I have been MIA... alot has happened

A lot has happened in the past... umm 12 months (apologies for being MIA) with a new job my focus was on that, and at times that kept me busy, I did keep up my gym schedule but eating fell over.... back to my old habits. I need to focus on my goals and move forward. I am not currently signed up to the 12WBT or the gym, both ended when I found out I was expecting our first little bundle of joy!! I'm currently 25 weeks, the countdown is on.... only 3.5 months to go till this bub arrives, then I will be signing back up to Mish's program and getting back into the fitness regime, needless to say I only put on 4kg since I first started the 12WBT (currently 74kgs) which isn't bad considering I'm growing another little human.

So in the next few weeks I might be talking more about the baby, well the pregnancy and the light fitness I have been doing.  In the mean time, I have been reading your blogs which have inspired me to do more exercise.

If you have any advice for me, pls feel free to let me know, first time mumma here :)

Chat soon
Tara x

One day at a time......

Okay, so Week 1 has begun and everyone is off and running {literality} besides me that is… I am just not a pumped as I should be. I remember my first round. I was so pumped and motivated it wasn’t funny… this round, I’m feeling a bit blah… I am ½ heartedly following the meal plan, and exercise routine… it’s just me being lazy, which is me going back to my old self… I can’t be like this. I have to follow the plan 100% - no snacking on crap foods, no sneaking food in while no one is looking (I’m only hurting myself) I need to get focused and be committed 110%

Last night, I proved to myself anything is possible if I’m determined and focused… here’s what happened:

Every Wednesday night we have a mate come over for dinner and it normally a 'take-out' night. So last night, my husband and his mate decided that they wanted Crust pizza... Yum I thought... then I stopped and actually thought about the cals (and the health nutrition), and the chances of being able to have just one piece and salad... (not very likely), So I decided that I would get organized and make some meals up for the freezer and have that for dinner, but what could temp me to stay away from the pizza… Nat’s lasagna came to mind (I have never tried it before) I thought what the hell, give it a go everyone raves about it– so I did… the smell of pizza in the house was hell, luckily it was delivered smack bang in the middle of Mish’s live video (while mine was still cooking away I might add). I was so tempted to grab a piece and pretend like it was okay… but I didn’t.  I stuck with the lasagna and salad and felt so much better for it… and now have 4 meals in the freezer waiting for me on those long, tiring days...can’t wait for lunch today to see how well it reheats.

Only I can make changes in my life, only I have the willpower to stick to this program and be the best I can be…

And only I can make myself happy… and that’s what I’m doing…. One day at a time…

~ love life ~

NEW YEAR, NEW ME...

Time to get this boby is tip top condition......... I (along with my husband) have just decided to join up for the 12 Week Body Transformation - Round 1 2012.


This is our year to get fit and get back to being the best we can..... I love the strength and power Mish provides us all.... and this year i'm going to be a woman of my word!!! (and for all 12 weeks- last round i fell off the wagon in the 9 or 10th week... this year, this round is forever...

Much love!!!

new job, new office... old me.

Okay, Hello.. it feels like I haven’t been on here for awhile… I have been super busy with friends and changing jobs!! So all my focus has been on that.

My workouts have also gone down a bit too… Since I’m in a new job I don’t want to be taking an hour for lunch to go to the gym (then you have to look at getting there and back and getting changed) so its more like 1.5hrs… not a great thing for a newbie to be doing… well until I can work out the team and what the norm is… thinking about getting to work early from now onwards and going to the gym before work… it makes my day so much longer but going after work is sometimes such a hassle…. – don’t get me wrong I’m not making excuses… just arranging my life to make everything work.

I have to also admit that my food has been shocking this past week… I have been on a sliding hill and feel like I can’t get my feet back on the ground again…. I need to get focused and NOT GIVE IN!

I read on the 12WBT Facebook page that a Canberra lady was giving up and would try to do it again next round.. and it really hit home that this is me. I could toss in the towel and try again next time (next time would never come) so I have been mentally focused on making this round (my first round) a success. There are still 4 (or so) weeks left and I’m not going to give up. 

Anyways, short n sweet.

Gotta go and get back to work.  Hope your all going well and reaching the goals you have aimed towards.

Good Luck,

Tara

Which is your pet excuse?

Its time set your pets free and

Photo Montage Challenge



I totally missed this weekly challenge, been off my game for a couple weeks now... here it is- better late than never xx

PS- I absolutely HATE the DEC 2010 pic... I can't wait to get my photo taken this Christmas...!!  

I'm giving myself permission...

I love this pic I found on the notsalmon.com website (along with a thousand other which I’m sure I will post over the next weeks)

It rings TRUTH to my ears….. I am someone who sometimes thinks of all the negatives things that I have done in my life (mainly my teenage years) - from over eating and being suicidal and depressed to becoming someone I once admired to be… Working out 6 days a week and eating right (well most of the time).  

I get one chance of this life and I’m gonna make it count!!! There is no fucking way this life is going to slip by while I waste time thinking about the past- who I was, what I did and how I treated myself and others… things have changed, I have changed.

This is my life and I’m giving myself permission to enjoy it!!

Luv lil t  x

MAJOR RED FLAG!!!

Don’t have much to report back over the past week, I went to the gym 6 days straight then was lazy on Saturday and decided to spend the day with my niece, who is down for the school holidays. We were meant to work out together, we started to do one of Mish’s DVD’s but we both got a bit bored of that and decided to spend some time cooking and cleaning while waiting for Sean to get home.. And lets not get me started on dinner- I know it was treat night so we made chicken parma.. I had all intentions of following the 12WBT recipe but with the temptation around me I made the same parma for me and the family… (1/4 chicken breast flatten, tomato paste, bacon and vintage cheese) and OMG it was so good… but next time I have to be more strict and follow the recipe.

I over ate all weekend. This makes me sad. I am not looking forward to weigh in tomorrow…. I know I only have myself to blame… I have now realised that my inner lab goes crazy on the weekend… this is a MAJOR RED FLAG!! Must keep in mind….

I have already decided (irrelevant on how I go this round) I will be back for round 1 next year… its not just about going to the gym for me.. Its about a lifestyle change.. Before I started going to the gym- it was my husband who was working out every 2nd night and me sitting on the couch… now I just have to get him moving again and get him back on the right track..

Hopefully next round I will have a couple girlfriends doing the program along side of me…



I am aiming to get to the gym twice every day this week- lunch time and after work. I need to make up for where I have failed this past weekend…. Plus, I’m going away this weekend for our 1 year anniversary so I would like to have some exercise built up in case I miss a session while away –which I don’t plan on doing.



This week, I come prepared. I have frozen meals ready in the freezer for those ‘too hard’ days… I have done the shopping and now ready to smash out some long training sessions… We’re now in week 4 and this is where the hard stuff starts….

I HAVE TO BE STRONG WITH MYSELF!!

I WILL COMPLETE THIS PROGRAM AND I WILL BE DOING IT WITH A SMILE ON MY FACE!



Rock on!

T x

Organised – Something I’m not

Well, SSS has really messed up my weekend…. As much as I LOVE heading to the gym (trust me I really do) my usual Saturday mornings consisted of me saying good bye to my hubby for work at 8:15ish, putting a load of washing in the machine, heading down town, grabbing my regular cameral cappuccino with 2 sugars (I know- major sweet tooth) then heading into Coles to do the weekly shopping. Afterwards I would be then back home hanging out the washing, then I would give the place a bit of a clean…. and by that time I would normally be content in what I have done and relax for the rest of the day….  NOT ANY MORE….

This Saturday, I was walking out the door with hubby, giving him a kiss at the cars and heading into the city where my gym is –I really wanted to get to the 8.30 PUMP class but missed it by the time I found a park, realised (cause I wasn’t parking in my normal spot) I had to have change for the parking machine.. So then spent 10 mins looking for an atm, then about 5 mins trying to convince a restaurant to break a $50 for me at 8.30 in the morning was a struggle. Then, running back to the car, buying the bloody parking ticket, then off to the gym… parking was paid till 11am… it was now 8.45ish.. I was hoping to do 2 classes to hit the 1000 calorie mark but as they start on the half hour there  was no way I was going to chance either A) getting back to my car at 11.30am and finding a parking fine or B) running back to the car after the first class to pay more bloody money to the stupid parking machine… then to get back to the class after it has started (this is a major pet hate of mine, that and staff members just waltzing in thinking they own the joint.. a little distracting trying to hold a pose when some immature staff member thinks its ‘funny’ to stand at the door way- with the door open wide, allowing every man and his dog check out our attempt of the crow pose).



Crow Pose



I did one class (body balance) and a bit of cardio either side of it… then back to the car at 11am… after checking my calories burnt I realised I still had to burn another 200… so on my way home I stopping in at Mount Ainslie and did a 30 min walk up…. my this time remembered I had a 1.30 hair appointment, and I still had to grab something to eat… (my normal solution for something , easy and quick would normally have been driving through macca’s) I headed down town, grabbed myself a freshly made salad sandwich – then back home… for a shower before heading out again…..

Finally, I made it to the hair dressers… with only mins to spare…then after 3 hours I was out of there and on my way back home…  by this time the last thing I wanted to do was to go food shopping- so I didn’t. I gave the place a really quick tidy up then Sean was home from work and off to my parents for dinner…. I know it was ‘treat night’ but I really didn’t want to destroy all my hard work this morning… there wasn’t much to pick from -don’t get me wrong it was lovely but defiantly NOT healthy food – Snag, minute steaks, and lamb with potato bake, bread… there was meant to be corn on the cob but it wasn’t cooked LOL… I had one minute steak and 2 slices of potato bake… not much but I knew there was dessert (apple pie) so I was holding out for this… and OH EM GEE (read, OMG) it was GOOD!!- there was no drinking over the weekend so as much as I didn’t want a slice of the pie I knew it was going to be good so I allowed myself to enjoy a piece.

Sunday, Sean and I headed out the RSPCA looking for a baby… ‘We’re just LOOKING!’ he assures me as we pull up to the place, but I know if I was to fine ‘The One’ he wouldn’t be able to say no… ‘The One’ to me would be a Japanese Spitz… Ideally I would like to rescue a dog though… Sean only said to me last week the chances of rescuing a Japanese Spitz would be hard and more then likely won’t find one to rescue… and guess what was at the RSPCA!! yep… ‘The One’ I couldn’t believe it… but just like my luck… she was already adopted… -don’t get me wrong I was happy to see she had a home to go to… but sad as I know if she wasn’t she would have been coming home with me… Oh well… We just have to keep our eyes open for next time….



'The One'



After the RSPCA, we headed into DFO then to pet stock to spoil our babies…. How cool is this feeder we bought them…. Jaffa LOVES it… Budda….well, she is learning.



Catit Design Senses Food Maze



Finally home and we both crashed on the couch….i was snacking WAY too much last night…. toast, and jelly, and hot chocolate… it was terrible! I was defiantly feeling like a Lab last night L

Today, is week three… and by golly if I lose weight I was be totally impressed with myself….

Oh and did I mention that I’m feeling a bit like ‘Big Kev’?  I bought Mish’s workout DVD’s for the days I can’t get to the gym… I’m SO excited to get home and try them out!  Especially on the days I can’t get to the gym or I want to do a little more at home....

Train hard!

T

Moving Forward

Okay, so this last week hasn't been the best for me -no weight loss, and eating really whatever I like... but today is a new day and today I focus on where I want to be... and how I'm going to get there...... In my eyes there is only one way......

AND THATS MOVING FORWARD......


Oh another thing that gets me motivated is new gym gear!!

Say hello to my little friend.... 

What a week....

Wow, So this past week has been a real test for me… on Thursday we travelled to Sydney for my husband to receive a ‘top achievers’ award –dinner was at the Opera house, cooked by world famous chef Simon Sandall – REALLY AMAZING FOOD! My intake of calories was not on my agenda that night…. I didn’t over eat what so ever… (I think the champers would have been the killer). Mind you, I took my gym gear and got up at sparrow’s fart and used the hotel’s gym –we stayed at the Sir Stamford at Circular Quay -with a free upgrade to a corner suite.. OH YES PLEASE!!!  when booking the accommodation all I was concerned about if the hotel had a gym… and I am very happy I did as it allowed me to get up early and let Sean sleep in… mind you.. I was back from the gym at 7am –after an hour’s workout- so it’s not like it was a late sleep in LOL

After breakfast on Friday we decided it was too nice of a day to head back home to Canberra, So we decided to catch the ferry across to Taronga zoo and enjoy a day out and about- I must say, it was an amazing day- I loved spending the day with my man enjoying the sun (and not to mention burning off a few more calories) - OMG! i seen this mumma and baby when it was feeding- it was the most amazing thing to watch.. LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!!

 

After the weekend away, I wasn’t sticking to the eating plan nor have I gone shopping for this week’s meals… its shocking!! Its also birthday season in my family atm, today it’s actually my dad, his twin sister and husbands birthday - tomorrow is my little sister Jackie’s 18th and Friday is my sister in-laws birthday….then next week is my brother in laws birthday.... Hmm wonder what goes on at Christmas… hmmm actually ewwww, I don’t want to think about my in laws doing that…. Or my grandparents…. Or my parents for that matter ….ewwww <grossed out right now>

I was so sick yesterday (self induced so can’t blame anyone) It was my sisters birthday bash – home made pizza’s and lots of drinkie poo’s mmmm cosmos… so no workout… but since I didn’t eat anything all day I think I stayed under my cal intake LOL –not the recommended way AT ALL!!

Today is a new day, today we forget about our weakness’s and focus on the future!!

Sending some birthday love to these special people - LOVE YOU ALL!                                                   


Tobie (brother in law) and Dad



Jackie (sister)



Angela (Sister in law) and her son Cruz



And last but not least my husband Sean



Day One, Week One.... Let the fun begin

Today is the first day of the rest of my life... the past week has been ready bad for me...I had all four wisdom teeth out so I stayed away from the gym to allow the healing process to take its course.. And I have to say, all is well on that front... I'm a bit disappointed in myself for buying junk food (macca's/kingsleys/kfc) over the past week.... I was doing so well in preseason....but I have found out one of my triggers for choosing this food is being alone... My husband works 6 days a week so when I was home alone, I would sneak in lunch at one of these horrid places…. This is something BIG I will have to work on….

This is going to STOP!

Ok so I am back in the full swing of getting up early, my gym bag is already packed and I’m keen to hit the gym up already and push myself HARD!

I will be starting most of my mornings with some light weights training with my husband, and then heading to the gym in the afternoon with one of my girlfriends… It’s going to be good... I am also committing myself to burning 500cals per gym session….

-Even if this means spending longer at the gym… I have to do this for myself!!

Let the fun begin!!


T xo

NO EXCUSES

So, after many years of my wisdom teeth going up and down.. I finally booked in to see someone and the outcome was worse than we initially thought. The dentist advised that my bottom wisdom teeth are growing into a nerve and to get them removed I would have to see a Dental Surgeon- this was all last week.... So Yesterday I booked in to see the Surgeon to discuss the procedure... that wasn't even a 10 min chat... I agreed I was keen to get the ball rolling and once and for all get these painful teeth removed.... after the little chat I was send next door to the day surgery office, where I had to fill out more paperwork and discuss costs etc... I was then asked when I would like to get them removed.... - I quickly responded 'ASAP!'  (Honestly i was expecting them to say a date in a few months time) the response I got was, 'How does next Tuesday sound?' All I could think about is 'how was I meant to workout?' 1 week without a gym session is going to kill me..... at least if I do it next week I will be all ready to 'rock 'n roll' for the start of the program... (That gives me 6 days to recover)... which I’m sure will

Okay, so besides my medical update, the gym this week has been great.. I am mainly running and fit in some quick weights at the end of the session.... I'm really looking forward to taking my pre photo and weight/measurement stats and see the changes that occur over the next 12 (or so) weeks....

BRING IT ON!!!....

T xo

Moto for the day

I can't go to the gym this afternoon which is really disappointing for me but that said, as long as I commit myself to not getting home and crashing on the couch and actually getting on the exercise bike for 1 hr or so... I think missing the gym will be okay.....

This is the start of something big.....

Welcome. My name is Tara. I have decided to start this blog to take ownership for myself and the journey I will be taking over the next 12 weeks while I on doing the Michelle Bridges 12 Week Body Transformation (12WBT) and other things happening in my life. This is the first time I have ever considered writing a blog. There is something about taking ownership and putting it out there for the world to see. 

I have to say, I’m pretty excited to start. Pre-season started on Monday 15^th Aug which goes for 4 weeks to get us all prepared for the journey we have all decided to take together.  I’m still not 100% sure what to expect but have heard great things from previous 12WBTers and not to mention the before and after shots which speak for themself- SO LET THE FUN BEGIN!  

12th of September is official 12WBT starting date!

Okay, so here is a bit of back ground…. I’m 26 years old, I married my best friend last year on the 10^th Oct 2010, and we have been together since September 2004.  We currently don’t have any children but are excited to try to start after we hit our 1 year anniversary … I think this will keep people off our back for a little while –its unbelievable how many times we have been asked ‘So when are you guys going to have a baby?’ its like you get married and your meant to have kids straight away.

We do however have a family (a fur family) consisting of 2 cats, Buddha and Jaffa. I’m sure I will talk about them through out this blog. Buddha is our old girl, she doesn’t like anyone new and rarely plays nice with strangers (which is always fun when we get pet sitter in when we go away on holidays – Oh and if your in the Canberra region and looking for a pet sitter check out Canberra Critter Care- Lawanda is amazing!).

And then there’s Jaffa, he is my/our baby boy… I was there the day he was born and seen him everyday until we could take him home with us. I think he thinks he is a person as he loves to have showers with us… does anyone else’s pets LOVE water so much they sit under the shower while you’re trying to shower yourself??

Here are my stats-

Weight- 70kgs

Height- 158cms

Goal Weight- 63kgs

Goal Height – haha OKAY we can all wish can’t we? A couple of my nick names are mini coop, or lil t so you get why adding an extra foot wouldn’t go astray…  that said my husband is 6”3 so he makes up for what i don’t have… just dont want to think about having kids if their going to take after their father.. eeeek!