This?  Oh, I fell off one of these.  Oops.

Travelling for education was a bad move in terms of diet / exercise, since I've really struggled to get back on board since I left.

I'm actually quite frustrated with myself - I can't seem to focus.  I know I should be getting some decent study done, and that I'd be in a better mindset if I was getting regular exercise.  And I know that healthy nutritious home-cooked food is delicious.  But I'm struggling with the step from knowing these facts to actually acting on them.

I've made a study plan.  It covers the next 10 months of misery Hell my life, and seems at least reasonably possible.  Everything will fall apart if I don't cover the material in time though, because there is no room to catch up.

But I've also made a Lululemon wishlist.  I'm considering the idea that perhaps some new gym clothes will motivate me to actually go to said gym.  It is a sad fact about me that this incentive is not totally ridiculous - there is a decent chance it might work.

My current "want" list.  I'm enamoured with the colour scheme at the moment.

Minor setback - overcome!

I woke up this morning in agony.  My left shoulder was spasming and I could barely turn my head or lift my arm.

I could blame Body Jam last night.  I could blame myself for not stretching properly.  I could blame our awful bed with the cheap mattress and pillows (leftover from student days) that we've finally replaced but the replacement hasn't arrived yet.

But that doesn't achieve anything.  So I dragged myself out to get a last-minute remedial massage - after which I could turn my head slightly.  Win for me!  Bought a heatpack, found the Voltaren gel, and settled in for a miserable day of studying and shoulder pain.

Luckily it had alleviated somewhat by the evening, though still very tight and uncomfortable.  I skipped Body Pump in favour of doing the 12WBT gym machines workout, since I figured if anything hurt I could always skip that part (but the shame of walking out of a Pump class... awkwaaaaard).

But in a small bonus - while walking out from buying my heatpack, I stumbled across a Tupperware stall.  I braved a Tupperware party once, it was weird, but I did order a coffee thermos that stole my heart.  And then it was promptly stolen as well, and I was devatasted.

Not anymore!  I even bought two, just to make sure if one disappeared, I wouldn't be left heartbroken again.  Take that thermos thief!

First day of round 4!

Round 4 of the Michelle Bridges 12WBT kicks off today, and I'm pulling out some last minute motivation.  I sadly cannot find a tape measure in my house anywhere (except for one that is only 30cm long - somehow I don't think that will fit around my waist...), so will be delaying my measurements until I can be bothered venturing to Coles.

But I have attempted cooking and thus far seems to have been moderately successful!

French toast with bananas, mixed berries and maple syrup - thank you Instagram for the filters that make my amateur plating look slightly more respectable!

I have also been emboldened by the imminent prospect of summer days and warmer weather to try something different with my hair - I have finally grown it to a decent length, so with much trepidation I asked my wonderful colourist to attempt balyage.

For anyone who doesn't know - this is what balyage looks like on a famous person

I love my colourist to pieces, and if anyone ever suggests I see a different stylist I immediately re-book my appointment to be seen by her.  It took me a long time to find a hairstylist I like this much, and I always cringe when she talks about going on a holiday.  If she ever leaves, I have no idea what I'll do.

Anyway, long story short - she did an amazing job and I'm thrilled.  Unfortunately my photography skills are quite limited so these pics don't really do her work justice... (but they did take before-and-after photos in the salon, so I may "borrow" them).

Unfortunately, great hair doesn't make up for being tired - this is my life for the next 10 months (exactly today - eek!), and it is exactly as exciting as it looks.

Back for another round!

I'm back!  I have signed up for another round of 12WBT, and I'm feeling pretty good.

A lot of things have happened since I last posted (to be honest, I had actually forgotten I even had this blog - whoops!).  So I figured I should attempt a summary post... here goes...

1.  September 2012 - I did a rural relief term in the outback - being the only doctor for hundreds of kilometres was an eye opening and challenging experience - I really pushed my limits, and I'm proud that I went; but I was very relieved to fly home!  This is a Royal Flying Doctor Service plane that came to retrieve a patient, and my friend and I are posing like dorks with it (I'm on the left).

2. October 2012 - I married my best friend, and it was the most amazing day of my life

3. October 2012 - I learned how to snorkel while on honeymoon at the Galapagos Islands

4.  October/November 2012 - I hiked the Inca Trail with my husband on our honeymoon in South America - this is me faking being thrilled at reaching the summit of the Dead Woman's Pass.  I had altitude sickness, and immediately after this photo was taken I was back to sitting on the ground panting and feeling generally miserable - but also very proud of what I'd achieved.

5.  After four days on the trail, altitude sickness, a ruptured ligament in my knee (oops) and the most disgusting toilets I've ever seen - we made it to Machu Picchu.  And it was worth every step of the hike, that view was breathtaking.

6. I started training in Intensive Care, and sadly the combination of shift work and study lead to some weight regain...

... which was not helped by a trip to the USA.  A very fun trip, but there was some indulgence.

I recently celebrated my first wedding anniversary.  

While it was a beautiful weekend away and I had a lovely time - it was a bit of a wake up call.  I realised that I'd regained most of the weight that I'd lost for my wedding, and that this was a slippery slope.

So now I've signed up for another round of 12WBT.  I'm hoping to re-establish a fitness and healthy eating routine (as much as is possible with a shift work roster!) to get back on track and re-lose the weight.  I never made it to my goal last time, though did get very close - so now I'm refocusing my mindset.  

Weigh in Wednesday

I want to do a happy little dance for turning things around!


A major goal for me was cracking into the 60's.  I had worked hard to lose weight a few years ago, and managed to get down to 71kg but couldn't get the scales to shift afer that - probably because I lost motivation and decided that I was happy with being that size.  Well, then I inevitably regained, and this time was aiming to actually make it to my ultimate goal.


I cracked into the 60's during round one, which was my goal for the round, in about week 9.  Then I stupidly decided "great, that's it for me!" - an internal excuse that I was not expecting! - and stopped to wait for round 2.  At least, that's what I told myself.  I then managed to go up and down a few times, broke into the 60's, then left again, for weeks on end.


This week, I decided to turn things around and have a new beginning. I'm thrilled to say my weekly weigh in had me cracking those 60's again - this time for good!

Wow, you can really tell when I lost the plot and ate everything in sight...

I've also recently developed a bit more body confidence.  My stomach has always been my least favourite part, and I never like to wear tight-fitting shirts because I hate drawing attention to it.  Lately I've discovered the joys of leggings and t-shirt dresses - so comfortable, and I can even get away with it for work!  So I bought myself some of these bad boys from Black Milk Clothing (obviously these ones are probably not for work...)

Now I am by now means as svelte as these beautiful models, but they're pretty amazing leggings all the same.

Back on track!

Phew!  I have managed to get through 48 hours without cracking and gorging myself on chocolate.  I went to my gym orientation session, and was actually pretty impressed with how far I've come - it was one of those "learn to use the equipment" sessions in a group of women.  I was pretty proud of myself because I already knew how to use them, and I volunteered to demonstrate a few times.  In fact, it was almost annoying because there was only one other person (in a group of 7!) who volunteered to "be a model" - the rest all clustered in the back and muttered things like "oh I'm only here to do Body Balance..." or "I came for orientation, I didn't know we'd have to do some exercise..."  


I don't start work until 1pm today, but work up earlier so I'd have time to fit in a session and still cook myself a decent breakfast - since I'm going to be working until around midnight and it's been a long time since I've done ED.  I psyched myself up and actually did some weights, so now I'm feeling smug and pretty pleased with myself.

I'm pretty chuffed with that effort - and with my shiny new HRM!

Delicious high protein breakfast - mine was not as well presented though!

I'm feeling pretty good about how things are going with getting back on track.  Now just hoping I can stay away from the snacks during my shift this evening - and that it isn't too crazy!

New week, new start!

This week is all about new starts for me.  I haven't had the best beginning to 12WBT, but it's time for me to shake things up.  I'm starting in Emergency this week, which means the return to dreaded shift work - but on the upside, at least now I can go to the gym during the day when it isn't as busy!


I'm going to repeat my measurements and fitness test as part of the "mini-milestone" week, but it's really going to be the baseline for my 8 week body transformation.

Not exactly stellar progress so far... but you just wait to see what it looks like in 8 weeks time!

I have today off work (yay!) so I have an easy-going day planned.  Going to lounge about in my pyjamas planning my meals, cooking healthy lunches, and then I have my Ignition orientation session at my new gym booked for 5pm.  I'm excited to learn about all the features - particularly because I noticed that the cardio equipment has a USB port - perhaps I can watch all my tv shows that I've missed?

I can go from this...

... to this!  

I even have my brand new HRM, ready to go.  It matches my gym clothes (which makes me happy), I've updated my settings, and I'm good to go.  It just needs a name...

My precioussssssss...

I'm going to go enjoy my delicious breakfast, do some laundry and countdown until my new gym opens.  Hello positive attitude...