In the spirit of giving it my all and immersing myself for the next 12 weeks in all things 12WBT - I am participating in a blogging challenge. This is my first ever attempt at blogging (and I'm a little addicted!!) Each week whirlsie (a senior, returning member to 12WBT) will post questions and I shall answer right here on this page - simple as that. I'm up for it - so lets get started!!
Week One
Tell us a little bit about yourself. What makes you, you?
First and foremost I am a MOTHER. Sometimes I forget that I am anything else. I have a husband of 7 years (in Aug) and 2 beautiful children - Charlie, almost 6 and Lucy, almost 3. I absolutely adore being a mother to my children (although challenging most days!!) and feel blessed to have such wonderful little people to guide through life!!
I work as a Veterinary Nurse in the field of Emergency and Critical Care - which is a profession that I feel I was made for. I have been a vegetarian for 20years this year and I have always been drawn to the animal world - in this job, I nurse and care for sick and injured animals in so many interesting and fascinating ways - there is never a dull moment. I have further responsibilities as the Training Coordinator which sees me working with new people and sharing my skills and knowledge with up and coming nurses - to say that my job is rewarding is an understatement!! HOWEVER the world of emergency veterinary medicine, as exciting as it is, comes with a little drawback (that you get used to) - shift work - nights and weekends!! Lucky for me, my kids never have to be in care outside the home (except school and the grandparents of course) Because there is always someone at home with them while Mummy is at work!!
I am a person that I think alot of people who know me would describe a "out going" or "bubbly" or even maybe "extroverted"...... and I enjoy being this person around people I feel comfortable with - but in reality - I live in a world where I constantly judge myself and constantly (not deliberately) obsess over the thoughts of others. Its Paralysing and something that I am working on everyday to overcome.
Why did you decide to do the 12WBT?
Last September I found myself at the beginning of the month where I would turn 30!! (massive right!!??) I had promised myself at the beginning of the year (as we do...) that by my birthday I was going to be rocking the body of my dreams - but as usual, yo-yo dieting, relying on that ever nowhere-to-be-seen-when-you-need-it "motivation" - I ate my way into a body that was NOT a-rockin - but a-wobblin'!! I saw and passed 70kg - a weight I had not been since I was pregnant with my daughter 2 years earlier!! I was struggling everday with being me and I was sufficating in my own self loathing and desperation!!
I was sitting in the classroom one day, changing over the home reader books for the kids, thinking to myself how "today was going to be the day" where I HAD to get going with my weight loss - my birthday was 3 weeks away and I was NO WHERE near close to putting in any effort to lose the weight I so dreamt of losing before I turned 30 - If i could get started and lose a few kilos by my birthday I could hold my head high that I was trying to make a difference - I did not want to get to that life milestone and be miserable that I was the fattest I'd been since pregnancy and had done NOTHING to change it!! Then in came a fellow mum, Leah, who had just joined Round 3 2011 of 12WBT - she was so excited and told me all about the program (which I'd heard about in the past) - I sat there and said "I'll join!! I'm doing this with you!" There were only days left for sign up and I got home that day and signed up and started my pre-season tasks that would change my mindset and begin the program that has changed my life!!
What are you hoping to achieve through the program?
Last round I wanted to lost 9kg and gained a life I had never dreamt of with more confidence and self esteem than I have ever had in my (now) 30 years!!
This round I have joined LEAN & STRONG with the aim of saying good bye to my "stubbon wobbly bits" forever!! I no longer desire to be thin - I desire to be Tight Tonned and Terrific!!
I would love to achieve and maintain a weight under 60kg, to be able to gratuate to pushups on my toes, to sculpt my body so for the first time in my life I can have a flat tummy and a rockin hod bod!!
I have battled with eating disorders, a terribly destructive mindset and a lack of self esteem since I can remember. I used to dream of waif - I now dream of a sixpack!! This round I want to toss out the conforming 'suck in' suits I wear EVERY day and be comfortable in my own skin - maybe even comfortable showing a little skin too!!
Why have you decided to blog about the 12WBT? What will be the main focus (eg, food, exercise, a bit of everything?)
Mindset is definately VERY crucial for me. So blogging feels like therapy!! Straightening out all those negative clouds that surround me. This is my first ever blog - but I'm slowly working it all out. I am really loving getting my thoughts out there - hoping that it makes sense to someone else. I am excited to share with other 12WBT'ers :)
I am (slowly) creating pages where I will post my favourite menu items and track the progress of my workouts.
How will you be exercising this round? Gym, home, outdoors or a mixture?
This round is my first round of Lean and Strog - The gym will be my new home!! I will complete my "Core Strength and Flexibility" days (Wednesdays) at home, as I work a day shift on Wednesday and this will all fit better for me. But I've got a yoga mat, a set of (well cushioned abs) and some determination - so I'll get on just fine at home one day a week.
What is your greatest strength that will help you?
Holy Moly.......hard question...... desperation?? Is that I strength?? I am just so desperate to see a positive change in my body shape and I am determined (ooo that's a strength) to pull this off!!
What are you afraid of?
I'm afraid of failure. I'm afraid that I won't meet my goals! Last round I set a goal of 12kg to lose in 12 weeks - half way through I re-evaluated my progress and realised that I'd have to move my goal posts a little closer in to the 10kg mark. Come final weigh in I was 1kg short!! I bawled my eyes out!! I felt that I had failed even though I had come so far!!
I have told myself "no tears this time" whether I reach my body fat goal or not - I am going to have the BEST body and be the BEST version of myself that I have ever had!!
What are you looking forward to the most over the next 12 weeks?
I'm looking forward to a few things:
- Watching the weights that I can lift go up and up!! I'm so excited by that!!
- Seeing the progress on my shape - actually tonning up instead of slimming down!
- Meeting myself in 12weeks time - knowing that I've given it my all - I'll be excited to look in the mirror and smile - instead of cringe.
What is your downfall? Food? Exercise? How will you overcome this?
One word - SUGAR!!!
I have a sweet tooth like no bodies business!! Food could definately be my downfall.
I have found that when I keep a food diary - I keep it clean - If I don't write it down - i fall off the wagon. So this round I have committed to a daily food diary - I have them all drawn up on each page of my diary - I must be accountable.
I've also got this on my fridge....
If you had to pick one word to motivate you over the next 12 weeks, what would you choose?
STRONG!!!!
