(Source: newdimensionshc.blogspot.com)

We made a resolution. To eat right and exercise until we reached our healthy weights; until we were finally happy with our bodies. We took part in weightloss challenges, we fell love with classes like zumba, speed step and cycling or spin class. We had a new trainer. We had a stricter diet. We drank more water. Everything was different from the last time.

Weightloss Challenges

At New Dimensions in Old Mount Druitt they basically hold these weightloss challenges every so often. it was the results of the ladies that took art in the one before that pushed Michelle and i into taking part. some of the women and men lost up to 9 kilos over a 4 weeks period. did we want to lose 9 kilos? of course we did. so we signed up for the next one; one that would run a course of 8 weeks. it was hard. i wont lie to you. trying to stay motivated over an 8 week period; trying to stay on top of your diet, try and stay motivated enough to hit the gym and work your ass off, to work through the pains in muscles you never knew you had. it was hard. but it paid off. Michelle won that first weightloss challenge. she absolutely kicked its ass. all the proud mama feelings.

we took part in two weightloss challenges after that, both stretching over 4 weeks each. it was easier, tomaintain the motivation. we hit the gym 7 days a week. classes upon classes, training sessions and lets not forget the sunday morning bootcamps. 

A Different Trainer

the biggest difference from 2010 to 2011 is that we switched trainers. it wasnt a personal thing against Darren. we loved him to bits, but unfortunately he didnt give us what was necessary for us to compete in the challenges and that was cardio, and a lot of it. enter Drew. at first, we were just going to stay with him for the 8 week weightloss challenge. he worked us hard; introduced us to new techniques, and lets not forget he made us run on the damn treadmill for ten minutes straight. the longest 10 minutes of my life given i still was an unfit, fat blob.

when we ended up losing about 17 kilos between us, Michelle and i decided that Drew was what we needed.

it was like a breath of fresh air. every session was different. we had weekly goals, Saturday morning weigh ins and most of all we had fun. the sessions were fun. although the exercise was hard, strenuous, made us break a sweat we still had a laugh, we had fun. which is why, to this day, Drew is still our trainer. (unless he decides to dump us for being so annoying in 2012).

Classes
the classes are definitely my favourite part about going to the gym. big groups of people, a motivating instructor and awesome music. the classes gave my weightloss journey a kickstart. let me just list a few of my favourites.

• Kickboxing
• Body Step - speed step
• Body Pump - a weights class
• cycling or spin class
• zumba

Attitude.

the biggest change was an attitudinal one. in 2010, the gym was always an after thought. but 2011 made it a priority. it was always the gym over everything else. no fail. it was always more important. we wanted this change. we NEEDED it which is why health became first. the gym was put before everything. 

through these factors, it happened. there was a change. i shrunk in my measurements. prior measurements:-

• chest - 119cms or 46.9inches
• shoulders - 125cms or 49.2inches
• arms - 38.5cms or 15.2inches
• waist - 116cms or 45.7inches
• hips - 123cms - 48.4inches
• thigh - 66cms - 26inches
• calf - 44.5cms - 17.5inches

measurements as of December:-

• chest - 111cms or 43.7inches
• shoulders - 107cms or 42.1inches
• arms - 37cms or 14.6inches
• waist - 103cms or 40.6inches
• hips - 117cms or 46.1inches
• thigh - 64cms or 25.2inches
• calf - 43cms or 16.9inches

unfrtunately over christmas i didn put on just under 4 kilos meaning i went back up to 96kgs (211.6pounds). however, its a new year. which means new goals, a new attitude and a hell of an ass whooping.

when i first started my weightloss journey, i weighed in at an alarming 121kg (266.8lbs or 19 stone). my measurements were as follows:-

• chest - 119cms or 46.9inches
• shoulders - 125cms or 49.2inches
• arms - 38.5cms or 15.2inches
• waist - 116cms or 45.7inches
• hips - 123cms - 48.4inches
• thigh - 66cms - 26inches
• calf - 44.5cms - 17.5inches

at my weight of 5’6 and at 266.8 pounds, my bmi was calculated at 43.1. now, or those not familiar with the bmi system, a bmi over 30 is considered obese. according to my doctor i was morbidly obese. morbidly obese at the age of 19. I couldn’t believe it.

you know that feeling where you don’t know the severity of something unless it literally slaps you in the face. That’s how I felt; like I had been slapped in the face. You see, I never saw myself as I big person. I mean, I know I was bigger than most of my friends. I knew that; the difference in clothing sizes was enough to make that obvious, but I never saw myself as morbidly obese. When I think of morbidly obese people, I think of those you see on the Biggest Loser or something. I never thought that of myself.

it was scary. I was at risk of so many conditions further along in my life. Heart disease, problems with my veins and cardiovascular system and diabetes. (I know that diabetes can be hereditary an not only the obese do get it. I know there are many other factors that can lead to diabetes, this is just what my doctor told me). I had actually been tested for diabetes and thankfully It was negative.  

I was unhappy too. I had terrible skin. I had to use acne cleansers to at least keep it presentable. Going shopping was never a happy experience; immediately having to go to the ‘big person’ section. Not many plus sizes clothes are attractive in the slightest.  Most shirts look like sacks, and the pants arent nice at all. Going to the beach or pool was never; nice. Obviously. It was horrible to say the least.

When I decided to go vegetarian in June 2010, I lost weight almost immediately. I dropped 6 kilos ny just cutting out meat. Now, don’t get me wrong, im not saying eating meat is a bad health choice. Eating meat is a good source of protein and it is good or you. It was the fast food options that I chose to eat that had meat in them which was making me so unhealthy. Things like meat lovers pizza, kfc meals and McDonalds were a way of life, so obviously taking meat off the menu resulted in those unhealthy choices also being taken off the menu. Losing the 6 kilos meant getting into a pair o skinny jeans or the first time in my life. Prior to that, just the mens jeans I was wearing were tight enough to look like skinny jeans because of the size of my legs. It was a wake up call. And ive also been vegetarian since then.

In July of the same year I joined my local gym with my friends; where we were given a jumpstart program and a personal trainer for 8 weeks. Darren was the guy who first measured me and weighed me in for the gym records. I weighed in at 112 kgs (246.9lbs). even that number was shocking. Of course I hadn’t weighed myself since the time at the doctors, and yes I was lighter. But I still fell head first into the obese category. It made everything seem so much more real, seeing all those high number written down on paper made it seem a lot more serious. It started the gym sessions. We had a trainer session with Darren every Wednesday afternoon and we would go three to four times a week. It became a cure for boredom and an opportunity or the three of us to bond.

Unfortunately, because there wasn’t much of a change in my eating habits, my weight merely fluctuated. It went up and down up and down. Staying around the 110kg mark. And it sucked. And I, being naïve and probably stupid, didn’t make the connection that maybe it was my food and drink choices that were contributing. It was enough to make me give up. We stopped going to the gym altogether. I gave up; on the gym, on my weightloss and on myself. I fell back into my old habits; drinking way too much coffee and not enough water, eating the wrong foods. I got a job and poured my efforts into that instead.

It wasn’t until the end of Decemeber that Michelle and I; minus our third, decided enough was enough. We were going back to the gym for real this time and we were going to take it a hell of a lot more seriously. 

like many other people when the new year looms, i made resolutions for myself. theres one saying i will cut down my swearing a lot (2 days into the new year i honestly fucked it up already), one saying i will keep m room more presentable (its an absolute tip) and another saying i will attempt to read all 50 books on my ‘50 Books To Read Before You Die book mark.
but one of the main resolutions i have set myself, like thousands of people around the world, is that i will diet. i will shed those unwanted kilos (or pounds ot stone if you prefer) and get down to a healthy weight. you see, i set myself this resultions last year as well, and surpirinsg both myself, as wel as friends and family, i managed to do it. i lost weight. over 25 kilograms (55lbs/3.9stone) actually. but still, i am far from my goal.
they say, and ive see this all over my facebook lately the phrase, ‘New Year New Me.’ but to me thats bullshit. just because its a new year, doesnt mean every aspect of your life is going to change so dramatically that you become a completely new person. however, i do think that you can change.

same you, new habits. the saying goes ýou cant teach an old dog new tricks. but you can. its the same concept isnt it. its the same old you. same skin, same eyes, same body, you just have to adapt new habits, learn new tricks, train yourself into a new mindset.
but anyway, ive gone off one a ramble. back on point.

my names Janey, or Sarah-Jane, im 21 and this is the year that my life will change.