The Home Stretch ...

As I mentioned in my last post, I have committed myself to the Michelle Bridges 12 Week Body Transformation.

 Week 11 started today.

I'm still not sure if I am brave enough to post my "before" photos but I am glad I took them. And I'm looking forward to taking the "after" photos next week!!!

Who knew I'd make it this far? Not me. All my protests of I'm not going to follow it religiously. I'll just do what feels right and if I want a can of Coke, well, dagnamit, that's what I'll be drinking. AND ... I was wrong.

By Week 2 I was detoxed. From a can of Coke a day (and on some days even two) to thinking about having one (but really not feeling like it) to not even thinking about it.

Six kilos lost. 30+ centimetres gone from my body. Hell, I didn't even look overweight and was doing it more for the constant lagging feeling I had which, of course, was dietary. It has changed our world. Seriously.  BUT ... I have also learned how supportive my family is. My husband has worked with me to ensure that I have always had time to fit in my exercise which, at the start, was very handy until I got my head around the amount of exercising required. Six. Times. A week! 

Sounds like a lot doesn’t it? It is. Trust me. There are days when I don’t know where to fit it in – who knew a diary and planning would be the key to success? I have tried both planning and winging it and I have to say winging it is not the preferred option although sometimes that’s all I’ve got. I get dressed in my gym gear first thing in the morning and I’m still dressed in it at dinner time, determined to fit in something. Anything  so I don’t feel guilty. Or worse still, get grumpy. Go a couple of days without exercise once you start this program and you’ll know what I mean.

I now know what my husband was on about all these years when he would say how horrible he felt if he didn't get in some exercise for a few days. I used to think he was weird. Hot. But still a little weird. And now I get it.

And my kids. They have tried most of the food in our nutrition plan. And I have explained to them that this is about a healthy lifestyle. And they have embraced  it. And I love them for that. I love that they have backed me as much as little people could be expected to. They really have been so amazing. Even down to Miss Tween getting out there with me and being my coach. Telling me I could do it when I wanted to stop and with Punk Chic telling me I really should before I vomit. It’s certainly clear which side of the family tree these two came from. Miss Tween has descended from a long line of ridiculously determined, never say die people on her dad’s side of the family. And Punk Chic. She is mine, through and through. If it looks bad, maybe you should stop! I’ll still think you did a great job anyway. LOL

I’ve learnt that the people I have surrounded myself with are supportive and will cheer me on and make me feel like I’ve done something amazing! Some of them are my training buddies and I am very grateful that I have never felt alone. Not once.

 But you know what else I've learned?

It’s about myself. It’s about my ability to motivate myself.  To get up and do exercise when there is nobody else around to do it for me. It’s about wanting to go for a run or go to the gym. About being excited that I have my first PT session on Thursday. About knowing that this week is the start of reaching a new level. About entering the 4k run in the Mother’s Day Classic to raise money for breast cancer research!**

It's about knowing that I do have willpower (although it is still a little negligent where chocolate is involved). 

**If you’d like to donate, follow this link. :D