Blogger Challenge Week 10

This week, the question and mindset is all about benefits. What have you gotten out of the program? What results have you seen? How have you changed; physically and mentally?

What are the benefits you have noticed about the way you look?


I haven't really lost any weight, which is unfortunate (I haven't exercised like I should have), but my skin is clearer. I don't feel bloated and puffy anymore.


What are the benefits you have noticed in your mindset? What breakthroughs have you had along the way?


Mindset wise, I always feel clearer after an exercise session. My brain feels less sluggish when I eat better. I feel more alert and awake when I eat well, and run. I guess my biggest breakthrough is that you can fall off the wagon, (I hate that phrase), but you just have to get back on. And the more you do it, the easier it gets. Silly huh? It's something that's said all the time, but it's taken until now for me to realise it, and have it sink in.


What are the benefits you have noticed in your fitness levels?


My fitness level has gone up amazingly. I can exercise longer and harder, and it doesn't feel as hard as it did at the beginning.


And, finally, what benefits have you noticed in your health?

I don't think I have noticed any major health benefits. I've never been someone who gets sick. I don't have allergies. I don't have hayfever or the like. So, really, I have nothing to compare it to I guess. I just feel better in me.

Blogger Challenge Week 9

This week, the challenge is all about support. As I said a few weeks ago, I feel like I have barely any support from home. My mum tries, but she's working ridiculous hours so she's not really a great help and my dad... well, he's my dad. That's all I can say.

1. What would you tell yourself at the start of the program in support of yourself?

I would tell myself to forget about everyone else. To try not to focus so much on what everyone else thinks, and says. That it comes down to me, and only me, and what I think, do and say is so much more important than what anyone else does, thinks or says. 

2. What would you tell those around you that may not have been that supportive?

I think I'd just tell them that if they aren't going to be supportive, then they need to get out of my way. I've had a lot of people hold me back this round, and if I could go back and tell myself, and them, to just leave me alone, I think I would have done so much better.

3. Who would you like to thank for being there for you and helping you on your 12WBT journey so far?

This is going to sound really strange, but my sister. She's been great. She helps me pull my head in when I need to.
My mum for being the one to tell me when to get outside and go for a run.

My PT clients for reminding me why I'm doing this.

The guys who's blogs I read. Both those on the 12WBT, and other weight loss blogs I've found. They all help keep me accountable, and reading about their success stories makes me feel better about my own journey.

And finally, the Newbie group, and the Upper Hunter group on Facebook. They're always there when I need them.

Blogger Challenge Week 8

This week's topic from Whirlsie: learning...

We never stop learning, it is a constant factor of life. In the 12WBT, we have such a big learning curve, and most of it is early on. Sometimes we don't fully realise what we have accomplished until we stop and take a look back.

1. What has been your biggest learning curve of the program?

I think my biggest learning curve of the program has been work. With my hours all over the place, I'm finding it hard to get my meals in at the right times. And I'm starving a lot of the time because of the fact that I'm on my feet all day. That's been my biggest struggle, and learning to deal with it has been my biggest learning curve. Not sure if I've mastered it yet though.

2. Have you had to learn something new over the last 8 weeks? ie cooking, sport etc?

I guess my new skill is more about new recipes. I have always enjoyed cooking (although I prefer things like cookies etc) and I love adding new recipes to my list of things I can cook. 

3. Are you planning on learning a new skill in the future?
I'd love to do a cooking class at some point. I will never be a Chef, and I don't want to be. But I do like to cook (doing this has reminded me of that) and I'd love to do a class where they teach us even more recipes and things to cook and do with out food. I think that would be fun.

Other than that I'd love to get back into martial arts. Maybe when I move in the future.

Once again, thanks for the great questions Whirlsie. You rock.

Happy Easter

What ever Easter mean's to you, I hope you all have a happy, safe, and relaxing one.

Blogger Challenge Week 7

This week's topic... MOTIVATION!!! Or lack thereof.

Generally around this time, people tend to lose some enthusiasm... It's just one of those strange things that seems to occur at the same time each round.


So, how about a little pep-me-up?


This week I want you to paint a picture - Why did you join the 12wbt? What has been your biggest achievement to date? What have you struggled with? How can you overcome these issues?


Why did I join the 12wbt? Well, this is what I said back in February:


I joined the 12wbt primarily to lose weight. I know about exercise. I know about healthy eating. I'm a PT. But, I needed someone to be accountable to. I needed some new recipes. Some new meals that are healthy, cheap, easy and quick to prepare. Also, I'm moving to Canada, one of the fittest nations in the world. And, call it shallow, but I want to look good when I get there.


I still stand by those reasons, even if I haven't been super great with my exercise. I have found some great, and some not so great, recipes. I have had to be accountable week in and week out, lose, gain, or plateau. So, my reason's haven't changed in the last 12 or so weeks since I joined up.

Biggest achievement? I'm really not sure. Maybe learning to listen to my body. To realise that eating all the junk food and crap I was shoving down my throat on a regular basis was doing more than just making me fat. Realising that I didn't have to feel bloated and horrible all the time.

Struggles??? Where do I start?

I guess my primary struggle is lack of support. My mum was going to do the food part with me and after a few weeks she stopped. So I have to wait until mum and dad have cooked their dinner before I can cook mine, and then I have to deal with dad's snide remarks and little comments. It doesn't matter if I'm walking out the door to exercise, if I'm putting it off for the day because of work, or if I'm eating something (good or bad, it doesn't matter), he makes some little comment that just makes my confidence plummet.

I really can't do anything about it though, and that's the worst part. If I say anything to him he gets the shits, storms off and mumbles under his breath like a 5 year old. If I say something to mum she says something along the lines of 'well, he think's he's encouraging you. Just ignore him'. Yeah, easier said than done.

For the next 5 weeks, I'm just going to put my head down, block out all the harsh, and hurtful comments, and do what I need to do. After all, I'm doing this for me and no one else, so why should I let what other's say or think stop me from doing it?

Thanks Whirlsie for the great question. You always know what I need to address. I'm wondering if you have spies in my house haha.

xo D!