It’s pre-season for those doing Michelle Bridges. I know many who are also jumping on board Lisa Curry’s new program or one of the myriad other 8, 10 or 12 week programs on offer. However you do it, the fact you are jumping in and making positive changes is awesome in my books! I’m in for Round 2 but I started my new training regime last week.
As I posted last week, I kicked off my own personal 12 week adventure by committing to recommencing 1 on 1 PT sessions for first time since September last year. I have committed to two sessions a week plus doing a heap of group sessions at Zenergy. I’ve written about how it has been a little odd to be starting something new at the same time I have been thinking about finishing a round of 12WBT, organising / attending events and encouraging people at the ‘end’ of their journey. As I keep saying to people who are stressed about the 12WBT round ending “Life does not fit neatly into 12 week ’rounds’, you have to make it work for your situation“.
This is for LIFE. It is not all or nothing and on/off in rounds of 8, 10 or 12 weeks. Sure, we might pursue a goal intensely for a short period of time but health, wellbeing and fitness are for life.
So while it’s done my head in a bit to be finishing something that I am so well into the swing of while simultaneously starting something that is putting me well outside my comfort zone as well as requires a new schedule, I think I am getting there. It’s more the hectic-ness of my diary than actually not being able to get it straight in my head! I have had this attitude of “This is for life” – in fact more accurately “This is to SAVE my life” - since day 1 with 12WBT. I *had* to because I know otherwise I would have fallen victim to that ‘all or nothing’ approach which would not have led to me losing 40kg and keeping it off for over year. I am also faced with some bigger questions about my direction in life, what I want, my priorities etc – some BIG questions that won’t be answered quickly. Grrr! I am eternally patient with others and definitely need to send a bit of that my own way! 
To complicate all this, I am experiencing a little burn out. Nothing like 2 years ago, but things have been out of balance so finding clarity and balance are crucial for me right now. I’ll post more about that soon – after some spectacular moments where I crashed and burnt recently my greater self (or Red Self for Emazon’s Red Women reading this) has sent numerous feathers, rocks and a truck or two. I am still processing it – I have lacked clarity all year really and sooner or later I was going to be sat on my arse to SORT. SHIT. OUT. So it’s been happening for the last week or so – the storm. It’s a tumultuous time but I know awesome clarity is coming, I have had some significant light bulb moments already
To complicate it all a little more I injured my wrist. There’s been doctors, physio, x-rays and of course my first FULL week of 6 days training was hampered. Jodie, Tony, Mase and all the Zenergy team have been fantastic with helping me work around my injury so I can still get a workout. I love that their attitude is all about keeping safe and being sensible while working hard in the ways that you can and unlike some trainers I have experienced, they are very happy to talk to physios and doctors, recognising that everyone has to work together.
Complicated. Yep. That really explains the last 4 months for me. Complicated. Really really f**king complicated.
I am over it.
For weeks I have been telling myself ‘You *have* to simplify things more.’ but not taking any action. In fact I have been doing the opposite – getting busier and being in serious danger of disappearing up my own backside because I was going in circles!! You make poor decisions and agree to take on things you should not. Or turn things down that you should say yes to. It gets hectic. Sound familiar? I know I am not alone.
Simplifying things requires reflection to gain clarity. Yes, I had to STOP DOING and just sit still. I will be doing more of that. And more writing, I have had no time to reflect and write for months as you may have noticed by the lack of blog posts except for those about what we have been doing! Haha.
Simplifying then requires making decisions and prioritising. Balance is crucial – being a PhD student who also needs to source an income makes finding balance extraordinarily hard but I will do my best. That’s the sticking point, what makes things complicated for me. I will not use it as an excuse. Instead, it is a big motivator to tick that box and shoot the PhD off for examination!
Simplify. It suddenly gets really simple when you are hit with giant rocks or a truck after ignoring the feathers and smaller rocks being hurled at you!
The adventure continues…. buckle up. It’s f**king bumpy terrain of late.
xx Ange
When we throw out the physical clutter, we clear our minds. When we throw out the mental clutter, we clear our souls. And we need both of those vital parts of our being to be in good working order as we move into the next -and greatest- segment of our lives. Gail Blanke
I definitely know how your feeling and I bet a whole lot more people do as well! I am trying to do three subjects at uni while still keeping up my 45-50hours per week which I need to work so I can pay off my debt so I can go to uni full-time next year! I think all this work and study plus trying to fit in my time to train burnt me out and may have aided my back injury 5 weeks ago that left me not being able to walk for a week and doing the usual once a week physio and no gym. Maybe a blessing in disguise to refocus my priorities but wasn’t what I needed coming into mid-semester exams and a trithalon! Finally get to go back to gym this week although won’t be doing my usual, slow and steady wins the race, signing up for Round 2 of 12WBT so I can get back onto my path of a healthy life but more important I have had a long time to think about priorities and what really matters and I came up with the answer of ME! I love your inspiration and to have that influence that people listen and look up to you is an amazing achievement, I only hope once I complete my Cert 111 & IV in fitness and my dietics degree that I have even just a smidge of that confidence and inspiration that the likes of yourself and Michelle Bridges have, it must feel truly amazing to to have that much of an impact of people’s lives that they make a change that will only keep giving and most importantly save their lives.
xx Lauren
Good luck simplifying. I’m actively trying to adopt a less frantic approach to life (with mixed success). It’s challenging to achieve all that needs to be done every day while not being drawn into a-million-and-one exciting new prospects. It sure is a balancing act!