[Phoenix Blue]

I'm thinking of signing up for the Michelle Bridges 12WBT for next month.

I've got reservations for the amount of time I've got available at the moment though...

I have 3 kids, youngest is 7 months, and I'm still breastfeeding. But once school starts next year, I'll have the older 2 at school, so just me and bubs at home.

Can anyone tell me what the food plan is like? Was it at lot of shopping/planning/preparation? How closely do you have to stick to it?

And what about the exercise commitment. I normally play netball twice a week, can you use that as one of your exercise sessions? Is walking with bub in the pram considered acceptable exercise, or do you have to follow circuit-like training routines?j

I would really like to be accountable and get my motivation back after my 3rd child. Life is just crazy busy though, so wondering if I'd be trying to do too much.

Any replies/feedback, would be great!

Kate

[OneMore?]

Kate, Did you sign up - I am considering. I need some external motivation and also some of the eating guidance. The festive season has been lots of fun...just not for my waistline.

I too have three kids (but older than yours).

[littlemen]

Hi Kate

I completed round three of 12wbt last year and I also have 3 children. I can not recommend this program highly enough and since have add a few friends join as a result of my 15kg weight loss:)

When I started the program my kids were (birthdays since) 6, 4 and 9 months. My whole family ate the meals I did not make separate meals for hubby and kids because the food appealed to all.

It did take a week or two to 'get into the groove' so to speak but having the meal plan and shopping list already done is great.

I did the 'at home' exercise program plan however u are able to change between all the exercise programs day by day or week to week.

The exercise program consists of 3 cardio days, 2 toning days and a super saturday session. I got up at 5am every morning to complete my exercise because I knew that was the only time of day that wasn't going to be interrupted by 'mum'

I was not very strict with the program however if I stuck to it 100% i most probably have doubled my weight loss.

Meals are easy to prepare and you can select from about 300 different recipes if you don't like one in the plan. Majority are quick to prepare.

Can't speak highly enough about the program. JOIN best decision you will ever make for YOURSELF:0

Please let me know if I can answer any other questions for you.
The program also has great online support forums.

Good luck

[littlemen]

Sorry Kate

Forgot to add, that walking bub in the pram most certainly counts- the faster though the better, to increase your heart rate. Michelle Bridges DVD's from Big W are also fantastic especially if you find it hard to venture out and do your exercise. The DVD's exercise routines are in 5 minute blocks so if you can't to the whole dvd at once you can pick a couple of 5 minute routines to do instead- better than no exercise:)

Regards:)

[amandamac]

Hello

I signed up for the 12WBT 12 months ago, around the same time. I have two kids and a full time job. They were just turned 3 and 7 at the time. So I didn't have little baby like you.

I found the program incredibly full on and unsustainable. There are many changes that need to be made in a very short period: including 6 days of exercise a week (aiming for 500 cals burned per day and 1000 cals burned on a Saturday; to achieve 500 cals I needed to do a 1 hour bike ride and a 30 minute gym session), lots of food preparation and cooking, and then lots of personal change. I signed on with two other friends; one made it essentially her main focus in life and was very successful. I could not and it just made me incredibly anxious. I was making as many changes as I could but I felt overwhelmed by the pace of the program. There are certainly many, many people who achieve significant results, such as littlemen above (congratulations), but the potential weight loss will depend on your starting weight (with heavier people on average losing more over the 12 weeks than lighter people all else being equal).

The thing that made me leave in the end was that I received an endless stream of emails, facebook messages etc that basically said "stick with it or you're a loser and deserve to remain overweight". I understand that this is the pitch and it is very motivating for many, but you need to decide genuinely how much time and effort you can commit to the program. I was getting up at 5 and 5.30 to ride and go to the gym, but combined with a full on job often working late at night, and the calorie restrictions, I just could not keep it up.

So I have been focusing on setting just one goal at a time (ride my bike 3 times a week ahead of a NZ bike tour in late April) and then move on to the next one.

Don't get me wrong, I think the 12WBT can be and has been a very successful program. But like almost all health interventions it is for some people, with some problems, some of the time. So it is a really good idea to ask for people's opinions. Mine might be one of the more negative.

PS I guess the amount of change depends on what your lifestyle currently is like. If you are already pretty active and cooking and eating well, then the changes might be more minor than I found them.

This post has been edited by amandamac: 02/01/2013, 02:09 PM

[Phoenix Blue]

OneMore? _ Hi, yes I signed up on Tuesday. I've sent you a PM.

littlemen and Amandamac - Thanks for your replies and your views on the program - two different views is great feedback. I actually don't have a lot of weight to lose (only about 6kg) but getting fit again and having some accountability is my main reason for joining. Before my last baby, I was exercising very regularly so my biggest challenge will be finding the time to fit it in with a baby.

Amandamac - 500 calories per day and 1000 on a Sat certainly sounds like a lot! I don't think I could do that either as I would only burn about 400 max at a spin class. Also, working full time would just add another layer to challenge - i would have no idea how to fit that in!

littlemen - how did you go logistically with a young baby. Mine (at the moment) is quite unsettled in the early hours of the morning, so getting up early and going for a run/gym doesn't really seem feasible. I'm hoping her sleeping will improve over the next month or so.

Thanks, Kate

[Bissett]

Hi I'm also going to join. I have 3 kids & work full time so that will be interesting. I'm actually really looking forward to it especially having the shopping list all worked out.
Hopefully I'll see you in the forums!

[Waratah]

I am doing it. I am trying to get use to eating less atm bit hard am feeling hungry. I got the recipe book and am trying one of the recipes tonight. It is definitely a lifestyle change just reading the recipe book is quite inspirational. I have about 16 kgs to lose or that is what I want to be my final weight loss. I am starting baby steps if I lose 7kgs then that is my first goal I get to the same weight as my husband lol. Second step is to get to 70kg so another 5kg on and finally to 66kg the weight I was before I had my second child. Would love to have an EB support group with others also starting the 12WBT.

[Mrs Optimus]

Hey,

Im currently at week 8 of round 4 and im really enjoying it... granted im no longer following her diet plan... some of the meals I dont really like, but I am using recipes from her cook book and recipe index on the site, Im definately loving the exercise - however I dont burn 1000 on a Saturday session, the most ive done is 700. And during the week i usually burn around 300-600 calories per day depending on what we do.

Today was cardio and I burned 570 calories - tomorrow is toning and I will probably burn around 400 (judging from last weeks workout).

Im currently doing the intermediate program and still have around 10kgs to lose. I am considering signing up again next round and doing the lean and fit.

ETA - my kids are 9 and 5 and dont eat the meals.... I usually make seperates.

This post has been edited by Mrs Optimus: 07/01/2013, 11:14 AM

[TillyTake2]

I've been doing this round & have found it great. I don't really do the exercise plan (in fact I'm a lazy so & so & don't excercise much lol) but I have still been getting great results (I have lost nearly 5kg in 7 weeks even getting pregnant in the middle of that!)

I find the food yummy & quick to prepare & I've been loving it all!