Gearing up - Crunch time

Crunch time is the weight loss and fitness bible written by Michelle Bridges. It encompasses the basic philosophy of her training method, and the theories behind the 12 week body transformation challenge.

It also has a fabulous exercise program and recipes!

Big w is now stocking a 2 book in 1 special edition ( as pictured). It is crunch time and the crunch time cookbook. At $24 it is a bargain.

Do you need it to do the challenge?? Well no. But it offers great support ... And gives you a few extra recipes to choose from. And if you aren't doing the challenge but want to lose weight on your own it's a really great starting point!

Love it!

I'm a FINALIST!!!!!

And I need your help!!!

So ... a while ago I entered the "absurd excuse competition" on Michelle Bridges 12wbt facebook page.

The prize rocks my world! If I won I would win flights to Melbourne and accomodation, polar HRM, but the big bit is ....

I WOULD GET TO TRAIN WITH MISH!!!!!!

Anyone who has followed my journey knows how much Mish has changed my life. I have lost almost 17kg and by the end of May I KNOW I will be a healthy weight! This will be my first time being healthy since I was about 19. The thought blows me away.

But above and beyond that Mish has given me a zest for life back. Instead of hiding, I am now out there trying new things. I wear clothes that fit. I threw in a job that was stressing our family and am now working in a more challenging area and loving it! And little bit by little bit I am encouraging others to take the same babysteps I am!

And now I have the chance not only to meet Mish and tell her my story in person and thank her ... but to have my BEHIND kicked by her in TRAINING!

I would love love love LOVE your votes.! You can vote once a day ... the winners are announced Feb 21. And if you are wondering if you should do the 12wbt challenge the answer is YES!!!

This is the story behind my "excuse"

My husband was working with a football team in his younger days. A footballer had asked for an extra practise. He didn't turn up. When they called him he said "well um ... I ws playing scrabble with the computer ... and um ... it cheated. So I had to go downtown a...nd buy ... um a dictionary to check. And I was right! It did! So that's why I missed training!"

Cracked me up when my husband told me the story!

To vote go here! http://apps.facebook.com/michellebridges/contests/82920/voteable_entries?ogn=facebook

and scroll down to the computer cheated at scrabble excuse!

I'd love every one of your votes! Whether it is just today ... or every day!

MWAH!

Gearing up ... My heart rate monitor.

Mish really recommends you use a heart rate monitor with your training and I agree. My monitor is a tool as to how hard I am working. If I am running and feel like I can't go on I check it ... Hr 170+ ? I slow right down ( still running) and I can usually go on. And if I'm doing an activity I've never tried before I wear my monitor so I can how hard I am *really* working!

My hrm is a d excellent motivational tool. I know before I start a workout how many calories I want to burn and will not leave until I've earnt every one of those calories!

My hrm gives me instant gratification. I know how I am working. I know how it will effect my weight loss. It let's me set challenges based on my intensity. It really is one of my fave pieces of gear!

Gearing up ... Shoes

If I could convince you to spend money on one item for your health and fitness ... This would be it.





Good shoes will radically change your workouts.

And by good shoes I mean good quality, professionally fitted shoes. Not just new shoes you pick up off the clearance table.

Good quality shoes are lighter. They support your feet for the work they will be doing. Well fitted shoes will reduce your chance of injury. They reduce soreness from shin splints and other injuries.

They are an investment. I understand this. But compared to giving up because of pain, or the cost of rehabilitation they are worth it!


As for gearing up ... My shoes are good but they are starting to get some miles on them ... So I have a plan in place for a replacement pair. With the running I am doing I need the support.

Preseason task #4 Gearing up ... Part one!

This is my fave fave fave challenge! Maybe it has to do with I like to shop ;)

I think of this task in two parts ... the first part is working out where you are going to work out.

I'm predicting that I will fall in Mish's intermediate category (based on my current training and what I know is ahead of me in the fitness test)

This means I will need to be ready for

3 days of fitness training
2 days of toning
1 day of light fitness, core and stretch.

My plan is

To do a pilates class every week. This will be my light fitness, core and stretch day. Plus it will help me work on one of my goals, and a real area of need ... working on my core.

I have two pilates classes I can go to ... so if I have to work when one is on , there is another there waiting for me.

My two days of toning (weights) I intend to head to the gym. If at all possible I am going to do two pump classes each week. I'm really intending on focussing on going heavy on the weights, while still maintaining great form. If I can't get to the class I'm going to do Mish's outdoor program for her strength days. I'm looking forward to this. Mish's programs are tough!

Cardio days are my favourite! This is where I feel I make the most gains!

This round I am focussing hard on running. Running makes me feel strong and empowered. And kicks calories like no other exercise. So I'm going to combine running with the outdoor workouts!
No need to get stuck in the gym just cause I'm a member!

Variety is what will get me through 12 weeks so my back up options for cardio are my zumba classes (yes I am starting to like them!), my TAP class (oh my!), boxing, cycling, ... so many ways I can get out there and move!

Part two of Gearing up is making sure you have all the equipment you need to get you through the program. I'm relatively set in this area ... so I'm going to share a few of my must haves and lots over the next few posts!

Morning! Weigh in Wednesday!

OK - I've had a couple of weeks I haven't weighed in. But I have dealt with those excuses and I am BACK!

Not a huge loss this week - but a loss! Another .5kg bites the dust!

Actually, realisitically if I had weighed last week this weeks number would be much bigger as I'm sure it includes the weight I needed to lose that I would have gained in the two weeks of not paying attention.

But I'm back on track. My actions are matching my intentions! I have 2.5 weeks left till kick off of the new round, and only 600g to go till I meet my goal of losing 5kg in the off season! Easy done!

Today is a new day and a busy one. The heat is going to make fitting a workout into the day very hard. I'm off to get my chores done and try to get that monkey off my back early!

Have a great day!

Tap class!!

Tonight was a massive milestone tonight! Not because of the calorie burned or a massive distance reached ... But because I went in the door!

See I really struggle with new things. Will I fit in? Am I too big? What will they think of me? I just cannot go!

When I enrolled in a tap class with a friend it sounded great. Until I realized I actually had to go!

Tonight I was scared. I had to fight the excuses right till I walked in the door. But I am better than that now and I went!!

And it was FUN!!!

I had a ball !!

Because of this program I truly did have the courage to start.

This is what life should be like.