What's around the corner?

I'm on holidays.  Well, more correctly, I'm on annual leave, which is the universally allotted time for coming up with all kinds of brilliant (?) ideas and committments...

like...

changing my blog.

To be honest, I'm a bit bored with writing about weight loss.  It's past tense.  The weight has gone.  Those crappy habits which saw me pile on the poundage over the past 20 or so years have gone.

So I'm not Making Rae Lean anymore.  But I am still Raelene in the making...

It's been how long...?

I had that nagging feeling in the back of my mind that it was due time I updated my blog, but I didn't realise that four while weeks had passed by.

It's not that I've been too busy - although work did heat up in December, wedding plans kicked into high gear and that even that happens toward the end of this month always adds a little extra crazy.

It's not that I've been "bad" - I'm still eating brilliantly, sticking to the exercise program and my head is in a great place.

It's not that I've gained weight - coz everyone does in those first few weeks of muscle building on the Lean & Strong program.

I just haven't had anything much to write.  Life is good.  Life is great. But there's nothing new in that.  Every day is like that.  And I really doubt that anyone would want to read about me gloating on how wonderful my life is.

Every single day I pinch myself.  Literally.  I'm 3 months away from marrying my best friend.  We have full control of our own lives.  Great careers.  A beautiful home.  Purposeful, happy, loving children.  Two furkids that we adore.

Everything is in balance.  Uncomplicated.  Great.

See why I haven't been posting??

For the sake of consistency, I'll update my weight;




Current Weight: 66.0kg
Last week:      65.9kg
Week's loss:    +0.1kg    
So far:        -31.0kg



Even that has remained constant.

Happy Christmas to anyone that does read this!  Make good choices, and be prepared to unleash an even better 2013 :)

Oh baby give me one more rep

Doo doo doo doo dooo doooooo dooo, oh baby give me one more rep.  (New Maroon 5 song, in case you didn't get it)

4 days of round 4, and 4 days of working out exactly to plan.  L.O.V.I.N.G. it.  It's like my whole body is alive.  And sore.  But so so alive.  every muscle group has been through it's paces, and so far they've all responded beautifully.

Barbell squats with 25kg on board.  Chest press 20kg.  Shoulder press with 2 x 8kg dumbells.  12 months ago I never even imagined that I would be able to do this; strength, fitness, confidence.  And now I'm completely devo when the workout is done.  More gym!

I had to buy myself weight gloves - I know, what a wanker - but the weights were tearing my man hands apart.  They made getting a decent pace on the rowing machine not such a chore either, so they're here to stay.

Today's warm up was on the rower, which I now love, with 1 minute intervals.  My slow is still around 2:30 per 500m, but my fast was tipping below 2:00.

We also do a few pyramid sets.  Today's were upright row with barbell. 12 reps @ 10-12.5kg, 10 reps @ 12.5 - 15kg, 8 reps @ 15-17.5kg, 12 reps @ 10-12.5kg.  I went for the top end today, and just managed to pull through the full number.  But what I did notice is how much easier the last 12 were compared to the first 12.

Heaps of triceps fun too, including;

3 sets of 8-12, too.  Owie.  But this is the goal.  Could my battle-weary body be that tight and toned in just 11 more weeks?

It seems the program follows a pattern of; Monday Legs (Quads & Calves), Tuesday upper body (Back & Biceps), Wednesday Cardio & Core, Thursday Legs (Hammys & Glutes), Friday upper body (Shoulders and triceps).  And week 2 is a repeat of week 1.

Can't wait to see how much I've improved next week!

Weigh In - R4 - Week 1

And just like that we're straight into another round of 12wbt.  Probably my last?  We'll see.

Round 1 was all about regaining control over my food, especially the whole planning and shopping in advance.  Finding some confidence in the kitchen.  Getting up the courage to start exercising post surgery.  Weight loss happened, but so did so many other aspects of my life.  It just happened, you know?

Round 2, well, I thought I knew it all.  No need to follow the plans; nutrition or exercise.  I'll just do my own thing.  I lost some more weight.  Not a huge amount.  And although I consolidated my habits, I was definitely not "cured" of my fat tendencies   And my comfort zones were pretty tight.

When round 3 rolled around, I debated with myself at length about whether to re-sign or not.  Obviously I did, but in doing so I took the time to re-set some goals and got serious about the fitness parts.  Food was still good, even though we didn't follow "the master plan".  But my great discovery was Lean & Fit, and in particular, running.  I stuck pretty closely to the schedule up until a little back twinge in week 8 curtailed my activities a little.  Again, I lost little weight - mind you I was well under my first two goals by this time.  But I found strength, and speed, and endurance.

So we're in round 4.  I've avoided the free weights area at gym like... a Carlton supporter in the last quarter when down by 10 goals to Collingwood would remove his jersey before walking past the Pies fans.  Bad analogy, but you get my drift.  It's Thursday today - day 4, and every day I've followed the fitness schedule like my life depended on it.  No cutting corners.  No extended breaks between sets. No freaking out about whether people are watching me, or if I'm doing it right, or blah blah blah.  I'm just doing it.  And loving it.  But my weight is increasing...



Current Weight: 65.9kg
Last week:      65.0kg
Week's loss:    +0.9kg    
So far:        -31.1kg



... which I'm hoping means that I'm gaining muscle.  And hungry!  Man, I could just eat all day long.  All good stuff, but so much food.  Loads of protein; lean chicken, broccoli, nuts, yoghurt.  Still sugar-free too - only 8 days to go!  Can't see me rushing out to buy a cake on December 1st though!

A golden goal

I don't know where to start this post, and I'm really quite emotional even thinking about beginning...

I think I've said it before, and if so it's worth repeating anyway.  The best thing about 12wbt, this "journey" that I've been on is the people I've met.  The like-minded, positive, encouraging, amazingly inspiring people.

There's a group of us that have been together from the start.  The originals.  The round 1'ers.  They hold such a special place in my heart, but I'm going to single one out.

One of these ladies set herself a goal.  A HUGE goal.  The Eureka tower stair climb.  88 floors.  At the time she set herself this target she was really just beginning her own transformation, and I'm not entirely sure whether she thought she could actually do it.

She believed she could, so she did.

And I'm so incredibly proud xx

Out with the old...

Round 3 is done... gawn... over!

Here's how I went;

Not really much movement in the weight loss stakes, except for week 12 really;

And measurement wise I don't have much to report.  But my fitness tests were a bit :)

The strange thing is that my body has visibly changed in these 12 weeks, but it doesn't show on any of these indicators.  Plus I'm fitter, stronger, healthier (like A LOT)  than I was back in September.  So much so that I've decided to tackle my fears front on with an attempt at Lean and Strong - here on in referred to a L&S.

Round 4 kicked off today, and it was a goodie!  I followed the exercise program to the letter and really enjoyed the different sensation of being muscle fatigued rather than just buggered.  Got the weekly shop done after my working weekend away.  And went for a 9km walk in the late afternoon just to stretch out my legs and soak in some sun.

Nutritionally it was a great day too.  It started with the usual bran, fruit, yoghurt and LSA.  I've ditched the banana now too, and find I stay fuller for longer without it.  Morning tea was a home made protein snack.  Lunch was a berry protein smoothie post workout.  Afternoon tea, some celery with almond butter and a hand full of soaked almonds.  Dinner - well it's Monday, and that always means Salmon Stir Fry.  Yummest.  Meal.  Ever.  And to finish the day off I had some pineapple and pear with yoghurt and cinnamon.  I didn't count my calories, but my guess would be that it came in around the 1350 mark.  Oh, and water... easily 2L today, but it's not something I normally struggle with.

It's all easy when you're having a "work from home" day.  Tomorrow could be a little more challenging to fit the workout in.  But I'm organised.  My fridge has snack size steamed chicken and broccolini packed up and ready to go.  The weeks meals are all planned, purchased and hassle free.  I've just gotta get my ass into that gym.

I've also been thinking a bit about goals and the need to come up with some...  but thats a job for tomorrow!

Still sugar-free too, just in case you were wondering!

Weigh In - R3 - Week 12

Three rounds down!

I can clearly remember that internal debate over whether to sign up or not for my first round.  Would I stick to it?  Would I be able to do the exercise?  And now at the end of my third round, I can scream the answer loudly and proudly, YES!




Current Weight: 65.0kg
Last week:      67.2kg
Week's loss:    -2.2kg    
So far:        -32.0kg


As seems to happen on the last weigh in of each round, I've met my goal.  My third goal to be exact.  There's still a little bit of weight in a couple of places.  And usually when I have a huge week like this it's followed by a quick rebound.  But that's okay.  It's all part of the weight management tidal changes.  I plan on riding the waves for the rest of my days.

Oh, I'm still sugar-free too.  It's been a challenge the last few days as the pre-event stress is tightening big time.  Still haven't had a coffee.  Still haven't eaten a packet of chocolate coated raspberry bullets.  Still am choosing to be kind to my body rather than loading my insides with even more stress caused by crappy food choices.  On Sunday afternoon when it's all done, I'll quiz the man and see if I've handled the stress better or worse than normal this year.  But will he be honest??

The major up-side of this event being over is I can go back to reading my nutrition texts.  I wonder if I can fit some formal study into my pretty jam packed lifestyle?

So from here it's on to another round of 12wbt.  Do I dare attempt some weights on the Lean & Strong program?  Hmmm.  Maybe!