Back to Basics

I couldn't stay away. I needed to post this update so I officially start making changes for a positive result this coming weigh in. I'll be going to my monthly meeting this Saturday also.

February 2006, it's time to get back on track and ...
DO IT ANYWAY!

I managed to scrape by this month with minimal damage, just. I would lose a kilo, gain a kilo, lose a kilo, gain a kilo. Not fun but I've had a rough month in other aspects of my life and tiredness (here comes the excuse) allowed me to make some very unhealthy choices. Seriously, what a difference eating an unhealthy diet and lack of exercise can do to how you deal with everything else in your life!

After nearly a year of treating my body so well, a couple of weeks of eating badly really screwed me around. Talk about getting depressed and feeling helpless! But I've kicked myself now and there is no way in hell that I am going to put the weight I lost back on.

February is definitely the month. I've had 2 months of "who the hell am I" time and now it's time to get on with it. My freelance work will pick up again now that everyone is back at work and I'll be getting up at 6am now instead of 4am for the part time work I do. I still won't be able to exercise in the morning (a little unhappy about that) but at least I'll be able to do more at night now. No excuse.

The Australian Biggest Loser should start soon too so I am looking forward to that. I'll be getting on my bike while watching it for sure.

Thanks to everyone's really inspiring posts lately. I was feeling really down but catching up with everyone over the past few days has really perked me up. Keep up the great work guys and I hope you all have a really good week!

Back soon...

I'll be back on Saturday 4th February. For some real inspiration, read Sue's post titled Keep at it! Have a great week people.

PS. I'll be trying out Bloglines for managing my blog reading list. Will let you know what I think. I currently use Sage in Mozilla but Bloglines is more mobile.

Weigh In - Week 44

Goal Weight: 70kg
Current Weight: 72.4kg
Loss this Week: 1.8kg

THINK
I'm still tired but certainly much better than last week. I was asked to do one more week of the early morning shift so as compensation, I asked for next Friday off. That'll make it a nice long weekend and Dan's going to take the Friday off also. The next couple of weeks are going to be about getting my priorities right.

EAT
I ate within my points, mostly. Saturdays I always allow for any cravings and treats. What I did differently this week? Not eat any takeaway. Simple.

MOVE
I moved less and did the bare minimum (4 x 30 min walks). I feel a little slack but I think I really just needed the week off.

Now I feel like I'm back in the game, almost. Really looking forward to Australia Day and the start of a long weekend! Remember that holiday I was supposed to go on? I still haven't had one.

***

I'm coming back to read and update a little more later. We're going on a shopping expedition first...

Like a good story?

Alrighty, my man has entered a competition and because he has been such a wonderful support to me on my journey, I would like to acknowledge my support of him. If you like a good story, have a looksy and vote if you have time (and of course, only if you are interested). Ink Slinger Bog Armored Car/Kids Clothing Story contest.

Low Fat Mashed Potato

Firstly, a huge thank you for all your well wishes, I really appreciate it.

HEALTHY COOKING CHALLENGE
One of my favourite side dishes of all time is mashed potato. In particular, with mushrooms and wholegrain mustard combined into it. Unfortunately it is not very point friendly the way I liked it (full cream, lots of butter) so I have avoided it ... until now. I can still add the sauteed mushrooms and mustard without adding points but this time I just wanted it plain, with a bit of side salad in a low fat french dressing.

LOW FAT MASHED POTATO
Serves: 4
Points per serve: 1.5
Prep time: 10 mins
Cook time: 25 mins

• 500g sebago (brushed) potato
• 1/2 cup (125ml) vegetable stock
• 2 tsp reduced fat dairy spread
• 1/4 cup (60ml) skim milk

1. Peel the potatoes and cut into 1cm thick slices. Place in a medium saucepan with the stock. Add enough water to just cover the potatoes. Bring to the boil over high heat. Boil for 20 minutes or until the potatoes are very tender when tested with a skewer. Drain well.
2. Return the potatoes to the saucepan over low heat, add the spread and use a potato masher to mash until smooth. Add half the milk and use a wooden spoon to beat the potatoes until smooth. Add enough of the remaining milk to reach the desired consistency. Beat with the wooden spoon until well combined and fluffy. Taste and season well with salt and pepper. Serve immediately.

[Source: Basic Cookbook by Weight Watchers Australia]

Weigh In - Week 43

Goal Weight: 70kg
Current Weight: 74.2kg
Gain this Week: .5kg

WARNING: I've got the grumps but slowly pulling myself out of it....bad days don't last!

THINK
I'm not very stable right now. I am suffering major lack of sleep, have one more week of doing the early morning shift and mum had another stroke. At least it's only one more week of getting up before the crack of dawn because waking up when it's still dark is not ideal for me anymore. I function much better when I've had a good sleep, a walk and a light filled start to the day.

EAT
I started the week off well but when I'm over tired, I can get really lazy. By the time Friday hit, I was already a day over points and grumpy so I had a double serve of Indian! Talk about jacking up the points by another day. But I'll be more careful and plan this coming week. Eating like I did just makes me feel worse both mentally and physically.

MOVE
I made sure I moved my butt for at least 30 mins each day and then some. I really don't like exercising in the afternoon/evening so I'm looking forward to the following week when the first thing I can do of a morning, is get out for a walk. I'm a morning person, always have been but there is no way I am going to go for a walk at 3am!

Now to Suzy's wake up call ... thanks babe, I needed it!

Blogging Habits

I've started again, reading blogs at any time of day and letting things slip. I promised I wouldn't do that this year. I can't do that this year because I am working part time, freelancing and studying. I really need to focus and I can get a little carried away with blogging. I really enjoy reading everyone's blogs and will continue to read and comment but I have to impose a bit of time management on myself. Dear gods, I hate that phrase..."Time Management".

So this is my plan:

• update my blog for the Healthy Cooking Challenge, Wednesday
  
• update my blog on Weigh In day, Saturdays
• catch up on some blogs on Wednesday
  
• main catch up on blogs on weekend, whilst Dan is still sleeping
• evenings will be strictly off limits!
  

I think changing my blogging habits will make me even more excited to see how everyone has progressed during the week and I will look forward to it. I'm also going to be more focused on my day to day relationships off the computer because I really let these slip last year. Keep up the great work guys and catch you soon enough!

Exercising in Summer

I think the main thing is to make sure I move my butt for at least 30 mins each day. I started catching the bus home from work half way because it was too hot but I don't want that to become a habit. Cat, I hear you now. Exercising in the heat is NOT fun or inspiring at all but I gotta try make myself. It makes you sweat more though so does that mean we lose weight faster? Probably not, damn. We just lose fluid faster. Drink up!

Mon - 30 min power walk, 50 min resistance (weights), 20 min bike
Tue - 30 min power walk
Wed - 30 min power walk, 50 min resistance (weights), 20 min bike
Thu - 30 min power walk
Fri - 30 min power walk, 50 min resistance (weights), 20 min bike
Sat - 1 hour power walk

Walking = home from work
Toning = 10 Minute Solution Target Toning DVD
Cycling = whilst watching Oprah/Huey (ha!)

Weigh In - Week 42

Goal Weight: 70kg
Current Weight: 73.7kg
Gain this Week: 1.5kg

Not bad. December was a bit rocky and that gain reflects the whole of December for me (my last weigh in was November 29). So now I've got to go back to the NO JUNK IN THE HOUSE rule and start drinking more water again.

Here is my focus for 2006:

• continue to stay at goal
  
• ditched the morning shift so I have more hours for freelancing/study/life!
• enrolled in a Sub Editing for Newspapers, Magazines & TV course
  
• applied for a role at WW meetings
  

I think that's quite enough now so we'll see how I go. WW taught me how to plan, make mini goals and reward myself (without food) so it should prove to be another succesful year.

My 8 Week Weight Loss Challenge is to lose 3.7kg. My goal is 70kg. Why, because I don't fit into size 14 (too big) and I don't fit into size 12 well in most stores (a bit tight around hips). Damn it! Yes, I know...I am making myself a slave to fashion but I just want to fit into a decent pair of pants. I am sick of wearing jeans. I figure, as long as I am within the healthy weight range, I can do this.

BTW notice that I am still a size 12-14 after losing around 20kgs? My biggest was size 16 verging on an 18. My weight was spread evenly across my body so when I was losing it, it was not so much a loss in one particular area to make such a dramatic clothing size difference. Does that make sense? Some people lose a dress size every 5kg, I didn't. Another good reason not to compare yourself to others.

I am really looking forward to this year. I am stronger, smarter and fitter than I've ever been and really looking forward to being able to exercise in the morning again too. The best way for me to start my days.

To finish off this entry, Kathryn has asked in her blog "So what are you going to do that's crazy in 2006?"... mmm, I'm still thinking about it but whatever it is, it'll certainly be out of my comfort zone!

The Points Cafe

Nicky and Shontie have put together a super idea for us girls who aren't feeling too keen on paying for the new WW site. The new WW site is a slap in the face for members who pay weekly for the meetings. I know that I have personally spent well over $400 with WW over the past year. I did get to goal and WW was the main reason but how much money do they still need from me?!

• Check out The Points Cafe for FREE recipes...
• Check out Del's site for all your template and online calculator needs...
  

December 2005

Gosh, where do I start. Lots of things came up that weren't welcome but I dealt with them the best way I could. I think my commitment to WW the past year and how much I learnt about myself, contributed to me coping better than ever.

I'll do it in point form hey:

• found out my uncle is dying in Croatia
  
• mum was then about to go overseas but had a cancer scare
• after that, mum had a stroke (but she's going to be okay!)
• then the very day I came back to work (after mum's drama) and on a Friday mind, they tell me they've been paying me the wrong rate and that they want to cut my pay by 20% (not impressed!)
• now I am waiting for the same person who told me this to come back from holidays to sort it out (hmmm!)
• can you tell I am a little unsettled which reminds me, I should put in an official 2 weeks resignation
  
• once I stop doing the early morning shift, I'll be back to exercising in the mornings and have more energy for stuff worth worrying about
• has it led to bad eating?
  sure has...
• have I still watched my eating?
  as best as...
• have I kept up the exercise?
  less than normal...
  
• did I count points?
  not really but I feel like I know it now, I can figure things out in my head and feel comfortable enough with my portions. I certainly can't eat like I used to...

Pretty exciting December hey!? Not really but at least I am more certain of a few things I need to focus on this year. I always tell other people to believe in their own talents and go for it so this year, it's my turn!

I'll be back on Saturday for my official New Year weigh in and a more positive outlook for the year ahead.

Looking forward to catching up with everyone!!