Strengthening the Mindset

"We are what we repeatedly do.  
Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit."  - Aristotle

Well, I must be honest & admit the last 2 nights I have let myself slip.  With wine & chocolate!  Why? Old habits have been sneaking back in.  I have been perfect and eating clean all throughout the day, and then when night hits & I have my bum parked on the couch, the old habit of eating & drinking has reared it's ugly head.  Doesn't help that we have boxes of fundraising chocolates in the house to sell!!!  And left over wine from my 40th birthday party!

There should be a warning label on the wrapper of a Cadbury Boost bar -AMAZING & ADDICTIVE!

So, I've spent this morning with a coffee in front of the computer watching Mish's 12wbt mindset videos from the last couple of weeks.  Last round, I watched these enthusiastically each week, but this round I haven't bothered with them.  So today I've taken the time to play catch up.

A couple of things I've taken away from these videos...

• It takes 2 weeks to break a ritual.  My ritual in the past was to sit & watch TV with Greg.  Wine in hand, chips & chocolate at the ready.  This old ritual has made its way back into my life over the last couple of nights, but NO MORE.  I want to get back into the habit of having a cup of tea in front of the TV.  Or, as in the last round, be so busy with exercising & preparing clean food, that I don't have a lot of time to be sitting down in front of the TV!!!!
• Michelle's lay-by system.  If I crave something, like a chocolate or a wine, I will start to use the lay-by system - that is, if I feel like giving in to a craving, I will lay-by that feeling for 24 hours, and if I still want it 24 hours later, then have I will have it. 
• Strengthen my willpower muscle again.  I have let my will power muscle slacken over the last couple of weeks, so I need to once again flex it, to toughen it up.
• Unravelling the psychology of weight loss.  Michelle mentions this in one of her videos, and how it can take a very long time work this out.  I need to have a good look inside myself as to why the last couple of nights have been a problem for me,  and I need to work on this constantly to keep myself in line.

The Countdown Is On!!!

It's week 8 of the 12wbt already!!  I could say that I have "wasted" this round, but I don't really see it like that at all.  I knew from the outset this round was going to be a difficult & challenging one.  We had the trip to Perth, my birthday & party the weekend after, and just now a week in Bali.  I definitely don't think I have wasted this round - I think I needed it, as I dread to think of what could have happened if it hadn't been for the guidance of Michelle Bridges & the 12wbt.  I am sure I would have gained weight, with the excessive drinking & eating on these occasions.  I am sure I would have been a bit too relaxed and lazy.  There's no point thinking "I'll just start afresh next round".  You just have start afresh the very next day!   And that's the difference the 12wbt has made in my life.  I was always thinking "I'll start on Monday"  or "I'll start afresh after the party/dinner/function next week".  I was always making excuses, and if I got off track, then I made sure I bloody well stayed off track.

Bike riding in Bali

Now, I'm not saying that I am off track, but after the big gain with the trip to Bali, I would have in the past shrugged my shoulders & said "stuff it" and fallen back into old habits.  But that was the old Julie. The new Julie has jumped back into the 12wbt with both feet and is raring to go!!!

It's now only 8 sleeps until The Ride to Conquer Cancer.  I can't believe how quickly the time has flown since I made the decision to do the ride, in honour of my Dad and his battle with cancer.  I am so proud of myself, having raised over $3,500 for Peter Mac, and also of my fellow team mates & their fundraising efforts.  Greg has raised over $6,000 which is just mind blowing, and our whole team "Fighting Back" has raised nearly $26k in total!!!!!  All for Peter Mac & their cancer research.  It is going to be a hard slog riding 200kms in 2 days, but when I think I am tired and can't go on, I will think of my Dad & what he is going through & I will push on.  Have just checked the weather forecast, and I can't say I am overjoyed by it - rain & 16 degrees over the 2 days!  ARGH!

I will NOT be riding this next weekend!

And also only 4 weeks until the close of this round of 12wbt, and our weekend in Sydney, with the Sydney Harbour Bridge climb, and 12wbt workout & finale party.  The stressful thing about the whole thing for me is the outfit selection!  It took me ages to find something last round, and now here I am faced with it again.  I hate shopping at the best of times, but I put that down to always having to shop for plus sizes, and I look forward to the day when I can walk into a trendy normal size store & buy something straight off the rack without worrying what I look like.  Ho hum.

Onwards & downwards.....

Back to Reality, With a Thud!

Our first night - dinner on the beach

We arrived home from Bali yesterday, and saved this week's weigh in until this morning.  And my result was - *Drumroll* - a gain of 3.7kgs.  The funny thing is, I am not even in the slightest bit upset about it.  Wow, how my mindset has changed!  It just proves that no longer am I worried that I won't be able to shift the weight! I now know I WILL be able to lose those extra kilos, and if I had to do anything different on my trip to Bali, I definitely wouldn't!

The Bali Bombing Memorial

We had a ball!  The first 2 days were bliss - celebrating coupledom with the freedom of sleeping in, going to the toilet without any little person joining you, no cooking, no cleaning, just relaxing.  Shopping & long walks on the beach!!  Unfortunately the next 3 days were spent in close proximately to a toilet within the hotel grounds thanks to a dose of Bali Belly for the two of us, but day 6 we spent with our own private driver taking us to the spots we wanted to visit - Ubud & the beautiful rice paddies, Tanah Lot temple, lunch in Seminyak & sunset drinks at the Rock Bar in Jimbarin Bay.  Our very last day was spent doing a 40km bike ride from Kintamini volcano down through local villages and rice paddies to Ubud.  Just magic!!

Relaxing poolside

I notice my last post was about the guilt & worry I felt about weight gain - how quickly that changed when I realised I just had to embrace the time away & enjoy myself.   I missed the kids terribly, and I think it was a little too long to be away from them.  We got some good exercise in - lots of huge walks, a gym session, and bike rides.

And the big difference is that today I am straight back into the 12wbt.  In the past, I would continue on in "holiday mode" with terrible eating, and of course drinking.  But today I are straight back on the 12wbt wagon, and ready & raring to go!!!  Of course, was a huge struggle to get out of bed this morning & get the kids organised for school & Kinder.  Back to reality with a thud, indeed!

Now, I am looking forward to planning our Bali trip next year - with the kids of course!  What a great present to myself & Greg to return to Bali at our goal weights, leaner & stronger than ever before!

Bring it on!

Prawn, avocado & artichoke stack anyone??  YUM!

Beautiful Bali!!!

The swim up bar at the Hyatt, Sanur

I'm posting this from poolside in Bali.  We've now been here for 4 nights. The Bali Hyatt in Sanur is beautiful, the weather has been perfect, and its been wonderful having time alone with hubby. We've had time to be just a couple, without being a mum, dad, cook, cleaner, taxi driver, manager, etc. As hubby puts it, it's being great to recharge the batteries!

Unfortunately, the last two days have seen us hit with a dose of Bali belly, so we've been unable to go far from the hotel for fear we need a toilet quickly. We have been feeling better today though.
As for food and exercise, I still have a long way to go to not have the holiday mentality.  Mish says we shouldn't use a holiday to slip into bad habits, but shouldn't we able to relax a little?  I have been torn by feelings of guilt and regret over choices I've made and I'm disappointed that I am feeling like this whilst on holiday - it's something I will have to process in my mind when we get back I think.

Crab Fettucine from Motorino in Sanur

Lunch at La Lucciano in Seminyak 

We've done a great amount of walking the first couple of days we were here. Unfortunately the next day we were sick, and although still not better today we did manage a walk, a gym workout and an hour long bike ride.  Food choices have been hard in the hotel. I honestly thought it would be easier to get clean food - even salads, but its just sandwiches, wraps, rice, noodles etc - all the stuff we try to stead clear of!  Frustrating!

Traditional Balinese Lunch

And probably the biggest challenge for me has been the Bintang Beer. After all, it's cheaper than water here and what's better than a nice cold beer on hot sweltering day? I've indulged in far too many and the scales are reflecting it. I'm in for a large gain when I get back to Melbourne.  I'm mostly disappointed that I'm not enjoying this holiday as much because of those bloody scales! Just goes to show I have a hell of a long journey ahead of me, not just physically but mentally!

Sanur Beach

The Ride to Conquer Cancer - 3 weeks to Go!

It's 3 weeks until the Ride to Conquer Cancer.  3 weeks until I am going to push myself wayyyyy out of my comfort zone and ride 200km over a weekend.

And I am absolutely shitting myself!

I am not ready for it.  I have not done enough training for it.  And in these weeks leading up to it, I should be doing a hell of a lot of riding.  But I don't want to.  And it's not laziness or lack of willingness.  It's only one thing that deters me.

MAGPIES!!!!

I have been dreading Spring for so long because of the swooping magpies, and the stories I've heard about kids losing eyes, and friends who have seen cyclists swooped so hard they are knocked off their bike, or cyclists riding by with blood pouring out their ear due to a peck from a nesting maggie.  I cannot even express in words the fear this drives into me.

Only once have I been swooped by a magpie a few years ago and it is a terrifying experience.  I didn't even see it, I only heard the swooshing of its wings & the shadow of it as I rode by on my bike, my little one safe in the bike trailer I was pulling.  I was shaking so much I couldn't even ride!

So as I prepare today to go out on a ride later this afternoon, I sit here already shitting myself about the inevitable magpie swoop.  I know it will happen, and I am already feeling sick at the prospect of the bird knocking me from my bike or worse yet, drawing blood from an ear.

But I have to conquer this fear in order to keep training and I look forward to updating my blog in 3 weeks time to tell you of my achievement of conquering the 200km Ride to Conquer Cancer.  It may take me longer than most to ride the route, but I will finish it.  For all of those who are battling cancer, and for my Dad, I will finish it.

If you'd like to support me in my Ride to Conquer Cancer, benefiting Peter Mac, it is not too late to donate using the link below.  Every dollar counts!!!

Donate to Julie's Ride to Conquer Cancer

37 To Go!!!

A loss of 600gms for me this week, bringing me to 102kgs.  I shouldn't have had a loss, I didn't work hard enough for one, but I'll take it.  Disappointed I've let myself slip the last week, as I soooo wanted to be in double digits for Bali, but it doesn't look like I'll get there unless I push myself beyond my comfort zone over the next week.  I'll see if I can do it.  If I do, it will be a nice way to start my holiday.

I was interested though in seeing my tracker at the top of my blog once I updated it this morning.  I only have 37kgs to go.  Now 37kgs may seem like a hell of a lot to a thinner person, or someone who is overweight with only 20 or so kilos to lose, but seeing that number "37" has brought me great relief this morning.  It doesn't seem such a huge unreachable goal anymore.  I can do this!  I will do this!  Back at my heaviest weight I had a grand total of nearly 68kgs to lose.  I remember looking at that figure all those years ago and how disheartened I felt.  Never in my wildest dreams would I ever think I would be able to achieve it!  But now I know I will.  I'll get there!  I have no doubts at all.

So, I probably won't reach my goal of double digits before I leave for Bali next week.  But so what?  I'll still get there.  Slow & steady wins the race, and I'm already a winner!!!!

A Work In Progress

My old & scratched work pass

These last couple of weeks I have really been able to notice my weightloss.  FINALLY!!!  Although I am still not happy with  what I see in the mirror, at least I can finally notice a difference.  I am really noticing the different way my clothes are fitting, and I am loving having to throw out clothes because they are too big for me.  The compliments are lovely to hear, even though I am still awkward when accepting them.  A girl at work spotted my work pass yesterday & commented "Oh My God, look how much weight you've lost".  It's an old photo, but is a good reminder to me!!!

Well, I'm not going to lie, I have been struggling this week.  I am not sure whether it is the "holiday mode" trying to kick in, whether it has been a serious case of CBF (Can't Be F*cked), or what is going on, but I've seriously battled all week with it.  I haven't exercised to my full capacity, and haven't really cared, and haven't been serious with my nutrition either (still eating clean, just not counting calories!).

Can you see a difference?

To top it off, TTOM arrived yesterday.  I've never been so thankful for it, as I didn't want to have it whilst on holidays next week in Bali.  But it's the reason why I've felt so bloated & lethargic all week.  I am so looking forward to this week away (although I am definitely stressing about leaving the kids!), but I think I need a week off the 12wbt to recharge my batteries.  I think this is the most disappointing thing with the 12wbt rounds running back to back now - you don't get that "down" time of a couple of weeks between rounds.  Now don't get me wrong, I am not saying that during the break between rounds is a time for you to let down your hair, stop exercising & eat shit, but the program is seriously full on, and I think you just need a break mentally to regroup & get ready for the next round.  From speaking to past members, they've been really disappointed this down time is now missing.  It should be a time to reassess your goals, complete the preseason tasks & plan your 12 weeks.  Instead we are thrown straight into another round.  Ho hum.

But that brings me to the title of this post - a work in progress.  Yes, physically I am a work in progress, but mentally, I am a HUGE work in progress.  I have constantly been battling my mindset this week, from wanting to wind down with a wine, from grabbing a piece of chocolate at work.  I am constantly thinking to myself, have a wine, you DESERVE to relax.  Have a piece of chocolate, you DESERVE it after your big loss last week.  Why am I thinking like this?  Why is my mind trying to trick me into thinking I deserve to be rewarded with things that aren't good for me?  Why is it I never think "Have an apple, you deserve it"?  If that was the way I thought, I wouldn't have an issue with my weight I guess!!  But of course, the 12wbt is the tool I will use to conquer this battle of my mind, as long as it takes, I am in for the long haul.

Bunless Burger (on a field mushroom) - one of our favourites!

Fleury made a comment on my last post wanting to know how we go as a household with cooking on the 12wbt, since both hubby & I are following the program. And with 4 kids thrown in to the mix as well I suppose!!!  In answer to the question, over the last 18 or so weeks on the 12wbt, our dinners are always 12wbt recipes.  We don't follow the weekly program to a tee, however, we pick & choose our dinners on what we have available in the house, or what we know are favourites of the family - that means what are the kids most likely to eat without complaining.  On nights where we want to have a curry, or something we know the kids just won't eat, I will cook different meals.  For instance, if we are going to have a curry such as the Penang Chicken, I will cook up a Mango chicken for the kids with rice.  We always have a big batch of frozen meals so we can grab one if we are late to work for lunch, or if I know I am working late in the evening I can grab one for dinner.  Our lunches mostly consist of wraps with salad & cold meat.  We just eat muesli & yoghurt for brekkie most mornings, although I may cook up bacon & eggs on the weekends.  The main priority is to make sure we eat clean.

Broccoli in our garden!

When we bought this house nearly 4 years ago, we were fortunate there were 3 big planter boxes set up in our back yard for a veggie garden.  We've attempted growing herbs and veggies over the years, but have been slack in the up keep of it.  We had cherry tomatoes grow last year that were so deliciously sweet, and our attempt at growing zucchini & pumpkin started off well, but with an unusual rainy period, they died off.  However, the broccoli is fantastic!!!  We had some the other night with a roast chicken, and it was delicious - as fresh as you can get!  This is something I definitely want to work on in the future - growing our own veggies.  Greg's herb pots have been doing well, and it's always great to have fresh herbs on hand when cooking dinner.

Non Scale Victories

It's been a big week with a bout of sickness hitting our household.  Headaches, fevers, coughing, runny noses.  First Owen, then Aidan, followed by Callum (and a fainting incident to just boost the excitement!), and now Paige has it.  And of course, it was inevitable that I would get it, but we were shocked that hubby came down with it as he hardly ever gets sick.  Let's just say, when he gets sick, he doesn't do it by halves.  He's come down with a big case of man flu...  oops, I mean Bronchitis!

However, it is weigh in Wednesday and I am stoked to report a loss of 2.9kgs this week, bringing my weight to 102.6kgs.  I really turned things up this week in an effort to shake up the small weight losses & especially that 100gm gain of last week.  I am so proud of myself & how far I have come.  23.2kgs in 17 weeks is nothing to be sneezed at!

I've just read a new post from fellow blogger Dayna, which reminds me to look for the "non scale" victories of our weightloss.  It's something Dayna does each week to keep herself motivated, and I guess it is something I need to keep reminding myself of.  It's easy to get lost in the numbers on the scales.  I suppose when you are so heavy and have so much to lose, seeing those numbers go down on the scales is all the motivation you need!  But with 12wbt, you need to remind yourself of all the other things that go along with weightloss.  Some of my non scale victories this week have been....

• Fitting in to 2 pairs of Slazenger trackies I bought over 2 years ago that were too small
• Purchasing size 18 clothes - a change from size 26+ I was buying 17 weeks ago!!!
• Planking for 40 seconds (up from my personal best of 10 seconds!)
• Beating the time on my 1km fitness test by 53 seconds
• Being able to REALLY see the weightloss in the mirror for the first time

I just cannot put into words how fantastic I am feeling with this program.  The clean eating has my body working so well, and I love being able to listen to it to know when to eat, and how much to eat.  The exercising has me losing weight in such a different way to what I have ever experienced before and I can really notice the way the skin on my body doesn't sag like it has previously before with weightloss.  Michelle Bridges, you rock!!!

Onwards & downwards.....

Hasta La Vista "Holiday Mode"

My hubby's last few posts on his blog have been gems (especially the one about swimming between the flags), but his latest one mentions he is struggling this round.  Not off the wagon, but just tired after 16 weeks of going flat knacker!  And I must admit, I am feeling that way too lately.  However, I don't think I am just tired, I think I am ever so slowly falling into the trap of "holiday mode" as I have so often over the years.  I've also documented that struggle in this blog.

"Holiday mode" usually sees me looking forward to a big holiday coming up.  I work my arse off to have great weight loss beforehand, but then slacken off in the weeks leading up to the holiday as I think I deserve to let myself go, as I am going on holidays afterall.  This happens to me ALL THE TIME!  And unfortunately last night "holiday mode" tapped me on the shoulder.  Wine, chips, bikkies & dip. What was I thinking?  

But I am determined to turn this around.  Last night will be the last time "holiday mode" visits me.  It will no longer exist to me!  I am determined not to gain a heap of weight in the week I am away in Bali, or the weeks before I go for that matter!  I am determined to exercise EVERY single day I am away and I will make wise food choices.  I am sure I will be drinking my fair share of alcohol, but as long as I am careful, I think there will be minimal damage.

However, the biggest battle I have with "holiday mode" is when I return from my holiday - I just can't get shake the whole "holiday mode", and that's where the danger lies.  Last year I busted my arse to lose 30kgs on Weight Watchers, and made it to 101kgs - so close to those double digits I am chasing.  2 weeks in Bali at Club Med with unlimited food & wine, and a gain of 6kgs to show for it, and that was the end of my great weight loss run.  And here I am today, still 4.5kgs heavier than March last year.

So, I say a big Hasta La Vista Baby to "Holiday Mode".  I don't want or need you anymore, and you are no longer permitted to enter my mind!

Oh, did someone say 19 sleeps til Bali?  But who's counting?!

Who Would Have Thought.....

.......I'd be so happy about my first gain on the 12wbt.  I gained 100gms.  Now let me tell you, after waking, weeing & weighing myself, I then did everything I could to try & shift that pesky 100gms.  Sat on the toilet for ages willing myself to pass a brick, walked around for a while to try & get my body moving, but alas, the 105.5kgs were there to stay!  However, I was absolutely stoked!  The scales over the weekend showed a 3kg gain after my party & the hangover food that followed the next day.  I am so relieved I was able to get my arse moving & do a couple of big workouts the last couple of days, as well as eating perfectly clean.  Hard work does pay off!  And I'm happy to take the 100gm gain for the wedges with sour cream & sweet chilli sauce, the potato chips, the rocky road, the mudcake & choc ripple cake.  Not to mention the bottle of vodka & numerous bottles of wine!  Doesn't seem like a fair trade really!

That's me "Jules_L"!!!

To add to my euphoria this morning was the notification from the 12wbt that this ol' blog was included in the list of blogs to win the weekly surprise!   As was Greg's blog, and some of the blogs from our new friends we met in Perth at the finale.  The prize was a Chiball set including instruction DVD worth $75.  Whoo hoo!

And dare I say it, but today I actually can see & feel that I've lost weight - a LOT of weight.  I just feel different in my skin.  And standing in front of the mirror this morning in my knickers & bra, I can tell the difference the 12wbt is making compared to other weightloss I've experienced.   Last year I was only a couple of kilos lighter than I am now after losing 30kgs on Weight Watchers, but the skin on my thighs hung in saggy pouches.  However, now my legs are becoming more toned & strong thanks to all the exercising.  I am sure I will have loose skin as the weight keeps coming off, but this weight loss is just totally different.  I feel stronger, healthier & more alive than ever before.  And I want it!  I want to go all the way with the 12wbt & I truly believe I will!

So, here's to a big week of eating clean and training hard.  I am going to push myself the next 3 weeks to get to that elusive double digits weight I have been yearning for for so long!

Onwards & downwards!

12wbt Finale Photos YAY!

FINALLY the 12wbt Finale official photos were released, and here's some of us.  Funny how I was disillusioned & thought I looked quite nice on the night.  It's not until you see the photos later that you realise you still have a heck of a long way to go.    But, I have changed in that I don't mind having my photo taken anymore.  Well, that's not entirely true - I would prefer not to have my photo taken, but I want to have my photo taken along the way so I can look back at my journey & see how far I have come.  

Greg & Moi

My bestie Jen & I all ready to party!

Greg receiving his award from Michelle

Greg & I with Mish.
I'm quite horrified at how swollen my ankle is in this shot!

Ahoy Me Harty, It's a Pirate Party - Red Flag Warning!!!

We've just a huge weekend with my 40th Birthday party.  Greg and I went in prepared, thinking we would drink Vodka, lime & soda - the dieter's drink of choice due to being lower in calories that beer or wine.  Unfortunately, on the food front, I wasn't so prepared.  I forgot all about the carrot sticks I's promised myself I'd have on hand, and although there was sushi & rice paper rolls, I ate too many.  And somehow a few pieces of delicious rocky road made their way into my mouth!

Overall, I was pretty happy with myself on Saturday night.  However, it was with the hangover on Sunday that I let things slip.  I couldn't stomach brekkie or coffee, and had a long shift at work.  I ate left over sandwiches... made with WHITE bread.  I then had wedges (yep, deep fried and greasy) with sour cream & sweet chilli sauce - great to soak up the alcohol, but the guilt I felt was incredible, and I threw a third of the box in the bin!  Then chocolate mud cake, choc ripple cake, more rocky road & more sandwiches, washed down with a glass of wine. Happy 40th indeed!!!!!!

Cutting the cake.

My first born Callum & I

I'm 40!!!

Today I've woken up & not had brekkie until 11am.  I feel like I've swallowed a brick.  So tired, and I think I have a sugar hangover.  I will remember this feeling, as I don't want to repeat it!

So, I will probably have my first gain this week on the 12wbt.  But that's okay.  I will be disappointed, but I let myself enjoy my birthday weekend.  This is just a small bump in the road.  I haven't fallen off the wagon, I just halted it briefly, and will now charge on!

Bali is in 3 weeks & I will be in double digits dammit!!!!

Onwards & downwards.....

5,000 Page Views! THANK YOU!

I've hit 5,000 page views on my blog today!  WOW!  I started this blog so many years ago (6 years I think?!?!), right back when that little boy at my daughter's Kinder asked me if I had a baby in my belly.  Of course I didn't!!  And the embarrassment I felt on that day I will never ever forget!  I was 133kgs of embarrassed!  And I'm never going back there!

So, I just wanted to say thank you to you for reading my blog.  For sharing this tough journey with me, through all the fad diets & falling off the wagon.  Did someone say Dukan Diet?  What a joke!  But I am glad I finally came to that fork in the road & I chose the right path - the 12wbt path!  What a delight it has been to find the TRUE way to a healthy & happy future.

To those who have left comments over the years, THANK YOU!  It's meant a lot that you took the time to let me know your thoughts.

So, onwards & downwards we go, to a brighter & lighter future!!!  So glad you're coming along for the ride!!!!

40! This Is My Year!!!

It's my birthday today & I'm forty!  Can't f&*king believe it!  FORTY!!  But I'm in no way sad about it, I am over the moon!  It's going to be a bloody brilliant year, and it's the year I get to be healthy & fit and hit my goal weight!  I have absolutely no doubt about it and I cannot wait!!!!

After a weekend of boozing in Perth, I was hoping for any type of loss on the scales, but imagine my surprise when I saw a ONE KILO loss!  What an amazing birthday present to myself - a total of 20.4kgs lost in 15 weeks on the 12wbt!!!  Happy dancing all around!!!!

So, what have I done so far on my birthday?  I went for a big walk & burnt 420 calories & tonight I'll celebrate with the kids by having a cupcake, made by Paige, and then after a boxing session with Greg, we'll sit & enjoy a bottle of Veuve champers that we have chilling in the fridge!  Life is bloody good!

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!!