Some More Progress Photos

Week 9 vs Week 20---- I seem to have gained a bit more ab & arm definition so I'm happy!

Love Yourself

The more I continue with this program the more I'm starting to really love myself. When I look in the mirror I no longer see the negatives; Some particular aspects I always used to focus on were how much my stomach was sticking out, how un-toned my butt was & how small my breasts looked. Now when I look in the mirror those things aren't issues any more---- I have a six-pack & a flat stomach and my butt is starting to get super-firm.

 My breast issues have been a bit more of a mental hurdle for me (lets face it, you can't exercise your breasts bigger!) but I'm finally starting to accept them the way they are. Lets face it, they're not a small size, they're quite plainly visible & they're a pretty nice shape. I have noticed them getting perkier (possibly due to pec dec exercises) and I have some better cleavage going on due to my chest pressing. I think I've spent too much time mentally comparing my own breasts to those of some of my bustier friends. Of course the ironic thing is that all my bustier friends complain about their size & have problems with back pain--- so they don't find their size desirable at all! It's funny how we all want what someone else has isn't it?

Other than the physical aspects I'm starting to appreciate other things about myself; such as my cooking abilities & my dedication to the program. I don't think I would have believed it if I'd been told a couple of years ago that I'd have a six pack & would train 4-5 times a week with free weights at the age of 20! I also know now that's its alright to be confident about myself & my own abilities. There's no need to play yourself down to others, hold yourself back or pretend to be less than you are. I think this poem one of my friends sent me sums this up well:

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.

It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant,
gorgeous, handsome, talented and fabulous?

Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God.

Your playing small does not serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking
so that other people won't feel insecure around you.
We are all meant to shine, as children do.

We were born to make manifest the glory of God within us.
It is not just in some; it is in everyone.

And, as we let our own light shine, we consciously give
other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our fear,
our presence automatically liberates others.

My round so far

Well overall I've had a pretty good week. I've completed all four muscle workouts & boy did they burn! While the two week rest seems to have done my muscles some good (they're looking more defined), I've also lost a little bit of strength. I find myself having to drop back some of my reps to 8 rather than keeping them at 12 as usual. I think I'll consider this as my week 5 & do the specificity program for 4 weeks before moving on to the final part of the program--- 'getting ripped'. My holiday has changed my perceptions somewhat as to what I'd like to do next round & I find myself considering trying the lean & fit program. I could probably manage the sustained cardio now & let's face it- that's what I really need to work on given my goal is the 12km city-to-surf. So I'm thinking I'll complete round 4 in its entirety then complete 10 weeks of lean & fit. After that I'll either continue, go back to lean & strong or swap to learn-to-run.

First Workout Back

So today I finally made it back to the gym & completed my chest/biceps/abs workout for the week! It was incredibly difficult after doing very little arm work during the holiday & I got some serious muscle shakes but I loved it! I haven't felt so alive in ages, I had a rush of endorphins and I managed to burn 500 calories during the session. I can't believe I even managed to give this up for 2 weeks---- really looking forward to tomorrow's session!!

After-holiday Weigh-in

Guess what everyone? I'm exactly the same weight I was when I set out for Melbourne two weeks ago! I thought I may have a couple of extra kilos to kick but it looks like I won't have to worry about that at all.

I'm Back!!

Hello there everyone!
Well I'm back from my two weeks away and I'm raring to get back into my workout & eating regime. I think I did a pretty good job of staying in control during my holiday but my weigh-in tomorrow morning will truly indicate how well I've done. I was very physically active during my trip (actually managing three rather steep hikes to my amazement) and I kept my main meals in check, cooking a 12wbt meal every day for both breakfast & dinner. All lunches were eaten out but we either packed sandwiches or I chose healthier options at cafes/restaurants. The only area I faltered in was the snacks department--- I started allowing myself one sweet drink a day but this ballooned to eating the same amount or even more snacks than everyone else. Its a bad habit that I've slipped back into and I know I'm going to work hard to replace it now that I'm back. Overall I'm quite happy with how well I've done though.

Dinner Dance Dress

Last week I wore my year 11 dinner dance dress for the first time in years to a formal function & couldn't remember it ever looking so good on me. Today I dug around in my old photos & found the ones from the dance---- & my god what a difference! I look so much slimmer now & the dress isn't tight at all! For the first time its really hit me how far I've come in these two rounds of 12wbt (though I probably lost a few kilos between the end of year 11 and now as well).