Quote of the day ...

No matter how you feel

Get up

Get dressed

And Show up

(Paulo Coelho)


Kind of reminds me of my mum when we were kids ...

"Get up , get dressed, have breakfast, clean your teeth ... and THEN we will decide if you are too sick for school ;) "

(And mum - now I say that to Miss E)

So today - despite feeling like crud, I got up, got dressed and showed up. Off to workout. Listening to my body and will see how I go

Happy birthday to me!

Do you know what I love about my new lifestyle? That birthdays honestly do not worry me. Right now I am growing younger, in my mind, my body and my spirit. The number does not bother me.

Who would have thought that at 37 I could call myself a runner? Who would have thought I would have spent my morning at step class (and 500 cal gone thank you!) and loved it! Who would have thought that EXERCISE gear as a gift would make my day??!

Right now I am living life with a joy, vitality and energy that I can't ever remember having.

I have people in my life who love and support me, in all I do.

Life is good. What better birthday gift do I need?

Here's to your health! Treasure it! It's a beautiful gift!

MYTH - I am not in the right headspace to join 12wbt

I've heard this three times this week.

I would join but "I have too much going on. I'm not ready. I'm not strong enough"

Have to say it's time to build a bridge and put that excuse behind you.

You know how Mish says to be arms wide open, gut wrenchingly honest?

Well here is the rest of my story...

It is personal. It still makes me teary some days. But I am telling it cause I'm not the only one in this position. And if I can get someone else to fix their health like I am fixing mine ... it is so worth it.

You should join 12wbt now - not when you are fixed. Not when you are strong. Not when you are ready. Every one of us has something "bad" in our lives. We have an emotional reason we can't lose weight. We are tired. We aren't ready.

And that is WHY we should join. Because you don't know how to do this. And Mish does. Do what you are told. Follow the process. And come back to healing.

I know this to be true. How do I know this? I know because this is not just a physical journey for me... But it has been a journey back to belief in me.

As some of you know ... The day before round 3 started I miscarried. Again, what a lot of people don’t know is I had tried for 5 years to conceive our second child. That means 10 embryo transfers (ivf). 2 miracle conceptions. A number of miscarriages at 4 weeks. And then the final miracle conception. Without the help of ivf and I didnt even find out I’ll 7 wks! I was so sure this was the one!

Unfortunately I miscarried and was beaten down. For 5 years my body had failed me and it failed me again.

I was lucky. Instead of sinking into depression I sunk into the program. It allowed me to go into robot mode when grief allowed no thought. And then as I lost weight, and got stronger I began to trust me body again. The day I ran 5 k was a rockstar day for me. My body did what it was told. I asked . It obeyed. It did NOT let me down.

I did not lose weight because I was "ready" or "my mind was in the right place". I lost weight because Mish knows what she is doing. She has a program that works. And I did what the program says. It won't work if we don't stick to it.

The mindset lessons were key to me. Bit by bit they helped me overcome my anxiety. They helped me with my stress. The showed me how to overcome the things that have destroyed my efforts in the past. Mish has worked with so many clients. And deep down we have the same problems. What she taught me spoke to my heart.

So now I am back to finish the journey. This time round it is all about letting my body show me how strong it is. And that it does NOT let me down.

If I would have waited till I was ready I would still be sad. I might even be depressed. I would definately still be overweight. With high blood pressure.

But because I jumped in, and just followed each step as I came ... I am happy!

That is why I blog. Because I have gained so much more than I ever would have expected. And I want to help others to do so. (and that is why I SO want to win the excuse comp and meet Mish. I want to say thank you. She has given me hope again)

If you are thinking about joining "when it is the right time" ... stop delaying.
Join today. You have a week to get your preseason tasks done. Join. Get your head down into the process. Trust. And just see where the process leads you.

If I could lose weight at one of the worst times of my life ... you can too! But you have to have the courage to start ...

To my new friends on the 12 week challenge

Good morning!

If you are new I wanted to write directly to you this morning. You see - it was only 4 months that I was new too. And I remember how much it freaked me out!

Everyone seemed part of a family already. Everyone seemed to know what they were doing. And they were fit! And I wasn't. I mean I really really wasn't fit. I couldnt even jog around the block.

I truly wondered what I was doing.

I guess that means that right now I am one of those really annoying, kindof overwhelming people I write about. You are just finding your feet, and I guess at times my posts here, on facebook and online might make you feel like you are not in the right place right now. Which is why I wanted to write directly to you.

You are TOTALLY in the right place! We all know Mish talks about excuses. Remember. This is your journey - not mine. Where do you want to be in 12 weeks? It may not seem possible, but you could be posted incredible gains (or losses!) too!

Remember also- that all Mish asks us to do is do what she says. She knows what works. She has done it for years. We arent to mix and match. We just do what Mish says.

For those of us who have been around a while that is exactly what we are doing. She would kick our hide if we stopped doing what we had been taught just because the season ended. And because we are doing what we were told we are still shocking ourselves at times with the results. Hence the over enthusiastic posting at times!!

But my friend. THis is your first 12 week challenge. Mish doesnt expect you to be doing he exercise program in a huge way yet. She doesnt even expect you to diet yet (although starting to eat healthier and starting to move a little will make it easier on you later)

What she wants you doing right now is working those pre season tasks hard. That is your job right now. It's blinkers time. Focus on those goals. Focus on those excuses. Focus on the fun tasks coming.

Look at the other posts as inspiration. Maybe use them to set some 12 month goals. Rememeber to aim big.

But don't be disheartened my friend. You are exactly where you are meant to be at this moment in time. Once the season starts you will be led hand in hand by simple steps. But don't let worry or fear or anything take you away from the person you can become. You really can lead an extra ordinary life! And this can be the start!!

My favourite quote - and my mantra on this journey is
"The miracle is not that I finished.
The miracle is that I had the courage to start"
John (The penguin!) Bingham

Have that courage. You just need the courage to start my friend.

Let me know how I can support you. I want to.

Hang in there!

It's going to be an incredible ride. I promise!

Kath

Why do it again? Didn't you learn your lesson the first time?

This is my second round of Michelle Bridges 12 week body transformation. Check out http://www.12wbt.com/ for details. Registration is open NOW!



I keep getting asked why I am doing it again? Didn't I learn how to lose weight the first time?



Well - the honest answer is yes - I probably could continue to lose the weight on my own. I have a dietitian for a husband. I have a great gym. And the off season has proven I can lose weight on my own.



But for many reasons I am coming back. And here are my top 5 reasons why ...

• I still have so much to learn. Hard times, such as saying goodbye to my uncle denny are still real trigger points for me. This last week has been tough. I have reverted to a lot of old habits. I fully expect to gain weight this week. I know I will be also be back on the program this week.I am not giving in. I know I can beat the old habits. But my inner teenager still needs bringing into control. I need to learn to deal with these things in a non destructive way and I still want support to do that.


• I still have so much to prove. Last challenge I really began to nail the eating. I am really starting to get it. But I was sortof here and there on the training. During the offseason I have made PROGRESS. I can run 5k. I can do boxing class, pump, zumba - whatever I want. This season I am here to prove how much of a fighter I am. I am going to NAIL the nutrition AND I am going to SMASH IT on the training. This season is about me and some demons to conquer. I know inside I am fit and strong. I am going to PROVE IT. No more victims here.


• I still have so much FUN to have. Last challenge I was unsure. I was busy. I lost focus at times. And I was nervous. I didn't go to the party because of a lot of reasons ... I feel I missed out. This round I am here to have FUN. I am going to go to group workouts. I am GOING to the party. I am going to shop and try on clothes and do every challenge and make videoblogs and have FUN. It's not about going through the motions. It's about embracing the process. I'm here to have FUN this challenge!


• Mish knows her stuff. And she really IS there for me. She somehow gets inside my head in a way no one has before. And the gang doing the program with me ... they ARE family. They are my biggest cheerleaders and my toughest buttkickers. They do not let me make excuses. They tell it like it is. I love that support.
• But my biggest reason is I still have unfinished business here. I set myself a goal to reclaim my life and my health. I am a long way to the goal. But I am not finished. And THIS time I am not stopping till I get there!

No new year resolutions here

In the past, I have loved to make resolutions at new year. What wasn't to like - a time to look back, and then look forward, at a new year full of promise.

Problem with new year resolutions is that they get broken. A lot.

This year I am not making a resolution. I am so blessed already. I have my health. I have my family. A new career. A job I love. Gorgeous friends. And a life full of promise.

Plus, why do I need a resolution? I am already doing what needs to be done. I get up, I eat well. I train. I work on my mindset every day.

No resolutions here. Not happening. But I will pack healthy food for work tomorrow. And when I get home I am going on a run.

Cause that's what we do.

New Year's Eve

This year I had two goals I wanted to achieve by tomorrow - New Years's Day. With one day to go - time for an update.

My first goal was to train every day left in the year and burn 500+ calories each day. So far I have smashed this - burning 700+ some days.

Even with travel and catching up with friends I have done this. I still have today to go - and it is HOT making me want to stay inside and hide - but I WILL get this done. Watch later today for my update. In the meantime I am burning calories cleaning ;)

My second goal was to aim for the moon and loose enough weight to not be obese in 2011. Will I get there? Maybe. It's still possible. But pretty unlikely.
Am I far off? Nope. We are talking less than half a kilo of "obesity" left on me. It is going to go away REALLY soon as long as I am consistent.

Am I disappointed??

NO WAY!!! I shot for the moon - had a GREAT loss of over 1.2kg ... made some huge fitness goals, ran further than I have run before ... and bought some cute clothes that I would not have fit before.

I am ECSTATIC to even get near this goal!!!!

Bring on 2011!!!

Honestly - it really DOES become a way of life ...

It's that time again - in a few short weeks Michelle Bridges 12 week body transformation will begin again, and of course this brings a heap of new friends to her Facebook page seeking information.

I remember those early days on the challenge. It was so overwhelming. Honestly, some days it all felt like a bit too much and I wasn't sure I would be able to do it. Add to that the fact that I had FAILED at so many diets before ... I was feeling very overwhelmed.

Today I can stand and look back and say it really does become a way of life. Right now this is honestly the easiest "diet" (and it ISN'T a diet) I have ever done. It is just a part of my every day.

I thought I would take the time to share a few things I have learnt so far.

1. You can do this. Trust yourself and your body. You are capable of greater things than you ever imagined. But you have to BELIEVE in yourself and ALLOW yourself to achieve them.
2. Trust Michelle. She speaks sense. I know. I have run this program past doctors, health & fitness industry professionals and my husband (a dietitian). This program works because it makes sense. It will not hurt you. It is balanced. But it only works if you do it. So stop thinking of all the doubts you have and just trust for a while. It will work. Don't overanalyse.
3. The mindset lessons are the key. This is why this program is different. Where else do you get 4 weeks preparation before you even start a program? Where else do you get support in the form of bi-weekly videos that speak to the things in your psyche that have let you down over and over again? You NEED to do the mindset work. Watch the videos. Take part in the live chat. Rewatch it again during the week. Take notes. Download them as podcasts. Listen to them again. Go back to earlier lessons when you are struggling. This stuff works. This is what changes lives. It is hard work but oh so worth it.
4. Speaking of the preseason - do IT. Do not rush it. Put your all into it. At the time some of it may seem airy fairy. But there will come a stage when you are halfway through that the goals you made are the very thing holding you to the program on a tough day. Or that the commitment and handshake you made keeps you going. The preseason work builds you a strong foundation for the program. I say it again. DO IT. and revisist it. A lot. I will be doing it all over again this time - and will be putting more time into it.
5. Don't stress over the menu. Seriously. In the beginning it seems all you think about is food. But now, 15 or so weeks down the track, I find I am barely thinking of food. Mish has taught me well. I know that each meal is 300 calories, and I have a good stable of favourites that I can pull from without thinking. I know what my snacks are and what I can have. I just do it. Unless I am going out food is just Robot mode for me.
6. Do the weekly suprises. I didn't do them all. Wish I had. Don't have regrets!
7. You are not going for a walk. You are not exercising. You are training. Mish uses this word over and over again. Put your all into it. Believe you can do better than you ever thought possible. You are going to train 6 days a week for the rest of your life. Get over it. And set big goals. It is such a RUSH when you achieve them.
8. When she gets you to write your goals down, do it. Then cross them out and make them bigger. You can achieve more than that. You really can.
9. Take photos. Keep a diary. Blog. Whatever. You are going to wish you had if you didn't
10. When the forums open - get active on them. Answer posts. Write questions. Use the forums, facebook and twitter to get support. This is massive in the success of this program! It is the power of the group! We are family. We leave no one behind. But you have to reach out to get help first!

And above all - give it 120%. It is only 12 weeks of your life! You will never regret giving it your all - not for one minute! Aim high and go hard! It's fun!

Today I finally celebrated. And I cried.

I've been relistening to the mindset lessons I have as a podcast from doing Michelle Bridges 12 week body transformation.

I'm getting so much more out of them the second time.

What hit me today was when she told us that every success should be rewarded. And I know I haven't done this.

Yes I lost 12kg in the 12wbt. I lost over 12% of my body weight. I was a success. My BP is now in the healthy range. I am no longer morbidly obese. (I hate those words but it WAS my reality)

But because I did not go hard to the end I thought I was a failure.

Yes - I did not meet my standards or the expectations of the program - but I am NOT a failure. And today I celebrated!

Today I went out and bought myself an outfit. Not because I needed clothes for an event. Not because my pants are falling down and I need something to "get me through" so I will buy something inexpensive for now.

I went out and bought something FABULOUS.

I gave myself two rules. #1. No black. I must add colour #2 No old people clothes. I had to look for something to make me look as young as I am feeling.

Today I learnt some lessons. And I cried.

I learnt
That I have to buy new underwear! Baggy undies are not a good look! And store mirrors certainly don't help with that!

That I CAN wear something that is young and funky! Well, I think I can anyway!

That the best thing to do when you go shopping is take in multiple sizes of the same item. And choose the one that looks the best. DO not give the size the power. (Learnt this on 12wbt too!)

That when you try on a size 14 in a non stretchy non old people, tailored style, and learn it fits, you may burst into tears right there in that change room.

That people notice your weight loss. And it's ok to stop at "Thanks" rather than telling them you still have so much to lose.

That I do NOT need to stop for a coffee and a cake on a shopping trip

That in 12 weeks I lost 12kg. But what that really means is going from a (large) size 18 to a size 14. And going from an XL (and wishing it was a little loser) to a medium. Do you have any idea how much that shocked me?

Ihave not enjoyed shopping in years. I used to love it. But before I would shop and grab anything that fit. Today I found something I adore!!! Pics will come - but maybe not till Christmas day. I have a pedicure I've been promising myself to have first!

The story begins ... 12 weeks ago

Or maybe a little bit more.

I wish I began this blog at the beginning. But I didn't need it then. I need it now.

12 weeks ago I began the journey of a lifetime.
I began the 12 week body transformation challenge with Michelle Bridges (yep - trainer from the Biggest Loser!)

In 12 weeks I lost over 12kg. I began a journey of learning to say no to myself. Of learning how to eat. And how to train.

Did I go hard the whole 12 weeks? Honestly no. The last 4 weeks I lost my focus and it shows.

Do I have regrets? Of course. Imagine what could have happened if I went hard the ENTIRE time?? What goals could I have achieved?

BUT, it is what it is. The 12 weeks is over. Another 12 weeks begins in February.
But February is a long long way away. And I have some goals that need kicking in the meantime.

So begins this blog. Watch this space. Last time it was about weight loss. And it still is.

And in the new year, and the new challenge, I am going to kick it up. It will be all about the fitness. Watch me!