The Hard Truth

So, here we are again.  I cannot tell you how many times I have set goals, made plans, forced good intentions, bought new gym equipment, found that new gym that is better than the last, discovered steamed veggies, diet jelly and the disgusting excuse for a 'healthy' coffee (black, no sugar).

There is a time in every girls life, where that perfect dress looks terrible because of the spare tyre and you realise that nothing but your own determination will make any sort of difference for the next time you try that dress on. I can blame the parties, blame Christmas, family visiting, not enough time, not enough money, too sick, too tired, too flabby, not motivated enough, etc, etc, etc, but when it comes down to it, I am the only one setting back my goals.

A revisit to the scales let me know I am still above 70kgs - 73.8 to be exact, Court at 93.3.  We have been lazy and unmotivated, but no more.

Before this pledge is made, we need to point out that all of you who have regularly asked how the weightloss is going and why the blog hasn't been updated, we appreciate the knowledge that we are being kept accountable by someone!  The questions may have been fobbed off with some nonsense about being busy, but in reality, your questions and interest in this journey are the reason why we are back with a vengeance.

"My commitment is to stop making excuses and fight my way to a fitter, healthier and better future for myself.  I commit to sticking to my healthy eating, and exercising six days a week, resulting in a body and person I can be proud of.  Bring on the rest of my life, and that gorgeous tiny dress hanging on the back of my door!"

Soraya Harris and Courtney Lewis, Huntingdale, VIC.

Commence the next three months of healthy eating and the goal of leaving approximately 14 kilos (S) and 20 kilos (C) behind.

When losing is a good thing.

Week one continued without hiccup.  Courtney found herself a new favourite low calorie treat (cocoa powder, dates and almonds smooshed together into bite sized deliciousness) and my discovery that a cup of coffee isn't actually as bad as I was lead to believe.  These discoveries made healthy eating that little bit easier, with cravings being satisfied in 'acceptable' ways. We continued with the exercise regime, with another boot camp, hockey games and scheduled rigorous toning and cardio workouts at a local park (imagine two girls in gym gear with yoga mats, medicine balls and skipping ropes in the most sought-after shady spot... quite an amusing image, I assure you).  A bout of sickness (myself) and a specialist appointment resulting in an impending tonsillectomy (Courtney) means we have faced our first couple of challenges, but we fight on.  

Then there was our first 'red flag' event - a dinner dance we had bought tickets for weeks ago, meant a three course meal and an open bar... all we could think about was the overly abundant calories and our (shrinking, we hope) waistlines. The day loomed, and we ever so cunningly planned to eat as minimal as possible during the day so as to ensure not going over the limit on the night.  We failed. The food was incredible. It wasn't horrendously unhealthy, but enough that we knew we had over done it. And, although our feet were ridden with blisters by the end of the night, we both knew the vigorous dancing throughout the evening wouldn't be enough to counteract the over eating. Fail.

All was not lost. Resuming a healthy diet, kicking our butts into gear with exercise, more boot camp, more toning and, Voila! Weigh in day has approached.

THIS is the only time when losing is, without a doubt, a good thing. 

Week two weigh in results:

Courtney:  93.2kg (-1.5)

Soraya: 74.0kg (-1.4)

Until next Wednesday!

Weigh In Week 1: Result

Yes, it has only been three days of healthy eating and exercise, but as weigh-in day is on Wednesday each week, tonight is the opportune moment for an update.

What have we discovered?

1. Exercising for an hour in the sun in the middle of the day is not ideal - cue heat stroke.

2. Fish cakes are disgusting. I would rather eat a kilo of lettuce leaves.

3. I do not own enough gym gear to work out every day. The smell of sweat will forever be permeating my memory.

4. The scales CAN be a friend.

Three days of exercise and healthy eating.

Result:

Soraya: 75.4kg (-1.2 from Sunday)

Courtney: 94.7kg (-2.6 from Sunday)

Boxing and Brocolli: Day One

With a series of pre-healthkick preparations complete, our cupboards and fridge are filled with lean meats, fresh produce and low GI grains (or gluten free substitutes in Courtney's case.. who knew corn couscous existed?!), our exercise regimes are planned and diarised, and the cravings for excessive amounts of buttery mashed potato and peanut m'n'ms have been well and truly squashed.

Day one is complete.  I think today is proof we are definitely not easing in to this, by any means.  How so? A drive East in peak hour traffic saw us at our first exercise expedition for the week: Boot-camp. Now, I know I'm unfit, but to be sucking in Ventolin after the ten minute warm up exercise is just a tad embarrassing! A lot of boxing challenges, 'burpees' and assorted other torture exercises saw us driving back home red-faced and very sore... And we're in to do it again on Thursday.

I think it's safe to say we are both scared of the hard work ahead, but very determined - Courtney with her 'skinny' dress hanging on her bedroom door for inspiration, and myself with a desire to buy a slinky size 12 dress and wear it with confidence (that spare tyre has GOT to leave).  The fat will be obliterated by an explosion of baby spinach and gym gear.

With that, I leave you with the scarring images of us baring all in some horrendous photos, and the stats of our current unhealthy selves.

Soraya Harris

19/11/12

Weight: 76.6

Chest: 107cm

Waist: 99cm

Hips: 94cm

Thigh: 59cm

Arm: 30cm
 

Courtney Lewis

19/11/12

Weight: 97.3

Chest: 114cm

Waist: 120cm

Hips: 110cm

Thigh: 78cm

Arm: 38cm

McDonalds + Marshmellows: The End of an Era

Today, my Wii fit told me I am obese. Not calming words coming from the cute high pitched voice from the flat-screen television in the loungeroom.  Then, it proceeded to tell me I have a Wiifit age of 32 and that I should stop eating so much to reduce my Body-Mass Index. Reality check: I am 24 years old, 165cm tall, size 14 in bottoms and on the upside of 14 in tops.

Activate operation “no more Marshmellows (and other assorted addictive junk that will be soon clogging my arteries resulting in a heart-attack and a shorter life span)”.  Soraya Ruth Harris and Courtney Beth Lewis of Victoria, vow and declare to eat healthily, exercise six days a week and take note of all substances that pass through the oesophagus. 

This is not a diet. We are not becoming slaves to greenery, nor are we going to begin growing our own organic vegetables to avoid unwanted chemical infections. Soraya and Courtney are not on a “detox”, or “eating right for our blood type”.  We have no desire to become gym junkies, personal trainers, self-help gurus or bikini models (although the latter is the most appealing). All we want, is some accountability. Some motivation.  A little bit of support in the long road ahead towards health.  That is where you come in. If you are reading this, kudos.  I, Soraya, have vowed to blog each week the progress that is our weight loss. 

And with that, we ask you to stay posted for weigh ins, progress photos and exercise logs...