The End Of A New Beginning!

3 days and the 2014 March 12 Week Challenge will be over. 12 Weeks fly's by but its amazing how much you can achieve in that time, and how much life can change.

This challenge I not only had my own goals but I had my clients to reach. I am never not amazed at their dedication and enthusiasm to change their life.

Although the end of the challenge, this is only the beginning, the beginning of a new life, new improved version of yourself, new friends, and new passions. Now is just the start of more to come!

The Best Kind Of Motivation!

I have come to realise that there is actually nothing better than sharing your clients progress with them. Seeing their face light up when they accomplish something new and reach a new goal and the look in their eyes when they see the progress for themselves. That is what makes the job amazing! 

The Ultimate Challenge

I am now into the last 11 days of the third challenge I have participated in. Some might say that one challenge should be enough, but each time I reach a goal I expand on that and push myself further. As ironic as this sounds, each challenge has its own challenges. Over the past three challenges I have had injured ankles, an injured wrist, shin splints, been on crutches, and mental weakness. This challenge is different though. This challenge I not only have myself to guide through the 12 weeks but a bunch of amazing girls too! This time I am a trainer and I have a bunch of amazing individuals with strength beyond what you would believe, working to change themselves and their lifestyles. 

Its a hard balance, mentally preparing yourself and helping others to follow through and reach their goals. At times, while I build up my business, it sometimes means my training and energy is sacrificed, but in the end I think its worth it. Even when I am struggling mentally I have to remember, I have made so much progress to date and struggling is ok, it just means i 100% understand what my clients are going through. 

Over the past year I have changed physically and mentally. My strength comes from knowing where I have been and where I don't want to go back to mentally. I find the biggest struggle is changing my mind set to suit the changes that I have made physically. Despite the progress I make I just can't seem to get my mind to catch up. To remind myself on my side is an image to remind me that "I can't go back to yesterday because I was a different person then". 

I hope if nothing else, through my journey I can help my clients in changing their lives, being happy with themselves and finding themselves in the process. Because weight loss is just a thing, its the journey that changes you. 

The countdown is on!

Only six days until my weigh in! Time to focus!

The Half Way Mark!

Progress photos are the best way to see just how far you have come! This challenge has definitely taught me that the scales are just a number. The first picture is me in the first way in, week one. The middle picture is me after injury number one and at the six week weigh in. I had only lost a kilo at this point but my measurements show a lot of change. The third picture is me in week nine, 2.5 kilos difference. When your weight training it's important to realise that you will build muscle and just because the scales don't drop doesn't mean that your not making progress so stick to your photos and measurements because change is change no matter the form. 

Reward Yourself.

Sometimes it can be hard to stay focused. Don't hesitate to recognise those milestones, no matter how small. One thousand small changes will still amount to a large change in the long run. This is some of the purchases I treated myself to at the half way mark to ensure that I stay on track. 

Pause.

One thing that I have learnt throughout my journey is that its ok to sit back and have a day off once in a while and just be alone with your thoughts. Everyone comes across some hurdles and we all deal with it differently. This may mean just sitting back and reading while you have a coffee or just taking time to think. But the most important thing is not to think about the outside world, don't for guilty for what you aren't doing, and just be. In the long run this will mean you come out stronger. 

Seeing Double!

This was completely by accident! Me and one of my gorgeous friends turned up to train together in matching gym outfits! Great minds think alike, right?! 

Meal Prep, The Key To Success

The key to a successful meal plan is simple, meal prep. Making sure that you plan your meals for the day or the week can be the difference between eating what is good for you and eating what is convenient. So plan ahead and you will save money as well and prevent yourself from regretting your choices for the day! 

This Wont Stop Me!

In week three of the 12 Week Challenge, I injured the ligament in my ankle. This meant that I was unable to train my legs properly for the next three weeks! When this happened I was just starting to go hard and put 100% into everything so it put a downer on my spirits for a bit. Over the past few weeks I ahve been emotionally and physically exhausted, but now I have the all clear I have the next 4.5 weeks to do my very best. I dont see this as a loss but rather more motivation. What an achievement it will be to say "Yes, i achieved this and I was injured for part of the challenge". Lets do this!

Meal Preparation Is The Key!

Meal prep this week was so quick but so yummy! Meal preparation is the first key to successfully sticking to a meal plan and ensures you get all the nutrients and protein you need each day. 

I whipped up a quick tuna slice,  this slice took only minutes to prepare and cook but it was delicious and made enough to last me over a week! I made this up as I went but heres the recipe so give it a go! 

Ingredients:
1.5 cans of canned tuna in spring water
1 cup skim milk
1 cup spelt grain or oats
3 eggs
1 cup of sweet corn
1 cup of peas
Half of a zucchini grated
Half of a carrot grated

Method:
1. Combine all the ingredients in a bowl
2. spread evenly in a baking tray
3. Put in the oven for 20 - 30 minutes on 180 degrees Celsius

Can You Spot Me?

Take a look at the 12 Week Challenge Display for the Goodlife Joondalup gym.

I made top three in the state with my achievements in the last challenge! 

Can you spot me?