Thank You Perth! What a Blast!!!

The 12wbt Finale weekend has come & gone and all I can say is...  WOW!!!  I sit here with a sore tummy (from all the drinking & eating of non-clean food), and bloodshot eyes from exhaustion, but it was brilliant, and I wouldn't change a moment of it!

Greg & I with the lovely Dayna & Bec at the drinks

Friday morning was an early wake up for us at 3.30am, and off we went to the airport, leaving our 4 kids in the capable hands of their grandparents.  The flight with Virgin Airlines was a great one, and we arrived in sunny Perth with an early check in to the hotel.  A bit of unpacking & then off went to catch a train to Fremantle.  We enjoyed a lovely lunch & a few beers at Little Creatures Brewery, and a spot of shopping at the markets before heading back to the CBD to shower & change before meeting about 70 fellow 12wbters at a bar.  It was lovely to meet up with some of the virtual family we've made on the 12wbt forums & Facebook, and put faces to names.  Afterwards we headed out to dinner with about a dozen girls from the Facebook 30+ Crew, and it was a fantastic night!   Let's just say the memory is a bit foggy about getting back to the hotel later than night!

The beautiful Heather & I with baby Noah.. cuteness!

Saturday we woke early, after I had a terrible sleep.  Alcohol & sleep don't go hand in hand when it comes to me - just another reminder as why I should keep off the grog.  Bleary eyed we went off to brekkie to meet up with another virtual friend of mine.  I've "spoken" to Heather for years on the Weight Watchers forums, and she is one of the few I haven't met of our group of about 12 of us, that still chat daily in a private Facebook group.  I saw her from a distance with her beautiful family waiting to cross the street to the cafe where I was waiting, and I just cried!  It was such a surreal moment to finally see her in the flesh & give her a big hug.  It was a special morning for me to meet her, her gorgeous hubby & delightful kids!

Then on to the 12wbt workout in Langley Park.  Not a cloud in the sky, the most perfect day!  Greg & I had no idea what to expect, but it was such fun!  A lot of the high impact stuff I couldn't do due to my ankle, but I did what I could & we had a ball, especially when we broke into small groups for some fun activities.

Greg & I waiting for the workout to start!

Mish

Group tunnel

Group wall sit

The afternoon we spent at the hotel resting.  I caught up on some much needed sleep, Greg relaxed with a wine, and then we got ready for the big Finale party.  A bit of drama occurred with the hotel laundry damaging my outfit for the night, but once it was all sorted, off we went!

Greg & I waiting to enter the Finale party

Quite hilarious, but Greg had to walk the catwalk with all the other Top 20 finalists & then he was announced as the Blogger of the Round.  I was so happy & proud of him!  His trophy takes pride of place on our TV cabinet now.  Something to remind him of the hard work he put in, and was rewarded with.

The Round 2 Top 20 Finalists

Greg & Mish

Greg, my bestie Jen & me

 We left the Finale party early, and caught the red eye back to Melbourne.  Appropriately nicknamed the red eye indeed.  But, of course the express trip to Perth was fantastic, and we cut the trip short because of our daughter's First Holy Communion on the Sunday afternoon.  She looked like a Princess, and it made us realise the exhaustion was all worth it!

My beautiful Communion Princess!

The scales were showing a bit of a gain this morning, but I am sure with a bit of hard work I can turn that around before Wednesday.  A big week coming up - my 40th birthday on Wednesday & then my party on Saturday night.  BRING IT ON!  This is going to be the best year of my life!!!!

Perth Here We Come!!!!

It's been such an exciting week with the countdown to our trip over to W.A. for the 12wbt Finale in Perth.  Adding to that excitement was Monday's news via email that Greg made the top 20!!!  Out of 1000s of 12wbters, he made the top 20 finalists!!!!  Can you bloody believe it?!!?  He's over the moon of course, but I think it is me who is excited beyond belief!  He's going to be up on the stage with the other 19 finalists with Michelle Bridges.  The cheeky thing said he's going to grab her on the bum to see if she has buns of steel!! haha!!!
So, Thursday morning we are up & off to the airport early, leaving the 4 kids in the care of my parents. I am looking forward to seeing Perth, having never been there.  We were in Fremantle just after my car accident for a weekend of rest (Greg had a work trip that I accompanied him on), but I was so drugged out of my head & in a wheelchair, so it wasn't the best of memories for me.
Saturday morning we have the 12wbt group workout & then the big Finale party on Saturday night.  I'll take lots of photos!!!  We then have to catch the red eye home & arrive in Melbourne at some unGodly hour, as our daughter has her First Holy Communion on Sunday afternoon.  ARGH!
So, the biggest test this week is to not slip into my usual "holiday mode" which consists of me eating & drinking everything in sight well before I am on holiday.  I need to keep focussed - eat clean & train hard!!

Today was our second weigh in for this round, and I'm so pleased to report I lost 1.1kgs.  I'm inching closer to double digits & I'm so exited I'll be there in a few more weeks!  BRING IT ON!!

12 Things I Have Learnt About Myself on the 12 Week Body Transformation

I saw someone else post a list of 12 things that they have learnt about themselves in the last 12 weeks.  And I thought I'd add mine!  So here we go....

1. I can do anything I put my mind to
2. Eating clean makes you feel brilliant!
3. My body & mind are stronger than I think
4. Coffee is a great laxative
5. Fish Stew isn't as gross as it sounds!
6. My husband is pretty amazing!!!
7. I need to learn how to accept compliments, cause they are coming in thick & fast
8. I lurvvvveeee boxing
9. There are way too many 12wbt groups on Facebook!
10. After not eating pork my entire life, I now actually don't mind it!
11. Forty is not too old to turn your life around - the future is very bright!
12. My kids don't like it when I pick them up from school & announce we're walking home!

Some recent pictures...

The crap my work colleagues eat!!!

The lovely stuff I eat - Beef, horseradish & beetroot sandwich

I was Henna painted at work!  Noice!

The SpiBelt I won through the 12wbt when Mish read out my question on saggy skin during a live feed.

The electrical pulse machine I get hooked up to every physio visit.

Rd3 Wk1 Weigh In

Seems a bit crazy weighing in after just 2 days on the program!  Happy to report a 600gms loss.  Only a teeny loss, but I am sooooo relieved after my sneaky weigh ins on the weekend showed I was up over 2kgs on last week's weight.  Bloody jam sandwiches & wine!!!

Anyway, the round has started off well, and I am still really focussed and wanting to achieve great things, afterall, this is the round that I get to weigh under 100kgs - I cannot wait!!!!  And I really want to prove to myself that I can DO THIS with all the challenges that I am going to be confronted with - Finale weekend in Perth, Communion party for my daughter, my 40th birthday (we've bought a bottle of Veuve to celebrate!), then my birthday party, not to mention Bali in 6 weeks time!  BIG challenges ahead, but I CAN do it!  I WILL do it!!!!

It seems I have inspired 7 (!!!!) people to jump on the 12wbt band wagon.  That just blows my mind!  That 7 people thought I was inspiring enough to give this program a shot.  And they are doing so well 2 days in, and I am happy to guide them, help them with any questions and share the journey with them.  It just makes sense to me this program - eat clean, train well, and you will see the results & feel AMAZING!!  I just can't thank Michelle Bridges & her crew enough in what they have done for hubby and I.  We have a new way of life that is beyond what I could have ever hoped for!

RIP Neil Armstrong!

I am excited by the things I am going to challenge myself to do from now.  We're going to climb Jacob's Ladder in Perth next month.  In November, we are going paint balling!  And then for the finale of this round in Sydney, we are going to climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge.  Yes, me!  With my dickie ankle & all!  I am going to climb to the top of the bridge!!!  I cannot wait!!

So here's to another week of eating clean, training hard & making my life better!!!!

Onwards & downwards!

Ready to Rock Round 3

I ordered an outfit online for the 12wbt Finale in a couple of weeks time in Perth.  The store is in Richmond, on the other side of Melbourne, and I thought it would be easier to just have the item delivered, than drag the kids along with me, or waste my time battling traffic.  The garment arrived, and I loved it!!!!  However, it didn't sit right.  My Size 22 outfit was too big!

I called them up & I could mail it back & they repost a smaller size, but instead I decided to trek to the store, 2 feral children in tow & try on the size 20.  It fit!  YAY!  I then thought I'd just try a size 18 in case.  It probably wouldn't fit, but while I was standing there in my bra & undies, I  might as well give it a go.  And it fit!  HOLY COW!!!  That's when it ACTUALLY dawned on me..... I've lost weight!  I am smaller!  I fit into a size 18!!!!!  And you know how you always HATE your reflection in those changing room mirrors - well I actually LIKED mine!  Saggy skin, bumps, lumps and all.

However, it seemed a day later after this realisation that I am actually smaller, that I let the wheels fall off.  Hubby and I have been having a few wines the last couple of nights to celebrate the end of the round, but realise we can't fall back into old habits, so it was only a couple of nights, and THAT'S IT!! However, yesterday, while making my 5yo a jam sandwich, I decided I would like one too.  Not much of a problem, however, I had just had lunch already.  And I didn't eat just one slice of bread with butter & jam - I ate five!!!!  FIVE!  F.I.V.E!!!  WTF was I thinking (besides the fact "ohhhh, yummm")?  Bread lathered with jam & butter is one of my all time favourite things, but did I need 5 slices of it??  Totalling 699 calories!!!!  NO!  So why did I do it?

I have no clue to the REAL reason I did it.  But I do know I was thinking that I deserved it.  That I had just lost 17.7kgs, so why the hell not eat 5 slices of bread!  It is a pattern that I am familiar with - doing a great job & sabotaging myself.  And this is the reason that I find the 12wbt so wonderful - the mindset lessons I am learning.  This is why I need to continue this program!  Sure, it was only one real bingeing issue in 12 weeks, but it is lying there underneath the surface, and it is something that I need to conquer to ensure it never happens again.

So, after a few nights of indulging in wines, and a day of eating more bread than I have consumed in  12 weeks, the scales are showing me nearly 2kgs heavier.  Not the way I wanted to start the next round off, but I will OWN it, and work my butt of between now & Wednesday to minimise the damage.  I am RARING TO GO with this next round!!!  Lots of obstacles coming up (Perth finale, 40th Birthday party, trip to Bali) but I am going to SMASH it!!!!!

BRING IT ON BABY!!!!!!!!!

A Day of Highs & Lows

It's here!  The final weigh in day of the 12wbt.  I can't believe how far Greg and I have come together in this journey.  What a ride!!!  But, of course, it's not over.  Just the beginning of the rest of our lives!  And Round 3 of the 12wbt starts Monday!!!

Weigh in for me this morning saw a loss of 1.8kgs (bugger that I had gained that extra 1.5kgs lost with the gastro!!!), so I have had an overall loss of 17.7kgs in 12 weeks.   14.1% loss of my body weight.  Frigging amazing!!!  So very proud of myself!!  Greg has lost an amazing 24.5kgs!!!!  UN-BLOODY-BELIEVABLE!!!!

So, a great & happy start to the day came crashing down with a thud.  This morning I had my 16 year old dog Daisy put down.  She would have been 17 in a few months.  I remember the day I saw the little white fluff ball in a pet shop in Williamstown, and I bought her for myself as a Valentine's Day present from my then fiancé.  Of course, he was none too impressed with her, as we already had 2 big dogs at home, but I was besotted!!   She had many adventures, moving from house to house with me.  She sat on my lap as I drove my car, even came with me to many a Sunday session at the pubs/cafes in Williamstown on a sunny afternoon.  I must admit my baby became a bit neglected once I had babies of the human kind, but she was such a great dog.  Never a nuisance with her barking, always taking on the bigger dogs to protect her owner.  Always happy to see the kids & they loved her being a part of their lives.  In the last couple of months, she went downhill rapidly, and I had been putting off for weeks the inevitable.  This morning as I was getting on my bike, I looked down at her sniffing my leg & made the heartbreaking decision that it had to be done.  I originally asked Greg to take her to the vet, but then decided it couldn't be done by anyone else, it had to be me.  It should be me there holding her & scratching her behind her ears as she left this world.  And so it was.  I held her as she took her last breath & have brought her home to be buried in the garden, where we will plant something special in memory of our darling Daisy.

I've Found the Ultimate Diet!!!

Yep, it's gastro!!!  It was inevitable I was going to catch it off the kids.  They, however, just had the vomits, and I won the jackpot with it coming out of both ends!!!  TMI??

Anyway, a 2kg loss overnight - BONUS!!  If only it would stay off, but of course I am bound to gain once I start eating again.  Yuk, even the thought of food makes me want to puke at the moment!  So off I go to bed again.  No SSS exercise session for me today!!! :(

Wise Dr Seuss!

Who Is This Man???

That's the question I keep asking myself about hubby.  I feel like I'm living with a stranger.  Someone who goes out for a run at 8pm at night!  Someone who wakes early to get some KMs done on the bike. Someone who is ignoring those Pizza Shapes in the top "snack" cupboard!!!  Don't get me wrong - I am so proud & think it is fantastic that he is turning into the man he "wants" to be (with a hot bod to boot!), but I have never ever known my hubby to be this person!  The change over the last 10 weeks has been amazing to watch.  He will soon be at a weight he's never been whilst I have known him!!!!  So very proud & full of love for him x

Working on one of the things I loved about Greg when I met him - his muscly calves!!

So, yesterday was weigh in, and a loss of 900gms for me.  Initially I was a teeny bit disappointed, but then I realised my weight is now 109.9kgs!  Whoop whoop - under 110kgs.  I am chasing down that 100kg mark now - double digits are within my sight!!!  I am so over the moon!  And something else that I have worked hard on over the last 11 weeks is to stop comparing my weightloss journey to other people's journey.  I now don't compare myself to anyone else.  This is about me (and my family) and I don't care how slow/fast I do it, as long as I JFDI!!!

Here, here!

Today of course, Murphy's Law, I am down another 600gms.  Why are Thursdays my best weigh in day, I will never know!!!  Unfortunately I've been up all night with a vomiting 3 year old, so already the excuses are flooding me!  Doubt I will be able to do any sort of exercise today, but I'll just make today my rest day.  Need to keep my nutrition in check and TRY to consume some water!!

Love this!!!

Motivation Out of Hibernation!

It's Monday again!  The weekends go by far too quickly, especially when I am working, like I did yesterday (10.30am-6.30pm).  Mondayitis seems to have hit me, because I just cannot be stuffed doing ANYTHING!!!

A picture above of batch of mini Banana bread muffins I made.  12wbt recipe of course.  It usually makes 2 loaves of bread, but it made up 57 mini muffins at 75 calories each.  However, we did notice they were a bit dry, and it wasn't until a couple of hours later we found the melted butter in the microwave - I'd forgotten to put it in!!  They're still yummy though, and less calories without the butter!!  Doh!

Hubby commented we don't have any photos of us exercising, which we should take as a reminder of our journey.  I'll have to make sure we get the camera out during our next Saturday morning boxing session!!!  Above is me on the indoor bike trainer, which I find so incredibly BORING!  It does chew up the calories though.  God I look grumpy!!

As of yesterday I've been planning a small 40th party for me next month & I've decided to have it as a pirate theme!  Going to love to see everyone dressing up as pirates.  I've already ordered my cake & have a list of fabulous decorations I want to purchase to make our pergola area a bit "nautical".  Cannot wait!!

I've also just done my Round 3 Commitment & here it is...

My commitment to this, my second round of 12wbt, is to continue with eating clean, and to continue exercising 6 days a week. I commit to losing a minimum of 15kgs in the 12 weeks, which will see me reach double digits (finally!!!) and to continue on to building a happier & healthier life for my husband, my 4 kids & myself. I commit to continue supporting my husband 100% in his own journey on the 12wbt. I commit to stepping up my exercise & pushing myself that little bit harder. Bring it on!!!!


So, after a SHIT week of Paige home vomiting, Owen home with school sores on his face, and now Aidan with a sore throat & temperature, I succumbed on a couple of occasions to a glass of wine.  Yep, put me over my calories, and I should have known better, so this is something I will work on.  At least I didn't snack on crap!!!  So a small bonus!

Anyway, with tracking my calories, here are my calories in & out since Wednesday:-

• Wednesday - Calories in: 1189, Calories out: 463
• Thursday - Calories in: 1732, Calories out: 227
• Friday - Calories in: 1205, Calories out: 330
• Saturday - Calories in: 1760, Calories out: 591
• Sunday - Calories in: 1650, Calories out: 167

So, three days out of the last week where wine has put me over the calories for the day.  I will NOT be repeating this.  It's done & dusted now, and I hope I have not undone all my clean eating & hard work because of it.  I really need to step up my exercise as well, which I have slacked off with this last week,  but I struggle to find time to exercise for more than an hour!  It's definitely my goal for next round though.  Time to step it up!!!

Feeling Foolish, and the BIG 4.0.

Well, yes, I am feeling a bit foolish after yesterday's post.  BUT, I am trying to put my feelings out there as honestly as possible, and yesterday I just felt down-trodden at the fact the scales had not moved downwards in 6 days!  However, as Ros (thanks for your comment Ros!!!) & my always supportive hubby have kindly reminded me, this is about the BIG picture and not just a week!  I definitely am proud of the fact I have lost 15kgs in 10 weeks.  I am proud of the fact I am pushing myself when it comes to exercise and I am not making excuses anymore.  I am proud because I have eaten mostly clean for the last 10 weeks.  And I have not once fallen off the wagon.  Eating a few lollies or drinking a few wines has been MY choice.  I am proud of the fact it IS different this time, and I am proud I have realised that this is it for the rest of my life!
I did write down all my food & calories yesterday & was shocked that I had eaten UNDER 1000 calories!  I made up for the deficit with a coffee & some fruit, but it was a wake up call to me that I need to keep track & make sure I am eating all my calories each day.

At work last night, I was sitting at my desk looking at  my roster for the next 4 weeks, when I realised.... HOLY SHIT!  I am turning 40 in a month's time.  40.  FORTY.  Four-0.  WOW!  A little bit of disappointment hit me, as I have been planning on being trim & fit for my fortieth for about the last 5-10 years!  However, at least I am on the right track, and I can comfort myself in knowing that I will be trim & fit in my fortieth YEAR!  Whoo hoooo!!!!

In other news...I had a well overdue physio session for my ankle this morning, and he gave me some tips on the pain I am getting in my knees from cycling, which involves exercises using a roll thingamajig! My ankle always feels wonderful after a visit to the physio, and I've made another appointment for 3 weeks time.
AND we've had a few sick kids this week - high temps, flu, vomiting, spots.  JOY!!!!

Oh, and a big shout out & WELL DONE to my bestie Jen who is on the 12wbt journey as well.  She is doing so well at this & is losing massive amounts of weight & could hopefully be at her goal weight in the next round!  Go you good thing!!!  Very proud!!!

Time to Re-evaluate?

I am so disappointed in my weigh in this morning.  110.8kgs.  The VERY same weight I was last Thursday.  So for the last week I have worked my arse for nothing.  Well, for 3 bottles of wine actually.  But can that be right?  Can 3 bottles of wine cause such a disappointing outcome, with perfect nutrition & daily exercise so that I don't lose anything in 6 days?  I am just flabbergasted at it really.
So, out on my 20km bike ride this morning, I decided it was time to re-evaluate what I am doing.  I haven't been counting calories (only in my head) so I am going to start writing down everything I eat & drink.  Of course I haven't really needed to since I'm following the 12wbt menu, but I want to do it for a few days, just to make sure I am staying within the 1200 calories.

However, I should rejoice in the fact I have lost a total of 15kgs since starting and hubby has lost over 21kgs.  He's amazing.  Yes, I should rejoice, but I just don't feel like it at the moment :(

The End is Nigh!

Indeed, the end is nigh. Only 2 more weeks to go on the 12wbt!  And then we're straight into the NEXT round which is starting August 27th.  I am excited about the next round - as in this next round I will get into.... DOUBLE DIGITS!!!  Oh, how I cannot wait for that day!  There will be no wiping that stupid grin from my face!  Yes, it is only a number, but I have battled so long to get there, and I am so glad 12wbt has given me the confidence & the tools I need to get there.

So, I'm all signed up for Round 3, and hubby will be signed up soon, and I am so pleased that I have "inspired" quite a few of my friends to join up too.  I hope they all love the program as much as I do, and get out of it as much as I have over the last 9 weeks.  For referring 3 friends to the 12wbt, I am being sent a free Polar heart rate monitor.  Bonus!  I am going to sell it off & donate the proceeds to my Ride to Conquer Cancer.

Curried egg sandwich

Have had some yummy food this week, including my first proper sandwich in 9 weeks - a curried egg one.  It was delicious, but must admit I felt so bloated after the bread.  I am loving how my body is changing.  All the food on the 12wbt has been mostly delicious.  I think we've only had a couple of meals that we won't be repeating.  The kids like mostly all of them, but it's been easy to whip up something they like if I plan ahead on nights when we are having something I think they'll complain about.  Last night for dinner hubby & I had Sweet'n'Sour Pork (YUM!) and I made Mango Chicken for the kids with rice.

Sweet'n'Sour Pork

I fear the scales have not been kind to me since Friday night.  We decided to have a few wines, which turned into a "few too many" wines, and I paid for it the next day.  Very sick & unable to go for my early morning 40km bike ride.  So very disappointed in myself, and I won't be repeating the stupidity any time soon.  The good news is that I did not snack whilst drinking wine.  A small victory for me!  However, the scales have been heading in the wrong direction, although I have been PERFECT with nutrition ever since.  Oh well, it teaches me a valuable lesson & I have no one to blame but myself!

Accelerator Day Big Brekkie - Field mushies, poached eggs, rocket & salsa

Accelerator Day Lunch - Lamb Greek Salad with fetta, asparagus & figs.

Onwards & downwards......

I've Lost My Three Year Old!!!!

Weighing in at 110.8kgs this morning, so that's 1.4kgs gone since weigh in on Wednesday.  Totalling a whopping 15.1kgs!   And then I realised, Holy Shit..... I've lost Aidan!!!!  He only weighs 14.8kgs!  I instantly picked him up & carried him around the house.   I just cannot believe that I was lugging around that much extra weight 8 weeks ago!

Someone shared this on FB.  Loved it.....

My Big Fat Bum!

Why can't weigh in day be today?!?!?!?!?!  Always the bloody way - weighing in lighter on Thursdays!!!!  Can I just say that this number below (111.1kgs) has me on a MISSION!  I could possibly be under 110kgs by next week.  Oh, how I want that!!!  And I am going to work my big fat arse off to get there!!!

And as I mentioned yesterday, my ultimate goal is of being in double digits.  When I mentioned this to hubby last night, he made the comment that I will be there before the end of the next round.  I hadn't even realised that!  WOW, to think that I could be in double digits before Christmas is just so exciting for me!!!!!

Speaking of my fat arse, I was watching the Olmpics briefly this morning with my 2 older kids, and my 11yo son remarked how big one of the women cyclists bum was.  "Are you kidding?" I exclaimed in shock, and  9yo daughter explained to him it was the way the cyclist was sitting that made it look bigger, and I explained how fit that cyclist was, and that she wouldn't have an ounce of fat on that bum.  He then remarked "You have the biggest bum of all, Mum".  Oh, thanks.  One day a comment about how much weight I was losing, and the next, a reminder of how big my bum is.  You've gotta love kids & their honesty!!!!!

My big fat arse has been neglected, but now with diet & exercise, that good looking arse will be mine one day!!!!  

Weigh In Wednesday......

Weigh in Wednesday has arrived & I've had a loss of 1.9kgs this week.  It brings my 12wbt total to 13.6kgs, which is 10.8% of my body weight lost.  For some reason though, all I keep thinking is I am STILL 10kgs heavier than in March last year.  I will not let it bring me down though - it's only 12.3kgs until I am in double digits,  and can I just say, when that day comes, I will be on Cloud 9!!!

Hubby had a loss of 1.2kgs this week, bringing his 12wbt total to an amazing 19.2kgs.  What a machine he is!  We may be a bit lighter for our trip to Bali in October this year, but when we go back to Bali in March next year, we are going to look amazing!!!!  Cannot wait!

29km bike ride this morning, 575 calories.  Yay!!!

Onwards & downwards....