With the big 4-0 looming, a dream to sing solo and her upcoming wedding to
fiancé and Challenge partner Craig,
Jodie wants to slim down and tone up.
Update 10
Well another great week which started off with a bang – a 3.1kg weight loss! This really was extraordinary given that Craig and I were performing in the opera every night and not eating terribly well. I guess something can be said for working 16-hour days! It turns out that I’m this week’s Biggest Loser, too. I’m so thrilled because that’s a first for me!
We caught up with Kate and Tanya yesterday and did the 1000 Steps again. We all had a great time. I improved my previous time by eight minutes which was great – I was really wrapped! We had a lovely, healthy picnic afterwards and then they came over for dinner where we ate chicken kebabs with salad. It was great fun catching up with both girls and we’re planning to do it again before the end of the competition.
Update 9
It’s been an incredibly hectic time with the opera this week, but I have managed to pull a decent number! I have lost 3.1kg and am down to a weight of 95.1kg! I can't remember the last time I weighed this little! Perhaps about 15 years ago?
Update 8
After my great weight loss last week, I had a small set back this week; I didn’t lose a thing. However, I choose to draw the positives out of this situation. One positive is that I’m still aware of the calories I consumed on these days – I’m not hiding anything from myself. Another positive is that I’m aware that I starved myself during the days and then had a huge calorie explosion at the end of the day because I was starving and unable to control myself. The third positive is that, because I didn’t lose any weight, I’m able to see it quite clearly; my food choices last week caused me to plateau. All good and positive developments that bode well for me in the future.
On another positive note, Craig and I had visitors this week. Chris and Michael (‘The Brothers’) came down to Melbourne to stay with us and we had an absolute ball! On Saturday afternoon, we all set out (with our personal trainer Kerry) to conquer a physical challenge of monumentus proportions; the 1000 Steps, a walking path cut into the side of Mount Dandenong which runs 5km (round trip) up and down a very steep incline from Ferntree Gully to Mount Dandenong. It’s based on part of the Kokoda Track!
It was raining on Saturday afternoon but the boys took off up the hill and Kerry and I waited until the rain abated a bit before starting off on our trek. Craig made it up and down the track in 43 minutes which is astonishing given that the guide tells you to allow two hours! Kerry and I took it a bit slower but still managed to do it in 54 minutes. This is just an amazing feat for me. I couldn’t even imagine attempting something like this a few months ago! I’ll admit that I was absolutely beat afterwards, but even though I struggled every step of the way, my proudest achievement was running down the hill! I jogged down the track (almost 1km) non-stop back to the car after that exhausting climb!
Craig and I intend to try and work this challenge into our fitness regime semi-regularly, because it’ll be a good one to help us gauge our fitness progress. I have to say though that my calves are still killing me today!
Update 7
I reached an incredible milestone this week; I weigh less than 100kg for the first this century! This is just amazing news and something that I’d only dreamed of before. It feels exhilarating to be in double digits!
It’s been a thrilling week for me as a singer as well. Not only does it look like I might be asked to understudy the main role in La Traviata and do at least one show, but I’ve been asked to sing at a number of concerts, too. One of the events looks like it’s going to be at the Myer Music Bowl! This could well be the biggest opportunity I’ve ever had in my career – and it’s all due to the fact that I am finally losing weight and looking and feeling healthier every day.
I went out today to see whether I could find a gown for it and picked up an absolutely stunning size 16 dress that I was sure I would have to have altered. Guess what? It fitted like a glove and I don't need to have it altered at all! It looks amazing and I'm incredibly proud of myself.
Craig is still losing weight like a crazy person. He's just so inspiring it's amazing. He's really dedicated and doing incredibly well so that's good. He's wearing clothes that he hasn't been able to wear since 2004 so he's really happy with himself, which is just great to see.
Update 6
Dear Diary,
Well, what a week it’s been!! Craig and I both loved catching up with everyone in Sydney last week. We were truly amazed at the amount of weight lost by some of the other contestants and how great they looked. Kate and Ben just looked incredible as did our ‘adopted’ sons Mick and Chris. In fact, Mick now looks like he’s too young to be in the competition!! I had a lovely time playing kick about on the oval with the boys (something I wouldn’t have even dreamed of doing a few months ago).
Meeting Alison Braun, 2008 Biggest Loser Finalist, was just great. She is truly inspiring and such a giving person. Her personal story is so touching and made me realise that if she can do this with all the stuff going on in her life, then I certainly can.
I’m striving to get down to double digits! I haven’t been in double digits this century so it’s going to feel incredible and I just can’t wait!
Now that I know exactly how much I need to lose to make it to Finale, I’m feeling empowered and hopeful again. People are starting to notice my weight loss more now too and that’s good for keeping me on target as well.
Craig and I met The Biggest Loser trainers Shannan and Michelle on Saturday at our local shopping centre and had the opportunity to chat briefly with them which really helped us to get more energised and determined to get this weight off! We also managed to get their autographs and a photo with them!
Another thing happened this week. I was called back after rehearsal and was told to keep working on the opera part because I sounded absolutely beautiful and that I’d lost enough weight already to be “credible” in the lead role! THIS IS JUST UNBELIEVEABLE NEWS! There is no way on this earth that I would have believed this possible just a few months ago. I was told by the company back in late 2007 that although I have the talent and the voice to sing these major roles, due to my size it was impossible for them to cast me. Although this sounds harsh, it’s the reality of the business and I have to be grateful to them for at least being honest with me.
I wanted to share that with everyone because I know that this would not be happening for me if it wasn’t for the Biggest Loser Club Second Chance Challenge and I want to thank everyone, especially Roula the Second Chance Coordinator. This Challenge is giving me back the life I should have been living 15 years ago!
Cheers for now.
Update 5
Craig is just looking magnificent! His shoulders are really coming back and getting defined. He is also getting wonderfully shaped calves and his bellies (and boobs!) are disappearing; it’s all wonderful! Craig is just an inspiration to me. He’s working so hard and is incredibly focused, which is good for me as he pushes me along with him.
Lots of people have complimented me on my weight loss so far which is great as I know now that it's not all in my mind.
We spoke to Chris and Michael this week. They are both doing so incredibly well and sound like they’re really into the Program so that helped me to focus more this week.
Rehearsals began last week with Melbourne Opera for our March production La Traviata. We arrived at the rehearsal studio and people just gaped at us in amazement! They couldn’t believe the transformation we’ve both undergone over the last few weeks and that was just lovely! Even more exciting, though, was that the director and the conductor both asked me how much weight I had lost and when I told them they said if I kept losing weight that I would be given the lead in La Sonnambula next year! I nearly died of happiness!
We went out for dinner for Craig’s father’s birthday on Saturday night. Craig emerged wearing a shirt he hasn’t worn since 2005; he looked incredible! I am also wearing clothes that I thought would never see the light of day again – it is very motivating!
Update 4
It's so hard to believe it's already week five! I've been on leave from work for two-and-a-half weeks now so I am exercising a bit more than I might otherwise be doing which is good. I am still feeling strong and getting stronger at the gym each time I go.
I can't believe how my body is changing shape! I have lost well over 100cm now from various parts of my anatomy and my clothes are looking heaps looser, which is great! I have only lost a total of 8kg which doesn't seem a lot compared with some of the others in the team, but I guess I have to remember that I am smaller than most of them so perhaps that is why. I am almost half way to my 20% weight-loss goal and that's thrilling!
Craig continually amazes me with his determination and his will to be number one! He is just so motivated to get the weight off and to win! He's great at keeping me motivated when we're exercising. I am not sure how I would be doing in this Challenge without his support, determination and his will to win.
I have finally started organising things for our wedding. The plans are coming along slowly though as I'm finding it hard to fit everything into my day along with planning meals and exercising. We'll get to the wedding I guess and what will be will be. The $10K prize money (awarded to the person with the best percentage weight loss at the end of the Challenge) would sure come in handy, so I think that's another reason why Craig is so focused on winning!
That's about it for this week, I think. I feel like it is now full steam ahead and I'm focusing on getting into the wedding dress of my dreams!
Update 3
We've exercised a lot this week. We had a session with our personal trainer on Saturday and again this morning (I am still convinced she's trying to kill me!). We also went for a walk around the Albert Park Lake last night which is a 5km walk; I jogged for about 30 seconds of that so I felt great about that!
I ran on the treadmill today for five minutes! I have never run anything like that length of time before. It really was the most incredible experience! I regularly have dreams where I'm running so fast that other people can't keep up with me and I feel so free. I can't wait to do it for real!
I am not sure if I've lost much weight this week. At a family gathering I enjoyed some desserts that I haven't eaten in a while and some chocolate, so if I don't lose much I'll get what I deserve I suppose. People are starting to notice my weight loss now so that's proving to be another great motivation! Our trainer said today that she could clearly see that I'd lost weight - I'm thrilled with that! Craig and I are now doing some sort of exercise every day and I'm really starting to feel stronger and stronger, which is just wonderful!
Anyway, chat more next week!
Update 2
Well, week two is at an end and I must say that I’m still feeling strong! I’ve been home this week instead of travelling around the country and I’m really enjoying this new regime. I went to my personal trainer for my first session on Thursday night and actually enjoyed myself! She didn’t hurt me too much and I was able to walk the next day, so that’s all good!
I actually went to hospital on Wednesday when I had what they think was an allergic reaction to mango! Yep, I try and do the right thing by eating a small fruit salad for morning tea and end up in the Emergency Department of St Vincent’s Hospital – only I could do that!
Craig and I had a boxing session with our trainer on Saturday morning. I think it’s fair to say that I have a newfound respect for Anthony Mundine! How fit must boxers be? After an hour, I couldn’t lift my arms above my head and this continued fairly much until yesterday. I went for a lovely long walk on Sunday night with Craig and Sadie (our dog). We think it was about 4km and we did it in 45 minutes so that’s pretty good. Craig is ex-army and so he walks like there’s no tomorrow – I have to run to keep up!
Back to work on Monday will mean sitting down all day – this does not appeal to me as much as it used to, strangely enough. We went back to our trainer last night and she did a really good workout with us including use of an X-trainer, weights, free exercises like lunges and the fit ball. She also put us through our stretching paces – it’s always funny to watch Craig’s face as he’s being twisted and turned into a pretzel! You know, after working out and a full day at work, I really appreciate climbing into bed a lot more than I used to!
By far the most exciting thing that happened this week for me was being measured by our trainer. She took our measurements when we first started and I have already lost a staggering 58.5cm – I can hardly believe it! She took measurements from our neck, waist, hips, chest, thighs, forearms, calves and ‘bat wings’. All up, I’ll say it again, I’ve lost 58.5cm in two weeks! Unfortunately, weigh-in today was a little disappointing for me – I lost 1.5kg. I know it’s a loss and any loss is good, but I was just hoping for more. At least the centimetre loss is something to be excited about!
Quite apart from losing the weight and width, the real plus for me so far has been the feeling of control I’m gaining over my body. The online diary has allowed me to understand fully the consequences of everything I put into my mouth and that knowledge is power. I now make an informed decision before I put anything in my body – how much fat it contains, how much exercise I’ll have to do burn to it off and how much guilt I’ll feel for making a poor choice. These are the most powerful and righteous feelings I’ve ever felt with regard to my body and I LIKE it!
See you next week!
Update 1
I've been away from home since Sunday last week (day three) on this new regime and I must admit it's been tough at times. However, it's actually been easier than I thought it would be (I can be very contrary!). I took plenty of Shakes, Bars and Soups and I've coped really well with them I think.
I like the Shakes in the morning – my favourites are Double Choc (YUMMO!), Caffe Latte (and I don't even drink coffee!) and Banana. It's not that I don't like the others, but these three are outstanding! I love both the Meal Replacement Bars and the Snack Bars.
I haven't weighed in yet but I think I can already see room for changes that will help both Craig and me. I've decided that I'm going to follow the diet plans ‘to the letter’ for the next 10 days (I won’t be able to cook until next Tuesday) and we'll see where that gets us. Unfortunately I'm in Canberra from Tuesday until Thursday next week, but after that I'm on holidays for a whole month and so I'll have no excuses!
Speaking of my partner Craig, I've missed him heaps and I've just been astounded at the change in his attitude to losing weight since starting with the Biggest Loser Club Second Chance Challenge. He's just so focused and dedicated. He's exercising like a demon (and really enjoying himself, I think!) and he sounds so positive. This is just a great thing for us both!
Speaking for myself, at the start of this journey I am incredibly positive and sure that I am finally going to be rid of this excess blubber! People say that my face is slimmer already, so that's a good sign. I guess I'll have to wait until tomorrow night to see whether I've done a good job this week or not. I have my first session with our fantastic personal trainer on Wednesday night and I'm fully expecting to not be able to lift my bum off the bed by Thursday morning!
Let you know about it all next week!