Operation Blue Work Dress

Hi!

Ok back to normal now after my last 2 posts!  I had so much to say that as much as it took forever

to do, it was just easier to transfer my IG posts across to give you an overview of, well, lately!

So still a million things to tell you so I'll get moving on these posts!  In no particular order, this one will be all about The Blue Dress!

So if you're a regular reader you have probably seen or heard of Operation Yellow Dress.  Basically I had a dress I wanted to wear, so over a round I kept accountable by taking a weekly photo of me trying to fit into it, until I did.  A while ago I started Operation Green Dress, Operation Leather Jacket and Operation Denim Jacket.  I've been documenting these here as well...I haven't updated it in a while but I have been taking weekly photos...I just haven't uploaded them yet.  I will get onto that soon!

But more exciting than that, is Operation Blue Work Dress.  I kept it as a special project on my Instagram only, and each week I posted updated photos.  It wasn't the best dress to choose for an

'Operation' really, as the style of the dress meant that you couldn't really see differences even though they were happening.  Many weeks I got embarrassed as the photos looked exactly the same as the week before haha!  

But I kept going with it...and, in Week 11, last week, I tried it on as usual, and IT DID UP.  It was amazing - the best feeling ever.  It was one of those zips that once you got it over a certain point, it went all the way up.  And up it went.

That then meant I had to wear it to work!  After all, it was Operation Blue Work Dress.  Eeek!  Even when it did up it was still really tight, so I was pretty nervous!

But I wore it...and took a lot of selfies all day of it :)  It felt amazing to finally wear it to work, even though it was a little tight and you could see many of my 'bumps'.

Just wanted to share this little adventure here :)

It wasn't Operation Blue WORK Dress until I got a photo looking like I was actually at work, as opposed to a multitude of bathroom selfies!

It finally did up!

I made this in Week 9 to help keep me focussed.  "Where I'm going" was reached in Week 11!

By week:

Week 1:

 Week 2:

Week 3:

Week 4:

Week 5: 

Week 6: 

Week 7:

Week 8: 

Week 9:

Weel 10:

Week 11:

Part 2 of the Instagram update

Hey hey!

Here's the rest of my IG posts (see my last blog post) - after this you will be up to date and I can tell you about a few more things!  Again, if you follow me on IG and my blog then please ignore this double up :)

2 weeks ago

What am I doing?! This is where I currently am...I'll do a parkrun report later on...but for now I'm about to try my first ever Crossfit class! It's this weeks personal goal. I don't think it's for me at all but I've always wanted to try it. So I Googled 'free intro Crossfit class' and found one! I was fine until I got here! My heart rate is 150 just from anxiety! Wish me luck...what am I doing?! #crossfit #suddenlyscared #training #exercise #sss #goal #12wbt #helpmeplease

2 weeks ago

I DID IT!!!!!! My 1st Crossfit class! Thank you for your lovely comments! I was seriously just doing it to try it out. I've never tried it so wanted to. I've got a lot of friends who love and live by Crossfit but it's not for me. I just decided that with no real basis. Thought I'd hate it and didn't think much of it until I got there and freaked out a little :) Buuuut the strangest thing happened when I was there, I didn't mind it! I kind of liked it! I didn't fall in love, but it was kind of cool! Man what a high intensity workout! Wowza! I'll put my WOD up later..I had my 1st WOD! Aww lol. A friend gave me one to do at home once but this was my 1st on a whiteboard. And my name was on a whiteboard! Lol. I'll do a bigger report on my blog. Just checking in so you know I survived and actually didn't mind it 😊 Oh. And the picture? This is what is next door to the box! The Willy Wonka of beer factories! We had to run past it carrying kettle bells etc! Talk about cruel! Lol. Anyway I'm going home and onto the rest of my life today, no more exercise today! 1787 cals burned over exactly 3 hours! Will write more later. Whoohoo! Goal is ticked! #crossfit #goal #exercise #training #hard #beer #week9 #round4 #12wbt

2 weeks ago

❤️❤️❤️My 1st WOD❤️❤️❤️ Everyone repeat after me: "awwwww". Lol! My team didn't finish it in time, 2 of us 4 were new. Apparently 'a machine' (yes you heard right hahhahhaha) at wall balls. Goblet squats though? Ah - nah 😊 I can't do squats very well due to an injury. We got to the end of the 200m run in the 25min maximum that they set. 516cals in 1 hour when only 25min of that was actually working out - the rest was watching and warming up and warming down. That's an awesome burn for me! #crossfit #wod #myfirstwod #whiteboard #likeapro

2 weeks ago

A couple of pics from parkrun this morning. Apparently this parkrun is the only parkrun in Australia with no bitumen or concrete on course...and didn't I know it :( Lol...I am sooo not a trail runner. I've never officially 'trail ran' before today though so it was interesting to try it. These pictures don't show the real terrain, these were taken near the start/finish banner - most of the course was in bush, with steep hills, gravel, rocks, sticks, a creek etc. It was really hard having to look where you're running all the time to make sure you don't lose your footing. It was cool to try it and the people at this parkrun were SO lovely, but I'll stick to my road running thanks 😊 #run #running #parkrun #trailrun #sss #12wbt #sonotanaturegirl #roadrunner  

2 weeks ago

On my way to the start line of my 1st event for the year. The 11km Resolution Run. Loved this event last year, previous I had only been able to run 5km, wore crutches / moon boot for 2 months preceding & this was my 1st time running since that, I wasn't sure how my ankle would go & I went out & ran the whole 11km 😊 Happy Resolution Run! ❌⭕️❌⭕️ #run #running #resolutionrun #resorun #brisbane #11km #runner #fitness #operationbirthday #12wbt #round4

2 weeks ago

1st medal of the year 👍 #run #running #runner #resorun #resolutionrun #11km #week9 #round4 #12wbt #operationbirthday

2 weeks ago

Just sharing a bit of an odd proud moment. Odd, but I'm still proud. After the Reso Run this morning I went to have breaky with a big group of runner friends. I had my breakfast already prepped at home in the fridge. I dearly would have loved to have something out, the bacon and the eggs they all had looked AMAZING. But I remembered #operationbirthday and chose to wait until I got home and have what I'd planned. I was really wanting one of the low cal slurpies that we've been having - what a better treat after smashing out an 11km run in this heat? So on the way home I stopped at 7-11, went in and chose my cup. Suddenly I asked myself what I was doing. I didn't need this. But I am so headstrong about wanting to get to my birthday goal, and I promised myself to not deviate from my plan. Slurpies that aren't planned into my calories for today are deviating from that plan! But I wanted one and I was here now...so I poured one in the cup. Well the machine mustn't have been working properly because it was like liquid. Slurpies have to be frozen! I was disappointed and thought I'd go to another 7-11 close by. But then I just got a resolve, I shouldn't have been doing it in the first place! So instead of driving to another 7-11, I went home. I am really all for slurpies and really all for things in moderation etc. But right now I have a really big goal that's just 2.5 weeks away and I don't want to do anything to jeopardise that so I'm choosing to be strict for this time. No give and take at the moment. I came home, made my breakfast (scrambled protein pancakes - I still don't have the flipping down pat lol...I even had sparks in the microwave! I got distracted talking on the phone and left berries in there for too long) 🙊😳 and ate that. Then, as a compromise, I poured Diet Coke into this bottle and put it the freezer - I know the calories on this one and it's only 3....so I am now having my slurpie...just doing it my way 😊 #operationbirthday #focus #determination #week9 #round4 #12wbt

2 weeks ago

Ok! So the run! I struggled! Oh man I struggled. I fortunately caught up with a friend, @katiehoodless, just before the 1km mark. Thank goodness I did because I don't know if I would have kept running without her. I was fine, but stupid head games started early on and the task ahead seemed enormous. It's always moreso that way for me when a course has laps...today's 11km was made up of 2x 5.5km laps - to run past the finish line and know that you're only halfway is really hard! My heart rate was sky rocketing -- average of 170, max 186 (I burnt 1600 cals just from the run and walking 6km to and from my car). It got progressively hotter through the run. I'm still not 100% since my medical thing this week and my confidence isn't great seeing as my last event was the 30km craziness that ended in me collapsing. I believe if Katie wasn't there, I may have let myself start walking...but of course, you know me, pig headed / dogged determination and wanting to stay with Katie got me through. I struggled, and towards the end my abs were so sore (probably from CrossFit) & it was so hot, so I was ridiculously slow. I just kept going though and told myself I just need to finish it, don't worry about your time. I told the story this morning of my first 11km at this exact event a year prior, well I thought I was even slower than that...but I just checked and I knocked 15min off my time from last year! Sometimes the changes can't be seen....😊 #run #running #runner #resolutionrun #resorun #week9 #round4 #12wbt #fitness #fit #fitspo

2 weeks ago

I got tagged by the lovely @fittitude ...could be kind of fun...so we here go...20 random facts about me. I'll try my best to not make them Fitspo related, as I don't really share too much of my life outside of health and fitness so this might be a nice break 😊 Am gonna try and think of the randomest, weirdest, craziest stuff, ok? Try not to judge me 😉 

1. I started school (Year 1) when I was 4, and finished with the same school mates, when I finished Year 12 when I was 16. In that time though, I was in Year 4 twice, Year 5 three times, Year 7 for only a term, and have never been in Year 6. (I always feel I missed out on something by never being in Year 6 lol) 

2. I'm a descendant of a famous Hollywood actress and American President (back in the Katherine Hepburn era - not famous now). When I heard this I felt now I know where I'm from...if that makes sense...my ancestry is mainly British/Scottish/European but I have a really deep connection and love for the USA like I belong there and now I feel I know why ☺️ 

3. Apart from that, I am half British and 1/32 Spanish Princess! (So therefore, I too am a princess...see there's truth to those times when I call myself one!) 😉😂😉😂 

4. I got fired from KFC when I was 17 for having bright pink hair. (& refusing to take it out!)   

5. Some of you would have noticed this but I am petrified of animals. All animals. Most animals I can at least handle seeing (from a safe distance) but there's a couple that I have an intense phobia about. You'd better have the triple shot Valium ready if you're ever with me & I see one! 

6. My first kiss was televised. (Accidentally!) 

7. I used to get paid to dance to the Spice Girls and Ricky Martin and make people laugh. 

8. haha forgot this one! 

9. When I was 14, a Turkish man (who I had just met) offered his carpet store to my Dad, in exchange for me. Dad still jokes that he made the wrong decision "I could have had a carpet store!" Lol 😂 

10. The first time I got drunk was at a party when I was 16 with silverchair, Presidents of the United States, Ben Folds, Powderfinger, Kylie Minogue, The Superjesus etc. I made a huge fool out of myself. 

11. I've lived with 46 people. 

12. I was fluent in 3 languages at the age of 9. Not so much now - I can't speak the others at all anymore!   

13. Once I wagged school with a friend so that we could try and meet Kylie Minogue. Her dad happened to drive past us while we were standing on the side of the road. It wasn't even his side of town - were we unlucky or what?! We ran away and hid...he must have thought he saw us because he drove back and started circling the block. We were hiding behind a car and long story but someone saw us doing this and let us hide in their workplace until her dad had left! Score! And naughty! And yep, we met Kylie 😉 

14. When I was about 15, I found $350 in $50 notes on my street. I found the owner (a neighbours friend) and returned the money. Doh! 😩 A while after, I mentioned to my parents that I couldn't believe they didn't even say thank you for handing it back. A few days later, there was a card in my letterbox from them & $35 in the card to say thank you. It wasn't till I was about 25 that I found out that it was actually my parents who did that for me ☺️ 

15. I live in an apartment that replaced an old cinema. (It was torn down and apartments were made). I used to go to that cinema growing up, with my family, with friends, on dates etc. and it weirds me out that I now live on the same site 😊 

16. Speaking of dating, I've probably had about 6 dates where I've had people watching from afar to make sure I'm ok! The most embarrassing was my Dad once! He pretending to be incognito and went all stealth in a phone box so he could check out the guy I was meeting to make sure it appeared safe...then he went home and I went on the date! Other dates I've had friends hiding in bars etc. to make sure I'm ok. One friend surprised me by doing it once and hid behind a tree making faces at me (& pretending to dry hump the tree!) while I tried to maintain composure with my date to not give him away! 

17. I had a Swiss German spy sent to my classroom when I was 9 to spy on me and I had no idea. 

18. There's food that I don't like much but the one thing I can not, and will not ever eat, is lamb. I used to eat it, then we had pet sheep growing up and one night when I was about 14 we went to my grandparents place to stay the night and we had lamb for dinner. When we got home the next day, one of our sheep had died overnight. It was a coincidence - (it wasn't the same lamb!) but the irony of it immediately swore me off lamb for life and I haven't been able to eat it since. 

19. I've happened to have been in charge of evacuating buildings in 3 emergency situations (fire & 2 gas leaks). I safely evacuated hundreds of people, ending up on the news and a newspaper reported that the evacuation was handled with 'military precision.' #boom! Yet around the same time, my toaster at home caught slightly on fire and I jumped up and down like a girl so much that my flatmate had to stop the fire. (That was a once off by the way, I've had fires since and haven't panicked!)! :) 

20. I was once in an earthquake but I was at a party and drinking at the time so it took me a while to realise. We now fondly call that "the earthquake party." 

There you go! I told you they'd be random!😝

2 weeks ago

Today was the first day I didn't wear my event wrist bands alllll the way up my arm! I love my solution! Now they're always with me on my sports bag and I can still wear them when I want. For now though, no more sweaty arms and no more having so many bands that people can't take my pulse in serious situations! 😍 #safetyfirst 😉 

2 weeks ago

Sticker chart success for this week! I got 7/7 stars for Nutrition, Training & Water for the second week in a row! 😎 Which earnt me a big sticker for each of the four & $29 for my rewards jar 😉 Woo! Bag and lunch packed for tomorrow, another big day, have to be prepared. Focus...discipline...eye on the goal. #operationbirthday #week9 #round4 #12wbt #stickers #starchart #goal #goals #ivegotthis

2 weeks ago

I wore a sweat band for the first time today! As in, the first time I wore one for its proper purpose of assisting the sweat factor..not for costume and mucking around for selfies purposes like I've done in the past 😜 They're actually kind of cool....! P.S. Welcome to Week 10! 😀 #sweat #sweatband #exercise #training #sweatsweatbaby #week10 #round4 #12wbt #operationbirthday

2 weeks ago

I keep finding runners in my office! It's awesome! One of them told me about this book and brought it in for me today. Can't wait to read it 😊 #run #running #runner #book

2 weeks ago

The Yellow Dress! This was my inspiration for #operationblueworkdress and all of my other clothes operations 😊 Basically I had a yellow dress that I wanted to fit back into so I remained accountable by documenting it on my blog and took weekly photos as I worked to fit into it. This was a year ago now but I think of it all the time as it reminds me that things do work and that you may only see a tiny change - and sometimes no change at all - but as long as you're doing what you should be doing, you're continually moving forward, whether you see it at the moment or not. And then one special day, you'll be able to fit into your yellow dress. Or #operationblueworkdress. Or the like 💛💙💛💙 #operationyellowdress #yellowdress #weightloss #loseweight #weightlossjourney #12wbt #motivation

2 weeks ago

#training #sunset #run #running #runner #goal #goals #operationbirthday #week10 #round4 #12wbt #longrun #doms #gentle #focus

2 weeks ago

A little bit of a confession as well as a 'yay' moment...the confession is I find it hard to go for a long run that's not as a part of an event or organised activity. I don't know that I've even run 5km by myself in a setting with no finish line. I've probably done 3km maximum? I don't know why I can go out and run 21km and even 30km - where I'm physically running by myself - but there's a finish line etc yet I can't go out and run a measly 5km around the block. All of my running length training has effectively been events only. However if I want to run this marathon then I am going to have to change that quickly! Tonight I'd scheduled in a long run in my marathon training plan - my program's up to 8km for the long run. So many times I was going to stop. My ankle started hurting from the uneven grass (still an issue😢), I have terrible DOMS (I've been walking like a cowboy who's just given birth & falling onto the toilet all day😷😖😫), it was getting dark as in it was dangerous where I was (more on that later), my phone was almost dying (if it died it'd be even more risky plus I would lose my app measuring how far I'd run!) etc etc etc excuses excuses...but I didn't want to give up. The 8km is really my first official marathon training long run- if I stop the first one part way through I was afraid it'd be setting me up to fail future training sessions. Soooo I just took it REALLY slow for the entire run, tried to be brave and aware & keep thinking of #operationbirthday etc. Then I got tagged on FB, I'm in the new Michelle Bridges 12WBT video! (More on that later) so that kind of pepped me up to keep going too! Anyway, I did it 👏 Awesome timing too, everything just clicked over right on the 8km mark...800 cals on the Polar, 20km on the FitBit, and 1% on my iPhone battery! More to say soon, just had to share this...my longest run to date in a non organised capacity! 😊 #run #running #runner #training #marathon #exercise #week10 #round4 #12wbt

2 weeks ago

This is the video I'm in! Thank you for tagging me @donna_marie83 ❤️ It just got released tonight, you can find it on the Michelle Bridges 12WBT Facebook page. It's just a tiny snippet of me and I'm amongst some beautiful friends @princesschooky, @cales12wbtjourney, @katesmith1972 & Carmel 💗 #12wbt #michellebridges #video #mindset #interview

2 weeks ago

I found this pic the other day & it made me so sad and disappointed in myself. It was taken years ago and is representative of how I remember so much of my late teen / young adult life. (By the way those Coke cans didn't belong to me - I was drinking alcohol!) But that pink skirt you can see from my legs that couldn't close because my thighs were that big? It's actually a boob tube dress from Dotti. I remember it cost $19 and I was excited I could finally buy something from a shop my friends shopped at. It didn't fit of course, which is why I turned it into a skirt. But just for a moment I had a little moment of feeling like I could buy 'normal' clothes. Yesterday I heard 2 more stories from people I know of who have had recent 'Pretty Woman' experiences in shops. Both had sales assistants 'greet' them as they entered the store by looking them up and down & saying "we don't have anything here for you / that will fit you." These girls were not even big - not that that matters!! It's been bothering me ever since. One was yet another that I've heard of from a leading fitness clothing chain & the other from a popular Brisbane bridal store. It's bloody hard enough as it is to find clothes to make people feel somewhat confident without having such disparaging, judging and unprofessional remarks thrown at us.  

2 weeks ago

#transformationtuesday #weightloss #weightlossjourney #loseweight #transformation #12wbt #beforeandafter #beforeafter

2 weeks ago

Hill runs next to my doctor surgery while I wait for an appointment. lol no I'm not being a weirdo, it's a time issue & I planned it this way. I ended up with an awkward random half an hour in between a cancelled work meeting and the doc - so I'm making use of it to save me time later. You gotta fit in your exercise when you can...it all adds up, little by little. #exercise #training #hills #run #week10 #round4 #12wbt

2 weeks ago

One of the professional pics from the Resolution Run on Sunday 😊 with the gorgeous @katiehoodless by my side ❤️ #run #runner #running #resolutionrun #week9 #round4 #12wbt

2 weeks ago

Loss of 2.7kg this week! 💗💗💗 It's now exactly 2 weeks left until the weigh in of all weigh ins that's keeping me motivated right now. 2 weeks until #operationbirthday and the last Wednesday weigh in of this round. I have 4.7kg to go till this particular goal. I keep moving in between completely believing I'll get there and unsure and preparing myself that I may not. As I said the other day, I know that I'll be proud of myself that day no matter what, IF I put the effort in. All I have to do is give it my all and the scales will move as they see fit. I can't control anything other than my effort. I want this goal SO much. All I can do is continue to work hard and try. It's a big goal to make happen but I know my body - and that's the best part. What have I got to lose just by trying? 4.7kg, that's what I have to lose 😉😜 2 weeks... #operationbirthday come at me 😊 #goal #goals #motivation #operationbirthday #round4 #12wbt #weighinwednesday #week10 #workhard #dedication #focus #ivegotthis 

2 weeks ago

Sometimes my training isn’t all that amazing…here’s some photos from the last few days… Sometimes I lie down in the middle of training to take a break and take exhausted looking selfies. It somehow makes me feel better… Sometimes I discover the sun and shadows are in just the perfect position for a shadow selfie hahaa… And sometimes, like this morning, I use Mish’s 10min. rule and actually go back to bed. Has anyone actually used the 10min. rule before? If you don’t feel like exercising, JFDI for 10min. and you’ll usually continue. I’ve never used it before. I exercise or I don’t. But I didn’t want to do it this morning so I made myself. I did it for 10min. and still didn’t want to, so went and lay on my bed and went back to sleep! I never want to get up in the morning, but once I’m up, I never go back to bed…especially when I’ve bothered getting dressed and even more especially when I’ve started exercising! There’s a first time for everything! Anyway, these things aren’t getting me any closer to #operationbirthday …so I’m going to have to kick my backside today and get myself sorted and back on the game. #jfdi #exercise #training #operationbirthday #week10 #round4 #12wbt            

2 weeks ago

Now this is cool. An app I used last week to make one of those IG video flip books, randomly emailed me 7 photos this morning that had cool stats about my IG account. This one surprised me the most! Over half of my followers are in the US? ❤️love that so much, my other favourite country ❤️ & only 2% are in my own country haha! And I know I have other countries too like certain special people in Norway and Switzerland for example 😍 Thank you so much to everyone for supporting me on here. I know that I'm hopeless with replying to questions and comments (I plan to sit down one day soon and answer more!) but please know that every comment, like, tag, repost, advice, offers of support & crazy IG challenges we set ourselves helps me along my weight loss journey a thousand fold, way more than you could imagine. Thank you so much for helping me. Wherever in the world you are 😍 #thankyou

2 weeks ago
Went to Ikea tonight....we planned to have dinner....would have loved to have meat balls or the deep fried fish and chips etc (& the $1 massive blocks of chocolate! $1 oh my gosh how I wanted it!) But........brought my 237 calorie protein pancakes that I cooked at home, with a little plastic fork and knife. #operationbirthday #focus #weightloss #12wbt

1 week ago

I've been writing on my blog about how this week has been a bit tough in getting my head around a few things. It seems this week has been about recognising a culmination of so many changes all at once - whether I'm ready for it or not. (Cue confusion, tears and a LOT of thinking). I won't double dose by explaining it here but it's over at my blog if you're interested. But the main thing at the moment is me realising how much I've changed this round alone. It's only been 10-11 weeks but just this week I can see all of the work coming together. I think it's been weird this time because I've actually noticed it myself. I can see it with my own eyes which I rarely can. Ahhh this weight game is such a complex adventure! 😊 Anyway this is just post #1 of me working it all out by way of our beloved before and afters 😉 The 2 photos on the far left are the start of my journey, the middle 2 are at the start of Round 4, and the ones on the right were taken this week. And following on from my post yesterday, thanks so much for being like this amazing, beautiful very international cheersquad. The map from yesterday doesn't even cut it, apparently there's so many more which didn't show up on the map so a big shout out to all of the countries who kindly follow me - for example also Saudi Arabia, Columbia, Turkey, New Zealand, Russia, Ukraine, China, Malaysia, France and Singapore! WOWSERS! 😍 Thank you ❤️ #week10 #round4 #12wbt #weightloss #loseweight #beforeandafter #beforeafter #weightlossjourney #fitspo #fit #fitness #healthy #operationbirthday #goal #goals #progress #fitfam

1 week ago:
So! It’s been a little while since I did any crazy challenges so this needs fixing stat! LOL. This is one challenge I’ve had planned for a long time. I like to call it “Operation Crazy”. Tomorrow I’m attempting to do 3 events: a 5km fun run, then two triathlons (mini tris)….all before lunch. Crazy much? I’ve got it all worked out and believe I can do this. It’s going to be exhausting but I want to try it. These are my race numbers! Tonight will be spent getting myself organised for tomorrow…this will need military precision organisation skills when it comes to packing my bag and the car, to successfully execute! In about 24 hours, I hope to show you 3 medals representing that the challenge has been completed! :) #crazy #operationcrazy #funrun #triathlon #challenge #goal #goals #week10 #round4 #12wbt #minimilestonex3 #thinkofme #preparation #exercise #training #fitspo #fit #fitness #fitfam 

1 week ago

At Woolys now for all you protein bar ❤️lov-ers❤️

1 week ago

Official pics from last weekends run...double fist pump baby 😎😎 #fistpumpfinish #resolutionrun #11km #run #runner #running #fit #fitfam #fitspo #fitness #week9 #round4 #12wbt #operationbirthday

1 week ago

Dinner!

1 week ago

I love my friends ❤️💗😍 hahaa just got this about tomorrow. (P.S. My plan passed the approval test) 👍😊

1 week ago

Doing that "I'm here early, I need to go to the bathroom just from nerves, I need to drink my breakfast smoothie, sitting in the car trying to relax" thing... #triday #crazyday #farout #nervous #whydoidothistomyself

1 week ago

Self positive affirmations 😊

 1 week ago
Done. Done. And done. 😄 Will write more later xxxxxxx #operationcrazy
 

1 week ago

Helloooo! So yes, I did it! I knew I could do it, I wouldn't have entered if I didn't. So all was ok, until last night where realisation (reality) hit & I got a LOT of nerves & self doubt. But I trooped through...the run went really well, I paced myself and loved the pace I took & the weather was perfect - I even did my best 5km time in months! The 1st triathlon started about 45min later. The swim is my worst leg but I was lucky & scored a priority start ahead of my Tri which helped with my time. I didn't panic although there were a couple of close calls. The cycle leg was good, non eventful - a couple of awful hills but I cycled up each time and didn't get off my bike :) Then the run...I got to run in a velodrome for the first time! So cool :) However...during the run I looked at the time...it was 9:45am---my 2nd Tri started at 10am! I had 15min to run 3km, transition to swim gear and get to the pool! I'd calculated I should have had 20min in between Tris so I don't know what happened there...the first Tri did start late so that may have been it. I tried not to panic & just concentrated on that run - I could worry after I finished, I needed to minimise stress today! I finished the run (& the Tri) & realised I had missed the start of my second...the swim leg had finished and they'd closed the pool. I was disappointed but ran straight from the finish line, into transition and was off on my bike. No break in between at all...that was hard! I did the cycle and the run, finished that Tri and got the medal. But I didn't feel I deserved it as I hadn't completed the event - I'd missed the swim. Soooo I snuck into the Olympic pool inside the sports centre where the event was held & I swam the equivalent length in there so I did finish that Tri - just a little bit differently to everyone else! Thank you for your beautiful messages of support, I'm going to read through them properly soon. I'll add some more photos when I can too. I'm really proud of myself :) Operation Crazy, complete! #minimilestonex3 #12wbt

1 week ago

And this was my own event finish moment lol ..just mixed the order of things up a bit 😉 #operationcrazy #swim #triathlon #triathlonpink #triathlonpinkbrisbane #minimilestonex3 #week10 #round4 #12wbt

1 week ago

My friends surprised me by showing up in the chute of my last run and running alongside me to the end, simply to show their support ❤️ #run #runner #running #triathlon #triathlonpink #triathlonpinkbrisbane #week10 #round4 #12wbt

1 week ago

My 1st time in a velodrome 😄😊😍😎 #run #runner #running #velodrome #week10 #round4 #12wbt

1 week ago

Getting my medal my way yesterday 😎👍 #swim #swimming #triathlon #triathlonpink #triathlonpinkbrisbane #week10 #round4 #12wbt

1 week ago

My goal always - but in particular this week. I have 9 days left of #operationbirthday . I want this goal so badly...but my mid week weigh ins show me that my weight hasn't shifted. I've been working my butt off this week but...I could do better, I know that. I need to tighten things up. I need to focus even more. I've got a busy week ahead so it's going to take even more determination and planning to make sure I stay on track. 9 days to this goal. I know that if I work MY ABSOLUTE BUTT off every day then whatever the result in 9 days time, I'll be ok as I know I tried with everything I've got. But I have to work hard. Time for Super Strict Giving It EVERYTHING Kate. Sweet dreams...see you in the morning for Day 1 of #operationbirthday's home run. #operationbirthday #12wbt #round4 #week10 #focus #dedication #determination #workhard #goal #goals #headdownbumup #commitment

1 week ago

#operationbirthdayhomerun is on. #9daystogo #workhard #goalonmymind #operationbirthday #week11 #round4 #12wbt

1 week ago
🔶Morning exercise: complete ✔️ 🔶Quick fill in mini grocery shop because I haven’t done this weeks food planning / buying / prepping yet (oops!): done ✔️ 🔶Breaky: eaten ✔️ #operationbirthday #operationbirthdayhomerun #week11 #round4 #12wbt #fit #fitness #loseweight #weightloss

7 days ago

Today's lunch is brought to me by walking around Coles in a rush this morning before work, trying to think of what I could throw together. Not a way Iike to eat! Guess who's meal prepping tonight? However in saying that I am loving this! Chicken, snow peas, mushrooms, 4 bean mix & spinach. Ended up at 276 cals, winning! #lunch #salad #nutrition #food

7 days ago

That moment the official photographer captures a moment you forgot happened. Love this ❤️

7 days ago

Plan: Longish run on bike path after boot camp. Actual: Short run and walk and a bit of selfie shadow photography. Didn't feel safe...gonna do the rest indoors :) #training #exercise #goal #focussed #operationbirthday #operationbirthdayhomerun #week11 #round4 #12wbt #sweatsweatbaby

6 days ago

Sometimes I lie on the floor to take a break from stairs and take exhausted looking selfies to make me feel better? Lol 😝😎 #selfie #training #week11 #round4 #12wbt #exercise #break #havetogetupnow #butdontwantto #breakhasbeenforwaytoolong #comeon

6 days ago
'I can and I will.' #transformationtuesday #transformation #weightloss #loseweight #beforeandafter #beforeafter #12wbt #believe
 

6 days ago

Day 2 of #operationbirthdayhomerun is highly unexciting. I am so tired that I can barely function. All I can manage today is a zoned out elevator selfie and a quick overview of my day - I've been catching up on Mish vids, listening in the background while I work instead of music. Last night I did all of my food planning, shopping, prepping/cooking to get my through the next 8 days. I hooked up MyFitnessPal to my FitBit account (I didn't know you could do this - cool!) Unofficial scales check looks like I'll be expecting a gain tomorrow - I don't know why 😢 but at least I'm prepared. Haven't had time to plan / reassess exercise / update to do list / calendar / anything so I feel extremely disorganised. Have way too much on, work is absolutely manic, I'm barely getting 4 hours sleep a night - I usually only get 5, sometimes 6 a night but too many nights in a row of 3-4 ends up getting to me. Last week was the first week on my star chart with not one 7 hour sleep sticker.  Yesterday I was cooking while exercising to fit it all in. I put something on the stove, went and did 2 stair runs (internal stairs) then went back to check and flip my food, more stair runs, repeat. Not enough hours in the day. I live on adrenalin, minimal sleep and an insane schedule and I can do that and have done for 10 years. But when I don't have ANY downtime for a while, it sometimes all catches up. I've been walking around spaced out, feeling so tired I could drop and falling asleep everywhere --- some not so good places too. 😔 The other night I tried to lie down to chill out for an hour and watch something I'd taped. I fell asleep while watching it so I woke up and rewound the show to where I had fallen asleep. I fell asleep again WHILE it was rewinding. So I rewound again. I fell asleep while it was rewinding again. Eventually I took the hint and went to bed 😊 I know this is stupid so I've just cancelled my plans for tonight and am going home right now, to literally eat dinner, have a shower and go to bed. I know this is not good for me or my health - it's ok, you don't need to tell me. ❤️ Just putting it out there as part of my health journey. This just happens to be part of the not so great / smart side. ☺️ #tired #exhausted #operationbirthday #operationbirthdayhomerun #week11 #round4 #12wbt

5 days ago

Thanks guys :) I woke up this morning to a lot of beautiful comments from my posts last night. I've only glanced but will read them properly later. And even though I'm nervous, I'm gonna wear the blue dress to work tomorrow :) augh! :o After all, it was #operationblueworkdress, not #operationbluedress☺:) So watch this space tomorrow morning - eeek! I slept for 9 hours!!! So, so good. I woke up refreshed but actually thought I was getting sick. I almost stayed in bed but I got up and am feeling a bit better, I think I'm just run down. I skipped some exercise I had planned but went to boot camp and will do after work also. I feel so much more alert today! Funny that... :) I let it go so much to the point that yesterday I was just not functioning - and it was scary... :( When you stare blankly at people because you're not registering that they're talking, you know it's bad.  Weigh in Wednesday today! And, as I thought, I am 600g up. It SUX! I have no idea why. Especially as I can say truthfully that last week is the first week since I started (like in 18 months!) that I haven't strayed, not even a tiny bit. Lately I've been trying to maintain a sense of 'this is for life' moderation to my eating, as well as testing myself more and more that one bite does not need to equal a binge - so I accept a bit of picking here and there - a grape as I walk past, leaving a little extra yoghurt on the spoon to lick after weighing it out for meal prep containers, a bite of my friends food etc. However last week everything fit into my calories. There was no picking. There was no unplanned food. There were certainly no grapes. My training has been more than epic. My water has been perfect too. My sleep obviously not so much... As much as I'm disappointed and also scared because I want my Operation Birthday goal so much, I'm not upset about it. The fact that I know with full conviction that I did everything over and beyond to plan (apart from sleep!), makes me know it's got to be some other factor. We can only control so much - there's so much more going on physiologically and anatomically. I also know that if you keep on keeping on, the scales will eventually catch up. Often in the past a gain would send me to Binge Town. But that was when I wasn't doing the right thing! A gain as a result of hitting all my targets just makes me want to keep trying. You know in yourself when you're doing the right thing...and I know that I am. I just can't wait till the scales catch up! And I'm hoping they will do so within the next week! I now have 5.3kg to reach my #operationbirthday weight. I know that's unlikely in one week. I haven't thought about it much but will work out what to do later. For now, I'm continuing what I'm doing. This is a selfie for one of my brothers and his girlfriend of my new workout top I got with a Christmas present voucher from them :) #selfie #checkingin #operationbirthday #operationblueworkdress #weighinwednesday #week11 #round4 #12wbt #weightloss #weightgain #weightlossjourney
 

4 days ago

So! The jacket story I said I'd tell you later! Well the jacket I pulled out as a covering safety net to the tight blue dress, was in fact my old jacket I wore at Size 28. I tried it on last year and had a similar photo but it didn't stop me from getting excited to do the same today. I also grabbed a jacket that fits me a lot better but I ended up wearing this one! It was comforting to have it so big like a wrap 😀 and I was also so amazed by it. I made sure I took a selfie for you guys too! I used to not only wear this jacket to work each day, I used to bulge out of it. Seriously, two of the buttons actually popped off because I was too big for the jacket and it was too tight. Today it was like a sack blanket and I wouldn't have it any other way ❤️ #weightloss #lose

2 days ago

There's this beautiful girl on IG called @smileyem2 who I first met, on IG, because she's so damn supportive and was so encouraging on my posts. I then had the pleasure of meeting her face to face at the 12WBT Adelaide finale, I just remember her as her name says, this bundle of smiles.😊 And I got to spend a bit more time with her at the last Sydney finale. She is a gorgeous girl who has had an inspiring health journey and continues to do so. Last night I got home and in the mail there's a beautifully wrapped present (when I say beautiful I mean there's a gorgeous sparkly brooch holding it together!) 😍 with an amazing card saying she wanted to send me this because it made her think of me...it's a gorgeous black dress with butterflies 😍 @smileyem2 it is beautiful and thoughtful and fits like a glove. I don't know what to say but thank you. You are incredibly thoughtful, thank you for your support ❤️❤️#beautifulgirl #iamoverwhelmed

2 days ago

It's an orange sunnies and dress day today. Nooooo training today, rest day before my first half marathon this year which is on tomorrow. It's also Day 1 of my extra long weekend whoohoo! This week has been crazy. Hoping for some downtime now 😊 Today is all about friends, carb loading, water loading and an early night. #summer #longweekend #restday #sun #friends #orange #week11 #almostthere #round4 #12wbt #operationbirthday #birthdayloooongweekend

2 days ago

Stop #3 of 6 today and I have acquired a foam roller - thank you Mum and Dad Christmas $ - and a bag of lollies for my run tomorrow - thank you friends pantry! I can't believe I have never owned a foam roller before...no more having to borrow yours now thank you @teammargie @cathysheargold @sarahmcgee @hecallsmepanda 👍😎💜 #foamroller #lollies #prerunplanning #birthdayloooongweekend #saturday

1 day ago

Thank you for your wishes ❤️ At the start line for Half Marathon #4. Trying to tell myself it's not as far as the 30km so it'll be so much easier...trying to tell myself a lot of things but no matter what distance I run, it always seems like the hugest feat in the world. Not feeling confident at all this morning - I think the 30km memory is freaking me out. Weather is amazing though, it's very cool and was raining a bit before. 10min till race time, just have to focus on my music and the rhythm. Happy Australia Day - the best country in the world. Extremely proud Aussie here ❤️💙❤️💙❤️💙 #australiaday #halfmarathon #run #runrunrun #runner #running #week11 #round4 #12wbt

1 day ago

DID IT!!!!! I do this each time but today I truly didn't think I could do it. Medical stuff from the 30km event had been going through my head for a couple of days to the point by the time I got to the start line I didn't think I could do it; I visualised stopping half way through and had scared myself, in hindsight, unnecessarily. But as soon as I started, I was fine. It was probably the easiest half I've done, it was cool weather, there was a breeze the whole time and every few km's it rained lightly on cue. The course wasn't the best, part of it was in the bush, I went off track by accident and got lost but just for about 30m. There was a lot of high 5'ing and clapping from other runners and my mates Court & Trace were on course so I got to see them a few times too so it was good. So yeah! Half mara done! Thank you for your lovely msgs and especially @sunflowersmiling I am so excited about your new marathon goal! Thank you for your comment. You can do it too 😊 #halfmarathon #australiaday #run #runrunrun #runner #running #week11 #round4 #12wbt

9 hours ago

Taking a dramatic looking rest in between training. Boot camp and last 12min weekly run test down, Week 12 fitness test to go. I'm so so proud of my 12min run test time. I am such a slow runner but I really pushed myself today and this round I've just continually tried to improve it. I have to check when I get home but I think my first run test this round was 1.66km, today on Week 12 I got to 1.91km! Maybe one day I can get over 2km 😊 Thank you @vichoskin for your cheering and our run test IG challenges along the way xx #week12 #round4 #12wbt #run #running #runrunrun #training #monday P.S. Wow it's officially Week 12! 👍

6 hours ago

This is a bit of a Dear Diary post so just bear with me...I've just spent the morning doing boot camp, my weekly run test, my Week 12 fitness test, updating my sticker chart, checking my rewards money jar (I may have had to borrow from myself and replace it mid round shhh), checking my marble weight loss jars and doing my Week 12 measurements. I'm so proud of myself. I know it sounds up myself but I really am. My measurements have just made me a bit speechless and I improved on each fitness test result - this is something I can struggle with. I still have to weigh in on Wednesday (#operationbirthday day!) so will wait till then to collate all my stuff but just checking all of these things today have just made me really overwhelmed. I haven't stopped for a few days but am sitting down now - I have the next 3 days off work and I'm so excited. Today is a down time day so I have an awesome agenda now: paint my nails (lol! I've had the nail polish out for 2 weeks to do it!), start watching the new season of The Biggest Loser that I've taped, catch up on msgs, emails and social media, catch up on some well overdue blog posts, and just enjoy the day. You don't want to see me now so I thought instead I'd share a selfie of me with one of my nieces taken yesterday (Australia Day). #happy #proud #week12 #round4 #12wbt #operationbirthday #determined #overwhelmed #summer

6 hours ago

I did a bit of running after my half mara yesterday 😜 #yesiamterribleatslipandslide #run #stop #lie #thenslide #detergentfun #australiaday #slipandslide #fun #summer #love #harderthanahalfmarathon

5 hours ago

Reason #64 why it's really cool when you have friends who do the same event as you...you can take photos of each other as you pass. 😄😎 Thank you @tengl12 and @cworthington 😍👍 This was taken on yesterday's run 😊 #freeeventphotography #australiaday #halfmarathon #run #runner #running #runrunrun #week11 #round4 #12wbt