Thursday, June 30, 2011

Sorry everyone, couldn't come up with a title for this post - be prepared for a rant...

At the moment, I feel like I'm getting nowhere (and I'm in a hurry) - sorry, couldn't help but quote from Cold Chisel's Khe Sanh...anyway, I digress.

My weight is 73kg...

I am yo-yoing between 71 and 73kg and I'm sick of it.

You've heard this before, but I have so many f---ing eating plans/diets/lifestyle choices floating around my weary head that I just cannot stick to one thing past breakfast...
So by the evening I'm eating whatever crap is around...

I'm TIIIIIRED, physically and mentally (I know, blame EOFY) but what will I blame next week? and the week after?

By the time the afternoon comes, I can't be bothered or haven't been organised enough to have something on hand/defrosted to cook dinner with, so it's some frozen crap or take-away...

I just want to get under 70kg...that would be a great motivation for me to keep going...

Aaaaargh!!! I am so over this battle. Sometimes I think I shouldn't even read Blogs because it's all so confusing. Everyone's doing something different, but most of you seem to be doing well. Me, I just try everything and can't maintain weight loss past the first week...


Hubby's birthday tomorrow, and mine on Sunday.

To be honest, I had hoped that I would be in better shape (read : weigh 65kg) by now, but I just seem to procrastinate and the weeks roll by one after the other.

Lately I've been thinking - will I ever lose this weight? Or is my life just going to be week after week of trying to eat "properly" but never actually having anything to show for it?

Have I become a "Gunner"...?

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Time for a Break

Taking a short break...life is crazy-busy at the moment, and to be perfectly honest I have nothing to say/report.

So rather than boring you with nothing, I'll take a break...haven't decided how long, just as long as it takes.


Will continue to read all my favourite Blogs and comment, so I'll still be around.


Take care and see you soon!


Sandraxoxox

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Good-bye WW...

Didn't last long this time, did it?

I counted Points on Weight Watchers for three weeks...the first week was spot-on, then Cassie's brithday came along, and I "relaxed" a little. Missed the next meeting because I had to drop the girls off to separate activities...

I lost about two kilos since I started, but here's the interesting thing - this last week, I did not count "points"...I just used common sense in my choice of foods. I aimed for balance - ie, once a week I attend a breakfast meeting where a rather large (but not un-healthy) breakfast is served. For the rest of that day, I ate "lightly"...mainly fruit and a nice simple dinner made up of chicken and salad...

...and I still registered a loss when I stepped on my scales last Friday...Hubby even mentioned that I "feel" smaller (he's no doubt referring to my middle section)


So almost without thinking about it, I have made the decision to draw on what I've learnt about my body over the years and devise my own way of eating...a little bit inspired by LizN and her manifesto, which seems to have come about her Blog at just the right time for me.


Here are a few of the things I have learnt that work for Me in not only the "weight loss" department but also help me feel and look my best :

* Cut out/minimize refined carbs - notice I am not "cutting out" carbs, I will continue to eat carbs in the shape of fruit, vegies and whole grains, but will cut out refined "white" carbs and processed foods containing added sugars.

* Three meals a day- including a good source of protein at each meal, and two snacks to be fruit, veggies or nuts

* Good oils every day - flaxseed, olive oil or a good quality nut butter

* 2 Litres of water a day

* Full cream organic yoghurt - "low fat" or "sugar free" yoghurt has a pretty negative effect on my body...so I will indulge in the real stuff every now and then without suffering the side-effects

* I will enjoy occasional "treats"- or foods that aren't on my list without thinking of them as "cheat meals" or even worse, label them "bad foods" - Hubby's Sunday morning pancakes are a classic example : so he uses white flour and a little butter...the sense of ritual/tradition, the smell of the house on Sunday morning because he got up before the rest of us to start cooking, and the conversation and laughter as the four of us unite over cups of steaming hot tea and delicious food is just too "good" to cause any guilt or shame.


As far as exercise, I am really enjoying very long brisk walks in the bush 5-6 times a week. I am feeling energised enough to pick up my C25K again and give it a good shot, but the one thing we are changing a bit is that both Hubby and I feel so much better and stronger when we weight-train consistently, so come July (because June is so damn crazy work-wise), we will re-join the gym and start pumping some iron again.



In retrospect, I have never felt as good as I did back in 2009 after following most of the principles I mention above for about a year...I felt fit and strong, my size 10's fit very nicely, my skin hair and nails were healthy and I had so much energy!



Before I forget - it's still June!!!! better get some ironing done before Sunday is over! - back to craziness tomorrow ;)


Have a great week everyone!

Friday, June 17, 2011

Inspiration - it's everywhere...

I met with a new client yesterday.

I arranged to meet him in a coffee shop on his day off.

From the information he had supplied to me, I could see he had substantial savings for a person his age - he's twenty four years old. I also saw he holds down two part-time jobs but has only been working for a couple of months...

"aha" I thought "typical Gen Y"

A slim built young man walked in and introduced himself to Hubby and I...Hubby went to order coffee and I got straight into "finance" mode.

I asked him about his substantial savings and how it had come about. I expected it to be an inheritance from a grandparent or simply a "gift" from mum and dad...


He told me his "story" very calmly and matter-of-factly :

A couple of years ago, he was driving along a local highway and a truck pulled out and stopped in front of him. He hit the truck at 60km per hour and suffered major injuries...he's been left with fused vertebrae smack in the middle of his back.

He was awarded some compensation and that is how he came about the funds he will use to purchase his first property.


He was forced to be out of work for about two years as he had to undertake major rehabilitation. He was given a 45% chance of not walking again, but within two months he was walking.

He was told he would *never* run again...but he runs 15K a couple of times a week now...

I asked him if his back hurts when he runs...and he didn't quite answer my question, but proceeded to make us laugh by describing all the places he's lost feeling in and how sometimes if he goes out drinking with his mates he needs to "check himself" in the morning as he can walk into things etc and not feel any pain...

He is a lovely, mature and humble young man...his plan is to buy another property within 9-12 months. That's how he plans to "make his money",by investing in property, and his ultimate dream is to buy a house in Sweden in a few years' time.


... I hope he gets there, and I hope I can help him along on his journey...


I told him how inspired I was by him...I hear a lot of people bagging the "Gen Y", of which my girls are a part, and this young man was another example that they are not all bad...that they can work hard even in the face of adversity.


I came away thinking - WTF...? If this kid can recover from a serious spinal injury and run 15K...What's stopping me???


I wasn't *looking* for inspiration but came away with a renewed spring in my step...and funnily enough, I don't feel sorry for my new *client*...I feel somehow proud of him and so glad I met him, I came away with a happy feeling.


Inspiration is everywhere...we just need to be receptive to it.


Have a great weekend - I think it's time to bring C25K back on the training menu.


xoxox

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Blogger Etiquette...does it exist?

I am fairly new to this Blogging "thing"...

I admit I am not one particular "genre" - I enjoy reading the fitness Bloggers, but also like the "mummy"(?) Bloggers, love some of the fashion Bloggers and adore looking through the decorating Bloggers posts.

I generally comment or link up to the first two - the last two are way beyond me and not what I "do", I feel I would be out of my depth and my time is limited as it is!...but I like to look...

So, here's the thing - some Bloggers reply to (just about) every comment. These gals are dedicated and have the time and patience to do so.

Others don't, and that's ok.

Others "moderate" their comments...you leave a comment and get a little message saying it is awaiting the Blog Owner's approval. Which is fine...but sensitive Bloggers like *moi* can take it the wrong way if an innocent, well-intended comment is not "approved" by the Blog owner...is it because I'm not "fit enough"? or my kids aren't the same age as yours?...you get the drift, we start to wonder.

And that is when this Cancerian retreats into her shell and will probably never leave a comment on that Blog E-V-E-R again!!!

Mind you, I am not here for popularity or Blog awards...I haven't got the time or inclination to devote so much to my Blog...If I'm honest I'll say that I treat my Blog a little bit like a diary, or journal...somewhere to record thoughts and chapters in my life...except no-one got to see my diary from my teenage years, but as many of you as visit my Blog can read my thoughts and feelings from day to day.


Yes, it's a funny thing to ponder on, this Social Media.

Are there hidden rules that Bloggers adhere to...? Surely there is no such thing as *copyright*...? I recall a couple of weeks after I re-named my Blog, suddenly it seemed that the word "Fab" was everywhere...everyone wanted to be "Fabulous"...and I'm glad. It means there were a few people reading this Blog and I'd inspired them! :)

...and I don't think I'll be moderating or "approving" my comments for the time being - stats show me that for every 25 readers, an average of 1 reader leaves a message, so I'll just keep on replying when I can...


xoxox

Monday, June 13, 2011

Happy Birthday Gorgeous Girl






Cassie turned 13 on Sunday...

I can still remember the day she was born as clearly as if it was only "yesterday"...




HAPPY BIRTHDAY GORGEOUS GIRL!!!!



Amazingly beautiful

Winter baby

Cat lover

Drama Queen

So intelligent

Kind

Sociable

A great friend

A bit lazy

Good cook

Crafty

Cool dancer

Sporty

Legs that go on forever

"Little sister"



Our life is richer because you are part of our family.






Thank you for being your amazing self - don't ever change, and remember :


"You always had the power" - Glynda the Good Witch in the Wizard of Oz (c/o Oprah)


You make my heart sing every single day

Love you lots Chiky!


Mummy
xoxox

Monday, June 6, 2011

Hanging in there...

First weigh-in back at Weight Watchers

Lost - 1.3kg


.......................................


I have anemia. Confirmed by blood tests. Explains my constant tiredness and ability to fall asleep at odd hours of the day and sleep "soundly' for hours.


.......................................


I am on Iron tablets, to be taken with a Barocca, which has the right amount of Vit C to make sure the Iron is absorbed readily.



.......................................



C25K has been put on hold for a couple of weeks til my energy returns.


I have continued to walk for at least an hour a day, yesterday overdid it a little by taking my friend Karen on a two and a half hour bushwalk which resembled something out of Raiders of the Lost Ark - lots of climbing over fallen branches and rock-hopping to get over running streams etc but well worth it.



.........................................


June is a crazy month for anyone in the Finance industry, so devoting a lot of time to work, with family coming in a close second (...did I just say that???) and health muscling its way into a close third.


Not a lot of time for Blogging, but will be back very soon when the madness of End of Financial Year subsides and I don't need quite so much sleep.



Take care and get your Iron levels checked!!!

xoxox

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

An "aha" moment

So this morning I just HAD to step on the scales to check on my progress...

1.5kg lost since Saturday's (latest) first weigh-in at Weight Watchers.


Hubby and I went for a bushwalk today during a break in the rain, and I was talking about how if I lose 1kg a week, I will be 6kg lighter by my birthday...


I added that I get so impatient with myself because I wish I could lose more than the 1kg per week that WW says you will lose if you follow the ProPoints Plan correctly.

It's been my downfall before - not losing weight fast enough -> skip a meeting -> scale starts to climb up again -> stop going to meetings altogether....etc etc

I'm trying to break this cycle once and for all this time around. The first time I joined WW I was successful because I weighed in EVERY WEEK...I still have the booklet. I maybe missed one meeting in four months...

and guess what? I did not lose EVERY WEEK, in fact, some weeks I had small gains...but in the end, I got to Goal Weight and I was even successful in Maintenance



Then Hubby said something that I needed to hear - it went along the lines of :

If you follow the Plan half-heartedly, say just count your Points every day but only exercise three times a week, you might lose .5kg...and you will walk away unhappy because you know you could have done better.

Imagine if you followed the Plan by counting your Points daily, and then committed to doing some form of cardio for an hour every day, you know that when you weigh in, the weight loss will reflect that and you can walk away with a sense of achievement.


**THE AMOUNT OF EFFORT YOU PUT INTO SOMETHING WILL BE DIRECTLY REFLECTED IN THE RESULT YOU GET**



....Is it any wonder I love my Man...?

xoxox