Achievement Unlocked: Lost 5kg!!

Actually... I have lost 5.9kg!!!

I am so damn excited and proud of myself! Regular readers (from when I was posting regularly lol) will remember me being so down on myself and not wanting to write anymore because I felt like I kept setting myself up for failure...

Taking the time to step back and focus on myself mentally has really helped me.  I feel like I am in control and that I can do this!!!  Which is what I really needed. My first goal of losing 5kg was a way to prove to myself that it can be done.  I had lost weight in the past, but I needed to confirm to myself that I could do it now that my lifestyle is completely different.

The best thing I could have done was to take all of the pressure out of it... for me, while I love that the 12WBT has helped so many people, I find it a little too extreme for myself, and I work much better with little pressure and keeping it all slow and steady.

In fact, "Slow and Steady" has been my motto.  It has taken me 11 weeks to lose that, which fits with my 'goal' of 500g a week. Nice and manageable :)

I have found that if I focus on filling and healthy foods I tend to lose a little more and I try not to use my 49 weekly propoints, but I always seem to dip into them a little lol.

My reward for losing 5kg is to do Ixchel's fibre club, so I will be sending her a message soon to let her know that I am in!  I only have 4.9kg to my next goal, which will mean a total of 10kg lost, I will be under 100kg and almost halfway to my goal of 85kg!

Right now I feel so freaking amazing!!!

Wedding Celebrations

B and I have just gotten back from a wonderful weekend away in the Hunter Valley for a friends wedding.  The weather was simply beautiful and the bride and groom were stunning.

 

Overall it was just amazing to have a weekend away, just B and I and it was great to have a chance to dress up and let loose.

 

Boy oh boy did I let loose!!!

 

I ate what I wanted, when I wanted and didn't really think about anything nutritional. On Saturday night I drank so much wine... looking back, it was probably close to 2 bottles... yeah... it was a lot!!  Especially for someone who hadn't been drunk in over a year it was a pretty epic night!!

 

One thing I did find was that some of my passion for helping people with their diets/nutritional aspects of their lives.  A friend of ours has recently been diagnosed as being gluten intolerant and also cannot eat onion or garlic.  While she is seeing a dietician it was great to be able to talk about nutritional values to foods and help to give ideas.  She has the opposite problem to me in that she keeps loosing weight (I just keep finding it!), but didn't know how to eat more, and needed ideas on how to start eating breakfast.  I don't pretend to know as much as a dietician (hence why I am studying to be one) but I do know some tips on how I was able to eat breakfast, or healthy snacks and whatnot.  I also directed her to the Healthy Food Guide magazine which has lots of recipes for people who are gluten intolerant as well as some excellent articles.

 

As you can see from the above photo, the outfit went well, as did the shrug.  I was so glad I made it, not only to cover my arms, but it actually got a bit chilly with the wind that was there.

 

I have to admit that while I love the outfit... I am not very happy with how I look in it, or in any of the photos.  In fact, there isn't a single photo that I haven't cringed at, but I know the only person who can deal with this, is me.

 

Whenever I travel I always make excuses for how I eat.  It's almost as though when I leave town calories didn't exist, and nutritionally everything has the same value... which we all know is not the case.

 

While I ate so much crap while I was away, and B and I even had pizza for dinner tonight as we were exhausted from all of the travelling, I am really looking forward to getting some real home cooked meals in.  The thing is, the way I eat is up to me, so is how I exercise.  I keep putting blame on B for not cooking things that are more nutritional in that he may not like it, but I think I need to put myself first on this.  I know that B will support me in this (as long as there is some form of meat involved), I just don't want him to feel as though he is missing out... That I am forcing him to eat things that he doesn't like... but I have a feeling this is a common thing??

 

When I was tracking over the last couple of weeks it was nice to have that feeling of control, but it was also great to know that I could eat what I wanted, I just needed to make it work.  I had forgotten this and I love the freedom that it gave me.  I am looking forward to getting back to this tomorrow.

 

It is also now October, which means Walktober is here!  Don't forget to join my team if you want to!!  I think it's a great challenge, and I think it's going to be a great motivator.  In fact, I am putting it on here that tomorrow I want to go for a walk!  I am wanting to get up at 7am and go for atleast a 15 minute walk... just to start small, but to at least get started.  Hopefully once I get going I will just keep going... you know, like Forrest Gump... maybe I'll even get to the point where I will be running... hopefully not the way Forrest runs though...

 

I have also decided that I will keep the Progress and Goals pages as they are, but just keep adding to them now.  There is no point in deleting the information on them, because this is my journey... and there are going to be hiccups along the way.

 

Right now I am trying to think of a new goal to have.  While the wedding one didn't quite work out the way I wanted it to, the truth is, my mindset is so much better than it was back then, and I over the last few weeks I have managed to put a few things into perspective, and seem to have a bit more stickability and perseverance as well as a long term approach.  While I am not back to the way I used to be, I know what the building blocks are, and I just need to start putting them back into place.

 

Seeing as it is October, Christmas is now about 12 weeks away (I know!!!! I don't want to admit to that either!!), but in regards to losing weight it is a good goal to have!  At half a kilo a week, that would be 6kg.  While this next weigh in is probably going to be a gain due to this weekend away, I am hoping it will put me under 100kg!  Now that's a goal!!  I will update the blog with this goal after weigh in on Wednesday.

 

It's time to get this sorted, I keep talking about it all, but now it's time for action... and that means continuing to calorie count and also to include exercise!

First Week: Off with a BANG!

Well, I had my first weigh in this morning since getting back on the wagon.  I have to admit that I have really been looking forward to weighing in this week - which is a good sign I think!!

My eating hasn't been all that great, but I haven't gone overboard like I had in the past few months, and I have been trying to cook more.  So, this morning I jumped on the scales and I was down 2kg!!! Can't believe it!!

I know that a first week is usually a bit more than what you can expect on other weeks, but 2kg is a lot!!  I'm feeling a bit less bloated, so I think that it's mostly fluid.

Also, yesterday I went and did my workout as promised, I even did it before I drove out to uni.  I think that this is the best time for me to do it, I really like working out in the mornings, because then it is done and dusted and out of the way.  I forgot to turn my HRM on for the first 5 minutes *face palm* so my results aren't completely accurate, but I still burned 326 calories.  Also, I realised the other day that I had actually not updated my stats in my HRM, so my previous results were probably a little out of whack as well.

Tomorrow I have my assessment at the gym. From memory they weigh and measure me and talk to me about what I want to achieve.  I have been thinking about this and I think this is what I am going to tell him:

• I want to build up the strength in my knee again
• I want to complete the C25K
• As much as I love doing weights, I know that I need to do cardio to burn more fat
• I still want to be able to do a sit up!!!

That's all I have so far.  I do have a feeling I will have a bit of a selling spiel on getting PT sessions... I know I have always avoided them in the past... mostly cos I hate exercising! But I have also found that of the ones that I have had, I have never really clicked with the person.... and I think that I need that... Anyone out there swear by PT sessions??

Soul Searching

Well, over the last 24 hours I have done a bit of soul searching and poured it all into this blog!  I have added a few tabs to the top of my blog with some new sections! There is now an About Me page, a Goals page and a Progress page.

It all started yesterday morning with a weigh in.  You see, the gym session the other day really gave me a kick up the butt, and I thought about where I was heading and what I want, so, I thought I would get it all out there and write it all down.  I think I have been a little braver than I have in the past... there are a lot more photos involved!!  I have decided that on the Progress page, that ever 4 weeks I will not only update the stats, but I will also add a photo of me... and hopefully there will be changes!

So, I have set myself a goal of losing 8kg by 29 September 2012.  This works out to be 0.62kg per week (it's 13 weeks away).  There is a wedding on that we will be going to, and I would really like to be able to wear the dress I mentioned in this post. There is no particular reason for losing 8kg, I just wanted a goal that is achieveable and something that I can work towards. 

So, here are my stats.  This is my starting point!

Week 1

Wednesday 27 June 2012

		Change	Total Loss
Weight:	104.6kg	-	-
Arm:	32cm	-	-
Bust:	117.5cm	-	-
Waist:	127.5cm	-	-
Hips:	129cm	-	-
Thigh:	74cm	-	-

I also want to go to the gym 3 times a week, on a Monday, Tuesday and Thursday.  These are my days off from uni, and it means that I won't be straining my knee too much.

I also need to start calorie counting again, so I will be using Calorie King.  I am so out of practice for doing this, it seems to be taking a while to get back into that routine again.

One thing I do need to remember is that I don't have the same routines and lifestyle as before, so I will be making mistakes and probably eating things I shouldn't without thinking (comes down to practice again lol) - this is ok!!  Just keep going and keep trying!!

Cracked it... and now it's really time to take action...

By cracked it, I don't mean that I have gone bonkers... I am actually refering to the fact that I now weigh over 100kg... yup... I weighed in yesterday at 100.5kg...

I have come to the realisation that Easter and I do not mix well together... especially in a (now) 3 person household where one is a chocoholic (that would be ME!), one non-chocoholic (B) and one who would be a chocoholic if we let her (Miss 3).  Basically, we got 3 peoples worth of chocolate and pretty much only me eating it... which is really not a good option...

So, last night I had a really good talk to myself (hmmm.... am I bonkers?!) and I have come to realise that I am honestly feeling more at peace with getting back onto the wagon and getting it going again.  I have also decided to come up with a list of healthy snacks (my downfall) and I will be continuing to use the Menu Planner app on my iPad as it has honestly made life easier for us.

This morning I measured myself for the first time in months, and I have to admit, I was more than a little astounded by the numbers that came up!

Week 1
Wednesday 18 April 2012

		Change	Total Loss
Weight:	100.5kg	n/a	n/a
Arm:	30.5cm	n/a	n/a
Bust:	116cm	n/a	n/a
Waist:	125cm	n/a	n/a
Hips:	126cm	n/a	n/a
Thigh:	73cm	n/a	n/a

I have come to the decision that it is time that I start putting myself out there 100%. Owning up to my stuff ups and celebrating the wins.  I am only human afterall!

So, I am very much a goal oriented person, and as B and I have been thinking about taking a holiday (like a cruise) for a while now (I mentioned it a few posts ago that it may be a bit of a reward) I have decided to aim towards that.  I have also come up with a few other goals/rewards to help me along.  Now, I have put away all of the remaining easter eggs, although I do know where they are, I am hoping to use them as more of a reward.  Now, I know that you shouldn't reward yourself with food, but I am hoping that having them there will help to teach me a bit of self control.

I have put together the following list of goals.  I have pinched this idea and format from Mandy over at Fearless, Fabulous, Female... and Forty!! (hope that's ok Mandy!) I may add to this list, as I go along, but at this stage, this is it:

	Heaviest Ever	100.5kg
	Goal Weight	74kg
WEIGHT	MINI GOAL DETAILS	STATUS
99.9	Back to the 90's
95.5	5kg and 5% lost
	Fit into my 'fat' pants comfortably
90.5	10kg and 10% lost
89.9	in the 80's
	Complete the C25K
89.6	Get to Overweight BMI of 29.9
	Size 14 clothes
85.5	15kg lost
	Run a 5km Fun Run
80.5	20 kg lost
79.9	Livin' in the 70's
	Size 12 clothes
75.5	25kg lost
74.6	Get to Healthy BMI of 24.9
** 74 **	GOAL
70.5	30kg lost
69.9	in the 60's

 

 

See - gym bag is packed and is in the car!

I am really missing exercising too... and I am so afraid of injuring my knee further, I have been avoiding it.  My physio has given me a few exercises to do (which I really should do! lol) and overally is really happy with my progress.  I think I find it a bit hard to go to the gym and sit on the bike or the cross trainer for only about 10 mins (as much as I can take at the moment.) - mostly I think it's frustrating, but I need to start somewhere I know. In fact, today I felt so motivated that I actually packed my gym bag and put it in the car!!  Now I just need to get my sorry arse to the gym! I have been meaning to pack it and have it ready in the car... have to admit I am a little proud I did it... baby steps!

You might remember a while ago I set myself the goal of running in 3 fun runs.  Well, 2 of them have gone, but the Mother's Day Classic is coming up and I have recieved my tag and number, and I really think that it will be a good thing to do.  Now, with my knee and my fitness levels at the moment, I won't be running, but I do want to do it - even though it will be the weekend before my exams start.

I am also wanting to get the winter veggie garden up and running, so over the next week I am planning on getting the patch ready and planted. Speaking of the garden, I cooked up some of the most delicious tomato relish the other day using this recipe and tomatoes from our garden.  We have started using a lot more of the veggies we have grown and it's so wonderful to know that we are eating fresh and that we have grown it ourselves!

Where My Head Is At...

As requested (by Janie D :D lol) I thought I would pop up and write a bit of an update.  I had considered doing one both yesterday and today, but Janie's comment has spurred me on :)

I didn't realise it was going to be so long, sorry guys!  I think I just need to get all of these thoughts out of my head!! haha!

I am doing much better of the last couple of days.  I think that getting it all out there on Friday has really helped me - as well as seeing the number on the scales.

Since Friday I have been tracking my calorie intake on Calorie King and I have been making much better food choices.  Now that my will power has made an appearance, I have noticed less chocolate/sweet cravings, although they are still there. I was thinking about this today when I really wanted a snack, but other than trying to follow the 12WBT for Round 3, I honestly don't think that I have been even thinking about eating healthily for over a year now, at least not seriously. I came to this conclusion, as I couldn't remember what I used to eat as a snack.

As much I don't want to write this (because I know that B is reading :P lol), the truth is, I find it so much harder to lose weight when I am part of a couple... When I lost weight before I was single, so I only had to think about myself, and now it's not really that different, I can still eat how I choose, but it does seem to be s different mindset.  There is no way I blame B, because it's not his fault in any way, it's more that I don't think I expected my mindset to change so much.

Other than a change in relationship status, the other really big change for me was my routine.  When I first started to lose weight I was in a different job.  I had actually not long started it, but for the 4 years that I was there, I got into a routine with my eating/exercise habits that are now so completely different. As an example, I used to get up, have a coffee, get ready and head to work.  Once I was there, I used to get my breakfast (I basically took over the cupboards in the kitchen!) which usually involved cooking it, made myself another coffee and sat down at my desk to start my day. From there, my snacks and lunch were basically on a schedule as I knew when I was hungry and I had a set lunch break.  After work, my gym bag was all packed and I headed straight to the gym.  At this point in time, it was just me, 2 cats and no other committments - I didn't even have a social life!! (seriously! My friends were all busy with their own lives!) Looking back, the only stressful component back then was how crappy work was.

B and I have been talking a lot lately about how I struggle to accept my limitations.  I think that I have always pushed myself to 'be the best' or at least be able to identify myself as someone who can do well at everything that I try.  I really struggle with not being good at something (even though it is something new!!) and will either push on with it or drop it completely. I think that is is probably why I tend to disapear or withdraw when I am not coping, as I don't want others to think that I am weak... and the honest truth is - I think I am weak for not being able to do everything I want to do.

I am very much a perfectionist (as Janie asked in another comment), and this is such an annoying trait to have!  I don't know how to not be one!  I don't know how to be able to cope with more than one thing at a time (uni, eating right, exercising, life, etc) and trying to stresses me out so much more.  I have to admit that even with uni I am struggling to do more than one subject at a time (I am currently doing 3) because I feel like I can't give the subject the attention it deserves and I really don't want to fail because I can't remember what I am supposed to lol.

So, I also have a HUGE confession to make.  It is currently the start of Week 6 of the 12WBT and I haven't followed any of it... and I don't think I will... Don't get me wrong, I think that the program is great, I love what Mish has done and I love seeing people's results, but I find that for myself, I put too much pressure on myself with the program.  There is also the fact that there is a lot of the food that B and I aren't fans of. I think that if it was just myself in my old lifestyle, I could handle it, but with so much of my life in chaos at the moment (at least it feels that way) I honestly don't believe that I could cope with it.

Following on from this, I have a new plan, which continues on from my basic plan from Friday's post, and that is that I just want to get myself back to basics and back onto my own program.  I basically want to take myself back to basics so that I can find some new kind of routine (I really struggle to eat properly when I am at home) and find a way that B and I can make this work together.  As I have said before, I am lucky that B is so supportive, and will help me as much as he can.  So, my plan of action at this stage is as follows:

1. Find all of my ol' trusty healthy recipes and add them to my iPad app (so awesome!!  It puts together a shopping list for my meal plan for the week)
2. Start putting together a meal plan... and try to stick to it!! I am lucky in that if I plan it, B will cook it lol!
3. Start eating breakfast again... this is something I am surprised that I have stopped doing... in truth I think that I really miss having my scrambled eggs on an english muffin!  I tend to run late in the mornings and now that I don't cook at work, it was pretty much the first thing to go.
4. Start drinking more water.  I don't drink anywhere near as much as I should or what I used to.  My drink bottle used to sit on my desk at work... now I don't even really have a drink bottle... and I drink more coffee lol
5. Keep tracking my calories on Calorie King - I tend to slack off on this if I can't put the calories in correctly (such as eating out) because it won't be 'right' (there is that perfectionism again...)
6. At this point in time, exercise is not a priority, but I am hoping to find a way to build it back in... even if I only exercise a couple of times a week.  This might be at home or at the gym before work or uni when I start late.
7. Accept that I need to have time for myself.  Basically, this is giving me permission to knit.  It sounds strange, but I really need to knit as I find that without it I tend to get depressed and even more stressed out - seriously, just ask B - he has seen it first hand! haha!
8. Keep it simple.  Don't try to do more than I actually can, don't worry about what I 'should' be doing, and just eat right and the rest will come when it can... this sounds so simple, yet it's the hardest thing for me to follow...
9. When exercising, aim towards completing the C25K program.  I have actually registered to do the Mothers Day Classic Fun Run in April, so it would be nice to be able to honor this committment.
10. Find ways to de-stress, remember to ask for help and keep putting myself out there on this blog!  I keep forgetting how much writing it all down really helps!!

While I guess I don't really consider myself to be technically part of the 12WBT this round, I do hope that people do stick around and read my blog.  I just really need to do things my way for now and then when I am ready, I am hoping to use Mish's exercise plans to help me along.

So, from now on, I guess my blog will be reflecting this. As I said, I really hope you guys stick around, as the support that you have given me over the last few months has been amazing!!  I am sure that I wouldn't have been able to get my headspace to where it is now without you all checking in and reading.

The Blogger Challenge will, of course, continue.  The posts are all sitting there, ready to go and I will still be participating in it too as well as reading the 12WBT blogs and forum posts!!  I just love reading about how everyone is going and I love reading about all of the highs that come with it, and I hope that I can help you guys as much as you have all helped me!

So, I think that is my update on what I have been thinking about over the last couple of days.  And I will try to update more regularly, including weigh in posts, which I know that I have completely avoided this round!!

Oh and and how is this for a REWARD??  B and I were talking the other day about setting a reward, when I reach goal weight, we are going to go travelling - or at least start planning it a little more.  I think at this point in time it will be a cruise... so, I really need to get stuck into my action plan and get this happening!! lol!

MWAH! Love to you all! :D

Task 3: Set Your Goals

It's time to set some goals.  This round I have put a focus on exercise more than anything else. Exercise seems to be my downfall as I just don't like it. I also know that if I exercise I am more likely to eat healthier.

So, these are my goals so far, but I may be adding to them over the coming weeks.

Overall Goal: Lose 15-30kg

1 Month Goals

• Lose 4kg - 1kg per week
• Be able to run 1km without stopping
• Not give up on the program when going gets tough
• Swim more - teach yourself technique
• Be able to swim 5 laps without stopping
• Do a fun run

How I will get there

• Follow Mish's exercise and eating plans
• Focus more on getting exercise in as this is a hard point for me
• Follow Mish's learn to run program
• Keep it simple, try not to stress so much, just get it done. Analysis Paralysis
• Go to the pool once a week, push yourself a little further each time
• Find out when the fun runs are and sign up straight away
• Train for the fun runs

 
3 Month Goals

• Lose 12kg - 1kg per week
• Be able to run 4km without stopping
• Advance to the intermediate level
• Not give up on the program when going gets tough
• Swim more - teach yourself technique
• Be able to swim 10 laps without stopping
• Do some fun runs 

How I will get there

• Follow Mish's exercise and eating plans
• Focus more on getting exercise in as this is a hard point for me
• Follow Mish's learn to run program
• Keep it simple, try not to stress so much, just get it done. Analysis Paralysis
• Go to the pool once a week, push yourself a little further each time
• Find out when the fun runs are and sign up straight away
• Train for the fun runs 

6 Month Goals

• Lose 22kg
• Be in the fit & strong category
• Be in more fun runs - Run a full one!

How I will get there

• Follow Mish's plan
• Eat healthy, balanced meals
• Don't beat myself up if I go off the rails
• Find out when the fun runs are and sign up straight away
• Train for the fun runs

12 Month Goals

• Maintain my weight
• Be slim and fit for Casey's Wedding 

How I will get there

• Continue eating healthy, balanced meals and exercising

Upcoming Fun Runs

• Canberra Day Fun Run/Walk - 12 March (unsure if I can do this one as I am supposed to be working)
• Women & Girls Fun Run/Walk - 1 April
• Mothers Day Classic - 13 May

Crippled by Fear

So a while ago I posted about some goals that I wanted to achieve, and these have been on my mind ever since.  I have been seriously considering how I can make these work.

Today I considered calling up the local pool to see about their next technique class, but I have to admit, I started feeling nervous again about actually taking the class!! 

A little history on me and swimming - when I was little, I did a lot of swimming lessons and I remember having a lot of fun!  However, somewhere along the way I became scared of swimming... terrified in fact!  I remember crying in high school to my parents about having to do swimming for PE, and crying in PE class about having to swim and being scared to put my head under the water.  The fear of putting my head under the water is actually something that I have bought with me into my adult life.  I have actually had to condition myself into being able to put my face under the shower without panicking!!

I am quickly realising that this really is a fear, and it is something that needs to be fixed.  It would even be something that would be a great milestone for the next round (ie being able to swim 5 laps - I can probably only do 1 lap.... maybe.... lol)

Things I want to do...

I have just had a sudden realisation... I keep putting things off!

While I love to plan and I love being organised, I never seem to get myself sorted to the point that I can achieve a long standing wish/goal.  Examples: Europe, I have now been, but I could never save the money to get going (thanks ANZ for the loan! lol); weightloss - it took me 4 years to lose 20kilos and 4 months to put it all back on again; and now I have come to realise that there are 2 more things I can add to that list...

1. Bellydancing

In 2007 I took up bellydancing.  I did it for about 3 terms and I loved it!  I stopped because our teacher got sick, and then I could never find a class in my area again.  I found a dance school that has bought it into their curriculum about a year ago, but somehow, I have just never gotten my butt into gear (or my budget) and signed up!  There are actually a few people I know who would be interested as well, and for something that I used to have so much fun doing, why on earth can I not get it sorted?

2. Swimming

For the last 4 or more years, I have had a goal to learn to swim properly... and I still haven't committed to doing it!  Those of you who don't know me IRL, wouldn't know that I have a fear of the water.  I am scared to put my head under the water and I get really panicky when it is (even with goggles on - they make me a little less afraid) and struggle to breath.  This is something that I have wanted to conquer for a so long, yet I can't seem to just sign up!  I don't know if its because I am afraid to be seen in public, the fear of the water or just the fact that I am not a confident swimmer has held me back (as well as the poor budgeting skills yet again! lol)  I honestly feel that swimming is such an important skill to know and I have always vowed that my children (when I have them!) will learn how to be confident in the water.  While I know enough to save my life (hopefully!) if needed, I need to learn the right movements and just get them all working together...  Plus it would be another excellent workout!

I think that I am going to have to make it my mission to complete this next year (not technically putting it off as both terms have already started - and I need to raise the funds lol).  I really miss belly dancing, it's so much fun and a great laugh! I would love to be able to swim laps, and not be afraid of how I look and feel in the water.

Week 4 Milestone: Complete!

I realise it is a late blog post, but I just wanted to come in and let you all know that I completed my Week 4 Milestone today - a bushwalk at one of the National Parks here. I am only 2 weeks late, but I think it's still good that I have done it! My partner was going to do it with me, but with him being away this weekend, and the weather being good, and me finally feeling well enough to do it, I just wanted to get it done! So, I called in the help of my friend and fellow 12wbter, Carrie. Originally my goal was to do the Devils Gap 6km walk which was quite steep, but we changed our minds, and it was a good thing we did!!! We ended up doing the Cascade walk which was 2km, and the steep parts in that had us buggered!!

When we went to do the walk, we wanted to do the Cascade trail as well as the Lyrebird add on, however our careful map reading skills and excellent sense in direction meant that we missed the turn off! But we did actually go into the koala enclosure on our way home and had a wander around in there too. I love being out in nature,especially the forrest. I have always had a bit of an affinity to the forest as opposed to any other ecosystem. As soon as we were out in the bush, we could hear so many different birds, and as we walked along we could hear the lizards scurrying away from the path to hide. We did see a few lizards, a butterfly and even (what we think was) a numbat as well as a gorgeous koala. There were little waterfalls and creeks along the way and there were a few times that we were out of breath and struggling a little as we made our way long.  There were some really nice views, gorgeous flowers and amazing trees - including a tree stump that was continuing to grow!!  Refusing to give up I suppose!!  We even bought along lunch and bottles of water, and we stopped on one of the bridges near a waterfall/creek to eat and have a small break.

It was so refreshing to get out of a normal routine, to go somewhere different and to challenge ourselves with something new.  Carrie and I discussed where we both were in our 12wbt journey, how we are feeling now compared to when we started and what we want to achieve by the end.  It's only been 6 weeks, and we are now half way, but so much has changed.  For me personally, I have found that I don't have the same excitement as when I first started, although in saying that somehow something has managed to stick where I haven't given up, I am just trying to plod along and do what I can while at the same time I have lost all motivation.  I still want to complete the round and lose as much as I can, and I am planning on signing up for another round, but I do miss the excitement of starting something new and having all of my hopes encouraging me along.

By doing the 2 walks of about 2.7km, we exercised for an hour and a half and burned almost 500 calories!!!  I am very happy with that!  I did take photos on my way around - I hope you enjoy the slide show I put together for you!  I had better get to bed now, I have to be up early to do the walk for diabetes tomorrow!!  Will post an update about it next :D

Readjusting Goals

Well, I'm feeling a little more together now, so I thought I would take a quick look at my goals, and readjusting them as needed.

1 month goals (Week 4)

1. Lose 6 kg
   Didn't reach this goal - however I did lose 3.8kg! Almost 1kg a week!
2. Stay on plan with food and exercise
   I am going to count this as a tick.  I didn't binge or have a massive blow out.  Sometimes I might not have eaten according to Mish's plans, but I tried hard to stay within calories.
3. Start exercising in the mornings
   Nope - this didn't happen at all... unless you count Saturday mornings before Stitch and Bitch.... hmmmm well, maybe I will count that as a tick then...
4. Do more core exercises - don't be afraid!
   Hmmmmm.... I am still afraid!!! I do try to do them more than I ever did during classes, but I don't think this is enough
5. Try new classes (like boxing)
   Tried boxing, Active, Groove, Power and Centergy.  Not a big fan of boxing, but that's only because I'm not quite fit enough for it lol
6.  Go on a hike in a National Park
   Doing this on the weekend!!! I am actually really excited about it!! Hope it doesn't rain!  This will be happening at the very end of Week 4, so still in the timeframe.  Can't wait to blog about it!

** NEW GOALS**

1 month goals (Week 8)

1. Lose 4 kg - stick with the goal of 1 kg a week
2. Stay on plan with food and exercise and plan out our meals in advance
3. Go paddle boating on Lake Burley Griffin
4. Look into the core exercises and how they are done.  Come up with a plan to do them at home as well. Use the fitball to help (pump up the one at home)
5. Try to get to the gym more often - I have had too many sick days (genuine, but still)
6. Start taking a multi-vitimin so you aren't so sick all the time
7. Find a new job so I'm not so stressed - this does have an impact on the 12WBT
8. Do the fun run at the end of October
9. Run 1km without stopping
10. Burn off 11,200 calories in 4 weeks.  (That is 400 calories per day - I think I will build up to the 500, and this will stop putting pressure on me)
11. Lose another 17cm from my measurements

3 Months (Week 12)

1. Lose 12 kg (ticker updated)
2. Run 3km without stopping
3. Fit into my work uniform
4. Burn 28,000 calories (ticker updated)
5. Lose 50cm total from my measurements
6. Have a waist measurement of under 100cm
7. Up my weights in pump class to 3.75kg for upper body and 5kg for lower body
8. Have a stronger core and be able to do the plank on my toes.