Just plain lazy...

There's no excuse for it other than I can't be bothered. What the hell is up with that kind of thinking? Can't really complain now if I put on a few kilos, especially if I'm just being plain lazy.

This time last year I was out EVERY morning at 6-7am for an hour walk. Admittedly, my motivation is different this time around but I still need to move my butt. Incidental walking doesn't quite cut it alone so here's this week's plan. It's easy and something I can do in front of the TV so that means if I'm not moving, I am not allowed to watch TV. Yep, trying to kick my Big Brother fascination of late too.

• Tue - 30 min cycle PM DONE
  
• Wed- 50 min weights/resistance AM + 30 min cycle PM DONE
• Thu - 30 min vinyasa yoga AM + 30 min power walk PM DONE
• Fri - 50 min weights/resistance AM + 30 min cycle PM REST DAY
• Sat - 2 hr nordic walking AM SICK
• Sun - 1 hr vinyasa yoga AM SICK

I don't need luck, I just need to do and everything else will fall into place. Obviously I don't need to do this much exercise to maintain but I would still like to casually aim for 70kgs and toning my body is really my main priority. Time to get moving!

Catch up...

I haven't exercised for 2 weeks because it's been raining in Sydney everyday but is that an excuse? A pretty poor one so I went for a huge power walk this morning. Feels good? Absolutely. I find it easier to eat better during the day when I've exercised.

I got a new job and start on June 26, whoot! It's a 6 month contract as a Stills Picture Editor with a well known company and I'm really excited. It'll be a refreshing change not to have to chase freelance jobs for a while so that will be great. The job will be challenging also which is awesome because I know I can get bored easily.

My first holiday. I'm taking the week starting June 19 off! I'm going to do absolutely nothing. Well, that's not entirely true but I'm going to do stuff I want to do and not have to worry about where my next dollar will come from *relief*.

And today...I will make a more concerted effort to be back on track with my eating and start exercising again. I did lose this week but I still have a fair bit of work to do with toning my body so I don't want to lose the momentum.

It's a long weekend here in Sydney so enjoy it and to everyone else, I hope you have a great weekend too!

Vegetable & Barley Soup

I love this recipe! It was very tasty for something so simple to make and extremely filling too.

For other recipes I've tried, check out the
Health Bites - Recipe Index

VEGETABLE & BARLEY SOUP
Serves: 6
Points: 1½ per serve
Prep time: 15 mins
Cook time: 55 mins
* suitable to freeze

• cooking oil spray
• 1 leek (pale section only), thinly sliced
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• 2 (300g) large carrots, peeled, sliced
• 3 celery stems, sliced
  
• 2 (400g) large potatoes, peeled, cut into 2cm pieces
• 250g pumpkin, peeled, cut into 2cm pieces
• 1.5L (6 cups) vegetable stock (made using stock cubes)
• 400g can diced tomatoes
• 2 tbs soy sauce
• 2 dried bay leaves
• ½ cup (100g) barley
• ½ cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
  

1. Heat a large heavy-based saucepan over medium heat. Spray with oil. Add leek and garlic. Cook, stirring often, for 3 minutes or until golden.
2. Add carrots, celery, potatoes, pumpkin, stock, tomatoes, soy sauce, bay leaves and barley. Bring to the boil.
3. Reduce heat to medium and simmer for 45 minutes or until barley is tender. Remove bay leaves and stir in parsley. Taste and season with salt and pepper.
4. Ladle into serving bowls. Serve.
   

Source: The Really Contented Tummy Cookbook

Nordic Walking - Saturday 17 June

Would you like to join us for another introductory Nordic Walking group session? We need up to 10-12 people. Email me if interested via my profile.

Date: Saturday 17 June
Venue: Centennial Park NSW
Time: 8am - 10am
Cost: $17 inc. pole hire
($8 for previous walkers)

Walkers so far:
myself, M, Sarah, Bron, Cath (5)

Photo taken by M:
Andreas and Anja Horst from
Health Concepts - Nordic Pole Walking

May Challenge Results

Start Weight: 74kg
End Weight: 72.8kg
Overall Loss: 1.2kg

Alrighty, still busy but bear with me. I lost .6kg this week and seriously, I'm surprised. I did NO exercise this week but did eat well. I do however find that I just move more anyway. I don't like to sit down very much at work and I use the "go talk to someone instead of email" tactic. Drinking water and tea also makes me piss more so trips to the loo are another great way to get me off my butt.

Today I went to my monthly WW weigh-in and it was nice to see my leader and the girls who help out. I don't stay for the meetings anymore because I'm just not in that head space but it's nice to know it's there when I need it.

Another reason I enjoy going to the monthly WW weigh-in is because I get to see the new WW products. The products are also cheaper at the meetings than buying them online. I bought myself two new cookbooks so I'll be posting newly tried recipes again real soon.

• The Really Contented Tummy Cookbook
• Pantry Pull-Togethers

And will there be a June challenge? Of course there will be. There's a lot going on right now that I won't blog about (it's all good stuff) but my main concern is that I simply do the best I can and document the weigh-in results along the way.

Enjoy your weekend guys!