Weigh-In Wednesday: Week 1

Our first Weigh-In Wednesday is here and what a great weigh-in it was!

I only completed my fitness test and measurements on Sunday, so was not expecting to see much of a result.

Task 8: Measure Up

Got up this morning at 5:20am and was dreading stripping off in the bitter cold...but my mood suddenly lifted when I saw the following appear on the scales...

A loss of 1kg!

So excited with the result, after only 2 days on the program! I'm really enjoying the workouts and the meals have been delicious.

Hope you all had a great result...and if you didn't, shake it off and don't let it get you down...you can do this!

How was your first Weigh-In Wednesday?

Inspirational Prints

So Round 2 has officially started and I've had a great first two days.

I am loving all the support from the 12WBT Members in the forums and SWSYD Crew and I thought I'd pay it forward!

Not many people know, but I've just started a graphic design course. I'm only teaching one day a week this year (on a beautiful year 2 class) but I miss teaching my art and music. So the creative chick in me needed an outlet. I've always LOVED creating and have designed digitally (logos, website graphics, advertisements, business cards, invitations, candles etc...) for over six years! I love designing as much as I love teaching, so I thought it was time to get a formal qualification! I'm currently studying a Diploma in Graphic Design through CATC Design School.

So, I know what you're thinking...What the heck does that have to do with 12WBT?

Well, in an aim to keep myself motivated this round, I have created a series of inspirational prints...and I want to share them with you!

I've created them in A4 size, so you can download, print and insert these into a frame...too easy!

The first print I am releasing is...

Click on image to download the PDF file.

I hope you have had a great start to this round.  

Look out for more prints soon!

What inspires you and keeps you motivated?

Fitness Test #1

I completed my first fitness test for 12WBT Round 2 on Sunday morning. The weather was horrible and I was reluctant to get outdoors...but I thought JFDI!

I walked out the door (decked out in my one active gear!!) and walked to Greenway Park. I did a quick warmup, and then set off for my 1km time trial. I was feeling quite nervous, but was determined to do my best! I alternated between jogging and power walking...and completed the 1km in...

I was so excited as I slashed 40 seconds off my R2 2011 Time Trial (...and I know that I haven't been consistent with my training since the end of that round). I am very happy with that result and it's a great starting point!

I walked back home and completed the rest of the fitness test. Here are my results...

I am now an official Intermediate 12WBTer!!

I'm really looking forward to the next 12 weeks and comparing my fitness tests during this round!

How did you go in your fitness test?

In honour of...

I did it last year and I'm doing it again...the City2Surf in honour of my grandfather.

My beloved Nonno Michele passed away in November 2010 after battling stomach cancer. My Nonno went through a lot in his life and I was always inspired by his strength. He loved his hometown in Reggio Calabria, Italy and said that the happiest moment of his life was when he met my grandmother, Nonna Maria. Not long after they were married, Nonno was drafted and sent to battle in World War II. He became a prisoner of war and he never told us much about this time, only that he survived because of his short stature (as the bullets would fly right over the top of his head)!

Nonno travelled to Australia in the 1950s, in search of a better life for him and his family. He worked hard for many years at Diary Farmers and he did a fantastic job of providing for his family. For the last few years of his life, my Nonno was very sick. No matter how much pain he was in, he still managed to keep his sense of humour and keep us smiling with his jokes. He was a strong man, and no matter what life threw at him, he fought back. He was a true soldier and he fought a hard battle. I miss him very, very much.

Cancer is a terrible disease and my hope is that they will one day find a cure.

My husband Alfie and I took up he challenge last year and ran the 14km City2Surf race. It was a deeply emotional experience and I know that Nonno ran with us every step of the race. We raised over $1100 for the Cancer Council NSW and I was so proud of our achievements. (Read more about my first ever City2Surf in this post.)

This year TEAM Nonno Michele Soldiers On is born! My brother Mario and sister Kristina join Alfie and I and we look forward to racing together as a family, in honour of our beautiful Nonno.

Nonno Michele soldiers on...that is, he lives on within our hearts. We are his soldiers and we're on a mission to raise funds for the Cancer Council NSW. You can find our fundraising page here. If you can spare a few dollars, please get behind us and donate...and let's help find a cure!

Are you planning to compete in the City2Surf?

It's makeover time...

The most important aspect of any weight-loss journey is the DIET and it is so much easier to stick to your eating plan when you surround yourself with the right tools for the job! I spent all morning in the kitchen...clearing, cleaning and organising...and I'm now ready for kick-off!

The pantry was my first victim! I have a bit of a container fetish...so it was quite easy to see what needed to stay and what needed to go. With two young girls in the house, I wanted a space to keep their snacks (and my husbands - as he is not ready, just yet, to sacrifice them!) - out of my sight. The containers on the bottom shelf contain things that I want need to steer clear of - I cut pieces of cardstock and placed them inside the containers - out of sight, out of mind!

My next victim was the fridge. Bin night was last night, so most things had already been cleaned out. I love the tupperware containers for storing vegetables - they keep everything crisp and fresh.

I HATE shopping and hubby does most of the grocery shopping, which means I don't have control of what he brings home. He eats pretty well, but does like to indulge in chocolates or biscuits now and then. The difference is that he can stop at one...where as I will devour the whole thing...not in one sitting...but within days it's all gone. To combat this, I plan to do more 'online' grocery shopping this round...to gain back control of what comes home from the supermarket and so that I buy items straight off 12WBT shopping lists! 

Is your kitchen in need of a makeover?