The end of an era

So i look at those photo's on the right and two things happen. Firstly, I look at them and say to myself "I'm an aerobics instructor, I should be in far better shape than that". Secondly I look at the those photo's and say to myself - I could definitely look worse. I'm not too bad. See my confliction?

The funny thing is, i'm finally starting to feel comfortable with who I am, with my body shape and all that is me. But i've just started this new job where its my job to be a role model to the people in my class and I just dont think that I am. I know that I could be in better shape with some hard work and several tough sacrifices. So I think that for the sake of my job, I should do that. Isn't it funny that at the one time in my life where I feel comfortable enough to say this is me, it becomes blindingly apparent that for the first time ever, I really can't be me. Its not just about my wobbly bits either. I would be a far better instructor if I was fitter. I'm fit, don't get me wrong but I could be fitter. So fitter I will be. I'm really excited about my challenges i've built for myself.

I think the most important thing to note about this post is the fact that I said i'm finally comfortable as me. I don't think i've ever said that to anyone about my body. I dont think that statement means that I like my body, but that I've accepted it for all its flaws and i've come to terms with what i've got. I know the purpose of this blog is to track my journey through changing my body - but this time its going to be about so much more than just weight loss. its going to be about my journey to becoming a better health professional and an inspiration to my clients and participants. Its about being an inspiration to myself. I've done this kind of thing several times before and i've always failed miserably because my head has been in the wrong plac. I was young and the sacrifces were just too great. This is now about training my body to respond the way I want it to, when I say go. Its about being the fittest instructor my gym hires and its about filling classes to the max because a) i'm an inspiration to look at b) i'm motivating verbally c) i'm the fittest there and can keep going and going. See, this time its not just about weight loss - its about me, my career and my inner self. I've gone through loads of personal growth in the last twelve months and I feel this is the last little peice of my cake.

I want to have my cake and I want to eat it too. Soon I will. Watch this space.

The start of something new started a little late

So I was convinced by people close to me that starting my new exercise/diet regime a few days before christmas was a really bad idea. Not because I ate poorly, because I didn't, but more because my exercise regime would be so interrupted. And, it was. So the plan is that I start on January 1. I'm going to head to the gym tomorrow and start eating properly tomorrow but there is a chance that i'll have a drink on NYE to celebrate so technically i'm not going to start till January 1.

I've been doing a little reading about goal setting and realistic expectations of a journey such as the one I am choosing to embark upon. I think its important for me to have short term and final goals. So here we go.

Short term goals are:

to be running 15 kilometers in 1 hour in 8 weeks time.

to minimise my alcohol intake. Its unrealistic of me to say that i'm never going to drink anything again but I think its realistic to say that I should only be drinking on special to very special occasions.

be running 4 times per week.

Long term goals:

Loose 5 kilo's all over

run a half marathon in two hours by April

maintain alcohol intake as short term goal

get a handle of these stupid food cravings which i've always had.

I've done my measurements and i'll post them in a new post! I'm excited. 2007 is going to be my year. I'm going to get control of my body back, i'm going to become a better aerobics instructor and i'm going to become an awesome runner again. Its my make over year :)

The Start of Something New

Well today is the 14th of December 2006 and i'm preparing myself to embark on a 12 week fitness challenge. I'm an aerobics instructor so i'm already fairly fit but i'm a little flubby and I know I could be fitter. I want to start 2007 with a bang and I've decided that I want to take my job as a fitness professional more seriously. I could be fitter, so i'm embarking on this challenge to get fitter. I want my fitness to be evident both on the outside as well as the in.

Its Thursday today and I've decided to start my challenge on Saturday (which is two days from now). I realise that i'm embarking on this thing right before Christmas but i'm allowing myself to break from my routine on Christmas day, and Christmas day only.

My goals for this challenge are:

-1 cup of tea per day (no coffee or other caffeine containing beverages)
-watch my portion sizes and eat six small meals per day (i'm guilty of eating too much at one sitting sometimes)
-two exercise sessions per day at least five times per week
-four running sessions per week as I want to be able to run another half marathon at the end of my challenge
-no alcohol whatsoever during my challenge (who knows, maybe this will be my catalyst for giving it up entirely!)

I'm also going to keep a food and a training diary. I'm a qualified personal trainer as well (though i'm not working as a PT at the moment) so I have the skills to design my own workouts. I'm going to start with a three day weight split and at week 6 depending on my progress I may step up my three day split to twice per week.

During this challenge i'll also be doing my Bodypump and RPM training courses so i'll be working alot on both those types of classes. I currently already teach Bodystep so with my running and my weights incorporated i've got myself a pretty awesome cardio selection. Over the summer I may include some swimming as well.

The biggest challenge for me through all this willl be the diet. A good diet is 70% of any body changing missions. I was saying to my partner the other day that the only thing that is letting me down now is my diet, and its the one thing that always seems to let me down. Well - NO MORE! Its time I took control of my diet instead of letting it control me. I'm lucky that i'm so addicted to aerobics otherwise i'm sure i'd be the size of a house :)

I'm taking measurements and photo's tonight. I'll post them as soon as possible. Its going to be a struggle, as these things always are, but i'm VERY excited about it all. Fitness has always been a major player in my life and because i've chosen to become a fitness professional - I think its about time it became the majorest player, dont you?

Watch this space for amazing transformations and updated posts and pictures.