History

I just wrote this in the 12WBT Forums and thought I would also post it up here...

Well, I didn't think that I would post my story, but here I am.

Let's see, in 2007 at 22 I was told by my doctor that I was pre-diabetic, had high sugar levels, high cholesterol, was overweight and had PCOS. I still remember him telling me this and how I went to my sisters that afternoon and crying. My bestie who had recently past away at the same age as me had diabetes, so it all just hit too close to home.

I changed my diet by cutting out the processed foods and because I was too embarrassed to go outside to exercise because of my weight, I used an exercise bike 6 nights a week for half an hour while watching the biggest loser.

After 6 months I had lost 12 kilos, and needed a change, so I joined healthy inspirations. I didn't have much luck on the scales, but toned my body up to see some amazing measurement losses.

After our local one closed down, I switched from gym to gym, calorie counting along the way and over 4 years losing 23kg.

Then, the weight started creeping back on and I didn't put as much effort in... Then, earlier this year I got with my current partner and managed to put on 10kg in about 3 months! I was partying too much, eating out and not exercising... After all my work over the last 4, almost 5 years, I have still not reached goal weight... In fact, I was only 4kg shy of being back at my start weight...

I had let myself down...

Since mish started doing the 12wbt program I had debated about signing up. After chatting with a friend before last round, I decided to sign up.

My round didn't go according to plan... I was sick 3 times (as in bedridden sick), I moved house, I was in a stressful job, I moved in with my boyfriend (first time I had ever moved in with someone!!!!) and gained an instant family (we have his daughter full time), and finally I also changed jobs! Needless to say, I struggled!

In saying this though, I tried hard to stick to the program as much as I could, and it wasnt until week 11 that I really came unstuck. I didn't have the loss I was expecting, and I have since reverted to my old ways.

What upsets me the most is that I feel like I have let myself down, I feel that I could have done so much more and I am annoyed that I "allowed" myself to "fail".

However, I have learned a lot and I am back! I decided to go to the finale even though I was incredibly sick, and I have to tell you that the atmosphere is electric!! So much so that I actually cried when the workout started because I was so devastated that I was missing out!

I am currently in the process of setting myself some new goals, a couple of which are doing more with the Capital Punishment team here in Canberra, and trying not to stress so much about getting it "right" but just doing it (something I got from the interview with Run Mummy Run last round!), so I want to focus on exercising 6 days a week. Because my new job is so active, I want to become more of a morning person and start exercising in the morning before my day starts.

I have seen how well this program works, and I want it to work for me too - and no one can do it for me, but me!

I have blogged about my previous round, and it has all the highs and lows. I am going to continue writing it this round as I found that it made me more accountable, I would love to have more people reading it and commenting so that I am even MORE accountable lol.

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)

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 :)

Owning It!

I am here, owning my confession, and telling you all.  

This morning as I packed my gym bag (for the first time in a couple of weeks!) I realised just how far off the program I have come.

Now, in the past, I would have given up weeks ago, and I honestly would have been binging on chocolate and all the yummy good (bad!!! lol) stuff by now - and especially if I had said "I have not been following the program", but the truth is overall, I honestly believe I have done well.  I haven't actually given up, it's just that life has gotten in the way over the last few weeks and a lot of the old habits have crept in; not cooking dinner, eating out a lot (although we do still try to go for healthier options!), not planning ahead, not doing the grocery shop regularly, not going to the gym/exercising (read: excuses!).

In saying all of this though, in the last couple of weeks I have:

• Quit my job
• Found a new job
• Finishing up the work at my current job
• Enrolled into uni full time for 2012
• Completely moved out of my flat
• Scrubbed my flat (this and the point above I am sure burned a lot of calories!!)
• Turned the flat into a rental properly
• Sold furniture (how hard is it to stick to an agreed time people?!)

So, it isn't like I have been sitting back, twiddling my thumbs.  In fact, on Friday I purposely cleared my calendar to have some actual me time and I got pampered!  2 whole hours at my friends new beauty business - and let me tell you, that facial was the best one I have ever had!  Even my partner commented on how relaxed I was when I got home!

In a way, I have admit that I don't feel worthy of going to Mish's end of round party and workout.  I haven't been able to stick to the program for the 12 weeks... I'm honestly not even sure if I can claim to have been on program for 6 weeks.  I stopped watching the videos weeks ago, although I think this was mostly due to forgetting about them and then having my mind focused on the above issues.

I actually love this program, it is so challenging but so rewarding.  Not even in just the weight loss sense, but the sense of accomplishment I feel after having completed a workout that Mish has given us, and then again about having been able to complete a full weeks worth of workouts! I can actually see how the program gives results, both physically and mentally.  I know that I have bitched and moaned in the past (and my boyfriend would wholeheartedly agree with me!!) but I have had fun!

I'm not sure how to get back on track from here... I suppose going back to the gym today will help, and starting to try and plan our dinners and my other meals so that we can come out in front.  I might be way off the mark here, but I did find that having it all planned out (and actually sticking to the plan) was much less stressful (and carried less guilt) when we were eating Mish's meals.

I will be trying my hardest to get back on plan now for the last 2 weeks of the program, as well as for the time between the end of this round and the start of the next round - because I will be back for Round 1, 2012.  Hopefully I will be able to sort my crap out and do a better job of it all next round, and I also hope I will have a little more time and be a little less stressed with going to uni full time and working part time.

Anyway, here I am owning it!!  I am not going away, but I have been struggling.

Over 5kg Gone!

I weighed in this morning at 91.3kg!!!  Talk about surprised!!  This means I have lost 5.2kg in total!!!

I think that while my eating was a bit off all week, all of the packing, moving, scrubbing and cleaning helped on the exercise front.  And I still need to unpack it all - so there is some more exercise!!

Speaking of exercise, you may have noticed from my lack of posts and super long to do list, that I haven't actually done any for over a week, other than the aforementioned packing, moving, scrubbing and cleaning and believe me, at the end of those days I was exhausted!!

I have been noticing lately that my body shape has been changing, so it's great that the scales are starting to reflect that too!  I have also had the last couple of days off, just to let my body not be so tense, but I will be getting back into it as of tonight when I play netball.

Anyway, that's my quick little update!  I am still here and looking forward to getting back into the planning and sticking with Mish's plan!

All or Nothing?

I have taken this week off from exercise in the hopes to actually have time to sort out my flat and get it ready to rent out.  This means moving, packing, selling furniture and then once all of that is done (at this stage it pretty much is!) I then need to clean it all out.

Anyone who knows me, knows that I am not a 'clean freak'.  Cleaning was never a priority for me, my house may not have been tidy all the time, but I was happy with that as it was generally only me who was there.  The thing that people don't know about me, is that when I am stressed out or really unhappy, I clean... and I mean clean!!  My bestie Tory could tell you all about it from when we lived together.  It has been my way of dealing with things really... I think if you did ask her though, she would tell you about the time that I went out and scrubbed the balcony... lol what can I say, it was dirty and I needed a little bit of 'cleaning-therapy'.

The thing is, that I know I am stressed out when I am looking forward to cleaning.  When I want to get down on my hands and knees and scrub the slate flooring in the flat. When I want to wash all the walls down, and when I am looking forward to washing windows. I think that this has to do with wanting to be in control or something, as I generally can't tollerate anyone helping me to do the cleaning - I need to do it on my own.  My boyfriend has never really seen me do this, and I have to say, that if it scared Tory, I can't imagine what he is going to think...

Anyway, all of these thoughts brings me back to the 12WBT.  I know that as much as I try not to (and I have tried to focus on not doing this during the last 9 weeks) I am very much an all or nothing person.  Meaning that I have to be doing it all - exercise, eating, mindset or I feel like doing nothing... or lately, I feel like I am not doing it right.  I have mentioned before that I like processes.  I like having a step by step plan, and I like sticking to that plan.  I like checklists and I like ticking off tasks that I have completed.  I enjoy completing a task well and I love the sense of accomplishment that comes with it...

This week, I don't have a sense of accomplishment - I haven't followed any of Mish's plans.  I haven't eaten right (it hasn't been bad, but it hasn't been great), I haven't exercised and my mindset is out the window.  Last night I wanted to binge... I didn't even care what on.  It could have been fish and chips (or dim sims!), chocolate, ice cream, baked goods.  I didn't care!  Well, I didn't want to care, but deep down I knew that this kind of self sabotage wouldn't help me... so I didn't.  This made me realise that while I haven't stuck to the plans, something must have stuck, because I still  haven't had a major blow out or binge.  I have wanted to.  I have wanted to just not care and to just eat, but something has always pulled me back where I have decided against it at the last minute.

Yesterday was also weigh in day and combine the 600g gain with PMS and stress and you get one messed up girl who is crying in her boyfriend's arms by the end of the night.  With so many things on my plate, I am finding it really hard to think about the 12WBT.  I keep thinking that it's ok because once things are all sorted, that I will be straight back into it... but then there is this other little voice telling me that I should be able to work this program into my life as this is a forever deal, and I should just be able to make it work...

I can't even begin to explain how excited I am about going into part time work.  The thought that some day soon I will be able to get through everything (work, uni, exercise, etc).  I mentioned this on a uni forum the other day when discussing the prospect of taking on a subject over the summer, and one of the first replies I had back was a "well i have this, this and this in my life so if I can do it then you should too/I have more in my day - what are you complaining about?!" kind of posts.  Why do people feel the need to do that!?  I think I compare myself to others enough without someone else adding to it.

Anyway... I guess the point to all of this is that I am still here, but not so focussed... Will be trying to get back into it all as of next week - hopefully I will have the flat completely sorted by the end of the weekend :)

Crazy, Crazy Week!

Where has all of my time gone??  I seem to be packing as much as I possibly can into my days lately, and I am already feeling the strain!  I need to get a few things off my to-do list to be able to get things under control, at this point I feel like I have 50 things trying to get my attention, and I have to say there is only so much that I can do.

In saying all of that, I have actually made it to the gym 6 days last week, and sadly, I know I won't do it this week.  To help remove some of the strain in my life at the moment, I have decided to focus on getting my flat ready to rent.  This means moving the last of my stuff out (at this stage I am not even bothering with cleaning out as I go unless it is something really obvious) and cleaning.  Then I need to organise insurances, fire alarm testing and signing off the paperwork for the property manager.  I would really like to get all of this done this week.  Aside from just trying to get something off my to do list, it is also a bit of a necessity as I quit my job!!! 

I am going from full time work/part time study to part time work/full time study.  I can't even begin to explain how excited I am about this!!  The last year or more I have been feeling so unhappy with my life, or how my time was spent to be more exact.  I felt like I was losing myself and just couldn't seem to settle.  I felt as though I was constantly on the go and couldn't fit everything in.  Lucky for me I have a very supportive boyfriend who wants to see me succeed and to be happy.

Now, a little more on my actual 12WBT journey!

Let's see... this last week I have had my weekly weigh in, my Week 8 fitness test and my Week 8 milestone!

So, my weigh in was as follows

Week 8
Wednesday 2 November

		Change	Total Loss
Weight:	91.6kg	-1.1kg	-4.9kg
Arms: (ea)	28.5cm	-1cm	-1cm
Bust:	108.5cm	-2cm	-5.5cm
Waist:	118cm	-1cm	-5.5cm
Hips:	118.5cm	-1.5cm	-6cm
R Thigh:	54cm	-2cm	-4.5cm
L Thigh:	54cm	-2cm	-4.5cm
Totals:		-10.5cm	28cm

I didn't actually realise until now that I have only lost 1.1kg in 4 weeks.  To say I am disappointed in myself is an understatement.  It seems quite dismal.  I will confess and tell you all that I haven't been sticking to the program 100%.  We aren't very organised when it comes to grocery shopping or planning meals or getting it all sorted.  We were in the beginning, but I think since we stopped following Mish's plan exactly and since the fridge died.  All excuses, I know, but right now my mind isn't into the whole planning side of this... I just need to get a few things out of the way first.

I also did my Week 8 Fitness Test and can I just say that I am gobsmacked at how much I have improved!!!  I actually did the tests a bit all over the place by doing them on different days, but I don't think it matters much.

My 1km time trial was simply amazing!  We did have to change the location as the oval we were using no longer had any lines marked, but we managed to find an even better one!  The best thing is - I did the 1km in 4 minutes 34 seconds!!!  Thats 2 mins 17secs off my time 4 weeks ago and 2 minutes 42 seconds faster since I started the 12WBT.  I even ran almost the entire time!  I didn't run for about 1/4 of a lap (so about 100m).

I also smashed my wall sit!!  Last time I lasted 26 seconds, this time I made it to  1 minute 5 seconds!!!

I managed to do 42 push ups compared to 4 weeks ago where I did 31 pushups.

My sit & reach was also smashed where I was able to reach 5cm more. 

And finally, I have made it to a Level 1  in the sit up test!!!!!  It was so excited!! I promise - there was cheering and squealing in the house that night!!

Now, my Week 8 Milestone was to go paddle boating!! and OMG!!  It is hard!!  I have had bad knees in the past and had a lower back injury as well, so maybe I didn't think this one through that well... We only did half an hour, and I am so glad that we only did that!! It wasn't long before my knees were so sore!!  I think it was

more joint sore than muscle sore - which isn't good.  However, in saying that, it was a great day out on the lake!  Even managed to take a couple of photos! Sorry mine is a little dark and you can't really see my face lol  I was worried about getting sunburned! lol The photo of my partner turned out much better!

First Fun Run: Completed

I can't believe I am typing this, but I actually completed a fun run!!  I honestly never thought I would ever do a fun run, even to walk one.  I am not a runner, I don't enjoy cardio, but I am a competitive kind of person and I do enjoy achieving goals.

This morning I was up at stupid o'clock to be up and ready to start the 4km race at 8am. Well, it was stupid o'clock for a Sunday morning at least!!  I even got to wear my Canberra Crew "Capital Punishment" shirt that I picked up yesterday!!  There were a couple of us there wearing them.  It was actually really awesome knowing that I am part of the Canberra 12WBT team and that there were others there doing it as well!  I even met a couple of other people who were doing the program, but not wearing the shirts - talk about being part of an awesome program with awesome people!!

Carrie and I caught up with one of our friends (Bec) who was doing the run with us that we know through knitting and her mum.  I can't express how awesome it is doing something like this with friends by your side and having that sense of 'team' right from the start.

We all crossed the start line together, running!!  I am not very fit, and I am not that great at running, but I am so proud to say that not only did I run for a bit at the beginning, but I also ran 3 more times during the race!!!  I even managed to get my heart rate up to 183bpm!!!  As the race progressed, we all got separated except for Carrie and I, as we decided to do it together.  It was actually really great doing it together as Carrie was able to push me a little further (and able to get me to run more, and further!).  I'm not sure how much I helped her, but I am so grateful to be doing it with her as I know that we help each other out and keep each other focussed and motivated.

Carrie and I completed the race at approximately 36 minutes (we will get the actual times later tonight), which I think is awesome!! 4km in 36 minutes!!! It was just so great to know that I finished it and I completed it!!!  Not only that, but I finished the race running!!!!!  And boy oh boy - it hurt!!! In that time I burned 557 calories!!!  I was so shocked when that came up on my HRM!!  I honestly wasn't expecting to burn that many in such a short time - looks like running really does burn the calories!!!

UPDATED: My official time was 0:36:35.8 which made me 64th out of 74 runners overall, 10th out of the 11 in my age division and 50th out of 58 women

And just to show you all, these are the back of our Capital Punishment shirts! Love them!!

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.