Once Upon a Time....

Once Upon a Time...

There was a young girl who dreamed of marrying the man of her dreams, dressed in a most beautiful dress of all the land. Everyone would come to celebrate the event with this girl as they were happy to see her so happy with love and joy. Everyone would stare at her as she walked up to her prince with cordial delight, they would all comment 'Oh my isn't she the most beautiful beauty of them all'...

Now back to reality.. hah

Ever since I was a little girl I was in search for the man of my dreams.. some dark handsome doctor was the type of man I had decided I would like to marry at aged 3.... lol

He's not a doctor but he is dark, handsome and the most amazing man I have ever meet in my entire life. I am so blessed to be marrying my best friend, my hero, my love, and the person who has always supported me in what ever I would like to do with out any hesitations.

And I know he loves me for who I am, thick of thin.....

Yet I never expected to be this 'thick' for my wedding which has been one of my main motivators for the 10 week challenge. I want to be the princess at my wedding not the pumpkin :)

Week 4: Day 3

Week 4: Day 2

Week 4: Day 1

Week 3: Day 7

Week 3: Day 6

Week 3: Day 5

Week 3: Day 4

Week 3: Day 3

Broccoli Soup...

So.. plain old broccoli is starting to get a bit boring! so I bought myself a heap of mushrooms and broccoli and started to make a little 'what ya call it broccoli soup special' lol! Just finished cooking it and then blended it all up in the mixer and put into little portion size tubs for the morning. Fingers crossed it's edible! If it tastes any good tomorrow I'll post you the recipe here.

Had a really good day, I'm feeling really good about myself and I'm feeling so positive about all the new changes in my life... My work pants are getting bigger on me! and also my face feels fresher and I look a lot more 'alert' and healthy!

'Ally' a girl I meet at the gym today who is doing the 10 week challenge ( and also won the last challenge at the gym) commented on my appearance as well.. saying I look more fresh and healthy. This new lifestyle is not only good from the weigh loss perspective but flushing the impurities through my skin with the perspiration... is obviously helping my appearance too :)

Was booked in for a new personal trainer tonight a step up on my training, would like to do 2 personal training sessions a week if I can make it! Tonight I was training with Ryan.. went well.. he introduced some new leg lunges while pressing weights up above your head as you come up.. yip that was hard! lol

Water: 2.5 Liters
Exercise: 10 min fast power walk on the treadmill, 30 min PT session with Ryan.
Work out Energy Level: 8/10
Mood: Determined!
Encouragement: While I was working with Ryan today on the treadmill I got a MASSIVE cramp in the back of my leg.. I thought it best to power on and try to walk it out.. no matter how painful. and it was - but it worked! I feel really good that I was able to push myself through the pain... mind over matter and determination!

Week 3: Day 2

Week 3: Day 1

Week 2 : Day 7

Hot pants...

While I was at mums place I was trying on some of my old clothes that I had packed away to see if any of them fit me now...

My favorite denim jeans shorts ( but not as short as kylie's hot pants thank goodness! lol) which previously I could not get the zip up... now comfortably fits!

Today it was a bit hard with my diet, especially around people who are eating cake, ice cream and lollies.. hah temptation plus! But I convinced myself that that cake would taste disgusting... and it worked.. I stayed strong! :)

Water: 2.5 Liters
Exercise: -
Work out Energy Level: 4/10
Mood: average
Encouragement: My old jeans

Week 2 : Day 6

EAT PRAY LOVE....

Went to the Sunshine Coast which was miserable and practically flooding all weekend. Stayed with my family while my fiance is away in Egypt. (He had to suddenly go back home a few weeks ago as his mother was terminally ill and needed emergency surgery.)

I 'had' planned to do some exercise or swimming.. hah ummm but instead spend time with my little sisters Alana & Renee, aged 12 and 9 years. Also had a girls night our with mum which was nice, we went to the cinemas and saw 'EAT PRAY LOVE'.. and made me want to eat Italian! lol

On the positive side... MY BUT COULD FIT IN THE CINEMA CHAIR! & it didn't hurt trying to squeeze it in between the hand rails... very happy! lol yay!

Water: 2 Liters
Exercise: -
Work out Energy Level: 5/10
Mood: Good.
Encouragement: bum fits into seats.. lol

Week 2 : Day 5

Good day at the gym, trained mid morning with Anthony... Did really well and pushed myself really far. It's really hard work! as I was reminded by my PT trainer.. lol nothing comes easy especially when were talking kg's lost.

Even did some running on the treadmill which I was hesitant to do and didn't think I would be able to.. I feel allot more confident now in myself and my abilities seeing that I can push myself that little bit further to pick up a good pace to run. (ps when I say run I kinda mean fast jogging :P)

I also did my strength test for the challenge. I did about 20 (girl) push ups in 1 minute and then about 6 seconds in the plank position... which almost literally killed me.. I think I have a hernia now. lol

Water: 2.5 Liters
Exercise: 20 minute walk around my local area + 30 min training session with Anthony my personal trainer from PURE health club
Work out Energy Level: 6-7/10
Mood: Really good!
Encouragement: 3 people supporting my blog... ( ok so... It's my fiance, my mum and my best friend.. lol thanks for being so awesome! ) x

Goals...

"It's not what you loose it's what you gain"- Kassi Isaac

While I was at the gym tonight I was focusing on a quote that was written on the wall. Yet I do not totally agree with the version... so I modified it! I think it's more inspiring to 'gain' something than to 'loose' something. flipping it around from feeling you have 'lost'... to you 'have more of.. or been rewarded'. When you loose weight in general and eat healthy their are many things to 'gain'... General health! ENERGY! Encouragement, Recognition, looks, motivation, respect.. and much much more!

Sharing with you a picture I found on the internet of a girl who I'm visually setting my motivation and goal towards. She's a size 14, not skinny yet toned and healthy looking... this is my goal! I hope to gain it! :)

Week 2 : Day 4

And there is more...

Its quite funny actually.. just when you think you had it as painful as it gets... you wake up in the morning and the pain has just migrated! My upper stomach muscles and thighs were really sore today!

But even thought I've only been doing this for less than a week I feel at least 120% better.... I actually feel 'Alive' I feel more excited about life in general I have even noticed an increase of brain function? (hahah) I'm a really creative person and I love coming up with new ideas/ concepts/ resolutions. It's great having the time to be with myself while I'm training and just think about all new things... getting the blood pumping to my brain has been fantastic... I'm on fire! Can't wait to share with you some fantastic ideas I've been thinking up.

Still struggling a bit with the water intake.. I think sitting down all day behind my computer working doesn't necessary create much of a thirst or mental need to drink water. But I am conscious of it all day and I try to take a mouth full of water every now and then. I bought a 1.5 litre bottle the other day which is great to keep track of the water intake.

Also just having two glass fulls of water as soon as I wake up to kick start my system.

Water: 2 Liters
Exercise: 30 min treadmill
Work out Energy Level: 6-7/10
Mood: yep still sore, feeling good with all the good food and exercise
Encouragement: Sharing this blog with friends on facebook I've had some really positive feedback and it's great to have the support! thanks guys! u rock.

Week 2 : Day 3

Sore....

Today I woke up so sore! My thigh muscles and upper abdominal muscles are in pain BIG time. Every step I take when I place my leg down to walk I can feel each fibre of my muscles ripple up my leg as the contract to take another step... intense!

By about mid morning I began to love this pain... When you feel this way its a good feeling a little addictive.. you actually feel 'alive' and that this tool (your body) is working and you can feel it working. I decided to embrace this pain and enjoy it.. When you start to get allot fitter you recover quicker and have less pain as your body gets stronger... so I'm making a conscious decision to enjoy the journey while I can!

Today I also caught up with a dear friend of mine Tam, she recently got accepted into a Broadway scholarship in New York City starting next year! Very exciting for her! Tam is such a dear friend I love her to bits, and is so talented and inspiring... We are going to do a heap of walks around the city starting Wednesday week.. should be great and It's awesome to have a good friend support you like this. :) Love ya hun xo

Water: 2 Liters
Exercise: -
Work out Energy Level: 6/10
Mood: Sore! bit tired
Encouragement: Met up with a fantastic friend of mine Tam shes always inspiring and motivating we are catching up Wednesday week to walk along the river and do some stair work!

Week 2 : Day 2

Tuesday.

Still adjusting to waking up earlier and coordinating my time so I can catch the 230 bus into work. Started the day with a blend of oats, one small banana, stevia and water. Was quite appetizing, and allot better and easier to eat that traditional porridge!

(Second day of the lean and clean diet program.)

Water: 2 Liters ( trying to get to 3.....!).
Exercise: Sculpt Class, Pure Skip Class + 10 min on Treadmill + Ball exercise.
Work out Energy Level: 9/10.
Mood: Feeling a bit tired.. I think adjusting to the new diet.
Encouragement: Just got a little mention from Pure on their face book page! Feeling pretty good.. and It's good to see others encouraging you and noticing your efforts. :)

Oh Marilyn...

Growing up I loved to watch the old fashioned black and white movies, especially the ones staring Shirley Temple and Marilyn Monroe. I remember when I was four years old watching Marilyn in some gorgeous tight fitting ball gown and which deliciously hugged her big round voluptuous hips! It was then I swung my legs up on the back of the lounge resting my head on the floor facing the television. I Then placed my hands in the prayer position and squeezed my eyes shut and begged god to make my hips big and round just like Marilyn's when I grew older...

Moral to the story.. Be careful for what you wish for! Please I take this back.. make them skinny and small!!! ( perhaps I need to hang upside down again for this to come true...? lol)

Which brings me to my challenge... the 10 week weight loss challenge....