Blogger Challenge Week 7

Week 7 – Top 50 38 Reasons why I’m doing 12WBT 

Jayne writes: Hi team! It’s Marianne from Life is a Journey and I’m filling in for Jayne this week. We’re in week 7, which means we’re officially on the home stretch! For some of us, it’s been smooth sailing and we’re eager to finish the next 6 weeks on a high. For others, the last six weeks may have been a struggle, and we’re not sure how we are going to survive the next few weeks.

Well, this week’s challenge is all about listing your top 50 Reasons for doing 12WBT.

Is it mainly due to weight loss, to improve fitness, or to compete in events? I can’t wait for you to dig deep and write down your top 50!

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Ok I’m not going to lie…this was a lot harder than what I thought it would be! I really had to think about it and it actually took me a few days to put my list together. So here it is, in no particular order…

Why I originally signed up for 12WBT Round 1 2012

1.    To lose the extra weight that I was still carrying after having my first baby

2.    To comfortably fit into my clothes again

3.    To not have to think about which clothes are my “comfy” clothes when choosing an outfit

4.    I refused to buy bigger clothes when I had a whole wardrobe full of stuff

5.    To improve my fitness….which was pretty much non-existent (thanks to Lupus and c-section)

After completing Round 1 of 12WBT, I realised that this program was more than just about losing weight, and so, here are my reasons for continuing to follow the 12WBT program even though I had reached my goal weight.

6.    Maintain the good habits that I learnt in Rd 1

7.    Maintain my goal weight

8.    Improve my fitness

9.    Toned arms and shoulders please!

10. Lose that last bit of my baby belly

11. Attempt the lean and strong program

12. Maintain the friendships that I made during Rd 1

13. Challenge myself to do things that I never thought I’d ever do

14. Learn new things about food and nutrition

15. Inspire more people to get involved in 12WBT

16. Change my lifestyle so that fitness and nutrition become part of the everyday “norm”

17. Be a positive role model for my family – especially my little boy

18. Learn new recipes (new love of cooking thanks to 12WBT)

19. Learn more about how to make healthy choices when it comes to eating out

20. Maintaining an achievable balance between work, life, program

21. Continue to set new goals, whether it be fitness based, nutrition based or balance based

22. Track my progress and remain accountable

23. Encourage friends around me as they continue their 12WBT journey

24. To improve my resting heart rate (lupus-related)

25. To improve my high blood pressure (lupus-related)

26. To improve my mobility (lupus-related)

27. To be more active together as a family

28. To curb my bad habit of snacking

29. To learn to appreciate my body and what it can do

30. To participate in a fun run / triathlon

31. To gain confidence when it comes to my fitness. It’s a place that I lost a long time ago when I was diagnosed with lupus, but I’m slowly finding my way back.

32. To conquer my fear (lupus-related) and do the Giant Staircase Walk in Katoomba

33. To keep improving myself as a person

34. To look and feel awesome!

35. To be in the “right place” (mind & body) when it comes to planning baby #2

36. To learn how to lift weights

37. To learn how to run (I saw this as a training option during Rd1 and thought to myself… “pfft….as if?!” and now it’s something that I think I could actually do!

38. It gives me something to work towards

Ok so I didn't get to 50, but I think it's a pretty good effort!

After reviewing my list, it’s pretty amazing to see the dramatic change in the way I now look at 12WBT. Originally I saw it as a weight-loss program, but now I see it as a lifestyle.


A girlfriend asked me on the weekend if I was still doing the Michelle Bridge’s program. I told her, “No, I finished the 12 week program back in May. Now I just eat clean during the week and relax on the weekends. I make sure that I keep active and exercise a few times a week. I’m focussed on maintaining my weight – don’t need to lose anymore.”  Um hello?! That is 12WBT, but now it’s not simply a program, it’s a lifestyle, and it’s my lifestyle!!


I no longer see myself following a program. It’s just what I do.


Yes, of course there is plenty of room for improvement, and that’s what I love about it – there is no finish line. There is always a new challenge, a new adventure, a new goal. I have a long way to go, but I’m definitely enjoying it!