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I arrived at the gym fto begin my first Extreme Measures course, 30 minutes early, feeling rather fragile due to my husband’s continuing ill health and his being referred to see a surgeon for further investigatory tests.  I knew that if I had not paid my fees before tonight I would not have gone tonight.  Bu being early I did have a chance to explain the first two trainers to arrive, that ‘I was, feeling fragile’ and that I would have to have the phone on and duck out during the session  as I was expecting a phone call from my husband’s doctor.  They were OK with that and said ‘the sessions were informal’.

We were handed a folder that gave the times and the dates of the sessions and I moved from the back of the room where I had originally set myself up to hide the fact I had been crying earlier that evening , to the front of the room so I could hear better.  It became obvious to me that I would need to ask several times, ‘what to do, what was happening’, as I was reminded that I do not have good hearing in-group situations.

The instructors handed the participants each a form to fill in about nutrition with questions about, how we ate, I knew that all, my answers were ‘spot on perfect’.  I always have breakfast, rarely eat take away, prepare a meal from scratch every day, eat  six or more vegetables a day, wholegrain bread, skim milk and draw the size of the portion of meat you eat, on the paper.  I drew the size of the palm of my hand but I knew that sometimes I was exceeding this amount. The truth being told to me, if not  on the form.

Then there were many body image questions, ‘yes, I am proud of my body, yes I believe my family like the way I look.’

Then there were questions about exercise and that is where I could see that I have not been doing enough aerobic exercise, ‘how many times do I exercise each week enough to raise a sweat and get slightly out of breath. UMmmm....’3 to 5 times’ I wrote down, knowing that a year ago it was 7 times a week and now to say I broke into a sweat would be more because it was a hot day than through any genuine effort of mine.  I knew that food quantity, not quality and lack f aerobic exercise on a regular basis, ever since I slacked off back in August when I got the flu and Reg followed close on my heals by becoming ill, set my exercise sessions back considerably.  Firstly I was not well enough, and then I was out of the habit and then , I never wanted to leave my sick man alone long enough to go on walk runs, so Ii stopped doing them.

I looked up and the room was full, I counted 13 people and 3 group leaders out the front. The third Extreme Measures group leader, our accredited dietitian, said she would be doing the course with us as a participant and would be available for one on one session with us and for special nutrition group nights. Me being who I am, I had already checked out her qualifications, I know that this woman was one I was most eager to use fully our opportunities of one to one sessions. I wanted her to know  my nutrition needs and to listen to her advice as soon as I had the opportunity, so that if there was any way I could improve my nutrition to assist me and my own personal needs, I was eager to learn.

The members of the group then arranged our chairs into a circle and we were to introduce ourselves. The introductions were detailed, more than a ‘hello I am Kathy’ sort of intro, it was health, reason to attend extreme measures attendance before and goals for attending extreme measures. I am thinking, ‘health’, where do I start, what to tell what do I leave out; they do not have 10 hours. Shish.What is important.   My turn came, I swallowed, “  My name is Kathy ~ ‘Three years ago, recovering from serious injuries, broken feet, crushed leg, painful to simply stand, morbidly obese from years of inactivity due to ill health and injury and comfort eating, I was told I needed a heart lung transplant or I would die. I told them to give the transplant to a younger person not someone turning 60  I made a commitment to get healthier,  knowing my husband had front lobe degeneration and would need a carer, I set about exercising, swimming at first then I stepped through the pain barrier and started walking, and now, (I stood up and jumped), and every one smiled, and I halved the amount I was eating, I didn’t have to change what I ate, I already ate healthy. 

I went from a size 22 to 24 to my current (I pointed to my top) size 12, (pointed to my hips), size 14, but I have been stuck on the devils number 88.8 for over two years and cannot budge. The devils no is 888 not 666, I said, and laughed. I then picked up the apron of fat that now hands low on my belly and around over my hip and a wobbled it under my clothes, ad i said, I still have a long way to go, and i cannot do it on my own, and that is why I am here. ~ Oh and I waffle too much. “

Phew... glad that is over. I did say too much

I didn’t even hear what the rest of the group said about themselves, I think I was feeling a little embarrassed that i had said so much.

I do recall the fist people in the group telling quite a bit of information about themselves, health, injuries, work, and I had felt I needed to say what I did.

I know one of the men in the group, made me laugh, instead of saying he was back for another session, he called himself, ‘a repeat offender’J.

I turned out that only I and one other person was in the extreme measures course for the first time.   I knew that the previous extreme measures courses had been six weeks long and a couple of the previous participants voiced concern at the extra two weeks and the additional $100. cost for these two weeks as they said, they had been very tired by the end of 6 weeks.  I also heard from listening to this introduction that 50% of the participants in the previous extreme measures sessions drop out by mid way through. One of these participants was back again after having dropped out the previous session due to injuries and she and was striving to become slimmer in time for her wedding in April.  Some participants said they were here ‘for the challenge’, some related the extreme Measures to doing, ‘evening boot camp’ and said they were doing it instead of doing boot camp because the early evening time slot was superior to them than the thought of getting out of bed to exercise at dawn in the boot camp. 

The trainers spoke only briefly about weight loss and it became evident that weight loss was not a priority. Fitness was the objective of the Extreme Measures and if the participants were overweight, the trainers would be looking for centimeters lost and reminding us that muscle weighs heavier than fat. They said one of the participants last time lost 35 cm but only 25 gram over six weeks (I think were the statistics).  They said that weighing in would be optional, they did it but they did not want to see people ‘doing their heads in’, and becoming discourages over the results on the scales when we would all be building muscle as we were going to be worked, very hard.

They said it would be fun, they would make it fun, but we were going to be pushed (according to our ability), and we would be encouraged to work hard.

The main trainer said she wants to speak to me more about my past injuries and I have of course filled in a form which states that I have osteoporosis and mild blood pressure and I also handed in a doctors certificate saying I am approved to do this course and I’ve made it clear, I will work to my own abilities and be listening to my body.

 
 


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    _Happy New year :-)
    I am going to combine several seemingly contradicting eating and exercise programs and put together my own Artslim Naturally slimming and Gray-Nomad fitness program.  I plan to bring these out as a low cost EBook and small paperback. They will suit anyone interested in managing weight with son=me difficult health conditions such as metabolic syndrome and past injuries.

     I'll be showing you some of the books I am reading that have some excellent qualities, although they will not be exactly what I am putting together to suit me and my style of doing things.
    I will be focusing on eating and exercising for wellness, weight loss if obese, weight management and balanced fulfilling lifestyle..

    Art and Art Print Gifts, available to purchase from The Art of
    Kathy Shell

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    "Instead of giving myself reasons why I can't, I give myself reasons why I can." Spring garden with pansies. Large Fridge magnet featuring the Art of Kathy Shell
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    "Everyday is a renewal of life." Mare and Foal. Large Fridge magnet featuring the Art of Kathy Shell.
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    Be weird whenever you have the chance. Large Fridge magnet featuring the Art of Kathy Shell.
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    Friends Forever. Gollies and bears family. Large Fridge magnet featuring the Art of Kathy Shell.
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    "Fall in love with someone." Old English Sheepdogs. Large Fridge magnet featuring the Art of Kathy Shell.
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    "If friends were flowers I'd pick you." Just Joey Rose. Large Fridge magnet featuring the Art of Kathy Shell.
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    Live, Love, Laugh.Learn. Hannah with Flower. Large Fridge magnet featuring the Art of Kathy Shell.
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    Indulge in the things you truly love. Blythewood Grange. Large Fridge magnet featuring the Art of Kathy Shell.
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    "The winds of heaven are that which blows between a horses ears." Large Fridge Magnet featuring the Art of Kathy Shell.
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    Love your friends, no matter who they are. Bear grouping. Large Fridge Magnet featuring the Art of Kathy Shell.
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    "I always knew you'd make a splash." Jenny and Max. Large Fridge magnet featuring the Art of Kathy Shell.
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    If friends were flowers, I'd pick you. Magnolia. Large Fridge magnet featuring the Art of Kathy Shell.
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    Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves. Three heavy horses at the gate. Large Fridge magnet featuring the Art of Kathy Shell.
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    "Don't approach a goat from the front, a horse from the back or a fool from any side. Three heavy horses, side on. Large Fridge magnet featuring the Art of Kathy Shell.
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    "Get to know your neighbour!" Rusty and Rosco the Clydesdales. "Don't approach a goat from the front, a horse from the back or a fool from any side. Three heavy horses, side on. Large Fridge magnet featuring the Art of Kathy Shell.
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    "Believe in yourself." Churchill Island farmyard. Large Fridge Magnet featuring the Art of Kathy Shell.
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    "Share with Friends. " Reg walking the dog. Large Fridge Magnet featuring the Art of Kathy Shell.
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    "Friends are welcome anytime, relatives by appointment only." Large Fridge Magnet featuring the Art of Kathy Shell.
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    "Best Mates" Two Possums climbing together. Large Fridge Magnet featuring the Art of Kathy Shell.
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    Grampians Farmyard. Large Fridge Magnet featuring the Art of Kathy Shell.
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    Kangaroo Ground, Victoria. Large Fridge Magnet featuring the Art of Kathy Shell.
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    Horses at the Dam. Large Fridge Magnet featuring the Art of Kathy Shell.
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    Wattle Ridge. Large Fridge Magnet featuring the Art of Kathy Shell.
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    Bushfire Haze, Enfield Forrest Blaze. Large Fridge Magnet featuring the Art of Kathy Shell.
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    Campfire, Robe River, Pilbara, Western Australia. Large Fridge Magnet featuring the Art of Kathy Shell.
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    Golden Holstein Rose on Blue. Large Fridge Magnet featuring the Art of Kathy Shell.
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    Heavy Horse, Mare and Foal. Large Fridge Magnet featuring the Art of Kathy Shell.
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    28 Parrot, in McDonnell Ranges, Central Australian. Large Fridge Magnet featuring the Art of Kathy Shell.
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    Old bush dunny.and shed. Large Fridge Magnet featuring the Art of Kathy Shell.
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    Welsh Pony Mare and Foal. Large Fridge Magnet featuring the Art of Kathy Shell.
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    Pilbara, Western Australia. Large Fridge Magnet featuring the Art of Kathy Shell.
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    Brumbies of the Snowy River, Gold. Large Fridge Magnet featuring the Art of Kathy Shell.
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    Clydesdale Foal. Vertical. Large Fridge Magnet featuring the Art of Kathy Shell.
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    Carlton and United Clydesdale team and dray at Buninyong. Large Fridge Magnet featuring the Oil painting Art of Kathy Shell.
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    Emu Twist. Large Fridge Magnet featuring the Art of Kathy Shell.
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    Robe River. Pilbara, Western Australia. Large Fridge Magnet featuring the Art of Kathy Shell.
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    Mt Sonda, the Sleeping Lubra, McDonnell ranges, Central Australia. Large Fridge Magnet featuring the Art of Kathy Shell.
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    Kookaburra, Large Fridge Magnet featuring the Art of Kathy Shell.
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    Murray River, Right. Large Fridge Magnet featuring the Art of Kathy Shell.
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    Homeward bound. Clydesdales and dray in Australian landscape, Large Fridge Magnet featuring the Art of Kathy Shell.
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    Formosa Gardens )Beautiful Gardens) Ballarat,Victoria, Large Fridge Magnet featuring the Art of Kathy Shell.
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    Cream Frangipani on Blue. Large Fridge Magnet featuring the Art of Kathy Shell.
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    Heavy Horses at gate and in stable. Large Fridge Magnet featuring the Art of Kathy Shell.
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    Sturt Desert Pea. Large Fridge Magnet featuring the Art of Kathy Shell.
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    Tennant Creek, Northern Territory. Large Fridge Magnet featuring the Art of Kathy Shell.
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    Composite of Heavy Horse art images. Large Fridge Magnet featuring the Art of Kathy Shell.
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    Buninyong Bush early evening. Large Fridge Magnet featuring the Art of Kathy Shell.

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