Reidy writes

Monday 5 September 2011

Blank canvas !

This is the start of a new chapter for me. Here I begin a journey back to the fitter person I have been in the past. As most of you know I work down at Bondi with some pretty fit dudes and my job as a lifeguard ensures that I need to keep my fitness levels reasonably high but because of my recent trip to Europe I have let myself go leaving my body looking like a blank canvas.



I have decided to take on the wonderful Michelle Bridges 12 Week Body Transformation. It’s an Internet based weight loss website that comes with training and nutrition programs suited to all shapes and sizes. You are also given regular updates, tips and support from the team at 12WBT the whole way through. I feel the format will work in well with my busy lifestyle and hopefully let me kiss good-bye to a beer belly I so proudly produced while gallivanting across the European countryside (see previous blog posts) !

As some of you may know I haven't always been fit and healthy. I spent a big part of my teenage years as a very fat kid and It definitely wasn't a time in my life that I was proud of.




At about the age of 20 I decided enough was enough. This wasn't the person I wanted to be anymore and started out losing weight very slowly. I watched EVERYTHING I ate, only drank water and kept my junk food intake down to zero. As for exercise I just walked and ran around the block (about 1km) near my house. I still remember my first run, it was terrible, I'm pretty sure I only ran the first 50m and then walked the rest. From that day on for the next 6 months I ran every morning and pushed myself to run that little bit further ever day. Pretty sure by the end I was running that block 3 times without breaking a sweat. A few years later I tried out for the lifeguards and got on the team. I still have to constantly watch what I eat and train consistently or it all comes creeping back.


People have this perception that there are some people born fit and healthy and they don't have to work hard to stay looking good, well I'm here to say thats Poppycock. If someone is looking trim and terrific then I'd put my life on it they have been training hard and eating right. For me I know what I have to do to get back on the wagon and thats train my mind. The mind is the most powerful muscle we have and mine is going to be working overtime to ensure that I'm eating well and training consistency throughout the whole 12 weeks to ensure i get the results I want. 

Its going to be an emotional ride and I know there will be some ups and downs but I'm focused and ready to make it through the whole 12 weeks.

Im going through my some of my 12WBT preseason tasks as we speak, things like: Introducing myself to other 12WBT'ers on the forums (see video below) and ridding my kitchen of any nasties that may tempt me. There is also an events section where you can find fun, fitness activities such as Dragon Boat racing in your area every week to get involved in. Cant wait !!!



Im excited to kick things off on Monday the 12th of September, lets do this !


Cheers


Reidy


31 comments:

  1. ohhhhh good luck reidy hope all goes well will follow your blogs and waiting with a high5 at the end of the 12 weeks xx

    ReplyDelete
  2. Good luck Reidy, you'll do well - you're such a determined person!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Great blog! I have seen you around twitter on and off for a while... glad you have joined 12WBT for this round. Love that you talk about being a 'blank canvas'. So - what is your most challenging excuse you reckon? What was the hardest thing to toss out in the kitchen overhaul? My biggest excuse is a newer one - "Ahh but it won't hurt to miss a session because I have to work and study". All the time at my desk really only means I need to train more than ever! Good luck with it! I am going to email a link to your blog to my fiance as he is really getting into weights training this round. See you round twitter and the forums. Ciao, Ange

    ReplyDelete
  4. Go Reidy! Inspiration to many!
    Decided that I am finally going to get the look I want. No more persuading myself its all going to be fine!
    Good Luck, but I know you'll do it!
    Looking forward to the next Blog.
    :) x

    ReplyDelete
  5. It's not easy to put yourself out there and let people know how things are/have been, admire you for that. And good luck!! you'll do goooood :) xx

    ReplyDelete
  6. Great to see that the program isn't just for really overweight people, that it is also for those just wanting to loose those extra kgs and get fit. I've never had to watch what I eat but am getting a teeny belly and it is my mind that needs training more than anything. Good luck! S.

    ReplyDelete
  7. So glad you're doing another blog I really enjoyed last one. Great subject to be writing about too x My body comeback starts weds after 3 year break :-) Wishing you well with yours x

    ReplyDelete
  8. Good luck Reidy, i hope all goes well for you and you remain as determined as you are right now and you'll soon be back in shape..although personally i still you're looking pretty hot!! Lol. I'm about to start something similar so i'll be following your blogs for inspiration. Go for it!!! xxx

    ReplyDelete
  9. Starting new eating/fitness regime myself this week after epic trip to Oz this summer! Will follow your blog to help ME keep on track too. Good Luck! xx

    ReplyDelete
  10. Reidy, you inspired me to get back into it,last year I lost 30kg and this winter I have put a few kg's back on. please keep posting and get my butt inline. You should be proud of yourself when you were a teenage,you were there for mates in need,and you were a great mate to have around. you will always be apart of my life, the good, the bad, and the, well I cant write that but you know.
    thanks Reidy stand up proud.
    Marie xxxx

    ReplyDelete
  11. Reidy Reidy!!!! he`s our man, if he csnt do it no one can!!!! Seriously tho, all the best bein someone who has struggled all my life with weight loss and (even resorting to a gastric band!!) I hoping by following u on here some of ur enthusiasum will rub off on me!!! Good luck and will be avidly following ur progress xx

    ReplyDelete
  12. Well done. I started big time into my fitness bout 5 months ago lost half stone. Tough but so enjoy it now even look forward to my exercise classes. Well dine and good luck !!!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Great to see such an honest blog on weight loss.. Ive put myself on an 8 week challenge recently, am 4 days in & already feeling the mental benefits! The "i cant do it" is turning into "well lets give it a go & see if i can" :D Gotta love those exercise endorphins! :D Good luck! :) Ash - Ireland

    ReplyDelete
  14. hey reidy, i think its awesome what ur doin an uv in spired me to do the same, hopefully ill look better for chrissie!! good luck!! ;)

    ReplyDelete
  15. good for you hun. i struggle with my weight since i had jack + hes 11yrs now. i was thinking of doing something bout mine, but now you've inspired me i i think i'll defo tone up + cut down. good luck.x

    ReplyDelete
  16. Best of luck to ya! I'm right there with you, after 4 months of of sitting behind a desk staring at a computer screen I'm feeling a bit too cuddly! Keep the blogs coming, I'm gonna need all the motivation and inspiration I can get! x

    ReplyDelete
  17. Go for it Reidy! I've had to battle to get in shape too after having each of my kids, and it is tough - but you've done it before, you can do it again. I hope your fellow lifeguards don't rib you about it too much! In 12 weeks, you'll be leaving them for dust... All the best.

    ReplyDelete
  18. cant believe how you use to be.a big inspiration for me to get off my fat ass and start getting fit.cheere.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Good luck - you can do it. I have every faith in you. :D

    ReplyDelete
  20. Good luck!! We'll be with you every step of the way. You are an inspiration to us all! X

    ReplyDelete
  21. wow what did you eat? i like your abbs looking good exept for the two pics on top. :) keep doing push ups and sit ups.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Hi best of luck with the program .I have just started jogging in recent weeks got fed up of moaning about being overweight so decided to actually do something about it now ,I am actually starting to enjoy it now :)Good luck .Chelle Ireland .

    ReplyDelete
  23. I think your a wonderful inspiration to a lot of people!

    Good Luck - and I look forward to reading your blog! :-D

    ReplyDelete
  24. Very impressed with your honesty Reidy, looking forward to smashing it with you! Karryn

    ReplyDelete
  25. Hey Reidy!
    Thanks for sharing that! It does actually help to know (and remember) that even lifeguards have a struggle with their weight! It somehow allows me to think a little better of and speak less harshly to myself!
    Good luck with the next 12 weeks and we'll see you at the end!!
    Steph :)

    ReplyDelete
  26. Great message Reidy. You had me hooked when you said "poppycock" hahaaha! Look forward to following your journey - 12wbt rocks!!!

    ReplyDelete
  27. The very best of luck to you Reidy. You are very brave putting yourself in the spotlight to lose a bit of weight and get fit. Will Look forward to readIng your blog in the hope it helps kickstart me into doing something similar. I know how much of a struggle it is losing weight and trying to keep it off-I've never managed it, but you seem very determined. The very best of luck to you, we're all routing for you over in the North East of England xx

    ReplyDelete
  28. Rock on Reidy! I've been delaying getting back into shape and this made me think it's about time I kicked my butt back into gear. I like that you called your body a blank canvas. It's a different less critical way of thinking about yourself. Good luck and New York City is cheering for you. Looking forward to your updates (and Season 7 of Bondi Rescue when it finally begins airing over here)

    ReplyDelete
  29. Good on you Reidy! I did the 12WBT during it's very first round back in 2010. Learned so much about myself, my mind and my body. Plus lost 10kg and completely changed my lifestyle. Good on you for putting yourself out there and sharing your journey. Looking forward to hearing your progress!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Hey Reidy can't wait to see your transformation, from now, til the end of 12 weeks, no doubt you will feel better inside and out. I am not on the 12wbt have been losing weight on my own for nearly 8 weeks and I am loving the results thus far. Thanks for the added inspiration <3 Love Kate from Newy!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Hey Reidy, I am currently, as you put it,a very fat kid, but recently i started watching the bondi rescue show and i saw your story and i have decided to become fitter and train to be a lifeguard here in england. I wish you all the best and i know you can do it, cant wait to see how you look at the end =)

    ReplyDelete