time out

Hello to anyone still out there, I am amazed you have stuck around.

I'm writing to let you know that I am feeling very little love for this blog at the moment. Writing about what I eat and when I exercise has started to feel trivial.

It's pretty easy to eat healthier and exercise regularly, but alas I have failed to make these changes. Whether I achieved this or not though, it doesn't deserve front page news. So why should I dedicate a blog to it?

I thought a blog might be a way to motivate myself, to be accountable. But instead of being a motivator, it has often left me angry and frustrated, particularly when I haven't achieved my goals. And when you are the ultimate editor, it's too easy to leave out the 'naughty' behaviours.

In fact, I am currently at my heaviest weight ever. That's pretty conclusive evidence that this blog has not contributed to me achieving my healthy and fitness goals. Now obviously I'm not blaming the blog for gaining weight, that is entirely my fault, but the blog hasn't been a useful tool in helping me to steer myself in a different direction.

So, where does this leave us? My Instagram account will still heavily feature fitness and food related pics and I will probably still write a post every now and then, but it won't be exclusively about health and fitness. Often I feel the need to share my thoughts or opinions about a number of issues, so they'll probably feature a little more often.

I hope you've enjoyed sharing this journey with me, but for now I'll say "see ya later". It's time for a time out.

- Dani

the love

Watch out! Corniness alert!

Looking at everyone else's 12wbt blogs has been AMAZING! There are some seriously talented and witty people out there. I can't wait for my own blog to evolve and develop - there is so much potential!

The thing that these blogs and the entire 12wbt highlight for me is our need to feel a sense of connectedness and belonging. I feel like I'm channelling an old psych lecturer now (slightly awkward), but she was right.

In the most recent 12wbt video, Michelle Bridges said that people wanted to know why the 12wbt works, what the secret is. While there are, no doubt, many elements to its success, I imagine that gaining a sense of belonging/connectedness has been a significant factor in every success story. And if you believe otherwise, please don't hold back, I'm welcome to hearing any and all opinions.

For me personally, I can discuss different struggle areas with friends, family and colleagues. My biggest supporter is my boyfriend. He has even changed his lifestyle to make my transition easier. At the same time, he isn't overweight, he hasn't battled these issues before, so that is where other 12wbters become really important. I probably haven't embraced the 12wbt network as much as I could, but I am definitely gaining insight through the blogosphere. So I'm sure it is a source I will draw from more in the future.

While I'm on my psych soap box, it is also worth noting that positive social support can also work as a protective factor against mental health issues. This does not mean that having great social support will call forth your own mental health Jedi...

...but it can help. And seeing as today is R U OK? Day, I feel I must ask

Are you ok?

I hope you are! If not, please seek appropriate help - call lifeline, see a doctor, even talk to someone you know. And if you are ok, maybe consider if there is anyone you know that needs a gentle "are you ok?"

- Dani

the beginning

Hello, I'm a 26 year old living in Melbourne, working in the CBD and dabbling in a few other things (e.g., blogging, tweeting). Oh and I'm trying to change my life.

About a month ago, after a fairly intense period at work, I realised that my life wasn't particularly balanced. I was prepared to dedicate 110% of myself to work and yet I wasn't doing the same for other areas of my life - especially my health and fitness. In fact, throughout my life I have often devoted most of myself to one or two areas and completely neglected the rest.

I might have indulged in a tad too much on alcohol in the past

This is also not the first time I have focused on my fitness. In my childhood, up 'til I was 21 really, I was a very dedicated sportswoman. Two years ago I ran in the Run Melbourne 10km event - I actually did it. But during all that time I was focusing on my fitness rather than my health and well-being.

Can you spot me?

This time I'm taking a more holistic approach. I'm hoping to be a healthier, fitter, friendly, happier version of myself. A good daughter, partner, employee and friend. I will take pride in what I eat, how I look and how I act. It has been easy to say "I don't care", but I should care - this is my life, this is me.

Self explanatory really

So before I start preaching and singing Gospel (it is so easy to get carried away), here are my goals...

• Lose 20kg (while I don't like to focus on weight, this is a bit of a necessity)
• Run 3km comfortably
• Participate in gym classes with ease (this is both a physical and psychological battle)
• Reduce the portion sizes of my lunch and dinner
• Eat breakfast!
• Get my car serviced (it might not seem relevant, but it is part of me being devoted to every area of my life)
• Feel comfortable in bathers (please note I have written 'feel comfortable', I know I'm no Miranda Kerr)
• Change the way I think - I want to think fit and healthy

And yes, I am writing a blog about finding the right balance in life and a blog about dining out. I'm hoping to keep both blogs alive and that my new-found balance will give my food blog a healthy twist.


- Dani