Pre-Season Task: Get Real

Time to do the pre-season tasks for the next round. I think I did ok last round, but I definitely need to work on the mindset stuff, so here we go...

The first task is to write down all my excuses and my solutions. This is pretty common sense, the trick is remembering all this stuff "in the heat of the moment" and making the right choices. Think I might need to put this somewhere more easily accessible so I can keep referring back to it!

Internal Excuses I've worked out today so I can eat whatever I want If I eat too much I can throw it up I just can't be bothered sticking to my plan (eating or exercising) I'll start over again tomorrow		Solutions Change my thinking to: "I've worked out today so I'm on my way towards my goals and the scales will say I am lighter in the morning if I don't succumb to my cravings" Drink some water and wait a while to make sure I am actually hungry and not just wanting something Throwing up is SO bad for me, it makes me feel depressed and down about myself and is not something I want to continue doing Eating only gives me shot term momentary pleasure, but in the longer term I feel fat and gross and like I've let myself down Practise mindful eating - don't do anything else while I am eating, focus on the food and taste of it, and learn to recognise when I am getting full - sit at the table and ensure the TV is off and discuss the food or other things with Greg - need to work out how to do this at lunch time too. Tomorrow never comes - start now or risk never getting to my goals Pull out my plan for the week and stick to it! Get out my goal clothes, or look at a photo of me being fat or being thin and think about what I want Read through my goals and these excuses and solutions If all else fails, stop being useless, suck it up and JFDI! I will be so happy that I did!
External Excuses - In My Control I've got other things I could/should be doing which are more important (even though they are not) I'm too tired It's an event so I should eat and drink whatever I want otherwise I won't have fun and other people will think I'm a party pooper		Solutions Those other things can wait - I've planned for this and I do have time to do it if I get off my butt right now and JFDI I might be tired, but I will be even more so if I don't exercise and eat the right food Doing the right thing gives me a boost, and I'm going to be tired anyway, so may as well be tired and feel good about myself at the same time! Who cares what others think? Remember that I can have fun without drinking and I can say no Remember my goals, and that each thing I don't eat or drink now helps me get those goals and the rewards that go with them

Day 80 - Wow 80 days!

It's nearing the end, and I'm feeling a little flat. I've done pretty well, but have been sabotaging myself a little recently. I'm not sure why I do it, but every time I get a good result I go a bit backwards. Well, I think this time I've caught myself in the act, and I'm not going to give up! I need to celebrate my wins, and keep telling myself that it's not over - this is a lifestyle thing, and I've realised that I've got a bit more to go yet before this is my lifestyle.

I've lost 8kgs (11 if you count pre-season) and while it's not as much as I wanted to lose, I still feel pretty good! I feel so much better in my clothes, my fitness is coming back and I feel much more confident. Just need to keep at it, and imagine how good I will feel!

So this morning, I was debating going for my run. I dragged myself out of bed, and set about doing anything to procrastinate. I sorted out some papers, printed tonight's recipe, got the chicken out of the freezer, basically did a whole lot of stuff that needed to be done, but didn't need to be done right at that moment. Then I thought to myself "this is stupid" so I grabbed my headphones and set out. I only walked, but while I was out I listened to a whole heap of Michelle Bridge's videos and they hit home. There's plenty more left here for me. I can do this! Just need to stop making excuses in my head and JFDI!

One video in particular definitely gave me tips to keep in mind:

1. Get support
   For this one I do have an amazing family and friend network, but I think next round I should get more involved in the forums. I do lurk and read the forums, but I've hardly posted. there are groups in there and surely I can find one to join but I'm not quite sure how to go about it. Guess I need to spend some more time looking into it.
2. Become my own biggest fan
   I'm pretty good at doing this, but one issue I have is that I talk myself up too much in my head and think I am doing better than I am which then in turn some how lets me justify sabotaging myselg. I need to keep this realistic - definitely celebrate my wins, but then instead of giving in to temptation, think about my win again, and realise that it could be negated. Think about turning my being strong into yet another win!
3. Set SMART goals
   I have goals mostly, but need to keep them more in the front of my mind. Maybe stick them somewhere more obvious, like on my phone lock screen. The rewards should be healthy ones with emotion involved - the more emotion invested, the more it will mean to me. Mish suggested a holiday to climb a mountain. While that sounds like fun to me, its not realistic as it's not something Greg would do, and I only have so many holidays and would rather spend them with him. Perhaps I can investigate a girly heath retreat for a weekend or something. I'm actually looking forward to resetting my goals again in the next round preseason tasks (which I need to get on to).
4. Get organised!
   I can do the planning, it's just the follow through on the planning that I'm not so good at. I've been shopping for the first few days of the week recently, and figuring that I will shop again on Wed or Thu. The problem is it's gets to then and I can't be bothered, and then on Fri, Sat or Sun when we've run out of food and we're feeling tired or hung over we've been getting takeaways. Not good! This week I've shopped for the whole week. Hopefully it works and we don't end up throwing away food! The other issue is that I've been taking my lunch to work but not eating it. Instead I've been buying crap. Such waste on so many levels! Well, it's stopping today! I've got yummy left overs from yesterday, and I've also brought only enough cash for my coffee so I can't buy anything else
   .
5. Create supportive habits
   I need to get more into my rituals again. I was doing so well for a while, but then I crash a bit. If I stick to my plan, I will get back into the habit and then it will become easier.
6. JFDI!!!
   Seriously. Get shut up and get on with it! Sometimes, yes it hurts, and yes it's boring, and yes I can't be bothered, but just get on with it! I won't regret it, but I will regret not doing it!

So the action points from this:

1. Get into the forums
2. Don't listen to the justifications in my head
3. Find a reward I really want (and can't have or won't enjoy unless I do this)
4. Follow my plans - no excuses
5. JFDI!!!

Day 78 - First Day of the Last Week

Wow! We're down to the wire. It's the last week! Seems like the past 12 weeks have gone really fast, though it also feels like the day I signed up was a long time ago... I'm happy so far with my results, but want to give it my all over the next 7 days, and get rid of another couple of kgs before the end of the week. I can do this!

We had a lovely weekend. Greg's parents are here, and it was my niece's 1st birthday party. She is so super cute! Ate a bit much, and drank way too much! And no time for a workout as we had to be over there early to help get things organised, and had to go pick up our new golf clubs on the way. I must admit though I felt pretty good in myself at the party. Still overweight and a long way to go, but so much better than I was.

I'm so stoked with our new clubs. We got such a great deal on them, and they feel really good in your hands. We went and played with Greg's dad at Long View on Sunday. I started off amazingly, but then just got worse and worse! I think just a bit tired, hungover and too hot! I'm going to go buy a cooler shirt I think as my red one is too hot and heavy.

We were so tired when we got home after golf yesterday. I wanted to eat well, but there was no food at home and we just couldn't be bothered so we ordered Indian, and once again I proceeded to eat too much. However, getting on the scales today I was pleasantly surprised as I'm still in the low 83s. Maybe dehydrated, or maybe all that walking for golf yesterday. Either way it's given me even more motivation to keep at it!

I've done my planning for the week, and we have some yummy meals coming up, and plenty of exercise. I'm feeling determined today!

Week 12 Exercise & Meal Plan

Day 74 - Stay Strong

Watched the Surviving in the real world video by Michelle today and some of it rung true - especially about justifying the wrong decisions. I do that all the time! I think through little things like maybe I can have one little something cos I worked so hard today, or maybe I can exercise harder tomorrow if I don't today. I really need to change that around and think I worked so hard today so I don't want / need a little something as I already feel so good. And if I exercise today and tomorrow imagine how amazing I will feel.

I didn't much like the advice to not use food as fun. We love sharing meals out with friends, and the food is definitely part of the fun. I guess need to switch the focus somewhat, and make it more about the occasion and hanging out with friends than about the food. Although there will definitely be times where the focus will be 100% on the food. I'm not willing to let that go. It's too enjoyable to have an amazing meal and discuss all the different parts and which were the best. I just need to make the right choices around when and how often I do that, and even when I do, I can realise I don't need to eat it all, and I can even choose something healthier should I want to and that is just fine!

I need to stay strong!

I also watched the Taking Stock video and made myself an Action Plan, and also wrote a letter to myself to open in 6 months. Got me feeling quite motivated and organised. I've got my diary sorted and am looking forward to following through.

We picked up Greg's parents from the airport last night and had a lovely dinner at T&Cs with them. This morning we were planning on playing golf, but we've been sleeping so badly - I think cos it's been so hot - that we couldn't get up. The exact same thing happened yesterday.

Day 73 - Loo La Loo Rah!

Feeling pretty happy today as I'm down in the 82's. I've been here very briefly twice in the last month, but I feel like today I'm really here! I've been hovering around the 83 mark and slowly heading down. It feels really good, and sustainable. My BMI is coming down too. When I started it was over 28 which is near the top of the overweight range. It's dropped now to 26 - only a couple more to go before I'm in the healthy range. I can do this!

Had a good morning snack today - half a large wholemeal pita with hummus. Possibly a little high on the calorie side, but tasty, and hopefully it stops the afternoon cravings - we'll see!

Last night we made Vietnamese Beef Noodle Soup. It was really yummy, mainly cos I think Greg spiced up the broth a bit with some chilli and other goodness. I've got the leftovers for lunch. It seems even when we make the Michelle Bridges portions we nearly always have some left over for lunch!

After dinner we went to the driving range and I was so much better than at Mona Vale. Really looking forward now to getting out there and playing again!

Also today we just committed to going to Canada with Grandpa next year. Pretty exciting! So much for last year being the last trip for him. Going to be so awesome to be able to share it with him and the rest of the family. We were planning on going to Japan early next year, but will now be Canada instead. Part of me is a little disappointed as we so wanted to do Japan, but this is our only chance to go with Grandpa, and it will be really good to take Greg to some of the places I so enjoyed going to before we met. It's awesome that we're going to Sun Peaks and Silver Star which are the two we went to last time I went over with the family. Will be great to see if it's like I remember it. I'm starting to look forward to it!

Week 11 Weigh In

Starting: 90.4kgs (pre-season: 93kgs)
Current: 82.3kgs

Since last weigh in: -0.8kgs
Since start: -8.1kgs (including pre-season: -10.7kgs)

I'm still heading down - Yay! Got a bit to go though if I want to be under 80 at the end. Just over a week to go - I can do this!

Day 72 - Feeling Fit & Strong on Tighten Up Tuesday

Really enjoyed Shockwave this morning. Can't believe I almost didn't get out of bed - so glad I did! I was fastest again on the rower, and also felt so strong for the rest of the workout, especially the abs which is awesome as that's always been my weakest. Still a long way to go, but feeling pretty chuffed with myself today!

We babysat for T&C last night and cooked there. We made the Garlic Prawns with Rice, Lentil & Green Bean Salad. It was pretty yummy, but needed a bit more flavour. Not sure what else you could add though. I enjoyed it regardless, and am looking forward to the left overs for lunch.

I think I need to sort out my morning snacks a bit better. I always do afternoons well, but struggle a bit on what to have in the morning. I sometimes do a coffee, but it's a bit unsatisfying, and also sometimes a mission to go get when I am busy and it's not nice outside. Might need to have a look through the recipes and see if there are any that jump out at me. It's a bit strange as there are loads in there, but some I just don't like the idea of in the morning.

I think we're heading to the driving range tonight after work. Looking forward to hitting some balls again and hopefully being better than I was at Mona Vale!

Week 11 Exercise & Meal Plan

Day 71 - 2 Weeks to Go!

Bring it on! Only two weeks to go. Was mostly pretty happy with my choices over the weekend. I didn't drink Friday or Saturday, and didn't overeat too much either. It was the Crows Nest Festival on Sunday, so had quite a bit of wine at the wine tasting stalls, but didn't have any extra when we got home, and also made the really yummy Chickpea, Ricotta and Tomato salad for dinner.

Ended up being a really fun weekend in the end. Friday we left work early and went to play at North Bridge. I played fairly well. Did some awesome shots, including getting on the green from my tee shot on #5. Stoked with that! Was so tired after we just chilled at home and Greg made us a pizza out of whatever he could find - it ended up being super yummy! It had mince, zucchini, feta, olives and other things.

Greg putting on #3 at Northbridge.
Check out the little ducklings on the right. So cute!

From the tee on #5 at Northbridge

Fuzzy fuzzy ducklings! All I can think of now is
"all the ducks are swimming in the water. La la la la la la..."

On the green (just) for one.
That little pink dot at the back of the green is my ball :)

On Saturday I got up early, did a tiny workout then got some work done. We then went to the driving range and then to Mona Vale for 18 holes. So much golf! I played terribly. I think I just freaked myself out. By the 15th hole I was so over it and just gave up. I said to myself I'm going to make myself finish this hole then go sit in the car and wait for Greg. I then hit my best drive of the day and continued to actually play quite well from then on. I'm pretty sure I was just over thinking it and trying too hard to begin with. I was topping almost every ball and miss hitting a lot. It was so frustrating. I also had a little tanty and threw my club! Not the best behaviour. Luckily Greg was super patient with me and was so nice. When we got home it was pretty late and we were exhausted so ordered take out. Was super average and didn't really enjoy it. At least that meant I didn't eat too much of it!

Mum stayed again last night after her conference and we got up and went for a lovely walk this morning. Was so peaceful and nice being out with her and chatting. I'm so glad I got up and did it! Wasn't the full workout it should have been, but we walked for an hour.

I said at the beginning of the weekend I still wanted to be in the 83's at the end of the weekend, and this morning I was! Very happy with that. Now to power through these next 2 weeks, and lost at least another 3 so I can finish under 80. I can do it!

Freaky red sun and eerie feeling due to all the bush fire smoke