lose weight, but I think most of all, I want to be able to run 5km in a fun run... to know that I did it all on my own and that I worked hard for it.
   
   
9. What is your downfall? Food? Exercise? How will you overcome this?
   My biggest downfall is me!  I procrastinate and over analyse and then it doesn't get done.  I stress about the what if's that it actually paralyses and I don't get it done (Analysis Paralysis as Mish says!).
    
   
   
10. If you had to pick one word to motivate you over the next 12 weeks, what would you choose?
    I actually did have a word in mind when I asked this question, but I can't remember it at the moment... so for now, lets say
Routine

There it is!! First question answered!!!