Week 6 - Day 4!

Hi All,
Thanks for all the comments!!

So week 6 - Day 4!! where is this year going let alone my challenge!

Its hubbys B'day on 1st July and that to me always signals how quick the year has gone!!
We are both 30 this year!!! ARGGHHHH I have a real problem with getting to 30! So I'm going to be 20/10.

This week is going well, I have a cold that I thought I has escaped but no I had to go and get it!! I have still been Ok to teach all my classes,(9 so far!) I couldn't do my long run on Monday though as my nose was totally blocked and my throat was sore.

So did it on Tuesday but reduced the distance a little, then Bodyattack on Wednesday and Thursday was enough cardio for those days!!

Plan to do Short High Intensity run today, then a Bodybalance class, then driving to Cannington to do my handover for my GFC position!!!! YAYYY!!

FAMILY NEWS!!! My little boy has blown us away this week with his maths skills!!! All kids at his school (and other schools) were invited to partcipate in the 2006 International Competitions and Assessments for Schools - Mathematics test. All organised and set up by the Uni of NSW. So we paid the fee, sent back the form and heard nothing more, until he came home and said he had done it.

So of course we asked how he went, we got the usual (those without kids - they get to a certain agae and everything becomes 'alright' and they don't disclose alot about their day without intense probing!) 'yeah, it was alright'.

UNTIL!!! he comes home on Wednesday with a certificate and report that you get sent with results on!!
HE GOT A HIGH DISTINCTION!!! (the highest!!) PLUS the report shows him a being top 10% for his year in WA, way above average in all sections of the test and in most sections over and above the range of year 5 scores in WA!!!

GO BRYCE!!!! Anyway, that is my proud mum moment!!! Sorry for going on and on!!

So onward for the weekend, I do plan a free meal with my hubby!!! We have go my dad babysitting!! (he is our only family here) for a couple of hours and we will go for lunch, should be nice, probably going to Hillary's Boat Harbour, those not from Perth, it is a gorgous hub of life, energy and beauty.

Anyway must dash, run to do and class to teach!! Will report on 1/2 way results next week.

Speak soon

Shar XXXX

4 weeks down, 8 to go!!

Me and my girl!!

Just loving this pic.
Me and Maddison on
our local beach Trigg,
in Perth.

Shes the only one
that finds me funny!!




Anyway, 4 weeks done and dusted!!!

4 week stats
3.1kg loss.
Skinfolds and measurements down.

Feeling good so far perhaps a little slack in weeks 2 & 3 with my food, had free meals and didn't wanT to and added little extras over the rest of the weekend!! but pulled in the reigns since and feeling really positive.

We have moved and I have the most gorgeous park on our doorstep now. The path round the outside is 2.4km, so have been running round and round and round and round for cardio!!

Have got a change in schedule soon with my Group Fitness Instructing, so hoping the body will respond well to that.

Also had some good news in that I have been asked to be 2IC GFC for Fitness First and get to do covers for the Group Fitness Co-ordinators. I have done 2 months at Murray St, the city club and am commencing a 3 month stint at the Cannington club, bit of travelling but hey, this is where I want to be so all good.

Have the In-Laws ariving from UK in 3 weeks so that will be good, the kids will love having Nanny & Grandad here!!

Anyway no more news for now, hope you are all well and THANKS SOOOOOO MUCH for all the comments, it's good to be back on track and blogging again.

Take care, Shar XXX

PS - Sue your looking fab, love the pic.

I'm Back!! Sorry for the Gap!!

I'm Back!!! So please keep checking in all you loveeeerrllleeeyyy ladies that posted comments!!

Anyway a quick re-cap.

Finished my challenge, lost some CM's, lost 3kg, and skinfolds did come down BUT decided against my photos being done as I knew deep down I hadn't made the changes I wanted to due to a bit of a poor effort in all respects really.

Was very disappionted in myself and felt like I had failed etc etc and although I preach the failure way of thinking is no good for body or soul I was feeling it myself,

UNTIL.........................................................I was browsing everyones blogs as I do daily and JODIE saved me!!! (I don't think she knows this!) I read this on her blog , see what
you think.......

The value of failure

The value of failure Failure is a normal and natural part of achievement.

When the failures come, learn from them and then move quickly along.

Failure is not the worst thing that can happen. The worst thing that can happen is to let the fear of failure prevent you from ever doing anything.

If your top priority is to avoid all failure, then you will surely fail.

For only by accepting and living with the possibility of failure can you succeed and achieve.

Failure is not the end of the world. It is merely another step on the pathway to fulfillment, wisdom and achievement.

Though you would never intentionally set out to fail, when failure does come the best thing to do is to gracefully accept what has happened.

That will enable you to gain the most positive value from it.

Then you can move right along to the next step, and soon you'll be a long way past the failure, filled with more wisdom and experience.

Let failure be, and achievement will surely come.-- Ralph Marston

Bearing in mind that this was my second attempt as my operation got in the way during my first challenge!!, then the fact of the complications and being re-hospitilized knocked me for six but again I felt that I had failed, by not recovering quickly.

OK so 1st one, out of my control but gutted I didn't complete it, 2nd one some changes but just down to me not putting in with everything I have , with some outside factors too, but hey no excuses.

So I read this feeling like I had failed, so what was I going to do, not try again and just get there when I get there? be scared to try again incase I just don't make it AGAIN!! ?

NO- I am going to use everything to my advantage and learn form it, not be scared find the courage to go again.!! and that is what I have done, I am now into another challenge and plan on blogging again and reporting in general about my training etc.

So far so good with training, food could be a little better, still struggle at weekends, particularly last weekend when we were moving all weekend! BUT on top of it now and realise that to learn from my past mistakes/blips I need to just focus and get on with it.

Hope you are all well and look forwrd to your comments!! Oh and Thanks JODIE!!

Shar X

‘When the road is long, when the challenges are great, that is your chance to truly shine. For when you give it all you have, you end up with the best you can be.’

LET's SHINE BRIGHT!!

Start of Week 9

So week nine is here.

Have been working hard with my trainng and feeling alot better with myself over the last week. My measurements are down which is good and I will get my skinfolds done again soon.

I have been really busy, I just seem to be running around all the time or sitting at my computer, no time to sit and relax etc, and that is not an exageration.

I don't feel tired just sometimes mentally exhausted.

One positive this week was that I became an Auntie, My sister had her baby (in the UK!!), a little girl called Lauren. I wish I could see them, I miss everyone back home so much and me and my sister are particularly close.

Anyway, thanks or all your comments girls, its great to know you are checking in.

Speak soon

Shar x

Another week gone by!!

Hi all

I can't believe another week has gone by and it's already the middle of another!!!

I had a really busy weekend and also had my Pilates practical exam and theory exam on Sunday, GOOD NEWS is that I passed both!!!! Strange but I really enjoyed the studyng for the exam!!

Anyway training is going well, as usual and my food is back on track after some wise words from Sue and a incident with my bubba that made me realise that life is too short and I just need to get on with it!!

I am loving the protien puddings at the moment, from the recipe document - WPI and a couple of spoons of the Jello (the ones from Sue) and it sets like a yummy moose!!

Durathon is doing it's job!! I am easily making it to the evenings without feeling tired and worn out, perhaps the reduction in classes has something to do with that aswell.

Anyway still reading lots of blogs, on that subject how do I put the 'blogs I read' down the side of my page? Can anyone tell me?

Must get to bed, lots of work to get done tomorrow as I have another full on weekend and have no time to do it then!!

Blog soon, shar x

HALFWAY POINT REACHED!!

One of the many beautiful

sunsets we saw on or trip

around OZ - 2005!

Week six done and dusted - my halfway results are:

3.4kg weight loss
4.7% drop in bodyfat (done from skinfolds)

These are OK, BUT there is going to be alot more hard work put into the final 6 weeks!!

If I am totally honest, which I am! I haven't given 100%, probably more like 90% and this is mainly to do with the food side of things, my training has been spot on and I can put hand on heart and say I haven't missed one training session!

I am a little disappointedin myself , but hey, onward and upward can't dwell on it.

If I manage the same results in the second half then all will be well.

My classes have dropped back for this 3 month roster so this allows me to do some additional cardio. Having been a quite keen runner at different points along my journey I have caught the bug again!! Just aswell I brought the treaddie!!

My first target is a 1/2 marathon in 7 weeks time, I CAN'T WAIT!!! I have a good base of fitness already due to the classes I teach, so this is achievable for me.

I am in my absolute element designing running programmes and had such success last time I did mine, taken my mile times from 10 1/2 minute miles to 7 minute 20 second miles for a 10 mile race.

I hope to do the Rott Nest Marathon in October! Hope is the key word there though!

I am sorry for the delay in updatng my blog, please don't stop checking, I will make a concious effort to update more regularly.

I have my Pilates exam this Sunday!!! I have een doing my training over the last month and fingers crossed I will pass, so much knowledge required!! Study, study,study.

Ok thats all for now, I'm tired today, I had a tough class tonight!!

Have a great start to the weekend.

Shar x

Week 6 - Day 4

Maddi & I

This was taken at our

local beach in Perth just

after we arrived in Oz.

She looks like a bubba still!!

Where does the time go?

Sorry for the delay in updating, I have beeen super busy and I had problems logging on a couple of nights ago?

Anyway, all is well, back to training hard this week after I lost a week in bed with the poorly thing.

My treadmill has been working overtime as I have increased my cardio a little.

Its great, hubby has fixed up a telly for me, the time goes so quick, although it's annoying when I'm watching something as I have to keep such a close eye on my Heart rate I just can't keep it up in the correct zone.

Someone asked my today, 'have you lost weight?', I immediaely perked up!! then they sadi ' yeah your face looks alot thinner' !!!!! so I said ' nevermind me face, what about me ass????' (hee Hee)

Anyway, I am up waaaaayyyyyyyyyyy to late, I did 4 tough classes today and my legs are ready to drop off. Cardio to get up and do in the morning! getting a little sick in the head I think (like Rae!) I'm actually looking forward to it!

Anyway, thanks for the comments, love to get them :)

I'll update again soon, I promise.

Shar X

NEW TREADMILL & SPRAY TAN!!

My Wedding Day 2002

I Lost 4 stone for the

wedding and then

put 5 stone back on

with Maddison

(no excuse, i know)

The rest of the storey's on

the IBO homepage!

I had my spray tan today!! I was giggling to myself all the way through!!

The good news is, she didn't ask me to lift up my boobs!! this means one of two things - she was too embaressed too ask or there isn't anything left to lift up!!

(my bobs always go first!)

Luckily she didn't ask me to lift up my buttocks either as they are most definately still there!!

I have got a new super duper treadmill ! YAY! This is so I can do my cardio first thing in the morning whilst my bubba is still asleep, my hubby os out 4 mornings a week so I can't go out myself.

We had a great morning at the beach making the most of Perth's faberooney weather- 29 today! I just enjoyed siting and relaxing geting some fresh air as I really haven't been out all that much this week while I was reovering.

I want to go and find Jacobs Ladder tomorrow and see if it can fit into my cardio sessions in some way.

Having a junk sorting / tidying day tomorrow as we are both at home with no work for a change!

For those that haven't checked out Selina's blog yet she has posted some after pics, have a look she looks awesome.

Great to hear from you all, keep the comments coming,

Speak Soon

Shar XX

Week 5 - Day 3 - POORLY

Early 2005

Me and my boy at

Buchan Caves whilst

we were travelling OZ

Sorry for the delay, but I have been, still am poorly. Alot of the instructors I work with have had this throat, cold, cough thing and yes I recieved it too!!

Unfortunately I have had the throat bit quite bad and have a real bed issue with my voice aswell as the above. Nevermind, no classes for a week and lots of sleep and I should be good. Lucky it's easter and I had the weekend off anyway.

All has been good, seeing some changes coming along, nothing major but enough to re-fuel my fire and keep me going.

Booked photographer today will fill you in on next post.

Must dive back into bed as I'm starting to feel rough again, why are we worse in the morning and evening, anyone with the medical answer could you let me know?

Hope you are all well and a special mention to Selina who is finishing this weekend, just get through Friday and you will look fab girl!!

Speak soon

Shar x

Week 4 - Day 6

A pic of me and my girl - Maddison.
Shes trying to make me eat a smartie!!












I thought I may aswell try this picture thing, it makes it a litle more interesting!

So it's the weekend and I was doing OK, UNTIL I went shopping, I have eaten to plan all week (Got told off by Sue for not eating enough though!) and I went shopping hungry and the things I love were all jumping out at me.

I didn't buy any of them but am craving something fatty right now so thought I would blog to try and stop it. It's not working !!!!!!!!!!!

Training has been great all week and I have completed every session even though I have had a sandpaper throat and bangignheadache for the last 3 days.

I have no work today, no classes, no IBO work so intend on just chillin with my bestest people in the whole world.

Bubba is asleep at the moment so will get an hour with my boy! think we will play X BOX 360!!!!

I hope you are all doing well and I look forward to hearing from you.

Shar X

Week 4 - Day 3 - Wednesday

Hi All

Busy day, Sues got me working hard this wek - ALL GOOD!! and what with 3 classes today, i've been flat chat!!

Food
Spot on again, although I got hungry tonight so perhaps should have had my meeal 6? but managed without so that cool.

Exercise
Bodyattack class, this is so tough!!! and I have to talk throughout. At least it means no extra cardio needed.
Bodybalance and a Bodypump classes done and dusted too.

Focus
Still determind and have started looking well ahead to the last 3 weeks and planning bits and peices, this will keep me going. Although today right in the middle of my Bodybalance class, which was straight after Bodyattack, I found my mind wondering towards thinking of food!!! wanted some chips!! Bizarre.

Motivation
Quite high today noticing good shape through my shoulders starting to come on!! Yey!


SPRAY TAN BOOKED!!! having it done on Easter Saturday!

Hope you are all good

SharX

Week 4 - Day 2

Hi all,

Todays update.

FOOD
Ate well again today, missed one meal due to timing of classes etc, should have eaten my breakfast earlier but got called to cover a class late.

Exercise
Had to move planned legs and shoulders session due to the cover being a Bodypump!! no can do - training and Bodypump don't like each other!!
Did Cardio first thing this morning so all good.

Focus
Very positive and yes Sue I will DO DO DO.

Motivation
Not in Hyperdrive today but feeling driven to get a full hiccup free week done. I did have a quick look at my before pics today and OH MY GOD!!! I have to look good at the end to make up for the state of the before pics!!

After reading Selinas blog I am soooo getting a spray tan sooner than week 12!! Will keep you posted.

I'm struggling with no scales!! Looking forward to my skinfolds again.

Speak soon

SharX

Week 4 - Day 1

Week 4 - Day 1

Food - Went well today with my meals BUT i missed a meal!! opps, ran out of time to eat!

Exercise - All exercise don and dusted. Trained Chest and Triceps. Do two block of cardio, one of which was a jog to a lovely long hill, up and down 5 times!!! and a jog home!

Focus - Very strong today, have turned a corner I hope. Have been using a few excuses last week, with a few words from Sue and Hubby, something clicked.

Motivation - High today. Chart has been drawn up, gold stars to go on it when a sucessful day completed, $2 per star goes into a pot towards my photos, tan etc etc. Also my skinfolds were down from last week, so all good.

Those that are reading, I would love to hear your comments, so if you haven't registered then do so!! You never know you may find it good to strt your own blog?

PS - A BIG CONGRATS TO LISA - she looks fab, check her blog out or Sues!!! WELL DONE GIRL!!

Week 3 - Day 2

A little tired today, up early 5am to get to my class - Bodyattack at 6am, sooo tough! But hey that was my cardio done for the day.

Then to the gym for Legs/Shoulders with my hubby, he pushed me hard today as I always complain I don't get sore in the legs!! BIG MISTAKE!!

Then a a Bodybalance class 7.30pm tonight, so chilled out when I come home.

Food was spot on, BUT missed 2 meals!! Opppps, just so busy I forgot to eat. Not good enough I know.

I am nearly out of Durathon, so must order some more tomorrow.

Hard long day ahead tomorrow, must sleep well and hope the little one sleeps a little later than 6am!! (fingers crossed)

Thanks for the comments on my last post girls, It definately keeps me going, I must try and read a few more blogs myself.

May try and post again sooner than end of the week as it seems to keep me on the straight and narrow.

Shar XX

Week 2 - Day 7

Ok so I haven't managed my 3 blogs this week just two, not bad.

I am a little low this morning. I got on the scales this morning (as I did three other mornings!!!) a day earlier than normal and I have gained 0.5kg!! I'm so fed up.

So now my two week weight loss is 2.6kg, still not bad.

I am having real trouble staying off the scale and find it hard not to take notice of them (years and years of dieting), so much so that when my husband heard the scream this morning he walked in the bathroom lokked at me sternly and took the scales away !!!!

Initially I was like ' oh my god, what he hell am I gonna do without them!' but having sat down and had a chat with my hubby (he's a personal trainer) I have agreed to have skinfolds done every two weeks along with measurements, the next time I will weigh is at week 6 - 4 whole weeks away!!

I wonder how I will go? So pretty much I am gonna forget any weigh ins I have had since the start and keep my starting weight in my head, then when week 6 comes I'll update you with my weight, but hey if my skinfolds are improving and the cm's are coming off in the meantime, it's all good.

Speak soon
Shar

Week 2 - Day 2

OK so I'm over my disappointment of my Free meal!! Sue's comment is so right, keep your eye on the prize!! whatever that means to you personally, it is so right, we all have a reason we are doing this, it could be health, body shape, self esteem, competition and we need to remember.............. that will be our prize.

Weekly Report

3.1 kg loss - yes very good BUT it will slow right down as this will be alot of water weight

Skinfolds to be done next week ( Sue wants me to do them two weekly because of the amount I exercise, she will be waching carefully to make sure I don't start losing any lean mass)

Made a good start to the week by training yesterday and have my other sessions planned.

Food all good today.

Have a good week.......Shar x

I'm only Human!!!!

Ok, so for about 1/2 an hour I have been sat here wanting to post but trying to decide whether to mention my mistake or just brush it under the mat.

BUT, I decided I'm only human, I'm an honest person and felt that my experiences throughout my challenge should be open and honest.

I had a free meal on Saturday night!!! I AM SOOOOOOOOO FED UP (putting it mildly) with myself. I have been 110% all week, all training done all food by the book and already I give in to a free meal!! at the end of week 1. Weekends are so hard for me. WHY??????

So although I know they are there to have IF I need them, I am laying myself not only the 12 week challenge but the challenge NOT to use anymore of my Free meals!!
MADNESS I hear you cry, BUT I feel so much worse afterwards, mentally etc than I did craving the food in the first place, I just cannot cope with the mind games I play with myself.

I know one meal isnt going to ruin everything, but that is how I feel afterwards and all my positive energy gets zapped. So eleven straight 100% weeks ahead and I will promise to tell if I break my challenge within my challenge, but you won't be hearing it here!!!!!!

Anyway onwards and upward, New day, new week and training and classes galore to get through.

I will report my weekly figures here early next week, until then have a good one.

Shar

'When you make a promise to yourself, believe it with everything you have and you'll find a way to keep that promise.'

2nd Blog of the week!!

On track with everything.

Trained Back/Biceps & Calves today, loved it !!!! So good to get back into the gym.

Food all good. I had the pancakes from the recipe sheet tonight - one word - YUMMY!!!

Feelin positive and strong still but my worst time is weekends as I have said before, so hopefully I can get through it.

Blog again soon.........

Week 1 - Day 3

It feels so good to be training again and eating well. I continue to be busy this week but have stayed on track by planning ahead.

Today is my day of 5 classes!!! I get worn out by about 3pm and then have another 2 to do. But the good news for my body is that as of April I am cutting my classes back to 10 per week instead of 16. I can therefore give a little more to my resistance training and hopefully make some fantastic gains by the end of my challenge.

I have planned my training for Thursday, Friday and Saturday this week, not ideal but as I do a split programme it can be done.

I have a chart going on and everyday I complete all my training and eat 100% clean I can shade it in. I can then visually see myself progressing along the path.

I hope all your training is going well and I will blog again soon.

Sharleen

So what happened I hear you ask!!

Three blogs per week as my aim!! How many did I manage................. 1!.... SORRY

I have been the busiest I have been in years, well thats a slight exaggeration but hey, nearly the busiest!!

So busy infact I totally forgot to take any pictures, measurements etc last week before I re-commenced my Challenge.

So although I had a good week exercise wise and was nearly spot on with my food (missed a few meals!!) my start date for official purposes (bodyblitz photos etc) will be today.

I plan to redeem myself with my blogging this week so please keep coming back and giving me your comments.

Week 1 - here I come...........................................