Time to weigh-in!

So I've lost another 700g this week... I'm now down to 62kg. I'm actually a little scared by this figure, perhaps I lost so much because I tried an accelerator day yesterday. I didn't need to lose any more weight and I certainly can't let my numbers drop any more. I guess I'm going to have to find some way of adding calories to my day, or else I could just let myself slip up a couple of times a week instead. The art in this though would be making sure I don't make it a habit.

Things that make me feel good

Since I'm so stressed about exams & group assignments I thought I would write a list of things that have made me feel good in the last week or so.

• Compliments from family, friends, 12wbters & gym instructors regarding my transformation (I honestly didn't think the instructors would notice but they asked me about it as I walked into the gym on Friday)
• Mish's Nature's Way Vanilla Figure ---- it's such a delicious protein powder! Why didn't I try it before? You even get a workout trying to get the stuff to dissolve (believe me it's very stubborn)
• My cooking ---- I made veal schnitzel on Friday night & my partner loved it! I'm also making lamb cutlets tonight, one of my favourite meats!
• My abs ---- nowadays my abs always made me feel good when I look in the mirror.
• My hair ---- I love my hair, especially when it's soft & just washed. It's one of the very few body parts I've never wanted to change.
• I've finished all my maths assignments for the semester! No more last minute oh-my-god-what-the-hell-does-this-question-even-mean? moments. Also I completed my last macro test!
• I received an 88.7% score for my major finance assignment.
• My pants are TOO BIG! They're actually FALLING OFF! (the downside is that I must now buy new pants...)
• I had a great shift on toolshop register yesterday; I saw a really nice customer who lost his keys last time we spoke & it turned out that he'd found them! Hooray!
• I spent lots of quality time with my partner & we went out to the movies with friends---- Looper is a great movie---- Very thought provoking.
• Fantastic workouts on Thursday & Friday! Loving those sumo squats!

I didn't actually realise I had so many things to list! I feel pretty good now.

Little Cracks

"Those little decisions that you make every day have the biggest impact." -Michelle Bridges

The latest video from Mish really struck a cord with me as it really made me think about the cracks that have started to form in my regime and why these unhealthy habits are beginning to creep in from time to time. I must admit that since I got sick ice cream has crept back into my life (not in huge amounts mind you but when I do eat it it's replacing a much healthier & nutritious option--- yoghurt). I've also been letting myself eat treats when I'm around other people, such as consuming huge amounts of diet coke when I'm with my partner and allowing myself to eat some of the cake that my father serves us for Sunday afternoon tea. I also have issues planning lunch at uni & from time to time choose a less-healthy option at the cafe.

Other than this I have been consistently skipping my SSS. This was a decision I made however because my weight was dropping too quickly & too low. Really when it comes down to it this is the reason for most of my other decisions too. I think if I'd had difficulty losing the weight & if it didn't keep on dropping off I would be a lot stricter with myself. I almost feel the need to eat extra calories to stop my weight falling!

This however is no excuse for choosing unhealthy food with little nutritional value. I should be fuelling my body with the best possible options & this is something I wholly intend to do in the future. As such I have some new food-related goals for myself this round:

• I am only allowed either one sliver of cake or one ice cream in the next 3 weeks; I must report when/if I use this opportunity. All other dessert items should be yoghurt.
• I am not allowed any diet coke in the next 3 weeks.
• I must only purchase sushi if eating lunch at uni.  

Back to the Gym

The first workout back is always the hardest, not necessarily during the actual workout but mainly the mental struggle before going back! After a week of doing next-to-nothing my brain was quite keen to stay on holiday & sabotage my plans to return to the gym. Instead of listening to it I donned my workout clothes as quickly as possible & headed out the door.

The result was a fantastic workout--- I started on Thursday's plan (I could have started on Monday's but decided this would be best as I intend to do the next round) & I'm really happy with it. I love the increased reps- they're really pushing me- & as always my favourite part of the workout was abs. I must admit I swapped the 2000m optional rowing with 18min on the cross-trainer (15min level 8 hills & 3min cool-down). I'm not a big fan of the rowing machine for long periods of time as it gives me quite a bit of back pain. Still I did get on it for the 4min warm-up.

My Fitness Goals

These are the goals I’m currently working towards:

• Bench-press 25kg (for 3 sets, at least 12 reps, not just once!)
• Have fully-defined abs (aka get my abs to show through more)
• Run the 12km City-to-Surf in August next year
• Take a pole dancing lesson & at least one of each class at my gym
• Maintain my body-weight

At the moment I can bench-press 15kg, my abs are somewhat visible, I can run 3km (maybe 4km), I’ve taken a couple of gym classes & my body weight is 62.6kg (actually a bit below the number I’m hoping to maintain which is 64kg).

Weigh-in

Well another loss for me today; I'm now 62.6kg (1kg down from last week). I wasn't planning to lose more weight but I must admit I'm relieved to see the ticker going down rather than up. I've now lost 10.6% of my body weight in total!

Yesterday I started exercising again--- I was going to just do some yoga but I then I thought you know what, I've been sitting on my butt for a week! I need to do something a bit better than that! So I did Mish's Tight, Toned & Terrific dvd. I found I was quite sore during the workout but I did the entire thing & it really improved my state of mind. I feel a bit more unwell this morning but I think that overall I'm back in business!

Week 9

Thought I would take a shot that really indicates my muscle tone so I can compare in a month or two.

I'm still sick but my fever has disappeared & my nose is less blocked. Annoyingly though I seem to have developed a nice deep cough. I think I'm up for a bit of light training today- perhaps some yoga with a bit of light cardio on the wii fit. I have uni all day tomorrow but I think I'll be A-okay to re-start proper training on Thursday.

I've been really paranoid that all this lying about has made me put on weight but I hopped on the scales this morning to find that I've in fact dropped below 63kg & am at my lowest ever weight! I've only been eating a little less so I guess my body is burning calories trying to fight off my virus.

This experience has really highlighted how much I enjoy my exercise & how much it impacts my mood. Without it I feel a bit restless & lazy---- I can't wait to get started again!

Cooking Week 8

 Monday & Thursday - Nasi Goreng

 Tuesday - Thai Fish Cakes

 Saturday - Veal Involtini with Parmesan Polenta & Roast Cherry Tomatoes

 Sunday - Korma Lamb Cutlets with Mint Yoghurt & Rice

Mediterranean Vegetable Sandwich (made with leftover eggplant/capsicum from veal involtini)

Making the impossible possible

My entry for this week's mindset lesson:

The 12 week body transformation has helped me realise that I’m capable of great things. I’m capable of getting my life together, of eating healthy, of long distance running... These aren’t tasks that can only be completed by “better” people somewhere out there; as long as I put in the effort I am that “better” person. So I’m going to get my life together, I’m going to eat healthy and I’m going to complete that Fun Run I’ve always wanted to. I know now that these tasks are no longer the impossible—they were only made so by my mindset.

Time to plan a Milestone!

Right, so looking back to the very start of the 12 week body transformation one of my key goals has been to take a pole dancing class (or several if I enjoy it). I am now actively trying to find a class to take during the holidays & I am 100% committed to doing this! There is a four week course nearby that starts in November but the first class is during my exams... Hopefully they'll open up some later class options soon.

Motivational Pictures

Flu

Unfortunately I've fallen very ill with the flu so I won't be able to go to the gym for a little while until I get better. I really hope it's sometime soon as mentally I'm raring to go! I feel guilty about having to skip workouts but I know that training while I'm this sick wouldn't do me any good. The one nice thing about being sick is that I can take days off to just stay home & work my way through my piles of work. I've nearly caught up on my lectures & I've completed three sections of management assignment in total. I also had dinner made for me for the first time in months! I love cooking but it was really nice to not have to worry about it last night & just have a nap instead. So I guess it isn't so bad... Mind you the fever is killing me though :(

Progress Photo!!!

I don't think my other progress photo really indicated how well I was doing as I was wearing a different type of clothing in both. So I decided to retake in my new bikini! I'm sure you can all see the difference now!

Week 8 Measurements

Chest: 85cm (- 2cm from week 1)
Waist: 65cm (-3cm)
Hips: 92cm (-4cm)
Left Thigh: 53cm (-5cm)
Right Thigh: 54cm (-3cm)
Left Arm: 24cm (no change)
Right Arm: 24cm (no change)

Overall I've lost 17cm off my body! It's really nice to see these results since weight isn't really something for me to go by any more. It's just a reminder that my work really is paying off.

Thinking about where I am right now

At the moment I'm in a little bit of a rut--- I'm exhausted, stressed & sick; There's not much free time for me to do anything & there's so much I need to do. I feel like I'm failing myself at the present moment & I think my goal for the last four weeks of this round needs to be maintenance since I don't think I'll be able to push myself harder,especially with final exams coming up.

Looking at it logically I'll have plenty of time on my hands once exams are over--- too much time in fact! I'm on holiday from Nov 20 till the start of March!  During this period I'll have no issues sticking to the program & I'm really looking forward to being able to spend time preparing the lunch recipes as well--- the meal that I've struggled the most with this round.

So for the time being I'm going to try & maintain. I'm not giving up--- I'll keep eating healthy & training 5 times a week. I'm just not going to put more mental pressure on myself. If I can't cope it's okay for me to drop one training session, I care about my health but my study should come first & foremost during this 4 week period.

Weigh-in Wednesday

I weighed in at 63.6kg today! It's a gain of 300g but that's okay since I'm aiming to be 64kg. Hopefully I can get to a point where my weight stabilizes a bit more.

Yoga

I was feeling a bit down today, my back was aching all night long & I felt quite sick. So I decided to skip the gym & instead try some yoga to stretch out my back. I'm so glad that I did! I feel clear-headed now & my back feels a lot better. I might have to do this more often!

My favourite poses today were the salute to the sun & the shoulder stand (I'm doing this in the picture!)

Ah the Stress!

I'm having quite a bit of trouble coping with my workload at the moment & it's really starting to take its toll on my mood. I've tried getting my head around all the things I have to complete but I can't seem to get past just completing the assignments I have at the moment. This would be fine earlier in the semester but I really need to study for my final exams as well. This is my current workload:

Assignments/tute work:

• Management group assignment
• Macro group speech/individual report
• Maths assignment x 2
• Macro tute prep x 3
• Finance tute prep x 3

Exam study:

• Maths lecture notes 1-9
• Maths assignments 1-11
• Macro lecture notes 1-13
• Macro tute prep 1-11
• Finance lecture notes 6-11
• Finance tute prep 6-11
• Finance article x 1
• Management lecture notes 1-13
• Management articles x 29

I have to get this all done by November 10th, the date of my first exam.

I also have two work shifts next Saturday & the Saturday after. Hopefully my request for time off during exams will have gone through successfully as I have two Saturday exams & I'm definitely not skipping those for work.

Week 7

The highlight of this week was definitely all the yummy food I got to make! These are the pictures of some of the food I made.

 Monday - Basil & Walnut Pesto (4/5)

 Tuesday - Salmon Stir-fry with chinese broccoli & ginger (4.5/5)

 (same dish on plate)

 Thursday - Roasted Carrot, Chickpea & Feta Salad (4.5/5)

Sunday - Herb & Parmesan Veal Schnitzel (5/5)

I also made Lamb Koftas with Minted Yoghurt on Friday night---- my partner loved it (5/5).

My exercise for the week was also good. I did my Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday sessions on their allocated days plus added in the optional cardio. I completed my Wednesday workout on Saturday & skipped the SSS. My partner joined me to exercise on Friday & Saturday.

I weighed in at 63.3kg on Wednesday so I seem to be maintaining my weight well. Next week is a mini-milestone week so I'd like to think of something special to try if I can find the time. Perhaps I'll drag my partner to the gym to take a class of some kind...

More Great Food from Week 6

 Satay Egg, Carrot & Cucumber Corn Thins (actually from the week 4 menu but I didn't get to make them till week 6)

 Pan-fried Fish with Cherry Tomatoes & Wilted Spinach

 Eggplant & Capsicum Ricotta Wrap (too big to wrap up so I arranged it artistically & ate with a fork & knife instead)

 Mexican Style Shepard's Pie (fresh out of oven)

 Mexican Style Shepard's Pie (on plate)

 Lamb with Beetroot Puree & Herbed Peas with Fetta

Kangaroo & Mashed Pumpkin with Mango & Ginger Glaze (I didn't have enough time to mash the pumkin, as you can see)

Yummy Food from Week 5

 Amazing Marinara

 I-Can't-Believe-It's-Not-Butter Chicken

 Chicken with Herbed Yoghurt & Salad

Beef Stroganoff

5-7/10/12 Progress Report

Don't worry! I haven't disappeared, I just haven't pushed myself to update daily as I normally do. I've had a pretty good few days, I've eaten a bit more & a couple of the snacks have been less-healthy but overall I've stuck to nutritious & wholesome food. I made Lamb with Beetroot Puree & Herbed Peas with Fetta (4.5/5) on Friday, Bunless Burgers on Saturday (4/5) and Kangaroo & Mashed Pumpkin with Mango & Ginger Glaze on Sunday (4/5). I had a sneaky weigh-in this morning & I'm sitting on 63.5kg.

I completed my Friday exercise session at the gym & also fitted in my Wednesday session on Sunday at my partner's house. I'm starting to feel better rested and I no longer feel like I'm about to get the flu so I think it was a good idea to drop the SSS.

I handed in my maths assignment on the weekend. It was a day late because I had some trouble with the questions. This week I really have to buckle down, complete my sections of the management assignment & get all my tute work done. I also have to start studying for exams--- only 4 weeks of semester to go!

4/10/12 Progress Report

I've decided to not record my eating until I get my weight back up again as recording what I eat makes me feel guilty about eating the extra snacks I need. I completed my workout (triceps & biceps) at the gym & made some Eggplant & Capsicum Ricotta Wraps (4/5) as well as an absolutely delicious Mexican Style Shepard's Pie (5/5). In addition to this I completed my maths computer assignment & submitted it.

Mind-set

This is my submission for this week's challenge (mind set lesson in 50-100 words):

"If it doesn't challenge you it doesn't change you"--- You can't expect to change your life by putting in minimal effort. It takes hard work & dedication for you to truly change.

I see so many people who expect to lose weight by signing up to a weight loss plan then not completing it, getting a gym membership but not attending... Guess what, that's not actually shifting any kilos! You need to put in a bit more than that!

I’ve constantly challenged myself through the 12 week body transformation; it may not always be easy but I’m reaping the benefits.

Achievements

Cooking my Mexican Style Shepard's Pie today I felt an intense sense of accomplishment & joy. I realised that this is what the program is doing for me--- It's not so much about changing my body or even impressing those around me. It's about doing things that I can be proud of. I'm proud of my healthy, delicious cooking & I feel truly happy in the kitchen. I'm proud that I can bench-press 15kg & that I can run 3km. I now feel at home & relaxed in the gym. The numbers on the scales don't really matter that much to me anymore, it's my other achievements that are making the real difference to my life.

3/10/12 Progress Report

I'd prefer not to disclose what I ate yesterday--- I went into a little bit of a panic after my weigh-in result and pretty much decided to go out & eat two of the items I'd been craving for 10 weeks (a chai chiller & a mini rocky road cheesecake at Dome). Other than that I also ate my usual calorie intake & I skipped my workout. Needless to say I hopped on the scales this morning to find I'd gained 700g, so I'm nearly back at 64kg. This might not be a true picture of my weight as I did weigh in after my breakfast & protein shake but I'm happy to see that I am capable of putting some weight back on.

Clearly I'm not going to be going out & binging like this in the future (chai chiller + cheescake = more than 2 meals worth of calories!!) but I will start eating more. My weigh-in page suggests that I add more dairy to my intake so I think I'll start drinking a glass of milk every day. I'm also going to skip my SSS this week & do my Wednesday exercises instead.

In a way this is really amusing, I never thought I'd be struggling to not lose weight! Ultimately I would like to stay somewhere between 64 & 65kg.

On a more positive note, I now not only have ab-lines; I also have side definition as well!

PS: I made lentil & beetroot salad for lunch--- I give it a 3/5.

Weigh-in

Despite my eating being less-than-perfect & the fact that I skipped an SSS I've dropped another kilo. It's also TTOTM so I've probably dropped even more weight. I now weigh 63kg & I am officially classed as underweight. I don't really know what to do, perhaps I should be going out & binging on a really unhealthy meal once a week. To me my eating doesn't seem to be too little & I have been staying well above 1200cal per day. There are women on the forums who are having serious problems losing weight & they weigh a lot more than me! I really don't get it. I need to completely rethink my diet, I clearly need to eat quite a bit more than the amount I thought necessary, perhaps I should try adding in the male calorie-boost options to my meals.

2/10/12 Progress Report

Food Intake
Breakfast - Choc-ricotta & Raspberry toast
Morning tea - Muesli bar & diced peach
Lunch - Satay egg, carrot & cucumber thins
Afternoon tea - Protein shake & bertie beetle
Dinner - Pan-fried fish with cherry tomatoes & wilted spinach
Dessert - Strawberry yoghurt & punnet of strawberries

Exercise
Completed my exercise regime at the gym.

Study
Interviewed several employees for my management project.

Discipline

Most definitely true.

1/10/12 Progress Report

Food Intake
Breakfast- Banana bruschetta
Morning tea- Dairy pavilion samples, a small mango smoothie & 1 bertie beetle
Lunch- Rice paper rolls (salad with a bit of chicken)
Afternoon tea - Protein shake, 1 bertie beetle & diet coke
Dinner- Beef Stroganoff with Pasta & Beans (4/5- quite nice, easy to make, the sauce didn't want to thicken for me though...)
Dessert- Mango weis bar

Exercise
Went to the gym with my partner & completed my regime for the day!

I went to the royal show today but I really managed to hold back on stuffing myself with treats! I really feel that I'm starting to get back on track mentally & my training session went exceptionally well. I loooove my barbell squats & I love the toned lady staring back at me from the mirror when I do them.