Because I can

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I did it! Back at @perform_360 deliberate after consciously giving myself a full 7 days off from strength training. I listened to my body which was struggling to get up in the morning to make it to work let alone exercise...I needed to give myself permission to rest and recover...I haven’t done that ever since starting properly exercising really....there was always a voice saying ‘you better workout or you will fail’...’you will be unhappy in your skin for ever if you don’t exercise’ I had to take it easy this morning, I am aware that ‘strenuous’ exercise is not recommended for women with PCOS but I also know it was the only way I am here today, strong, healthy and the best possible version of myself...so I will not let this syndrome define me but I will let my body, it’s cycles and how it is feeling guide me. I will be kind to myself and let my body recover and rebuild and hopefully reduce my symptoms so I can get back to going at 100 ☺️

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Sunshine on a rainy day. Radiohead. Vans Old Skool. Happy Hump Day.

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Decided to celebrate managing to make it to @perform_360 for the first time this week with all of the colour

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My morning started at 5 today....thanks to this book. This week it’s felt impossible to get out of bed, so tired and achy and worrying about all of the things...but after finally starting this book, I decided my first goal is this...and day one is done ☀️

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Good morning sunshine ☀️ #p360 #sunrise #deadliftday #joythroughmovement #living (at Perform 360)

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Yay! Am awake and at the gym 😊...30 mins early...time to roll out all the shoulder ouches before gymnastics with @coach__whitney at @perform_360 #earlybird #flannyweather #at530amanyway #keeprollin (at Perform 360)

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Back to full time work...yay! have managed one early morning training session but had to late cancel this morning...am feeling super tired. Finally got an official answer for all of my health issues over the last 20 years...I have polycystic ovarian syndrome or PCOS. Turns out I was crazy lucky to have 3 children (I knew I was lucky, but now I know I was super lucky) and minimal issues getting pregnant. Turns out I am super lucky (already knew I was) to have found @perform_360 because whatever their formula is to training has been exactly what my body needed to make it even possible to trim down and finally find my favourite version of myself. So while I am so super tired, and feeling a lot of the symptoms that come with this lovely diagnosis, I am also feeling really lucky. 💕

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Ah my last walk to school for time being with my little humans including mr almost 10 who was collapsed on the stairs instead of hugging the building, after we all walked 1km to school in 68% humidity 😅 It’s been a tough month and a bit but with the love & support around us, we managed a through it, and I start work again full time on Monday, so things are looking up! #yay #2018islookingup #grateful #

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The difference a work out makes...it’s been a rough 4 weeks...and I haven’t been able to train as much as I was. Yesterday I missed exercising and ended up sitting on a couch all day binge watching Netflix and crying through 10 wonderful episodes of the new Queer Eye...today I trained...I didn’t want to really, so gross and hot, I am still feeling emotionally & mentally exhausted from everything that has been happening. But I also know now is that it does always make me feel physically exhausted but recharged mentally and emotionally. It’s incredible, and probably lots of science to explain it...but what I know is today, I exercised and it was gross and challenging and just wonderful and I came home, make a dint in all the things I have to do this week....and then walked 2.2kms round trip to pick up the kids from school with the last 600m being with Mr Moo on my shoulders...slightly insane but I did it. And it rocked to be reminded how much fun it is to just have functional strength. Lots of rambling today...after 3 weeks off my feed, I have so much to say I guess.😆 if you got this far...thank you! For your love & support and for caring 💕x

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Spending a wonderful afternoon with the #hottest100 as our neighbourhood soundtrack. Feeling super lucky to be where we are on this planet, love our #straya And am forever grateful that this is our home. 💙

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My last week of this wonderful morning walk over Kurilpa bridge....2018 has had some of the bloody big challenges in just its first few weeks. Once upon a time I would have gotten angry & sad and stayed in one of those two emotions pretty much constantly. Why me? Why us? Life sucks, it’s so unfair! And then instant guilt because we are healthy, we have skills, we have a roof over our head etc. This time, on the same day as our biggest news day, I got a post from @jay_p360 in my inbox...asking that we take responsibility for all events that happen in our lives, positive and negative...and my first response was pfft...sure thing 🙄 but because I trust Jase and I didn’t really dismiss it for long...and now I have. Big and small, I own all the events that have and will happen in my life. Am still fluctuating occasionally between tears & anger but mostly am sitting here trusting. Doing what I need to do, and facing all events head on. I know I can deal with it all, and something fantastic is growing from it, even if it is just knowing that I have my head held high, and I am still smiling (mostly)

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Have owned this top for years and years, bought it because I loved it so, but it was way too small...then last year I could squeeze into it, but by the end of the day it was pretty squeezy...and this morning I threw it on, and it is almost too lose, which on a hot day like today was 🙌🏻. When life doesn’t go to even the vaguest plan you have, realising that the life changes you have made over the last 2 years, are now so engrained in your life that you stop obsessing about your weight, measurements and what you are or aren’t eating and you just feel good in your skin & finally clothes. Well it just fucking rocks 🤘🏻

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When challenging shit happens that you can’t control...I focus on the awesome shit I can...had time this morning to do a double at @perform_360 today & yesterday...gymnastics & stretch therapy and then gymnastics & a back squat strength session today. Definitely makes the shitty shit easier to handle 💪🏻💙

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2018....have no idea what you will hold, but am wiping the slate clean and using @alihill ‘s stand out planner to work on what I want in my life. Thanks for the suggestion ma sister @libby_trickett 💥😘#standoutplanner #2018 #bestversionofmyself #readytoworkit

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When you open a new book and in their first pages you find this wonderful proverb 🙌🏻 #ikigai

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Trusting the process... at @perform_360 and with my first ever ‘lifting’ pic 😆 I managed a PB for 3! (This pic is me in the round before) super fun after feeling pretty sluggish for the last few days and finding the negative ‘self-talk’ creeping back in. How long does it take for that to stop?! #perform360 #backsquat #gettingsweaty #mentalhealth #physicalhealth #keeppositive #breathelove #selflove #strongnotskinny (at Perform 360)

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This was the only pic I took today, as I was lying in my messy bedroom wondering if I would actually manage to get my kettle BBQ going (I did...too well 🔥🔥🔥) and although the rest of the day was full of food and family... and I had intended on documenting it all and sharing in my stories or just right here. But instead I just enjoyed it. There was no hassles or stress in the end. The kids had a ball with their cousins and I got to do some of my favourite things, I got to feed my family yummy food (with help), I got to drink great wine (thank you @hartandhunter) and I was able to talk and properly catch up with my other other family...and it was great. I forgot about everyone and everything else for that time. I forgot to worry about what might happen next year and what has happened in this one. I was just present. In the moment. And it was bloody great. So I think my Christmas wish for everyone who reads this. is just that. Be in the moment, and love that you have that moment. Merry Christmas fabulous people, sending you all the cheer and happy I can x Justine // also shared on my other IG @chasethesuncreative