12 Week Body Transformation - challenge accepted

After hearing all the hype about Michelle Bridges 12 Week Body Transformation program, and having a friend join up for round 2, I decided to do some investigating for myself. Having Michelle Bridges involved with it, I knew it wouldn’t be a quick fix fad diet, and the fact that it included both a nutrition and exercise plan I thought it would be worthwhile trying it out, so I signed up for Round 3.

I’ve never had an issue with my weight, I have always been a ‘healthy’ weight, but that doesn’t mean I am necessarily happy in my skin. I am a long distance runner, but I want the body to match! I absolutely love food, and have a big appetite. In a way this could suit my love of long distance running, but I was beginning to find I was definitely eating more than required for my running and gained a few extra kg’s. I’ve also got an injury with my ITB, so this is putting me out of running for 4-6 weeks for it to heal. I have never been into cycling, swimming or even just going for walks but with this injury I am encouraged to do all of these things, just not to run. So this is another factor for me joining this program, to get some new ideas of what exercises I can do in order to get fit without running.

My aim on this program is pretty plain and simple – to see results, and be proud of my body. I want to wear a bikini this summer and feel and look amazing in it. I don’t want to wear a swimsuit that hides my stomach because I am self conscious. I want to go to the beach and not cover myself whilst running to and from the water. I want to strut!

I want to wear fitted run singlets to compete in my races with, and look the part. I want to wear a cocktail dress that shows off my figure, instead of wearing ones that cover the bits I don’t like. I want to develop a healthy relationship with food. Not to eat 2 muffins and a donut at the office meeting just because it’s in front of me. Not to order a pizza just because it’s the weekend. Not to eat chocolate because all the girls at work are. Not to drink a bottle of wine because it’s Saturday night. Not to eat a massive bowl of ice cream covered in ice magic because I ran 15km. I absolutely need to get out of the habit of “rewarding” myself with junk food. How is it a reward if it is sabotaging what I am trying to achieve? I will constantly tell myself “a moment on the lips, a lifetime on the hips”. I want to create new habits, where I get into the routine of exercising every day – as Mish has said, making it a daily task like showering or brushing your teeth. I want to have all my meals prepared so I am not tempted to go up the street and get a burger and chips for lunch.

Another hurdle I will have to jump is the feedback I will receive from some friends/colleagues when I tell them about being on this program. I have some people in my life, who I know mean well, but when I’m trying to eat well they tell me that I run enough and I’m not fat so I can eat treats. I know I’m not overweight, but I am carrying extra weight that I am unhappy with. There are also people in my life that are bigger than me, and I think sometimes they feel threatened or take offense when I am trying to be healthy myself, like I somehow think less of them. It is completely not the case, and I am learning that I shouldn’t feel bad for what I want to achieve in myself, it is all about me and me only! And I’m not going to let others change that.

I am grateful to have a supportive boyfriend who I can completely open up to about this, and who will encourage me 100%. I was bigger when we first got together, and I know he loves me the way I am, but I guarantee he won’t be complaining when I slim down!

Although I only want to lose around 5-7kg’s, I know this will not be an easy task for me. But I truly believe I can do this, I just need to keep plodding away and ticking off each week as I get through them. I can’t and don’t expect to see results overnight, but I know that by sticking to the full 12 weeks, I WILL get results, and I WILL create new, healthy habits which will remain with me much longer after 12 weeks.

Here goes...