No pain, no gain...groan...
It's now day four on my 12WBT journey...and I am in all kinds of pain. My thighs, abs, pelvis, and calves just don't know what has hit them! You know you're in for a world of hurt when your initial fitness test indicates you're on "struggle street". lol. Imagine though that the street has been completely neglected by the owner for many years and is full of pot holes...that's more like it. I'm doing my very best to follow the exercise plan designed for me, and let me tell you, there's a lot to learn. I never knew there were so many different types of crunches, and I'm not talking the Nestle kind...they're now well and truly off limits.
Every "diet" I've done in the past has concentrated wholly and solely on the food. Sure, they tell you that exercise should be incorporated into your day, but they don't tell you how. I can see why Michelle Bridges' program is so popular and successful. If you follow the nutrition and exercise plans, you will succeed. I feel like a success already!
About the food...
Everything I am eating is real food. No shakes, no supplements, no frozen packets..real food that I have to purchase and prepare myself (okay, that's a lie, hubby cooks dinner). There's variety every day and it certainly isn't boring. I'm trying foods and flavours that I haven't experienced before and finding that I really enjoy it.
Before the 12WBT, I never ate breakfast at home. It would always be something I would grab at the local cafe...banana bread, yoghurt, bacon and egg rolls...whatever took my fancy. There was no discipline, just loads of calories and cost. Now, I enjoy having a bowl of muesli or toast with banana, while sitting at the dining table with my children. It's making the world of difference to my day. I can concentrate better and I'm saving money!
The lunches and dinners have been equally delicious and the recipes have been so easy to follow. The children don't always have the same as us, but they are eating healthy. Instead of spinach, tomato and avocado with our protein, they will have the steamed vegetables they love. There really isn't any extra work involved. There will be meals that we share as a family, and some where a different meal is prepared. No biggie...and perhaps one day, they'll broaden their taste buds as well.
But it's the exercise that is the biggest difference...
I haven't moved my body this much in the longest time. I'm ashamed to admit that I haven't played a team sport in 16 years. I used to love playing basketball, and I gave that up when I started working in the city. The weekends were for going out, partying and drinking...not for exercise. Then along came marriage and babies and more weight...and feeling more and more lethargic. It's no wonder I've suffered from depression.
There's been lots of light bulb moments going on over the past week.
I have been dragging the kids to the local oval of an afternoon and walking laps. We try to make it a game...following the sidelines of the footy fields and then changing direction. I let them lead the way. Seth's taken a football with him...kicking and chasing it as I walk along. We've played tunes out loud that are fun to walk to. It's not easy. I'm still incredibly unfit. It will get better. If the pain in my legs is anything to go by, my muscles are waking up.
The results...
The proof is in the low fat pudding. The first weigh in was yesterday, which was only 2 days in, and I'm down 2.5kg. I love seeing the numbers go down on the scales! It'll be interesting to see what happens next week when I've had a full week on the program. There's still a long way to go, and I'm taking one day at a time. I must remember to hide the scales though because the temptation to jump onto them every morning is too great...I don't want to become a slave to the number.
...and because I like a weightloss graph with a downward trend, here's a pretty picture...
It's a big number, isn't it.
I'm owning it though. It's who I am currently and I'm no longer ashamed. I won't be that number for much longer, and I am proud of myself for doing something about it. I will succeed.
I dare you to reveal how much you weigh. Tell your partner, tell your friend or announce it to the world. Free yourself from the number. You will feel better for it...after all, the number has nothing to do with who you really are, and you'll be lifting an emotional weight off your shoulders.
