Day 60 - That's a Lot of Days!

Wow - can't believe it's day 60. I actually haven't counted how many days there actually are, but 60 seems like a milestone somehow! Just calculated it now - 12 weeks = 84 days. Not many to go!

Had a great day so far today. Got up early and went to a golf lesson with Greg. It was really good. I've started a golf blog with my notes so I can remember what to try each time - it's here: Emma Plays Golf. It was such a beautiful morning, and has turned into a super hot day. The clouds have disappeared and it's so warm in the sun. As usual it's freezing in the office though. Just got back from lunch about 2mins ago and already need to put my cardi on!

Went to the gym at lunch and did my burpees. Funnily enough I am starting to hate them less. Thought I would be hating them more! Got through 180 today before going to Body Balance, which was awesome as always. I really love that class. I come out of it feeling like I've had a really good workout and stretch, and feel so relaxed.

Had an awesome chicken salad sorted for lunch today (last nights left overs) and when I went to eat it before the gym, it wasn't in my bag. Was so annoyed when I realised I left it in the car! Grrr! Went to the gym pretty hungry. Walking out of the gym though I passed a Vietnamese Roll place and got yummy rice paper rolls. Proud of myself for getting something healthy. And it was yummy. Ate in the park, in the shade today. Greg just told me the temp is rising - 37 degrees now! It was expected to get to 39 this morning! Wonder if it will? Wish we were at the beach!

Week 9 Weigh In

Starting: 90.4kgs (pre-season: 93kgs)
Current: 83.6kgs

Since last weigh in: -1.1kgs
Since start: -6.8kgs (including pre-season: -9.4kgs)

Updated Goals

Only 4 weeks left, and I don't think my original goals are doable, so I have reset them. I'm not happy I haven't met them, but know exactly why - I haven't given this my all! I've done ok, but not as well as I could have. Four weeks left, and I really want to do this. I want to be feeling amazing at the group workout at the end, not just "I'm better than what I was".

	TIME	DATE	WEIGHT	INCREMENTAL	TOTAL CHANGE
ACTUAL PROGRESS
Sign Up Weight		14 Jul 2013	92
Start 12WBT	4 Weeks	10 Aug 2013	90.4	-1.6	-1.6
End Week 8	8 Weeks	9 Oct 2013	83.6	-6.8	-8.4
FUTURE GOALS
End 12WBT	4 Weeks	3 Nov 2013	77	-6.6	-15
Before NZ for Xmas	7 Weeks	20 Dec 2013	72	-5	-20

Day 59 - I HATE BURPEES!!!

Had a great start this morning. Dragged myself out of bed, and went for a 6.5km run, through the bush by the train station. It was pretty slow, but felt so good! Thought I had better do it as my trail run is creeping up - it's on Sunday and I haven't been doing much running! When I got back I did my 150 burpees. Man I hate burpees! They are so tiring. I did them in sets of 10 which makes them not too bad. It's funny, I hate them at the time, but now I feel so good, and in fact felt really good as soon as I got my breath back. So glad I did them.

Was also my lowest weight yet this morning, despite the bit of a fail with the NZ trip. I think Tighten Up Tuesday really helped. Need to make sure I keep doing it every week.

Had a look at my calendar last night as we want to do a golf weekend away, and realised we don't have a completely free weekend until Nov 30! Going to be a struggle to get the weight loss going with all that happening. I guess I will just need to be as good as I can during the weekends, without making myself miserable, and maybe instead of just Tighten Up Tuesday, I should be doing Tighten Up on all mid-week days! Will see how I go.

Had a productive evening last night - went to the supermarket on the way home and stocked up on lots of fresh yummy food, then cooked Fabulous Japanese Prawn Noodles which were a winner! After dinner we went to the driving range which I really enjoyed. Think I am definitely getting better. We watched a couple of YouTube videos on how to fix my slice, and I practised a lot of things, and think I am improving! Looking forward to getting back out on the course again, and to our lesson tomorrow.

Day 58 - Tighten Up Tuesday!

Winding through the mangroves on
the way out to the harbour

Mmm... scallops anyone?

Ok, so lost about a week there... Went back to NZ for my Nana's funeral. Which while sad was so lovely. So many people turned up to send her off, and I got to see a lot of people I haven't seen in a very long time. Nana would have loved it! All the aunts, uncles and cousins went out to the farm and had dinner and drinks. She would have been there having a glass of wine (or three) with us, and enjoying everyone's company. It was so nice to all be together.

The next day I was feeling a little worse for wear! However, pulled my socks up and went out on the boat for scallops with Grandpa, two uncles and two cousins, and we got loads of scallops! Was such a special treat to be able to go out again with Grandpa. And he's so impressive - getting the old boat in and out and driving his car and backing the trailer. Not to mention driving the boat and sorting out the scallop dredge. He's amazing! And he reckons he's going back to Canada to ski again next year. I need to keep on with this Michelle Bridges and keeping healthy so at 86 I can still be doing everything he is!

Didn't do so well eating wise, or excising for that matter while I was away. Had a lovely afternoon at the Kumeu vineyards with the NZ gang, and then out for dinner and to see David Dallas that night. Then was just slack the rest of the time. Chocolate and BK on the plane, oh, and they have Georgie Pie back so had to have one for old times sake...

Got back on Sunday exhausted. Thankfully yesterday was a public holiday so we had a little sleep in then up to play gold. Went to Lane Cove golf club which is awesome - so quiet, and cheaper than anywhere else. There was even a man playing with his puppy following him along! I played pretty well. Obviously still making loads of mistakes, but definitely getting lots better. I have a slice that I can't work out how to get rid of. Pretty annoying as am hitting the ball cleanly. Have a lesson on Thursday, so will ask Ray then. Hopefully he will sort me out! Also can't wait to we get our own clubs, so can get used to them!

After golf went to the park with some of the Aussie gang for a bbq. Again ate to much. Then proceeded to go home and had a platter for dinner. Was yummy, but yet again too much!

Woke up this morning and nearly got into "paralysis by analysis" as Michelle Bridges calls it. Then decided JFDI and got up. So pleased I did. Shockwave was awesome, and I also managed a start on the weekly challenge of 800 burpees (!!!!!!). I did 150 this morning. Seems a blur now when I think back on it. So glad I did them!

On the way to the gym also watched a couple of Michelle's videos, including Tighten Up Tuesdays - all about making Tuesdays super clean eating and smashing our workouts. I like it! Been good so far today - oats and berries for breakfast, then a wrap for lunch. No coffee this morning, and have celery and hummus for afternoon snack. Just made the menu plan and shopping list for this week too, and we're having chicken salad for dinner. I put on 1.5kgs while in NZ. Determined to have that come back off!

I've also been thinking about my goals this morning. My original was to be down to 72 kgs by the end of my 12 weeks. Obviously as that is still over 12kgs from where I am, and I only have 4 weeks to go, that isn't going to happen! I've reset them, and am now aiming for 77. That will put be back at the lower end of where I was easily sitting a while back. It won't be where I want to get to, but will be a super good start! And I will keep working on it after 12wbt anyway. Considering signing up for another round...

Grandpa on his boat at the farm

Week Nine Challenge: Burpees!

I hate burpees! And this week's challenge is 800! When I first read that I thought it would be totally undoable. However this morning I managed 150, and that was after Shockwave! And so I have decided I can do this after all!

• Tue 8 Oct 7:45am: 150! In sets of 10 with last 20 together after shockwave
• Wed 9 Oct 7:30am: 150 in sets of 10 with last 20 together after run
• Thu 10 Oct 12:30pm: 180! In sets of 10 before body balance. Was only going to do 150 but finished too early before class so did more. That puts me over the half way mark :D
• Fri 11 Oct 7:30am: 50 in sets of 10 after Insane Bolt SSS

Done: 530

Left: 270

Week 9 Exercise & Meal Plan

Day 52 - Keep Going

Got up this morning and did my fitness test - man it was hard! Didn't do as well as I wanted, but still better mostly than last time. Pretty tired today, and over work. Just got to keep going - think about pay-offs and costs. I want this and I can do it!

Breakfast: Roast Tomatoes, Feta and Basil on Toast (was supposed to be Ricotta but we had none!)

Week 8 Weigh In and Mini Milestone

Week 8 Results

Starting: 90.4kgs (pre-season: 93kgs)
Current: 84.5kgs

Since last weigh in: 0kgs
Since start: -5.9kgs (including pre-season: -9.2kgs)

Have been up and down a bit this week. Doesn't help being this time of the month...

Fitness test this morning was a little demoralising to being with, as I started with the 1km run and was slower than last time! I felt slow too - really lethargic and couldn't get going. My ankle was bothering me a bit. Thinking I may need to warm up a little more before next time.

It did get better though. I beat every other test, and also lost quite a few cms. Should have been better, but still can celebrate how far I've come! Just added up my cms - I've lost 22cm overall. Pretty happy with that! Still a long way to go, and no where near where my goals were, but I'm on my way, and I am feeling so much better! I think I need to reassess my goals, as is pretty unlikely I'm going to get to 70kgs in the next 4 weeks. I think I should aim for 78kgs. That's another 6, so still be hard, but I can do it!

Looking at the photos, there's quite a difference between the before and now, but not much between week 4 and week 8. Need to work hard so there is a bigger difference by week 12! Also need to make sure I get the lighting and which way I face more consistent!

Week 8

Week 4

Before

Day 51 - Sadness :(

Was doing my workout on Saturday and heard my phone go. I decided not to answer it as wanted to finish my workout, but listened to the message and it was my dad. My dad doesn't often call, so immediately I knew something was up. My Nana has been sick for quite some time so I figured that was it. I decided to finish my workout anyway as I knew once I spoke to him there would be no way I would go back to it. Did my last exercises with my Nana very much in my mind. After my workout I called my dad back, and yes, my Nana had passed away over night. She died peacefully in her sleep in her bed at home. I'm incredibly sad, but at the same time I am pleased she didn't have to move into a nursing home, and she and grandpa got to live out her last days together in their house. She was quite uncomfortable I think, and ready to go.

I've been ok over the last couple days. Went for my run yesterday morning thinking of my Nana and there were a few tears - it's hard to run when you are crying! Been eating ok too, and did my shockwave class this morning. We're going to NZ tomorrow for the funeral. Going to be very sad, but also so nice to be with my family.

Also managed to fit in two games of golf over the weekend - Cammeray on Saturday and Moore Park on Sunday, and a driving range session on both Sunday and Monday! It is such a frustrating game, but I'm getting better! I wish I had rung my Nana and told her I was learning to play.

So, very much up and down. Feeling good about myself at the moment, but also so much sadness. Just need to ensure I keep my exercise and eating up, and keep on top of things. Also gutted I am going to miss the basketball grand finals! Just realised I hadn't actually written about this! We won our finals game so now in the grand finals! And we weren't even supposed to make the playoffs. Our team is amazing!