After a lovely recharge weekend, I have been very bad this week. I still have been really tired and have used it as an excuse to be lazy, not only with exercise - but with watching what I am eating. I have a fridge full of fresh healthy food, but instead have been eating crap because I could not be bothered cooking, which I know is just an excuse since it takes about the same time to whip up something healthy (and I have heaps of ready meals in the freezer!!)
The last few days I have been feeling down in the dumps, been feeling bloated and had a constant headache - I realise this is all due to my 'new'eating habits!
-So I have given myself a stern talking to - I really need to get my butt into gear. Last time I went off the rails I gained 10 kilo's back, I am 3 kilo's up at the moment - so I need to get back in focus before the damage becomes huge!!
I went and brought some iron tablets this morning - which will hopefully help!
I started with a healthy breakfast....so I am ready to get back into the swing of things!!!

It has been a bit of a long weekend here - no work or school on both Monday or today...and it has been great!! We have been in holiday mode, just spending time doing nothing at all - I have read a few trashy novels while drinking wine and sitting in the sun...and it has really charged the batteries!!
Not sure what it has done for the waistline though...but I am not going to stress about it. I think lately I have been stressing about it to much, and when the scale starts to go up, I compensate by eating more!
So I have decided that I am not going to weigh myself till the end of the challenge - I am not giving up, just not going to let myself be ruled by a number, instead I will concentrate on eating well...I just need to chill about things!

I recieved this in an email today:

What obstacles do you face?

How can you overcome them?

ALWAYS REMEMBER IT’S POSSIBLE!

The more prepared you are the more likely you are to stick to your plan.

If you plan that you will go for a thirty minute walk in the morning and then
a second specific activity in the evening you are more likely to do it.

It would be even better if you are one of those people who makes excuses,
to commit to that time with a family member, friend or workmate. Enlist the help
of others if you need to.

What ever you do plan to be active and burn the fat.

Take a moment to picture yourself at your goal weight.

Take the steps, walk more and move it.

Have a great day.

Which has given me more to think about - I really need to get back into planning, as I find things run much smoother when I do. And exercise has been pretty non-existant too - so I need to plan to get it done!!
Hope you all had a great Cup Day!! -

Congratulations to Hayley on announcing her pregnancy!!!

The last few days I have been feeling really BLAH... I'm not sure if it has been due to the start of daylight savings, or if I am coming down with something - I just have been so tired lately!
On tuesday morning when I dropped the boys off at school, I came home and went back to bed as I was struggling to stay awake. I thought I would lay down for half an hour or so - but I didn't wake up until one o'clock!!
I had the night off last night, and it was great to get an early night. I have been feeling much brighter today...it's amazing what a proper sleep will do! I got so much things done today that I have been putting off for a while - I even cleaned the fridge out, it is now stocked with good healthy food!!
So I am ready to get back in challenge mode!!

Sorry I've been missing in action this past week - I haven't gone off the rails or anything like that!
Work has been pretty full on - some 4.30 starts, a few girls are off while they are studing for exams - and another left during the week, which was a shame because we were becoming good friends! This girl was a bit of a bossy bitch to everyone, and made many feel uncomfortable - normally I would just avoid the situation, but I remembered a quote given to me a while ago "Nobody can make you feel inferior with out your permission"
so instead of sticking with the other girls bitching behind her back - I just started talking to her about what she was studing, what is going on in her life ect...and we really got on great - I think she just needed someone to take an interest...so it's a shame she has gone..

I weighed myself at home this morning (for the 10 week challenge) at 81.5 which is a loss of 200g which isn't too bad!
This week I have to make a better effort with my exercise, everything else has been going well. I have not been in the kitchen much at work lately which is great, since I am not tempted to snack - and I have ditched the lattes (I made the excuse that I can't sleep when I get home) and have been having water with lemon slices - I get at least two tall glasses a night, and I have 2 litres of water before I go to work:)
Hope you all are having a great week!!

Thankyou for all those Birthday Wishes - it was a great day!

We had the local fair in town it was a great day for it - My Hubby's friend gave me a harley ride for my birthday - That is me on the back!!



The boys had a great time on the climbing wall.














We spent most of the day with a group of friends - and it was decided that they were all coming back to our place for a bbq tea. So it turned into a bit of a party - ended up a great night!
Here is a photo of a very sunburnt me - the boys made a cake while I was at work saturday night, and had it stashed at the neighbours house - they were so proud of themselves!!

SO....now the party is over...and the challenge begins (properly)

I weighed in this morning at 81.7 (not to bad after the scotches I consummed last night!)

I also took some measurements, since I am not going to dwell on a number on the scales:

Bust 44.5 inches - Waist 40 inches - Hips 44 inches - Thigh(right) - 23.5

I will compare these when I finish the challenge:)

Well must go get my boys organised, hope you all had great weekends ( I have read blogs today - but my computer was being really slow, so I didn't get to comment)

"Nurture the relationship you have with your body. Feed it well, treat it like a house you live in. Spring clean it, polish it & decorate it nicely"

It is ten weeks to christmas and I have joined crankybee in her 8 week challenge:)

This time I am not going to concentrate on losing a certain amount of kilo's - instead my goal is to be able to fit into this shirt (pictured above). I brought this to wear to work, it is the same size as the one I already wear, but it is more fitted. Even though it does fit(just), it is not comfortable to work in - the arms are tightish, and it gapes around the bust and tummy and makes me feel self consious. In 8 weeks I will get another photo taken to see how I went:)

OPERATION RED SHIRT:
How I am going to do it!
1. Chocolate only allowed on my free day(thurs)
2. To do a form of exercise everyday - either walking Sarge, yogalates, weights or a fitness DVD
3. To eat more fresh fruit and vegies
4. Drink at least 2 litres of water everyday.
5. To do my food diary everyday.

10 Commandments Of Weightloss

1. Thou shalt honor thy health and good spirits above all else.
2. Thou shalt not go on crash diets, therein lieth the way to madness.
3. Thou shalt not clean thy neighbours plate.
4. Thou shalt not eat when thou art miserable, for food is not a medicine unto the soul.
5. Thou shalt not eat when thine eye lusteth, but when thy stomach requireth sustenance.
6. Thou shalt sup chiefly on the fruits of the earth, the grains and vegetables thereof, on the fowl
of the air and the fish of the seven seas, whence donuts cometh not.
7. Thou shall take exercise daily, for why else hast thou sinew and bone, legs and sneakers?
8. Thou shalt be patient but not forgetful.
9. Thou shalt take delight in every good friend and good song, in every good walk and good day,
for to enjoy them more is why these commandments are given unto thee.
10. Thou shalt not knit thy brow if thou transgress a commandment, but forgive thyself, for it
is written, nine out of ten is not bad.


Sorry for the lack of updates - life is very busy at the moment, not to mention Jason crashed the computer - so any spare moment has been getting it back up and running!
I am doing good - will do a proper post soon xx

I have not wriiten much in the last few days the main reason is that I have been feeling a bit 'blah'... I think most of it is tiredness, and the gain I had last week - even though I wasn't worried about it - it's still in the back of my mind!

I have found it alot harder to be organised with Vic back at work and the boys back at school - many late nights has made me tired (and sometimes grumpy) - thus my eating choices have not been the best. I have still been walking ( even though I spend most of it sneezing....damn hayfever..lol) If I don't go - everytime I am outside Sarge runs to the leash wanting to go - so he makes me feel guilty...lol

Hopefully I will be in a routine soon:) I really need to do more at night when I get home - as I am wide awake...I will try harder this week:)

Sorry about having a bit of a winge ~ I may have a gain again this week - for some reason I was hungry all day, and grazed through, nothing really satisfied!

Some postive news: My sister announced this week that she is expecting her 3rd bubs ( in May) - so exciting!!

I also want to thank Mary for all her positive comments, you are so sweet:) - it is comments like this that is the main reason that I am still plodding along. I believe I would have given up a long time ago if it wasn't for all the support we give each other....Thankyou:)

$86,400 A Day

Imagine there is a bank which credits your account each morning

with $86,400. Carries over no balance from day to day, allows you

to keep no cash balance, and every morning cancels what ever part of the

amount you failed to use during the day.

What would you do?

Draw out every cent, of course!

Well, everyone has such a bank. It's name is TIME.

Every morning it credits you with 86,400 seconds.

Every night it writes off, as a loss, whatever of this amount you have failed to invest to good purpose. It carries over no balance. It allows no overdraft.

Each day it opens a new account for you.

Each night it burns the records of the day.

If you fail to use the days deposits, the loss is yours

There is no going back. There is no drawing against 'tommorrow'.

You must leave in the present on todays deposits.

Invest it so as to get the utmost health, happiness and success.

The clock is running. Make the most of today.

Seize the day!

Had a small gain this week - .3 ... bugga!! Now I am back into the 80's!
I am not really down about it though, as I know why I did gain... to many BLT's ( Bites, licks and tastes) at work!
The first week working I seemed to 'get away' with it, but it has came back to bite me...lol
Which means I really need to organise myself better this week:)

So my plan for this week is;
- take sarge for a walk every morning, or in the evening if I am not working.
- take home a salad from work each night for lunch the next day - as it is already prepared I will have no excuse not to eat it!
- No BLT's at work!!!
I am going to keep my mints in my pocket and suck on them, and stick to my water - food doesn't taste too nice after a mint!!
- When I get home I will to a yogaltes workout! When i come home I am not ready to go straight to bed. My new routine is making the kids lunches (so things run smoothly in the mornings) then to do a yogalates workout while I do a load of washing. I did this last night and slept so much better:)

Now I am off to get tea organised and to get ready for work - hope everyone has had a great day!!

Here is a pic of part of my walking route
I am really enjoying walking at the moment - whenever I come outside with my mp3 player, Sarge knows I am going for a walk and gets so excited - So I can't let him down...can I !
Last night Jason came with me ( he was riding his bike) there was a cow out on the road which was a bit scary...lol
Lately we have been more active as a family which is great:) Sarge has certainly made a huge difference to my life!
Life is just going so well lately - I have a job I am loving ( it helps that there is no money stresses), I feel good, which really boosts my mood! I have found if I am happy Hubby is in a better mood and the kids don't seem to fight, bicker and annoy me - though I am happy they are back at school:)

Things are going well this week - my birthday/being good present to myself arrived yesterday!
I borrowed a Yogalates dvd off a friend a while ago, and have really liked doing it - since I have been losing, I decided to buy the whole set:) I really need to start toning!

Well I better go get some house work done:)

Here is Luke using the firehose!
Here is Jason in the fire truck!

I lost .2 yesterday - another little one, but this time it was under 80!!
I weighed in at 79.8. So that is one goal I can cross off my list!!
I was a good girl and got up at 7 this morning and went for a walk (the big block 5.2 km) - mainly since I ate way to much last night *wink*
I should have taken the camera - as I was walking a Kangaroo went bounding past ... Sarge just stared at it!! I am used to seeing cows, sheep and horses but I have not seen a kangaroo that close to town:)

Well must go get ready - we have a friend who is a fireman in melbourne and we are taking the boys down to the station today and he is going to take them for a ride in the fire truck:)

Hope you all have a great weekend:)

Firstly thankyou for your suggestions about the email I had to send!
I wrote how I enjoyed meeting her, and that it would have been lovely working there....and that I had been to another interview - and was offered the job on the spot...and it fits well with my family committments
(I really liked that, girls)
I said I was sorry for letting her down, but I didn't want to let my new employer down either!
It is sent now - I can stop stressing about it!!

This new picture was taken yesterday wearing the same clothes that I wore when I posted on June 9 - actually it's a different jacket ( a size smaller) I am happy that things around the tummy area are looking heaps better:)

Weigh in tommorrow - not sure how I will go, it has been hard resisting food with hubby home. He wanted spring rolls and chicken munchies for tea...and it was too hard to not try some... and then he brought out the mini mars bars!!

Well only 4 more days, and they are back to work/school and I can get back into a routine!!

Will post my results tommorrow:)

Remember the interview that I went to a week or so ago, waitressing at a winery? Well I got an email back yesterday and got that job too!!

After spending a sleepless night weighing up what I was going to do;
I have decided that I want to stay with Simply Italian-
*The hours are great - only nights, so I don't have to worry about childcare ect
- the winery is all types of shifts... breakfast, lunches and dinner.
*The travel time is shorter - 20 mins compared to 40 mins
*The job isn't seasonal - winter is a slow time at winery
*I am loving the fast pace of the resturant - there is alot of standing around at winery
*I am really loving the people I am working with

So my problem now is how to I break it gently to the winery ~ she sent me an email to say she will call me on 3rd oct to get me to sign form ect..
I feel that I am letting her down - I hate that!
I would love any suggestions on what I can write in this email, to let them know that I already have a job and that I am really sorry that I can't take on thier job - even though I really liked them and was looking forward to working there ... I really find it hard to get the wording right, I want to sound 'nice' if you know what I mean!!
So please all you creative writers ... HELP !!!

In other news - I recieved the flyer for the christmas bloggers dinner from Hayley - sounds like a great night, being a Saturday I am not sure if I will be working or not ... but I would really love to go!! Although I won't be able to drink - as it is a long drive home:(
Will see what happens when it gets a little closer:)

Hope everyone is having a great Monday - Hubby is home today, so we are going to the bakery for lunch which will be nice ... we are pretty boring people so this is a big thing for us...lol

Thanks Hayley for giving me the push I needed to find out what's going on ~ I was all geared up to ask, but as soon as I walked in the door I was handed a roster for next week!! (Phew) So I am now employed!! I am really happy as I fell comfortable with the people that I have been working with - I love the feeling of being happy to go to work!
(even though the boys were not impressed with their Dad's cooking last night...lol)

I can't remember if I have mentioned it , but I am doing the 4 week challenge that Ail's and Kirsty, and a few others are doing ( the fact that it finishes around my birthday is a huge motivator to do well)

My goals are:
To get out of the 80's ( hopefully that will be done next weigh in)
to be 78 kilo's by my birthday,
Then the next goal is to get under 75 kilo's - virgin fat!!

I want to be able to cross out the first one's - and will be stoked to get into virgin fat!

Well must go and get some housework done - we had a power problem this morning due to the wind last night, and I came online as soon as the power guys left...lol

Thursday night went really well - the work was exactly as I expected and everyone was really nice and friendly!
The resturant is called Simply Itailan, which is in Woodend - about a 20 min drive from home.
It was originally two seperate resturants, and italian and thai, the owner took them both over - so you can order both italian and thai meals - they also do takeaway.

I think I got the job!

When the shift was finished the owner asked how I liked it and if I could work fri (last night) and tonight (sat) ~ but nothing else was said about after that, and I am a bit shy to just come out and say "so, have I got the job!!" - so I will just see what happens:)

A few of you mentioned about it being dangerous working with all that yummy food ~ but I think I am going to be ok. At the winery there was always left overs and we all sat down and ate a meal together at the end of the night, but here everything is cooked to order... so not a huge amount of food left - and if there are leftovers they take them home - not eat it there. It is much easier to say no to the left overs!!
- although they do send coffee to the kitchen a couple of times - but I can work that in to my plans!

I forgot to mention in my last post that I was sitting on 80 kilo's!! So hopefully next weigh in I will be in the 70's!!!

Well must go get some housework done: hope everyone is having a great weekend!!

I lost .5 this week which is great, although it could have been better if I wasn't a piggy over the weekend:)

Just a quick post - I have an interview at an Italian resturant tonight, It was arranged for me too go just for an interview but the owner rang me back this afternoon and said since I am going there during opening hours, would I like to do a shift to see how things work out - which is very exciting!!

Fingers crossed that he likes me - and that I like the place too xxxxx

I have a new exercise machine.....

http://static.flickr.com/79/246336219_a01a327c85.jpg

SARGE

He was originally a friends dog, but due to a marriage breakup he was left looking for a home - the kids adore him already, he is well trained and I haven't even heard him bark yet.

He has definately kept me active the last few days - I have taken him for a few walks, and am walking much faster than normal - I have no choice...lol

I got onto the Gmap Pedometer site (with alot of thanks to Hayley - 'Chunky To Spunky'-

for helping me learn to use it) and I am loving it. Living in a country town, it shows everything, the house lots, paddocks ect, so I can even work out the distance if I cut across a paddock!!

On saturday morning I got up early and did a long walk.... 5.2 km, I won't do that everyday - once a week would be great. Yesterday I took the dog on two walks 4.4 km in total, and today Jason had a friend over so we walked up to the park and they played footy and rode their bikes on the bike track - and then we took the long way home which ended up 3.4 km ( hopefully they will sleep well tonight...lol) and I have just got back from a quick walk with sarge 2.2km!

I also did the pilates dvd ( for the first time) this morning.

You would think that I would be looking at a decent loss for the week - but my eating on the weekend has been terrible....so I'll be happy to stay the same

( I am trying hard not to break my losing streak!)

Before I go, I have a question....

I have not been counting Kj and fat grams, but I've started to take more notice of the labels -

So -How many Kj's and fat grams should I be sitting around on a daily basis??

Both on active or non active day's - If anyone can help it would be great!!

( weight at moment 80.5 - goal weight 65)

Thanks!