Fit Mumma

I am all kinds of awesome...

YES I am !!

Another week, another challenge from Kath. And this is it this week: to list all the reasons why I am awesome.

I decided to do mine in a digital layout:

The Journalling reads:

>> > I am an awesome wife...I know I am an awesome wife to have such a fabulous husband, who adores me. Nath is my very best friend, the one I want to hang out with, and just be with as often as I can. He is my biggest cheerleader, the best friend, father and husband anyone could ever wish for. My wish came true for sure!

>>> I am an awesome mother...I am not perfect, not at all... I am sure my kids think I am a huge pain at times... but I love them will all my heart and I know they think I’m pretty fabulous most of the time. Being a mother is by far the hardest and most challenging, and most rewarding roles in my life. I hope to always inspire my children, to live large, to go for their dreams... to never settle. To really push themselves to have the life they really wish for. I hope my children grow with confidence and the knowledge that there is a whole world out there for the taking, not to shy away from risks and challenges... to go for it everyday. I hope they are content with who they are, happy, confident and capable of many, many things... whatever they deem that to be.

>>> I am an awesome believer...I believe in many things... I believe in seeing the silver lining, of turning negatives into positives. I believe in seeing a challenge as a blessing. I believe in being mindful, of seeing the beauty in the every day... seemingly ordinary little things that hold the magic of our lives... a sun rising, a butterfly, a child’s expression. So many little moments to be mindful of. I belive in being kind, of helping others when I can, of putting myself out there and taking risks to live the best life I can.

>>> I am an awesome athlete...I had no idea that I would go from 10kgs overweight, inactive and eating crap... to considering myself an athlete in one short year. Sure, I am no elite athlete, I’ll never win any race I compete in... but I’ll eat like and athlete, train like one evey day... and compete in races & events. I guess I’ve always been a closet athlete, since my school days of cross country running, and college water polo to my early 20s: mountain biking, dragon boating at an international level (Silver Medal winners) to roller blading, cycling and weights. Today I have the confidence to be proud of my daily achievements and ability to embrace myself.

>>> I am an awesome friend...I have some wonderful friendships, and I know I am an awesome friend to those I spend my “spare” time with. I am loyal, reliable, dependable and devoted. I am also extremely funny and witty... I do not babble at all (total sarcasm there!). Mostly I know I am an awesome friend because of the fabulous and amazing circle of friends I have. I am blessed to have them in my life.

Thanks again Kath for another fabulous prompt. I really like this one because we are so often taught not to "blow our own trumpet"... and that usually, often, set's us up to to the complete opposite... then we have this awful negative voice that plays far to often in our subconscious. We need to love ourselves more, to treat ourselves with respect, and as we would a dear beloved friend.

So often we are taught that to speak well of ourselves is to be "bragging, skiting, boastful, showing off, arogant or conceited"... in fact, we are just trying to practice a little self loving...

Reminds me of something I read recently: 

Zen teacher and renowned writer Thich Nhat Hanh, says, "Your capacity for loving another person depends entirely on your capacity for loving yourself, for taking care of yourself" Without that capacity, we will go on asking our loved ones to compensate us for what we are not prepared to do for ourselves. That's a thankless task and perhaps also an impossible one. Stehanie Dowrick "Choosing Happiness"

So, what is your list on why you are all kinds of awesome? Spill.... ?

Hugs

Bxo 

Round 3 of 2011 Blog Challenge, Week 4...

 

Kath has set us another fantastic challenge this week. She has asked us to be relflective & answer a few probing questions:

1. Describe in 25 words or less (why is it always 25 words) the you that you were before 12wbt.

10kgs over weight, unfit, unmotivated, lazy, tired, bored and in a rut. 

2. Now - who are you now??

I am a Mumma who has lots of energy and time to be with her children. I am energetic, focused, driven... I persevere, I am a runner, a cyclist, a swimmer... a kettlebell lover, a heavy weights enthusiast and a triathlon aspiring athlete.

3. What has been the hardest thing to make habit THIS ROUND?

Uhm, that's a hard one... because to be honest I have found this round the easiest for me. Maybe because it's my third, maybe because it's been my most challenging... I am injured and can not do any of my usual smashing workouts. That's the hardest thing this round... but knowing I will be back stronger than ever makes it easier to be patient with my recovery. Eating clean has been my saviour for sure.

I guess getting up at 5am to go swimming every (nothing else, no variations) morning would be the hardest habit I've needed to form this round. I am used to the 5am wake up, but I am used to LOTs of variety. The lack of variety is hard, I get bored easily.

4. What has been easier to make habit than you thought it would be?

Really sticking with the nutrition plan like glue... I thought I would find it harder, maybe because I have had to take it easy with my exercise, it has enabled me to really focus on eating clean & I am not as hungry as I am with my big workouts.

5. How has your body changed THIS ROUND?

Well I have dropped over 4kgs (6%) of body fat... and 16cm in total, so far. I am definitely more lean and toned. My abs are starting to appear again. I would like to say I am stronger, but I really don't know because I can't do anything other than swim with a pool buoy between my legs... and some upper body workouts. My core is much stronger, because I can do as much of that as I like. Always a good thing. oiw and it's changed by a stupid big hole in one of my leg muscles!!

6. How has your mindset changed this round?

OH MY, my mindest is right on track this round. I have decided not to hold back... that I had to give my athletic aspirations everything I had... training and nutrition. I think I was afraid to fail, or succeed... if that makes sense. I also had a terrible injury which I was unaware of... and wondering why I was finding my 30km runs so fricken HARD... I thought it was me, that I was weak. I now know that is so very wrong!

7. Finish this sentence "I now know I am strong because ..." since I found out the extent of my injury, I have realised I am so much stronger than I could ever have imagined. To have run at all on an injury like I had/have is just nuts. I ran the C2S with the injury. I had no idea... I mean I knew I had a niggle, and I was injured, but I  did not realise the extent of it, that I had a tear the size of my 4 year old son's fist in one of my muscles!

I also know I am strong because I have had to dig deep to stick to a safe training schedule. I have had to do the same workout day in and day out... swimming 1.5 - 2.5kms with a pool buoy between your legs is challenging... mentally and physically. There is no variation (well, some, I do sprint intervals and stuff)... but it is nothing like my running, cycling, PT session variations I am used to... and I admit, I have shed a tear of frustration or two. But I know without a doubt that every challenge can be embraced as a blessing... and this is certainly one of them. I get to work only my upper body. ONLY. and that is the best thing I could have asked for... because that's what I need. And core work. So I am staying positive and knowing this will all serve me well when I am strong and able to do my triathlons.

8. Finish this sentence "I am proudest of ...." my positive and persevering attitude, it's been a long road to get to where I am... 500km marathon training... for {what felt at the time} nothing... no marathon finishers medal, just a massive injury. However, I have learnt some very valuable lessons, I have learnt to be strong mentally and to trust myself. I have learnt that there are 100's more marathons I can train for, and ultramarathons, triathlons... and the list goes on. I have only just started. That's for sure!

9. Finish this sentence "In 8 more weeks you will see me ...." stronger and leaner than ever. Smiling, happy... AND RUNNING AGAIN !!! {oiw running!!} and I'll be cycling. You will see me with some triathlon finishers medals to add to my collection... and you will see me overcome the toughest challenge for me so far... my mind!

10. What word applies to you now - that you never would have used before 12wbt? Athlete.

Thanks again Kath... this was another fabulous challenge and I'm looking forward to seeing everyone's reflections.

Bx

PS. IronMum... not sure when you'll get to read this, sorry I missed you second time on skype :( that little Ben needed his Mumma. I know you would have looked stunning and I hope you had a fantastic post IM Kona dinner celebration & party. Travel safe home sweets. See you soooon. Yah! Bx

Round 3 of 2011 Blog Challenge, Week 3...

Kath set us a challenge this week to Find Your Joy.

Make a list of all the non food self nurturing things that bring you joy. Count your blessings.

Okay... this could relate to this post and the list of 101 things to do (you can download your own copy with this link) Download 101 things to do. ie. a fabulous list of many fantastic things to do.

However, to be more specific about things that bring me joy today, I'll create a "here & now" list.

Right now, I am finding joy in:

** taking my kids to a big indoor pool and play centre, and playing with them for hours, and secretly exercising my abs at the same time.

** of recognising those little moments, those teeny tiny moments that are actually the entire essesnce of our lives, and what makes them magical if you take notice. My boy {J} today swimming towards me in a huge, crowed public pool... to plant a most gentle kiss on my lips, and feeling the luckiest woman alive to have the life I have. The family I have, my children and husband. My life is awesome. Being a stay at home Mumma is at times quite hard... but in a split second - moments like this, time stands still and it all goes quiet... and I thank {God, the universe, however you define it} for my gifts.

** enjoying my delicious range of tea{s}, alone and with friends

** getting some yummy products from Lush... and having a candlelit bath! Alone! Heavenly!

** using some beautiful body oils in the sauna after a hard swimming session & my skin feeling smooth as silk and totally hydrated afterwards.

** I love my water bottle. It's a small thing, but it brings me much joy! 

** Taking photos, of my kids, of small things... little things in our home and our lives that bring joy. It's like my own little mini artists date, where I get to be creative and play.

** Teaching Mixed Media and collage... to meet creative peeps and get paint on my hands, get messy for a few hours each week. Love it!

** Of Dendy Premium and catching this great movie with my wonderful friend. And being able to eat clean with strawberries (sans the cream and chocolate!!)

** Of friends poping in, for a quick cuppa, or a few hours. Sweet!

** Enjoying my swim time right now, and embracing my injury away from running and cycling... and heavy weights, as best I can.... with a good attitude & finding the blessing in the challenge.

** Embracing myself as an athlete.... sure I may not ever win my age group in any kinda running, or cyling race... or triathlon. But I'll eat and train like an athlete, and compete at my ability for the rest of my life. I see msyelf running the Venice Marathon in my 70's... with hubs too :) 

** Not having to answer that dreaded "what's for dinner" question with a frustrated "I don't know!!" every two days... of being SO organised with my meal plan and recording my nutrition. 12WBT rocks for that reason alone (but we know for many, many other reasons too!!).

** Nourishing, rich and creamy hand creams.

I am sure there is more, but that will do for now... I'm off to the pool at 5:38am, gotta try and get my sweat on!

Again Kath, thanks for another great challenge. Here's a look at all of my responses to Kath's challenges so far.

Bx

IronMum, if you're reading this... I hope you are having fun in Kona. Your girls had a ball at the pool with us today (and us them :)). I had training with Slater who did really well to create a mini circuit for me... and I continue to eat clean!

Round 3 of 2011 Blog Challenge, Week 2...

Kath has set us another challenge, week 2 is: I'm asking you to paint me a picture. What is (to you) a picture of health? What is health?

So I did this layout to represent my life right now, and my aspirations:

The journalling reads:

At the top of the page:

I have decided to go for it... to live the life that I truly want. I have decided to believe I am deserving, worthy and capable to go all the way. I have decided to embrace my inner athlete. I have decided to make time for training... to schedule my races, to make it happen.  I have decided to take the emotion out of the equation {as much as i can}... and to live the best life I can, for me and my family. I have decided to be the best me ever! forever!

And below:

I am living my ideal life, an active life... a healthy life. nutrition and exercise are paramount for me and my family... I am up at 510am most mornings to get my sweat on. I sweat once a day, if not more... I run, I bike, I swim... I lift weights... I run with my daughter, I play with my boys.  We take holidays, to relax & recharge, we apprecate and have so much grattitude for our family, our home... our sanctury. I run on the beach during our holidays, I seek out the local gym and get a class in everyday... I watch what I eat.  I train and eat like an athlete. I am an althlete... I compete in marathons and triathlons. I have a super supportive husband who is my best support crew and cheerleader... he runs fun runs with me and our children. I have a fabulous training partner & inspiration & confidant... I am living my dream life. 

Oh, I can also say that curing myself of a lifetime illness would have to be my IDEAL picture of health... this past 6months I have cured myself of hypothyroidism... which is amazing. My doctor took two sets of bloods just to make sure.... but the evidence is there, I no longer have hypothyrodism. I can only put this down to my clean diet and amount of exercise. I know that diet and lack of exercise contributes to most people's illnesses, especially when obesity is involved too. I will not allow that to happen to me or my immediate family. That is my picture of health. Nutrition is key. Exercise is critical. It's such a simple formula and yet so many people just ignore those facts... or they do some fluffy class once a week and claim "oh I exercise"... well goodluck with that! You're just kidding yourself! I'll have to do a whole separate post on the hypothyrodism cure, it is rather amazing and huge!

I am very big into visual inspiration. This is a dreamboard I created for 2011. I have a theme word for each year, this year my word is Results, you can read more about it here.

More recently I created these two pages, as cover's for my nutrition plan & exercise diary. Please feel free to take a copy for yourself if you like!

I want those abs!!! Any set of them will do just nicely!

Thanks for another great challenge Kath. Visual aids are definitely one of my favourite motivation and inspiration methods.

So I went out on my bike this morning, 1hour @ 26km/hour pace. My first long{ish} ride and I'm happy with that. IronMum was right with me to help me gain my confidence (thanks IronMum)...

Now off to the gym for a RIDE class, see how I go backing it up.

My main aim today... WATER >>> I need more H20 that's for sure!

Happy Tuesday.

Bxo

Round 3 of 2011 Blog Challenge, Week 1...

The super organised and lovely Kath from Courage2Start has set us 12wbters a weekly blog challenge, and here are my answers to the first set of questions:

1. Describe yourself in 25 words or less. You can get straight to the point - or bring your creativity into play. 

Hiya, I am Rebecca... wife, (stay@home) Mumma and friend. I am passionate, determined.. filled with perserverance and the ability to see the silver lining in most situations.

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

This is my 3rd round, a repeat offender. Initially I first got into it (Round 3 of 2010) because my youngest was a year old, and it was time to get back into shape. I am here again to lose a few more kgs and to continue to get fitter every day. I just love this community, the enthusiasm, support and encouragement can not be beat!

I was training for a marathon... got badly injured and gained a few kgs. Right now I am focused on fixing my injury, doing triathlons, eating clean.... and then training for a marathon (again)... only this time I will run and finish the marathon injury free. I am enlisiting the help of a renowed team, a soft tissue therapist & running specalist trainer.

3. Why do you blog?? 

I've had a personal blog (or two) since 2006.  I love recording our everyday, for me and my children, {my husband reads it regularly too:)}. I am a scrapbooker, a memory keeper. I create hard coverbooks with blurb from the content in my blog. I hope my kids might like to read about the real me when they get older. A woman who was determined, had dreams and challenged herself to reach them, who had opinions and ideas, lots of passions.

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

 My three children... they are the reason I got into the fit lifestyle I am living.

This post here sums it up pretty well. The reasons why.

My training buddy (who is a two time IronMan finisher)... I call her IronMum... she is a total inspiration to me everyday! She shows me what we really can achieve with some guts and determination... our bodies are amazing, and we can do so much with them. Our minds are the real tester!

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

These guys & the family we've created. I had a pretty temultuous upbringing... and to be able to create a happy family that I have... it really is a dream come true. I know that sounds sappy and sentimental, but it is exactly how I feel. I am very lucky!

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

I am really trying to nail this as a lifestyle... not a 12week challenge, or a "fit into a fabulous dress" aspiration... for me this is a lifetime aim to be fit and healthy. I may never (ehh-ehm, positively) ever be a speedy marathon runner, but I will finish one many. I know I will never be an elite athlete... but I will train like one and I will eat like one for the rest of my life. That's my goal. That and to still be competing in my 70s. Why not?

7. What are you most excited about 12wbt? 

I just love that it is such a no fail, easy to follow program... I love the simplicity of it all. I love the comaradere we share in our aims to live a healther and better life. I love the friendships formed, the enthusiasm of a new life... a new vigor. I love the buzz at the after party... the tears and the pride I feel for people I don't even really know... but their stories touch my heart, and I am inspired by them.

8. And what scares the pants off you?

Heights... I am really scared of heights... I'd love to bungee jump, or skydive and really face that fear. One day. Mmmm... maybe my 40th birthday next May? 

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

Strong, determined, focused, fit, pain, tears... jubilation, consistent, victorious & committed.

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

AMAZING!! And proud of myself that I gave this round absolutely everything! and will continue to do so. 

Thanks for this great challenge Kath !

Bxo