12 Week Challenge Blog

Starting this 12 week challenge was a challenge in itself. When Darren handed me the booklet, it was like he had just handed me a roadmap and I had to get from point A to point B without turning the map around before I could head off in the right direction. Yes it was daunting and confusing at first, but as the days went on the easier it got. I’m not big into change, I’m happy cruising down the highway and doing and eating pretty much the same things every day. My biggest hurdle was the change to my breakfast no muesli or cereal. I think I took that harder than no chocolate for 12 weeks (oh boy that’s a big one). But now I have discovered the joys of cooking (don’t worry Alastair I won’t be taking the spotlight away from you), every Sunday afternoon you’ll find me in the kitchen (which isn’t a bad place, who knew) preparing my breakfast frittata (which is super delicious) and any other dishes for my lunch for the upcoming week. Yes you have to be organised but aren’t we that in everything we do everyday.
I think the most important thing about this challenge is having the support of your family and friends. If your going to a friends for dinner make sure they know about your healthy eating plan (not a diet), so that they can minimise the carbs they serve, who knows a little bit of you could rub off onto them. Ladies when your out having drinks and the other girls have their glasses of bubbles well get your sparking mineral water in a champagne glass too, then nobody will question you having a tumbler in your hand. Just make sure you buy your own drink
And lastly your not in this on your own, (thank goodness). Like the other night I was out at dinner so thankfully I phoned a friend and she jumped on the web to find out how many carbs were in my Thai dish (thanks Lou your the best). We’re all in this together, so don’t forget to say hi and have a chat at the gym. Yes Darren we will chat after the sessions.

So…..one week down and sooo many more to go! Having done a restricted carb diet before, I knew what I was in for. But that still doesn’t prepare you for the lethargic initial 3-5 days, “I don’t have the energy to do anything” feeling you get when your stored carbs run out. I am happy to say that I have made it through the first week relatively unscathed and am starting to feel more energetic and better overall. I am missing a few foods – mainly at breakfast. I love my muesli and yoghurt! I am also missing fruit, and a few other things that didn’t make it onto the “list” but I think I can make 11 more weeks without them.

Two things are keeping me going:
1. If I meet the personal goals I have set then I am going to feel AMAZING!!! And that is pretty exciting in itself.
2. My amazing friends and family – I have two fabulous friends going through this with me – Chris and Kimmy. Having them right beside me, sweating it out with me, is definitely going to make it easier. And my Mama – my number one suppoter and supplier of sashimi lunches!! The perfect no carb lunch!!!!

So to everyone else in the “Challenge” – hope your doing well and I looking forward to watching you transform over the coming weeks!

So its the end of Week 2 and while I sit here waiting for my week’s worth of breakfasts and lunches to cook I thought I would blog. This week was good – apart from a few moments when my energy was low as my body adapts to the plan – on the whole its been better than Week 1. I am however sore….walking hurts, rolling over in my sleep hurts, brushing my hair hurts! On the positive, my skin and hair is shining like it hasn’t in months and I am sleeping like a baby!!

The girls and I have had a great training week and apart from taking a little bit too long to do our weights (promise we will get it right this week Bainy!), we are enjoying the routine and the program. Bring on Week 3!

Just wondering if anyone wants to share what their regular menu plan? In need of some breakfast ideas?? I’m eating alot of eggs….

Wow it’s already week 5, time flies when your having fun!!!
So Week 4 bought on alot of new challenges for me as I had to travel interstate for work for 3 days. So I rang ahead to check if there was a gym at the hotel and there wasn’t, so I spoke with Darren and he wrote a “in-room” program for me. That was fun!

The hardest part was dealing with the meals, as I couldn’t exactly take my tupperware containers loaded with my daily carb intake. So I phoned the people conducting the course and they arranged for me to have salads and other options when the remainder of the group had sandwiches. I think I was the envy of the other girls attending the training who had to eat premade sandwiches for three days.

I did get a few chuckles when throughout the day I would pull out a bag of nuts or a protein bar. The most asked question is “what is the green stuff your drinking”?, yep I also took my vital greens with me.

Temptation was at my fingers tips with mints and fantales sitting on the table in front of me, but I resisted, yeah to me!!

So in a nutshell whether your at home or travelling you have to be organised, and then you won’t break. The personal satisfaction you get, from sticking to your game plan, and perhaps taking out the competition is better than any high , that you’ll get from a chocolate bar, or a hamburger.

So….just did Day 1 of Week 5 and I can barely move my arms or legs. Darren said, “The next 4 weeks will make or break you”. I wonder if Day 1 is too early to be broken!!!! I can’t imagine going any heavier on weights or doing more reps. This next 4 weeks is really going to be a test. That being said, a change was definitely in order – despite getting stronger and lifting heavier weights – I found myself getting “used” to the program which probably isn’t a good thing. So tomorrow I will do Day 2, let’s hope the pain isn’t as bad as Day 1!!!

Wow it’s already week 5, time flies when your having fun!!! So Week 4 bought on alot of new challenges for me as I had to travel interstate for work for 3 days. So I rang ahead to check if there was a gym at the hotel and there wasn’t, so I spoke with Darren and he wrote a “in-room” program for me. That was fun! The hardest part was dealing with the meals, as I couldn’t exactly take my tupperware containers loaded with my daily carb intake. So I phoned the people conducting the course and they arranged for me to have salads and other options when the remainder of the group had sandwiches. I think I was the envy of the other girls attending the training who had to eat premade sandwiches for three days. I did get a few chuckles when throughout the day I would pull out a bag of nuts or a protein bar. The most asked question is “what is the green stuff your drinking”?, yep I also took my vital greens with me. Temptation was at my fingers tips with mints and fantales sitting on the table in front of me, but I resisted, yeah to me!! So in a nutshell whether your at home or travelling you have to be organised, and then you won’t break. The personal satisfaction you get, from sticking to your game plan, and perhaps taking out the competition is better than any high , that you’ll get from a chocolate bar, or a hamburger.