Inspiring, Emotional and Uplifting Weekend!

WOW!! WOW!! WOW!!

Talk about an amazing weekend!  This weekend was the end of round workout and party for Round 3 of the 12 Week Body Transformation with Michelle Bridges.

Now, I was actually quite sick over the weekend (and days prior).  I have never slept and rested as much as I have in the last few days as I have in years.  I do find it ironic that I started the round off sick, and ended it sick.  But, I think that just captures the kind of round I have had and wraps it all up rather nicely.

We walked from our hotel to the Workout (it was about an hours walk!! - after getting a little lost! lol).  When we got there, I have to admit I was amazed by how many people were there.  It was so impressive!!! 

So many different state/area teams with their colours.  The Capital Punishment team were there in our purple and white shirts.  (I did find out while we were there that the Sydney Crew have the same shirts! lol!!  It made it a little difficult to find other people from Canberra haha!).  Because I was so sick, I had made the decision to not to the workout, and I will tell you all now - I was disapointed since the moment I had made the decision.  However, this disapoinment was nothing compared to the feelings of devastation I felt once I seen Mish on stage and everyone in the crowd joining in on the workout.   I will admit, I actually just started to cry.  I don't know if I was just emotional, but I was just so incredibly sad not to be physically able to participate. (I was also able to hide the tears from B because I was sniffly anyway lol) The atmosphere was electric!!  Everyone was so pumped to be there!!  It was amazing to watch everyone do the workout (and even more amazing watching people do push ups on their toes!!!) Carrie and our friend Kerrie both did the workout, and they said it was hard, but amazing!  Carrie and I also grabbed a quick photo with a friend of ours (Shazzam) who also did the program this round (I'm on the right!)

Once the workout was done, Carrie, Kerry, B and I went and got a cold drink, had a wander around the markets at the Entertainment Quarter and then B and I made our way back to our hotel - where I put myself to bed for the next couple of hours before it was time to get ready for the party - after all that walking and excitement - I needed the rest!

The party was in the Hall of Industries - and WOW! Was it big!  It was so beautiful as well.  There were some great big screens up, so that everyone could see the speeches and awards.  Speaking of awards - there are some amazingly inspiring people out there!!  People have done so well on the program and some of those bodies

- OMG! You would never have believed that there could have been a bigger version of themselves if you didn't see the before photos!  There were free drinks to be had, and while I only had a couple, I did become quite drunk (although I was actually on cold and flu meds and white wine goes straight to my head!) and even got up and danced

(something that only happens when I am way more than tipsy!)  The taxi ride home was eventful in that Carrie, Kerry and I got the giggles - Poor B had to deal with 3 drunk, giggling women!!  I think he handled it all quite well!

Overall, this weekend was amazing!  Even though I couldn't fully participate, the energy and enthusiasm of the workout and party was enough to give me the courage to believe in myself again.  This round has been hard, but I know more than I did before I started this round and my crazy life is starting to settle down again so I should be able to make a real go of Round 1, 2012.  In saying this, I want to get into some kind of a routine before then, and once I am well enough again, I would like to get this started!  The only thing I 'regret' about this weekend (other than not being able to do the workout lol) was that I didn't really connect with some of my twitter/facebook 12wbt friends, and be able to catch up on the day/night - definitely something to remedy next round!

I have been thinking about some goals I want to set, so I will come back in and write about those soon!!  One of these though, would have to be to learn to be more proud of my achievements.  I struggle with recognising that losing 5kg this round is an accomplishment... I can see a difference in the before and after photos - and does mean something!  Plus, where would I be if I didn't lose those 5kg?? Something to think about :D

Ok.... I'm back!

It feels like it has been so long since I have written in here, and I will be honest, I have been hiding.  I became a little lost... well, completely lost...

First off, I want to say a massive thank you to my wonderful boyfriend.  He has done everything in his power to help me and to give me as much support as I could possibly want or need.  I know that I honestly wouldnt be here, in Week 12, without him at my side. Thank you B! Love you! xxx

The other night I had a bit of a melt down about my results for this round.  I know that I haven't done as well as I could have, and I perhaps didn't push myself as much as I should have.  I am in no way against the program, and I honestly believe and know that it works.  In this instance, I am disapointed in myself, and for me, that is probably the worst thing.  As I mentioned in a previous post, I don't like failing, breaking promises and in general being let down - either by myself or by someone else.

B pointed out the other night that I have had a lot of  big life changes going on over the last 6 months or more, and that I have done well to stick with the program as much as I have.... while I do think that this is fair enough, I am worried that maybe it is an excuse, and that I should have been able to take it all on and still have been able to exercise, because, let's face it, things come up all the time in life. I mean, what is going to be different compared with all of the things that will come up in the next few months?  I will still have to deal with them, and I will still have to try and make it work... Can I really do this?

As I mentioned, I had a heartfellt talk with B, and I think that the only way I would actually fail at this, is if I stopped - and I don't want to stop, because I am not happy with my body shape, energy levels or health prospects at the moment.

As Mish says "What are your alternatives?!" If I quit now, nothing will change - I won't lose weight, or tone up if anything, I would probably get bigger - which is not really an option.

So, while technically Round 3 has finished, I don't want this to be the end.  I want to continue on and keep going.   Things have changed considerably lately.  I have started my new job, which comes with more time at this stage (although I am wanting to take on a few more shifts before uni starts) and right now I am just trying to get into some kind of routine at the moment... I have to admit that I am still feeling a little stressed out about all the changes - which seems strange as it should be much easier for me now...  Once I catch up on everything that I have neglected lately, I hope that I can settle in for a little study time for uni so that I can understand a few things before classes start.

I have started thinking about what I want to achieve before the next round of the 12WBT (Preseason starts 16 January) as well as some longer term goals.  This is what I have so far:

• I want to be able to run for a whole kilometer
• I want to be able to do 60 push ups
• I want to get into the overweight category (about 3kg-ish to go)
• I want to consistently exercise
• I want to get fit enough to move up in the categories so that I can do Lean & Strong

One thing I realised the other night was that when I first started to lose weight in 2007, was that I didn't believe that I could lose weight, so I just focused solely on the exercise, and just made sure that I did half an hour (on my exercise bike, at home, watching the Biggest Loser) 6 nights a week, and tried to not eat processed foods. In retrospect, it seems so simple, but I am sure at the time, it wasn't.  Without realising it I was actually in the JFDI mentality - and I just need to get back there again.  I think that the key is to not get overwhelmed, just take it day-by-day and only looking ahead a week at a time.

I honestly have no idea how I can do this!  I don't know how to keep things simple and to focus on exercise rather than weight loss - any tips??

Right now, my thoughts are running towards exercising in the morning - it is always there, it's always before the day actually starts, and I already have B's previous offer of getting up with me (and making me coffee) to help me by making sure I get up and ready for the gym (I'm not a morning person... lol)  I am also thinking that I might stick with doing the gym machine workout, rather than the classes.  It is something that I can always do, and something that won't depend on the gym's class timetable.  Plus, in this workout set, I can also do the learn to run program.

Speaking of running - I used an app on my phone to track the length of the oval I have been running around is actually only 275m so, I wasn't running for long enough.  On the up side, now I can make sure that my time trial is accurate :)

Also, just quickly, the end of round workout and finale party is on this weekend.  I have to admit I am nervous about keeping up, but in a way, I am excited too.  I still havent decided which dress to wear yet, but it should be a good weekend away.  I am so glad that I will have B with me - as I said before he has supported me the whole way through - I think the least I can do is get him drunk with me as a reward lol!

Anyway, so that's where I am at the moment.  If anyone is still reading this blog, I would welcome your comments and opinions :)

Burning those Calories!!

Guess what guys?? Every time I have exercised this week (except once) I have burned over the elusive 500 calories!!! I have even burned over 600 calories a couple of times too!!  How about that!!!

Since my last post, I have exercised when I could.  The only day I didn't was Tuesday and that was due to having to re-home my kitties.  On Wednesday, I did my first pump class in about 3 weeks!  I lowered my weights back to just 5kg (2.5kg each side) but to be honest, I found it a little too easy, so will bump it back up for my next class.  On Wednesday I only burned 375 calories, but I think this is to be expected for a weights class.  Last night there weren't any classes on that Carrie and I wanted/could do, so we followed Mish's gym machine program.  It was actually the first time we have ever fully completed one!!  We did the ab exercises and then the stretches after the cardio machines.  Now, I am not usually a sweater, but when I was on the bike, I felt like I had sweat pouring out of me!!  I managed to burn 601 calories!!! Crazy stuff!!!  It was great though because while I was doing the learn to run portion, I realised that I have come so far since the first one I ever did and as of the next time I do it, I am committing to ramp it up and do the next level!!  It's good to know that while i have been sick, I didn't lose all my fitness!!

Tonight we are planning on doing another Active class, and then tomorrow we will head out to Lake Burley Griffin and do a workout with the Capital Punishment group - we even get to pick up our Capital Punishment tops!! YAY!!! I really can't wait to see them and to be able to wear them. I already have plans to wear my top on Sunday when I do my first fun run!!!

I have to admit that now that the fun run is getting closer, that I am actually really unsure about it all.  I know that I will be walking to majority of it, but is this ok??  Am I supposed to be running it?? I thought it would be a good way to ease myself into this kind of scene, but I have to admit the nerves are starting to set in now!!

Another confession that I have to make is that I have gone a little off the rails in regards to food.  Nothing major, I just haven't been planning, and have had to buy my lunch a few times and we hadn't done our grocery shop so we ate out a couple of nights.  Yesterday I did a rather large online grocery shop, so as of tonight we will have lots of delicious healthy foods all ready to go for the coming week!  I can't wait to try out a few more of Mish's recipes!

Just quickly, I was doing a bit of a tally in my head of calories I have burned this week, and what activities I have done:

• Saturday - 4 week Milestone Bushwalk - burned 500 calories
• Sunday - Walk for Diabetes - burned 673 calories
• Monday - Group Active Class - burned 514 calories
• Tuesday - rest day
• Wednesday - Group Power Class (pump) - burned 375 calories
• Thursday - Mish's Gym Machine Workout  - burned 601 calories  

And coming up I have:

• Friday - Group Active Class
• Saturday - Capital Punishment Circuit Workout
• Sunday - My first ever Fum Run (4km)

This means that in the last 6 days I have burned a total of 2663 calories!!!! Not bad considering my goal was 400 calories a day! Which means that after my workout tonight, I would have smashed that for the week!!!  First time ever!!!

Oh, and the finale details have been released, so B has said that he would like to come up too, so that's awesome!! Poor guy has had to deal with me doing the 12WBT, eating the same foods and dealing with me being so up and down - will be good for him to be able to celebrate the end of the round too!! lol  I just need to organise accommodation and tickets and stuff, but it should be awesome!!  I have to admit, I am terrified of the workout!! haha!!  I don't think I will be able to keep up with everyone!!!

It's back!!

I am very happy to come here and report that it seems like my exercise mojo is back!  And I am so glad!!!

Last night Carrie and I did an Active class and it was great!! (although I have to admit I was feeling some hatred towards the class during the step portion of it! lol)  Afterwards I felt much better and I think its because I actually had 3 days straight of exercising.

Last night was a bit of an emotional rollercoaster where I wanted to get in on the whole emotional eating like there was no tomorrow, but other than that, I feel great!  My body just feels so much more alive and better.  It is hard to explain, while I am tired, it seems as though I am more awake.

Anyway, for the third day in a row, I managed to burn over 500 calories again!!  I haven't been able to do that since the start of the program!!  So last night I burned 514 calories!!! WOOT!

Also, I forgot to mention, that on Friday night I found my 12WBT finale dress!!!  I have actually done something strange and bought a larger dress!!  I am hoping that by buying a larger one, it won't hug my hips so much... while my sister, Carrie and B love it... I do have to admit that when I look at myself in the mirror, I can only see all of the negative aspects of the dress... I never feel pretty in a dress, I always feel like a frump - and I think it's because of my hips! lol!!

Hopefully I will get some self confidence in regards to the dress by the time the party comes around :D The details should be released today and I can't wait!!

Day 2 - It has well and truely started!

Well, here we are!! Day 2!! I thought I would give a little bit of a recap on how my first day on the program was :)

First thing I did in the morning was to get up and make my breakfast (I know that below it said that I was sposed to go and do my hook up class at 6am, but I will explain that in a second).  I didn't have my blender unpacked, but that wasn't going to deter me, so I decided I would make the cous cous with apple and cinnamon.  My wonderful boyfriend was brave enough to try it with me... however we both agreed it was quite bland and disapointing... so we had cereal instead.  However, we tried it and gave it a go, so that's a point in my book :)

Morning tea I had a snack of sultanas, and I also worked out that I can have a coffee as well. So that was good.  I didn't feel full but I wasn't necessarily hungry, so that was ok.  Onto lunch, it was the curried egg sandwich (although I forgot the curry in the shopping lol) with alfalfa on soy and linseed (burgen) and OMG!! So yummy and filling!!

I made it to 2.30pm before having my afternoon snack of cheese on vita-weats and then after that I was starving!!!! Not as in hunger that I could ignore, but as in painful and it felt like my stomach was going to eat my insides!!  I didn't know what to do!! I didn't  want to just eat anything, and I wanted to be good and not go over the 1200 calories, but I also knew that at that stage of hunger I would have stopped at maccas on the way home and blown it all... and then I remembered the little fruit cup of weight watchers peaches that I had left in the fridge at work and luckily enough it was only 36 calories - exactly the amount I had left to make it up to my 1200 calorie allowance! SCORE!  This tiny little cup of magical goodness gave me just that little bit extra to tide me over until dinner.  I was able to go to the gym and make it until dinner - didn't even consider maccas on the way home (it's next door to the gym - how unfair is that?!)

Dinner was really good! I don't usually like tomatoes, but the cherry ones we had last night were really good!!  The Chicken with Herbed Yoghurt and Salad was really nice.  It was kinda tangy which was good.  I am having this today for lunch.  After dinner, I did have a cuppa and half a yoghurt, so I did go over slightly, but overall I am proud of how well I did food wise for the first day.

For exercise, Carrie and I did the Group Active class at the gym.  I know that my preseason task was to diarise and organise my work out sessions, however, what I didn't think of was having a partner for the Hook Up session - which is in the morning where I would have had to go on my own.  So, Carrie and I need to workout what we are doing together and whether or not we break it up by not doing a gym class but something else instead.  However, for now, tonight we are trying the boxing class :)  After last night's class, both Carrie and I agreed that we aren't ready for a full on step class, so I am happy to stick with the Active class for now and maybe do the learn to run program as an extra workout.

Anyway, the Active class was a lot of fun.  It's a combination of step, pump and core.  In the hour I burned 462 calories and I was so puffed during the step part!  I wasn't too unco either!! BONUS!!  The pump part of it pushed me as I wasn't used to using the hand weights instead of a barbell, but it was also really good (I had 2.5kg in each hand).  I'm not sure how well I did in the core section.  I tried to follow it all and do it all, but I just can't seem to get much movement going and I don't feel like I am engaging the muscles the way I am supposed to.

The picture of my lunch above is from yesterday, and as you can see, it doesn't seem to be much.  So today, I switched it around a little and the picture to the right is my lunch today.  I have a couple of extra snacks that I can work into the 1200 calories as well as a couple of cups of coffee.  For breakfast I had porridge (as I still hadn't pulled out the blender) and I love how much it fills me up.  For dinner tonight we are having Char-grilled Beef with Avocado and Corn Salsa.  It looks so yummy!!

Oh and yesterday the Finale was announced for the 10th December in Sydney.  So that has also given me something extra to shoot for.  It would be nice to be able to keep up in the workout that happens with Michelle.  It also makes me wonder what kind of dress I could fit into in 12 weeks...