Heya Bethy, welcome to the Forum and thanks so much for sharing your journey with us!! Sounds like you have been through a few hurdles but the main thing is that you have come out on the other side and are determined to make some positive changes It's awesome that you have found what is working for you and are enjoying the experience too.

I can't wait to follow your journey

Vicki x

PS - Sounds like you are working in a dream job - and what a great place for motivation and inspiration!!

Hey Vicki!

Thanks for the encouraging words! I'm very excited to be here on the forum, sharing my journey.

And yes you're right...I am absolutely in the right place here at Oxygen and Ultra Fit Mag! I'm surrounded by fitness!

Well, I'm off to do my weights session with my PT! Cardio this morning...weights this afternoon. I love it!

Bethy
x

Welcome Bethy! About time you made it here! Now everyone can hear about your fabulous progress and not just me!! xx

Welcome Bethy, can't wait to follow your journey. I think it will really help a lot of women on here.
I agree with Vicki - what an awesome job!

Hi Bethy & Welcome! We love new members and hearing all about their past, present and future goals and dreams. Just like you learn from us we learn from you. You'll find loads of support here and more importantly you won't be judged in any way shape or form.

Make yourself at home and if there's anything we can do to help, just ask.

Welcome Bethy and we're so glad to have you here. I actually have gotten a bit teary reading your story, not because I feel sorry for you, but because I am inspired by your courage and your decision to change. I am so excited about following your journey because I know it's going to be an inspirational one. Thank you for joining this forum and being a part of it with us xxx

Hi Bethy,welcome. I was interested in reading that your son was born with cataracts as I have a son that was born with a cataract on his left eye. After several ops ect, he has no vision in that eye.My son will be 10 this year. How is your son's vision? I'd be interested in hearing about your son's story and if you were given any indication of what may have caused the cataracts. Of course, I'd also love to read about your weight loss journey too.
Natalie

Hi Natalie,

Thank you for your message. And can I just say I feel for you - with your son's visual impairment. It is an awful ordeal to have to go through. I hope he is doing ok with his vision now? Even if it is with one good eye? Truly, he is blessed to have this.

My little boy Jesse, was born with congenital cataracts (which unbenownst to me - was passed on by me!) and had they not discovered this within 2 weeks of his birth, he would have been blind. His brain would never have learnt to see. Not all paediatrician's do the tests ours did with newborn's eyes. We were lucky I suppose. So at 7 days old, Jesse had an operation to remove the cataracts from both of his eyes and had patches on his eyes for weeks. The drops, the daily check-ups with his surgeon and weekly visits to Westmead Children's Hospital were pretty full on - to say the least. It was exhausting both emotionally and physically. I just wanted my little one to be ok. But things went wrong along the way, hence the 13 surgeries.

He has good vision now. He has to wear high strength contact lenses to see. Without them he cannot see much at all. I clean them every 2 days and make sure his eyes are lubricated with drops. He has a permanent Vision Support Teacher at his school and he just loves her. It's wonderful. He goes in to Year 1 at school this year and I'm excited to see how he develops.

How does your son go with reading etc at school? Does he need assistance at all? Did you find out whether the cataracts were passed on by yourself or his father?

Well, I am glad to have met someone who can identify with me. I'm sorry that such difficult circumstances bring us together - but hopefully we can be a support to eachother.

Best regards,

Bethy
X

Hello everyone! 

Thank you for your kind posts and encouraging words. I truly appreciate it and have loved reading your messages. 

It has been a very eventful time since my last post. Sorry it has taken so long to update my progress!

I weighed in today at the gym. I lost 700grams this week - which I am not entirely happy with, but I guess a loss is a loss? I know that my week has been very emotionally charged - so this has attributed to my lack of weight loss. Never mind. I'm focussed and not giving up! 

Brent Tansley - my trainer (Vision Personal Training - Mona Vale NSW) was very supportive and has put my mind at ease - encouraging me with my training, but also acknowledging my hard week. We've strategised and have talked about what I should do if another hard week should arise. Eg - not have drinks with my loving twin sister (who is 13 kilo's lighter than me) - if I have a crisis, but rather choose to go for a walk along the beach. I have taken this on board and will put this strategy in place in future crises.

I am feeling good about my journey. I am confident in myself. I know I have the guts to get it done.

Love lots to everyone xx

Bethy
XXXX

 

700g is still over half a kilogram Beth. Celebrate every achievement no matter how small you perceive it to be. I think that is an awesome result. Sometimes life gets in the way, so any step forward is a step in the right direction xxx

 

OK so that’s some background. I know I’m not the only girl in the world in this position but hey, it sure feels like it at times.

 

Hey Bethy, welcome.

 

This is the same feelings for everyone I think.  I have that same thing going through my head when I work supa hard and eat supa strict and I see only little if not no changes..........my head screams at me.  But having joined this forum and reading what some of the competitors who I admire go through, it feels like I am at home with like people and don't judge you for thinking that way.  I have some friends who used to give me a hard time because I struggle with the whole weight loss, but since have learnt not to listen to them or get emotional over their petty comments. 

What I feel now is that your journey is your journey, and the results will follow.  If you are true to your journey, your journey will reward you.  Maybe not at once but with consistency it will happen.

Totally agree ladies.. any movement in the right direction is a good one! Try not to focus your attention on the scales.. remember we talked about measuing your clothes because your body shape would start changing???... You can do this and your trainer sounds great too. Head down bum up girl! You can do this babe, each day, do what you have to do and nothing more and nothing less. Expect success from your efforts and you will achieve it... Don't lose your momentum, your hard work will definitely pay off.... xx Lindy

Hi Bethy,

That is great that they were able to detect the cataracts so early. My son's cataract was picked up at  a check-up at the clinic when he was 14 weeks old as he didn't seem to be focusing properly. He had the cataract removed at 5mths and then had to wear a contact lens until he was 2 and patching of the good eye. As you would know, keeping the contact in a little baby's eye was quite difficult and finding it once it had fallen out was hard. It was also very difficult having his eye patched as he would just cry and would go to sleep. An artificial lens was put in his eye at aged 2 and he had to wear glasses and patching. Unfortunately as he was very unco-operative with the patching, he has no vision in that eye. At 4 yrs he had corrective surgery on his eye to straighten it. We still attend the eye clinic every 6mths-12mths for check-ups. He is very lucky, as his right eye is perfect and his left eye has been like that since birth, it is completely normal for him so he dosen't have any problems with seeing. There is no history of cataracts in our family.

It is great having someone else  to talk to that has had similar experiences.

Is your son excited about starting school? My kids had their first day back at school today, they were all eager to get there. My daughter is in year 2, I have a son in year 7 and 5 and I have another son turning 3.

Keep strong and continue with your weight loss journey.

Natalie

Thanks Lindy xx I miss you!

Well I just got home from my hour long session with Brent (1/2 hour weights, 1/2 hour hard core cardio) - and am happy to say I have lost another 800g's! 

We went through my Food Diary for the last week and have decided to change my diet in a few places. Instead of 100g's Lowen Muisli and 175g's Yoplait Forme yoghurt for my first meal, we're replacing it with Original Uncle Toby's Oats and some blueberries. I need to also cut down on my beloved twice daily "Large Skim Flat White". Too much lactose!! So I'm cutting it down to 1 "Regular Skim Flat White" per day. We also noticed that I'd been having my pure protein snacks in the morning and my crisp bread snacks in the afternoon, so we've swapped those around accordingly. (Something I really should have noticed myself! Whoops!

We had a few shots taken today - of me in "boxing action" with Brent, so I'll upload a photo asap. You'll have to forgive my red face when you see it!! I tend to push myself pretty hard! hehe. 

I'm feeling pretty good right now. Next week brings me to my first "Vision Personal Training - 9 week goal session". We do these 9 week sessions to keep on track. My goal was to lose 5kgs in my first 9 weeks. I have to lose 1.8 kilos the next week in order to reach my goal. I am completely confident that I will reach this goal. I've done it before (2.4 in my first week)....I can do it again!

Well, I hope to deliver more positive results in the coming days. Thank you again for all of your support!! I truly truly appreciate reading your comments. xx

I'll upload the boxing photo shortly.

Bethy
XX

 

UNREAL babe, you're heading in the right direction and with some fine tuning to your nutrition, you'll be well on your way to your 9 week goal.  Regardless of your loss over the next week, put your head down and your bum into gear and get the job done!  We're ALL behind you 100% so hold your head high and GO FOR IT!

I can't wait to see your boxing photo, upload upload upload !! 

Hey everyone!

I've been having trouble uploading those pics of me in "boxing mode"!

I hope to get it sorted out by this afternoon! So keep your eye out!

(I'll also upload some photo's of our boxing group out to breakfast! Fun fun!)

Love Bethy

x

 

Hi Bethy, I found it great to read your story - I've only just recently started back to the gym after many years of neglecting myself over full time work and being a Mum and wife, I decided that I was going to give myself some attention in 2010 - it's been 4 weeks (with a week off for a holiday) and I feel so much better already! I have two beautiful girls who are now high primary school and early high school, and being 34 years old, I thought it was about time I stopped making excuses. My husband is so supportive and goes to the same gym, so it's nice to have a common interest. I have found reading Oxygen a great way to stay focused, so I decided to also join this forum.

All the best Bethy, I'm excited for you and will enjoy watching your amazing progress : ) K

Posted By Beth Hardwick on 03 Feb 2010 06:09 AM

Hey everyone!

I've been having trouble uploading those pics of me in "boxing mode"!

I hope to get it sorted out by this afternoon! So keep your eye out!

(I'll also upload some photo's of our boxing group out to breakfast! Fun fun!)

Love Bethy

x

 

did you work out how to do it chicky? waiting for these pics girl!

Yay!! Finally I got this photo up!!

Ok, so this is me and my trainer Brent in boxing action!! (My favourite type of cardio!) This was taken nearly 3 weeks ago now, so my shape looks different today.

Vision PT set 9 week goals with all of their clients - to keep us accountable and to help us stay focussed on our weight loss journey. I completed my first 9 week goal session this past week. I have lost just shy of 5kgs (which was my goal). I was dissapointed that I didn't reach the mark, but I perked up when I had my measurements done!

My original measurements were (cm):

Chest: 100.5
Waist: 89.0
Hips: 117.0

My new measurements are:

Chest: 93.7
Waist: 80.8
Hips: 113.0

So I've lost nearly 20cm's off my entire body. I'm very proud of myself!! (So was my trainer!)  Lindy, you told me to watch how my clothes were fitting and I have gone down 2 dress sizes!! I can only think that I have put on lots of muscle and have toned up!??

I'll upload some photo's of me with my Saturday morning boxing group out for our ritual post boxing breaky! I've met such great friends. I'm a very happy girl!

Thank you Vision PT Mona Vale for changing my life thus far!!

Bethy
X

Hi K,

Welcome to the Oxygen forum! It is such a great place to be encouraged! I'm very happy to hear you've made the choice to take a stand for yourself and get into shape. There will never be a better decision that you will make.

I hear you when you talk about neglecting yourself over work and motherhood. It is strange how we just seem to dip our heads in the sand and work work work only to lift our heads up and boom....we're out of shape! It can happen so fast. Then all of a sudden we get enlightened and motivated to take care of ourselves! Sad and silly at the same time.

I hope you are well. Stay focussed and happy!!

Bethy
X

 

Every Saturday morning, I attend our group boxing class at the local beach park. We line up in a couple of paired lines (one side wearing gloves, the other wearing pads) and we are taken through an assortment of styles and sets. It is a really great work-out. I end up sweating my guts out!! But it is fun and interactive and so the time goes by really fast. I've found that this particular class helps me to stay focussed because I'm surrounded by other people trying to do the same thing. It's just great.

After our 45 minute slog, some tend to cool off with a swim at the beach and others head straight for their first cup of coffee at the local coffee shop. We all end up having a beautiful breaky together and enjoy a laugh or two! Here are some snaps from last weeks breaky...

These are my two training buddies...Cristy (on my left) and Lisa (on my right). Cristy and I have been training most mornings together doing cardio. The three of us did weights last week together and we are seeing great results. Cristy is in training for a figure comp in May. She'll kill it. (She's done it before and she'll do it again). I'll be going along to cheer her on!

Here are some more shots....

Oh... my friends xx

Posing!

Some of the girls at our breaky. We have such fun. XX

I hope you enjoyed the photo's! I'll upload more as we go on with my journey.

Bethy
X

Hey Bethy, Great to finally jump onto your blog and check it out...(Girl's, I'm the one on the left in the photo's, the one who has lost the 27kg's with Vision p/t). It has been wonderful to watch you Beth change your complete mindset and outlook on life in as little as 9 weeks, you are firing!! Your motivation and commitment to your training WILL set you FREE...I have known you for 25yrs and can't wait to see the BETH in Bethy back...your starting to shine again girlfriend! It's an amazing journey, this weight loss VICTORY...We will never be a victim of circumstance again! "The journey of 1000 miles begins with a single Step" Let's keep stepping together! love ya x x

Bethy honey,
I am so proud of you! You are DOING IT GIRL!! I knew you could and I know you will keep going until you "bring Bethy back" for good!
Thank you so much for posting up the photos, they are just awesome and all the girls are to be commended for getting in there and doing it too! Hun, 2 dress sizes, that is just incredible! I'm so glad you remembered what I said and haven't focussed on the scale! Hell, you've definitely put on some muscle girl and loss a tonne of body fat already!! YEAY for you honey. YEAY YEAY! Keep it up babe.... This transformation journey is going to be a ripper! xx

Hey Lis & Lindy,

Thank you for your beautiful encouraging words xx 

You're right Lis, I feel like I am shining again. Inside out. It's a pretty cool thing. I've felt so badly about myself for so long. It's great to look in the mirror and be happy with myself finally. I have a way to go still, but I'm excited and pumped!

Anyway, head down...bum up! Lets do this! Arrggghhh!

Bethy
X

Bethy,
I have just jumped on and seen your piccies, you are looking the goods girl BUT then I read the measurements - you should be stoked!! Those results speak for themselves, they are fantastic. And 2 dress sizes - at this rate you'll be at your goal in no time
Great work hon, keep it up...can't wait to keep reading about your progress.

Vic x

PS - how AWESOME is boxing!! I love it too

Hey Bethy!!
So stoked to join your blog and share in the motivation. This is awesome, so so proud of you. You are doing amazingly and have changed significantly since I have met you - on the inside and on the out!!
Ladies, I have the privlidge of being Beths traning partner and partner in crime to keep things fun as well as smashing some results. (i'm the chicky in the blue top in Beth's photos above). Beth and I met through Vision Personal Training and have the same PT Brent (who is absolutley awesome).
Beth and I only met jsut before Christmas but I feel like we've known each other for years. We've really bonded, I think because we both have a significant amout of weight to loose. But we have both been ripped and hot and then lost it - and now is our time for looking after ourselves and getting ourselves physically back. There's nothing worse than looking in the mirror and seeing a reflection of a girl who is not the girl you really are! Bethy - ripped to shreads we're going to turn heads!!

Just so you know a bit about me - I competed in figure 2 years ago now, and after a series of very stressful and heart breaking events I gained 30kg. As a fitness enthusiast from a young age, being in a body that is soft and unfit is foreign and upsetting. So I'm on a mission to get Cristy back, just like Bethy is getting her self back.

I've lost 12kg to date and now I'm training up to compete in a figure comp again. 23rd of May is the date of my comp and I'm using everyday to get in the best physical shape I possibly can. It's so amazing to have a training buddy like Beth. I'm so excited for the both of us. We're going to smash this!!

Keep up the amazing work Bethy. You can do this!! We're women on a mission.
xxxxx Cristy

Congratulations Bethy on your results so far. you are an inspiration to us all. Your positive attitude and new focus will ensure you achieve a sexy new body shape. Its a pleasure to be part of your journey and we are behind you 100%! Give it everything. From Steve and all the team at Vision Personal Training Mona Vale

Just a quick one to say well done to Steve and the team, it's great to see Beth doing so well.  Bethy, even more congrats to you, YOU are doing the hard work babe, and no-one can do it for you!  Keep it up honey because you're going to make it.  You've got so many supporters who care about you, we eagerly await the next update! xx

Hey Bethy, Congratulations, you are doing great. The photos are great, it is so good that you are loving what you're doing and making friends too. Keep going strong. Looking forward to your next photos.
Natalie

Posted By Natalie Riddle on 11 Feb 2010 05:10 PM
Hey Bethy, Congratulations, you are doing great. The photos are great, it is so good that you are loving what you're doing and making friends too. Keep going strong. Looking forward to your next photos.
Natalie

 

Hey Nat, where's your photo girl!!

Hey Lindy,
I have tried to upload a picture but am having problems. It is either to large or the wrong format.

Posted By Natalie Riddle on 12 Feb 2010 03:17 PM
Hey Lindy,
I have tried to upload a picture but am having problems. It is either to large or the wrong format.

Hey Nat,
 

Your pics need to be under 25kb so that they don't jam up the server.  Then you should be right.  You can also check under the forum information section it shows you how to upload your pics (thanks to miss Rae!)

Great photos gorgeous girls!! xxx

Hello everyone!!

Wow time flies by so fast! It's been a few weeks since my last post!!

It's been a bit of a topsy turvy time for me. I had a bad week a few weeks ago and I stupidly opted for bad food. I put on 1.3kg's but then lost it again the week after by getting my head back on track. I'm not going to lie, this is hard work!  Sometimes I get overwhelmed and freak out with the challenge I've put before me, but then deep down in my heartest of hearts - I KNOW I've got it in me! 

We all struggle with our own battles. The fact is - life's just not that easy. We just need to make the right choices and keep our heads in the right space. I was talking with my friend Cristy about this yesterday. When "stuff" is thrown at us - we have a choice in the way we react. We can either cop out and (as I did recently) - opt for that bad food, or we can take control of the situation, face it, deal with it and re-focus. 

I am feeling totally pumped today. Ready for a new week. Strong in myself and prepared.

Bring it on!!

Lots of love!

Bethy
X

 

Bethy,
You are so right. We do all struggle with our own battles, and we do have a choice in the way we handle things. You may have chosen a few weeks ago to opt for the bad food (or 'cop-out' as you put it) but you have also since chosen to take control of the situation, deal with it and re-focus...which is the most important bit. It is not how many times we fall off the horse that counts - it is how many times we pick ourselves back up and keep moving forward.
Great to hear that you have found your mojo again
xx

Hi beautiful forum friends!!

Thank you for your continued help and encouraging words!! I do really appreciate it xx

I have the great pleasure of announcing that I am 1.4kg's lighter this week! I weighed in this morning. I can't tell you how happy I was! It has been a hard journey, but I have finally made it into the 70kg's!! 79.2kg's to be exact. I made Brent hug me in my excitement!

I have lost a total of 5 1/2 kg's since the start - which I am very proud of - but I know I still have a lot of hard work to do. I am dedicated and ready to bring the results!!

So so happy!

Bethy
X

Hi Bethy, I've just found your thread due to family drama and my head being in the clouds and I wanted to congratulate you on what an amazing job you have done so far.  You are looking awesome.

I got back on track last week and dropped 5.2 kgs in the week.  So I'm pretty happy too.  I am looking forward to following your journey and getting to know you better.

LJ

xox

Great work Bethy, keep it up babe! xx

Hi Bethy!

I just got onto your blog and WOW! I think it's so great what you're doing! My workmate and I are currently doing a Body Transformation ourselves but we don't have children to worry about on top of training and eating properly! I'm so impressed with what you're doing...keep up the good work! Train hard and train smart!

You're doing it! YA!

Katie