Thursday tHighlights & Singing

*Weigh-in*

97.5 kg (215 lbs)

+ 1.4 kg (3 lbs)

*Weekly Review*

There isn't much to report here as I really didn't do much this week.  Exercise was minimal and food was okay.  The scales didn't say what I wanted them to, but sometimes the scales lie to me.  I did however semi-conquer a huge fear of mine!!

One of my greatest fears is public speaking and so much so that I actually did the majority of my Education degree by correspondence just to avoid the oral presentations.  Last Saturday night, not only did I get up in front of a small crowd of about 20 - 25 people, but I actually sang a song, using an actual microphone in a singing competition.  I purposely chose the heat (4 heats) with the least amount of people in it cause it meant that I would be singing in front of the smallest crowd.

I love to sing, but have only ever done it in the school choir and would always refuse solos.  I was happy with the rest of the pack as it was easier to hide, to blend in.  Recently, just before Easter, I started singing lessons and as of 3 weeks ago, I moved into a group class.  When I say group class, I mean me, the singing teacher and 1 other lady and we have a huge amount of fun.  Sarah my teacher somehow convinced me to go in the competition.  I think the fact that the competition was beginners only helped me feel better, anyway, I ended up agreeing and last Saturday was the big event.

To my total and complete dismay (and horror), I made the top 10 which means I am in the final and have to do it again this Saturday!  I was pleased and happy that someone thought I was good enough to be in the final, but I am also scared and nervous about having to do it again.  I just keep telling myself that if I did it once, I can do it again.

I must

in myself more :)

The Good

• I was careful with what I ate, but obviously not careful enough.

The Bad

• I didn't exercise as much as I should have.

The Ugly

• I gained 1.4 kg

*This Weeks Challenges*

I Won't . . . . . . . . . .

• Eat carbs after 5pm 
• I know this can sound silly and extreme, but limiting my carbs to breakfast and lunch really does have an effect on my weight loss
  
• Eat white bread
• Count calories
• I know this sounds weird, but I have had more success in the past when I have simply focused on eating healthy, nutritious foods instead of counting calories

I Will . . . . . . . . . .

• Pre-plan all of my meals
• Drink a minimum of 8 glasses of water
  
• Exercise for a minimum of 30 mins a day

*Health Blitz*

My Healthy Blitz is making a come back cause I have decided to go back to doing what I know works for me and I know that I was really committed and focused when I started the health blitz.  This week I will be swapping boredom eating with a minimum of 5 mins on the stepper.  I figured 5 mins was long enough cause the stepper is manual and really old, meaning it's hard to use.

*358 days*

 

*In the Kitchen*

This week I made a new smoothie.  I called it the :

Bluenana Berry Smoothie

• 250 mls Coconut Water
• 1 frozen Banana
• 125g (1 punnet) frozen Blueberries
• 2 handfuls of Spinach
• 1 serve Chocolate Whey Protein Powder **I only used this cause I got a free sample sachet, but I am extremely glad I did.  It added a nice, subtle chocolate flavour to the smoothie.

 

This smoothie was thick and creamy!  Even though it has 2 handfuls of spinach in it, the blueberries totally dominated the usual green colour making it a pretty pinkish hue.  Can't be unhappy with pink :)

*Thursday Thoughts*

Please share with me......

• Do you count calories? 
• What is your favourite go-to / low on time exercise to do?
• Have you noticed any food events that really have an effect on your weight?
• Eating after a certain time?
• Is there a Particular type of food you need to avoid?
• Do you still allow yourself occasional treats? 

Bits 'n' Pieces

Like my title says, I've been training in bits and pieces!  I have a good day then a non-day and it just keeps repeating itself.  A few good days here and there isn't going to help me achieve my goals.  

I need to be consistent, which is proving difficult at the moment, for example, today is my "day off".  Alan's at work, Hayden and Ava are at school, Holly and Christian are supposed to be at kindy, but Holly has a throat infection and Christian won't go to kindy without her so my gym session for today is gone.  

That might sound a little weird saying my gym session is gone, so I think I should explain that the membership I have allows me access to the pool at any time, but I am only allowed in the gym between 12 pm and 5 pm Monday to Friday and any time on the weekend.  I'm probably being el-cheapo but the way I have my membership set up saves me $40 a month which is going into an account for school books and uniforms for 2013 - I suppose that's the responsible mother and budgeter (I just made that word up) in me coming out.

Anyhoo, I have gone way off topic, what was I talking about - CONSISTENCY!!!  Where is mine?  I want it and I know I need it so this week I am going to focus on being more consistent.  If I can't get to the gym, I will just swap my days around.  Alan works the night shift tomorrow so he can watch the kids and I can do today's gym workout tomorrow instead - Voila, problem solved.  I must learn to become consistent because.......

*Weigh-in*

I am down 300 grams (10 oz) this week, which gives me a loss of 18.3 kg (40 lbs).  I am still a week or two away from the 20kg, but I am really looking forward to getting there.  Every time I go to eat something I repeat to myself 20 kilos, 20 kilos and then decide whether the food is really worth it.  It's not a bad strategy and it seems to be working for me.

*Weekly Give Ups*

Last week I gave up dessert and to my surprise I really didn't miss it.  The only night I had dessert was Sunday because it was mothers day and my husband went to the trouble of putting an apple pie in the oven for himself me.

Speaking of mothers day, I hope all the mums out there had a wonderful day and got lots of presents like me, well not exactly like me.  I got the usual mothers day stall gifts from school and kindy and then a heap of "presents" from fart face the hubster to open.  To my surprise all the "presents" were actually already mine, he had just wrapped up things he found in my handbag and general items from around the house as well.

I also got a huge box of Cadbury Favourites chocolates........

........and was promptly told "those aren't for you, the thought was for you".  I also got a beautiful bunch of freshly cut flowers from the neighbour's gardens flowers, which the cat chewed on.  So wishing all the mums a happy mothers day (better late than never).

I am way off topic again!  This week I will be giving up.....thinking.......any sort of takeaway.  If I feel the urge for delicious, freshly made pizza, I will kick it to the curb and make my own fresh homemade version.  I will also be sticking with the no dessert thing just to make sure I really get rid of the habit.

Nothing else to report, but if I did, I think I would probably digress again and end up writing another 10 pages or so.  Enjoy your day :)

 

Fitness Friday Blog Hop

Well it's Friday and today I am linking up with Jill's Fitness Friday blog hop (as soon as it is available).  I love blog hops as a way of finding new, interesting and motivating blogs to read, but the majority of hops I have come across are family / children orientated so I absolutely love that Jill from Fitness, Health and Happiness has a fitness hop.

Now, because the hop is Fitness Friday I suppose I have to talk about some fitness things.  At the moment I have none to talk about so I thought I would just list what I have planned for the upcoming week. 

Saturday

• Start weekly weigh-ins again
• Treadmill workout (60 mins)
• Create a weekly menu plan
• Boxing with the husband (30 mins)
• Start the 100 push-ups program
• Start the 200 squats program  

Sunday

• Weight session (60 mins)
• Zumba class (60 mins)

Monday (rest day)

• Stretch-a-robics DVD (60 mins) or
• Pilates DVD (60 mins)

Tuesday

• Swim (60 mins)
• Treadmill workout (30 mins)
• Weight session (60 mins)
• 100 push-ups program
• 200 squats program 

Wednesday

• Swim (30 mins)
• Treadmill workout (30 mins)
• Fitness at Home circuit (30 mins)

Thursday

• Treadmill workout (30 mins)
• 100 push-ups program
• 200 squats program
• Boxing (30 mins)

Friday

• Swim (60 mins)
• Treadmill workout (30 mins)
• Weight session (60 mins)
• Boxing (30 mins)

OK!  That's what I have planned and my goal is to achieve as much of it as I possibly can.  I'm looking forward to the new week which I have decided to start tomorrow.  I was going to weigh-in on a Monday, but I can't wait that long so Saturday will be my official weigh-in day from now on.  

I might even see if I can talk the hubster into some boxing tonight!!  

How do you like to workout.......

• Do you have a plan to follow?  
• Do you just do whatever you feeling like doing at the time?
• Do you prefer to workout with a buddy / partner or alone?

Ooooh, I just got a feeling of excitement about this new program of mine and that is definitely a good thing!!! Enjoy your weekend :)

 

The Scales of Torture

Wow!  So much has changed in a week or two with Blogger it's unbelievable.  I can't find stuff anywhere with this new layout including quite a few drafts I had waiting to be published.  I can't say that I like the new look either, but I'll give it some time to allow myself to adjust to it all and see how I go - I'm no good with change and it takes me a little longer than most to settle in.

Anyway, not much has been happening on my end of things.  I have been lurking around and reading heaps and cleaning out my blog roll (which is taking forever) cause I am in the mood for a declutter.  Decluttering always makes me feel better about everything, it seems to calm the mind.  I can't believe how many blogs I was following and have never, ever read so I decided it was time to simplify.

Exercise has been non-existent thanks to a wonderful stomach bug that decided to visit the whole family all at the same time.  I can't even count how many loads of washing I have done cause the kids can never make it to the bathroom in time, thank God for mattress protectors!  My eating has been OK, but I think that's mainly because I haven't felt like eating, but I will be keeping a very close eye on it from now on.

My Shelve the Scales challenge hasn't be going so well.  I am in emotional pain without my scales and I can't stop thinking about them - it's like torture for me.  Also, I really don't think it is helping with my weight loss.

I think I will be going back to weekly weigh-ins cause I like to know where I am at, but I am making a promise to myself that I won't be relying on the scales to tell me what I can eat or what sort of exercise I should or shouldn't be doing.  Unfortunately, I need that stupid number on the scales to help me along with my journey and until I reach the end and find the healthy balance I am searching for I will not give up!

I'm actually looking forward to weighing in on Monday even though I know I'm only going to be down a few hundred grams.  For some reason the scales help me focus.  All I have to do now is learn not to take advantage of them.  I am also going to promise myself that I will weigh-in ONCE a week only, NOT every single day.

Tell me how you handle your scales.......

• Do you even own a pair of bathroom scales?  
• Are you a daily, weekly, monthly or a never weigher?
• Did your scales ever take over your life?

It's Time to Remove the Batteries

I weighed in this morning at 98.1 kg (216 lbs) and I am down 600 grams (1.3 lbs) this week which I was quite surprised about.  After I weighed myself, I did something drastic!  I took the batteries out of the scales and I will not be weighing myself again until May 21st (6 weeks away) as part of my Shelving the Scales challenge I have set for myself.

I know it will be hard for me being a daily weigher, but I am so tired of just focusing on what the scales say each day/week that I am glad to be having a break from them, it will be a nice change not having the scales ruling my life.  I am not going to give up on myself or my journey, I am just going about it in a different way.  I want to focus on my food and exercise, the parts of the journey I enjoy rather than it all being about that stupid number.

Previously I have used the scales to determine what I will do and have been doing.  I'm only down 200 grams today so I had better not eat that or I should do an extra 30 mins on the treadmill or it's WOW I'm already down 700 grams this week so I can relax a bit with the food and I can skip that workout.  This I think has been a huge problem with my whole journey.  I'm not supposed to skip a workout and eat 5,000 cupcakes or skip a meal because the scales say I can.

I want all the choices I do make to be based on routine.  I want waking up early to workout and eating healthy, nutritious foods to be an everyday part of my life, I want it to come natural to me, I don't want to have have to think about it anymore (my head hurts).  I don't want to say that my life got in the way of me working out ever again, because working out should be a natural part of my life in order for me to obtain and sustain my goals.

Losing the weight, becoming healthy and active is what I want my life to be, my "life" shouldn't get in the way of me doing that.  Finding that path with a healthy balance is what I desire, it's where I want my journey to lead me and at the end of my journey is a lifestyle - my life :

Tell me about your lifestyle.......

• Are working out and nutritious foods a permanent part of your lifestyle?  
• If yes, what tips can you share with me?  
• If no, what secrets do you have that make it easier for you?
• Do you struggle with your choices everyday?
• Does it get easier?
• How much do you rely on your scales?

Shelving the Scales

That's right!  I am putting the scales away for a few months.  I am a daily weigher, sometimes more than once, twice, three times a lady and it is getting me nowhere.  I have decided to give myself a 12 week challenge starting next Monday (9 April) and I am only allowed to weigh myself 3 times in the entire 12 weeks. I will weigh myself in weeks 1, 6 & 12 and will also be taking measurements in weeks 1 & 12.

The reason I have decided to do this is because that I am finding myself more and more reliant on what those stupid scales say each week and I thought that this 12 week hiatus will allow me to focus more on what I should be doing rather than what the scales will be saying each Monday morning.  

I am hoping to will be focusing on healthy food choices with the occasional treat or Mexican meal here and there and I will be more focused on moving my body for fun, instead of exercising to see a reduced number on the scale the next time I get on there.

I really, really enjoy exercising.  I love my swimming and my treadmill and the other day I took a Zumba class for the first time in about a year.  I think I laughed the whole way through it - I had forgotten how much fun it is to dance around while looking like a total fool.  

I am also enjoying eating healthy foods.  I had pizza the other week and it was horrible, I didn't like it at all and I could feel it just sitting in my stomach for the rest of the night.  I was wondering though whether it was just badly made, but over the next few days (after the pizza) I made some bad food choices and I didn't feel good at all.  My tongue felt like it needed a shave from all the extra sugar I had eaten and I just felt blah.

All of this is good news for me cause it tells me that I am making progress and even though it's extremely slow with one step forward and 100 backwards, I am getting there.  I am changing my lifestyle to a healthy one and the best thing of all is that I am enjoying it.

Speaking of exercise, healthy foods and weigh-ins, here are mine :

*Weigh-in*

Up 2.2 kg since I last weighed myself on the 19 of March, I am back to 98.7 kg.  I was down to almost 95 kg.  All I can say here is boooooo to me.

*Workouts*

This morning I went to the pool nice and early and completed 2 kms in just over an hour.  I would have shaved 5 mins off my time, but I was too busy talking to the lady in my lane.

Last Sunday (1st April) I dragged my butt to the gym and did a Zumba class followed by a nice 30 min swim completing 1 km.  I was surprised at how many people were at the pool cause it wasn't an overly hot day.  

*HRM Stats*  For Zumba 

• Duration : 58.54 mins
• Calories : 525
• Average HR : 145
• Maximum HR : 171
• In Zone : 29.48 mins
• Distance : -

After this morning's swim I indulged in a smoothie.  Well, a smoothie isn't really an indulgence, but when it tastes like banana ice-cream it feels indulgent.  

*Banana Cinnamon Ice-Cream Smoothie*

Into the blender :

• 1 cup Almond Milk
• 288g* frozen Bananas
• 1 tsp Cinnamon Sugar
• 1 tsp (7g) Honey

*There were 2 average sized, frozen bananas used*

The total calories for this smoothie were 333.  I actually had to eat it with a spoon cause it was so thick and creamy from the bananas.  Here's a picture to get you into the smoothie mood.....

still in the blender

in the glass ready for my tummy

How do you get your groove back.......

• What motivates you to exercise?
• Do you find that a sugary treat can make you feel awful?
• How do you get back on track after falling off the wagon?

Back to Basics Challenge

Lately my food focus has been a little off so I have decided to set myself a challenge to get back to basics and what could be more basic than the good old 5 & 2?  5 serves of veges and 2 serves of fruit - easy!!

If I have a green smoothie at some point during the day then that is already 2 serves of fruit and 1 serve of veges, see I told you it was easy.  All I have to do is make sure I have the smoothie and then add in some extra veges throughout the day. 

The challenge isn't hard, but I feel I just need to refocus on some basics to get my head back into the swing of things.  I was in such a good place a little while ago and I really want to get back there.  I need to re-create my routine, I was really enjoying it so I am hoping I won't have too much trouble getting back there.

What helps you to refocus on your journey.......

• Do you ever go back to the simple basics?
• Do you take some time out?
• Do you re-plan all your food and exercise regimes?

Gain Fitness

A blog I have come across very recently is Back on Pointe.  There are heaps of workouts that can be done at home and don't require any sort of equipment.  There is even a set of workouts for those times you are waiting for your toast to cook or coffee to brew.  It's called Morning Workouts........

Here a couple of other workouts you can find on Back on Pointe :

Another gem I came across was a web site called GAIN fitness.  I haven't had a chance to really look around yet, but I did find a little tool where you can build your own workouts.  I don't think your have to register, but if you want to it's free.  It also comes with an iPhone application.

You choose :

• Time - how many mins you want to workout for
• Location - gym or home
• Goal - health & longevity, fat loss or muscles
• Workout type - full body, upper body, legs & core, full body push, full body pull or core
• Tuning Options - level, intensity, body focus - shoulders, calves etc.  + more

I haven't done it yet, but I am looking forward to customising my own workouts.  I am going to get some together for March and work them into my 4 week calorie challenge.  I know I'm doing the 1 million kilo challenge and I will continue to do that, but there is no harm in adding a little extra exercise.  I think I have found the tool to get my exercise focus back on track.  Wish me luck :)

Serious Lack of Motivation

For the past several weeks I have had no motivation whatsoever to do anything.  All I wanted to do was this......

me

Thankfully my lack of motivation did not affect my eating, just my workouts, which is why there are none.  As some of you may know, we had a house guest staying with us and all I am going to say on the matter is that it was very unpleasant. 

I am extremely disappointed in myself for letting this person make me feel so worthless and useless and letting her get to me in the way she did, but the constant questioning and comments just really got to me.  I think the most insulting comment I got was when she was going out one day and she asked me if I would be alright by myself with the kids.  Enough of those horrible memories, it's time to move on and get some motivation back.

*Weigh-in*

My weigh-ins haven't been too bad.  Last week I was up 100 grams, but this week I am down a kilo, which brings me to a total loss of 18.7 kg.  I have given myself a little challenge this week to lose 1.3 kilos and if I can reach that goal or beat it, I will have finally hit the 20kg mark.  Looking forward to the challenge :)

*Breakfast*

I had a good start to the day food wise, but my exercise motivation still seems to be non-existent.  I think I just need to do it whether I feel like it or not and hope that the motivation returns.  I know that being able to use the computer without criticism will help a lot.  I have missed being able to just read my favourite blogs and I have really, really missed the encouragement I get from them.

This morning I stumbled across some Wholemeal Sandwich Thins.  I have heard about these and always wished that I could find them.  Today was my lucky day!  I had to pop into Coles on my way home from school drop off - Ava has started prep this year - and while I was waiting at the checkout there was a display of "NEW" Helga's Sandwich Thins.

pack of 8 for just under $5

Of course I had to use one for breakfast which consisted of an old favourite.  An egg and cheese sandwich, half an avocado on the side and a mug of Jarrah White choc-a-mocha Latte.

I'm so grown up with my Winnie the Pooh plate and Garfield mug

I was actually really surprised at how soft and delicious they were and the sandwich thin certainly made a nice change from the English muffin.  At a little over 112 calories per sandwich, I will definitely be buying them again.

sandwich thins certainly are thin

please excuse my Barbie bandaid.  I'm still not sure how, but I sliced my finger open on the toaster???

It is so great to be back on the computer, I feel as though I am in the land of the living again.   I have so much catching up to do and I still need to put the holiday photos up.  I felt so lost without all my blog buddies, but I'm back now and feeling so much better for it.  Onwards and downwards from now on :)

Back from Hols and Ready to Role!

As much as I enjoyed my holiday, it is so good to be home.  We were in a holiday house and some of the kitchen appliances were really old or unusable.  There was a Vitamix blender that was from the 60's in the cupboard and the kettle looked like it was from a time when electricity didn't even exist so that meant no caffeine for me at all!

*Weigh-in*

After a week of good, healthy eating overindulging I was a little scared about the scales this morning, but the good news was that I was only up 200 grams.  We did a lot of walking and maybe that helped burn off the fresh caramel home made ice-cream from Sunny Ridge Strawberry Farm. 

*Workout*

Just a quick 1 km swim this morning, the pool was really crowded as school goes back this week so all the squads are back at the pool and that means that the lap swimmers have 3 less lanes to swim in.  Also I start the 1 Million Kilo Challenge today.  I am so excited to have Me along for the ride and hopefully Sammy and some others if I can find the team request button.

What do you do on holidays.......

• Do you eat like a pig because you are on holidays? (I apparently do)
• Do you limit yourself to the more indulgent foods?
• Do you try and exercise or skip it completely?

I will be back later in the week with some holiday photos.  Until then, I have a ton of blog catch-up to do.  So glad to be back to my routine.  I felt a little lost without my morning caffeine.

1 Million Kilo Challenge

Don't be fooled by my title, I don't really have 1 million kilos to lose, it's just a new healthy living / healthy Australia initiative being brought out by channel 10.  I actually signed myself and my sister up today and it looks pretty good.

The challenge officially starts on the 31st of January and runs for 10 weeks.  You can join individually or as teams.  I put my sister and I in a team called Fat Sisters and have 2 cute little pigs swimming as our profile picture, look, here we come now.......

My lucky sister only has 10 kilos to lose so hopefully she will be at her goal by the end of it and if I can be 10 kilos lighter by the end then that is just a bonus.  You actually choose how much weight you want to lose during the 10 weeks.  

The whole thing looks really good, and everything should be released by Jan 26.  You get to choose whether you want beginner or intermediate exercise programs which are provided each week along with recipes, meal plans and shopping lists.  It can't get much easier than this, everything you could possible need is provided and best of all, it's completely free.

Here is a recipe that is already available :

Easy & Tasty Vietnamese Salad (serves 4)

Ingredients :

• 1 peeled, deseeded and "Julienned" cucumber
• 2 peeled and "Julienned" carrots
• 1 cup bean shoots
• 1 sliced spring onion
• 20 Vietnamese mint leaves
• 1/2 bunch roughly chopped Coriander
• (Optional) 2 steamed and shredded chicken breasts

Dressing :

• 1 tbs fish sauce
• 1 tbs lemon juice
• 2 tsp sugar
• 2 tsp water
• 1 crushed garlic clove
• 1 thinly sliced small red chilli

Method :

1. Blend dressing ingredients and set aside whilst making salad
2. Combine all ingredients ie make salad
3. Mix through dressing
4. Top with fried shallots to serve (optional)

I am rather excited about the whole challenge and having my sister on board should make it a lot more fun as well.  It will be nice to have some company and someone to compare notes with and chat in the team forum with, but I also really enjoy my alone time :)

How do you handle your kilos.......

• Do you prefer to have someone along for the ride or fly solo?
• Are you a slow and steady person or more impatient?
• Would you like to join Fat Sisters?
• If you are interested in the challenge and would like to join in all you have to do is register at 1millionkilochallenge.com.au and towards the bottom of the registration there is a section where you can request to join a team. 

Happy New Year!

Welcome to 2012!  This is my year and I am going to make it count.  No more flittering away on wishing and hoping.  There is no magical spell or fairy Godmother out there, well none that I know of anyway, so it's up to me.  I know I can do this and I am going to do it.

I have everything I need at my fingertips : 

• I have my pool membership, which I am loving.  I want to get up at 5.30 am to go to the pool.  I love that by the time I'm actually awake, my workout is finished.
• I have my blog friends, which is where I get all my motivation from.
• I have my treadmill, which is where I run.  I am also going to incorporate a lot more HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) workouts this year.  Apparently, the HIIT workouts are great for burning fat!
• I have Fat Secret, which is where I can record all of my calories eaten and burned.
• I have Daily Mile, which is where I record all of my workouts to see how many donuts I have burned.

There is no reason why I can't do this, there is no reason for me to fail.  I have even made a poster of my 12 goals for 2012 ~

This is going up on the fridge, on the pantry and in my room.  This is my year!  I invite everyone to join me and make it your year too :)

Let the Resolutions Begin :)

Well, it's that time of year again - time for the New Year Resolutions.  In honour of 2012 I have listed 12 goals that I want to will achieve :

• I will use positive language. I will, I can - no more hoping and wishing
• I will not make excuses
• I will continue to like myself and someday love myself
• I will focus on the things I have done, not what I still have to do
• I will learn to love the burn when working out
• I will workout 4 - 5 days a week
• I will eat as healthily as possible, but not deprive myself either
• I will find inner peace & be happy
• I will be consistent
• I will enjoy my life
• I will be thankful for all my blessings
• Last, but not least, I WILL.........

Happy New Year!  I hope everyone has a wonderful 2012 filled with happiness, lots of laughs and love :)  Bring on 2012!!!!

What do you have planned for the New Year? 

We're All Going on a Summer Holiday

I am sooooo excited!!  Hubby booked us a nice 5 night holiday this morning.  The only bad part is that I have to wait 9 weeks till we go.  Because I am such a nerd so excited I sat down this morning and made a list of what I will need to pack, including our meals.  

The only thing I want to buy before we go is one of those beach tents.  I burn hanging out the washing so the last thing I want is to hang myself in the sun allll day, plus I would like to have some sort of shade for our packed lunches - my goodness! I sound so sad, it sounds as though I don't have a life, but when I plan lunches for a holiday in 9 weeks.......well what can I say?? :)

This is what our holiday should look like 

This is what our holiday should look like at sunset

My goal is to lose 10 kilos before my holiday, that way I will feel comfortable in my board shorts.  They fit now, but are a kilo or 2 too snug for my liking SO, if I push myself, work hard, really focus on my food and tracking then I should be able to lose enough kilos to make my shorts baggy on me.  I prefer things loose rather than just fitting or snug. I know 10 kg is a big ask and I really don't expect to get the whole 10, but I am going to push myself as much as possible and do the best I can.   

This reminds me of Sammy's board short challenge for her Bali trip.  I think I will go and take a photo of myself in the shorts (not for public exposure though, too scary) and then I will take a photo the day before we leave for holidays.  There will be a big difference.  I was going to write hopefully a big difference, but Michelle Bridges says you are not allowed to use those words - hope, wish, try etc.  Michelle says you must state "I am, I will, I can."  Pretty good advice I think!

*Workout*

I have been working out, but not too much.  I cough most of the time and after about 20 mins I start to feel really sick, but as long as I can manage the 20 mins I will continue doing it and hopefully in a couple more days I will be able to increase the time to at least 30 mins.  I am thinking a trip back to the doctors is in order though, the antibiotics don't really seem to be doing much and it's been 4 weeks now.  I might ask for a chest x-ray cause I know there is already a lot of scarring from the pneumonia and maybe there is something else going on in there?