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!!!

Blogger Challenge Week 1: Introduction

Here we go!!  It's week 1 of Round 1 of the 2012 12 Week Body Transformation - By now you have completed all of your pre season tasks (If you haven't, do them!!  Really dig deep and be honest - it helps!!) and you are already a few days into the program.

It's all excitement at the moment.  You are changing your life!  You are working hard to make a happier, healthier version of yourself.  Everyone has come to the program for different reasons.  Yes, there are similarities, but everyone has a different background story - here is your chance to introduce yourselves and get the ball rolling.

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

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself.  What makes you, you?
2. Why did you decide to do the 12WBT?
3. What are you hoping to achieve through the program?
4. Why have you decided to blog about the 12WBT? What will be the main focus (eg, food, exercise, a bit of everything?)
5. How will you be exercising this round? Gym, home, outdoors or a mixture?
6. What is your greatest strength that will help you?
7. What are you afraid of?
8. What are you looking forward to the most over the next 12 weeks?
9. What is your downfall? Food? Exercise? How will you overcome this?
10. If you had to pick one word to motivate you over the next 12 weeks, what would you choose?

Happy answering!!

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 22nd February 2012.

12WBT Blogging Challenge - Join in!

Well, today is the first day of round one, which means that the blogging challenge will be kicking off this Friday morning at 9am!!!

I am really looking forward to reading the responses!!  Don't forget to link your post (not your whole blog!) to the question so that others can read your response!  I would love for you all to read and comment on as many posts as you can - really help your 12WBT family out!!

For anyone interested in joining in, check out the Blogger Challenge post here.

Are You Serious!?!

Before we headed over to the in-laws for dinner, I thought I would quickly do my 1km time trial for my first fitness test.  I did all of the other parts of the test last night and this was the only one I had left to do.

Unlike last round's fitness tests, I now have a 'legitimate' track - one that is already marked out at 500m - meaning no more calculations with google maps! All of my runs from now on will be the same length.

Now, you are probably confused by the title of this post, but I need to just say again:

Are You Serious!?!

I can't believe I am about to tell you all this, but I ran (mostly) 1km in 7 minutes 26 seconds!!!!  That means that I am in the intermediate category!!!

I am so surprised as I thought that I would have lost all of my fitness during my "mopey off season"!

The results of the other portions of my test are as follows:

• Push ups: 35 on knees
• Sit and reach: +3cm
• Ab test: 0 (totally as expected)
• Wall sit: 17 seconds

These are all worse than my last fitness test results, however other than the ab test, they are all better than my first fitness test last round - which I count as a positive!!

So, I'm off now to check out the intermediate exercise section on the 12wbt site!!

 

Task 8: Measure Up

Ok... so now we are up to the final task... what I have been putting off doing since week 11 of the last round... measurements...

So, I spose I should just get straight into it!!

Week 1
Saturday 11 February

		Change	Total Loss
Weight:	tbc	n/a	n/a
R Arm:	29.5cm	n/a	n/a
L Arm:	30.5cm	n/a	n/a
Bust:	114cm	n/a	n/a
Waist:	124cm	n/a	n/a
Hips:	125cm	n/a	n/a
R Thigh:	71cm	n/a	n/a
L Thigh:	70.5cm	n/a	n/a

So, the measurements were as expected. When I weigh in tomorrow morning I will update it and will probable also put in my body fat % as well.

I just had B take my before photo... looks about the same as last round one... so glad no one else gets to see that one!!

I am planning on doing my fitness test time trial tomorrow morning before I have to go to work... to be honest, it's probably the only time I will get to do it.

Task 7: Organise & Diarise

Ok... here we are!

This is my favourite part of the pre season tasks - planning!!

Luckily for me, I have had my upcoming schedule booked in for a couple of weeks now as I am now at uni and definitely need to plan my life to avoid catastrophe!

I have created a pic of my schedule (below) - please try not to be scared (as I am!!) at how full it is.  I have had to fit in uni, work and my workouts into my week as well as taking some time out for me (saturday mornings).  It all looks a little chaotic, but I really hope that it's doable.  I have spent every moment of my free time in the last week dedicated to studying and I'm not yet where I would like to be! Hopefully the exercise and healthier foods will help my concentration levels!

To keep it simple, basically all of the purple are my workouts :)

Milestones

So, another part of this task is to come up with a 4, 8 and 12 week milestone.  Luckily for me, there are 3 fun runs in Canberra around those times!!

Week 4 - Sri Chinmoy 4km Fun Run/Walk - 12th March 2012

Week 8 - ActewAGL Women's & Girls 5km Fun Run/Walk - 1st April 2012

Week 12 - Mother's Day Classic 5km Fun Run - 13th May 2012

This one will be the BIG one - I have actually signed up to do the run!!!! (You can sponsor me below by clicking on the picture if you would like to)

I also have no excuses for not doing them, as I have already signed up to the Sri Chinmoy and the MDC.  I would have signed up to the other one as well, but their registrations aren't open yet.

Can't believe I want to be a runner... lol!

Task 5: Say It Out Loud

Last round I got stuck on this pre season task, however, I have to say that this time I have found it even harder.

I have lost pretty much all of my self confidence when it comes to the program.  I am struggling to honestly believe that I can do this; that I can stick to it and that I can just get it done.

I struggle with the belief that this will be the last time I do this, that it's for life and overall that I can stick to the program.  It is amazing how many mind games there are when it comes to weightloss, and I think that battling your inner demons has to be (for me at least) the hardest part of the whole journey.  I mean, how do you get yourself up and out of bed and on your way to the gym when you can't find a positive thing to relate to yourself and your weightloss journey?

The key is (and what I keep trying to tell myself) to become a robot and just do it (or JFDI as Mish says). I know that when I exercise and eat right I feel amazing - and that includes my mental health, but it doesn't mean that it isn't hard.

So, in saying that, I am making my commitment.

1. Exercise each day.  Don't beat myself up if you don't crack 500 calories each session. Push myself, but not so that I burn out
2. Eat the best that I possibly can.  Eating veges every night and no more take away.
3. Eat atleast 1 piece of fruit per day.
4. Drink more water! Lay off the diet coke
5. Learn to run - do the C25K program so that I can run the whole way in a fun run
6. Don't compare myself to others! Everyone is different and has different lifestyles.
7. Exercise in the mornings - it's done and dusted and my day hasn't started yet
8. Focus mainly on excercise - just get it done. The weight will come off - just do the right thing.
9. Get to more group workouts - I feel so much better when I don't feel like I am on my own
10. Remember that I can succeed at what I want - just keep going and keep exercising.

Avoidance

I always comment on how my Dad is an ostrich... once things get a little confrontational he sticks his head in the sand and doesn't want to know about it.  I always thought I was the complete opposite, that I always go charging in and get stuff done...

Today I realised that I have in fact inherited the "ostrich trait" from my father. 

There are just some things that when they become a little uncomfortable for me I tend to 'shut down' and just block it all out, as though avoiding it will make it go away.

I will be honest (as I always am here lol) and tell you all that I have been avoiding anything 12WBT related ever since the commitment preseason task came out.  Just like last round, the commitment task has me completely panicky.  Why?! Because I don't have the confidence in myself to be able to back myself up.

I know who I want to commit myself to (myself, my partner and my friend), but I feel as though I would be lying as I can't seem to make myself believe that I will follow this program through.  Right now, I can't seem to commit to anything... eating, exercise, cleaning out the kitchen, wanting to cook and I have no enthusiasm for any of it.

So, why am I telling you all about this? Well, I figured if I am feeling this way, there must be other people out there who are feeling similar to me.  Plus, I realised that I have been avoiding blogging about anything here for fear of bringing too much negativity to my page and to the people who read this blog.

However - negative thought processes are part of the inward battle of weight loss and the only way (for me at least) to start working through them is to actually get it all out there, and for me to work through them... and part of that process seems to be to blog about it as I tend to find it quite therapeutic.

So, Round 1 kicks off on Monday, I am yet to find any enthusiasm for it, however I only have 3 days to get through the last half of my preseason tasks, so hopefully that will incite some enthusiasm.