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.

Why you need to be committed ... and flexible

Things don't always go your way.

For many reasons - all of them valid - I left my workout till the evening today. I had the whole day free and it worked much better that way for my entire family.

Problem is - I got called into work after lunch - and my day was shot. And I still had my 500 calories to earn.

I needed to work - I am casual and work is pretty light over Christmas New Year.

I am determined tho - and that determination won out. Home by 7:30 - and straight in front of the TV for my zumba dvd. A workout that is effective - fun and got the job done!

SO there you go. Every day from Xmas to New Year and every day a workout.

Mission complete.

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!!!

Bonus - Runkeeper Pro is currently free!!

For iphone users ... and an update to yesterday's post ...

I was kindly informed in my comments yesterday that the full version of Runkeeper - Runkeeper Pro is currently FREE on itunes till the end of Jan 2011! This is a saving of $9.99!!!

Downloading it now - can't wait to see what extras it does!

Happy New Year everyone! And thanks so much for the info "white nectarine"

Runtracker app

I was asked yesterday in a comment what I use to track my runs. Currently I am using a fabulous app for the apple iphone called runkeeper free. Yep - that's right. It's free.

It works on the gps signal for your phone and I love it! It not only tracks my distance and pace, but emails home my personal best results for time and distance. I also love that I can set it to track walks, hikes, cycling ... pretty much anything I can think of.

Love it so much I'm goig to go see if it's worth upgrading to the paid version!

My iphone is a key tool for me in my helath and fitness. I'll do a post shortly on all the ways I use it!

New big fat hairy goal achieved!

Today the sun was shining. Oh it did my heart good!

I knew two things today.

1. I was going to run



2. I was going to aim for a new personal best

Actually I knew a third thing. That I was struggling to force myself to get out there and do it.

I had left my run till the afternoon and was running out of time so just got dressed and got out the doors. Music was my friend, and some pumping songs from some seemingly angry young ladies got me moving.

Today I met two huge goals.

1. I ran up the stinking hill I've been avoiding. Twice for good measure.



2. I ran FOUR km!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! See that! 4 k!!! Previously the furtherest I have EVER run without stopping was THREE!!

Sometimes it is the time you force yourself to get out there and do what the program demands that you make the biggest gains.

Now - tomorrow I am going back to my 3k. I intend to use that as my base run for a while, and just aim for a bigger run once a week. Well, I think that is what I intend to do anyway.

Today I feel strong. Empowered. I can do anything.

Gonna go find me a boxing class.

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!