Pre season task 8

The last pre season task was taking my measurements. I wasn't looking forward to this all that much. I know it will be great to be able to see the numbers change but this was actually harder for me than taking the photo.
Anyway here's the results for the 10/9/11:

Chest - 99cm
Waist - 102cm
Widest (hips) - 104cm
R thigh - 62cm
L thigh - 60cm

I look forward to not seeing these numbers again. Next measurement update will be in week 4

Kitchen makeover and diary time

Pre season 6 & 7

Time for a bit of catch up.

First the kitchen make over. This was one task I had no worries about. I don't usually keep bad foods in the house, we eat it as we buy it so there wasn't much to get rid of and I was looking forward to seeing what other things I could be buying.

The one thing I was said to see go was my muesli bars. But I'm going to look into alternatives I can make myself.

Task 7 is Organise and diarise.

This is another one I had already started. Now I'm studying I really need to keep things in order so I already have a diary with assignment dates and things in it so I've added my 12wbt stuff to that.

I'm adding in training sessions week by week and changing things up depending on how I go. Shopping will be done mostly on Sundays, unless OH is working. I'll also start to plan out my weekly dinners so I don't get home and go "I've got nothing to cook" "I don't know what I want" as I know I will.

And now for a weekend update.

I cooked a kangaroo roast last night for dinner and actually enjoyed it.
I really never thought anyone would get me to even try kangaroo let alone cook it. I'll admit I'm proud of myself.
OH wasn't all that impressed, he said he will eat it but he still prefers beef and so do I but kangaroo is higher in protein and lower in fat and cholesterol compared to lamb or beef. So while I'm not cutting out beef it gives me a little more variety in my meals.

Say it out Loud

Preseason task 5

I am committed to loosing 10 kg while doing Michelle Bridge's 12wbt. I am committed to exercising 6 days a week and eating a healthy diet. I am committed to doing this for my health and well being, not just to fit into a smaller dress size (although that will be great).

Off to a great start

I'm feeling really good at the moment, just had my weigh in and I've lost 1.7kg since I started the 12wbt pre season.

That has mainly been through change of diet. I have been exercising but only lightly. I've had a couple of bad days, mainly around cooking dinner but I didn't give in to my inner voice that was saying "just get take away, it's only one night, you can make up for it tomorrow" I squished him and cooked soup instead.

I picked up Michelle's Crunch Time cook book last night, I can't wait to try out some of the recipes. One of the main reasons I don't succeed with healthy eating is I don't really know what to cook and I get bored with the same things everyday so I'm really hoping to find some good easy meals and snacks to make.

My next step is to find the Crunch Time DVDs.

Yay shopping - the task I've been waiting for

Pre season Task 4

Ok so this task isn't all about shopping. It's choosing where I'll be doing my exercising. I flirted with the idea of going to the gym but if I'm being honest with myself (which I am) then I know I wont go. I've got a whole range of excuses for not going, it's too far, I'm settled at home, I have to cook dinner etc. But also I just don't like the gym, I might look at classes as my fitness gets better but for the mean time its a no-go.

So rather than use these excuses I'm going to be doing my exercise at home. I'll be able to fit it in around my study better, if I don't have time for a full hour I can break it up. I will be able to start dinner before I start exercising (gotta love multi tasking) and it's defiantly not too far to get to.

But this also means I get to go shopping. I have some work out gear but I could do with another sports bra. I will be buying Michelle's work out DVDs and getting a heart rate monitor.

I know it's going to cost a bit to set up but in the long run it will be worth it.

Things are working

It's amazing how much of a difference one small change can make. Since starting preseason I've been making an effort to drink more water during the day. Already I've noticed I'm not getting as thirsty at night and I'm sleeping better (finally, no getting up at 3am to pee yay).

In hindsight it shouldn't have taken a weight loss program to point out the blindingly obvious to me but it did.

I can't wait for the 12 weeks to start to see what other useful little gems I will learn.

Setting my goal

Pre-season task 3

This task was much easier than the last. Although I never thought about braking down my ultimate goal into smaller ones, even though it does make a lot of sense.
These goals aren't set in stone I will be coming back to revise them when the 12WBT program begins. In the mean time it gives me something concrete to work towards.


1 month goal
Lose 3kg

How will I get there
Start regular 20-30min exercise sessions 5 days a week. Increase healthy foods, cut back on snacking.

3 month goal
Lose 10kg
Fit into my goal bikini for new years eve.
Be able to wear a skirt in warm weather, without chaffing.

How will I get there
Follow 12WBT program

6 month goal
Lose 15kg

How will I get there
Follow what I've learnt through 12WBT
12 month goal
Maintain weight loss

How will I get there
Follow what I've learnt through 12WBT

2 small changes

While waiting for the official 12wbt to start it's recommended you start with making two small changes.

They should be something that's easy to 'win'. We're talking baby steps here.

So here's my two changes -

* Drink a 600ml bottle of water a day. More often then not I don't really think about drinking during the day. I have a cup of tea in the morning and maybe another one or a coffee around lunch time. Then around 8pm I start to get really thirsty and have 2 or 3 glasses of water just before I got to bed and that's never a good idea I'm up and down like a yoyo at night.

* Mini training sessions at work. Between 9 and 11 I'm usually sitting at my computer or reading a book with the occasional customer, great time for a bit of a workout. I wont be able to do cardio (sweaty is not a good look working in a cafe) but I can do strength exercises like curls (milk bottles make great weights), squats, lunges and bench push-ups.

My Excuses and Their Solutions

Pre-season task 2

I found writing down my excuses for putting off exercising harder than I thought. For one thing seeing them on the screen makes me realise just how silly they are. 'I don't have time' really??? in the 3 hours of watching TV when I get home I can't find 30min to exercise??? Of course I can.

So here's what I came up with as well as solutions I can use when these excuses come up.

Internal excuses
I'm too tired.
I look silly.
It hurts too much.
I don't want to do it by myself.
I can start tomorrow.

It takes too long to cook.
I was good all day, I can have dessert.

Solutions
Exercise will energize me. I'm not as tired as I think.

No-one is watching me. I look like I'm getting fitter.

It will hurt a little less each time. I don't need to go super hard every session. It will get easier.

Jump on the forums, I'm not alone.

Tomorrow never comes, start today.

It takes just as long to drive to get take away. Once I start I enjoy cooking.

Berries make a great dessert.

External Excuses Within My Control
I don't have enough time now.
I wont have enough time when my study starts.
It's too cold/hot.
I have nothing healthy to cook.
Solutions
The computer/TV will still be there after I work out.

Study hasn't started yet, I have plenty of time to start now. Take 10 min workout breaks, it will break up my study time and re-energize my mind.

Cool the room down before I start. Try yoga or something less physical. Exercise will warm me up.

Make a stir fry with chicken and vege's, it's quick and easy. The fridge is full, there's plenty of things to cook.

External Excuses Outside My Control
Family crisis.
Dog crisis (need urgent vet care)
I get sick.

Solutions
The crisis will pass. This is just hitting the pause button, not the quit button.

Take things easy. Eating healthy will get me better quicker.

Pre season

 The 12wbt isn't just about improving diet and exercise habits it's a life style change. It works to change the way you think about food and the way you live.
In keeping with this there are pre season tasks to do to get ready, I like to think of it as easing my way into it, I'm not just jumping in the deep end and hoping for the best.

So I've introduced myself on the website and started making connections with some of the other participants, which is the first Task.
We're encouraged to participate in the forums which I actually find a little daunting. I'm a member of a few different forums, I love reading what other people have to say but I'm reluctant to join in. Usually because I don't feel I know enough about the subject and on some forums people can tear you to pieces for the smallest thing.

Luckily the 12wbt forums look to be full of encouragement and help. Everybody is working towards a similar goal, some have just been doing it longer than others.