12WBT Round 4, 2013

I'm back! I've signed up for 12WBT Round 4, 2013!

My baby girl is 11 weeks on Wednesday...already!! I've officially finished breastfeeding (due to Princess #3 being lactose intolerance) and I'm ready to get back into shape.

I had a DEXA scan done today and the exercise physiologist recommended I stick to 33% cardio and 66% strength training. Due to this, I've decided to follow the Lean and Strong program (with added HIIT cardio) as a way of increasing my lean muscle mass and decreasing my fat mass.

This is a totally different approach to what I've done in the past, so it will be interesting to see how my body responds.

I'll be sticking to 1200 calories per day and exercising six times per week. I need to commit to going to sleep earlier of an evening, otherwise I'm going to find it hard to get up in the mornings (especially if I'm up with Princess #3 during the night).

Looking forward to the challenge ahead!

Have you signed up to Round 4? 

What exercise program will you be following?

Fitbit Flex

Yesterday I was given an early birthday present, a . . .

Image via HERE.

Fitbit Flex

I've worn a pedometer on and off for many years and I've always used the WW ones. I love how they calculate how many PP you earn. Last week I went in search for my pedometer and it was no where to be found :(

I searched high and low and could not locate it. I love tracking my steps. A downside of the normal pedometer is that it has to be strapped on to the waist of my pants or my bra. I would take it on and off numerous times throughout the day and I obviously lost it the last time I used it.

I wanted to track my activity levels again, so began searching for alternatives to the WW pedometer.

I'd heard of the Fitbit and had read a few blog posts from WW members who use them (I especially loved reading Anne's review of the Fitbit...thanks Anne!). I also saw them featured in the new WW magazine and thought I'd research them a little more.

One feature I love is that the Fitbit Flex is worn on your wrist...just what I need to ensure it's not lost!! I'm also curious to see how well my sleep patterns are...which is going to be a little difficult to monitor whilst I'm still up breastfeeding at night! One thing I will miss is that the Fitbit won't calculate how many exercise points I've earned :( I'd love to figure out a way of converting the steps I've accumulated throughout the day to PP values!

I love the sleek design and that it syncs data to my iPhone and iMac.

It's my sister's birthday on Thursday so we bought her one too...that way we can keep each other motivated and on track with our fitness goals.

I've started wearing it today and look forward to seeing how this new gadget compares to the trusty old pedometer!

Introducing...

my third little princess...

Gabriella

It's been quite a while since I jumped on my blog...but as you can see, I was busy growing a baby! My precious little girl was born two weeks ago, on Wednesday 21st August 2013.

We have been waiting for our little angel for quite some time. Last year, as many of you may remember, was a tough year for our family. I had two miscarriages and I dealt with my grief by throwing myself into my weight-loss journey. I definitely built a healthier and stronger body during that time.

I fell pregnant in November, and we found out the good news in early December. I tried to exercise throughout the pregnancy, but battled ligament pain. I was petrified that something would go wrong, so didn't keep up with the exercise as much as I would have liked. My eating relaxed, but I definitely didn't overindulge.

Despite my best efforts, I still put on more weight than I wanted to throughout the pregnancy...but do you know what...I wasn't that worried, as I knew that I would be able to work hard and get back to my goal weight after the birth.

I went for my first 30min walk yesterday and have started tracking again. I'm on 42PP values...and it seems like so much...but I want to breastfeed as long as I can, so I will definitely be eating healthy and consuming all my PP values!

It's been two weeks since Gabriella entered the world and I'm feeling great! My older girls are being a great help and love cuddling their little sister! We're enjoying life as a family of five and I'm so grateful to have three beautiful and healthy daughters.

Life is good!

Pregnancy and Exercise

 Image via HERE.

I am now 17 weeks pregnant and everything is going quite smoothly. I've been pretty exhausted over the last few weeks and when I saw my obstetrician last Monday, he decided to put me on iron tablets, as my iron levels weren't the greatest and could be the reason for my overwhelming tiredness.

I was exercising quite regularly in my first trimester but over the last few weeks I haven't done a thing, due to my dwindling energy levels and ligament pain in my lower tummy.

With no exercise, I haven't really been watching what I've been putting into my mouth. Isn't it funny...you exercise and your self-esteem goes through the roof, therefore you eat well. You don't exercise, you feel like crap...so you eat crap!

Well, I'm feeling better so thought it was about time to get back to looking after myself during this pregnancy. I lost over 15kg last year and seeing the kilos creep back on has been hard to stomach. I know it's all for a wonderful cause but it dosen't make the blow any easier!

So today, I restarted the 12WBT Pregnancy Program. The day 1 exercise program consisted of cardio. I walked for 20 minutes on my treadmill, completed my pelvic floor exercises and finished off with some stretches. The speed I walked at was a lot slower than I'm used to but it's all about consistency...slow and steady wins the race!

I'm happy to report I have no ligament pain after my workout so the low intensity definitely helped. I burnt 115 calories for the 30min workout, so I'm happy with that.

I aim to blog about my progress as a way of keeping myself accountable.

The Biggest Outdoor Family Workout

This morning my beautiful family and I attended The Biggest Loser Family Workout.

As soon as we arrived, my girls spotted Michelle, Shannon and The Commando! We registered and made our way to the The Promise tent and pledged our family promise...

Just before the workout began, we were lucky enough to see Michelle. Isabella and Daniella were very excited to finally meet their favourite trainer! I thanked Michelle for providing her 12WBTers with a Pregnancy Program, which is helping me stay fit and healthy during my pregnancy.

I was also able to take a few pics of these handsome guys... ;)

We met Bec, a 2012 TBL contestant. She is absolutely lovely! She had a great chat with Isabella and I.

Then it was on to the workout...we were trained by each of the trainers for 10 minutes. Shannon started off with a boxing warm-up, Michelle followed with some crazy 30 second bursts of interval training and the workout ended with The Commando...and his beloved burpees!

We all had a great time! Daniella and Isabella were little machines and enjoyed every minute of the workout. My sister and husband smashed it out and I stuck to a very low impact version. It was nice to be outside together on a beautiful Sunday morning training together!

My beautiful hubby, sister and daughters hard at work!

After the workout, we had a photo with all the trainers! Shannon was so pleased that we were there as a family and said that our girls would be so thankful to us for being an active, healthy family. The Commando loved our promise and asked us to hold it up during the photo. This is definitely going to be enlarged, framed and hung up in our home gym!

Check out this Channel Ten News report featured in tonight's News At Five bulletin! My gorgeous hubby made it to the small screen! He's shown holding up our family pledge!

Some exciting news to share...

I've been a little quiet on here for two months...

and I've GAINED weight...

but it's all for a good cause ;)

Six months on...and look at the difference!

So, you have probably realised by now that I'm a very visual person!

I take photos each and every Wednesday of me standing on my scales. I love nothing more than to compare photos, to see the change that has occured during my journey.

On Sunday we attended our cousin's wedding. I loved the dress I had bought and couldn't wait to wear it! It's completely different to anything I usually wear. I have always steered away from short, tight fitting dresses. Never wore them and never had the confidence to wear them.

Well, that has all changed! I'm so proud of all that I have achieved this year.

I have:
- shed close to 15kg
- competed in 2 triathlons
- re-discovered swimming
- been thinking more positively
- started to like what I see in the mirror.

Hubby took a photo of me in the dress and I immediately compared it to two photos...the first taken at a Kitchen Tea in June (at the start of my journey) and the second taken at a Wedding in August (after shedding 7kg)...now almost 15kg down and what a difference!

Weigh-in-Wednesday: 19th December 2012

This week has been so hectic. We had our cousin's wedding on Sunday and my husband's Christmas Party last night.

I ate a lot more than usual and exercised a lot less than usual.

The results today aren't great...but I know where I went wrong so am 100% certain that the scales will move in the correct direction next week!

School finishes today, which means I get to swim 3 times a week! Looking forward to adding an extra swim session to my weekly routine and walking on the days in between...I feel a step challenge coming on!

SW: 80.7kg
CW: 66.9kg
WIW: +1kg
TOTAL LOSS: 13.8kg

Weigh-in-Wednesday: 12th December 2012

Weigh-in-Wednesday this morning...is that a 65.something I see!

I'm a very happy woman in deed!!!

SW: 80.7
CW: 65.9
WIR: -600g

LOSS: 14.8kg

The Biggest Loser - The Next Generation 2013

So, it's no secret that I am a fan of The Biggest Loser.

I know that the contestants lose a massive amount of weight in a short amount of time, I know that they train hours a day and I know that they stick to a strict calorie controlled diet...

but I love watching them transform.

I love seeing them train hard, complete challenges and change physically, as well as mentally.

Last night, my mum and I were lucky enough to attend an event at the Whitlam Centre, Liverpool. We had seats to watch a taping for the new season. We were both extremely excited to meet the trainers, as well as the contestants.

When we arrived, we met Sharlene and Craig (The Westrens) from TBL Family Series 2011. They are truly beautiful people. They chatted with mum and I and were so lovely. They look amazing and have definitely maintained after finishing the show. I asked Sharlene how it's been maintaining...and she admitted it was hard. It's a daily decision to train and eat well...and she must be doing something right, as she looks amazing!

Once the doors opened and we were seated, we met the trainers. I met Michelle a month ago, but was just as excited to see her this time round! Shannon and The Commando...well what can I say...HOT! The three trainers looked amazing and were very friendly to the audience. They asked us who had trained and eaten clean!! They look so lean and are a picture of health.

We were told that TBL 2013 was all about The Next Generation and each contestant was going to come out and make a pledge to themselves, as well as their team mate.

The contestants were very brave...they stood up on stage and shared their journey and pledged their promise. Tears were shed as I listened to each contestant. I could relate to so many of them. I want them all to succeed. I wish all the contestants the very best of luck on their journey.

I can't wait for the new series to begin...and keep an eye out when it aires, as you might just see me on TV! :)

Weigh-in-Wednesday: 5th December 2012

Had a horrible day today. I'm officially unemployed.

Have no energy to type, so just going to post my Weigh-in-Wednesday picture for this week.

Weigh-in-Wednesday: 28th November 2012

A quick one tonight...

SW: 80.7kg
CW: 67.4kg
WIR: - 400g
TOTAL SHED: 13.3kg

Finding that the rate of weightloss is slowing down...shedding only a few hundred grams a week now. As they say, slow and steady wins the race!

Women's Triathlon Festival

Today I competed in my second ever triathlon...Women's Triathlon Festival at the Penrith International Regatta Centre.

I have been down all week and was not in the mood to attend. It wasn't until this morning, after having a pep talk from my hubby, that I decided to suck it up and just fricken do it! I've been training with a friend for the last few months and did't want to pull out and let her down, or myself down for that matter.

It was HOT out at Penrith...and our race didn't start until 11:30am...yep, we were racing during the hottest part of the day.

The thought of swimming in the lake had really been freaking me out...but was a welcome relief from the hot sun. We were swimming against the current and I was a little panicked when I realised I couldn't see past my nose. I'm used to swimming in the clean pool, where I can see the floor. Today all I could see was green...YUK!

My transitions were slow...

Loved the cycling track...didn't love that I was riding in 36 degree heat...with no water to drink. My mouth was so dry by the time I entered the transition area. I had a big swig of Powerade and water, waited for my friend to catch up, then left on the run.

Let's be honest...it wasn't a run...it was a power walk and jog...it was soooooo bloody HOT. I raced today a lot slower than I had hoped, but with the heat...I just wanted to finish alive! I walked most of the first kilometre, interval jogged the second kilometre and sprinted home. I was so relieved to have my finishers medal given to me...I'm beginning to have quite a collection...and I love it!

My goal was to complete the course (250m swim, 10km cycle, 2km run) in an hour...

My official time...59.18mins

Swim = 11.30min
Cycle = 33.29min
Run = 14.18

Transitions really slowed down my times...but I have to be happy with the fact that I actually turned up for the event, swam in a lake for the first time, cycled 10km for the first time...and I did all this in the scorching heat!

Weigh-in-Wedesnday: 21st November 2012

I have had an amazing week. 

I...

• celebrated my 9 year wedding anniversary
• met Michelle Bridges
• took part in the 12WBT Round 3 group workout & finale
• taught my first casual day at my old primary school...and saw some of my old teachers (...yes, 19 years after leaving primary school some of my teachers are still there!!!)

I tracked almost every day and ate all of my weekly PP. I didn't exercise as much as usual, so I knew a loss was out of the question.

The results...

SW: 80.7kg
CW: 67.8kg
WIR: +300g
TOTAL SHED: 12.9kg

So a small gain. I'm ok with that. I know why it happened and I'm going to work so hard this week. It's the second last week of my Summer Slim Down Challenge. I'm 1.8kg away from my 12 week goal...I want it bad...and I know what I have to do...

12WBT Round 3 Workout and Finale

Yesterday I attended the Michelle Bridges Round 3 12WBT workout and finale. As I mentioned in my previous post, a friend of mine completed the program this round and got tickets for the event for my husband and myself.

The workout took place at Queens Park, Sydney. We arrived just in time to see Michelle present her new OneActive workout gear, which is exclusive to BigW. I have quite a lot of the range and I love it! It's super comfortable to exercise in and as casual wear. We then watched the finale of the fitness challenge...and let me tell you...those ladies were inspiring! They were machines!!

Mish and her team then lead the giant workout. Over 1000 people exercising together. The workout was a high-intensity aerobics workout, with some group activities and running thrown into the mix. I loved it and enjoyed every moment. It was great to be doing a workout with such an inspirational and motivating instructor...Mish is one fit chick!! I was so excited to meet her and extremely happy that I got to have a photo taken with her as well!

After spending the afternoon getting ready for the finale, we headed to the Royal Hall of Industries, Moore Park. Everyone looked amazing and Michelle was as exquisite as always! The night began with the Top 20 being announced and the overall winners being awarded their prizes. After the formalities concluded, canapes were served, drinks flowed and the dancing began!

The beautiful SWSyd Crew all dressed up at Finale

It was an unbelievable day...and the best part about it was sharing the experience with my beautiful husband. 

I am so thankful to have met Michelle and am so inspired to continue on my weight loss journey.

I'm sitting down tonight to write out my meal plan for the week, plan out my exercise and get ready to lose the last few kilos to see me back at goal.

Michelle Bridges, here I come!

Today I will be meeting Michelle Bridges and attending the 12WBT Round 3 Workout and Finale! I'm so excited!

I participated in a previous round of 12WBT and like most of you know,  I'm part of the SouthWestSyd Crew (we have a Facebook Page for past and present 12WBTers) and we're all rocking up in our super sexy shirts this morning! A friend of mine got us tickets for the workout and finale and am so thankful to her!

The event kicks off at 9:30am...and there is a fancy dress competition this morning...do you like me workout attire?!!!

Will post more pics later on!

Weigh-in-Wednesday: 14th November 2012

A quick one from me tonight...but wanted to actually post a weigh-in Wednesday post on a Wednesday!

Had a good weigh-in this morning...after a very indulgent week (daughter's birthday, relaxing Saturday and a kitchen tea on Sunday) I ate a lot more food than usual...and really paid the price! A sneak peak on Sunday saw me up a kilo...yep...pull on the reigns lovie and regain control...

To compensate for extra eating, I had a WW Filling & Healthy Day on Monday and Tuesday. It was great eating so cleanly and I feel so much better...

The results...

SW: 80.7kg
CW: 67.5kg
WIR: -400g
TOTAL SHED: 13.2kg

Very happy with my 400g loss this week. Am getting closer and closer back to goal which is awesome!

Running Clinic

Last Sunday I attended a running clinic presented by Kaz Muddell from Mind Body Motion.

The clinic ran for two hours. It was a great session, whereby she gave us a lot of information about how to keep ourselves safe while running, how to avoid injury, the correct running technique, as well as other tips and tricks.

The last half-an-hour was a practical session. We had to run for a minute whilst counting the number of times our right leg struck the ground (to assess our cadence) and then we each had a turn at running so Kaz and the group could critique our running style (she also videoed us).

As soon as I ran, I realised my arms were swinging across my body...I need to learn to keep them at my sides.

I enjoyed the session and learnt a few tricks I'll put into action. It was also great to complete the clinic with friends.

Weigh-in-Wednesday: 31st October 2012

An early post for me as I'm off to work...

Had a big week with my sister in hospital and my girls' birthday party...I ate lunch at the hospital almost every day, enjoyed some cake and pizza at the party...so I knew I wouldn't have a big loss this week...but it's ok because I had two big losses in a row...

So this morning, I stepped on the scales and...

SW: 80.7kg
CW: 68.4kg
WIR: -400g
TOTAL SHED: 12.3kg

Happy with the 400g shed...need to up my water intake. I have also started a new project...but will leave that for another post.

Enjoy your day :)

My new toy...

I was a very spoilt girl this year and received a spin bike from my family for my birthday! My brother is manager at WorkoutWorld Penrith and I have purchased a lot of equipment from him over the years!

He's helped me set up an awesome home gym and I love my new bike...I look forward to having my first workout on her on Monday!

The last piece of equipment I'd like to purchase is a full rack of free weights (1kg - 10kg). I'm saving up and hopefully soon my gym will be complete!

I love working out at home! I've got some awesome equipment and enjoy getting up early and working out before the kids wake up. It's my me time and I now get cranky when I miss a workout....(come to think of it, that would explain the foul mood I'm in at the moment!!!)

Missed a few workouts this week, so look forward to getting back into routine on Monday and smashing it in my gym!