tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30648322163296070742024-03-14T03:36:14.604+11:00Becoming the Best MeA place to document my journey to becoming the Best Version of Me that I can be.Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05981934760603648169noreply@blogger.comBlogger189125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3064832216329607074.post-39724267933332403862015-03-22T22:52:00.002+11:002015-03-22T22:52:50.456+11:00Well hi there!<span style="color: magenta; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, it has been a while... and where am I at?</span><br />
<span style="color: magenta; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: magenta; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am regularly exercising. I have a home gym and use it often. I did a 60km walk for charity 3 weeks ago.</span><br />
<span style="color: magenta; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: magenta; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I started, and stopped, 5:2. </span><br />
<span style="color: magenta; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: magenta; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am starting it again.</span><br />
<span style="color: magenta; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: magenta; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My relationship with food needs to improve, still. But I also know I need to want it to improve more than I want to eat large volumes of chocolate. It is pretty simple really.</span>Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05981934760603648169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3064832216329607074.post-53604263572132493662013-07-06T20:00:00.000+10:002013-07-06T20:00:02.687+10:00Doing stuff<span style="color: #e69138; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hi there,</span><br />
<span style="color: #e69138; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #e69138; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well, while my grand start the Monday after my last blog fizzled... I have started working out regularly. I found a great web site for tracking my workouts that makes it a bit of a game with points, levels and badges... totally suits my personality and seems to have tipped me into regular workout mode!</span><br />
<span style="color: #e69138; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #e69138; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Eating to follow at some point. But fitness and strength are the keys to me completing Stampede in October. Slimness would help, a lot, but one step at a time I think.</span><br />
<span style="color: #e69138; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #e69138; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am loving my workouts. Right now a mixture of indoor cycling, stairs at work, my weekly class (kind of like a boot camp) and a few sessions of planks, sit ups etc. I would like to get some running in too, and more strength work. But to start with I love that I am working out at least once and sometimes twice each day :)</span><br />
<span style="color: #e69138; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #e69138; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So I see the light at the end of this tunnel. Its a long tunnel, but the journey will be fun regardless!</span>Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05981934760603648169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3064832216329607074.post-47216068822940039342013-06-11T12:43:00.000+10:002013-06-11T12:43:39.179+10:00Where am I at?<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This time I am not back on that elusive band wagon, yet.</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I am going through some life changes, and plan to use the momentum to change my weight and fitness.</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">My father passed away last week. 5 days ago. The funeral is in 2 days.</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">My dad was a fit man. He didn't eat well, but he ate only when hungry. He drank too much but he exercised regularly. He didn't sit a lot. In the weeks before he died he considered himself lazy if he spent a morning in bed. He was brave, stubborn and courageous. He beat the odds, surviving 4.5 years after being told he had 6 - 18 months.</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He played his last cricket game last December.</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He is a hero to me.</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Now don't get me wrong, I am not doing this for my dad, I am doing it for me. But I am using my dad as inspiration. He fought a much tougher battle, with more effort, pain and sacrifice than a weight loss and fitness journey can ever contain. He fought with everything he had, courage, dignity and stubbornness.</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I was on my way already, but with baby steps. Then he got worse the past few weeks.</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So what had I done? I signed up for an event called 'stadium stomp' which is climbing up and down stairs at the MCG - about 1900 of them for me, the full course is about 7000! This event is this Sunday, and I will take part. I won't be fast, but I will complete it.</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I also signed up for 'stampede' in October this year. This is like 'tough mudder' - or a 10km obstacle course.</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I am doing these things with a friend, who makes sure I am doing at least some exercise. We found a great boxing/cardio/weights/pilates session we will do each Saturday (I have done one, and will start again this week). I do stairs at work twice a week (and I will be at work regularly again from next week).</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I need to do more during the week. I need to get strong and fit.</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I also need to lose weight. If I need help over a wall on the obstacle course I do not want to feel like they are pushing a baby elephant. I can't get to goal, but I can get a fair way there.</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So I don't have a grand plan yet. I have time this week to make one. Monday I go back to work and I start WW again. I need an exercise plan. A realistic one.</span>Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05981934760603648169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3064832216329607074.post-57831431777167785362012-12-26T18:56:00.002+11:002012-12-26T18:56:34.858+11:00Sheepish Hi<span style="color: magenta; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Probably nobody will read this - after all it has been over 6 months and possibly a while before that.</span><br />
<span style="color: magenta; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: magenta; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have been running, but not as often as I planned.</span><br />
<span style="color: magenta; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: magenta; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Eating has been trash. But better than it was.</span><br />
<span style="color: magenta; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: magenta; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Heading to Sydney for a few days, will make healthy choices and walk a lot.</span><br />
<span style="color: magenta; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: magenta; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then I will make go back to regular exercise and healthy eating.</span><br />
<span style="color: magenta; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: magenta; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After all - there are more reasons to do those things than not to!</span>Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05981934760603648169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3064832216329607074.post-50189576925428868152012-05-06T20:16:00.004+10:002012-05-06T20:16:40.459+10:00Scale Games<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I weigh myself irregularly. At least weekly right now, but sometimes more often.</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I find the results fascinating.</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I often lose over a kilogram overnight only to put it on plus more the day after.</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I find this random WI habit reassuring. It releases me from 'the tyranny of the scales' as a bad WI (when I have followed the plan) can be accounted for in daily fluctuations.</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Over a month or so the trend should be downwards, if not then I need to change my approach.</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If I had never weighed more than weekly I would be unaware of my daily change... so I am glad I play scale games sometimes and sneak a peak at my weight.</span><br />Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05981934760603648169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3064832216329607074.post-4970897548136686882012-05-05T20:59:00.000+10:002012-05-05T20:59:09.331+10:00On the wagon<span style="color: magenta; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The weight loss wagon that is.</span><br />
<span style="color: magenta; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: magenta; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Goals:</b></span><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="color: magenta; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Reach a weight of 59kg before Oxfam 2013</span></li>
<li><span style="color: magenta; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Maintain </span><span style="color: magenta; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">that</span><span style="color: magenta; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> weight</span></li>
<li><span style="color: magenta; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Be fit enough to </span><span style="color: magenta; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">comfortable</span><span style="color: magenta; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> complete Oxfam 2013</span></li>
<li><span style="color: magenta; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Run regular 10km fun runs (barefoot)</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<span style="color: magenta; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: magenta; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>How:</b></span><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="color: magenta; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Weight </span><span style="color: magenta; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Watchers</span><span style="color: magenta; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Pro Points</span></li>
<li><span style="color: magenta; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A mixture of cardio (walking and running) and strength training (going to try cross fit, rock climbing or may join a gym)</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<span style="color: magenta; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: magenta; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Why:</b></span><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="color: magenta; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To feel good in my own skin</span></li>
<li><span style="color: magenta; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To feel good about myself</span></li>
<li><span style="color: magenta; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To feel energetic</span></li>
<li><span style="color: magenta; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To be healthy</span></li>
<li><span style="color: magenta; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To be fitter</span></li>
<li><span style="color: magenta; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So the 2013 100km Oxfam walk is less painful</span></li>
<li><span style="color: magenta; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To be able to buy clothes in 'normal' sizes</span></li>
<li><span style="color: magenta; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To have this goal finally met</span></li>
</ul>Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05981934760603648169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3064832216329607074.post-36523030619052998912012-02-12T10:41:00.000+11:002012-02-12T10:41:33.063+11:00Remember me?Hi there,<div><br /></div><div>Well I am on my iPad and can't work out how to go to the dashboard! So I have no idea when I last wrote or what I was up to, forgive me if I repeat myself.</div><div><br /></div><div>I got a foot injury, nothing major, just an 'overuse' pain in the tendons under my foot.</div><div><br /></div><div>That, combined with having no luck joining or creating a team, led me to defer my 100km walk until 2013.</div><div><br /></div><div>Instead I have started running. Barefoot. I need to get my basic fitness levels better. So I was planning to run the 14km run4thekids in April. As my foot is still quite painful, and as barefoot running takes more time for your body to adjust, I am likely to only run part of the 14km. But I have no issue with that. I am getting fitter and stronger. I will be much better prepared for the 100km walk training when I recommence mid year.</div><div><br /></div><div>I just this week went back to weight watchers after some fairly disastrous photos taken last weekend. Success is mixed. I ate most of my 'weekly' allowance last night in an unplanned mini binge. Pretty bad for day 3. But it is recoverable. And I reminded myself that if doing this was easy nobody would be obese... I seem to struggle when it gets hard, shocked and surprised that I can't lose weight without sacrifice. I need to accept that it will require sacrifice. And change. What do they say... Something abut the definition of crazy is doing the exact same thing and expecting different results?</div><div><br /></div><div>Not sure if anyone is reading after however long it has been... If you are please say hi.</div>Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05981934760603648169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3064832216329607074.post-3159244226745878442011-08-13T23:16:00.000+10:002011-08-13T23:16:19.805+10:00Quickie<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6;">Latest news:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6;">I am allegedly a sufferer of an under active thyroid. Ultrasound next week, followed by meds to correct its laziness... I will apparently not feel so exhausted AND weight loss will be easier. We will see. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6;">Considering a walk to and from Mum's tomorrow. A lovely 6.24km each way... but I go down about 100m to get there so will have to go back up 100m on the way back... I know I can do it... and I will be glad if I do... hopefully next week I will be back on proper trails. I need a back up walking partner as my brother keeps having to work and I can't do trails alone...</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6;">Life still great :)</span>Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05981934760603648169noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3064832216329607074.post-67343361680597393642011-08-09T22:32:00.002+10:002011-08-09T22:32:43.419+10:00August update<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Completed my first 2 outdoor walks - 8.4km each and both with hills.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">New shoes are fabulous.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hip is great.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Life is wonderful!</span>Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05981934760603648169noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3064832216329607074.post-47433009738173614192011-07-02T19:24:00.000+10:002011-07-02T19:24:07.005+10:00July already??Quick update:<br />
<br />
Lifting 80kg and squatting with 40kg.<br />
<br />
Started walking on treadmill.<br />
<br />
Today looked at new trainers - Asics Gel-Nimbus are my favourite at the moment.<br />
<br />
About to post on Facebook for fellow Oxfam walkers...<br />
<br />
Yes, you guessed it, I am really doing this!Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05981934760603648169noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3064832216329607074.post-73633150576901165832011-04-25T17:15:00.000+10:002011-04-25T17:15:34.782+10:00100km<span style="color: #674ea7;">I have decided.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #674ea7;">Next year I am doing the 100km oxfam walk in Melbourne.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #674ea7;">I am seeing my new physiotherapist. I told him my plan. He didn't laugh. Instead he is helping me. Now I am almost pain free. After 2 visits. Next we strengthen. They use a technique I am not familiar with. 2 moves. Deadlifts and weighted squats. With enough weight to force my body to bring into play muscles I don't normally use. I am intrigued.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #674ea7;">But first my best friend told me she is too old to do it. She is younger than me. We are both 40. Then my Dad implied it was too ambitious. My husband worries I will wreck my hip after the effort to fix it. My brothers girlfriend (my brother and his girlfriend did it this year and are my inspiration) then suggested I try the 50km walk next year, or at least have it as my back up plan.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #674ea7;">It's tough to ignore them all. This is something I really want to do. But a part of me wonders if they are right.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #674ea7;">But this is something I really want to do. It is something I can do. <strong> I will do it.</strong></span>Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05981934760603648169noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3064832216329607074.post-71082649584237477152011-04-25T17:03:00.000+10:002011-04-25T17:03:44.048+10:00Day 22 of 365 - Monday 25th AprilHad a small hiccup last week. <br />
<br />
No excuses.<br />
<br />
Still managed a loss albeit a few days later than my WI day.<br />
<br />
~*~*~*~*~*~<br />
<br />
<div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">Food</div><ul><li><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">Average to good. Not tracking, but making healthy choices as much as possible.</div></li>
</ul>Emotions<br />
<ul><li>Average to good. Been a bit stressed about work, bit down about money, but mainly happy. Lots of time with family this week.</li>
</ul>Exercise<br />
<ul><li> Some, walking with DH, walk along river today. Not excessive distances as still keeping my hip stable until I begin strength work woth physio next week</li>
</ul>Hunger levels<br />
<ul><li> Hungry, mainly related to hormones. Trying to satisfy cravings with healthier options.</li>
</ul>Knee/hip pain<br />
<ul><li> Under control</li>
</ul><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">Gratitude</div><ul><li> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">I am grateful for my wonderful family, who give me so many examples of who I want to be</span></span></li>
</ul>Successes<br />
<ul><li> Lost 0.6 this week after a gain mid week.</li>
</ul>Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05981934760603648169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3064832216329607074.post-72836011430463684852011-04-17T17:08:00.000+10:002011-04-17T17:08:03.062+10:00Back againStill on track.<br />
<br />
Have lost 1.6kg so far.<br />
<br />
Just not been focussed on blogging.Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05981934760603648169noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3064832216329607074.post-59211057610409689122011-04-10T10:00:00.001+10:002011-04-10T10:28:38.127+10:00Oops and Day 7 of 365 - Saturday 9th AprilI keep missing posts.<br />
<br />
Life is great.<br />
<br />
I am on track.<br />
<br />
I lost 0.7kg this week.<br />
<br />
I will keep trying to post every day, but I don't want you to think I am off track if I don't post! I just get busy.<br />
<br />
<br />
<ul><li style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">Food</li>
<ul style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;"><li>No fruit :( Must get some at home. Is easier at work!</li>
<li>Used all daily and weekly points</li>
</ul><li style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">Emotions</li>
<ul style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;"><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">Loving my new eating plan</span></span></li>
</ul><li style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">Exercise</li>
<ul style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;"><li>100 minutes weeding (9 propoints! But I am not eating my exercise points)</li>
</ul><li style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">Hunger levels</li>
<ul style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;"><li>breakfast: was hungry and ended up satisfied</li>
<li>Lunch: was hungry and satisfied after</li>
<li>Tea: was hungry and satisfied after</li>
</ul><li style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">Knee/hip pain</li>
<ul style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;"><li style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">morning: not bad</li>
<li style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">evening: not bad</li>
</ul><li style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">Gratitude</li>
<ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">I am grateful I have taken advantage of another opportunity to lose weight</span></span></li>
</ul><li style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">Successes</li>
<ul style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;"><li style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">Loving Propoints</li>
<li style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">Lost 0.7kg</li>
</ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">General</span></span></li>
<ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">I am a bit worried as I had lost 0.7 by Tuesday and then I started eating my weekly points and stayed the same from then... as the program feels so 'easy' to me I worry I am eating too much. But I also know my body is very up and down in it's weekly losses, so I will give it the 28 days following the plan exactly and see what my average weekly loss is. After all, 3kg per month gets me to my ultimate goal in 10 months or my 'maybe' goal in 8 which is fantastic! And of course after not losing much at all for months and months 0.7 is a definite step towards my goal!</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">MIL arrives from the UK tonight... she is here for 4 weeks.</span></span></li>
</ul></ul>Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05981934760603648169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3064832216329607074.post-51555564431162526532011-04-08T19:47:00.000+10:002011-04-08T19:47:55.097+10:00Days 5 & 6 of 365 - Thursday 7th and Friday 8th April<ul><li style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">Food</li>
<ul style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;"><li>Less fruit these past two days. Just one banana and one plum.</li>
<li>Eaten out and still have 16 of my weekly points to go</li>
<li>Loving propoints</li>
</ul><li style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">Emotions</li>
<ul style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;"><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">Quite buoyant</span></span></li>
</ul><li style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">Exercise</li>
<ul style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;"><li>about 20 mins brisk walking in 2 sessions each day</li>
</ul><li style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">Hunger levels</li>
<ul style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;"><li>breakfast: was hungry and ended up satisfied</li>
<li>Lunch: was hungry and satisfied after</li>
<li>Tea: was hungry and satisfied after - tonight I ate only a third to a half of my main course. It was lovely but a small amount satisfied me.</li>
</ul><li style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">Knee/hip pain</li>
<ul style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;"><li style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">morning: not bad</li>
<li style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">evening: not bad</li>
</ul><li style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">Gratitude</li>
<ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">I am grateful for my cats, my husband, my Mum, my friends, my family!</span></span></li>
</ul><li style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">Successes</li>
<ul><li style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">Loving propoints</li>
<li style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">Worked late last night but was not even tempted to stop tracking</li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">Life is busy and good - enough that I forgot last nights blog!</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">Am writing my first thank you tonight. I ordered cute note cards to use. I was inspired by a book: 365 Thank Yous. My plan is to write a personal thank you note when it is appropriate (not necessarily one each day - although that would be fine too).</span></span></li>
</ul></ul>Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05981934760603648169noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3064832216329607074.post-49407581944159410512011-04-06T22:32:00.000+10:002011-04-06T22:32:16.055+10:00Day 4 of 365 - Wednesday 6th April<ul><li style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">Food</li>
<ul style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;"><li>Ate 29 of 29 points plus 18 of my weekly points (31 weekly remaining)</li>
<li>Lots of fruit</li>
<li>Not many vegetables</li>
<li>Ate a WW frozen meal at lunch which worked well</li>
<li>Had chicken and chips plus a cherry ripe bar... enjoyed the cherry ripe, but think I could have chosen better than chicken and chips as an indulgence. Will plan better next time</li>
<li>Now have all the WW books, calculator and some recipe books so planning will be easier</li>
</ul><li style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">Emotions</li>
<ul style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;"><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">Quite buoyant</span></span></li>
</ul><li style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">Exercise</li>
<ul style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;"><li>about 50 mins brisk walking in 4 sessions.</li>
</ul><li style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">Hunger levels</li>
<ul style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;"><li>breakfast: was hungry and ended up satisfied</li>
<li>Lunch: was hungry and satisfied after</li>
<li>Tea: was hungry but could have chosen better</li>
</ul><li style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">Knee/hip pain</li>
<ul><li style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">morning: not bad</li>
<li style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">evening: very bad</li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">Saw my new physio today. Think it will work out great - he says the 100km Oxfam walk in 2012 is definitely a possibility</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">Today (and likely tomorrow) very painful due to lots of deep tissue massage and release</span></span></li>
</ul><li style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">Gratitude</li>
<ul style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;"><li>I am grateful for enjoying WW</li>
</ul><li style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">Successes</li>
<ul style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;"><li>Saw physio</li>
<li>Walked extra </li>
</ul></ul>Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05981934760603648169noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3064832216329607074.post-15457658617546277832011-04-05T22:37:00.000+10:002011-04-05T22:37:52.856+10:00Day 3 of 365 - Tuesday 5th April<ul><li style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">Food</li>
<ul style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;"><li>Ate 29 of 29 points</li>
<li>Lots of fruit and vegetables</li>
<li>Ate a WW frozen meal at lunch which worked well</li>
<li>A glass of vodka and raspberry lemonade</li>
<li>Much better point management today</li>
</ul><li style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">Emotions</li>
<ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">Quite buoyant</span></span></li>
<li style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">Took concerta - did that help</li>
</ul><li style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">Exercise</li>
<ul style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;"><li>about 20 mins brisk walking in 2 sessions.</li>
</ul><li style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">Hunger levels</li>
<ul style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;"><li>breakfast: was hungry and ended up satisfied</li>
<li>Lunch: was hungry and satisfied after</li>
<li>Tea: was hungry and satisfied after (much smaller stir fry today)</li>
</ul><li style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">Knee/hip pain</li>
<ul style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;"><li>morning: not bad</li>
<li>evening: not bad</li>
</ul><li style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">Gratitude</li>
<ul style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;"><li>I am grateful for wonderful friends</li>
</ul><li style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">Successes</li>
<ul style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;"><li>Stayed within points</li>
<li>Got through a stressful day at work (my account was disabled - and most of my work requires emails!)</li>
</ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">Tomorrow</span></span></li>
<ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">Seeing physio</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">Will have a planned higher point day to use some of my 49 weekly points</span></span></li>
</ul></ul>Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05981934760603648169noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3064832216329607074.post-48094076310825772582011-04-04T21:47:00.000+10:002011-04-04T21:47:18.846+10:00Day 2 of 365 - Monday 4th April<ul><li style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">Food</li>
<ul style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;"><li>Ate 28 of 29 points</li>
<li>Struggled with lack of knowledge about good 'propoints' foods without books etc but stuck with it anyway.</li>
<li>Lots of fruit and vegetables</li>
</ul><li style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">Emotions</li>
<ul style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;"><li>reminding myself it is going to be hard, and that I have to eat differently or else my weight will not go down.</li>
<li>tired and a bit flat</li>
</ul><li style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">Exercise</li>
<ul style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;"><li>about 20 mins brisk walking in 2 sessions.</li>
</ul><li style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">Hunger levels</li>
<ul style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;"><li>breakfast: was hungry and ended up satisfied</li>
<li>Lunch: was hungry and satisfied after</li>
<li>Tea: was hungry and slightly over full after (too many veg in stir fry!)</li>
</ul><li style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">Knee/hip pain</li>
<ul style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;"><li>morning: quite sore</li>
<li>evening: quite sore</li>
</ul><li style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">Gratitude</li>
<ul style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;"><li>I am grateful for having a well paid job I enjoy</li>
</ul><li style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">Successes</li>
<ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">Made appointment with physio (Wednesday morning)</span></span></li>
<li style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">Stayed within daily PP allowance</li>
<li style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">did not give in even when it got difficult to know what to eat</li>
</ul></ul>Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05981934760603648169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3064832216329607074.post-10923850007032351762011-04-03T22:06:00.000+10:002011-04-03T22:06:08.217+10:00Day 1 of 365 - Sunday 3rd AprilOk, here goes.<br />
<br />
Plan:<br />
<br />
<ul><li>Propoints online for 28 days</li>
<li>Make that physio appointment for my hip</li>
<li>Daily stretching</li>
<li>Core strengthening Sun, Tues, Thurs</li>
<li>Cardio Mon, Wed, Sat</li>
<li>Blog here daily under the following categories:</li>
<ul><li>Food</li>
<li>Emotions</li>
<li>Exercise</li>
<li>Hunger levels</li>
<li>Knee/hip pain</li>
<li>Gratitude</li>
<li>Successes</li>
</ul></ul><br />
<br />
After 4 weeks commit to a further 4 weeks plan (which may or may not be different)<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<ul><li>Food</li>
<ul><li>Signed up for propoints online and started tracking</li>
<li>Used 29 of my 29 - and that includes a hot cross bun with margarine when I got home.</li>
<li>Avoided food at my Aunt's as was too hard to work out gluten free and propoints at this stage.</li>
</ul><li>Emotions</li>
<ul><li>resigned to following WW</li>
<li>happy to get through day 1... and exhausted!</li>
</ul><li>Exercise</li>
<ul><li>none yet (8:44am)</li>
<li>about 20 mins slow walking.. lots of standing and walking at party but not countable.</li>
</ul><li>Hunger levels</li>
<ul><li>breakfast: was hungry and ended up satisfied</li>
<li>Lunch: was junky but was hungry and satisfied after</li>
<li>Tea: Food was ordinary so ate only part</li>
</ul><li>Knee/hip pain</li>
<ul><li>morning: minimal</li>
<li>evening: very sore hip after walking a few blocks in heels :(</li>
</ul><li>Gratitude</li>
<ul><li>I am grateful for my wonderful husband</li>
</ul><li>Successes</li>
<ul><li>Joined WW</li>
<li>Stayed within PP allowance even without knowing the values.</li>
</ul></ul>Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05981934760603648169noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3064832216329607074.post-28110646634898523382011-04-02T21:14:00.000+11:002011-04-02T21:14:19.739+11:00HiI think I am back.<br />
<br />
It has been months.<br />
<br />
My ideas are on a notepad right now.<br />
<br />
But after trying to decide on the right format for my many diary needs I realised this was probably it.<br />
<br />
So I will probably be back.<br />
<br />
I probably won't have any readers, but that is ok. This is really going to be a diary for me.Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05981934760603648169noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3064832216329607074.post-54859641444635858762010-12-23T14:11:00.002+11:002010-12-23T14:11:46.688+11:002011...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>In 2011 I am going to fix my hip.</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Then I am going to start walking.</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Then I am going to do the C25K.</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Then I am going to do fun runs.</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Then I am going to run further and faster.</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>In 2013 (possibly 2012 I will walk it) I am going to run the 14.2km 'run for the kids' fun run in Melbourne.</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>And while I do all that I will be losing weight!</b></span>Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05981934760603648169noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3064832216329607074.post-50899566189560157992010-12-13T13:57:00.000+11:002010-12-13T13:57:23.728+11:002011??<div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I was just asked by my psychologist what my goals were for 2011.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Not something I had thought about really! So using my ‘wheel of life’ categories, here goes with where I would like to be by the end of 2011:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Career</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">My goal for 2011 is to decide where I want to go with my career and have an idea of how to get there<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Money</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Extend mortgage "buffer" to 6 months (3 months living)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Home</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Finish back yard<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Replace dishwasher<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Relationships</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Be able to have more weekends away with Ian<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Health</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Lose 14kg to be in ‘overweight’ BMI range<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Learning</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Spend more time painting<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Do some online study<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Friends</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Spend time with friends who make me feel good<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Family</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Spend time with family<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Let go more from organizational and fixing role within the family<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Me!</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Keep increasing confidence<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Define who I am and want to be more clearly (artist, runner?)</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05981934760603648169noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3064832216329607074.post-15754777606114541312010-11-25T10:07:00.000+11:002010-11-25T10:07:23.470+11:00I am still around...<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">I know I have been MIA again.</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">It is just that I am really fed up with myself writing my latest ‘plan’ and never following through.</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><b>So firstly what have I managed since I last blogged:</b></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">I have done 95% of the shopping for my new wardrobe. It has been such a worthwhile exercise. By spending time doing research about both what suits me and about ‘capsule wardrobes’ (Gok Wan style where the ‘capsule’ is all you need, not a starting point) I was able to go shopping with a clear plan of exactly what I wanted to buy. By getting everything in 2 days of shopping I was able to ensure it all mixes and matches. By knowing what shapes to buy shopping was more efficient and there is nothing that will now lurk, unloved, at the back of my wardrobe.</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">Shopping for and wearing clothes that flatter my apple shape has given me confidence that I can look good at any size. Being able to go to my wardrobe and select from a range of items that make me look and feel good boosts that confidence further.</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">Being confident and no longer hating my body shape makes it easier to be nice to myself.</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">Knowing that I can dress in clothes that look good on my obese body makes me excited about the options as my body gets smaller. I effectively shop in 3 department stores and 1 specialty plus size store. Imagine when I can wear clothes from nearly every store?? That excites and motivates me.</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">In case you are wondering about what I had on my list to get me through the summer:</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">4 ‘smart’ skirts</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">4 ‘smart’ tops</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1 casual skirt</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1 casual pair of shorts</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2 casual tops</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1 ‘smart’ dress</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1 jacket</span></li>
</ul><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">I already had 2 pairs of jeans, 1 pair of ¾ length white trousers and 1 casual dress which worked with my shape.</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">I did also purchase some ‘shape wear’ to assist in smoothing my curves under some of the new clothes.</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">Everything is mix and match so the ‘smart’ and ‘casual’ can cross over and cover most occasions.</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><b>What else have I done:</b></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I listened to my hypnotherapy CD</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I dealt with my Dad being hospitalised with a chronic infection and 0.00 white blood cells (he is home again now with a count of 1.0 and rising). He should be well enough to resume chemotherapy on Monday.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I am dealing with lots of uncertainty at work. Management have declared a 6.5 week forced leave period for all contractors (yep, that’s me) from Dec 13</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><sup>th</sup></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">. This would make it really hard financially. We are waiting to hear (Monday hopefully) if my team are exempt. On top of that I have been offered a chance to move into a very different role on the project, this could be my way out of software testing. They will teach me about this other area. Best case: I love it and a new career path is born. Worst case: I hate it and go back to test management. No need to guess that I said I was interested. It may not come about, but hopefully it will. It does add to the uncertainty in the meantime though.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Agreed with my manager to start and finish early 2 days a week so I can spend time with my DH who is on a very different work roster to me. Some nights he goes to bed within 30 minutes of me arriving home!</span></li>
</ul><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><b>What I am going to do:</b></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Switch my core work to evenings. After the initial delight in my becoming a ‘morning person’ it seems to have worn off! I am also getting to work earlier so I can leave early which has an impact to my morning plans. But basically I have done pretty much zero morning exercise in weeks. Time to change to evenings.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Document my food intake. I just thought – there may be an android application I can use to do that on my phone… although I prefer not to track calories or points etc so I will really just be looking for some sort of daily list/diary…</span></li>
</ul><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">So in a marathon update, that is what I have and will be up to.</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">As usual I am writing this at work, in a word document to minimise my web time in the office, so won’t get to read your blogs. Maybe this weekend.</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div>Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05981934760603648169noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3064832216329607074.post-68706597053962473942010-11-08T10:00:00.000+11:002010-11-08T10:00:25.772+11:00November already?<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">It feels longer than 11 days since I last posted.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">I have not moved on with my wardrobe makeover yet. Having MIL here means lots of activity in my free time. But she goes home Friday so I will try to get it done over the next few weeks – along with my Christmas shopping.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">We got bad news in regards to my Dad’s cancer last week. The SIRT treatment has not worked. On the plus side he has no new metastases to date. But the liver met the SIRT was focussed on has grown. Tomorrow he starts chemotherapy again which is the only option remaining. The surgeon did say to him that it was only a matter of time before the cancer spread as it is pushing against a vein in his liver. The additional down side of the chemo is that the PIC line that is inserted means no more playing cricket. He loves playing: my brother and 2 of his step sons play with him and they all have a wonderful time.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">And to top it all off, I fell apart at work Friday. I was speaking to my step mum and she had lots she needed to say while she didn’t feel a need to be ‘strong’ in front of Dad. We both ended up crying, but after the call ended my tears didn’t! I ended up being sent home in a taxi (with a cab charge) by my boss. I spent time at the beach and then with my mother and nephew. I logged back into work about 4 hours after I left. I did feel better for getting it out of my system… but I now have quite a few colleagues tiptoeing around me!</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">With regards to weight loss I have barely given it a thought. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">Oh well.</span></span></div>Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05981934760603648169noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3064832216329607074.post-29725392566326836662010-10-28T16:21:00.000+11:002010-10-28T16:21:38.863+11:00My personal makeover<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">When I eat ‘naturally’ (ie not focusing on weight loss) I tend to lose weight.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">But confidence plays a big part in that process. I have to not second guess myself. I have to feel good about myself.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">In the past exercise has given me confidence, but with my hip that has not been an option.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Confidence for me comes from many sources, but lasting confidence is mostly from doing things I have not done before.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">This year I took my first (and second) beginners painting class. I am 40 and for the first time ever I have been described as artistic! I am even starting to think of myself that way. My confidence to try new things has skyrocketed as a result. I knew I would enjoy painting. I did not think I would have skill J</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Earlier last year I began a process of improving my ‘style’. It started with accessories. I noticed how ‘put together’ my Mum always looks with a few simple accessories. So I got myself some. And felt better about how I looked.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Then I went to a ‘stylist’ party where I was told 3 of the 4 items I had with me for assessment did not flatter my shape. That was followed by a 1hour shopping trip with the same stylist. I returned most of what I purchased, but I was able to feel comfortable buying skirts and tops to wear for work in winter. I even managed a fairly good outfit to wear to me Dad’s 60<sup>th</sup> party (again in winter!).</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">I removed most of the unflattering items from my wardrobe.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">But then the weather warmed up! I researched stylists with the idea of shopping with one for my summer wardrobe. I applied for a Trinny and Susannah makeover. I devoured Gok Wan programs.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">I didn’t get the T&S makeover.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">I spent the stylist money on stuff for the house (like paint!)</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">So it came down to me.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">So I researched more.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">I confirmed that I am an apple shape. My measurements say I am ‘straight’ but I am just not!</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">I found some great sites.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">I window shopped and tried on a few bits and pieces.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">I reviewed the items in a Gok Wan capsule wardrobe.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">I reviewed what I needed for a summer wardrobe and decided on the number and type of clothing I need (shoes and accessories I will do last).</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">While seeing if a maxi dress plus ‘pull me in’ underwear worked (maxi dress alone = 8 months pregnant) I fell in love with one on special that fit one of my key piece needs. I purchased the first item in my new capsule wardrobe!</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Next steps include a careful review of my current wardrobe for anything that fits into my capsule requirements. Everything else will be set aside and hopefully given to charity once I complete my new purchases. And of course the purchase of the rest of the wardrobe.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Skirts, jeans and dresses I am comfortable with knowing the best basic shape(s) for me. Shorts and tops I need more research on. Shorts I have an idea for but need to find and try on some pairs to confirm.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">So thanks to the internet, my family and many hours of makeover TV, I think in the next few weeks I will start to have confidence that I am wearing clothes that suit me.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">And that confidence I believe will lead to me eating less 'comfort' food.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">I am looking forward to that!</span></span></div>Fionahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05981934760603648169noreply@blogger.com2