HAD TO POST!

GOOD LUCK RAE!

I am so excited for you I cant do any work! LOL

Here is a little clip of Lia (purple stripe) Kat (rainbow) and Bella (hot pink)- which was filmed exclusively whilst Rae was competing!!



ROCK AND ROLL YOU AINT SEEN NOTHING YET - YOU GONNA BREAK A SWEAT - ROCK AND ROLL!

Going it alone

Hi guys, as i am up to a new part of my journey, i have gone it alone with another blog:

http://embracelifenow.blogspot.com/

drop by and asay hi sometime.

kat

"I can trust my friends. These people force me to examine, encourage me to grow." -Cher

Well, whilst you're off tending to your abs I will be tending to my mind! 7 Days of Paul McKenna... bring it on!!

Will miss your sense of humour around here.... no one makes me laugh like you do!

Do prefer the phone calls though...god imagine if you lost your mobile... i don't think it owuld take me long to fly over just for some bella luvvin! xxx

thank you! what you do for me is pricelss, i am thankful for having been blessed with such an aweosme friend and am forever greatful our paths crossed!

BIT OF A REST / BREAK xxx

Hello all :-)

I know I havent been floating around blogland much lately - but I do try and read / post on your blogs when I can!!

All is going well - I have dropped body fat and am doing well in the nutrition and training department. YAY!

I just wanted to let you all know I am having a bit of a break from KATFIT - not forever - maybe just a few weeks. I am feeling probably the best I can ever remember feeling and just want to step away just for a bit - and its not because any of you smell!! lol.

I will still visit you all - but wont be posting here - so in the meantime BIG KISSES - SEE YA AROUND LIKE A COMPUTER VIRUS!! xxx

What a Day

How cool is it when things just go right!?

It seldom happens for me so i enjoy it when it does lol.

I am just so excited i have to share this with everyone - my arm is almost falling off through patting myself on my back!

My week has rocked! I have been so focused on my nutrition and oh so PREPARED - my new rule is make meals for next day at night after work - this happens before ANYTHING else and it has worked SO well for me. Also having some of Raes yummy chicken stuff tucked away is fantastic and so handy!

Drum roll pleeeeeeeease........ i have done ALL of my resistance and running this week - not one missed session!!!!!!! this is SO SO SO HUGE for me after the last few months .... I even prepared my food last night for tonight as i know there is a possibility that i may be going out to watch a band.... im on fire.... instead of focusing on other stuff i have just made it incredibly simple, my two main focuses are
1. Running
2. Nutrition preperation & everything just falls in to place! i'm not doing any '12' week countdowns any more... i'm just running - i have to make tihs for life and having a 'countdown' doesn't work for me.

I guess when one day i'm ready for a marathon i'll have a countdown of some description, but have to get myself out of the 12 week mentality.

I got an ipod nano yesterday for running so just had to load it up for my run this morning! I was up until 1 this morning stuffing around with it, when i woke up at half passed 5 my weary mind come up with all kinds of reasopns why i should stay in bed - however something from deep within made me imagine how i would feel after my run, knowing i had completed AEVERYHING for the week, i felt that good feeling and got straight out of bed.

I then went for a 50 min steady run and didn't stop once and had a smile on my face the whole way!

But wait it didn't stop there! I then got my period, which i know usually sux, however mine was 8 weeks late and i was starting to fret a bit..... so YEEHHAAA another point for Kat, things are on a roll, and to top it all off i put on a pair of pants i bought back home form my hols which were too small when i got here and today IM COMFORTABLY WEARING THEM.....go on try and spoil my day i double dare ya.... i cant think of anything that could knock me down today... i am officially on cloud #9!

I cant wait to e-mail my progress report to coach, for once i won't be ashamed of my week, i will be losing sleep sunday night being so excited to send it to him! Oh, and then of course i get incredibly helpful feedback, even when i've been bad, the obsessivness of my passed fitness life has gone, i am now just really enjoying sliding back into my routine!

Also, i've been away form typing for about half an hour - the hottest bloke i've ever seen was just in here - i let him sit at my desk to do some printing as my customer printer is broken - he had these piercing green eyes, HOT bod, gorgeous tan - and HE WAS SO NICE! omg, as i said my day is just peaking! The gods are happy with me!

I wish hed come back - that was some NICE eye candy! (and i don't usually ever go gaga over anyone! he just did it for me lol!)

an ode to my women friends...

A Poem for Females!!

I shave my legs, I sit down to pee.

And I can justify any shopping spree.

Don't go to a barber, but a beauty salon.

I can get a massage without getting a hard-on.

I can balance the checkbook, I can pump my own gas.

Can talk to my friends about the size of my a$$.

My beauty's a masterpiece and yes, it takes long.

At least I can admit to others when I'm wrong.

I don't drive in circles, at any cost.

And I don't have a problem admitting I'm lost.

I never forget an important date.

You just gotta deal with it, I'm usually late.

I don't watch movies with lots of gore.

Don't need instant replay to remember the score.

I won't lose my hair, I won't get jock itch.

And just cause I'm assertive, don't call me a bitch!

Don't say to your friends, Oh yeah, I can get her.

In your dreams, my dear, cause I can do better!

Flowers are okay, But jewellery’s best.

Look at me you idiot... Not at my chest!!!

I don't have a problem, With expressing my feelings.

I know when you're lying, You look at the ceiling.

DON'T call me a GIRL, a BABE or a CHICK.

I am a WOMAN.

Get it? You DICK!?!

Born To Try

Well, as i was saying yesterday I had a hard week, but i made it hard all on my own accord. I am not afraid to admit that i go through these little 'self hate/be awful to myself' patches...it's not an instantaneous thing... i think it all started by being on such a big holiday and letting things get out of control...it just kinda snowballed from there. I will write all this as there may be others out there who go through similar motions. I am not feeling sorry for myself, just trying to rationalise how such a strong willed person can slip back...it's like being on a slippery slope with grease on my feet...one step up two steps back bwahghh

One thing i have realised over the passed few days is how incredibly selfish i have been. I haven't even considered how my behaviour could effect the people who love me around me. When i get in to self destruct mode i don't seem to care about anyone including myself.

I almost come very close to losing the one person that means the most to me.... due to my selfish, unthoughtful behaviour. This has been the pattern.....since on holidays:
- no exercise and terrible eating lead to me feeling pretty down about myself...
- put on weight felt worsed
- didn't care about drinking as i'd put on weight
- drank to make me feel temporarily better - than felt crap so drank again....was too hungerover to run raddah raddah raddah... it felt appauling!

ANyway.... i thought this was one pattern i would NEVER EVER EVER fall back in to... it's just like the boling frog analogy though... sometimes you don't realise you're in hot water until it boils and then it's too late....and what pisses me off even more... is the only reason i end up in this predicament is that i know i have a heap of subconscious negative shit planted by adults as a child... then guess what one day you have to grow up and try and deal with it "normally' where's the instruction manual??!! So i have to try and tap in to my unconcious mind as this is where it seems to all start for me... negative self talk blah blah blah.... it just drives me nuts.... just when i tohught i'd beaten it i went backwards....

GOOD NEWS THOUGH have you ever just had one of those momens of realisation when your life changes in an instant....???!! it happenned to me last night. I have been VERY mellow over the last few days i have titled this phase of my life as "the healing phase" i am just concentrating daily on making myself feel good and being quiet and relaxed... last night i was working in my itunes list and accidentally clicked on Delta Goodrems song "born to try" (uhhmmm accidentally i say.... that's my story and im sticking to it!! :) anyway.... i started crying it was like i just needed to hear it...

yep i was born to try...have had to learn to love....the part i like best is "you gotta make choices....and give up things you like" ....it all just made my world complete... along with a couple of people whom i really respect saying a few things out of the blue to make me realise WHO I AM.... and i have been acting like a total jerk...

My friend Claire said to some girls the other day " yeah, you guys should go running with Kat, shes so motivating" this little voice inside my head kinda went "me ahh, hmm well....shit thats what she thinks of me, how cool, no one has ever said that to me before"

dan said "i love you running, it inspires me" and finally Bella said "when i tell my friends that you are this incredibly gorgeous beautiful 6ft tall....hmmm lol no she didnt say that, what she actually said was "when i tell people about you i tell them that you are incredibly honest and driven and that i feel that i can believe in what you say" ....

It made me think long and hard about why i am trying to be someone i am not happy being... what am i trying to do?? I have to be honest with myself now and start walking the talk.....the one thing that has been my saviour has been fitness.... it may have not been a perfect couple of weeks but it has been the final threads that has kept me hanging in there...

im running quicker, im getting fitter...im prepared with meals... i am coming back....and am never going to look behind me...

7 POWER FACTORS!

Every successful entrepreneur, company, entertainer or athlete has several key ingredients called 'power factors', that are crucial for playing and achieving at the highest level. Some people have more of one than another, and that's perfectly ok. Its your responsibility to take notice of what you have, what you can develop (strengths) and what you must manage (weaknesses). John Assaraf


The 7 POWER FACTORS:

1. PERSISTENCE

2. ATTITUDE

3. DISCIPLINE

4. VISION

5. PURPOSE

6. FOCUS

7. ACTION

This I do know beyond any reasonable doubt. Regardless of what you are doing, if you pump long enough, hard enough and enthusiastically enough, sooner or later the effort will bring forth the reward.
Zig Ziglar

WEEK 1

HEEEEEEEEEELLLLLLOOOOOOO!
I missed you guys! LOL!
Well - 1 WEEK DOWN BABY!

Woohoo! My week was S T R O N G!
NUTRITION:
Ok - so my nutrition doesnt change all that much from day to day - clean all the way with variations of lean protein and veggies. I ate pretty much 100% except for 1 night where I went out for dinner with my boyfriend. I ate white fish and had a couple of spoonfuls of sticky date pudding (yum) but didnt have the urge to keep eating and went home feeling guilt free and satisfied!
I can honestly say my body is feeling the benefits of this style of eating. My body feels GOOD! I have tried so many 'diets' - hate that word - from Atkins to carb overload! - but I have finally found a way that works best for me. I may have a bowl of oats some mornings or a piece of fruit mid morning - NATURAL - I DO NOT miss all the supplements which were once prescribed to me!!! Cottage cheese/ protein powder/ carb cycling and cardio twice a day! WTF! Talk about wearing yourself to the ground! If anyone tells you having no carbs in your diet is bad - well yep it is - but look CLOSELY at the types of carbs you are digesting! I know my body reacts better to the carbs from yummy green veggies & salad than rice cakes and brown rice - and also the reduction in dairy (WTF is cottage cheese anyway??) I look back at my previous programs with previous trainers and no wonder I couldnt maintain my results! But...its all a learning curve...and its all personal - what works for one person MAY NOT work for another!!! And those who dont believe in my nutrition choices - I DONT CARE - I feel the best I ever have - and getting results which I KNOW I CAN MAINTAIN - which is the clincher - FOR LIFE NOT JUST 12 WEEKS SEE YA LATER WHATEVER!Look closely at the person you are 'trusting' with your health - my biggest thing is if that person is a POSITIVE PERSON - if they have signs of jealousy towards others/make you feel uncomfortable for asking questions/are not getting results themselves - DONT EVEN GO THERE! The person who is guiding you should be PROFESSIONAL - someone who has experience/qualifications and who is genuinely interested in your progress DO YOUR RESEARCH . - ask questions - speak to their previous clients and feel 100% in your heart - and then you WILL get the results you want - but most importantly you will MAINTAIN THEM FOR LIFE! ;-)

TRAINING:
OK - weight training makes my heart skip a beat. I am currently doing 4 sessions a week - MON/TUE & THUR/FRI - and this week I continued to 'up' my weights. I have really started to visualize the muscle I am using and I say in my head 'COMMITMENT is the key' - I also visualise what I want my body to look like - which is pretty important when Im doing crunches - ABS ABS ABS!!! AAAAGHR! It hurt to laugh on friday - ha (ouch) !! I am doing a lot of shoulder work in my current program - I even did an exercise which was completely new to me - a shoulder roll! - um Rae - OH MY GOD!!! LOL! Just like nutrition - find someone who will PERSONALISE a weight program for you - rather than someone who just spits out a template - make your goals very clear to them and get them to EXPLAIN what the hell you are supposed to be doing! Find someone who you can SPEAK with - this is very important - combine communication with email and the phone - this combination is has worked really well for me - obviously meeting face to face is the best but as I dont trust anyone locally I opted for someone interstate. Being able to HEAR the persons voice has helped me immensely - I tried just communicating via email (which I know works really well for some) but it wasnt until I spoke with my Trainer on the phone did I hear the caring in his voice. This guy wants me to succees more than me!!! haha Remember YOU are in control of your health and fitness and YOU need to be certain this person wants the best for you. If face-to-face and telephone is just not an option - READ AND ANALYSE their emails/blogs etc VERY CAREFULLY - if their is ANY HINT OF NEGATIVITY (bitchiness/jealousy/rudeness)- THROW THEM IN THE BIN WITH YOUR WHITE SUGAR CUBES!! They have NO PLACE in your health & fitness goals!!

MINDSET
As you can tell I AM VERY FOCUSED at the moment and I have made it obvious that NOONE should pull you away from achieving your goals. I am not competing but I am striving for the 'ULTIMATE ME' - have clear goals and make it clear THAT YOU WONT TAKE SHIT from others - particularly those that make you question yourself or things that you know should be done in another way. Everyone needs guidance - but if you have the slightest 'strange feeling' in your gut - walk away. NEGATIVE TRAINERS will sap energy and dilute enthusiasm. Surround yourself with positive people as this will reinforce your own positive thought patterns. Find the right Trainer/Coach/Mentor for you - someone who will push you in the most POSTIVE direction - POSITVITY IS THE KEY TO ALL SUCCESS!

Speak to you all again next week - cant wait to visit all your blogs tonight!!!! BIG KISSES! XXX

A movie I watched this week - 'WERE GONNA RIZE NO MATTER WHAT - THE SKY IS THE LIMIT!'


On my IPOD:
Call On Me by Eric Prydz

Week 2...

well, the passed week has not been as good as i would like.

I have been mega abusing myself and it's time to get serious and take control! i don't know why i do it, but i've had the roughest week, it's been out of control.

However, we all have bad weeks i am just working on this week being better. Am going home to do Paul McKenna and am going ot have a full body massage today...ohhh lucky lucky me....i CANT WAIT!

I decided to start being kind to my body and to set a standard...heck im only ever going to have the one so i better do the right thing with it huh!

will post properly later...this was just a quick check in so rae would have something new to read.

WHALESHARKS

hey guys, check out my work blog i just finished it, i am so STOKED!

the link is on the side!

A week in review

This is a pic of me and a friend before starting on my road to fitness




















R- this is my fav pic, taken about 6 months ago! When i look at this picture I can still get that rush of energy and confidence! I felt so good on this night! I have put this pic somewhere i wake up and see it everyday... i am aspiring to get back there, i just felt so awesome!!

So, my first week was a bit shaky. I have decided to only blog once a week from now on also, as i think it will help me stay focused! ie the one week down 11 to go etc! My run was ok this morning, slowly but surely i am getting a little fitter each time i go, now i certainly wouldn't have won any races today.... but i made it the whole way without stopping... which is a goal met for me... even if it was just a SLOOOOOOW jog...i am hoping to make quick progress...because i WANT RESULTS!!

I feel strong in my mind, and finally my heart also, pulling out these old pics have put the fire back in my belly, the wind in my sails... the...hmmm i think you get my drift.

Upwards and onwards...learning from my mistakes but not dwelling on them... the passed is history....tomorrow is exciting.. I WILL GET BACK TO MY HOT PINK TOP BODY!!

"It takes a little courage, and a little self-control. And some grim determination, If you want to reach the goal. It takes a great deal of striving, and a firm and stern-set chin. No matter what the battle, if you really want to win, there's no easy path to glory. There is no road to fame. Life, however we may view it, Is no simple parlor game; But its prizes call for fighting, For endurance and for grit; For a rugged disposition that will not quit."

Navy SEAL Masterchief

"Perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races one after another."

Walter Elliott

12 WEEKS

12 WEEKS FROM TODAY!


Hi all - it really is 12 weeks from today that I am working towards - a body/mind/sould which is fit and healthy and looking pretty damn fine - ha!.

The reasons - 12 weeks until:
- INBA where I meet so many blog buddies!
- I go overseas with my man
(which includes beaches in Italy and parties in LA!)
- 1 year blog birthday!
- My boyfriend completes his 12 week challenge
(comp at the gym)
- I meet my trainer!

...and then 12 weeks + the rest of my life to continue leading this healthy lifestyle and maintaining the body I have!

So in saying all this - I will be posting once a week - on a Sunday - about my adventurous week - so 12 posts in total!

I have decided to be very organised over the coming 3 months and blogging is included in this preparation - kinda like clock work - thus the 12 o'clock featured above...did someone say I was acting all virgo...? *cough*

I will break it up into :
1. NUTRITION
2. TRAINING
3. MIND SET

I have kept it pretty simple so I dont over complicate things - concise and to the point.

I cant wait to tell you all about this week! Speak to you all then!

WOOHOO!


BE EXTROARDINARY

NOT COPYING RAE

Well, i know that i previously posted that i had 'Rae envy' which actually i still do, love her to bits!

ANYWAY...i know it looks as if im trying to copy her site but i'm not, i've just used the basic template lay out as i like the design, and am going to change text colours, banner colours etc ASAP - it's just i kinda ummm ran in to a brick wall so to speak... the code for this template is different to the code i've been learning on my previous template so will have to nut this one out later... been on the damn thing all day and am now back to square one!!

sheesh....

Take a bow

Wow, this weeks spun me out. I started off struggling to get back on track but its all come good. I had 2 beers on Tuesday night.... but have gone booze free every other night og=f the week, this has included a night out at the pub for dinner, which i must also proudly say that i ordered an open chicken souvlaki, didnt touch the souvlaki just grilled chicken and salad...good food no beer at pub....that was a mammoth achievement for me, and i also managed to sip on soda waters all night when we went for a staff bbq down the beach and managed pretty much to only eat what i should - i had about 1/4 potato and 2 little pork spare ribs, which i shouldnt of had, but then didnt finish my steak and loaded up with salad!!
Dan and i were the only ones not drinking...hes stopped to support me... and get his own act into gear... what a gem, its about bloody time!!!

Isnt it about time i had something positive to say!!! YAYAYAYAYA am feeling back ....and better for it!!

Sugar Sux

Ok - so today is FREEZING - whoah - all heaters in my home have increase their temp by at least 10C. I am one of those people who turns the heat up to a point where I can wear summer clothes indoors even though my plants die from extreme heater air... than sit around in layers of jumpers, have a red cold nose and chilly blue fingers....ha! You should see me when I arrive at the gym! LOL UGG boots, jumper, zip hoodie, scarf and beanie - all in pink/baby blue colours - I look like a freakin snow bunny! But because I am quite scruffy - my scarf has 2 pom poms missing from one side - by UGGS are supposed to be light beige but are almost dark brown from all the puddles I step in - my jumper has little holes in it where I accidentally cut it whilst wrapping presents - my beanie is handmade and full of lint balls and my zip hoodie has a broken zip. Snow Bunny meets Street Bunny...!

I was pretty excited to receive my new program this week! I hardly have any legs - have been told to concentrate on my upper body for now - which is fine by me!! I am really focusing on my weight sessions - visualising my muscles during every rep and making sure I dont prolong my supersets (normally because someone wants to talk to me!!!) On the subject of people speaking to me while Im working out...ok, so it is a little frustrating - particularly when its someone who couldnt give a shit that maybe you are trying to focus - but I do love my chats with 'Da Boyz' of the gym (who love their weight training more than their girlfriends *ahem*)...and I thought I was obsessed!!

My nutrition is going well. I have written out my daily plan and have stopped all my 'picking this - oh just a little taste of that' - so many things make up so many calories! So my day will look a little something like this:

wake up & immediately consume coffee

8:30am
- breakfast
- coffee
11:00am
- snack
- coffee
1:00pm
- lunch
- green tea
- vitamin
4:00pm
- snack
- green tea
6:30pm
- dinner A
- dandelion tea
9:00pm
- dinner B

Obviously 2+ litres of water will be in there also. And I have added on the coffee/herbal teas so I keep track with how much soy milk I am drinking - and to encourage me to drink more green tea to aid digestion. Apparently Mint is good for metabolism - so may give that a try. My 'problem minutes' is sometimes from 1 - 3pm - dammit - so I will cut up some celery to munch on during this time. This is the time of day where I get quite tired and if I cant have a power nap I need to combat the 'I need sugar to pull me through' type of thinking!

Pure Sugar = Pure Evil !!

Hey - also beat my sore throat! I have a website I like to refer to during times of my body falling apart - I love the healing kitchen section - Lia you will like this website ;-) x Whole Health MD

Elaine Goodlad

Fawnia Mondey: How tall are you?
Elaine Goodlad: I'm 5 feet 7 inches.

FM: How much do you weigh?
EG: Between shows 140lbs.

FM:What were you doing before you began lifting weights?
EG: I was always athletically inclined. I used to be involved in track and play a little volleyball as well.

FM: When and why did you start taking weight training seriously?
EG: I had allowed my body to get out of control weight-wise and began with an eating disorder to try to get a handle on my weight gain and depression. I decided that bulimia was not the way, and I needed to take a healthier approach, so off to the gym I went. It probably took about 6 years of "going through the motions" before taking it more seriously and start noticing the changes in my body.

FM: When did you turn pro?
EG: I turned pro after winning the overall at the 2002 Emerald Cup competition in Bellvue, Washington.

FM: Do you have a trainer or someone that keeps you going?
EG: My husband, Terry has been my trainer and coach for the last 15 years. Or do you train yourself?

FM: How long after you started weight training did you compete in your first contest?
EG: Too long... I've only been competing for 1 year.

FM: I hear that you have not trained arms in a long time.
EG: I haven't trained my arms for years seriously.

FM: What parts do you focus most in the gym?
EG:My main focus with my body now is glutes, hams and shoulders.

FM: Tell me about the times of day you train, and how often.
EG: I train in the mornings around 10:00AM with weights and a cardio. I sometimes do another cardio late afternoon or evening if I'm told by my trainer.


FM: Are you happy with where you are today? Is there any choices you would have made differently?
EG: The only thing I would change in my life is ridding myself of needless fear and gaining the confidence in myself much earlier on in my life to do what I am enjoying today.

FM: What advice do you tell those who are interested in contests.
EG: Compete if you have the desire in your heart, and don't let fear stop you if that is the only obstacle. Don't let fear run/ruin your life.

FM: What are your hobbies?
EG: Drawing, pottery, Harley riding, reading.

FM: Favorite TREAT foods?
EG: Krispy Kremes, Pizza, Cheeseburgers, Cheetos, Chocolate.... What isn't?

FM: Favorite Diet/Clean foods for when you are preparing for a show?
EG: Atlantic Salmon, hot cereal.

FM: Are you extremely strict the whole 12 weeks, or diet longer/shorter?
EG: 8-12 weeks is about right, depending on how far I get out of shape.

FM: What is your body fat % competing, and when you are not competing?
EG: I never get my body fat tested. We just go by how I look.

FM: What did you drink/take before going on stage to appear more vascular, or do you even bother?
EG: I eat cookies and or chocolate before going on stage to carb up quickly.

FM: I know you don't drink, and I admire you so much. Please tell me how you stay away from drinking, or help others change their un-healthylifestyles.
EG: I've never cared much for alcohol and would never waste calories on drinking. I'm just not interested in it, and definitely can't judge anyone who may have a taste for alcohol. My advice for anyone though would be to do anything in moderation :o)

FM: Would you mind commenting on the topic of bulimia?
EG: Bulimia and other eating disorders don't always have much to do with food, but underlying issues that need to be addressed. For me, this illness was a form of immediate gratification, yet the guilt after binging would cause me to want to purge to punish myself. Unfortunately, food was my best friend through tough times. It becomes a vicious cycle when you hate yourself and use food to make you feel better, then worse. Get help and find out what the underlying issues are and start taking steps to liking yourself for who you are. If there's something you don't like about yourself, change it. You have the power.

FM: Why you want to start educating people.
EG: It's nice to help people get through issues that you once had problems with. You may save someone from going through the painful process the hard way, or you may shed some light for someone that helps them change their course of action in difficult times.

FM: How long have you been bulimic.
EG: Since 1983. I may not act on it any longer or for quite some years now, but the illness is something you may always struggle with; you just get better at talking to yourself about it. It's like an alcoholic that no longer drinks. They still must avoid certain issues or places.

FM: How has it affected your life.
EG: In the long run it's made me stronger as I've overcome something serious and moved on with my life and fixed the issues that brought it on in the first place.

FM: Where can people seek help if they or someone they know is bulimic? There are specific counselors for such illnesses.
EG: Here are some helpful sites that I have found online:

* www.eating-disorder.tripod.com
* www.healthyplace.com
* www.rcpsych.ac.uk

The Viscious Cycle

How easy is it to fall back in to an old rut which you had to tirelessy work your butt off to get out of. My recent holiday lead me back down a road i so hated being on. It only just hit me last night that the boozing is what caused my temporary bout of depression!

It changes everything, before i even had time to realise it i'd fallen back in to the old cycle, boozing, being too hung over to do cardio, getting down because i felt lazy, then drinking because i felt down! i can not believe that after everything i have come through, the tears, the tantrums, the celebrations.... i went back, i got caught up back in it all.

So now where to from here?! Well, staying booze free is number one priority, as i now know just how little it takes to throw me off my axis! I have reevaluated my goals, made them shorter etc, so i feel as if i am achieving part of my goals weekly.

My nutrition is fine, indact believe it or not its been really good since i've got back. I just now need to focus on making better decisions for me ALL THE TIME. I've got to find some love for myself...i don't know how but i am working on it!!

I am going for a run tonight, rain, hail, or shine it's part of my plan. 4kgs in four weeks, and im not going to drop anything if im sitting on my arssse

Giantmicrobe Virus Toys!

Oh boy - and you thought I was just going to collect suffed McDonalds toys...These rock! Particularly now that I have a sore throat! (block last 2 words from memory - self healing program)

Giant Microbes!

Who would have thought it – a cuddly toy in the shape of a virus! But, these cuddly characters are incredibly endearing and educational too. Each one comes with a detailed scientific description and photograph of what he looks like under the microscope, along with medical tips on how to avoid picking up these ‘bugs’ in daily life. Children seem to be totally fascinated by them, and it really helps when explaining all about why they are feeling poorly. The perfect gift to accompany a Get Well Card. A brilliant present for medical students, doctors, nurses, etc – You can soon understand why they are becoming amazingly popular! Start collecting now.
Giantmicrobe-Sore Throat

Giantmicrobe-Stomach Ache

Giantmicrobe Flu Bug

Something Fishy

After reading a post on Lias blog on Binge Eating - the facts - I wanted to mention Something Fishy

Our Mission: Tony and I are dedicated to raising awareness... emphasizing always that Eating Disorders are NOT about food and weight; They are just the symptoms of something deeper going on, inside. Merely a husband and wife creative team (we are not doctors), we are determined to remind each and every sufferer that they are not alone, and that complete recovery is possible. If you are the loved-one of someone that suffers, use this website to educate yourself. The more you know about Eating Disorders, the more you are equipped to provide the support your loved-one needs. If you have an Eating Disorder, you can find help. You can recover. And you deserve to do both. We are so thankful to have had the opportunity to touch the lives of over six million sufferers and their loved-ones and hope to continue to do so for many more years. We will never stop believing that there is HOPE for everyone, and we will never stop promoting that COMPLETE RECOVERY is possible!

The forum has over 50,000 members and is extremely informative and supportive. I hope it is helpful to anyone who needs the information x

Note:

Hi all - if you are wondering where the music is coming from - its Christina Aguleira 'Fighter' - scroll all the way down and you will see it at the bottom of the blog.

It was so cool having a 'conference call' *ahem* (yahoo messenger) with Rae, Lia and Kat this evening - god help us when we meet in real life!!!

xxx

Whoah!

...and Rae - Lia - Kat didnt believe me....

Happy Easter

I know - Im sorry - I had to!

Poor Mr. Hippity Hoppity...!!!

Public Humiliation

Ok, since i have been finding it hard to get back on track i am publically humiliatig myself by posting this pic of me taken yesterday, look at my stomach let alone my legs!!!! Grr, ok, so this is for me as my reminder of why i do what i do!

I bought nico patches AGAIN today, i have been so stressed about quitting smoking i've ended up smoking double the amount which i must say has not helped at the slightest with me wanting to get on good terms with "cardio" let alone my beer swilling friends which mislead me.

ENOUGH i have had it... i am sick of it... bella convinced me to buy the patches and u know what, i am so relieved!! now i feel as if quitting will be easy because i won't be having to deal with the crappy withdrawals!!

I am still doing what i am meant to do, but have been lacking the energy and enthusiasm to be living true to myself. I am going for a run tonight, i can't wait!!

I bulk cooked raes delightful chicken/tomato sauce/veg meal yesterday and had left over veg which has given me ample supply of veg for at least 2 more days of meals. I didn't think to reduce what i used, Rae has 100g veg vs my 50g.... duh... well i have never been a mathemetician...afterall.

A lady come in today pushing chocolate for kindy fundraising... i gave her a 'you gotta be kidding" look, i just though like i want them around... then my boss proceeded to buy like 4 boxes to keep out for our customers... double grrrr.... as i've got tired tonight i picked at a couple... BAD MOVE i didn't even want them initially then got blood sugar peaks for my effort... when will i learn?>

Happy Meal

ok - over the last couple of days (including this one) I have been soooo hungry! Its kinda frustrating as I like to evenly space my 6 meals eg: 8:30am / 11pm / 1:30pm / 4:30pm / 6pm / 9pm - but its now 12:12pm and I want lunch already!!! So have had a mug of dandellion, 500ml water and am now sipping a 250ml soda water....I was thinking about taking a mint - which sometimes puts me off eating - kinda like brushing your teeth - but strangely sometimes eating a mint makes me hungrier! LOL!

On a good note - I am still going up in weights - woohoo! I have really slowed down my reps and am huffing and puffing away - Im stretching a lot infront of the tv at night to reduce any DOMS - even though that is a good feeling in itself! I have been training Mon / Tue / Thur / Fri - but this week I have moved it around a bit because of the long weekend. Luckily I have my own key to the gym - but its a bit spooky training in their all by myself! LOL - I feel like a celebrity superstar with their own gym in a section of their mansion!!

Im going out for lunch today with my boyfriend which should be fun - we are going to a 'grill house' - a whole lotta protein to chose from - all measured in grams and cooked to your liking...sound like my kinda place!

Saw a McDonalds ad this morning...when you buy a Happy Meal you get a cute stuffed toy dog...I noticed they have a toy that looks like my own puppy...dammit - what a dilemma - not that Im tempted to eat The Happy Meal - but I hate going into that place...it stinks - maybe I could just do a 'drive-by', pay for the Happy Meal - and then give it back to them minus the free toy....bet that would have never happened before!! LOL!! - Do you dare me? Come on...!!! hahaha x

300TH POST !!

WOW! Its our 300th post! WOOHOO!


Umm...here is Parasite Hilton singing us a 300th post/birthday song...*ahem*

Present for Kat...

I think having a little orange butterlfy follow you all day is such a good sign!! x

Onthe (right) road again

Hi fellow bloggers!

Well, the passed 8 weeks has been chaotic and really tried my patience and sanity! It has been a massive test. I failed the first half on my holidays whjich resulted in massive weight gain, then on this part by being back, moving and unmoving due to cyclones i've been doing ok but not as well as i hoped. There was a breakthrough this morning though, i had minimal food in my fridge and was just not going to bother with breakfast, then pulled myself up and made do with what i had and was just so stoked that having my nutrition ready for the day has become second nature, i can't not do it now! YAY!

So, this week is really my first week back on my program properly, i have 4 runs and 2 resistance to do and reckon i will easily be able to have a 100% week!! That's all i'm aiming for, i've worked harder so this should be managable! I have a friend up for 10 days, who thankfully is staying with the guys i work with, i was stressed that it would be hard for me to stay on track whilst she was here but now i know that what i do is a standard pert of my life, regardless of visitors.

I have put all of my inspirational stuff back up and finished rewriting my goals yesterday so am feeling really confident! I just can't wait to shift a couple of these kilos but am not stressed as i know that if i do what i have to do it will just happen! yay yay yay am feeling positive and strong, am off now to bulk buy so i can bulk cook snacks for the next week!

Refugee

Well, yesterday was a HUGE day. Dan had to work til 4pm so i went home to pull my van apart on my own!! Alas, my Ningaloo Blue boys (skipper, decky and boss) came over on their own free will and helped me! What gems... we just beat the rain. We stayed at their house last night and had a bit of a "cyclone party".

The cyclone turned out to be quite a 'fizzer' the strongest wind we got was when we were pulling everything apart! So we get to practice putting our annexe back up again!! What a load of fun that should be lol. On a positive note though, we're hoping to improve our site when we relocate. We loved where we were, only the pad under our annexe is mud... and well...when it rains (which it hardly ever does, but when it does everything tends to flood) we're thinking that our floor will probably turn to crap and we wont be able to use the annexe ...which is well... kind of pointless... anyway, we'll see what they can come up with.

Am getting stuck in to the running as of Mon. My nutrition yesterday was good for first 2 meal, ended up skipping 3 & 4 due to just not realising i was even hungry in the midst of the chaos, and of course by the evening i was famished, i drank beer and ate shit. I FORGOT TO EMPTY MY FRIDGE IN MY CARAVAN i took clothes but forgot the food, so bella this leads me to think that i wouldn't be that much of a survivalist after all ROFLMAO.

THANK YOU XXX

A BIG THANK YOU to everyone who posted on Mindis blog - its support like that which shows how positive our blog community is - I find it amazing how its possible to let someone know from the other side of the world that you are inspired/motivated by them - I LOVE THE INTERNET! LOL!

Well, I have almost finished the first week of my 12 week countdown...and it has gone great guns! I shocked myself yesterday when I went to a friends house and she was eating 'crunchie cadbury little easter eggs'...and you know what? - they could have been chicken feed for all I cared. The sugar/craving didnt even register...it was the weirdest feeling...a kind of relief I guess - relief that I was not even going to go there in my mind - kinda like smoking. When I quit (about 3 years ago now) I just pretended cigarettes didnt exist - it would have been like putting a piece of chalk in my mouth a trying to light it...

I have to thank my nutrition though for being the main key in reprogramming my sugar cravings. My nutrition is really working for me - and I dont feel like I need anything else - and even though they are not the most interesting meals - I dont feel I am missing out on anything and my training is stronger than it ever has been before!

The only thing I have added is a warm mug of Dandellion tea in the evenings. I love this stuff - its so tasty and so warming now that it is freezing at night. I use the Symingtons from the supermarket...talking about chickens...this really looks like chicken feed...but 1tbs mixed with a little soy milk and boiling water...hmmm...might go and make myself some now!

The Taj Ma Hudson

Well, after taking neally 2 days to set ourselves up how we want to be and living in our new home for 3 days we have just discovered we have to go and pull it all down as we're going to get hit by a cyclone tonight...you lil ripper...bastard bastard bastard.....shit shit shit..... im OVER it!

anyway...here's our little home which will be carrying us around australia ...

(ignore the mess please.... no time to clean cooking meals for day:)

My gym!! My Bed

My kitchen My fridge!! eek its tiny

the outside the outside with our annexe

now i know it looks teensy and cramped but we're actually very comfortable!

Blog Support Network

**ANNOUNCEMENT**


Hi guys - I wanted to ask you all to do something...

I just visited Mindi OBriens blog - and noticed an 'anonymous' posted the comment 'judging from the number of comments, i'd say your fans are losing interest... since it appears you have too.'

I dont know Mindi - have never met her - infact I only discovered her blog a few days ago - but think its just so shit for someone to post a comment on her blog that is so negative. Mindi obviously works her ass off to achieved the body she has and goes out of her way to motivate and inspire others.

So - when you get a moment - could you post a comment on her blog - to show 'our blog network' is positive and supports Mindi and her path to a 'strong' happiness.

www.mindiobrien.blogspot.com

IM BACK!

and hopefully in 12 months i can look remotely like this??!!

Well i'm back and in training. My BPM were awful on my first run... i am damn unfit and totally embarrassed about it. I'm back on track with my nutrition and am feeling very confident. It's good to be home and even better to be back in my routine.

Tommorow i will post pics of the "Taj Ma Hudson".... if it's possible for me to work out in my living conditions and eat properly it's possible for anyone... lol you'll understand when you see the size of my fridge!

10kg of chicken is a lot of chicken...

Unreal banana peel. I have been having THE BEST weight sessions. I mean REALLY good! So good infact I am atually surprising myself in the gym - increasing weights at ever session - strong technique - abs hard and sit ups are getting easier (now use a 10kg plate - thinking about increasing to 15kg but my boobs would be squashed flat! haha)

But best of all is 'Raes Chicken Mince Recipe' - DAMN ITS TASTY!

I bought 10kg of organic chicken mince (I kid you not) and discovered THE YUMMIEST sauce to go with it (can you tell I am having a day where everything is going my way?! ha!) Its called Tofu Bolognase - by Vegetable Creations - www.vegetablecreations.com - This stuff ROCKS!!

I am doing another big cook up tomorrow morning - using the Glad box thingis - again thanks Rae - and voila - organised / prepared / and ready! YAY!

This is an example of how I have been training in the gym *ahem*...

ROBOT!

OMG YOU MUST CHECK THIS 'ROBOT BODYBUILDER' OUT!

Mindi O'Brien!

Um.. - OH MY GOD THIS WOMAN IS INCREDIBLE!

Introducing Mindi O'Brien.

Im sorry my eyes are glued to the screen and I am barely able to type...

Visit Mindi:

www.mindiobrien.blogspot.com

www.mindiobrien.com

Off We Go

We're leaving today and will be home tomorrow! Yay, bring on the routine!

*

Had to post this. His name is Freedom - and underneath the caption says 'with Freedom for all' - so inspiring. Good night x

FREEDOM!

Ok - today is '3 MONTHS UNTIL HOT BODY ACHIEVED' and you know what? Im really ready for it! Seriously - I am ready for what lies ahead during next 12 weeks! I cant believe its almost been a year since I first started to 'learn about' correct training and nutrition - ONE YEAR!! And this 'better' way of living is just so natural to me now. I dont 'fight' against it like I used to - infact I dont even think about it as much as I used to...and I used to think/obsess about it A LOT!

I can see changes in my body shape since starting with my trainer - and I LIKE them! He tells me to just 'LIVE'- that nutrition and training should not be my entire focus - to just concentrate on 'LIVING'- follow his guidelines and it will all just fit together like a jigsaw puzzle. And you know what? I never doubted him. Not once have I got a bad vibe or a moment where I felt like he didnt care. HE CARES!...and the puzzle is fitting together nicely!

I have always been very conscientious - spiritually / mentally / physically - I try and find balance in my life and I live life to the fullest. I am extremely goal orientated, focused and I aim high and achieve 'big'. ('big' being things that I perceive as great for me and my loved ones!) I thrive on challenges and the thought of 'I could never do that' has NEVER - and I am serious - NEVER crossed my mind. Its a matter of whether I chose to do it or not.

During the past 12 months of my 'fitness' journey I have become a 'richer' person. No doubt about it - for 2 main reasons:

1. I now RESPECT my body - I look after it - I make sure I am not punishing or treating it unfairly - this is the only 'body' I am getting - no exchanges or refunds - this is it! I used to treat my clothes better than my body! ha! Not any more - hell no - and NO ONE will stand in my way or persuade me to treat it in any other way!

2. During this journey I have made connections with people that have completely enhanced all I have ever wanted to be and more. These people have helped shaped who I am today - someone who used to struggle REALLY BADLY with 'body image' but who has made such changes that even I dont believe it sometimes!! Their guidance, support, kindness, generosity, energy and love has been instumental in my growth and I will be forever grateful and thankful to them. Never did I expect to form such friendships over the internet! Never did I expect to have a blog! - let alone have a joint one with Kat! I know I will NEVER be alone now that I have these people in my life - even if I am on a desserted island....but as long as I have my laptop! LOL!

Phew - I know this post is a little 'deep' but as I embark on the next 12 weeks of my journey I wanted to reflect on the past 9 months - and know that when I have completed 12 months in total - I will have achieved the body-fitness-nutrition-training-over all APPRECIATION OF ME - WHO I AM - AND WHAT I AM ABOUT!

Big deep breath - am about to dive in - but this time I know I can SWIM!

The feeling is FREEDOM -

SPLASH!!!!!!!!!!

xxx

Stayin' Alive

ah ah ahahah.... well, we're still in Bunbury. We chose to stay as the cyclone swung in on a direct path to Exmouth. At this stage we will probably be waiting a couple more days for raid to subside so we don't get stuck with the flooding. The winds up there are over 250 km's an hour....thank god we didn't get up there last week, our van would had to of been packed up and we would of had to of stayed with friends....i've got my fingers crossed for everyone up there and will keep u up to date with what's happenning!

xxx

It's not a joke anymore

i just called the producer of channel 7's weather program as i saw Grant Denia back in Exmouth. Believe me, when they were with us a few months back i didn't expect to see them again for a long time, but here they are back again in Exmouth. They are expecting cyclone glenda to hit the coast today. All we can do now is sit and wait and prey for our friends. we feel ripped off becasue we're not there .....we just hope it bloes over...

xxxxxxxxx

Food for Thought

Valid excuse??

Cyclone Glenda

She's a beauty!!

Dan and I are all packed up sitting in bunbury ready to head north to exmouth, however there's a cyclone standing between us and our destination!!

Apparently we're heading off anyway! Bloody stupid idea if you ask me, but what the driver says goes, and since i'm not driving i have to go too!

Most people drive away from cyclones, us, we're driving straight there!?! CRAZY!

So, we won't go straight to Exmouth, as having everything blown away is too greater risk, but we're going and will probably stay half way, which leaves us with one problemo...the roads will more than likely be flooded GREAT....never mind, when we're stranded in the middle of nowhere guess what i'll be saying??!

"I told you so"

Will post quickly in the morning when we've read the latest weather update.

xxxx

Blonde Garcia

- Here are the pics of Carmen Garcia as a blonde....I reckon my entire 2 boobs are the size of her 1 boob - if that...ho hum!!!!

Biggest Winner

I was just doing some 'net surfing' as you do - and was looking at the 2005 Body For Life winners. There are some SERIOUSLY INCREDIBLE body transformations! - Elizabeth Miller (below) is just one example - its all very inspiring. I dont mind what Body For Life does - it much better than Atkins IMO - I guess the reason for this post is my gym is about to do a competition called 'Biggest Winner' 12 week transformation competition. I cant wait to see how the members go with it - it will be VERY INTERESTING!! I know most are feircely competative - hope it stays 'fun..'!! (yeah right - haha!) Is anyone elses gym doing a similar thing? The Biggest Loser tv program has really started to catch on! Great I say!

Bicep beauties

Hey Rae - not only ABS like 'those' but also BICEPS like 'this'!!! (or 'guns' as you would say...) HAHA - its going to be soooo sweet! ! xxx

Madge is #1

AAAGHR! Just a quick inspirational pic before CSI starts - both Las Vegas & NYC - then its Real Crime afterwards...Rae - you aint seen crime obsessed until you meet me....ROFLMAO!

Eye Twitch = Crazy Frog Bella

Ok - I have finally pulled myself together after Rae & Kats meeting....green with envy!! ;-) But not to worry as I have asked them both so many questions I feel like I was there also! LOL!

My last few days have been very frustrating. I have had a twitching eye for almost a week!!! The worst thing is it twitched like a crazy when I spoke to people - so embarrasing...and then a couple of days ago I started to get weird tummy cramps - not inside, but on my skin...and it was so painful I couldnt stand straight.

I didnt know what was going on! BUT THANKFULLY my trainer suggested I take Muscle Eze - as maybe I was lacking magnesium....and after 2 days of taking this 'magic potion'....VOILA - no more weird ass titches or cramps!!! woohoo!!! I also did some research on this twitch mayhem and found the funniest blog - some guy said he had a twitch - and almost 1000 people responded!!!- some of the posts had me in stitches (not twitches...*ahem*) - its worth a read...

www.jasonclarke.net/archives/2005/03/31/eye-twitch/
(why the hell can I not work out how to insert links...need help please...)

One of the posts even describes the meaning of the twitches location!!!
1. top left eye lid twitch; means fortune (little or lots).
2. lower left eye twich; you could be crying later.
3. top right eye twitch; FOOD..treats coming your way.
4. lower right eye twitch; always a bad sign.

I had number 2 - I guess its true as I very nearly was on the verge of tears...LOL!

This eye twitch was even more annoying than that f****ing crazy frog...!!

Style Guru

i've just come from Chontelles blog and it got me thinking. I miss being a girly girl....i have felt so blahh here i have have been making no effort with myself... like for example a month ago if i was to have been meeting rae i would have made sure i put make up on and was wearing really nice clothes instead i was so comfortable just being daggy old me.... in my 'granny' jumper. I just paid $80 for that jumper only to be told by my 18 yr old brother i look like a nanna...since hes hardly a style guru i chose to ignore him...maybe i should have listened!

nnnnneeeeeway.....right...andrew has put a fire cracker up my ass....im movin baby to bigger and better places... and when im back to feeling good, im gonna get those hot new jeans (the ones i didnt buy because i felt blah) and get out of my loose ones....

i want to have somewhere to wear some hot clothes... workin on it...and am VERY EXCITED!

WHAT A DAY!

Well the last couple of days have been AWESOME. I met the adorable Rae, love her to bits, shes as gorgeous as what you would think! I was a bit dissapointed i felt off and didnt feel like my vibrant usual self, i am getting a cold, thats why i felt so crappy!

my sessions with andrew were AWESOME! I learned so much from him and he helped me heaps! From now on i am going to be focusing on my running as i love it and i can do it anywhere at anytime whilst im travelling around australia. Im really looking forward to starting my next program! Another learning curve for me! I got the annexe for my van yesterday, i was stoked, it's exactly what i wanted, i can so visualise myself doing situps and resistance training in there!!

Here are some pics from today!
Me and the lovely Rae - NB see the blonde hair piece??!! i am in 'RAE ENVY' - damn shes hot

Here is a pic of me and Rae at the gym - behind us on the wall are pics of all the successful fitness competitors andrew had trained! they are all so awesome, as andrew said to me "everyone recieves the same coaching and info which is correct for them its what u do with it that makes the difference" . There are so many he is obviously SO good at his job! How lucky am i!!??

Below is a pic of my lil sis and my cute as a button nephew jett.... ohhh i love them both to pieces and i cant think about not seeing his gorgeous little face everyday!! He is SO SO SO CUTE!

A Six Pack Willy really exists...!!!

I 'stumbled' across this seriously weird record....I wanted to find out more info but couldnt bring myself to google the words 'six pack' and 'willy'...!!!....*shudder*....ROFLMAO!!!

virtual me!

HOLY COW! Look what I was ablt to do on the ADIDAS website...cool. But I cant see much tone - dammit - they need a 'defining ab' button also!! LOL!


My Virtual Body - I selected ADIDAS
www.mvm.com