Open letter to Michelle Bridges

12 months on, the year that was.

Time for reflection and no going back ............... ever!!!

Reflecting on the year that was, and my goodness what a year.

 

Four rounds of 12wbt and I’ve lost 35kg – thank you Michelle and all the support, from staff, friends, family, SSS buddy and my #D30 family.

 

So many things have changed in my life, not just the weight loss, which alone has been a transformation in itself as I’ve changed from an old 45 year old to a much younger, fitter, healthier 46 year old.

 

I’ve gone from 116kg to 81kg and a very large size 18 to a size 12.  But, was I really a size 18??  I was only an 18 in large lady sizes and if I couldn’t fit an 18 I didn’t buy the item of clothing.  The truth .......... I was probably a 20 or more but didn’t want to face that fact.  My weight crept on after having 3 babies close together and putting them first, well those babies are now 17, 20 and 21 and it was time for mum!!!

 

In November last year I signed up to 12wbt, after seeing the advertisement on facebook.  I had no idea about the program but knew Michelle Bridges from The Biggest Loser.  I was scared, had tried different weight loss products/services and knew it was all about headspace and that weight loss was going to be hard. 

 

It was hard, nothing worthwhile will be easy, and I’d been overweight for the last 20 years so it wasn’t going to come off overnight.  The first couple of weeks were incredibly hard while reducing my food intake and starting exercise, real exercise, not just a casual walk around the block with the dog.

 

But this program works, follow it, eat clean, train 6 days a week and the weight will come off.  I love the structure, takes the guess work out of my week. I’m more organised, lunch everyday is prepared, no school canteen orders.  However, the Dept of Education needs to increase teacher’s breaks so we have more time to eat.

 

The program has changed me in so many ways, physically, emotionally, mentally and I’m still coming to terms with some of these emotional scars.

 

The physical changes over the 12 months have been;

The obvious weight loss – down from a large 18 to a regular size 12.

I no longer have the muffin top as I try to squeeze into size 18 clothes that were obviously too small for me.

I sleep better – no snoring.

I had continual heart burn – no more heart burn.

I had really bad eczma on my hands and arms – it’s gone.  I’m no doctor but it’s certainly so much more pleasant.

My knee pain has gone.  Had surgery in May 2012 and told I wouldn’t be able to run ever again.  Weight gone = less strain on the knees, so no knee pain.

And the worst upper thigh burning and chafing as my thighs rubbed together during hot Australian summers.

My blood pressure was getting on the high side of normal, luckily never in the needing meds range, but it’s now at a comfortable 120/65.

and one momentus strong willpower flexing has been - no McDonalds for the past 12 months!!  This is from someone who used to frequent Macca's 3 - 4 times a week, on the way home from work for a quarter pounder meal and then have a normal family meal when I cooked later in the evening. I refuse to even walk into a McDonalds!!!! 

 

 

In November when I signed up, I also registered for the Colour Run in Feb 2013 with a group of friends, saying ‘I’m no runner, I will walk the course.’  Well how wrong I was.  That Michelle Bridges is a very cunning woman.  She gets you running without realising that you’re turning into a runner.

I did walk most of the Colour Run, but my husband and I left the group and ran about 700m, just for the excitement of running.

 

In May this year, my SSS buddy and I participated in the 4km Mothers Day Classic Fun Run.  We weren’t sure we’d be able to make it, so drove into Parramatta Park on Easter Sunday and had a practise run!!!  We both made it on the day, started together, finished together in 27.35mins.  At the end of the run I told my buddy that 5kms would be my limit, I don’t want to put too much pressure on my knee.

 

How wrong I was!!!  Never say never!!!  We have since participated in the 7km Bay Run and 9km Bridge Run.  My SSS buddy has moved up to half marathon training but I’m sticking with the 10km distance, on advice from physio and doctor.  I believe I’m in a pretty small group of people who can run 10km without stopping.

 

Tomorrow I embark on my first timed 10km race, where I’ll be running it on my own (family and support people busy or double booked), so that’s going to be a challenge in more ways than just the run.

 

I do have to laugh at some comments.  I’m loving the compliments, that people notice a change in you.  It may take them about 20kgs before they notice – don’t lose hope.  But I did have a student of mine come up and tell me that some parents were gossiping that my husband and I had broken up and that’s why I had lost weight!!!!  No gorgeous girl, I’m doing it for me, because I deserve it.

 

So, thank you Michelle.  You’ve given me my life back!!!  When I have my 17 year old saying she can’t believe I’m looking for fun runs and asking them to join me, she’d never have thought I’d be the one asking.

 

Believe in yourself and you can do it!!!  JFDI!!  No excuses.  Surround yourself with positive people and put those blinkers on.  As a mum of 3, full time teacher and all round busy person,  if I can do it, anyone can do it.