Round 1, 2012 12WBT Pre-Season Task 2 - My Excuses!!

After 2 rounds of 12wbt and over 40kg lost, it is interesting to analyse the excuses that I still have going on inside my head. Basically, I still don't love exercise, and I would probably love a good sleep in from time to time rather than busting my butt at whatever training session I have on that day, HOWEVER I know that doing those things isn't going to get me any closer to my goals, and that is why I choose to get up early and eat clean. So basically, these excuses aren't there everyday, but I know that some of these babies might try and re-surface when I least expect it! These are the main ones I can think of for now, but should any new ones decide to reveal themselves over the next 12 weeks, I will certainly let you know!!

My Internal Excuses & Solutions:

* I'm so sore, I should just rest today
-  Have a hot bath after a big session, stretch and know that doing some more training will keep everything loosened up.

* I can't go at 100% right now, as I need to be able to finish the session
- Aim to get a bit faster or go a bit harder - lift a bit heavier - each session. That way I might not be going as fast/hard/strong as a champion athlete just yet, but I am building towards it. Also trust that I can complete the sessions, and if I really get stuck, I have my phone with me anyway!

* I couldn't be bothered with it, I'll just have takeaway
- Pre-plan meals and do big freezer cook-ups so I can have something ready to go at all times - very handy for if I am unexpectedly getting home late.

* I have worked out hard today so this one little snack won't matter  
- Remind myself of what it will take to burn off that one little treat, remind myself of how much I still dislike running and working out, that I will have to do even more in order to have not wasted my previous workout

* I have worked out hard today, so I can sleep in tomorrow and skip training
- Remind myself that in order to achieve my goals I still need to be working out hard every day. Skipping a day makes it harder to pick up the day after. Working out hard in Round 1 is what got me the results I wanted, so if I want to keep that up, I need to keep up the same level of frequency, intensity and momentum.

External Excuses Within My Control & Solutions:



* My feet hurt 
- Go to shoe store, and check that my current workout shoes are still in good condition and don't need replacing

* It's too hot/cold/rainy 
- Invest in a good sun protective cap and lots of sunscreen for outdoor training. I also have Michelle's dvds so I can still do an inside workout if the weather is too unbearable/miserable

* It's not my day with the car - I can't get to the gym as there is no bus that gets me there early enough for my class



- Walk to the gym, or do a different workout to normal - mixing it up keeps it interesting!!


External Excuses Outside Of My Control & Solutions:

* Car breaks down - can't get to gym
 - Use public transport, or walk

* Gym is closed for public holiday
- Do an outside training session or one of Michelle's dvd workouts

* Get held up at work - I'm going to miss a meal/have to have takeaway

- Have an excess supply of snacks and frozen meals at work. Also fammiliarise myself with some 'good' takeaway options if I am really desperate - eg a subway wrao or salad (no cheese or sauce of course, and something from their healthier range - ham, salad, or turkey)

Have you looked at what excuses might be holding you back from achieving your goals? What solutions can you come up with to combat those excuses??

12 Week Body Transformation - Wrap-Up of My First Round!

Well.......this post has been a long time coming, but finally I have time to sit down and write it.

So let's recap on where I started out at the beginning or Round 2 of Michelle Bridges' 12 Week Body Transformation, roughly now around 14-15 weeks ago.

I weighed in for my pre-season weight at 108.9kg - the heaviest I had EVER been, and yes, while I might be smiling in this 'before' photo, I knew then that I was not at all happy with how I looked, and I was worried about my health. I was especially also worried about my wedding coming up this November, and how I was going to look, if I was going to find a dress, and how much I would regret looking back on our rather pricey photographs years later and thinking ' what a waste of all that money, to be so unhappy with how I look'.

I had put off joining 12WBT in January, thinking 'I can do it myself', but 4 months later, I hadn't done anything, except maybe put on a few more kilos. In the last few days of registration for Round 2, I decided - 'this is it!'.

For me, once I had made that decision, and said out loud my commitment to Michelle, her program, and to my friends, family, and MYSELF, it was like a light was switched on. I had focus, determination, and I had a goal to work towards! I wanted to become the best version of myself possible!!! Yes there were days when I didn't feel like exercising, but I did it anyway, and I did it as hard as I could. I stuck to the nutrition plan, and didn't once stray from it. I found I had light bulb moments, where, when I said no to a piece of cake or chips, I realised I wasn't resisting saying no, I was actually fine with saying no. I had made the choice to be good to my body, as I want it to last me as long as possible.

About half way through the round, I started saying to myself that I was going to win the competition (which I had only just found out there were actually 'winners'). I didn't really expect to, but I started to think like a winner, and act like a winner. My whole life the hardest thing had always been getting the exercise done, so I just put my head into the place of an athlete every time I worked out, giving it my all, setting myself goals in my training sessions - eg just 5 more laps, or get to 15km, or 1000 cals burnt. This definintely got me through the sessions, and kept me getting up every morning when I was already feeling exhausted.

Week 10 arrived and I made this 3 minute video (which I have posted before) to show all that I had achieved up until that point in the round. Looking back, I still can't believe that this was the change in my lifestly after only 10 weeks!!!

With 2 weeks left of the round, I got really sick with the flu, and tried as much to keep up with my training. I eventually had to have about 4 days off, which really disappointed me as this was right in the last week of the round. It was such a weird feeling to be actually upset about not being able to do my workouts and exercise routine. It felt especially disappointing as rather than being able to really bring home the round strong, it almost fizzled out. I was really happy to still record a loss in Week 12, so I guess it really goes to show that the nutrition still plays a big part in losing weight.

Here is my Week 12 'after' photo!! Note the genuine smile! My finishing weight is 86.5kg - a whole 22.4kg less of me, and a loss of 54.5cm from off my body!!

In addition to the physical changes, I also took almost 2 minutes off my 1km running time trial, as well as increased other ares of my fitness test - my push ups, wall sit, flexibility - and generally feel fitter, less out of breath, and like I have more energy.


Here are my full comparison shots -

After all that hard work, there was one date we were all looking forward to - August 20th. This was the day for our massive group workout with Michelle and the party that night at The Hilton in the city. A chance to see everyone all dressed up and showing off their new bodies! Plus another opportunity to have a photograph with Michelle, and also have her give us one final mindset lesson for the round.

I decided to challenge myself in the training session and go in the Intermediate group. I am glad I did. It was a hard workout, but it felt very satisfying, and the time went so fast! Although everyone was sweaty, hot and sore, everyone had a smile on their face and I am sure could have gone longer if the opportunity was there!

With some of the 12WBT QLD Crew!!

Having fun doing push ups?!!

Ski-Jumps with the Viper!!

At the party, I got a big surprise when my parents were there, and the night got even more surprising a after that!! First they were on stage talking to Michelle's husband Billy about my changes in the 12 weeks, then I was on stage to talk about a big pivotal moment in the 12 weeks, where I discussed setting a big challenge for myself early on, and that I think that set me up for the round as I had proved to myself I could do anything after the 10k kayak challenge. This was after the fabulous Leanne - also from Brisbane - had been up to talk about her 12 week experience.

We were shown a fantastic video of the 12 weeks program, with heaps of video and photos sent in from fellow 12WBTers - it made me feel awesome just watching it, to see the changes everyone has made in their lives. I still get goosebumps watching it again today.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFADP1GnkfM&feature=grec_index

Later in the night, it was time for the awards and presentation. Mish first gave a speech - which I am sure was amazing, but unfortunately there were 4 or 5 REALLY drunk and loud people standing right near me, with their backs to the stage, and I found it really hard to concentrate on what was happening on stage :( Anyway, Michelle announced the winner of the magazine competition - Jo! She has had an amazing transformation, and looked fabulous!! For the regular 12WBT competition, Clinton was the 3rd place winner, and then when announcing the 2nd place winner, all the stats Michelle was reading out were mine - and next thing I knew, I was up on stage again!! 1st place, was the very deserving Mary (aka Splasharama!). Kerri was the winner of the Lean & Strong category - and she sure did look lean and strong! Everyone was very excited and happy, and after posing for some photos, the rest of the night was spent being congratulated and saying hi to lots more new friends from the forums etc. I would like to point out, that although I said I started thinking like a winner throughout the round, I most certainly did not do this for prizes, or status, or to 'win'. The prize to me is being healthier and stronger, and adding years onto my life. The other thing that I am most proud of, is that I have had some lovely emails and messages, from people heavier (and lighter) than my start weight, who are feeling a bit daunted about starting their journey, who have seen some inspiration in what I did, and are telling me they're feeling like they can achieve something for themselves too.

With my beautiful partner, Leonie, as we arrived at the party.

Mary, Kerri, Myself & Clinton

Michelle Bridges & Myself!

Here is a wrap-up video of the night, made at 1.30 in the morning when I got home!! -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PaEnrnoQCD0&feature=player_embedded

                          **************************************************
So, 12 weeks on and what have I learned......

I have learned that I am worthy of a healthy body, healthy mind and healthy future.
I have learned I can do more than I give myself credit for.
I have learned that I am strong.

I have learned that preparing and eating healthy, nutritious food is more rewarding than a quick fix from a takeaway store.
I have learned not to give in to my weak inner teenager.
I have learned that life isn't meant to be easy, but that persistance and determination makes it much more rewarding.
I have learned that I am becoming a better version of myself every single day.

I am ready to SMASH Round 3 now. Round 2 is gone. It is a clean slate. In 2 weeks I will take a new set of 'before' photos, my measurements, re-do my fitness test, and start Week 1, Day 1, with thousands of other people across Australia and the world, wondering what my results will be. I have between 16-20 kilos to lose, as I am still deciding what my final goal weight will be. I have set myself new goals for this round, and in the middle of it all, I have my wedding!!

Good luck with all your health and weight loss goals, be it on the 12WBT or something you are doing on your own. I can't wait to share with you (a lot more regularly) the next chapter in my journey to a better me!

xxx

A Return to What?

So, this is NOT the first time I have embarked upon losing weight.

Nooooo???? You don't say?!!

I mean really, which one of us has not tried to shed a few kilos at some point or another.

But this is not a few kilos I am talking about, I am talking about a LOT of kilos, a HUGE amount - at least 30, but in reality, closer to 40. Wow. That hurts just to think about. But I have done it before, and I know I can do it again. In fact I AM doing it again.

At 25, I decided I needed to seriously and drastically lose weight. No starving, no purging, no vibrating exercise machines, definitely no diet pills. Initially though, it was medically monitored meal replacement shakes. 5 a day, 800 calories in total, with an optional bowl of vegies at night if you wanted. It took just 8 days until I experienced my first, and only ever experience in life with extreme constipation. I guess that is what no real food will do to you!! Once I got over that (and for those wondering, it did take a few days to get things going again!!) I got into the swing of exercise, even after tripping and breaking 3 toes, and after 3 months of shakes food was slowly reintroduced. The major weight loss was out of the way, and it was time to learn to fend myself around real meat, fruit, vegies, and one of my favourites - carbs. I did fine, and eventually after 6 months came to lose about 30kg, which I maintained for a few years. Slowly but surely though as job and lifestlye changes, the weight crept back on - plus an extra 10kg. Well into the obese section of the BMI, my weight had for the first time skyrocketed into the 3 digit figures.

Until I decided to do something about it.

This time though, I am doing things differently. In January I looked at the Michelle Bridges 12 Week Body Transformation, and with my November wedding looming, I thought it looked good, but decided I could do it myself. WRONG!!!!! Of course I did nothing. No exercise, not much home cooking, and definitely not losing any weight. So I started for Round 2 2011, and six weeks in, I have already lost 11.1kg!! I am exercising every day, some days morning and night, I am eating cleanly - and deliciously, and finally this week I am actually starting to see and feel the differences in my whole body shape - not just my face in the mirror.

This blog is a space for me to share with you the everyday activity that is my life as a busy musician, manager of a homewares store, wedding planner (my own, which is in 5 months), but most importantly, to share my story of being just another overweight girl who can be even more than she is if she wasn't held back by 15 years of lazy behaviour and bad food choices. Who doesn't want to be the fat girl in her circle of friends anymore. Who can and will and IS already achieving more than she thought she could, just by making some different life choices, and yes, for now, putting in some damn hard work to get there. To return to me.

The return of Kate Mackie.