childhood memories

I have been wanting to go back to Point Nepean ever since I first visited those fascinating, albeit slightly haunting, tunnels during a school excursion. So I finally went for what was my fourth Weekend Walkabout.

Point Nepean is surround by water and has loads of history, and could easily have been an appropriate walk for many of the Weekend Walkabout Challenge "themes". But my memories there as a teenagers are still vivid, so childhood memories seemed the perfect fit.

Starting at the Quarantine Station, I had intended to hike up to Fort Nepean and back. However, the thrill of exploration was too great - I find the history, the stories, the remains at Point Nepean fascinating - so by the time I reach Fort Nepean I had already been walking for over 1.5 hours, and I knew I didn't have time for another 1.5 hours. Lucky for me, there is a transporter bus that shuttles people between the major sites. And nothing reminded me of being a child quite like being back on a bus.

I walked 7.73km with an elevation of 341m in 1 hour and 38 minutes. As previously mentioned, I was extremely distracted by the historical sights, so it wasn't a hike so much as an exploration.

The Mornington Peninsula is a beautiful part of the world and I will definitely head back to Point Nepean for future walks - it really has a bit everything (good tracks, interesting sites along the way, beautiful landscapes).

- Dani

just add water

It is good to be flexible every now and then, so when I was asked to drive to Seafood on Saturday, I decided to go with it. This meant that instead of visiting the Gold Heritage Trail at Warrandyte State Park for 'a touch of history', I headed to the Seaford foreshore.

Seaford Pier - the starting location

Though the Seaford foreshore walking track doesn't have the most alluring scenery or challenging elements, it was a suitable substitute.

It is very flat and fairly sandy, and unfortunately very close to a main road. But there a couple of information signs with facts about the area, which keeps things a little educational.

Rather than walk up and down the same path, I crossed the Nepean Highway and headed back along the Kananook walking trail, which runs along Kananook Creek.

The Kananook walking trail is also lacking a little edge, but there were ducks aplenty, which entertained me greatly (much more than it probably should have).

I covered 8.35km in an hour and a half, but due to the flat terrain, only burned approx 700 calories.

As was evident by the number of locals walking/jogging along the foreshore, this walk demonstrates that you don't need to drive out to a National Park to find a reasonable walking trail. And while I am currently enjoying exploring new areas, this is probably not sustainable in the long term (at least not every weekend).

So get out there, enjoy the outdoors. I cannot express how happy I am that I set this challenge for myself. It is pushing me to do more outside and I'm really enjoying it. Sometimes it is nice to do something just for fun.

- Dani

challenge yourself

It wasn't easy, but I did it. I climbed the (approx) 1000 steps at the Kokoda Trail Memorial Walk.

After such a lethargic week - I'm not sure what is wrong with me, but my energy levels are low, low, low - it wasn't easy to get pumped up for my second Weekend Walkabout Challenge walk, but I am so glad I did.

See, I'm smiling!

Despite the throngs of people, many of whom passed me, I did feel a sense of accomplishment once I'd climbed the 1000 steps, so much so that I wasn't ready to stop (or go back down). So I continued on to One Tree Hill and then took a detour back to the carpark.

Wandering on my own along the Tyson Track was a truly blissful experience. Crowds have never been my caper, so once I was alone, with the sun shining and my legs walking, I began to sing.

Yep, I sang an awful rendition of It's a Wonderful World, but it felt fantastic! This is why I walk/hike - the enormous sense of calm, of adventure, of independence. I know a lot of people frown upon those who walk alone, but I feel such inner peace when I am bushwalking on my own.

Overall I walked 7km, with an elevation of 379m. My pace wasn't particularly great, but having struggled immensely with my breathing (being asthmatic and hayfever-ish) it isn't a surprise. Most importantly though, I got out there, saw something new and challenged myself.

Given the crowds (there are a lot of people there and it can be difficult to get a car park, but the crowd did seem to 'thin out' later in the afternoon), I'm not sure I would head back to the 1000 steps/Kokoda Trail Memorial Walk any time soon. For those interested in learning more about the Kokoda Trail and paying homage to the fallen soldiers though, it is worth a visit.

The greatest thing about this Weekend Walkabout Challenge so far, is that I am enjoying it. It is exercise, sight-seeing and down time all in one. I don't even feel like I am working out (although my polar watch says otherwise).

It really goes to show that if you find activities you enjoy doing, you're more likely to keep at it.

I haven't confirmed the location for my next walk, but given the theme is 'A touch of history', I'm considering checking out the Gold Heritage Trail, Warrandyte State Park.

- Dani

bad start

Hello everyone. How was your weekend?

I had a lovely weekend visiting relatives and resting. That nasty bug is out of my system and I'm feeling tip-top again.

I also used the downtime to put together a pretty decent nutrition plan for this week. (Yay me!)

There was a mess of cookbooks, notes and tabs covering the coffee table as I did my 'research'. Finally, each meal was allocated and I had the shopping list to boot. I even did the shopping - although why I continue to go supermarket shopping on a Sunday, I don't know. I really must get back into my routine of hitting a fresh food market instead.

And what happened next? I just stopped. I had the plan. I had the food. But did I prepare anything last night? No.

How could I start the week so badly?!

Instead of munching on a delightful smoked salmon omelette this morning, I'm currently eating an emergency breakfast bar I keep at work. And lunch will be... something bought. Oh the horror.

So my 'post-12wbt trial week' isn't off to a great start. (I also didn't exercise this morning, although that isn't particularly unusual for me on a Monday.)

Guess the only thing to do from here is to buy a great lunch and up the ante on the preparation front tonight.

- Dani

it's all about the lifestyle

I said I'd plan, I said I'd follow through, but... I'm still working on it. My weekend involved unplanned meals, a bit of alcohol and lots of activity. I definitely have a long way to go, but in general, I am leading a more active lifestyle and it is fantastic!

Firstly, I went to a yoga class during lunchtime on Friday. It was tough and I was sweaty. I normally avoid midday classes because it feels inappropriate returning to work looking like a sweaty beetroot. But do you know what? I'm really glad I did it. It wasn't easy - I'm not very good at yoga - but it was a great way to break up my day. 

So I have a new goal - get better at yoga.

I did all of these poses, well I tried to

Saturday morning was stinking hot and I pushed through the Super Saturday Session down by the beach. It was up to 27.5 degrees by the time I left. (Whoa!)

I completed all 4 rounds fairly quickly (and I certainly didn't burn 1000 calories), but I got slower and weaker each time. So I know I have a lot of improving to do.

But my Saturday activities didn't end there...

My girlfriends and I hit up the driving range! And I cannot express enough just how much fun we had. It is amazing how much it works your forearm muscles and you are constantly engaging your core to maintain posture. Of course, constantly laughing at our lack of talent helped too.

A late lunch and few wines later, I found myself at a house party. Dangerous territory. But I took one bottle of cider and when it was finished, that was it. I stopped drinking alcohol for the night. Hallelujah!

Sunday was a little less successful. I planned a fantastic BBQ with lots of great, mostly healthy, salads, etc. But I had a few drinks and probably nibbled a little too much. When there is food around all the time it becomes much harder to monitor intake and know when to stop. Given that it is the season for BBQs though, I guess this is something that I'm just going to have to work on.

Overall it was a great weekend and though I have a few things to work on, things definitely seem to be getting better.

How was your weekend? Any stories to share?

- Dani

finale

Ah Sydney, how you delight and confuse me with your shiny lights and traffic chaos. Luckily, I had a constant guide, my lovely sister, to direct me through the madness. But what a weekend it was.

For those of you not partaking in the Michelle Bridges 12 week body transformation, at the end of each round (there are 4 rounds this year) the 12wbt team throws a group workout and finale party in one major city - this round it was in Sydney. I decided to check it out and get some quality bonding time with my Sydney-sider sister.

Chelle and I arrived at the group workout nice and early (almost bang-on 9am), and the crowd was fairly small. As we visited the sponsor tents and tried one of the challenges (burpees - what was I thinking?), the crowd grew and grew until there were supposedly 1000 people there.

Fitness heat #2

The fitness heats/final made the morning truly inspiring. Some 12wbters have made the most remarkable transformations. I have struggled a little with a "I can't do this" mentality, but seeing all these people made me start to believe that I can.

The group workout was... intense at times and somewhat bizarre at others. There was lots of running forward and clapping, bouncing around (I'd wish I worn an extra sports bra) and enthusiasm. One of the group activities even left many of us with scuffed knees - not ideal before a cocktail night. But no one was complaining (and you'd certainly hope not given the number of t-shirts emblazoned with 'JFDI').

Chelle & I left the group workout feeling buggered and hungry, oh and a tad sunburnt.

***

One burger, nap and shower later, and I was ready to par-tay!!!

The cocktail party was, once again, inspiring and a fantastic bonding moment for Chelle and I. We completely embraced the let-your-hair-down vibe and made full use of the bar and photo booth. (If you'll remember from my previous posts, abstaining from alcohol while out is not one of my strengths.)

It was probably one of the best weekends my sister and I have had together in quite a while. I am feeling inspired and motivated, and Chelle is even thinking of doing the Lean and Fit 12wbt in the new year (which is yet even more motivation for me).

I am not feeling very prepared for Round 4 at the moment but I am not concerned, because after the weekend I just had, I feel ready to tackle anything.

- Dani

sisters

The weekend is nearly upon us and I am ready for a good one. (I have my weekend bag packed and with me at work - yay!)

Yes, I am going to Sydney. No, not just for 12wbt.

When I found out the 12wbt finale would be in Sydney and that one of my sisters would be back in Sydney at that time, I thought '"hey, why not".

My sisters are often my biggest supporters and closest friends. Though miles and miles separate us (all four of us), we're always there for each other. We laugh, we cry, we dance like crazy in our bedrooms. 

So while I am excited about the 12wbt group workout and cocktail party, I am most excited about spending the weekend with my sister.

See you soon shishter!

- Dani

back on my bike

As a 12wbter, I had a fairly catastrophic week last week. But as a social, fun-loving, twenty-something, I had a fantastic (albeit exhausting) week.

Having abandoned my entire exercise routine for the week, I decided that it was better to get active than dwell on my failures. So I got active!

Dan and I went for a 2 hour bike ride on Sunday afternoon, and discovered a few places in Melbourne I never knew existed.

Princes Pier, Port Melbourne

Under the West Gate Bridge

Near Westgate park

I'm not thrilled that I was so undisciplined last week - it is something that I really need to work on. But I feel less guilty than I have in the past, so I think my mindset is improving. I am learning more about myself, the health/exercise/life balance that suits me and what keeps me motivated (and on-track).

Frivolity is great, but it is just one piece of the complex puzzle that is my crazy, slowly-transforming life. So I plan on being a very obedient 12wbter this week.

- Dani

weekend snippets

What a weekend! It wasn't jam packed, but it had some great moments.

Friday night 

A nice drop of red, lovely food and time spent with Dan. Ah bliss! But I didn't want to ruin my first group training session, so after my second glass of wine (yes, I had two and I don't regret it) I hit the hay.

Saturday

I joined some lovely Inner Melb 12wbters for an early group Super Saturday Session, which was supposed to be a skipping pyramid, but due to a couple of injuries was mostly a step-up pyramid. These ladies are definitely fitter than me, but it was good to be pushed (and not fall flat on my face).

We were out there for two hours and by the time I got home and organised breakfast I couldn't believe that the morning was nearly over. 

Post-SSS brekky

Having achieved so much in the morning I was in a pro-active mood. A few domestic chores later, I got started on a let's-jazz-up-the-apartment mini project.

I've been experimenting with herbs in the house lately, but we use herbs so often that the plants don't live long. So I decided I need herbs AND other plants, etc, to bring a little greenery inside, and what better plant to use than the also practical Aloe Vera.

This little creation now lives in the bathroom and I'm looking forward to adding a few extra touches to the rest of the apartment. This spring vibe is making me wanting to add a splash of colour to everything!

By this stage I was famished so I snacked on soy crisps and peanut butter sandwiches... which I wholeheartedly regret. Not because they were unhealthy or that I ate too much (neither of which is true), but because after such an action packed morning I should have organised a proper meal. Being hungry and eating whatever is around in the house is a habit I really want to break.

Exhaustion was well and truly taking over, so after a cheeky nap, we ventured out for a movie night. 

Lawless - it was pretty good

Sunday

I dosed up on water, had a small breakfast and headed to the Red Cross Blood Bank donor centre. But my blood wasn't in the mood to play nice (my flow rate was ridiculously low), so I had a few lovely nurses constantly checking up on me. One practically had to hold my hand to get my flow rate up.

Post-donation milkshake

The sun was shining so we headed to Mornington for a late lunch. We basked in the sunshine eating divine food at DOC. Sigh. It almost felt like I was on holiday.

Alas, I'm not on holiday, but at least we got to enjoy a beautiful sunset as we drove back to the city.

- Dani