Reality Check

This week I gave myself an exercise plan to follow and so far it has been so-so.  I completely skipped Saturdays schedule mainly because it was the first Saturday in months that my husband had the day off and we ended up going to the markets, out for lunch, took the kids to the park and then to the football that night so I really didn't even have time to do anything.  I know being busy isn't an excuse, but my husband having a Saturday off is a very rare occurrence and we took advantage of it.

Now, because I was such a slacko on Saturday and did nothing on the plan - NO! wait, I did do one thing on the list, I weighed myself.  I weighed in at 97.2 kg (214 lbs), which gives me a total loss of 18 kg (39 lbs).  I love how close I am to losing 20 kgs (44 lbs) cause I actually find it motivating.  

Anyway, because I was so slack on Saturday I made sure I didn't skimp on Sunday.  I got up early enough to have the kids fed and dressed so I could make it to the gym by 8am when they opened and I did my weight session, which also included a smidge of cardio.  I love mixing a bit of cardio (15 mins treadmill and 10 mins cross trainer) in between the weights as it really helps to get the old heart rate moving, which in turn, means I burn more calories.  I also made it back to the gym later in the day for a Zumba class!

Monday is my rest day so I have the choice of doing nothing or doing either my yoga or pilates DVD.  The physical intensity in both of the DVDs is very minimal so it's more for just stretching out the old body.  I chose not to do them yesterday cause I didn't feel sore like I thought I would, but I am sure that could easily change at any moment.

Today's events are a little behind.  I slept though my alarm this morning which resulted in me missing my early morning swim, but I did make it to the gym a little later for my weights session.  The day is not over yet so I still plan to get the rest of my scheduled exercise in :

• 30 min Treadmill workout
• 100 push-ups program
• 200 squats program

Now all I need to do is fine tune my eating - that is where my real problem lies.  I have no problem with exercising, in fact I love it cause it makes me feel so good, but then I tend to ruin a good workout with bad eating choices.  My food choices are definitely letting me down at the moment so I really need to focus on what goes into my mouth.  I also have to keep reminding myself that.......

In light of my new found food focus, I have decided to re-incorporate a strategy that worked well for me in the past.  Each week I would choose a favourite food to give up for the week.  This week I am giving up dessert.  I have started to get back into the habit of having dessert which I am sure isn't helping me along on my journey.  I rarely have it, but lately it's becoming more frequent so this week I am ditching it.  I'm glad that I now have the ability to recognise when an old habit is returning as it gives me the chance to stop it before it takes hold again.

Please tell me if you ruin a workout with bad food choices.......

• Do you follow a food plan each day / week?  
• Have you ever tried to out-exercise a bad food choice?
• What tips do you have for me to make better choices?

 

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 :)

 

101 Personal Goals List

Number 5 on the list : Go Hiking with the family.  It's a little to hard to go on a proper hike with 4 kids and I don't think the hubster would ever go on a proper one with me, so I have learned to compromise, well I have had to compromise otherwise I will never get anything on my list done.

While we were away on holidays, we went to most of the sight-seeing things they had available and one of those things was a lighthouse.....

Cape Schanck Lighthouse

We were a little early and the lighthouse tours weren't opened yet so we decided to go for a little walk and check out the scenery.....

We opted for the Loop Return to Carpark and the scenery was breathtaking.  Here are a few snaps :

everyone except me cause I was taking the photo

view from the track

Holly, Hayden, Ava & Christian

another view from the track

the longest set of stairs I have even seen

at the end of the loop and back near the lighthouse

Everyone enjoyed the walk so I am thinking I can use the experience as a stepping stone towards another walk/hike thingy - who knows??

*Weekly Circuit*

I have decided to include a circuit (which is to be done 3 times a week) into my fitness regime.  This weeks choice is the 90 Day Transformation which comes from The Reality of Skinny.  

P.S. Look at what has finally hit the stores in Melbourne!!!!!! 

I am loving the pineapple flavour, followed by the peach and look at all that protein - 12.4g per 170g tub and only 162 calories :)

Getting the family involved.......

• Does your partner/family enjoy doing the same things as you?  For example, hiking? 
• If no, How you do you get them involved?
• Vanessa at Gourmet Runner has suggested bribery!
• Do you have any other suggestions for me?

A New Look & a Virtual 5k

It appears that it's that time again ~ time for a change, time for a new look.  Every time I feel as though I am starting a new chapter in my life, my blog also gets a makeover.  

I have changed my blog name (again) cause I don't feel that my old title fits me anymore.  Although I am still very much on my journey to shed the fat suit, see, here I am inside it......

.....the title just doesn't feel right anymore.  I still love attempting to run running, but swimming has also become a huge part of my life.  I have learned a lot over the past year, I am a little more accepting of myself and I even like myself a little now.  Anyway, I just felt the need for a blog makeover, something that was a better fit to how I am feeling now.

Yesterday I completed my 5k Virtual Jelly Bean run that was put on by Jess from runwithjess.com  I haven't run since January so I only chose to do the 5k - there was also a 10k, half marathon or a 21 km bike ride.  I will definitely join in again next year and am aiming to do the 10k, the bike ride and maybe, just maybe the half.  You can chose as many or as little of the events to compete in during the week it is held.  This year the Jelly Bean virtual was held from the 1st - 8th of April.

My 5k was very slow, but my goal yesterday was simply to complete the run.  It was hard, but I just kept going even though I wanted to give up a few times along the way.  After the first 1k I was thinking "this isn't so bad, only 4 more to go", after 2.5 kms I was thinking "great half way", after 3 kms I was thinking "I don't think I can keep going" and all the way to 4 kms I was thinking "just finish the rest tomorrow", but when I got to the 4 km mark I told myself "only 1 to go, I can do this - easy" and I put the speed up to 12 and ran at that speed for as long as I could (which wasn't very long).  I desperately wanted to finish the run under 50 mins and to my surprise I ended up hitting the 5 km mark at exactly 49 mins and 30 seconds - yay!

Even though I struggled through most of the race, I felt so good when I finished because I had finished it.  I pushed myself to keep going and that is all I really wanted to achieve.  I am so glad I took part in the race cause it's what I needed to give me that running kick start again.

I could really feel the run in my back afterwards and of course hubby said "your back's sore because you don't workout enough" I replied with "it's sore because it's always sore" stupid man!  My heart rate also soared towards the end of the race yesterday.  I paused everything (treadmill & HRM) and had to just stop and breathe till my heart rate came back down.  My HRM said my maximum heart rate was 235, but I think that's because it's the highest it goes, I honestly think it went higher than that.  I could feel my heart beating in my head, I had pain in my face and I just felt like poo.  After my little break I felt much better so I finished it.  I'm still here so all is good, but I think a trip back to the doctor may be a good idea.  

*HRM Stats*  For total session including cool down

• Duration : 1 hour 25 seconds
• Calories : 522
• Average HR : 146
• Maximum HR : 235
• In Zone : 30.12 mins
• Distance : 5.6 kms

Virtual events, what do you think about them.......

• Do you ever compete in virtual events?
• What's your favourite event (virtual or not) to compete in?
• Have you or would you ever hold a virtual event?

Drop a Jeans Size Workout

There are so, so many workouts floating around cyberspace and Pinterest it's actually a little confusing as to where to start.  I decided to just close my eyes and point to a picture on the computer and I ended up with.....

This picture links to fitnessmagazine.com and is called the Drop a Jeans Size Workout.  It has 3 separate interval workouts for you to choose from.  All you need to do is workout 3 times a week using any of the workouts you want to use in any combination you feel like doing.  This is a great choice for me with my new simplifying / flexible motto.  So, without further interruption (of having to pick up wet cat food off of the carpet cause someone who's 4 decided it would be a good idea to throw a bowl of it at her brother), here are the workouts ~ enjoy :)

Workout 1 : 20 min Interval Circuit

Workout 2 : 30 min Running / Walking Interval

Workout 3 : 30 min Cardio Machine (of your choice) Intervals

P.S. There is also a link to a Bonus Burner Cardio Workout!

What type of workouts do you enjoy.......

• Do you ever use workouts you find on the internet?
• What do you think about Interval Workouts?
• Have you got some workouts you have created to share with me?  I would love to give them ago!

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?

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 :)

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.

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly!

*The Good*

 My treadmill is back and ready for use - very happy :)

I woke up to a wonderful surprise yesterday, hubby had opened the treadmill for me and cleaned the motor out.  There were pens, pegs, bits of paper, corn chips and some dried apple although it wasn't dried when I gave it to the kids.

I know I could have opened it and done it myself, but if I had of broken it in some way I would never have heard the end of it so if hubby broke it instead, nothing would have ever been said about it which is best for everyone.

I decided not to do any intervals yesterday and opted for a TV Workout.  I chose one of my many recorded programs (I get last dibs on the foxtel) to watch and started "wogging."  I have come across this term on Daily Mile, it's a combination of walking and jogging - I walked during the show and then ran during the ads.  My speed varied from 6.5 - 10 depending on how I was feeling at that particular moment.  I ended up doing 6.5 kms in 60 mins.

There were many times I just wanted to stop, but I was watching the US Biggest Loser and I just pretended that my best mate Jill (you can see a picture of us together here) was yelling at me.

*The Bad*

My HRM died yesterday, well the battery anyway and of course it's an unusual size and the 3 different stores I went to yesterday didn't carry it.  I later checked the internet and found that I can get a "pack" of batteries for $6.95, but they are currently out of stock.

I have so much to do to get the house ready for Mama Solis (Desperate Housewives reference) who arrives tomorrow.  Most of the house is done, but I still have heaps to do - must get moving.

*The Ugly*

I gained 1.4 kg this week!  I don't know what I did so bad that caused the gain.  I did some exercise, clearly not enough, but I was careful with my food.  I didn't track though, which I am certain is my downfall.  I probably ate stuff I wasn't aware of because I wasn't writing it down and I am pretty sure I didn't drink enough water.  Never mind, just a small set back, but it's enough to get me right back on track.

What are your weight loss tips.......

• Do you need to track EVERYTHING?
• Does the amount of water you drink effect your weight loss?
• How much exercise do you need to do to see results?

Sneaky Snacks & Sucky Swims

This mornings swim sucked, I struggled the whole time.  I actually had to force myself to do the 1 km that I did do.  I wanted to stop after the 5th lap, but I reminded myself that I didn't get up early and drive to the pool for a 2 min swim so I just kept going.

I have a stupid allergy condition and no one knows what triggers it, but apparently 50% of cases like mine the cause is never found, basically anything can trigger an attack. When I woke up this morning my breathing was a little off, but because of my medical degree I just thought that a nice swim would help to regulate my breathing - I was so wrong!  My breathing was all over the place and for the majority of the swim, I felt like this.............

I did try a new face cream last night and I am wondering if maybe that is what caused it.  I didn't have all the usual symptoms I normally get when an attack is caused by a food so I am guessing again because I have a medical degree that one of the ingredients in the cream triggered it.  I know it sounds weird, but a heavily scented / perfumed deodorant can set it off, no Impulse for me :)


*Snack Time*

If your kids are anything like mine then you'll know what it's like to spend most of your day in the kitchen preparing food, my kids don't stop snacking all day long.  From the minute they finish breakfast, they start snacking all the way through lunch, up to dinner.

Their snacks include :

• Fruit (several pieces a day)
• Cheese (sometimes with crackers)
• Carrots
• Sultanas
• Yoghurt

The way I feed the kids got me thinking about why I don't feed myself the same way, as in, fruit not biscuits.  Why were all of my snacks full of fat, sugar and unhealthy? There is no way I would ever let the kids snack on what I was eating so why not join them?

I now use the kids snacks to inspire my own.  The first snack of the day today was carrots.  The kids actually go and get them out of the fridge then hand them to me for peeling and chopping.  The peeling is my fault cause I can't eat a carrot that isn't peeled, I'm a texture freak.

1 carrot and a blob of hommus

Don't be fooled by the Winnie the Pooh plate, this is actually my snack (and dinner plate).  Below is a yoghurt bowl made in the kids bowl.  It contains 100 grams of no-fat Greek yoghurt, a whole (peeled) apple and 1/2 a serve (15 grams) of Nesquik cereal. 

I know the cereal is chocolate flavoured, but it is made with wholegrains and the kids (who forced me to buy it) don't like it so I figured it must be sort of healthy if they won't eat it.

The yoghurt bowl is quite the snack, I think it's more of a mini meal and there is still room for more food in that bowl.  I think the fact that the average / standard crockery set is over sized is why I am really conscience of portions now.  I never used to be, which I have no doubt, is part of the reason I am wearing a fat suit now.  

Let me in on your sneaky snacks..........

• What do you snack on?
• Do you eat snacks you wouldn't let your kids eat?
• Would you consider the yoghurt bowl more of a meal?

The Exploding chicken

Good morning all!  I hope everyone slept well in that hideous 40C (104F) heat.  It was still 39C at 8.30 pm last night, but luckily I put the "hair conditioner machine" aka, air conditioner on so, in the end I needed my quilt - it was wonderful.

*Workout*

This morning on my way to the pool it was 21C (71F) and that was at 5.30 am - not nice.  At least today is only going to be around 34C, I can handle that a lot better.  Considering the heat, the pool was the best place for a workout today.  According to Fat Secret, I burned 720 calories in the hour, I think I would have died burning that many in the heat.  The heat and I do not get along!

I did struggle a little today though, but I think that's because I have started to push myself passed / past (which one?) a comfortable pace.  I can feel my arms burning at my slightly faster pace and when I do some "sprints", I have to either stop or slow right down to catch my breath.  My time isn't any faster, but that's because my pace is all over the place.  I don't mind because I can work on my time and one day I will be faster - I'm not talking Ian Thorpe fast, but maybe cutting 5 - 10 mins. off my time.  I think that will be my ultimate swimming goal :)

*Breakfast*

After the pool, the heat had risen by a few degrees up to 24C (75F) and I just couldn't face anything warm so I pulled out my trusty blender and made something like this -

This isn't the smoothie that I made this morning, but it looked pretty much the same - green.  The smoothie in the picture is the Strawberry Swamp Beast, which is nice, but today's creation is (so far) my all time favourite.  It was delicious, cold, icy and tasted like pineapple.  It was the perfect breakfast for a warm morning.  I was enjoying it so much that I didn't even get a photo.  

Pineapple Delight  
(named by Hayden, he's 12 and liked it)

Into the mix went :

• 250ml Cocobella Pure Coconut Water with Pineapple (74 calories)
• 112g frozen Banana (100 calories)
• 56g frozen Pineapple (27 calories)
• 26g Baby Spinach leaves (about a handful) (6 calories)
• TOTAL calories - 207

I bought the pineapple fresh, cut it all up into cubes and froze it in an airtight container.  The little pieces were like ice cubes and made the smoothie so icy - it was pretty close to a slushy and the pineapple flavour was basically all I could taste.  I will definitely be making this one again.  I really don't think the coconut water with the pineapple contributed much to the flavour, but we will see cause all I have left is plain coconut water.

*The Exploding Chicken*

Last night as I was heating up the left over chicken I could hear some popping sounds.  This is fairly normal when re-heating meat so I wasn't too worried and then the pops got louder and louder.  I opened the microwave to find a BBQ chicken breast in pieces.  It was only 1 breast and I only put it in for a minute, but the damage was rather substantial - my son and I both just burst out laughing.  

I jigsawed the chicken back together and covered it in some extra sauce before serving it up with parmesan potatoes.  It killed me having to put the oven on, but at least it was just long enough to melt the parmesan cheese under the grill.

Last nights dinner was inspired by Pinterest.  I made this.......

Crockpot BBQ Chicken from stick a fork in it

To make the sauce -

• 1 jar (250 - 275 ml) of BBQ sauce
• 1/4 cup Vinegar
• 1/4 cup Brown Sugar
• There are some chilli flakes as well, but I don't use them
• I make this much for 2 chicken breasts

and these.............

Parmesan Potatoes from Iowa Girl Eats

To make the potatoes -

• Pierce each potato with a fork
• Place potatoes on a paper towel in the microwave
• Cook on high till soft - don't forget to turn them
• The time will depend on how many potatoes you have
• Cut them in half
• Sprinkle with parmesan cheese
• Melt and brown the cheese under the grill

I didn't have any chicken, but it got rave reviews from those who did eat it.  The potatoes I have been making for a while now and everyone loves them - even the kids.  I have even started making one to have on the side with a salad.  I am thinking about trying out a sweet potato instead.  Potatoes and diabetes don't mix well.

Both of these are so easy and quick to make, apart from the 6 hours in the crockpot, but making the sauce takes about 2 mins. and the potatoes take about 10 mins.  I can't complain about that - 12 mins. hard kitchen work time and your done :)

Good Start to the Year!

I would like to say it's been a great start to 2012, but so far it has only been good.  I managed to get in a swim on Sunday (New Years day), but only because it was so hot we decided to take the kids to the pool after Alski finished work.  I secretly packed my cap and goggles and put them on once I got into the pool.  

Fart Face Alan said "WTF are you wearing?" I just told him I was going to do some laps.  This is huge progress for me cause usually I would just forget about the workout and hang out in the pool playing with the kids.  It is so liberating not caring what anyone thinks I look like at the pool.  I was so self-conscience about it, even in my board shorts, but now I don't worry at all.  I'm not the fattest person in the world or at the pool, but by the 1st of October 2012, I will be one of the healthiest at the pool.

I am saying October 1 cause that is the goal I have set for myself.  If it takes a little longer, say December 1 then that is fine, but I am pushing myself (not too hard, don't want to burn out) and I am going to hit my goal weight this year.  October 1 is 41 weeks away and I think (must use positive language) know I can do it.

*Weigh-in*

Again, another reason I said good start to the year is because I gained 700 grams this week.  Although it is a gain, I don't really mind considering Christmas and New Years were both in that week.  In a way it is sort of a good thing knowing that the gain was only 700 grams.  In previous years it would have been so much worse, such as 2008.  I was going really well with my weight loss and I was down 30 kilos (66 lbs) then Christmas hit.  I had Christmas day, Christmas week, Christmas month all the way to June and BAM, I was 20 kilos (44 lbs) heavier - not bad eatin' oink, oink.

I don't do that anymore, so a 700 gram gain is rather pleasing, plus I am back on track straight away.  I am never waiting till June to get back on track again.  I have to keep remembering that......

 

 I have that desire :)