Stolen !

A friend who I meet through this awesome 12wbt has shared her blog with me and I feel really honoured to be able to share her journey with her. The lovely Raelene has joined a blogging challenge and I have decided to copy it, (although I'm not apart of the challenge).  I hope that is not bad blogging ettiquite (however it is spelt).

Anyway, this was the first challenge -

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself. What makes you, you?

I'm a mum, I have been a mum for almost 14 years and really that is all I feel I have been known as. My kids are my world and they have always come first with everything I have done. I have always put myself and my needs 2nd to theirs. I have always figured that is what mums do. Now I know that there is time for me and that there needs to be time for me. I need to be the best person I can be to be the best mum those 3 cherubs need me to be. So losing weight and getting healthy is definitely my top priority now.

2. Why did you decide to do the 12WBT?

I decided to join the 12wbt back in August 2011 when my family came home from a wonderful 8 night cruise on a P&O ship to the South Pacific. I was sorting through our holiday snaps and it finally hit be that I was FAT, or moreso not just fat but moridly obese. It was the same day I came across Michelle Bridges on Facebook. That day my life changed forever :)


3. What are you hoping to achieve through the program?

Obviously weight loss is my number 1 reason for joining the 12wbt, but not I realise there is more to it than just weight loss. I want to have the right mind set  and I want to learn how to make the right choices. I also have found it a great way to make meet new people with similar goals to my own.

4. Why have you decided to blog about the 12WBT? What will be the main focus (eg, food, exercise, a bit of everything?)

I decided to start blogging last year as a way to keep myself accountable and to put my thoughts on paper without any judgement. Most of what I write is focussed on my achievements.

5.How will you be exercising this round? Gym, home, outdoors or a mixture?

At the gym. I am so in love with the gym and the classes and equipment that it offers. I have joined a gym previously many years ago when I thought I was ready to lose weight but I think I only ever walked in the door 5 times. Now though, I go 6 days a week.

6. What is your greatest strength that will help you?

My greatest strength would have to be my support network. I definitely couldn't do it with them all.


7. What are you afraid of?

F.A.I.L.I.N.G

8. What are you looking forward to the most over the next 12 weeks?

Having the tools to guide me to make the right choices in all aspects of my life.

9. What is your downfall? Food? Exercise? How will you overcome this?

Definitely food. I am a lazy cook and I take short cuts all the time. I need to be prepared in advance.

10. If you had to pick one word to motivate you over the next 12 weeks, what would you choose?
twelve (size)

Week 4 Fitness Test and Measurements

Today I completed my week 4 fitness test and I had some great improvements.

Yesterday I did my fitness test -
1km time trial - 7 minutes 10 seconds - 41 seconds faster than week 1.
Push up - toes 4 (haven't previously done these on my toes before ) knees 31 (17 more than week 1)
Strength test - level 1 (no improvement)
Wall sit - 40 seconds (15 seconds longer than week 1)
Sit and Reach 16cm (11cm more than week 1)

Measurements-
Chest - 104cm (previously 105cm)
Waist - 100cm (previously 104cm)
Widest - 114cm (previously 128cm)
Thigh R - 60cm (previously 63cm)
Thigh L - 60cm (previously 63cm)

The blog updates have been few and far between but I have been busy kicking exercises butt !

oppsy, I keep forgetting to update in here, this round I have been very blog slack !

Since my last update I have been really busy trying to kick some more kilos. I have had some up and down movement on the scales since the official start of the round kicked off.

I started Round 1 2012 at 86.3 and since then I have weighed in at 84.8, 84.2 and last Wednesday it was 84.7. To say I am disappointed with my results is an understatement but I have noone else to blame except myself. The exercise has been exceptional especially when I got a Polar FT4 as my 20kg reward and I could actually track my calories smashed. The nutrition side of things is freaking hard work still. I mean I am not eating anything nasty, I am just eating too much of the good stuff, my meal portions definitely need to be monitored more closely. I also found last week I skipped lunch 3-4 times in the week. I just didn't feel hungry at the time but then come dinner time I was starving. Anyway, I know where I have been going wrong and I know what I need to do to fix it all up. Also a few days away with girlfriends and lots of alcohol certainly doesn't help :P

I forgot to mention last post that on Australia Day, Clint, Lisa and Myself did a 6km fun run on the Peninsula. It was a great day walking/jogging along the foreshore. We all even got a medal for our efforts :) My goal was to do it under 1 hour and I did it in 58 minutes I think it was :)

I have also climed the 1000 steps a few weekends ok, I think I recall I did that in about 40 minutes, I am hoping to improve on that.

Last week Clint, myself and some of the fabulous 12wbt local girls in my CC12C group did a 5km and 10km run/walk. My goal was to do it under 45 minutes and I made that by the skin of my teeth... 44 minutes and 59 seconds !!!!

I am loving the fun runs that I'm doing and I would love to be able to do more but financially it is really hard unfortunately. I really wanted to do the Run for the Kids, but right now I will have to give it a miss. There are just too many other 'more important' things that need my money atm.

Last weekend my local gym was raising money for their support group and they organised a Dance Party of 2 hours of Sh'Bam and Zumba, once again the CC12C girls came along and we all danced the morning away in 38 degrees. Phew it was hot !

This Saturday coming I am doing my very first boot camp session to help raise money for the RFL, a few of the girls from CC12C are also doing it so it should be good fun

Something that I am really looking forward to it happening in 2 weeks. Relay for Life. I'm staying for 24 hours to support and complete as many laps as possible, it is for such a good cause and will be a lot of fun :D

As I said the exercise part is well and truly covered. :D

Week 1 Fitness test and measurements

Yesterday I did my fitness test -
1km time trial - 7 minutes 45 seconds (intermediate)- 7 seconds fast than week 12.
Push up - 15 (beginner) 1 more than week 12
Strength test - level 1 (beginner) same as week 12
Wall sit - 35 seconds (beginner) 5 seconds more than week 12
Sit and Reach -

Measurements-
Chest - 105cm (previously 115cm)
Waist - 104cm (previously 112cm)
Widest - 128cm (previously ??)
Thigh R - 63cm (previously 70cm)
Thigh L - 63cm (previously 70cm)

My BMI has gone from 39(severely obese) in September to 32(obese) today !

I'll be taking my Round 1 2012 before photo later today. I can't wait to compare it with last years :)

My exercise plan

I am putting my daily exercise schedule down on paper.

Monday - Zumba 9.20am

Tuesday - Pump 9.20am and Step at 11.00am

Wednesday - Sh'Bam 11am and a walk/jog at 7.30pm with my local 12wbt girls

Thursday - Body Attack 9.20am and Pump at 11.00am

Friday - Sh'Bam 9.20am.

Saturday - walk/jog at 7.30am with my local 12wbt

Sunday - Group PT session at 10am.

Now I need to fit in training for C25K and also turn my Saturday into a SSS (Super Saturday Session) ! I need to get more organised as I work until late Thursday and Friday nights and Saturday afternoons. So by Saturday morning I am struggling with energy and could easily sleep the morning away. I also want to add some swimming and RPM classes into the mix !

I am starting the C25K and I won't stop until I am done !

This time I am determined to finish the C25K (couch to 5km) program. I want to be able to run 5km without stopping. I really want to be able to do it by April 1st when the Run For The Kids Fun Run is on.  So I started day 1 today and will continue with it until I reach my goal :) 

Pre Season Task 6 - Kitchen Makeover

I am pleased to say my cupboards, fridge and freezer are looking great and I don't need to throw anything out. Yahhh me! Not one ounce of junk food has entered my house since starting Round 3 last year and I am determined to keep it that way.