New blog!

I've combined both my existing blogs into a more all-purpose one and imported all my old posts:

https://worklifefamilyfitness.wordpress.com/

Come and join me!

Why the new SKINS ad campaign is sexist

What's wrong with this picture? Not a whole lot, you might answer. Think on it for a second, and now look at this one:



(photos are screencaps from the Skins website)

Still confused? I don't have a picture, but apparently the new print ad that accompanies the new women's line, running in magazines like Women's Health and Grazia, highlights our need to "hide our wobbly bits".

Whoa, hold up a minute. Am I buying shapewear - you know, those 'suck it in' undies and slips to smooth all those horrible wobbly bits and make us look more like a "perfect woman" without actually being any healthier - or am I buying performance compression sportswear? (Confession: I own shapewear. Part foolish vanity, partly my propensity to bloat due to food intolerances. However, that's beside the point in this particular case.)

If I were a man, obviously I'd be buying Skins for the improved recovery and purported performance benefits. Since I'm a woman, I obviously don't want or need strength and performance, I simply want to look better.

Actually, I am a woman and I am a runner, and I did buy Skins to improve my recovery times from long runs and tough workouts. Since I DO want strength and performance, I guess I'll be looking for a different brand of compression sportswear to help me meet my goals.

This is NOT my week!

Last week was my week. I smashed my workouts every day, and ate well. Of course I did, I usually have three children and suddenly had none for a week!

I missed them, but this week they are back home, and back to school, and it's coincided with a busy week at my main job, and deadline rapidly approaching for my second job. Ho-hum. Not going so well.

On the bright side, we're heading down to Margaret River for a family weekend tomorrow afternoon - a 10km fun run on Sunday with some fellow Perth Crew members, and staying in lovely chalets until Monday morning, where the kids can feed animals and run about. Should be lovely!

Shopping!

My partner and I went and bought this tonight - it has 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12.5 & 15kg dumbbells on. I am not lifting the heavier ones yet, they are for him! We also got a compact incline bench that can easily be put away, so I should at least be able to improvise some decent workouts at home now (we have a barbell and plates, plus adjustable dumbbells but the dumbbells are such a pain to adjust when you're trying to do various exercises that require different weights), for days when I can't get to the gym.

After five weeks I'm finally starting to get the hang of doing weights, of feeling like I belong in the gym and in the lean and strong program. Yay!

Life is good.

I'm feeling happy today.

Another person told me that it was my pictures and my journey that had convinced them to join 12WBT. I am doing this for me, not for others, but it is gratifying to be thought of as a success story. I know this program works and I love it, but I'd be just as happy if someone said they had started exercising or started eating healthier food - I want all my friends to be healthy and happy*.

I'm sitting here in new size eight work pants, which fit without being uncomfortable. In January this year, when I sat down in size 14 pants it was uncomfortable and tight. My body has changed THAT much, and it's not just about a size on a tag, it's about no longer being bloated and constantly uncomfortable, it's about no longer having a waist measurement that puts me at increased risk of heart disease and other health problems. It's about being able to move around and lift things, like my children, without pain because I have a stronger core. (Although "without pain" is not always the case, I worked my triceps yesterday and they are a little sore today! That's good pain though, not pain that indicates a malfunction within my body.)

It's nearly time to finish up for the day and head to the gym where I am going to smash my legs and even brave the Smith Machine for the first time (that big rack thingy so I can put more weight on my barbell squats without taking my head off).

Life is good.


* Just a note - this does not always mean thin. You can be thin, unhappy and unhealthy.

(So I wrote that and didn't have time to post it before going to the gym. At the gym, I actually asked one of the trainers how to use the Smith machine, because I couldn't work it out on my own. This is HUGE for me. Smashed the set workout and then walked home for my extra cardio, had to walk fast to make it in time for the live feed!)

This is my week

... generally, if I am not blogging it is not a good sign! It usually means I feel guilty about something. ;)

The past few weeks haven't been that bad though; just really busy. I have been struggling badly with sugar cravings recently, so I'm going to try taking chromium, which is supposed to balance out your blood sugar and help combat sugar cravings.

Last week and this week are school holidays here in Perth. Last week was pretty chaotic childcare-wise, and this week was going to be worse, because my mother, who usually helps me out a lot with childcare, is interstate for the week. In the end we have shipped them off to the in-laws for the week, down past Mandurah, which is a couple of hours south of here. MIL and I don't see entirely eye-to-eye parenting-wise, but I know she loves the kids and will take good care of them and they will have a great time. I miss my babies, but that does mean this is MY week - I can get to the gym before or after work instead of having to rush through a workout in my lunch break. I can go for a run in the morning without having to factor in getting the kids ready before getting to work. I can cook just for hubby and me instead of working around fussy children. And okay, tonight we are going out to eat because we can. Vietnamese :) I am thinking fresh rice paper roll entree & something with heaps of vegies for a main. Nom nom.

Mini-challenge

So one of the awesome Perth Crew members threw down the challenge - 4km in 20 minutes using intervals. I like a challenge, and I can argue that this kind of running is not incompatible with Lean & Strong - it builds strength!! I hopped on the treadmill at the gym today, I'd done my maths, figured 1 min at 10 / 1 min at 14 would do it. Of course, it doesn't work that way because of all the time spent changing speed. I worked this out after 2 and a half minutes when I hadn't gotten to 0.5km yet! I bumped up the intervals to 14.2/11.2. 11.2 is about the pace at which I can run a half-marathon so I figured it was manageable.

DONE!

Today was core day on the program and I didn't neglect that either, did an Abs Butts & Thighs class before the treadmill, with lots of planks and crunches.

I am sore, but I can do this. I AM doing this!

Hard.

I went hard today; I had to do the workout in two parts but I got it all done. Mostly in the gym this morning before a quick meeting at work - followed by a site meeting with the supervisor for our renovation, since I'm not even supposed to work Mondays. THAT'S another story, major stuff-up and huge stressor.

I had to leave the single leg calf raises and ab circuit for home, which isn't ideal but isn't really a huge problem as they don't require equipment. I struggle to get more than 45 minutes in the gym due to fitting in work, school drop-off and school pick-up, and I can't let it become an excuse again.

Today was legs (quads and calves) and at least on these ones I can make the bottom end of the recommended weight range!! When I did back and biceps last week it was quite pitiful, really. I'm sure I'll see improvements in 12 weeks :)

I think I will be sore tomorrow.

Food-wise, this week hasn't been perfect but it has been good. Lots of good choices, and some better-than-they-might-have-been choices ;)

In more exciting news, I have booked flights and accommodation for the Round 3 finale in Sydney. The Perth Crew are coming over in force!

12WBT Blogging Challenge, Week 1

The blogging challenge is here, on Kath's blog.

1. Describe yourself in 25 words or less. You can get straight to the point - or bring your creativity into play.
mum to three, being me
running half-marathons, now
lifting some weights too.

(in haiku form!)

2. What brings you to 12wbt? Getting fitter? Losing weight? (Gaining weight??) Are you first timer, a repeat offender??

This is my third round, I've lost most of the weight I want to lose - I was at goal but to be perfectly honest I put on a kilo and a bit since Round 2 ended. This round is mostly about getting stronger, physically and emotionally.

3. Why do you blog??

I suppose I like to kid myself I am interesting! I like writing, and online communication is a huge part of my life. My 'other' blog is about the creative 'domestic' stuff I get up to - but unfortunately I only seem to have time for updating one.

4. Who is your biggest inspiration in life and why (doesn't have to be weight loss)

I think my mum is pretty awesome. She had a career before children when that still wasn't really the done thing. Then she had and raised four children in a country on the other side of the world from her family and most of her friends. She breastfed us all to toddlerhood, again, in an era where this was not encouraged, giving us the best possible start to life. She has always believed in and campaigned for causes - not always the same ones as me, but always with a good heart and with compassion. And now that I have young children, she helps me out a lot because she remembers what it was like to raise children with no family support.

5. What things in life bring you the most joy?

I'm sure it's a cliche, but my children. A sunny spring day before it gets too hot (this time of year!). A good run. Hearing joyous news from friends (a friend had a baby boy this morning after losing a son last year soon after birth. She and baby are well and this news has made me smile all day).

6.What do you think your greatest challenge is going to be this round?

Being consistent. Consistently going into the weights area of the gym and learning/doing new exercises.

7. What are you most excited about 12wbt?

Pushing my boundaries and uncovering some muscles!

8. And what scares the pants off you?

Same as the previous question, haha.

9. Tell me - right now - today - how do you feel about exercise in no more than 10 words

Happy, grateful, tired.

10. Complete this sentence - in 12 weeks time - on the last day of 12wbt I am going to be feeling ____________________

stronger than I thought I was.

Ready, set ...

... GO! Tomorrow morning, anyway.

It's a busier week than normal for me as I'm working extra hours with my Business Development Manager in town from Sydney. It's also my birthday on Tuesday! Workouts are diarised - all squeezed in somewhere. Food plan is adjusted for the nights I need to cook something quicker. Lasagne was made tonight, for example, for eating a couple of times during the week, and I'm about to go boil my eggs for lunches.

I did my fitness test this afternoon and FINALLY got past stage 0 in abs, well, I think I did. I worry that maybe I was swinging my arms a little to get momentum?? But it's definitely an improvement and I'll take it. 1km time trial was 4:09, which included dodging half a dozen groups of wedding photography, the downside of running in a notoriously picturesque park on a beautiful spring day. Pushups 32, I definitely need to work on that and hopefully Lean & Strong will see that figure increase significantly.

Determination

I think I should ask my kids for some lessons in determination. Here they are at our school athletics carnival today - E1 (eight years old) winning her 400m and A (five years old) winning his 50m. I'm quite proud to say they swept their individual events - 100m, 200m and 400m for E1, and 50m and hurdles for A. Plus their faction won!

They're always competing against each other, but they manage to be really good sports when it comes to their friends and classmates, luckily. Competitive spirit is good as long as it goes hand in hand with sportspersonship.



Bonus pic: I am so envious of E1's running stride!! I never was a sprinter.

My four favourite fitness apps

OK, so I'm sure there are hundreds out there that I haven't even begun to explore, but these are my favourites.

Honourable Mention goes to My Fitness Pal, I don't use it for anything related to exercise but it is a useful way to check or keep track of calories consumed on the run (not literally :P) I love the 12WBT meal plans because I don't really need to do that unless I'm eating out - I know I have my three meals taken care of, and as long I stick to two 150-cal snacks, or three 100-cal snacks, I know I'm fine with my calories for the day.

Fourth place goes to Couch to 5k. This is the app that originally got me running last autumn before I slacked off over winter. It is great for beginner runners, and completely idiot-proof. You can set your own playlist, pause, see how long you have left. It's interval training simplified because it tells you when to walk and when to run. I will add that when I 'graduated' the program I was not running 5km, for a beginner female runner 5km in 30 minutes would be a pretty good pace. But that's not really important; I was running for 30 minutes straight and from there it's quite simple to build distance. There's also a Bridge to 10km app to go from 5 to 10, but I just did it on my own.

Third place goes to 100 Pushups, of which there are many out there essentially the same. Like C25k, you gradually build up your push-up reps with the idea you'll be doing 100 by the end. I'll update you on my progress at the end of the round. Again - simple but effective, takes the thought out of the exercise. JFDI!

Second place goes to an old fave, RunKeeper. It tracks how far I've run, it tracks my pace, I can link it in to the website to graph my progress over time. I pick which playlist I want, there are coaching options, the list goes on! Downside is the GPS often plays up around water or under lots of trees, but overall, it's brilliant. I can post straight to Facebook and show off my long runs too.

And my brand new favourite is the Nike Training Club app. If you, like me, need to work out at home sometimes, but just can't get into DVDs or want a change, this is a brilliant app. Even Michelle Bridges's DVDs, I just don't enjoy that much. With the NTC workouts, there is so much choice. You can choose the focus of your workout, the length, the fitness level. And then I can pop on the TV or some music while I do it. It also has video instructions for all the exercises if you need them, and requires minimal equipment. Absolutely love it and it's going to make my life easier this round!

What was I thinking?

I thought it would be a good idea to put my hand up for Amelia Burton's Twitter '#CrackofArse' challenge this week, that is, training between 5 and 7 each morning.

OMGWTFBBQ I am tired.

But in all seriousness, it WAS a good idea, because this week is crazy busy and I need that motivation to get me up in the morning so I can actually fit my training in.

I have a second job that I do from home, for a magazine, and it has a monthly deadline. Today was deadline and somehow even when I try to do things well in advance, I always end up having heaps to do the night before. So I was up until 2 and then up at 6 to train. Tonight I should get to bed a *little* earlier, but not much.

I will say, though, that for most of the day I felt better than I would have if I'd gotten up at 6.45 and NOT trained. I know this, but I manage to forget it over and over again ;)

12WBT on a budget

I hear a lot of "it's so expensive to eat healthy" in general, and then at the start of 12WBT, "it's so expensive to eat this way/cook these recipes". It is entirely possible to eat healthy, 12WBT-style on a family budget (or a single person's budget, but my tips probably don't work so well for that).

I spend about $200 a week on food and groceries for two adults and three big-eating children. I know plenty of people who spend less, but I do believe this is below the average. About half of what I buy, on average, is organic, and I try to buy ethically where possible (free-range chicken and eggs, no Nestle as I boycott them due to their shoddy marketing of formula in third-world countries, no slave chocolate - oh wait, chocolate is not 12WBT-friendly anyway, LOL).

Here are some of the tips that work for me:

1. Learn what meat cuts/types you need, and look out for them marked down or in catalogue specials. I always pick up lean beef mince, turkey mince, chicken breast, kangaroo, whole chickens, lamb cutlets and lean pork if I see them on special, as these are all used in 12WBT recipes or in my own 12WBT-friendly recipes.

2. If you have the freezer space, buy in bulk and freeze in suitable portion sizes for your family's needs. This works for meat - many good butchers will sell cheaply in bulk - as well as 'luxury' items like frozen berries. Additionally, many, many things can be frozen to reduce waste. Try freezing sliced ham, Weight Watchers bacon, ricotta cheese, milk, chopped fruit, chopped vegetables, bread, Mountain Bread wraps - www.mountainbread.com has free delivery and is much cheaper than supermarkets - homemade stock, cooked shredded chicken breast, the list goes on.

3. Do not buy fruit and vegetables from the supermarket! The quality is usually poor (long storage times, produce selected for appearance instead of quality/taste) and the prices expensive. Find a good local growers' market, fruit and vegetable shop, or even better a farmer's market. Buy as fresh as possible for eating raw, but if you're going to cook with it (e.g. soup or stews), keep an eye out for marked-down bags of produce. I get my produce delivered from www.aussiefarmersdirect.com.au due to the time and convenience factor, and the prices are comparable to the supermarket. Occasionally I go to the bulk overstock markets at Canning Vale and purchase big boxes of various fruit and vegies that I either cook up, or chop and freeze.

4. Learn about seasonal fruit and vegetables. Joy of joys, it is spring and I can finally eat fruit other than apples, pears and oranges - strawberries and cherries are coming into season! The recipes on the program don't always use seasonal fruit and vegetables, so learn to substitute. If you're new to cooking, ask on the forums for suitable substitutions.

5. The substitution rule can be applied in other instances too. Smoked salmon too expensive and you got lean ham on special? Use the ham. Have an open packet of something needing used up? Either substitute it into the day's planned recipe, or switch the recipe entirely.

6. Get to know the recipe index. Tight week? Shop from your pantry - take a look in there and work out what recipes you can make with what you already have.

In addition to these tips, remember that if you're anything like me, you'll be spending less on takeaway, dining out, and processed foods than you were before. That helps me when I want to buy, say, some cherries, which at $12.98/kg sound expensive, but I can buy a good few cherries for the price of a chocolate bar - and a lot fewer calories.

Potato and leek soup (Thermomix) - 196 cal

I love, love LOVE potato and leek soup, but I always figured it would be quite high in calories (and perhaps it usually is, depending on the recipe). I cobbled this together after looking at various recipes tonight and it's delish at under 200 calories without bread - a slice of bread would bring it in at just under 300 calories which would also be good. Not for accelerator days due to the potatoes of course, and for that reason I'll probably have it for light lunches during the week instead of dinners.

It serves three because that's the quantity that fits in the Thermomix. Calorie contents are taken from Calorie King.

Potato and leek soup

Ingredients
--------

1 large leek, chopped roughly (include as much of the green as possible)
1 small onion, halved
500g potatoes, peeled and cubed
10g olive oil
700mL water with 1tbsp vegetable stock concentrate (if you don't have this, use 720mL vegetable or chicken stock)
120mL milk (I used full-cream, you could use skim for even fewer calories)
Freshly ground pepper to taste


Method
------

Place leek and onion in TMX, chop approx. 10 second on speed 7. Add olive oil and saute for 5 minutes at 100deg on speed 1.

Add potatoes, water & stock concentrate. Cook for 20 minutes at 100deg on speed 1.

Add milk. Turn dial from 1 to 8 for approx 30 seconds or until desired consistency.

Season with pepper to taste.

If you don't have a Thermomix, chop the onion and leeks more thinly to start with. Saute with olive oil in a pan until soft (10g is 2 teaspoons). Add stock & potatoes, bring to the boil, simmer for a while (LOL, I don't know, I never make soup on the stove top anymore, 30 minutes?). Remove from heat, add milk and blend with a stick blender or in a blender jug/food processor until desired consistency.

That's me!!

That aside, I need a good talking-to. I've been waaaaayy off track since Sunday. Not sure why, but tomorrow is time for some 'spring cleaning'. 12 days until Round 3 starts, but I don't want to have an extra few kilos to lose again.

First Pilates class tomorrow

Tomorrow I'm going to my first Pilates class at the gym. Ever since I started 12WBT I have been saying I'll go to Pilates, but haven't. I think I really need personal Pilates reformer classes, but I just can't find a time and location that works for me to commit to regularly, so I figure this is better than nothing. My core is not quite as hopeless as it was six months ago, anyway. I'm trialling a lunchtime class, 12.10-12.50. I'll see how I go!

City to Surf

We did it!! Fellow Perth Crew member Karin and I completed the City to Surf half-marathon this morning. Firstly, I have to say Karin is an absolute rockstar. She originally had this race as her goal, but injured herself towards the beginning of Round 2 and had to have six weeks off running. She hadn't trained towards this (though had still been running approximately 50km a week), and made a last minute decision YESTERDAY AFTERNOON to register. Karin absolutely smashed it in 2:08, I take my hat off to her!

I was absolutely ecstatic with my unofficial time of 1:59.35 - that's from my RunKeeper app which I started as I crossed the start line. The race clock said 2:01 as I crossed, but I'm hoping like mad my official time scrapes in under the two hour mark!! 5-6 minutes quicker than my first half-marathon three weeks ago, and this is a much tougher course. If you're from Perth or have visited, you may know it's pretty flat. I think this course manages to find every hill in the Perth metropolitan area ;)



The 12WBT Perth Crew were represented in every distance today from 4km to the amazing three women who completed their first full marathon. We are all achieving much more than we ever thought possible, and I don't think we would be there if not for Michelle Bridges and the 12 Week Body Transformation. I know I wouldn't.

Half-marathon prep

Carbs for dinner: check

Picked up race kit: check

Filled bottles for Fuel Belt (one water, one electrolyte drink): check

Clothes laid out: check
- shoes
- special race day socks (toe socks! Love 'em)
- leggings
- Perth Crew singlet (of course)
- sports bra
- comfy undies
- old too-big jumper to toss at the start line (City to Surf do 'Flick your Kit' so I can donate this and it saves having to pick up clothing at the finish, will need a jumper for the walk to the start though)

Accessories laid out: check
- Fuel Belt
- armband for iPhone
- Halo headphones-in-a-headband
- visor for when that sun hits

Fuel belt pocket loaded: check
- $20 note (for emergency coffee/food/drink purchases afterwards)
- credit card (for same, or for emergency taxi ride home if necessary - hubby can't pick me up)
- front door key
- GU chews (carbohydrates + caffeine) - these work for me, I don't think I could take a gel but these are good.
- mini protein bar for afterwards - yes, these are the ones that were given out at finale, love them.

Timing chip threaded onto shoelaces and tested for comfort: check

Breakfast planned (wholemeal English muffin with jam): check

Playlist programmed into my iPhone: check

And running is supposed to be simple!!

Two days until my second half marathon

Only two days to go until I run in my second half marathon, in the Perth City to Surf. It's a tougher course than my first, lots of hills, and the sheer scale of the race is a little intimidating. With that in mind I don't think I'll beat my previous time of 2:05.34 - but I am excited because it's such a feel-good event simply because it's so huge! There's a really good atmosphere in runs like that.

Thankfully I don't have much time to be nervous!! I have to say my arms and legs are still sore from the weights workouts on Tuesday and Wednesday, maybe I should have left those until next week.

Once I'm done with this run, I won't be doing anything over 10km until the end of the year, as I'm focussing on strength in this round.

2nd session and I'm hurting!

Owwww. Today: pec fly, chest press, shoulder presses, tricep pushdowns, tricep dips. Followed by a quick 20 minute run around the oval where my children were having soccer training. I feel like I can hardly walk!!

I am loving the buzz on Twitter, Facebook and the 12WBT forums around this round. It is going to be BIG. Even the Perth Crew is getting BIGGER (but smaller!) I love the social and community aspect of this program. I have made friends that I never thought I would, from all walks of life. I have more confidence to put myself into new situation.



A photo of fellow Perth crew member Ginny and me with Michelle Bridges.

First weights workout at the gym

I did it!! I actually went into the weights section of the gym and did a full work-out. Legs, back & biceps today, according to the program the PT made up for me (and tried to talk me into PT sessions, but I'm too cheap to pay for them on top of gym membership, 12WBT and the running course I've signed up for). I'll do these programs - the other one is for other muscle groups so that I can alternate - until Round 3 officially starts and I get my Lean and Strong programs from Mish.

I did leg presses, squat jumps, lat pulldowns, seated row, bicep curls, rotating curls & finished off with some leg raises and crunches - plus warm-up and cool-down on the treadmill. Go me. I think I'm going to be sore tomorrow, but I will go back in and do the other muscle groups, JFDI.

Finale wrap-up

Welcome to Brisvegas! The weather on Friday afternoon and on Saturday was perfect; quite a change from Round 1 finale in Melbourne. I must say that by Friday night I was absolutely wrecked though. I did the red-eye that left Perth at 1.30am Friday morning (was meant to be 12.30am but was delayed, gee that was fun waiting around Perth's boring domestic airport at that hour), so I got into Brisbane at about 8am. The hotel room wasn't ready until 2pm, so I walked around Brisbane all day - down into the city, across the bridge to Southbank, along Southbank to the Goodwill Bridge and then through the Botanic gardens. Very pretty - but I was tired!! I grabbed about half an hour's sleep before going in to the Hilton to help pack gift bags for a couple of hours. A not-very-quiet dinner with the Perth Crew and then an early night for me.



Saturday morning: workout time. I had heaps of fun helping to register people and matching up a few faces to usernames, before it was time to get sweaty. I did advanced and I really felt like I kept up better than I did in Melbourne - possibly because there were very few sit-ups!! My number one goal for Round 3 is going to be do a damn full sit-up.

It was just really fun and uplifting; such a good vibe around the group.



Saturday night: party time. I need to get some better photos off other people's cameras, but this is me and the absolutely gorgeous and inspiring Noala Gotsis (aka Tink on the forums). She's a Perth girl and just so lovely, I can't wait to see her hit her goal weight this round because I KNOW she's going to do it.

Overall it was such a huge weekend but so much fun. The winners - and everybody I met - inspired me so much, and I can't wait to hit Round 3 hard.

Lean and Strong

To be honest, I am sh*tting myself. Me and weights, just don't mix. Running, I can do. I hadn't done it for years, but my body and my mind did remember how to do it. I have never been strong; unless you're talking about my baby-carrying muscles, which are finely honed (I can still carry my 18kg three-year-old on my back all day in a good carrier).

Last round I said i was going to do it, but chickened out because I really wanted to do that half-marathon instead.

I need to break down my comfort zone. Running is great, but I need some muscles to underpin the cardio. On that note, today I visited the gym behind my work, and I am going to cancel my current membership and join up there. It is small, and hopefully I can become comfortable in the weights area. Also classes like Powerbar and Abs Butts and Thighs run at lunchtimes.

HOWEVER, because I'm a sucker, I've also signed up for this running course. Haha! It's aimed at a 10km run i'm doing in October, I would like to beat my personal best and get below 50 minutes, but also I haven't had any running coaching since I was in high school and it will be interesting to get professional advice.

If I update this blog regularly, is anyone actually going to read it? If a tree falls in the forest ...

Fired up for Round 3

I'm sorry, my poor neglected blog.

What have I been up to? Working! New job, trying to establish that routine, not just for me, but for the whole family. Business trip to Sydney. Chicken pox for each of the three children.

Somewhere in there - actually, the day of my flight to Sydney - I managed to run my first half-marathon. Official finishing time was 2:05.34. I am absolutely stoked with that time!

What is next? I have signed up for Round 3 of the 12WBT. This time, I am doing Lean and Strong. I've met my running goal, I can put that on the backburner for a while. I have a couple of 10km runs lined up, but L&S is my focus this time.

Before that I have the City to Surf half-marathon in 12 days, and the finale party weekend in Brisbane THIS WEEKEND! I'll see some of you there :D

*pout*

I just wrote a long post about my mini-milestone for Week 8 (21km!!) and my new running shoes, and somehow Blogger lost it! Grrrrrr. Will have to come back later.

A challenge for next week

Awesome personal trainer and fellow 12WBT Ambassador Michelle Bryant set us Perth women (& men, I believe there is one male crew member and then a few husbands/partners who sometimes tag along) a challenge this week: burn 1000 calories every day. This was actually the catalyst to my brain-spew. Ugh. I couldn't do it!!

Once I was looking at things a bit more rationally I thought, okay, I really can't do it this week, but NEXT week my kids are going to be away for at least half the week. It's school holidays here and they're going to stay down at the beach with my in-laws to give my mum a break from watching them all the time while I work. So this is my challenge for next week, starting on Sunday with City to Surf hill training.

Everything I've read suggests that when training for a long race, you should peak distance-wise two weeks before the event, and do shorter distances from there on in. With that in mind, I did 16km last weekend, I'll aim for 19km this weekend and 22km the one after (the lake I run around is approximately 3km around), and then taper. With the kids away, though, I'll actually be able to go to the gym and mix things up a bit. Maybe some classes ... can't do the morning ones as I work early, but with no kids there's no reason not to do a 5.30pm class. And some swimming, I've missed swimming. I have size 10 bathers that FIT!! The 14s were gaping a bit, heh.

Only four weeks of this round left; in five weeks I'll be getting ready to go to Brisbane for finale. I'm still undecided about Round 3; while I've reached my goal weight I have definitely NOT reached my toning/strength goals. Hmmm.

Anniversaries

Three years ago on July 7, my third child was 'due'. Due dates are not an expiry date, people. On July 29, she was born. The whole three weeks of being post-dates was an emotional rollercoaster for me. The birth itself, was traumatic. That's not something I often admit to people outside my 'birthy' circle, because many people just don't get it.

"But at least you have a healthy baby."

Yes. Thanks for reminding me. I know that. People lose their babies, or have very sick babies/children, I know that. Two good friends of mine have lost babies at full-term in the past few years. THEY would never say this to a woman who has had a traumatic birth, because they 'get it'. My pain does not diminish yours, nor does yours diminish mine; they are separate entities and we are different people on different journeys.

'Healthy' is sometimes a misnomer, anyway. Yes, she was alive and she is certainly strong and healthy now, but there was damage caused to her and to me by her birth and I don't think that should be ignored just because we are both alive.

My two over-riding memories of that night are being helped on to the hospital trolley in the ambulance bay and lying there thinking, not again, I've failed, and of the hours I spent alone, being prepped for theatre (E2 had been born, she was in the SCBU and I was haemorrhaging), and later after I came out of theatre, entirely alone and crying because I did not have my baby in my arms.

I have discovered this week that yes, this does still bother me, three years on. Anniversaries are hard; birthdays are not always joyous occasions. I celebrate my daughter's life, but I am sad inside. I am struggling with the emotions, with feelings of failure, loss of control, and being not good enough. I am eating too much, and not exercising enough.

I write this not to scare those of you who haven't had children - I do NOT want to be one of those people who take joy in scaring mothers-to-be with horrible labour/birth stories - but to tell those of you who have had children, have experienced trauma and stuffed it down because your baby is "healthy", that you are not alone. Be angry, I find this is at least a more productive emotion than guilt and sadness. Or, like me, at least recognise what you are feeling, and allow yourself to deal with it.

Half-marathon

I signed up for the WAMC Perth Half Marathon. 7 August. Holy crap.

My training has been so all over the place due to everything else going on in my life (I know!! Excuses!!) but I have to believe I can do this.

New PB!

The GPS kept skipping parts of the race, dammit, that was 10km and measured as such by the WA Marathon Club. My previous PB for 10km was 58 minutes, set back in April. Can't wait to see what my official time was! I went out a bit harder than usual, and the last 2 kilometres were bloody hard work, but I did it.

Soooo, half-marathon goal is under 2hr20min. Can I do it? Watch this space. I am contemplating doing the WAMC half in early August in addition to the City to Surf - the WAMC one is a much flatter course.



Here are the wonderful Perth Crew women who also competed in the Women's Classic today. It was pretty much personal bests across the board, either for times or distance. We ROCK! This was an out-and-back course, so it was really awesome to encourage the other 12WBTers as we passed each other and then at the finish line.

GOAL

My original goal weight was 65kg. This week I weighed in at 64.2kg! That makes 17.1kg since beginning this journey less than six months ago ... and what next? Keep going, follow the program, maybe after the half-marathon in August focus more on strength rather than cardio.

Moved.

We have moved next door for the duration of the renovations. Problem is, we had very little notice, it had to be this weekend because next weekend my partner will be away. My father got suddenly summoned back to the UK as his father is unwell, so he couldn't help much (he is still here but has a million things to do before he leaves tomorrow). I really hope moving house counts as exercise because it's all I did this weekend!

With that and being sick I haven't run in almost two weeks. Tomorrow morning it is going to rain, but I am going to run. In fact, there's a severe weather warning but the worst shouldn't hit until 9am and I'll be back by 6.45am to get ready for work. I'm just going to be doing intervals so I won't be far from home anyway, should it turn scary out there.

I am looking forward to it! Then the 10km Women's Classic on Sunday. I also have a job interview on Wednesday afternoon, so cross your fingers for me! Permanent part-time would be so much better than this temp/short shift gig.

Sorry to be away so long

Sorry, my poor neglected blog.

I've been sick since Saturday, I suspect tonsillitis, but just as I thought I *might* have to go to either the doctor or the naturopath and get something heavy-duty to kill it off, it turned the corner. Now my throat is almost better, but I am still wiped out because I did not rest while I was sick. No time to rest!!

I've been getting our old house ready for sale, and getting this one ready for renovations, which are now scheduled to start on July 7. Believe me, this is exciting! Demolishing an old lean-to extension, converting the current kitchen to ensuite and laundry, and then building a new main bathroom, living, dining and kitchen area. With good luck, it might be done by Christmas. (Don't worry, I'm not holding my breath.)

Anyway, I haven't exercised since a kick-arse session on Saturday morning - except for all the walking I do by necessity - but I've been eating clean, in fact probably not eating quite enough because my throat hurt so much, and lost another 700g at this week's weigh-in. That puts me 300g from my initial goal!

Week three blogging challenge

My greatest support.

Easy. It has to be the Perth crew. My partner tries, I love him for it, and my mum is a huge support in lots of ways that are indirectly related to my health and lifestyle, but this group of people are just amazing.

I don't make friends easily - online is easy enough but too often that doesn't translate to real life or true in-depth support (I do have one other group of friends I met online who are similarly awesome when it comes to parent-type support). The Perth crew are loud, but they listen. They're proud, of themselves but of others in the group too. They offer congratulations when I do well; hugs and just the right balance of tough love when I don't do so well.

We're such a diverse group of people too, in age, occupation, fitness levels, outlook on life.

I would not have made it this far without them.

Three awesome things about today!

1. Last night I booked my flights to Brisbane for the Round 2 finale workout and party! They only cost me $119 all up; the return flight is paid for with my credit card reward points, and the flight to Brisbane was only $107 with Jetstar, which is an absolutely phenomenal price for Perth->Brisbane (it's actually less than my flights to Melbourne cost).

2. This morning I ran 14.5km, a distance PB for me. I did 13.9km at the Run for a Reason, but had only ever done 12km on my own before - as any fun-runner will know, you kind of get pushed along by the momentum of the other runners and pushing yourself on your own is harder. The speed wasn't great (average pace 6:30/km) but i wanted to make sure I could do the distance. Next week for my Week 4 mini-milestone, I will go a bridge further and aim for about 19km, preparing for the half-marathon in August.

3. After my post-run shower I sneaked a peek on the scales and they say 65.2kg!! That's only 200g from my initial goal, and a loss of 16.1kg since the start of this year.

*doing a happy dance*

Not again :(

My partner has to go interstate for work again next week. That is now every second week for the past six weeks. All the disadvantages of a FIFO spouse - single parenting for a week - without the advantages, given that most FIFO workers are actually off work for the time they are home. He isn't, plus most FIFO workers based here in Perth are only flying within the state, whereas flying to Brisbane from Perth crosses timezones and takes five hours.

It makes it really hard. The food side, okay, I should be able to control. But the exercise ... it means no morning runs, no gym,and that by the time I get three kids to bed on my own and clear up the detritus of an evening's sole parenting, finding the energy to exercise indoors is really hard for me. Not to mention evening swimming classes and two evenings of soccer training & walking the kids back on my own.

Sorry for the whinge, it's just really getting me down. But it's life, I'll have to deal with it. At least next week isn't deadline week like last week was.

Weigh-in day

1kg down this week. That brings me within 1.6kg of my initial goal. Eeep!! Today I bought a size 10 bikini online, really hoping that fits me for my progress shots because the two-piece I've been wearing since the start, is way too big and has GONE!

Miss Almost-three woke me a few times in the night, so I didn't manage to get up for my run, BUT my partner finished work earlier than usual and came with us to soccer training this evening, so I managed to squeeze in a 5km run around the park where the kids train. 442 cals ... add in the walk to and from work this morning & the ab exercises I'm going to do tonight, and that's ok.

Tomorrow: weights. Friday: to the gym for the first time in ages, hopefully work is quiet and I get out early so I have plenty of time before school pick-up.

This week's resolution

Do ab work EVERY night. Even if it's ten minutes in my pyjamas, which is what I just did. Easy, doesn't need equipment or much space. No excuses.

I can feel my abs regaining some strength. I can do planks! My new Facebook profile pic is me doing a side plank and managing to smile at the same time!

This one:

The equipment

For a sport that's basically free, running sure is full of ways to spend money.

My shoes are about a year old, so I need new ones, according to the experts. I should also have a second pair for cross-training. I have a heart rate monitor. I recently bought a Halo headband with speakers instead of annoying earphones that fall out when I run. I have Skins for cold-weather running and recovery. A Belkin armband for my iPhone so I can listen to music and use RunKeeper. I just got a FuelBelt for carrying water & electrolyte drink when running long distances. A running vest for cold mornings.

It's ok. None of it is truly necessary, I'm spending money on a hobby the way I have spent it on hobbies in the past (I do wish I could make the time to get back into sewing and knitting!) It's just kind of funny.

I'm back!

I didn't actually go anywhere, but my mind was a bit absent. I am BACK on the horse, though, and managed to smash a Super Saturday Session yesterday. Here's (rather poor-quality) photographic evidence:



5km run to Kings Park, followed by a Pain in Kings Park training session with the fab Perth 12WBT crew, followed by the 5km back home. If you can't read the number underneath my heart rate, it says 1501 calories - I got to my gate and it was 1480, so I kept running until it hit 1500. *grin*

Today I overslept after being woken up half a dozen times overnight by various children, so missed my planned outing for the morning, but I am going to do a DVD once they're in bed. Tomorrow is a public holiday in Perth, and I've got a fun run planned with my elder daughter, hopefully she is up to it as she has been a bit under the weather. 3km, not a lot for me, but a lot for her - she's only eight.

Lightbulb moment

Please tell me I am not the only person who can tell other people something over and over, without really getting it yourself. Again and again, I tell fellow 12WBTers, if you're injured or sick and can't exercise, eat clean. It's 80% nutrition.

This past week I have hardly had time to exercise - I know that is an excuse but this week it is actually a pretty valid one. Hubby is away for the week working, I had credit card fraud to deal with (including making loads of phone calls to stop payments and then again today when I got the new card). I've worked every day at my day job, plus my deadline for my work-from-home job has been brought forward from next Monday to this Thursday. I've been job-hunting for a new job to replace my temp day job, because the hours/conditions are not really working for me. I'm planning a house move in a few weeks. The kids have Thursday and Friday as pupil-free days. I've got a cold. So I can't go to the gym because I'm working during all the creche hours, and I can't run outside because there's no-one to watch the kids (don't have a running pram for the littlest), there's no space to do much inside my house AND it's been raining. It is just one of THOSE weeks, and thankfully won't be repeated.

BUT, since I was stressed, I ate crap. Now I am just stressed AND bloated AND I've had a weight gain. If I couldn't exercise, why the heck didn't I take my own advice and eat clean?!

Bit of a lightbulb moment for me. I could still have lost weight this week, if I'd eaten right.

Alastair does burpees

First, a note: I have had it pointed out to me that, for a post that was supposed to focus on my strengths, I indulged in a lot of negative self-talk in my previous post. Mea culpa. Just let it be known: I am awesome, hehe. I am actually in a better place with regard to self-esteem and self-belief than I have been in many years!

Now, for the fun stuff. When we were at the park watching my eight-year-old have soccer practice this week, Alastair (five years old) asked me if we could do burpees. Really, what can you say to that?



When he stops and shakes his head, it's because he didn't do it right. I think he is his mother's son.

After this, he sat on my back while I did push-ups (22kg of resistance!) and when I said I couldn't do any more, his response was: "Just one more! No, wait, three more!" Thanks, Alastair.

Week 2 Blogging Challenge: My Greatest Strengths

Thanks, Kath, for this week's timely blogging challenge: my greatest strengths.

I remember being asked at my very first job interview, what I thought were my greatest strengths. I couldn't answer it well then, I've bluffed my way through answering it at many job interviews since, and I still struggle to answer it honestly.

I will stick to strengths that are relevant to the 12WBT and living a healthy life, because you probably don't need to know that I can spot a spelling error from a mile away, am a nit-picking grammar nazi of a copy-editor, and can sew a nice straight seam on the sewing machine. Or that I make really good coffee and can do multiplication and addition in my head. Just so you know, though, I can do all those things!

1. Endurance and persistence

In school, I always wanted to be really good at a sport. I wasn't terrible at sport, but I didn't have an overwhelming talent in any one area. I took up cross-country and longer-distance track running (1500m) because I worked out that most people simply couldn't be bothered keeping on going; while sprinting relied heavily on natural talent, I could at least make it to interschools in longer distances by showing up at training and just outlasting most others.

Same thing applies now. I'm never going to be at the front of a pack in a running race, but I can just keep on going, burn those calories, run distances that some people think are really awesome, by pure grit. There's no elegance in my running style, just one foot in front of the other.

Like the story of the hare and the tortoise, I'm quite happy to plod along slowly, as long as I do what I need to do.

2. Not being strong

Sounds silly, yes? I think that when you are very good at something, it can be difficult to help others and empathise with their struggles. In high school, I was a maths whiz. Almost everything we studied just came so easily to me - yes, I was one of those annoying people who could not study hard, and still get good marks (unfortunately this didn't carry through to university, but that's another story). Quite often, I would be asked to help friends with the coursework and it just didn't work! Because it came so easily to me, my explanations of the process were inadequate to them, and we got frustrated with each other.

In some ways, the same applies to fitness, weight loss, and so on. I am ashamed to say that I used to take part in fat-hatred. I always thought it was okay because I "wasn't saying I hated the PERSON", but it's not okay to make fat jokes, poke fun at people for gaining weight, ridicule overweight people struggling to run along the footpath. God, I feel ashamed writing this, and I hope anyone reading who is overweight, has been overweight, and particularly those who have been overweight all their lives, do not hate me for this. I could run, and I was thin, therefore people who weren't thin and who couldn't run or were unfit, were obviously lazy and doing something wrong.

You'll all be pleased to hear I've gained bucketloads of empathy since then. Of course, the cynics among you could argue that it's only because I put on excess weight myself, but I prefer to think it's just part of growing up. I've had struggles with various other issues along the way, and so not being strong (physically, at least. I have become stronger mentally) has made me a much nicer and kinder person. I just wish I hadn't spent a number of years of my life being an arsehole!

OK, I'm done. I could only come up with two! Guess I'm not that good at this yet.

12WBT food ...

... is bloody brilliant.

Salmon, ginger & greens stir-fry the other night.



I have tried canned salmon (hated it) and smoked salmon (could take it or leave it) and wasn't too keen on trying the salmon fillets, but it was really good! Less fishy than canned, if that makes sense, the texture was great and the ginger really set it off.

Roast vegie salad with chickpeas and dill yogurt dressing last night. I took the photo before I drizzled the dressing on, silly me!



I loved this one, and I roasted the vegies before picking the kids up from school, so it was a super-quick meal once I'd done that part. We have swimming class on Tuesday evenings and don't get home until 6.30pm.

Day 1

Goodbye 'girly' hand-held weights (2kg?! Pfft.), hello, stealing my other half's dumbbells and barbell, hehe. Though he did request I put the dumbbells back to the 15kg that was on there before instead of my pissy 5kg. He can't run 14km, though :P

Day 1, Lean and Strong program. I did 84 push-ups today, 48 of them on my toes (not all at once, as part of supersets). I did my fitness test as well: 3.27 for my 1km, it bloody well burned though!

I think I'll be sore in the morning.

Celebrate the small achievements too

Tonight I went out to dinner (end of round 1/beginning of round 2 celebration with the awesome Perth Crew!), and I ordered a chicken dish, was supposed to come with chips and salad. I asked for no chips, please. They brought it out with chips. I ate three or four of them, but the old me would have eaten the whole plateful. I didn't; they sat there staring at me and I DID NOT EAT THEM.

Hurray!

Note to self: set goals higher

Today I did a 14km fun run. I hadn't managed to get to that distance in training, and I hadn't even run 10+kms in a month. I thought, 2 hours would be okay. 1hr45min would be good, I'd be happy with that.



So, yeh, I kind of smashed it. I'm on a bit of a high right about now. Although I am still wearing my Skins because I can tell I'm going to be sore tonight. The next fun run that I do, I might have to go up a start category and not start in the slowest one!

One year ago I ran the 4.5km course at this same fun run. I'd just completed the Couch to 5k running program. It took me about 30 minutes. After that I basically didn't run again until signing up for Round 1 of the 12WBT at the start of this year. Now, a year later, and after only five months of training, I can run three times as far, and significantly faster. Thank you 12WBT!

Suddenly the half-marathon goal in August looks very achievable.

I have to say, one of my favourite parts of the run was the way my playlist - despite being on Shuffle - managed to pull out the right songs at the right time. One section of the run was through the freeway tunnel. It was very warm, and I'm not convinced the air quality was okay; I was struggling. Just as I saw (literally) the light at the end of the tunnel, 'Beautiful Day' came on. Later on, at about 9km, when we came off the freeway and started running along the river, which felt like a turning point to me because I knew where we were going, 'I Can See Clearly Now'. And at 13.5km, just about to run into the WACA, 'Firework' by Katy Perry, just in time for a sprint to the finish line. Awesome.

If you can dream it, you can achieve it.

Kath @ The Courage to Start had this great idea of a blog ring/blogging challenge. A post on a certain topic each week.

I want you to paint me a word picture. Pretend today is not today. You are not nervous, or overwhelmed or apprehensive or excited about the next 12 weeks. You are none of those things because you have LIVED it! You are at the finish line!

So, it's the end of August. I'm hanging out in sunny Brisbane with the awesome Perth crew. The group workout has gone brilliantly. This time I smashed the pushups and situps, and had the confidence to introduce myself to some more 12WBTers I knew from the forums but hadn't met IRL.

Now it's time for the party. I have the most awesome dress, being a size 10 is great because everything comes in that size! I don't feel the need for suck-it-in underwear because I finally have abs again after doing my crunches every night.

My before and after pics go up on the screen, and I feel awesome because I DIDN'T flake out at the end of the round this time. I'll treat myself to a few drinks tonight, but nothing too big because I'm running my first half-marathon next weekend and I'm aiming for a good time.

Once again I am just so happy for everyone and their exciting transformation journeys. I am happy to be me.

Things I learned in Melbourne

I've come a long way, emotionally and physically. 13 weeks ago, if you'd told me I would have flown to the other side of the country and hung out with people I (at that point) hadn't met, at social events with SEVEN HUNDRED other people, I'd have laughed.





I also learned I have a long way to go. Couldn't keep up with those full push-ups in the advanced group, and my arms are WEAK.



And I learned Melbourne gets very muddy.

Round 2 - are you ready?

I wasn't originally going to do Round 2. I thought one round was enough; let's be honest - I'm a cheapskate!! But the last few weeks of Round 1, where I stuffed up, brought home to me that I do still need to be accountable. I need the support, and I need the virtual butt-kicking :P

Plus, my strength, and in particular my core, has a LONG way to go, and the gym and/or personal training sessions aren't feasible for me at the moment - so 12WBT it is.

My goals for this round:

- lose the last 3 and a bit kilos to get to my original goal weight. Re-assess this goal based on how I feel. It was always a bit of a stab in the dark as it's been so long since I was a shape I was happy with.
- run a half-marathon
- go hard in strength training
- get beyond stage 1 in the abs part of the fitness test! Oh God, I will throw a party the day I can do a full sit-up.

My back will thank me. It is better since I am carrying less weight around, but it still really bothers me sometimes, and I know I need that strong core to support my back. I've had three large babies - the girls were 4.3kg each, Alastair was a piddly little 3.1kg - and my abs still have a good one-inch gap, almost three years after my youngest was born.

Final weigh-in

The 12 weeks are just about up. I would have loved to end on more of a high - I feel surrounded by people who have been absolutely blitzing it the last couple of weeks and I haven't managed to. In the end, however, I am very pleased with my results on the program.

Final stats:

7.7kg (10.12%) lost in the 12 weeks.
12.9kg lost including pre-season.
27cm lost in the 12 weeks (my waist is now NOT in the increased risk for heart disease range).
A lot learned!

I will be back for Round 2. I wasn't originally planning to, but I decided I still have enough to learn to make it worthwhile. I'm only allowing myself one more round, though. I WILL nail it this time, I will create true and lasting habits.

Right now I am going to focus on Melbourne. Two sleeps to go!

Struggling

I'm tired of this up/down, up/down. I wouldn't say I'm yo-yoing but I'm definitely having a tough couple of weeks. So much so that I feel a bit of a fraud being an Ambassador on the forums, and going to Melbourne this weekend :( At the same time the social anxiety is really kicking in and I'm scared I'll fly over there and end up not leaving my hotel room.

Skins!

I'm examining my excuses again, for one of the Round 2 pre-season tasks.

Round 1 was over summer and autumn, but the autumn has been so warm here in Perth that heat was definitely an issue. Cold, not so much. "I'm cold" and "I have a cold/sniffly nose/cough" are definitely going to come up in Round 2, though. I actually started to run last summer and autumn; I trained for a 4.5km run in May 2010 and completed it. Soon after that I caught a cold and the mornings were so cold that I completely fell off the wagon.

I will NOT do that again! It's not as if we have snow, ice or sleet here, 'cold' mornings are still a few degrees Celsius.

In gearing up for this round, I'm taking the weather and my excuses into account. Today I bought a pair of Skins compression tights, yes, they are quite expensive at $127, but (a) they are full-length and (b) because they assist blood flow, they'll keep me warmer.

I also have a couple of long-sleeved running top in a 'dri-fit' sort of fabric; when I get warm I just push the sleeves up, or I could wear a singlet underneath and tie the top around my waist as they're so lightweight.

I have a headband that will cover my ears.

I'm pretty set, although I'm considering gloves - I wanted to find a long-sleeved top with extra-long sleeves and thumb-holes, but no luck.

Maintaining good eating habits will boost my immune system, and I'm prepared with natural remedies to take at the first sign of a cold. If necessary, I'll use cold and flu tablets; I don't need to worry anymore about drying up my milk because Evie's weaned, and while I don't like relying on pharmaceuticals, if I just take them on the mornings I need to run it won't be so bad.

Lyrics of the week

From my new favourite running song, F***in' Perfect, by P!nk:

You're so mean when you talk about yourself; you were wrong.
Change the voices in your head; make them like you instead.
So complicated, look happy, you'll make it
Filled with so much hatred, such a tired game.
It's enough; I've done all I can think of.
Chased down all my demons, I've seen you do the same.

Pretty, pretty please, don't you ever, ever feel
Like you're less than f***n' perfect.

I've changed the voices in my head. Still working on chasing all those demons down :)

The proof is in the pictures

These are last winter's jeans. They fit perfectly as recently as December.


THESE are jeans I didn't even fit into last winter. They still fit ok with a belt, so I'm keeping them for now.

Today I got rid of a gigantic bag of too-big clothes. It felt good. Now I have space for new ones ;)

DITL 12WBT style

That's a day in the life, 12 Week Body Transformation style, if you can't decipher the acronyms.


I actually forgot to take a photo when the alarm first went off, had to go back and take it 7 minutes later!


Water and supplements to start the day.


The shoes are by the door, JFDI.


Other paraphernalia (iPhone armband, earphones, heart-rate monitor & HRM strap).


Ready to go. Long-sleeved running top because it's a little chilly, relatively speaking (it was about 8 degrees, but after the endless summer we've had here in Perth, it feels very cold).


This is what greeted me when I got out the front gate. After I literally ran into my neighbour walking his dogs. I had to laugh because my first thought was "what the heck is he doing up at this time??" when obviously I was just as crazy!


Back! Only time for 20 minutes of intervals today - luckily that fits nicely with a route around a few blocks, keeping to the main streets where it's well-lit.


Cooling down now.


Time to make brekky.


My best friend in the mornings.


Breakfast: porridge with berries, and COFFEE.


Time for a bit of computer catch-up while I eat.


Look over the to-do list.


Shower time.


And face, deodorant, teeth (you'll have to imagine my toothbrush & toothpaste).


Need a belt so my pants won't fall down (and these are jeans that didn't even fit last winter - the 12WBT works!!)


Interrupted by a sweet little girl, who gets carried to the big bed to snuggle daddy (note the artistic photography to keep daddy out of the picture, as he would not appreciate his sleeping self being broadcast to the blogosphere). Daddy will be getting her off to daycare and the bigger two off to my parents' house before he goes to work.


Evie's bag ready for daycare, and my morning tea ready for work.


Dressed - thank goodness we dress casual at work (I do back-office data processing for banks & government entities).


It's a bit cold.


Time to go!


The view out the front gate is a little nicer second time round.


Walking.


... and I'm here. Sorry, this is the carpark out front - I'm probably not really supposed to post photos of my workplace on the internet, so I won't!

Now imagine me inside for 3 hours because, yeh, no photos inside :)


Done! Walking home.


At my parents' house (next door to mine) to pick the big kids up.


We're home.


Washing on (that's a 10kg washing machine, LOVE it, means only one load most days now that Evie's out of day nappies).


Washing to fold.


And folded.


The organic fruit and veg delivery arrives (mostly fruit, I've still got quite a lot of vegies, and the kids go through that much fruit easily).


Don't forget to drink water!


Lunch time: leftover 12WBT-friendly kangaroo lasagne from last night, with mixed salad leaves.


Emma and Alastair waiting for the bus - we're heading to the shopping centre to watch Hop at the movies.


Here comes the bus!


I get a coffee so that I don't eat their popcorn!


On the bus home.


Running up the street to get Evie from daycare.


... and running back down the street with Evie in tow.


A quick stop at the playground (fully fenced so I can relax).




Home again!


Breakfast for dinner. Trimmed free-range bacon, scrambled organic eggs (no milk/cream/butter), organic baked beans, organic tomato, on a bed of organic rocket. Mmmmmmm, so good. The kids are happy too (except they don't eat rocket or tomato).

I stopped there, that was enough. You missed the excitement of the kids having a bath, their dad finally getting home, and getting them to bed, which at 9.20pm is still a work in progress!