Get Real

Get Real

This is my 14th round & I wish I could say that I didn't use any excuses but I do. I am happy to say that I have less then when I first started.

My Excuses

I will embarrass myself at the gym
I have lost my mojo
I might fail
I have just had surgery
It's too hot

My Solutions

Who cares what other people think of you

Remember why I am doing this

It's better to give it ago then not try it at all

train inside where there  is air conditioning or train early in the morning.

Ask the Dr what exercise I can do

Donna it's time to JFDI

Pre season Introduction

Hi my name is Donna & this is my 14^th round. From someone who used to weigh 120kg & not being able to run to now, where I love entering fun runs. In July I flew up to the Gold Coast to meet up with my 12wbt friends who I have met through the program. I attempted to do my 1st Half Marathon & also to watch them do there runs. My half didn't go to plan as I had an injury & had just had surgery. I managed to run 13.5km & was so proud of that result. My aim is to build my distance up & work towards running the half next July. Before the program I was severely depressed & lacked confidence. Since joining I have gained my confidence & I am proud of how far I have come. I still have down days & I still sometimes make poor food & exercise choices but I know that I will never get back to the way I was before. This program has given my life back & I'm so thankful.

80% Nutrition 20% Exercise 100% Mindset

As I'm starting to do my pre season task, I have been looking back at how far I have come but also the struggles I have had along the way. Weight loss is hard but to get to where I want to be I also need to improve my mindset. They say 80% Nutrition 20% Exercise but I believe it's 100% Mindset as well. I have noticed if you aren't in the right mindset its so much harder to achieve my goals. #12wbt #30pluscrew #12wbt30plus #michellebridges #mishbridges #mindset #100%mindset

Week 1 weigh in August 2014

Week 1 weigh in day for #12wbtaugust round saw me lose 500g in 3 days. Consistency is key. I am stoked with my results. #12wbt #12wbt30pluscrew #12weighin #30pluscrew #mishbridges #michellebridges

Day 1 August 2014

Day 1 - My 1st day went pretty well. My nutrition was 100% I managed to sleep 6hrs 45mins which is good for me. I drank 2 litres of water & burnt 200 calories. I'm really enjoying the brand new #12wbt tracker.Tomorrow I'm aiming for 300 calorie burn & 7hrs sleep. 🍏💤💧🏊 #12wbt #12wbtaugust #12wbt30pluscrew #august2014round #mishbridges #michellebridges

Runs I'm entering

These are 3 runs I will be doing in the next couple of months #city2bay #melbournemarathon

My Goals for August Round

As this is my 13th round  I wanted to take a different approach to setting my goals. It's so important to set goals & I have done well in previous rounds but I found myself aiming to high. Aiming high is good but I'm such a perfectionist & when I can't meet all my goals I find myself feeling like a failure & I quickly start crumbling.

So this round I decided to go back to baby steps & do 1, 2 & 3 months goals & focus on the 6 & 12 month goals at a later date. 

My 1 Month Goals

To lose 1.5kg

Join Gym

To train for 12km City to Bay

Keep my blog updated / forums

Drink my daily consumption of water with lemon.

Go to bed before 11.00 instead of after 12.00

2 Month Goals

Run 12km City to Bay

Lose 1.5kg

3 Month Goals

To have lost 4kg by the end of round

To fly to Melbourne & enter fun run

To keep up with my 1 & 2 month goals

I will get there by following the 12wbt program.

Get Real

This is my 13th round & I still find myself making some of the same excuses but a couple of new excuses. Last round I found myself with a foot injury & then I had surgery for endometriosis which is still on going & will be having more surgery later this year. 

My excuses are : 

I'm injured, so I can't train
I've just had surgery
I'm too tired 
I'm depressed 

My solution is:

Find out what exercises I can do that won't effect my recovery

Go to bed at a reasonable time & if I don't get to train in morning then I will train later when pain has eased

I'm Back

Gold Coast Half Marathon Weekend

The weekend of my 1st half marathon 

I don't know where to start!!! My weekend on the Gold Coast was jam packed. it started Thursday I flew out to Brisbane & the lovely Kate Beck was there to pick me up. We drove to Courtneys had a quick car change & then we were off to the Gold Coast to pick up our race bibs. I was quietly freaking out because I was  about to pick up my very 1st Half Marathon race pack. I had so many emotions running around in my head. 

- Can I do this

- what if I get disqualified

- what if people laugh at me

I had so many more but these were my main 3. I didn't mind so much if I came last but just didn't want to be disqualified. 

Friday came & I caught the train into Brisbane & had a relaxing day looking around doing the touristy stuff. Caught the train back to near where Kate works & we went to get Thai across from Kate's house ( yum ) Best Pad Thai ever. 

After dinner we went food shopping for Saturday. Kate had been to Marathon school & had a list of what foods we needed to eat a day before the big race. Carbs Carbs & more Carbs. Dietitian approved so it was okay lol. 

Early Saturday morning we set of to the Gold Coast to support our amazing friends who were running in the 5.7 & 10k run. We headed to Southport to watch the race. 

Kate & I had prepared our Breakfast which consisted of muesli, yoghurt, strawberries  & Bananas. The serve was massive. I have never seen my bowel so full but if a dietitian recommends it, it must be fine lol. 

I originally had signed up for the 10k but had my heart set on doing the half. Watching the race my anxiety levels secretly rose. I haven't been able to train since May because I sprained my ankle & hurt my knee & to top it off I had unexpected surgery.  This really threw  me. Our friends finished the race & I was so proud off them all. Watching how supportive everyone was brought a tear to my eye. I haven't seen this in a very long time. It is something I'm not used to & I loved it. 

Morning tea Dietitian style we were able to have a muffin. What one should we choose? I felt like I was in heaven yum. Mine had a blob of cream which I left to the side. 

Lunch we headed back to the hotel & had bread rolls with chicken. Again the serving was crazy big but yum. Afternoon tea came around & we had banana bread. For dinner we had 2 friends Catherine & Alison over. We needed to eat pasta so went around the block to a little restaurant. Mmm I chose Spaghetti bolognese. So full from this race menu it was desert time.  Ice Cream & fruit salad was on the menu. How could I say no to Ice Cream hehe.

Kate & I were off to bed early because we had to have breakfast & crazy 3.00am . Who has breakfast this early? We do!!! Crumpets with Honey yes please. I think by this time my body was saying no more food. We went back to bed for about half an hour & this was it 

RACE DAY!!! By then I had butterflies I felt so sick. 

What have I done? What have I got myself into? My mindset wasn't in a good place right now. I knew I needed to focus & just try & relax. We were at the start line & I realised this was my 1st road race. I normally run on the River Torrens in Adelaide. I knew this race was huge but I have never been part of such a huge race. My nerves calmed down & we were off. 

I got about 500 meters or so & I could feel my anxiety levels going through the roof. I ear phone had fallen out of one ear & I knew if I had of stopped running this would be the end for me. As I was putting it back into my ear I heard someone call me a stupid stupid girl for having ear phones in. I turned around & it was a volunteer saying this. I was deeply in shock & burst into tears. I kept going but the tears were flowing uncontrollably. I was looking for the nearest exit but the barricades were up. The word Stupid really hit home for a number of reasons. 1 was back in year 6 a teacher called me stupid for not knowing my Maths & the whole class laughed. The 2nd was I already felt like I was stupid for entering the race without training. A complete stranger saw that I was very emotional & she got me to run with her. This got me back into a positive mindset & I kept going. I knew I was coming last at this stage but I knew I needed to keep going. Mish kept popping into my head & I kept JFDI ing. 

At about the 10km mark, I could see the lovely Kate (cocogirl) running on the other side of the road & she yelled out keep going, don't give up, you have got this & Im so proud of you!!!  I'm not used to people saying this to me & it meant so much to me. I still here her words now. Thank you Kate from the bottom of my heart. 

I had gotten to the 10k mark & I couldn't feel my legs anymore. I really didn't like this feeling & was getting worried. My legs were cramping up but those beautiful words from Kate kept me going. By the 12k mark a race official on her motorcycle yelled out that I only had 10 minutes to get to Runaway Bay. I knew at this point that this was going to be impossible but I didn't want to give up. I wanted that medal so much. By the time I got to the 13.5 mark, I saw a van at the back of me going really slow. The lady on the motorcycle came past & said well done but I had reached the cut off time. So they put me in the back of the officials van where other race goers were. 

By this stage I was devastated & so embarrassed.  I thought I had let everyone who was waiting for me down. They had been my biggest support & I couldn't finish. 

I did know deep down that they still would be proud of me but at this stage I was so disappointed in myself. I wanted to feel that sense of achievement & I wanted to be proud of what I had achieved but I wasn't. Silly me really wanted to let Mish know that I had completed my 1st half. 

I got back to all my 12wbt friends & they were so supportive caring & gave me a massive hug. I broke down for a couple of reason. One was because back home in Adelaide I don't have this much support & I was deeply touched. 

I could see my friend Kate in a lot of pain & she wasn't feeling well but she still got up & said she would be back soon. Kate came back with a medal & t shirt for me. This really got me teary because No one has ever done something this nice for me. Thank you beautiful Kate from the bottom of my heart. 

A couple of hours later once I started to relax I looked back on the day & could finally start to feel proud of myself. I looked at my time for the 10k mark & I had smashed it by 17 minutes. So if I had of stuck to the 10k I would have smashed my time. 

After my race we headed down to watch the Marathon runners finish. We had a few 12wbt friends running & we wanted to show our support. I want to congratulate them all & in particular Greg Leitch for completing your 1st marathon. So inspirational to watch.

I will be back to tackle the GCAM next year. With a lot of training & entering fun runs before the big one I know I can do this. I have learnt not to listen to a couple of people's negative comments & focus on doing what you want to do.

I want to say a massive thank you to Kate (CocoGirl) for having me at your house & for letting me stay at the hotel with you. The lead up to the race was so much fun. So many laughs & so many good memories xoxo

Also to the other amazing friends who were there over the weekend. You are all amazing people & Im so proud of you all 

So looking back I can happily say that I didn't give up. The time got the better of me. I will be back stronger next year

It didn't happen over night

1 more I promise. I'm not normally comfortable posting my before but today I am. My mum & I were going through some photos & she came across this. We both had to look again to see if this was me. This is when I would drink coke 24/7 I would take it to bed. I really hated myself & hated who I had become. I will never get back to this. @mishbridges @12wbt #30pluscrew #12wbt30pluscrew #michellebridges #12wbt

It ain't always easy but so worth it

This weight loss journey isn't always easy. You will fall but it's so important to pick yourself up & get back into it. I sometimes forget how far I have come & Im so thankful to @mishbridges @12wbt & #30pluscrew for all of your support. I love that you are here for the good & not so good times. Xx

Operation eating sneaky Clean

I want to thank everyone on the 12wbt30plus page for there support from my post yesterday. It felt so good finally being ready to say it out loud. Your support meant so much to me.

So today I woke up with poor health BUT I was determined not to let this get the better of me anymore. 

My main aim now is to eat 100% clean so I can at least maintain my weight & when I'm back to better health smash out those calories & get closer to my goal weight.

I do follow all post on here & I have been following Kate's operation projects & have really wanted to join in. So my hashtag is 

#operationeatingsneakyclean

I am going to set up a sticker chart & give myself a sticker for my meals. 3 for my main meals & 2 for my snacks. I haven't thought of a reward for doing this but I'm sure it will come to me.

So far today I have eaten sneaky clean & looking like I will earn all my stickers.

I will keep myself accountable by posting to my IG account & my blog.

#operationeatingsneakyclean #day1 #icandothis #1stepatatime

Today's Healthy meal

Who would have thought that eating healthy could taste so good? #1millionkg #12wbt #michellebridges #mishbridges @12wbt

Mothers Day classic 2014

I did it #mothersdayclassic & words can't describe how proud I was to cross over that finish line. I don't use the word proud often when it comes to me but before the race I had so much self doubt that led to me believe I couldn't do this but I DID. Thank you to @12wbt #12wbt for the running programs. I have learnt so much from it. #mdc2014 #30pluscrew @mishbridges Dream Believe & you will Achieve

Week 2 Weigh in Results

Week 1 Weigh In

Week 1 weigh in 200g loss since Monday. #ontherightpath #12wbt #12wbt30pluscrew #backontrack

Day 1 Afternoon snack

My Commitment May 2014

This is my 12th round of 12wbt & I have been doing really well until last round. I did 2 weeks & then I crashed & burned. So this round when I feel like my depression is getting the better of me I will make sure I come back to my pre season tasks & really remember why I am doing this.

My commitment is firstly to myself, I will give this program 110% of everything I have. When the going gets tough I really just need to JFDI & get the job done. I am committed in flying to the Gold Coast & running the 10k on the Saturday & then running my 1st half marathon on the Sunday.

I will put in the hard work to make my dream a reality. I will train 6 days a week even if the weather is horrible. I will stay true to my word & will follow the exercise & nutrition down to a t.

I commit to you all #12wbt @mishbridges #michellebridges #mayround 

I'm back for a new round

I'm back for another round of #12wbt. My last round was a massive struggle & I didn't complete it. My depression got in the way & the passing of my auntie really got the best of me.

I know that I can't use these as an 

Taking a break from Weighing in

Over the last 4 weeks I haven't seen the scales move & if I have it was a 300g gain. After 11 rounds & losing 35.6kg it is disheartening. After seeing the scales last week I decided that I will be having 2 weeks without weighing in. This is going to be hard for me but to help with my mindset I need to do this for me. It doesn't mean I'm going to take my foot of the pedal. I'm still going to train hard & eat clean. I just can't take seeing numbers at the moment.

I found this picture which fits perfect for the way I want to be feeling. 

Mothers Day Classic mapped out

I have 69 days until Mother's Day classic & I have already mapped out my run. I have decided to only do 4.3 km & just see how that goes. The rest of the time I am hoping to help out.

Today is the Day

Today is the day!!!

Last week I received a free 2 month membership for Fernwood fitness club. I worked out what classes I wanted to do & today I will be doing my very 1st Box fit class. Most of this morning my head has been playing the Yes/No game. I'm full of nerves & self doubt but 

I'M GOING TO DO THIS.

My biggest fear is not being able to do this or will I make a fool out of myself. I can't let my self doubt get the better of me. Thank you Kristy for sending me the pass & to Kate for thinking of this. You both are 2 amazing caring people & I am very Grateful xx

My 3 favourite runs I'm entering

These are the 3 runs that I'm most excited about doing this year. The most exciting & rewarding will be flying to the Gold Coast to run in the 10k run. #12wbt #GCM #citytobay #mdc #mishbridges #michellebridges thanks for the running program @mishbridges there are plenty more runs I will be entering but these 3 are my favourites.

My Week 4 Exercise Diary

I did a screen shot so it doesn't look real flash

Margies Bootcamp

When I first heard that there was going to be a Bootcamp run by Margie Cummins on the Saturday of the 12wbt Summer Festival, I had mixed emotions. I was excited because this lady is one of my Inspirations. Margie has been through & knows what it’s like to be overweight.  I had a lot of negative self doubt come through.

I was scared of not being able to keep up. I knew that no one from the 12wbt family would laugh at me, but in the back of my mind I was scared because it has happened to me in the past.

I did struggle with the negativity in my head. There were times when my head was telling me to 

Stop
Donna’s no good

 I’m a joke

But with all that negativity came so many new positive memories to. I was so glad I did go. The support from Margie, her friend & all of the other bootcampers got me through it. The amazing team work that was shown was amazing. Everyone cheered each other on & it was the best feeling.

I’m so glad that I didn’t let my fear & self doubt get the better of me. I know I would have kicked myself if I had of missed it. I can happily say that I gave 110% 

Gold Coast 10k Run

In the past if a running event got cancelled I wouldn't have really cared but I have found out that 2 events in April have been cancelled. So I have decided to go 1 step further & sign up for a 10k run Gold Coast Marathon (Gold-Coast-Marathon). So I better keep up with my training. Knowing that some of my friends from 12wbt program are doing the run will be a good support. Now to keep an eye out on cheap flights & accommodation.

Start Week February 2014

•  Chest (cm)

  95

• Waist (cm)

  79

• Hips (cm)

  97

• R.Thigh (cm)

  60

• R.Arm (cm)

  28

My Weekly Weigh In February

My Starting Weight-  66.5

  

Week 1 - 66.2	Week 2 - 66.9	Week 3 -	Week 4 -	Week 5 -	Week 6 -
Week 7 -	Week 8 -	Week 9 -	Week 10 -	Week 11 -	Week 12 -

Week 2 Challenge

Week 2 challenge was to make friends with the stairs. In the past I would avoid using stairs at all cost. I found myself short of breathe & I didn't like feeling like I was going to die. So when I saw that this weeks task was taking the stairs I freaked out. I can happily say that I did take part & actually didn't mind it. I avoided using the lift where possible. I am now going to try & use stairs as much as possible.

Michelle Bridges 12WBT - Round 4 Wrap Up Video

My Commitment

This is my 11^th round & I am committed to getting to my goal weight of 58kg by losing 7 kg. I will stick to the program 100% & from my last round, I know I can do this. I’m going to train 6 days a week & stick to my nutrition. This round I am going to enter a few 5 & 10k fun runs.  I am also committed to showing my 12 year old niece who is struggling with food that there are so many delicious healthy options & that being active can be fun.  

My 1 Month Goal

A new round is about to start & I have sat down & written out my 1 month goals.

My goals for the next 12 months

1 Month Goals:

To lose 2.5 kg 

To run 4 km non stop

To enter 5k run

3 Month Goals:

To get to my goal weight of 58 kg by losing 7 kg.

To enter 10k fun run


6 Month Goals

Advance to the half marathon program
Run a half marathon 
To maintain my goal weight.
To tone up

12 Month Goals

To make sure I am meeting all my goals set for 1,3 & 6 months

Run a full Marathon

I'm back & pumped as ever

My Highlights for Round 4 2013

Get Real

As I'm working on my pre season task, I'm looking back on previous rounds & I'm happy to see that my excuse list is getting shorter each round. After all these round yes I still have days were I will find excuses not to train. 

My Excuses 

Too Tired

Lack of Motivation

Still play a part of me achieving my goals. By the end of week 12, I'm hoping when I revisit this task that I'm able to cross these last 2 off my list.

My Soloution

Continue to train in the morning & just get it out of the way.

Here is another Before & After

I don't have a lot of photos of me at my biggest, but I found this one on the left & on the right of me now. 

Introduce Myself

Each round I still love to do the pre season task that Mish sets out. So here is this rounds Introduce myself task.

Hi I’m Donna & I’m 30 years old. This will be my 11^th round.  I only intended on doing 1 or 2 rounds but seeing the results from round 1 & the amazing support I received was so motivating. I managed to lose 35.6kg & that saw me reach my goal weight which was 58kg but I went on my 1^st overseas holiday to the US & gained 8kg. I have no one else to blame but myself. I am happy to say with the help of the program I’m getting closer to being at my goal weight again. What I love about this program is I can be honest without being judged.

Last round I did the Learn to run program & can now say I love running again. I started off only being able to run for 1 minute 52 secs without stopping & now I can run 20 min 13 secs without stopping. I’m looking forward to be able to enter fun runs this year.

I have decided that I’m ready to tackle running 10k program & I’m looking forward to seeing the improvements each week.

This round I’m looking forward to reaching new goals & getting back to my goal weight of 58kg.

Update on my list of goals

13 days ago I reassessed my goals I wanted to achieve before the end of round. I knew I haven't reached them all so I broke them down & will tackle them next round. In the pink picture below were the goals I set & in the blue are the ones I have achieved. 

It shows hard work & determination pays off. This round has had plenty of ups & downs but I'm so happy that I never gave in. I have my 12wbt friends to thank 

I just achieved 1 of my goals for this round

My goal by the end of this round was to be able to run 20 minutes without stopping. By the end of week 10 I can happily say I have achieved this goal. I now can run 20 Minutes 13 secs . For someone who at the start of this round could only run 1 min 52 I feel extremely proud. I find it hard feeling proud of myself but this time I' am proud of this achievement. who is never proud of there achievements I am. I finished not having anything left in my tank & I could see my loved one worried that I over did it. My family member was happy for me but most of it came out negatively. So I just wanted to share it with you all. .With 2 week left to go for this round I know I can achieve more.

Dream Believe Achieve :)

Watermelon Strawberry Smoothie

My breakfast was watermelon Strawberry smoothie. So yummy 

Why I keep rejoining 12WBT

Another round is nearly over & I have been asked again by a couple of people why I keep rejoining 12wbt program? My main reason has always been to lose weight & become fit & healthy. I have my ups & downs but in time I have learnt the importance of getting straight back up & getting straight back into it. I still have days where I get out of bed & can't be bothered exercising but I get on with it. It's now like a everyday routine as I do with cleaning my teeth. 

My other reason is this program has given me my confidence back. 30 years of my life & I have only just managed to finally have confidence in everything I do. I have met so many amazing people a long this journey. From Mish & her amazing support crew to everyone doing this program past & present. I can truly call you my life long friends, my 2nd family. Over my 10 rounds the friendships, the belief in me has been a huge part of my success. You believed in me when no one else around me did. 

This program has given me back the love of running. I can now run 15 minutes without stopping & Im aiming for 20 mins before week 12.

Thank you all from the bottom of my heart :)

Before & After photos

I don't have many photos of myself during the time I was overly obese. I would take photos of others but when it was my turn I would hide away. So here are a couple of old photos I found.