Blogger Challenge Week 1 - Introduction

Introduce yourself?

Hello my name is Melanie – I'm about to get off the sidelines and get back into the river of life. So shedding the excess baggage that I've been accumulating for the past few years is on top of my list. I want to float in that river! (Or swim powerfully upstream if the urge takes me.)

Things about me – stay at home mum, of two gorgeous children, partner to a fabulous man. Embarking upon a home/ internet business idea with my partner, plus one of my own soon. 

Me- 2nd from the left-on Flute!

Love learning to play the flute, started learning the clarinet and am amazed at being brave enough to participate in a mini-concert band. Loooove it. 

Embarking on Velo Adelaide 35km

 I have recently got back on my bike, love the whoosh down the hill after the pain of getting up it. Cycling gives me such a sense of freedom and delight.

From the garden

 My garden is growing lots of delicious veggies, with a bit of help from me and a lot from the previously mentioned fabulous man. Making it even easier to cook healthy meals. (Running out of excuses me thinks.) 

Busy flinging other excess baggage that is weighing me down so I can hone in on the life I want to live, being, doing and having the things I love.  

Tell us why your here? 

So my plan is to let this program help me get over the line this time round, for me to really engage in the process and to participate with my fellow team mates via the forums, blogs etc. Usually I'm “Standing on the outside lookin' in. whao, whao...” I want to change that about myself and feel brave enough to speak up and speak out.

My line is to transform away another 8kg of extra-no-longer-required fat away. I've used my weight as an excuse for long enough. Fixated upon it, allowed it to inhibit me from ever feeling good about myself. I really want to get out of that rut, and I feel I'm on the way out from that mindset. Being healthy, fit, slim and active usually comes with a great mindset and a positive outlook. That's for me! 

Why did you decide to join round 2 of Michelle Bridges 12 Week Body Transformation? 

Mostly because I wanted to shift the excess baggage I've been carrying around for years and I discovered I just wasn't managing to do it all on my own. A friend of mine had done a round and was aglow with energy and vitality, so I thought I want some of that too. So here I am, my fourth round and ready to really kick it this time.

Alas my third round wasn't the success I had hoped for, however, I managed to tread water, so that is a success in that I didn't gain any wieght, so it gives me confidence that I will be able to maintain my wieght when I reach my goal.
I've continued with the Michelle Bridges 12wbt program as I have had success with it and can see the sense in what she is saying. Sensible stuff like watch the calories that you consume, eat a healthy diet, get involved in regular exercise. Its information that we already have and know but packaged up with support via forums, blogs, menu plans, shopping lists, exercise plans and the twice a week videos on Michelle. All of this keeps me inspired and coming back to the program. 

But most of all I'm looking forward to greater levels of health, energy, confidence and joy in life.

How have you prepared for the challenge? 

Well as I've been doing this for a few rounds alot of my preparation is in place and becoming part of my routine.

The biggest preparation has been mentally regrouping after a not-so-successful round. I need to acknowledge that I fell victim to my excuses and let some of the challenges I was facing due to a challenging term with my son get on top of my routines and allowed myself to slip back into old patterns. Wearing down a new and better groove takes time, so easy to slide down into the old smooth rut!
Other practicalities included

•  Sprucing up the guest room to create floorspace for exercising, particularly as we head into winter. (Not one for starting a jog in the rain.) 
• Putting all of the previous rounds mindset lessons on my ipod. 
• Updating folder of menu plan/ shopping lists.
• Updating folder of recipes.
• Creating a folder for exercise plan.

Week 1, Round 2, 2012 12wbt - Kicking it!

I've kicked off my 4^th Round of the 12wbt program with flying colours. I plan to allow that energy to set the scene for the next 12 weeks. Its great starting out with a few wins under my belt. In the past I'm often too busy playing catch up to actually get started on queue. I want to start with a perfect score. Fortunately I'm getting over that need to have every 't' crossed and 'I' dotted. This round I'm revelling in the energy of the start. Still need to to do a few things on the pre-season list, but I know I can and will get it done. Better being on the starting blocks on the right day this time.

So what did I do that's given me such a buzz?

1. Completed my start of round fitness test.
   (Properly measured out the 1km distance.)
   
   
2. Did my weigh in and measure.
   (Good to get these done for comparison, really helps to see the changes.)
   
   
3. Amazed myself by producing my first every Youtube movie. Okay maybe calling it a 'movie' is pushing it, but anyway I'm on Youtube.
   
   

4. 

   About to be Carrot & Basil Ricotta Wrap
   plus egglants to chargrill for Silvia's Egglpant Parmigiania

   Instead of assuming couch position at around 8pm, I was rattling them pots and pans in the kitchen getting my lunches organised and dinner orgarnised for the next few days.
   
   
5. Finally, got cracking on getting my blog up and running. Yippee!

What a way to start a round.