What an amazing weekend. A tiring weekend, a weekend of
learning, a weekend of facing reality, and a weekend that I think will change
my life. That’s a lot of responsibility for a weekend, but it happened.
This weekend just passed was the 12wbt Summer Festival. It
was the even that replaced the Finale/Workout weekend. When it was first
announced that there would be no finale night a lot of people were upset, but
after my experience on the weekend I can say that the Summer Festival was
amazing. There were lots of workshops, and more access to Michelle and so much
more time to meet new people!
I was also fortunate enough to be asked to be one of the One
Active Fashion models for the Fashion Parade! A nerve wracking but exciting
proposal that turned out to be a big wake up call for me.
More on that soon, let’s start from the beginning of the
weekend.
Saturday night was the unofficial party/drinks organised by
the talented and gorgeous Julie and was a wonderful night to catch up with
friends, and make online friends into in-person friends. It’s always inspiring
to hear others stories of how successful their 12wbt round was, or what they
learnt, or the things they challenged themselves with.
After 5 hours sleep it was time to go to the 30 plus
Breakfast that is held each round, and after a lovely breakfast it was time to
head over to the Convention Centre to start getting our makeup done for the
fashion parade. There was just enough time to get our base makeup done, so when
it was time to go on all that needed done was finishing up!
The first session I went to was the Mindset session by
Michelle Bridges and 3 of my friends were guest speakers: The amazing Kate,
formidable Cathy and the gorgeous Kirsty! This session was my favourite of the
day. Hearing Mish, in person, as well as the women on stage, I had some true
eye-opening moments and thoughts of clarity. If I want to be where I want to
be, I have to change the now. Don’t think, just do.
These thoughts were cemented by all the photos of the day. Except
for a few photos of my face, I hated every single photo I’ve so far seen of the
weekend. I look un-healthy and that scares me. I’m finally understanding that
what I think I see in the mirror is not actually what’s real. A lot of the time
I don’t actually feel “big”. I feel unfit when doing events, but never really
felt big. Now I can see it – and it scares me, and I hate it, and it’s time to
change it for good. No more yo-yo-ing weights. It’s only down from here.
After a year of doing 12wbt rounds, I know what to do. I
know what to eat, and I know what exercise to do. Just do, don’t think.
The fashion parade was such a privilege to be in. I was
excited and nervous all at once, and also didn’t feel like I completely
deserved to be there. Yes, I’ve challenged myself in the last year with lots of
events, but I haven’t lost much weight (up and down in the same 10kg range),
and I was up there on stage with others who could say they have. I felt huge,
and uncomfortable, but gave it my best – put on a smile and faked confidence.
The 12wbt staff and the crew they had working with them were just amazing,
telling us all how gorgeous we were and what a good job we were doing so I am
very thankful to them.
And now to some pictures - the ones I did like ( the ones I
didn’t are great before photos!)
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The Supermodel Green Room |
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Our shoes! |
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Meeting Mish! She took time out her busy rehearsal to come say hi to us! |
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Look at those guns! |
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Morning of the Festival - at 30+ Breaky |
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See? I really was a model! |
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Great "before"photo |