A long awaited update...:)

Well peeps, I know it has been awhile between updates. So I thought I would wander by to do one. so my weight loss journey has been successful so far. I'm really happy with how things are going. Im down 8 kg (18lbs, for you non metric folk) so far and exercise is on track!

But today...I started the 8 week challenge at our gym. 8 weeks of gut busting,  supplements ( a new lean chicken and salads- Im sorry I love my steak!!  So at this stage I plan to cut night carbs, Increase my protein and introduce some supplements into my day as well. The workouts will step up a notch too.
 
I'm starting this at 85.5kg and looking to lose at least 10-15kg out of this process. It will be full on and intense. But I want to make it worthwhile. It is ONLY 8 weeks. I want to challenge myself and be fitter at the end of this. Im VERY Excited about it!!

Tomorrow is my first ever "Bootcamp". Im not afraid to admit...Im terrified. Eeeep. Another new thing for me. But Im gonna give it all I got.  So Im sure the following weeks will be full of exciting updates and info. will try to get some new Pictures up too.  i WILL get here more often...I know i have dropped the ball. But hey..Im here now. ;)

What doesn't kill us makes us stronger...Right?!

Mel's week 6 Challange..and Update!

 So this week has been a tough one for me. I have been full on at work and at home. I gave blood again on Monday, but this time did my first PLASMA donation ( I donate to Australian Red Cross for the record. It is Illegal to be paid for this donation in Australia)! Which I have to say was kinda weird and somewhat educational! I have a somewhat rarer blood type ( Ab+), so I am a great choice for a plasma donor. I also learnt that while plasma generally is a bright yellow colour,  mine looks more like a darker yellow/olive greenish ( due to my birth control apparently). haha  Sketchy. So while this meant I had to rest up for Monday, it has not slowed me down workout wise at all!
Later in the week I was feeling pretty run down. I had two long shifts (one late night) this week back to back and on top of working out and home commitments I was feeling a bit burnt out. But I rested up Friday night. Pumped an extra dose of Vit b6 sups on Saturday. And I was good as gold. 


been working hard at getting in my net calories too. Some days ahve been harder then others. i struggle to cover what Im burning off. 


But Now Onto the Challenge!

WEEK SIX CHALLENGES:


Focus on your excuses again. Write them down and defeat them. 
 -Work: Been working out BEFORE. And If not before. Getting it in at night. :) 

 Commit to exercising all seven days even if it's just active recovery.

-  6/7 this week due to plasma Donation. But Im pretty happy.

Get outside the box. One day, do an exercise routine you've NEVER done. Go to Zumba, try a swim class, go rollerblading. It doesn't matter what it is, but give it your all and push hard.

- Got this one done by chance!!  Thursday's Light and Lo class = Surprise circuit class! ZOMG, That Instructor is TERRIBLE!! 

Surprise Circuit we walked into!

Intermediate-Advanced: Do your scheduled routine but add a workout from your partner. 
 - Regular workout CHECK! Late Night extra Run CHECK! Workout from Buddy...Um. No. But we did convince each other to NOT chicken out of the Circuit class. So that Counts ...right?

Message your partner telling them to give you an assignment.
Stay connected with your partner.

- Melissa And I check in with each other daily ( living together it is rather handy!)  But we always make sure that we are not over doing it and Push each other when we need it. :)



Send the Men in Black to my apartment to zap out the Super Bowl. Do not want to remember.

"It was a bad bad dream, Superbowl hasn't been played. In fact the game was cancelled. Due to a Pocket of Swamp gas exploding and knocking out the Satellites."

Push hard, guys. We have to stick with it even when it's getting monotonous. 

After the Class On Thursday.

Work Out breakdown for this week!: 

Monday: Plasma

Tuesday: Run (treadmill) - 34 mins 4.03k. Weights 35 mins, Bike- 7 mins. 1.85k

Wednesday: Outdoor run!! 5 k - 37mins ( 07:24 pace)

Thrsday: Surprise circuit Class- 65 mins 

Friday: Treadmill run - 4.22k  35 mins. Stationary bike -3.59k 9;10 min.

Saturday: Bike- 8.56k  20mins. Body balance class -55 mins.

Sunday: Run- 35mins - 4.52 k , Weights- 55mins - Bike 13 mins. 5.48k

Total: 400 mins!!

Push Ups- No idea how many. Just kept going till I couldn't do any more. 

Till next week Do lifers! 

Mel and Sa's Week 4 12 week challenge

So this week, since it's 'buddies' week, we're doing one blog entry, and each adding our own bit.

So our activity has been pretty well the same this week.

Push Ups. Last week (sa)22, (mel)30 this week (sa)20, (mel) 40

Intermediate/Advanced:

Monday: (sa)jog 3.32 in 30 mins, (mel)jog 3.55 in 30 mins

Tuesday: (both)light and lo class 75 minutes (INTENSE)

Wednesday: (sa) (high activity work) 1 km in 7 mins to bus stop

Thursday: (sa)4.5 km in 39 mins, (mel)4.5km in 37 minutes

Before the race

Mel's Time

Sa's Time

After the race ( Nevermind the half naked dude between us! Awkward!!)

Friday:rest

Saturday: (both) Pump class 60 minutes, Zumba 60 minutes. =120

Before Two classes

After Two classes

Sunday: (sa)30 min, 3.44km, (mel)30 mins, 3.7km 45 mins weights =75

Weekly Total =346 minutes

4 Things that impressed me this week about SuperSa,By Sunshine/Mel

1.Pushed beyond her struggles ( Running - stitch/sore knees and back) to continue running.
2. Eating well and even trying new things! *yay*
3. Improved her Fun run time on last year by 2 minutes!
4. Puts up with My crazy desire to run ( and tags along too) and even crazier ideas like doing two classes at the gym Back to back.

Why I think SuperSa should Win, By Sunshine:

Melissa has not ever really shown any desire to run, it wasn't anything that she thought that she would be able to do. She has been running with me now since I started on this crazy quest. She extends herself through the pain of sore knees and most recently Stitches in her side , and the heat and humidity of running "fun runs" on hot and muggy Australian summer days. She pushes her self above her limits when I suggest doing crazy things that she isn't always sure she can do. Saturday, I decided I was going to do 2 classes. Back to back. A "Pump/weights" class followed right up with a Zumba class. She was doubtful about doing them, but still came and rocked it out. It had been tough, But she finished both classes, even though she was well and truely out of energy. Her determination to succeed in-spite of maybe not being the fastest runner or being within her comfort zone inspires me to push myself just that little bit more. She is rockin!

Why Sunshine should win this weeks challenge.

Like a lot of us, for many years Sunshine struggled with her weight. After her third child she was at her biggest and unhappy within herself. When he was about one and a half, she decided it was time to do something about it, and she was serious. She joined a women’s health centre, which helped her drastically change her diet and get her started on circuit workouts. She was dedicated and began to succeed. She joined a regular gym as well and began working out there on her own and doing classes. From her dedication, change of diet and lifestyle and without use of commercially pushed weight loss products she was greatly successful! Sunshine lost a whopping 53.5 kg or 117 lbs in about 12 months through pure hard work. Now during this time she inspired many people, myself included, to change their lifestyle and get healthy. After reaching her goal weight, she even went and began working at the weight loss centre she started her journey at. With her before and after pictures on the wall, she helped many women begin their own healthy lives, and they knew she had been there and if she could do it, they could do it.

With Sunshine as my workout buddy, she always pushes me to go just a little further than I’d do myself. “just a little further Sa, just run to that tree, just to that pole, to that car”. She’s supportive and encouraging and I couldn’t ask for a better workout partner. If I have an issue (back pain, stitches, knee pain) she looks into what could help me with it. I honestly know that without her, I’d still be in size 22 sitting on the couch watching the world go by around me.

Even though we may have slipped a little through a very rough year, we’ve both got back on it and are working hard to get back to ourselves. Our healthy selves.

4 things that impressed me this week about Sunshine

1. Encouraging work mates to participate in a race when they wouldn’t have on their own.

2. Beating her own time from last year by 4 minutes at the fun run!! AWESOMENESS!!

3. Suggesting we do BOTH Pump AND zumba, right after each other. Perhaps insanity

4. Constantly having a positive and can do attitude even when she looks like she’s pushed herself within an inch of death after a workout!

Basically, Sunshine is a positive inspiring woman who deserves to win, perhaps she hasn’t inspired as many people as Mr. Ben here, but there are many many people whose lives are better because of her.

By, Sa

Aussie day Fun run- Mel.

So we ran it again this year and I was very happy with my progress on last year!! I had roped Sa in again as well as some co-workers. All I wanted to do was finish it in better time than last year. That was my goal. And I DID! Ran it in 41:44 last year. This year it was 37:42. 4 Minutes better than last year! Not massive difference, But we have been back on track less than a month so I thrilled enough.

2012 Aussie day Fun run - Mel

It was a very over cast day and it had rained all night so I was happy enough to get up to dry skies, even if it was cloudy.It was meant to rain, but the rain held off and it meant the Sun wasn't beating down on us either.  It was a little muggy but It was a rather comfortable 27c.  We have been training for this so we were super keen. I had planned to run even if it was raining. I had been looking forward to it it.

I have to say I have really started to enjoy running and have decided to do the upcoming Mother's day ( May) run too. So hopefully by then my speed and Endurance will have built up! I never really thought I would or could be a runner. But I hope that by the end Of the year I will be both.

Week three- Mel/Sunshine

1. Policeman/woman in your town wearing a Do Life shirt (2 points) or holding a homemade Do Life sign (1 point).
2. You sitting on or standing next to a tricycle with a racing bib on. In public. Bonus points for helmet and sunglasses.
3. Statue in your town wearing Do Life shirt (2 points) or wearing a Do Life sign around its neck (1 point).
4. Ballerina pose during your next workout. 

1. The biggest chalk Do Life logo you can make. Outdoor basketball court? 

Doing Life at work!

1. Screenshot of your longest walk/run of the week. (http://mapmyrun.com in case you don't know how to map a run yet. Or any other mapping/GPS device.)

1. You holding your biggest excuse on a piece of paper while defeating the excuse.
2. You holding the DVD of AIR FORCE ONE starring HARRISON FORD the BEST MOVIE OF ALL TIME. Bonus point for your best Harrison Ford face. GET OFF MY PLANE.
3. You in grocery store holding a pineapple and a watermelon. At the same time.
   

I have a lovely bunch of.....

1. Your super healthy grocery list. 

MMm healthy.

 7.You ignoring a warning sign.

Please do not touch the Tv.....WHOOPS!

1. You holding a "Team Edward" or "Team Jacob" sign at the local library.
2. You with 80+year-old. Both giving the peace sign.
3. $18.87 in change. 

Mixed Aus/Canadian $18.71

1. Picture of a homemade smoothie. Your hand must be in front of it giving a thumbs up.
2. Recreate a famous picture/painting.
3. You wearing seven shirts.
4. You with as many other people holding Do Life signs. One point for every two people. 16 people = eight points. 100 people = 50 points. 
5. You wrapped in Christmas lights. And them turned on. I'm sorry. I know you JUST put them away.
6. You in plank or pushup position. Outdoors. 
7. Picture of you finishing your toughest workout of the week. Or a re-enactment of your reaction upon finishing. 

Sunday at the gym is hard work!

1. Do Life Dog. (open to interpretation.)
2. You at the most famous location in your town. Wearing Do Life shirt (2 points) holding Do Life sign (one point). 
3. You with an apple on your head with an arrow through it.
4. You pointing to your city in an actual atlas.

1. You in a music store rocking out. 
2. Do Life Cat. (open to interpretation.)
3. You wearing your favorite sport's team's gear. Double peace sign.

Go the NTH QLD  COWBOYS!!!

1. You holding a sign with how many minutes you worked out this week.
2.  

1. You with someone named Richard. If your name is Richard, you with someone named Lauren. No cheating! ("they won't know his name is actually Bob...")
2. You sitting in bleachers cheering on a game that's not being played. 
3. A homemade painting of your biggest goal. No deductions for lack of painting skillz. 
4. A lawyer's business card. Five bonus points if the lawyer's name is Larry.
5. You standing beside a Ferrari.

My Son's red Ferrari!

1. Picture of you on a treadmill. (2 points if the time is 30+ minutes and you appear to have actually done the 30 minutes.)

32 minutess In the bag.

1. You. In a boat.
2. You on the top floor of a building. 
3. You high-fiving the grocery store cashier

1. You in a top-hat. 
2. You running in a top-hat.

And that was all I got done. Damn work got in the way!

Do Life challenge week 2 - Sunshine/Me

Week 2 do Life challenge 

Homework! Questions to answer in this thread before Submission Day:

1. Tell a story of how someone went out of their way and changed your day or your life.

My friend Jenny, we both were at a point in our lies where we were struggling. Her, with unruly children she felt no one tolerated, myself with post natal depression, and we both felt we had nobody. We met at a playgroup one day and the next afternoon I noticed her picking up her children from school and asked her in for coffee. This was the start of a beautiful friendship. She helped me to organise my life, to get my home and mhyself back in order. We expected nothing from each other and she picked me up when the days just seemed to hard. She took shelter with me when the mornings came too soon and she barely made it out the door. It was because of her support and friendship that I was able to recover. She was there for me again when I struggled after the birth of my last child as well (again) and dropped everything on several occasions when I was not coping to come and hold me up. And it was also because of her that I go on the weight loss wagon successfully. Jenny didn’t just change my life, She saved me.

2. Where are you right now physically? Where do you want to be in 11 weeks?

 I am feeling stronger and leaner ( less bloated). I have already met my goal of the sub 40 min 5k. Feeling good! I am drinking plenty of water. My Exercise this week has been varied and constant. Pushed myself in the running department this week and ran a good time.

3. What area of your life from last week can you improve on this week? Food? Exercise? Family? Career?

How about Family food? We have been cutting back on processed foods encouraging the kids to have fruit for snacks. And so far the kids have been fairly good at this. Exercise was harder to achieve this week, I worked longer hours. But I still managed to rock it!

Activity:- 

Monday: I donated blood so Exercise was out for 24 hours. Ate well and drank loads of water, double even due to my donation.

Tuesday: Light and Lo class. Was a little tough for me .I was struggling a little with hip pain and was a little sluggish from my donation the day before. (+60mins) then we did some Push ups and Planked after. ( +10min)

Wednesday: I ran solo after work. Did a great time for me, 38in 42 seconds. Sa was about with Allergies

Sweaty mess after my solo sub 40 min Run.

.

Thursday: rested – I worked late shift at work. Was active all day, unpacking stock.

Friday- Ran on the treadmill at the gym. 3.4km in 32 mins. Not my best effort but I really dislike running on the treadmill. (+32mins)  Then we planked and did Push-ups and stretches ( 30 in one set)  ( total = +45)

Saturday: we Zumba’d 60 mins off uncoordinated dance awesomeness. (+60mins) Also sarting using Finesspal. Trailing it out to see how we like it. So far so good! 

Sunday: Ran on the treadmill at the gym. 32 mins 3.54km. Then Did a strength work out with Sa and pal Kelly. Boxing, abs, lunges, pushups, tricep kickbacks, Jumping jacks (total = 92 mins.)

Total = 306 mins

Paying it forward-

I gave two ladies change today at a coffee shop to pay for their coffee. I was coming back from my banking run at work. And I had stopped to pick up some Sugar-free sweets for my boss. I simply walked over and put it down and said ' Ladies, your next coffee is on me. Have a nice day!" They grabbed me and asked me if I was ok! I told them I just wanted them to have a nice day and enjoy their coffee .I think I shocked them, I walked away with them with their mouths a gape! It made me smile. Felt good.

X2: Mild one really- I let an older lady go ahead of me in the line In the Ladies. She was a little more needy. She was thankful after asking if I was sure.

 Jumping jacks : 205

Plank: 49 sec

Push ups non stop:30

Dear poor girl on the bike at the gym,

I know I apologised at the the time, and even after the class. But I thought you deserved a public apology. I apologise for the disturbing scene that you had a front row for whilst you attempted to partake in your gym activity. No one deserves to witness me shaking my fat bum in a poor attempt at a Zumba class. I also apologise for the totally lack of co-ordination and bad rhythm that I displayed. I truly hope that you are able to sleep tonight. ;)

To the Instructor Dude with the Hat,

Thanks for not laughing at me and for making the class seem at least do-able for a clumsy woman like myself . Thank you for also not making it so tricky that I fell on my ass. Thank you for also wearing that awesome Bermuda hat the whole class. It was stylish! And amusing. VERY amusing.

It looked like this. On a spindly little white boy Instructor. In Muscle shirt.

Dear Sa,

I had fun!!! Let's do that again! :) I might even learn how to dance...or not. :P


Your clumsy uncoordinated Gym Partner,

P.s - girl on the bike....I am really, really, REALLY, REALLY Sorry. Again. Bill me for the therapy,




(from Sa)

Hahahahhahaha... That's hilarious... I did say before the class started we should shut the curtains! And I agree, we shall do that again. It was fun even if we did make up our own moves occasionally! I also would like to thank white, white boy gym instructor for adding in jumping jacks which helped towards our 200 count

And thanks for addressing me personally. I feel so special!

Btw, after this class we had to run and leap through a heavy rain storm and were both soaked by the time we got to the car some couple hundred meters away.

When you gotta run....

You gotta run, Baby!! I ran Solo tonight, with Sa unfortunately out with a bad case of allergies. So since I was solo I thought it would be a good chance to push myself to see just how I would go. I am Very VERY happy with it, even if I did feel like my head was gonna explode!!!  I think my brains iht have fried just a little bit. :P

A great time for me, not my fastest, but still not bad! My usual route - 38min 46 seconds.

Sweaty Sweaty mess!

Im pretty happy with that!! And I seemed to have figured out my hip issue too. I think I am not striding right when I run. I think I kind of pull short on the left leg. I made a point of extending my stride and it felt better. So I might work on that.

I know that this is not the kind of running that I can do all the time. Im just not fit enough yet. But I will be. Mark my words.

1 Month Goals:

·       Eat well - cut down on processed foods

·       Lose 8 kg

·       Exercise at least 4 times a week

·       Drink at least 2 litres of water

·       5k in  40 mins        - DONE!!!

And the total is............!!!!!!

After a week of a low Carb, high protein diet. Exercising our bums off and challenging ourselves with early morning and night time runs, Sa and I weighed in this morning. And we both had FANTASTIC losses over the week. YAY us!!

And the stats are:

Mel: Starting weight: 93.6kg
Weigh in today: .......90.4kg
= 3.2 kg loss!!!! ( 7 lbs)

Sa: Starting Weight: 90kg
weigh in today:......87.1kg
= 2.9kg loss!!!! (6.5 lbs)

We are off to a great start for our new year!!! We are both so thrilled at our results. *Happy Dance*

Now I forgot to post up my Self portrait yesterday Morning so here it is!

Mel - week one

Meh, well there it is.  But I can see that I am less bloated and My skin look great. So that is the positive spin I am putting on it today! :)
No exercise for me today, I gave blood this morning and Im not allowed strenuous exercise for 24hrs. Which is Ok, cause that means I can still Do my class tomorrow Morning!! WOOT!


Till next time people!

2012 - Are you ready?

So as Sa has posted below...tomorrow is the new beginning of our healthy lifestyle change! We are both super excited to get going and to move and watch the excess Baggage fall off!!! We gonna be fitter, healthier, Happier and HOT in 2012!!! Tomorrow will see us drop most carbs for 6 days ( usually we do 7 but I have a social event next Sunday that will not work out), weigh in and do measurements so we can see the changes in our bodies over the coming weeks. we are also participation in the "Do Life 12 week Challenge " which we are both really excited to be a part of too! it will be fun to see what the next 12 weeks will bring for us!!!

SO... tomorrow will also see new before Photos..They will be up here of course...it is all about accountability people!!  Im super keen, Sa is too... stay tunes fans, This is gonna be one hell of  ride!!!

 Always remember!! 

Better late then never.

 So we have been a little slack around here.I have been crazy busy at work and making time to work out has been difficult. I will say eating wise we have been mostly good. we had a small blow out on Friday Night. I had a really long day to end off a really long week and was feeling shit. But we are back on track and Hit the gym today.

I had that family Function last night. It was so great to see all my family and catch up. It was my grandmothers Surprise 70th birthday. We travelled out of town for the Night and came home late so I was really tired today. But we went and we biked and did some weights and I was glad I went. It felt good.

I have been really slack about getting my one month update photos up so I will do that now. My weight has been stable the last week or so. But I know that is because I have not been active enough. But Plan to get on that this week.


Anyway..here are my pictures. i can see a slight difference. I can feel it in myself and In my clothes.

So anyway, that is my update.I promise to be around a bit more. I will be more active and Working out more regularly.

till next time!

Pics and Honesty

So the wedding on Saturday was AMAZING! It was such a beautiful Wedding , I admit...I cried a few tears. It was so sweet!! I'm not usually one to cry at weddings, But it was such a lovely day. And the Bride was stunning! Anyway, as promised some Photos. The dress was so pretty!! It seemed my boobage issues were slightly less. They have started to slink away a touch. And I ended up at the hairdresser to have my hair done. ( which was pretty but $$$ and it almost didn't last the night)

Hubs and I ( and the dress).

Some New make-up Ideas I tried out.

So now for some honesty. The Look on my face in the first photo...Was a little bit of self disgust. I admit it. I was feeling good, the dress was so pretty! And then I seen the Photo before this one and I was sad.  The picture in my head didn't match the picture that was taken. I hate..Yes, I know that is a strong word but in this case it's very applicable....HATE my arms...so flabby, and my face is a lot fuller then I like. And I Know that this is because I have gained weight  (I know I am working to get it off again) . But it was a little bit of a kick in the pants. The scales have been kinda yo-yo like with me this last week or two and it was kinda getting me down.  ( Thought I did wake up with a great loss on Sunday It apparently came Back today).  I know I am eating right and exercising...maybe not quiet enough to see the same kind of results as I did when I did this the first time. But enough to be seeing some results on the scales.  But now I'm just more determined to get this thing under control again.  And I Will.  I want to be fit and healthy again. I hate feeling like my weight holds me back. and I feel like it does. its not about being skinny. Its about being comfortable in my own skin and healthy. And I don't feel either right now. Healthier for sure.But not at my healthiest. But this also will be.


Anyway, Im on holidays from work for another week yet and I have so much to do around the house. So much I want to get done before the crazy season starts. I have noticed in the last two days now that I have been able to relax and unwind a bit, just how tired and run down I am feeling. Yesterday I slept till nearly 10 am ( which I NEVER do even after a late night) and I was so exhusted that by 3:30 pm I was in need of, and did have a nap in which I clean passed out. I then was up til my regular bedtime ( 10pm) and slept fairly solidly till 7 am this morning. And was In need of a nap again ( but didn't) today after being out with Sa and the kids all morning.  Being back at work pretty much full time (5-6 days a week) since March on top of all the other things in life( kids Etc)  has been great I do enjoy it but Im very glad for a break now.  I have so much stuff that i want to get done. But I plan to do a few things for me too.

Anyway, that is enough ramblings from me for now. Planning to hit the gym for a class after school( Yaya kids are back at school!!) run tomorrow morning. Looking forward to it.

Ello Elllo There!...

So Im around. Not having much to say as of late. But I thought I should update too. Today is the day of the Dress. The wedding that we have been waiting for. Some really good friends of ours are getting hitched! So excited! Im heading off to the Hairdresser shortly to have my hair done. I totally SUCK at doing my hair for special occasions. Hair is NOT my Strong point. Wish it was, instead of paying someone $55 to do my hair. Anyway. So excited. Will put some pictures up tomorrow. YAY!

On the weight loss side of things I seemed to have stopped. I'm still eating well and exercising but the scales are not budging.Though the clothes are still looser. :(  It is a little frustrating. I have just started a week off work so I plan to be a busy little bee and get a lot done around this place. As well as hitting the gym a good few times as well. I also plan to chill out a bit too. I have a few HUGE weeks coming up at work. So much to do and I'm very grateful for this little break. 

So that is where I am at...Short and Sweet. Will update here tomorrow with some photos!

Tootles!

The girl...

HAS A DRESS!!! 

I found one within my budget at Sunnygirl. And my boobs fit! I really Like it, and I figure If I wear it twice, I can always sell it after. Im content. One less thing to stress about now!

Ramblings of a Woman without a dress.

So I have a wedding to attend in just under 2 weeks. And I have an issue. I have NOTHING to wear. Now Im not talking nothing new/nothing that appeals in my wardrobe nothing. I'm talking absolutely nothing. Since I have gained weight back none of my lovely little black numbers fit properly. :( Which makes me sad, cause then I wouldn't be looking all over for something to wear. I have looked at a couple of dresses, but unfortunately I'm having Breast Overflow Issues ( B.O.I). There was two dresses that I have really loved . I just cant zip them up. Im just not going to be able to slim into them in 2 weeks. I did have the unexpected pleasure of being told I was an "extra small" in a certain retail store, which kinda made my day. But still did not allow me to find anything due to the fact they only had one dress left in that size.  Now I need to find SOMETHING to wear. And hopefully re-wear to another social function next month. So Im sure this will be a topic of great rambling till I find "The Dress".  I apologise in advance. :p

Anyway, I have been looking around on Pinterest and have made myself a "Inspirational" folder of images and quotes. I love this site. It reminds me of a giant cork board that you can share. It appeals to my inner stalker too. I can trawl through so many different boards, find images and ideas that I may not have found on my own!And borrow ( ok steal maybe) them! them. Like this beauty;

How perfect is that. That is EXACTLY what I am aiming for. To be Strong, healthy and happy. There are some really awesome images on Pinterest that really help me to feel inspired. Sadly there is also some really distasteful and unhealthy images Or as its called "thinspiration" . It makes me sad to think so many women aspire to be so unhealthily thin. :( I don't think that there is anything beautiful about an undernourished bone thin woman. I know that some woman are naturally very slim and I'm not saying that they are unhealthy. But intentionally depriving yourself of food or over exercising to achieve a bone thin silhouette, IS unhealthy. And its such a shame that there is so much pressure out there to be "skinny".  I aspire to be healthy. I hope you do too.


Aspiring to be healthy,

UGH and Other obscenities.

Ugh..Yep. This week has been a little lack lustre for me. Been eating well and exercising, BUT I have had several nights or really BAD sleep. Now for me to say they are really bad is a significant thing. I struggle with decent sleep on a daily basis,  I guess you could say I suffer from a form of insomnia.   I take herbal sleeping aids (Valerian, hops, passionflower etc) nightly to help me to get to sleep and wake somewhat refreshed. But for several nights I have woken up and been unable to get back to sleep for several hours. This resulted in me be flat out exhausted more than usual.  I was in a dazed fog on Tuesday, which lead to another issue. Whilst at the gym doing my thing I  have over done it a little and now my left knee (and my shins but not as much as my knee) is really causing me some discomfort. (pain!!!)  So no gym for me today. Will still try to get out and walk again. We did last night but I pushed it again and ran a little...probably shouldn't have..But I REALLY wanted too!  So I will be easing off on the running till it feels better. :(

On another note, scales are not being as nice to me this week. I put this down to a lot of soreness in my body and the fact I probably have not been drinking enough water. I know that water is very important when trying to lose weight ( and get healthy) and when Im busy I tend to forget. I did a few hours of housework yesterday and realised I had not drunk any water...Promptly got on that and felt a little better. I don't usually bring water with me when I walk either cause I hate carrying it and I usually chew gum. Another terrible habitat with water. But I do try to get at least my 2 litres in every day.

So today is also R U OK? day. This is a cause close to my heart, having struggled from depression and anxiety in my life. Its all about Suicide prevention. So many people out there feel so alone that they take their own lives,  leaving behind loved ones, families and children.  Simply asking those close to you, who might be struggling "R U OKAY?" could save their life. Have you asked your friends if they R OK lately??  I urge you to ask the question. It could make the difference to them. Do it today!

Anyway, Im feeling really good in myself, I feel fitter and already feeling more toned, less bloated and generally much healthier. and really when it all comes down to it, this is what Im aiming for. being a fitter, healthier, happier me.

Steaming On....and on..and on...

Thought I should pipe in here...We have been doing really well this week! Im so happy with our progress and or dedication to working out. We did miss Friday, but that was due to me being flat out exhausted (late shift at work Thursday night) and my feet really hurting. And in spite of not being able to sleep very well last night we even dragged our bums to the gym this afternoon for a short but sweet workout. I was off my game today, only managing 15 minutes on the treadmill instead of my usual 30 but I knew it was gonna be a short one. I was beat but really needed the workout. I attempted a new ( well out of my routine) cross trainer type machine to finish off my workout. Just to spice it up some. Upped some of my weights which felt great. Planning on "freestyle" workout tomorrow. We are going to hit the Riverway loop early and get it in the bag before it gets too hot (and I have a family commitment). Its roughly about 4.5k  long and its a nice scenic view.  We might be able to get some nice "workout" pictures too? Looking forward to it...Providing I sleep ok tonight. ( Stupid wind banging the blinds in my room!)

So Im feeling right up there on the top of the world right now... Im  not as dedicated as Sa is to staying off the scales. I have weighed myself a couple of times and I am happy to report that since Sunday's post gym weight I am down 2.9kg ( Or 6.3lbs) !!! So thrilled. I love seeing those numbers go down. And it really keeps me on track. One day when I am less embarrassed by the numbers on the scale I might actually photograph those weighs. But well...Not yet. And Maybe. No promises.

This week has been interesting. This is the first time I have had to try to combine working out with all my now usual daily events  ( kids, cleaning, cooking etc). Previously I was a SAHM when I did my journey to fitness and health, so pulling all this together with work has been something I have had to get use too. I think, in time It will be just fine. I actually don't mind hitting the gym first thing in the morning before heading into work, although it does seem a little busy there then. We will figure out schedule that will work best for us.

So that's my little update for now. I will likely be back tomorrow with another update of our riverway workout. and maybe some pics too.

Till tomorrow!

Getting back on the horse.

So we have had so many set backs over the last few months. But 5 days Ago I got back on the horse and have been riding full steam at it. Eating well ( rode my bike to work a few times even) and gyming it twice in two days even! Now Im planing to Get back to blogging regular like. I need support and accountability. This blog is gonna be it. Im turning *cough cough mumble mumble* 30....*cough cough* in November, So I want to be looking more like me. I dont feel like me right now. I have gained back just over 20kg of the weight I lost back in 2009 (53kg). I feel frumpy and unhealthy. So Starting now( well 5 days ago) Im on the wagon. Back on the path to me. ( Im full of bad cliche's tonight) Im bring Sa along for the ride again. She has struggled recently, but we are both focused and on track to get our groove back.

Anyhow, I went over a heap of posts on my favourite blog last night (Ben Does Life) and watched some of his earlier clips of his journey to Do Life. And Im feeling full of inspiration. Had a few laughs at His Hijinx On the road recently (Great Lipsyncing action) and got some motivation up my sleaves. He has inspired me to attempt to run again. this is something I really want to be able to do. In fact it was one of the reasons I started this blog in the first place. I was doing C25K and got up to week 4 before I fell off. so Im hoping to gain some fitness back and attempt it again soon. I have been able to jog a little on the treadmil at the gym so Im not completely unable to do it. Im planing to keep at it. I WILL run 5k before this year is out. I promise.

Till Next blog.