#12WBT Round 3 - Let's begin!

I just finished the #12WBT Round 2.

I found that once I got my confidence up, after 32 days of blogging - that it became harder to blog.

Maybe my stabiliser/training wheels came off my bike.

I could not believe how much more confident and less scared I became to go to the gym!

Now - everyone there knows me, at least all the personal trainers.

My biggest compliment was the manager of the gym said, 'You are an inspiration.  You managed to do your 12WBT workout no matter what challenges you were facing.'

That to me made it awe-inspiring.

I am committed to keep training and losing the weight, which is why I joined Round 3.

I am still completely amazed at what I can accomplish and although I still have 15 kilos to lose, I'm very comfortable with the gym equipment and my ability to be able to focus.

That's not to say that it's not hard or not a challenge - it is!

But what is remarkable to me, never being much of a gym person (not at all!!), that by doing the 12WBT, I have seen a surprising mental transformation in myself when it comes to exercise and fitting it into my new life.

As I start Round 3, I have to thank Michelle Bridges and her fantastic team at 12WBT for changing my perspective.

Awesome guys!

Hope to make the finale this time.  Relieved it's Sydney, where it's easier to get to!

Hugs.

Day 32 #12WBT - Overtraining saps the life out of you!

I did something dumb last week.

I worked 12 hours and didn't feel like doing the gym, so I did two sessions on Friday instead.

OMG I was SO drained.  My body just could not muster up an ounce of energy to attack the Super Saturday session.  I just could not set foot into the gym, so I took 2 days off and started again on Monday.

I tell you one thing, I really had to force myself to go.  And I forced myself back on Tuesday as well.  By today, Wednesday, I went happily and finally felt good about my work out again.

I took some time to read through the forums and some of the 12WBT messages and discovered that I had a few of the symptoms of overtraining.  So now I know not to do that.  Lesson learnt.

The good news is that I thought my two days off would not reflect favourably on the weigh in today.  I was surprised to see I had lost 900g since last week - finally - a bigger shift downwards!

I did stay on the nutrition, but I guess this whole process is a learning curve.

Yesterday, one of the personal trainers at the gym spotted me as I was leaving.  I hadn't seen her since week 1 of the 12WBT when they were showing me how to correctly do the exercises.  She was amazed at how much I've changed and said that I look so much better in the face and overall just look more vibrant.

So I'm going to post some photos of how I looked before and how I looked yesterday just to show the comparison.  I have definately lost my chin.

After Gym Training 11 June 2013

Before

I think I'm looking less...rotund??

Maybe not so 53ish too?

Day 23 #12WBT - Fitness Test Results

Let's face facts.  I haven't dropped as much weight yet as I would have liked.  But 2.6 kilos in 4 weeks is steady progress, so really, I'm adjusting to the slow and steady approach.

But I was totally shocked when I did my 4 week measuring up. 

I lost a total of 22.5cm!

The biggest change was in my waist.  I went from a 121 cm to a 108cm.  That's huge!

So not so much of a muffin top anymore.  I'm hoping that the next 4 weeks' will see more of a weight shift off my hips and legs.  That's always been the stubborn area!

On the fitness test - I cut 2 whole minutes off my 1km time trial.  TWO MINUTES!!  I can't say that I love running, but I do respect it and the results that I am getting from doing it.  I am learning to respect the cross trainer, but I'm not quite there yet in my embracing love for it.

Clothes are definately fitting better!





 

Day 22 #WBT The silence was deafening!

I haven't blogged for over a week!

I went away and was so busy, that I couldn't find the time or energy to post.  But to be honest - I was disappointed.  I thought I had it sussed with the hotel gym equipment but when I got there, half the equipment was broken and between you and me, I really didn't trust the mats or floors without knowledge of a good bleach treatment to kill all those germs.

I guess it didn't help that I read an article on the plane about hotels, and that a particular hotel, when tested, admitted that they hadn't washed the hotel carpet in 10 years!  Ugh.  So with that in mind, I stuck with the machines that were working and did double, sometimes triple the amount.

In the end, I was left feeling disappointed.  I don't think I pushed myself as hard as I could have.  However, I DID make it to the gym every day (except Sunday being a rest day), so at least I was consistent.

I returned last Tuesday night and headed straight to my regular gym.  I realise now that my gym has spoiled me.  I like watching tv while on the bike, or plugging in my iPhone while on the treadmill listening to my playlists. 

When I got back into the routine of things here and caught up on my work, I realised something profound that I didn't think I'd ever say or admit.  I realised that I was starting to get cranky if I didn't get to the gym by about 4pm.

Yes.  Moi.  Really.  Crazy.

I noticed something else about me too.  I'm looking younger.  Before I was looking tired and haggared and more 'my age', which is 53.  But looking at myself in the mirror tonight after my workout and shower, I think I could pass for someone in their 40's!  There was no tiredness in my face - or those grey looking wrinkles around my eyes.

So I guess the silence in my blogs this past week was worth the wait maybe?

And finally - I am FINALLY starting to get my personality back.  Yeah.  Who'd have guessed that!!

Perhaps my blogs will start getting more fun?  I hope so as I was really boring myself!

:))

Day 12 #12WBT Time crunch

Today was a mammoth day at work.  I had to prepare for going away and all day presentations in Brisbane on Friday.  

Too little time to get things done.

I did my gym training at 3pm and went back to work afterwards.  I then worked from 5pm-9pm, and kept my computer screen on to see #Michellebridges live chat to us 12wbt-ers.

It was a nice diversion from working late.

6:30 am flight in the am.

Still not accomplished everything but glad I forced my exercise into my day!

Day 11 - #12WBT - Feeling low today - Anyone else feeling blah?

Not sure if it's the cooler weather here, but today, I'm feeling depressed and low.

I just had a snoop at next week's exercise plan and it's harder and maybe that too is affecting my mood.

Although I didn't lose any weight at yesterday's weigh in, I stepped on the scales this morning and I'm -200gm, so that's at least something.

My jeans are definitely so much looser - almost uncomfortably looser.  Maybe it won't be too much longer before I can fit back into my 'skinnier' jeans.

We'll see.  I'm not celebrating just yet.

Work is dismal today.  The weather is grey and overcast and my gym session today is at 3pm.  It will be interesting to see what that does to pick my mood up.  Normally I go to the gym in the morning and maybe this is just my body going 'What's up?  Where's the treadmill??'

I hope so.  I'll let you know.

I'm off to Brisbane tomorrow for a day of boardroom presentations, so it will be my first hotel gym session.  I am looking forward to that.  Plus they have a swimming pool - although I should check to see if it's heated!!

(PS - I went for my training this afternoon and feel heaps better for completing it.  I even did an extra 10 minutes on the treadmill as a warm up to my warm up.  It's shifted my mood a bit too, which shows that it's really working well.

I also just can't get out of my mind that poor soldier who was hacked to death in London today.  I used to live in London and I am really still very connected to the place.  I lived about 6 miles from where the attack happened, so I think that's what's affected my mood so much this morning.  Prayers for that poor young guy and his family and friends.)

Day 10 #WBT - As predicted - a disappointment on the scales - but 8cm lost!

Yesterday I was psyching myself up as I knew I hadn't dropped the kilos, even though I was following the program as hard as I could.

I knew there were changes happening and my clothes were feeling looser.  But still today I had hoped for maybe even a .200gm loss. 

Nope.  Nothing.  I am exactly the same as I was last week.  (*heavy sigh*)

But even though I was feeling sad that I had put in 14 hours in gym time over the past 7 days for no kilo loss result, I wasn't going to be beaten by what the numbers said on the scale today.  I took out the tape measure and measured up - comparing what I was 10 days ago. 

The big result is that I've lost 8cm off my waist.  E I G H T!

That's this much:

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So that's a big win.  And with that, I managed to haul my sorry self to the gym and smashed out today's cardio program.  I almost did 10km today on the bike, rowing machine and treadmill.  That's an epic win too.  I'm trying to fill my life with positives, because I really am devastated I didn't lose any weight. Maybe next week, I'll see a difference in those numbers and celebrate with a white wine spritzer!

I'm still disappointed, but I'll count my calories harder and make sure I record them.  Perhaps I've erred somewhere in my nutrition and haven't realised?

I appreciate that with exercise, fat gets replaced with muscle and that's most likely the cause of no kilo loss.  But it would have been nice to see some shift downwards.

OK, I won't dwell on this.  Just saying.  I'll keep chipping away at it.

Thanks for listening.

Day 9 - #12WBT - Slow and steady wins the race

"Slow and steady wins the race."  That's what my personal trainer told me when I said that I hadn't really lost any weight this week.

We have weigh in tomorrow at Group 2 #12WBT, so I was concerned that I'm not doing 'enough', even though I am doing the program to my fullest ability and have not fallen off it once - except for the odd meal replacements to another menu option.

I guess what I'm psyching myself up for is that if my weigh in tomorrow is not as good as I hoped, that it doesn't mean changes are not happening.

I do feel that changes have occurred.  You can not NOT have changes if you're at the gym for 2 hours a day, 6 times a week.

My personal trainer also said that she could notice a difference in my body shape.

And although doing today's exercises were mostly on the weight machines, I still didn't feel that I had 'done enough' on my training so opted to do an extra 10 minutes on the treadmill.  I pushed myself and the end result was that I beat my previous one kilometre time trial from my initial fitness test by a whopping whole 2 minutes!  Two minutes cut in just 10 days.  Seriously?  That's a pretty neat trick if I do say so myself.

So the big difference this week is that I'm opting to do MORE training.  I'm not saying I'm now a greyhound on the treadmill -or that I'm up to where everyone else is on the weight training.  My legs are still very weak from my injuries two years ago - but I'm really seeing some awesome improvement.

I will hold my breath for tomorrow's weigh in and report back.  I'm still feeling nervous and dubious about the results, but I'm trying to remember that mantra.  Slow and steady wins the race.

Day 8 #12WBT - Now that's a surprise I didn't expect

Day 8 - Week 2.

Man, I'm a happy gal.  I made it through the first week.  Not once did I throw up or pass out....although I did have to stop and take some exercises slowly - I did every exercise as 'gym machines' selection.  My gym doesn't have classes and I think as well that I need the one on one tuition until I can build up my stamina.

So what really really surprised me today?

After a whole day of rest yesterday (well - no gym), I was not really feeling it this morning.  I was actually dreading moving my body again.

But after I warmed up I actually noticed that I was chewing through the cardio exercises and I was feeling great!  No - slight exaggeration - it wasn't 'great', but it was 'coping'!!

That surprised me.  And after I finished all the exercises, knocked off an additional 8 minutes on the bike and 14 push ups (as part of the 300 in the weekly challenge we have to do). 

That was interesting.  It was unexpected and I managed to get through the rest of my day focused on work and feeling just a little bit smug about my achievement today.

I hope I have more of those days...but I am still mindful that it really is one step at a time for me.

I haven't stepped on the scales since last Wednesday, so it'll be interesting to see what, if anything, have I lost in actual weight.

I'll report back soon!

Day 7 #12WBT - Rest day - a day of reflection.

I am glad I have today as my rest day.  Sunday being a day of reflection and also preparation for next week as well.

Let's talk about reflection a bit here.  The amount of time I've put into exercising this past week has been more than I've done over the past 4 years - probably in total, but maybe that's an exaggeration.

My life, since 2010, has been horrible.  A business owner who, through a very bad set of circumstances (floods, bad clients, bad staff, bad advice, bad timing) gave my whole business a punch in the guts so hard, that it will take years to recover from.  So for three years, up until two months ago, I'd been working crazy stupid hours.  Anywhere from 0400am - 0900pm most days.  Why?  It was either that or bankruptcy.

Being so exhausted yet so busy, meant that I was always on the go, always stressed and had little 'me' time.  I am fortunate that I have a very supportive partner (also a business owner), who understood the demands that were on me.  My daughter - soon to be 20 - and living away at Uni was also a huge support.

But my weight just ballooned.  Prior to 2010 I had foot troubles as well, plantar faciitis in both feet made it very excruciating to walk.  Again, that was the real start of the weight gain, but my 2010 schedule onwards made it impossible to lose weight.  I went from a size 12 to a size 18.  That's where I am now.

Things changed.  I managed to get a manager to run the day to day operation of one of my businesses, while I concentrated on the other business.  (Dumb, dumb, dumb to run more than 1 business - but both businesses are needed to make each other survive.) 

That's when I started looking at myself at last and recognising that I needed help, but I also needed to do it for myself.  I'd always been too scared to look more into personal trainers at the gym.  I was lucky with Jo at Evoke Fitness.  She was 'older', more understanding of day to day pressures and limitations and I found her by luck.  Previously any personal trainer would not understand pain (especially in my feet), so it always limited my progress and increased my feeling of isolation. 

I am thankful for Michelle Bridges and #12WBT team.  Jo, my personal trainer who's been helping to correct me doing the exercises has also praised the program, the nutrition and exercises as a perfect blend of whole body care and attention.  She's as excited as I am to get next week's training plan!

Now I have 3 of my gym fitness instructors in on the act, they are checking my progress and are around if I need reassurance on doing any of the exercises.

They have also been a bit cheeky and increasing a few weights and timings, when they feel I can do it....but that's a good thing.

To go from 25% flexibility to 40% flexibility in 1 week, to me, is an outstanding improvement.  Previously, I couldn't bend down and pick things up off the floor without at first hesitating and having to hold on.  Now, I don't even think about it.  That is a huge difference to my quality of life and I am grateful that I have this day to reflect on these changes that have taken place just over the past 6 days.

Noticing these changes is keeping me motivated for Week 2.

To me, getting through the first few days was always going to be the hardest.  I've done that, so I feel I have the drive to continue on - even if I think push ups are torturous and I can't stand any exercise that involves jumping!  

Day 6 #12WBT I can see a difference but it hurt to get there!

Today's 60 minute screamer programme was more like 120 minute screamer!

But it's done.  And since Monday, I have noticed a difference.  I cut 30 seconds off my rowing time since Monday and my flexibility went from a pathetically bad 25% to 40%.

So I am on my way.  I still struggle with balance and floor exercises but I'll get better.

For the record, I am not a fan of any jumping exercises!

Thank goodness I've had Eurovision to look forward to this weekend to help me recouperate!!!

Go Denmark!!!

Day 5: Sluggish Sluggish Slug #12WBT

Today has been a real chore to get through.

My brain is definitely absent.  I'm not moving fast and my 'care face' is not as patient as it normally is.

In short, I'll be brief today.  I'm glad it's core + stretching today because everything hurts.  A few stretches will certain ease it.  I'm not saying that lightly - I know these will be hard.  I couldn't do a plank yet and that's one of the many exercises to do.

So before I put on the kettle for an herbal tea and put my feet up, I'll get to the gym and get this done so I can feel satisfied I've knocked off another day.

...still waiting for my personality to appear.  Hello??

Day 4 - Feeling a bit different #12WBT

Day 4 - I feel a bit different today.  #12WBT

Light headed and lethargic.  That was today in a nutshell.  Dragging my sorry self to the gym thinking the toning session wouldn't be as hard as yesterday's cardio.  WRONG.  I never thought I'd say this, but I prefer the cardio!

I am fortunate to have Jo, my personal trainer, go through each exercise with me.  She's a godsend and will keep me on track for one more week before I get to fly solo through the exercises.

By then, I may understand what to do when it says 'Burpees'.

I have a couple of challenges coming up as next Fri/Sat/Sun, I'll be away in Brisbane and Melbourne for business presentations and a client dinner.  This is playing on my mind a lot.

I'm thinking if I save my treat meal to the client dinner and don't go nuts, I should be ok.

The two hotels I'm staying in both have indoor gyms.  (Thank you Mr Hilton!)

Once I have Week 1 under my belt, I'm hoping my personality and sense of humour return.  It hasn't been around much at all this week.  The expletives I've been thinking as I've been trudging through the exercises will hopefully lessen.

I'm not so scared of the exercises anymore...I know I won't like them, but suck it up.

Day 3- From bad to good - #12WBT Group 2

Today was epically hard!  (That should be a word!)  DAY 3

I booked a personal trainer to help me through the daily exercises today - cardio day!!

A big shout out to Jo from Evoke Fitness!  She's so great.  She really took up the challenge to make sure she read through the whole week's exercise program and she took the time to program it into my data key, so when I put my key into one of their gym machines, my program loads up with the time and speed already set.

Jo stayed with me the entire hour training, making sure I was doing things correctly and as per the #12WBT training sheet and gave me the encouragement when I started to fade.

I was so impressed with myself that I got through it ALL, even when she set my 30 second running at a 7.5 speed!!  But she said she wasn't going to lower it if I got through it all, and I did.  So now I have to live with that!!

So now I have booked Jo for the next 6 days to stick by me on the machines, stretches, toning, cardio so I really get to grips with what I need to do and to do it properly.

After being to a 'bad' gym with a negative attitude and being unhelpful in looking at my #12WBT program, I am thankful and grateful and relieved I found a good gym and good trainers to help.  It will boost me along and give me the confidence to keep at it - especially as things will get tougher I reckon in week 2 and 3.  I guess this just gives me the extra on-ground support in this journey.

I guess the moral of the story is that if you come across negativity on what you're trying to achieve, then move on to the next one, as they aren't worth dragging you down!

:)

Day 2 - Why are gyms so unhelpful? #12WBT

Day 2 - Why are gyms so unhelpful?  #12WBT

I had a gym.  I love the gym too.  It's got state of the art equipment, wifi, internet on the machines to watch tv or check emails while you work and little jets of cool air that puff on your face when you start building up a sweat.

The only problem with my gym is that there are no classes.  That's not a bad thing, but as Michelle said to mix it up a bit, I sought out other gyms and checked out their classes.

There is one in town that I thought would be ok.  Pilates for Beginners, Zumba Gold (for beginners), Boxing fit also which interested me.  I joined up on their 7 day pass, which allows me to do their classes and check it all out before I sign up.

The only condition was that I had to be put on a program by one of their trainers before they'd let me touch their equipment.

I understand that.  Even though their equipment was that hospital green and looked like it came out of a prison, I consented.

I showed up today for my induction and the young girl who was to 'train me' really was not an enthusiastic person.  She didn't ask me any questions about myself or what I wanted to achieve.  She had her check list of equipment that she was supposed to show me and that, in her mind, was what it was all about.

Imagine her shock when I pulled out the #12WBT exercise plan for today and said - don't put me on a program, I need to follow this (*hold up Michelle's #12WBT).

The girl had never heard of it.  Nor did she know anyone that was doing the 12WBT program.  Nor would she have put any beginner on a 6 day fitness plan.  ...everything was negative and non-embracing.

But I persisted.

I said, 'You can put me on your plan if you want, but I won't follow it - because I'm following 12WBT to the letter....so can you show me that equipment please?'

The girl had no choice, but she was not happy that her little world was rocked by some overweight pushy 50something woman trying to call the shots.

And one last thing, as I'm having a rant.  Why is it that the young 'trainers' have no empathy of us older types who can not do certain exercises because we just don't have the flexibility (yet) and then just shrug their shoulders and say, 'Oh, well, I don't know any other exercise that you could do instead.'  Should there not be a law against these people supposedly 'training' people?

OK, well that's my comment for today.

I was so unmotivated after that session at that gym, that I immediately went back to my gym and did another whole hour of work out.

:))

DAY 1 - It's begun!!

Day 1 - It's begun!

I was so inspired last week and I thought made good progress starting a positive routine at the gym.  I also checked out all the local gyms and have figured out what gym classes I want to take.

But today - Day 1 - and my feet feel like they are embedded in cement.  Ugh.  This isn't going to be as easy as I thought.

I'm not very good on any floor work, but I'll preserver.

The 'before' photo that I've uploaded is depressing.  Its confronting and I hope that, by sticking to the 12WBT, that I'll see some shift very soon mentally and physically.

On the plus - I managed to run a whole minute without stopping.  I never thought I could do that on day one!!

My Scary #12WBT Diary

Hello - I'm in group 2 of Michelle Bridges #12WBT

I want to capture my progression through the #12WBT, so I can benchmark how far I've moved mentally through the process.

Here's my BIG statement: I'm going to follow Michelle's program to the letter.

That's a commitment, a statement and a scary admittance.  If I say the words enough times, I'm hoping it takes hold in my subconscious.  And I'll say it again - I'm scared.  I'm scared of exercising because I have not done much of it in my lifetime.  Shameful admittance to make considering I'm 53.

There are a couple of proud exercising moments in my life though.  1) In my early 20's, I played squash 5 times a week.  2) When I turned 40, I trained for 4 months for 1.5 hours a day to do a charity belly dance.  Wow, I really dropped the weight off then.  Injury shortly afterward stopped me from continuing to dance and then over the last 13 years, I've just put all the weight back on.

So, that's my story.  I've been yo-yo dieting ever since.  I've never really embraced any other form of exercise.  Mild attempts at the gym - but nothing structured or married with a solid nutritional diet.


I've been working through the pre-planning program online and already, I can feel a shift in how I'm thinking.  I belong to a gym, but it doesn't have classes, so I went to another gym and found some classes that I think I'd like to take.  That's a first for me.  Pro-activeness.

I also have always wanted to learn how to play tennis.  So I bought a tennis racket and balls and will join up at the local tennis club and check out if there is anyone in this small little town who's interested in giving me lessons.

I'd love to learn how to play golf too - but that's for somewhere in the future.

I went to the gym today.  I usually do 2kms on the treadmill - just walking as I'm scared to run...for the moment.  But today, I pushed it to 4 kms on a faster pace.  I surprised myself.  So now I can see that I need to push myself more.  No excuses.

I also went and bought a few things.  Skipping ropes (they scare me too!), one of those large balls which I'm not sure how to use and a set of pully things for upper body stretching.  I also bought some exercise clothes, another gym bag and extra socks.  I figure with that much training coming up - I'll always need a clean gym bag in my car, while the other is getting washed.  So that's me - getting organised to get rid of the excuses why I can't do things.  I'll have a gym bag ready to go.

I just watched Michelle's video on getting organised and I liked the idea of a big weekend cook up to prepare meals for the week ahead.  I can totally see me doing that.  Thanks Michelle!

For now, I'm just trying to mentally prepare.  We (our group 2), starts on Monday and there's still lots to plan.

Yikes, I'm scared though.