Funny ticker

Please come visit me

I now live at

www.ashwee.vox.com

Another new blog!!

As I have finished my 12 week challenge I feel like I am in a new phase of my weightloss journey- I am going to be posting in my new blog titled "Dance like nobody's watching", focusing on being the best me I can be in ALL areas of my life!

Please join me at:

http://ashwee.blog-city.com/

12 week challenge blog

I have decided to start a new blog for my 12 week challenge so if you are interested in following the journal side of things please visit

http://ashleys12weekchallenge.blogspirit.com

I will still post my results here but will be journalling there!! Although I do change my mind a lot so check both!! Haha!

To goal we go!

Lost 0.8kgs this week!! I am now 81kgs on the button!

Also lost 5 cms.. The cardio is working but I am going to start weights training with a personal trainer soon to shape my body and help me burn more calories through the day.. Muscle burns fat just by being there! Even when youre sitting down doing nothing!!

I am feeling terriffic!! Had a light workout this morning- 30mins of brisk walking on the treadmil.. enough to work up a sweat but after an intense spin class last night I felt like taking it a bit easier.

Having PT with Sarah on tuesday at a yawn inducing 6:30am! Will write more about that after the event!

Has anyone ever tried OT's cereal and milk bars!? They are my new favourite treat! Chewy and yummy and an allowable indulgence at only 1.5pts per bar! Have been getting into salads recently but it makes it really hard to eat all my points as I am full of point free salad and can't fit in a lot of meat or carbs.. Yesterday I had a garden salad with cheese and croutons for lunch (2pts) and a grilled chicken breast and green salad for dinner (4pts).. not enough, so I added about 3 pts worth of couscous and rice. Very yummy!!

To goal we go!

Going swell!

First, to reply to the question about my height- I am 174cms (ish) tall and weight watchers set my goal at 76kgs. This is the highest weight in the healthy weight range for my height.. I am thinking I'll get to 76kgs and decide from there if I want to keep going for a few more kgs. I think maybe 73 or 70 or something, but we'll see!!

Here's all the exercise I have done this week

Monday: Combat

Tuesday: Spin

Wednesday: 30 mins walking/jogging and then heaps of walking around the tennis and Richmond

Thursday: Body Pump

Friday: Spin again

Saturday: Too hot! still may go for a walk tonight when it cools down

I am so looking forward to weighing and measuring on Monday because I have worked really hard this week.. Done a lot of cardio- more than usual... Just have to make sure I stay on track tomorrow and I should see some good results!

Something excellent I realised the other day- I have no asthmatic symptoms from exercising any more! That used to be an excuse I used for not exercising and now I naver have that tight feeling after a cardio workout!

I will record some of my daily journal pages on here soon! Thanks to everyone for replying and taking an interest in my journey!

I hope all the Melbournians stay cool tomorrow! 43 degrees is just not right!

:)

Week 2!!

I weighed in at 81.8 on Monday!! Very exciting!! Even more than that, I lost 11 cms from my body including 4 around my waist!!

This week is going fantastically! I did a body combat class Monday, Spin yesterday and did 30mins jogging/walking this morning (plus walking to and from the tennis from Richmond..)

I am going to send my photo etc to Women's fitness and enter the 12 wk challenge properly!

No more time to post today! Hope all is going well!

:)

12 week challenge

I started this 12 week challenge on Monday.. I kind of made up the rules but got my inspiration from Paulene's site.. I will be posting my results here and on Paulene's site. Philippa is doing the challenge with me! Nothing like a buddy to come along for the ride!

Ash's 12 week Challenge

The guidelines:

• Must eat all 22 points of food each day unless saving up for a reason
• Avoid foods that are not good for my body
• Exercise 6 days per week including pilates or yoga
• Rest 1 day per week
• Weigh and measure every Monday (no more, no less)
• Journal at least once a week recording feelings, changes etc
• Do a daily devotion to help keep my life in balance

So there it is.. I began on Monday and so far so good.. 6 days down. I am feeling absolutely fantastic!

I have exercised my 6 days and today is my rest day.. Monday I did 45 mins of cardio in the morning at the gym plus a deep water aqua class in the evening (If you haven't tried one, you simply must!), Tuesday I did a spin class, Wednesday I went for a very hilly 30min walk with Philippa and Mezz, Thursday I did pump plus 15 mis of jogging/5mins walking, Friday I did soft start class but pushed all the moves to high impact and Yesterday I finished the week with a very relaxing yoga class.. I really needed the stretch out after all that!

I really feel I have so much more energy after that! The only setback I have had so far was when dad came out last night with a bowl of icecream and pudding for me.. putting me over points by like 6 points or something.. Normally I would say no thankyou but this was such an unexpected and thoughtful thing for my dad to do.. He doesn't usually do things like that! If you knew him, you'd eat it too! He would have been so hurt if I had refused.. he doesn't understand what I am trying to do but he doesn't mean any harm... Luckily I only come to his place once a month (if that). So all I have to do is have a couple of low point days and keep up the exercise and I should be fine.

Anyway, My first weigh in on Monday was 82.3.. the lowest so far! Yay! Can't wait for weigh in!! I feel like I have done really well and my jeans are feeling looser. So glad I am measuring too as I really need to see results and I've been doing weights this week and may not see a huge jump on the scales.. I'm going to be a 70s girl soon!

Thanks to everyone for all their messages!!

PS. Ask Philippa for the recipe for her yummy moroccan lentil soup!

Holiday Fun!

I'm back after a slightly longer absence than expected.. I have been enjoying the break from blogging but now feel refreshed and ready to press on towards my goals using this as a tool to help me along the way.. Hubby, his sister (my best friend) and her hubby took a week in Queenscliff which was much needed and thoroughly enjoyed by all of us!

I have managed to get through Christmas and new years without too much damage done weight wise. I think I may have put on a half a kilo or something not too drastic.. I do need to set myself some new goals though as my motivation levels have dropped... so here they are!

1) Get back to the eating plan this week without deviating too much, eating all my points unless I decide to save up for something!
2) Attend a weight watchers meeting to weigh and get the new no count program (I don't weigh there usually)
3) Exercise every day this week for at least 30 mins- doesn't matter what it is... loving the swimming!
4) Post photos of our holiday for all you readers!

Great! Those are soooo do-able!

I am working in a shoe shop in Richmond a few days a week at the moment which is a nice change... don't have to care about it too much.. I can go home and forget about it unlike working with people with brain injuries!

Hope you have all had a great break (if you got one!)

Good times @ Christmas time!

Firstly! I want to say a big thanks to Phil for making me an absolutely gorgeous scrap page about our new friendship! -->

We had a great time together the other night.. She and her hubby came over to dinner at my in-law's place! We chatted for ages and left feeling very giddy on sugar... meringue, fruit salad and light bulla ice cream! MMM.. Phil made the best sweets for us.. usually very point friendly... but not when you eat four meringues!

I am going well with the no cheese deal! I have also decided that this week will be a no ice cream week (even light) as I have been having it nearly every day and I know I don't need that much sugar!

*

Sticking to 18 point days in preparation for the work Chrissy do on Thursday night and other festivities over the festive period! Glad TTOMYY is nearly through! That will make it easier to be good over this next couple of weeks!

*

Last day of placement tomorrow...

*

Here's my food plan for tomorrow..

B- 2 X wholemeal toast with vegemite (2) and a banana (1)

S- 1 apple (1/2)

L- 2 X vegetarian sushi hand rolls (5-6 ?)

S- WW cereal bar (1 1/2) and a diet yoghurt (1)

That leaves me 7 points for dinner... thats too easy!

*

Exercise plans for the week(fingers crossed)..

Mon- 45 min brisk walk @ lunchtime

Tue- 45 min brisk walk @ lunchtime

Wed- walk/jog 45 mins either at the gym or out if it's a nice day

Thur- gym weights and cardio or class

Fri- jogging/walking 45 mins

Sat- maybe a swim!

Sun- Nothing planed but will try to encourage family to maybe go down to the park or something after we eat!

*

Hope everyone is feelin' fine! I should really be in bed!

*

May you all take the time this week to stop thinking about shopping, seasonal craziness and your new healthy lives and pause to reflect on what Christmas means to you. To me, it's about the birth of the one who has taught me what real love is, the one who cares for everyone regardless of their colour or creed, the one who gave it all that I might live abundantly... to me it's about the one!

Cheezin' down sumthin' rotten!

Gone over my points this weekend!

Have to make up approx 10 points over the next week.. how I am going to do this? I am going to cut out cheese this week.. thats where I have been slipping... damn cheese! I've been cheezin' down somethin' rotten!! (Lano & Woodley quote)

I will have an 18 point per day week this week... very close tracking!! Don't know the new program well enough to follow it yet!

It's going to be a good week! I finish placement this week! On Tuesday!

Hurrah!

Ho Ho Ho!

Delusional haze

Isn’t it funny how everything seems to be rolling along just the way you think it should when… BAM!!!

It’s that time of the month, yuk, yuk!! (TTOMYY)

Okay, so here is a quick re-cap of my last few days.

· Personal training on Tuesday, feeling great, ready to take on the world.. I say to myself on Tuesday night “I’m SOOO getting up early to go to the gym tomorrow!” And I really believe I will!

· Wednesday morning… alarm goes off, I roll over, eyes half open and say to John “I am SOOO not going to the gym this morning”. I roll over and go back to sleep… so does John, and we both sleep in.


· Wednesday night… convinced I am pregnant! I feel so bad! My boobs feel like two bricks! But no sign of you know what!! On the way to our small group (church thing) I scoffed half a box of Sohos and a few big handfuls of air-popped popcorn… must be pregnant coz I never binge!… ps. Ate the rest of the Sohos at the group.

· Thursday morning… Guess who arrived!? That’s right it’s TTOMYY! Did I mention that this happens every month? I fully think I am pregnant every single month! It is really quite hilarious/sad one of the two... You’d think after 9 years of experiencing TTOMYY that I’d recognise when it is near!


· Thursday night… Hubby’s work Christmas do- healthy salads and barbequed chicken breast! Praise the Lord! Don’t have to worry about controlling myself too much… whoops forgot about the huge bowl of ice cream I ate for afters... well it was LIGHT!! I know, I know! Just because it’s light it doesn’t mean I can have twice as much! But I did anyway… and it was very yummy… Blue Ribbon Light wild berry flavour. Do try it! Haha!!

So here I am on Friday morning... a little battered and bruised from my last few days of being in a TTOMYY delusional haze. But I’m still here! And I’m just going to take a deep breath and keep plugging along.

Christmas is nearly here! It’s is my favourite time of the year! Hey, that rhymed! Hubby put our little Christmas tree up a couple of days ago and tried to make our tiny little flat a little bit festive just for me… what an absolute sweetypie! I need that right now.. I feel good, but as I said, battered and bruised! I feel TTOMYY gets worse every month!
Ho Ho Ho!

Personal training!

I was in the Gym on Saturday and I got chatting to one of the trainers. I told her how I was thinking of doing some personal training sessions over the holidays just to keep myself on track in a time where it is very tempting to not exercise!

After chatting for a few minutes "Perri" offered me a complimentary session to try it out and see if I like it.. I couldn't turn down such a good offer and I booked in for 8pm tonight!

I have just returned home and I feel so great! I haven't pushed myself that hard in such a long time!!

We began with travelling lunges holding 4kgs in each hand, we then moved onto push-ups on the smith machine (where you set the bar really low and use the bar to lean on while you do push-ups), then we did a combined exercise where I used the 4kg hand weights and did a squat while I did bicep curls and then lifted the weights over my head.. it really got my heart rate up! Then I did bench press on the smith machine- I lifted 20kgs.. We did these exercises in a circuit.. reps of 15 done twice.

After that we moved on to doing dead and upright rows with a 15kg bar bell, tricep stuff with the bar bell at 10kgs (not very strong in my triceps!).. again in a circuit with 2x15 reps. I then did some ab work and Perri stretched me out..


It was such a great work out!

I am thinking of getting a package of 10 to use over summer.. I find it helps when I have a change of routine, or a new thing to do.. it gets me motivated again..

I took my measurements again (must remember to post them) and I have lost a total of something like 86cms off my body since March!! Wow! All those cms from only a 10kg weight loss in that time!

I love weights training!

Weigh in

Just a quick post to report that I had a loss this week and I am currently

83.6kgs!

Yay!

Gym Junkie

No.. that's not me!

I really needed an endorphin rush tonight after my crazy brain had it's fun with me during the day... I actually think it was the devil.. trying to get me to give up coz he doesn't want me to have a healthy body and an active fun life.. Yeah..

Well let me tell you that God and I have won this battle together using a lethal, fat destroying weapon called a step class!

I burned over 700 calories! yay!

I have been exercising every day in some way whether it be a class, my gym programme or a walk with my lovely hubby along the maribirnong river track (who knew it would be so nice?... certainly not me!). I have not gone over my points for the last 2 weeks... I've gone under actually.. yeah.. working on that one.. don't worry!

I decided not to make point free soup and actually try to eat up all my points tonight so I made an amazing (if I do say so myself) veggie curry..

Ash's special veggie comfort curry

1 tbs oil

2 large spuds cubed

1/4 pumpkin cubed (whatever variety you like)

1 med zuchinni cubed

1 large squash or 2 smaller ones cubed

1 onion chopped

2 cloves garlic however you like chopped/crushed

1 tsp cumin

1 tsp curry powder

1 tbs red curry paste

a small bunch of fresh basil chopped

1 can chick peas drained & rinsed

1 can brown lentils drained & rinsed

1 can (bigger.. not the tiny ones) light evaporated milk

Brown or basmati rice

1 cup water

(1 tsp coconut essence optional)

Brown onion, garlic, cumin and curry bowder in a large pot (don't let the garlic burn!)

Throw in veggies, lentils, chickpeas and evaporated milk (and coconut essence for a thai experience!)

stir in curry paste & basil

Add water and stir

Simmer until spuds (particularly) and other veggies are tender and the sauce has thickened

Serve with brown or basmati rice...

Serves HEAPS!

Frozen 5 containers of it and Mezz and I ate it for dinner.. so that's 7 serves!

Nothing like a few endorphins & a curry to cheer a girl up!

Mind games

Had a crazy day!

My mind has been playing tricks on me.. I feel like I am not doing the right thing when I am!

Here's an email I sent to Philippa.

"Feeling really confused about how much I should be eating...

How does this sound?

B- Allbran
Skim milk
skinny hot chocolate
S- 1 Light salada
light cheese slice
tomato
L- tuna tempers o.dried tom & basil
1 cup basmati rice
S- Apple
Diet yoghurt
D- veggie soup (point free)

S- Fruit and yoghurt
How many points do you think this is worth?

I have been doing this for ages and I shouldn't have to ask.. I guess my mind is playing tricks on me, telling me I am not doing a good job coz I'm still in the 84s.

I guess I'm lucky I wasn't more after the lazy food filled couple of weeks I have had.

Oh well, Back on the wagon again!

Went to the gym last night. Probably go again tonight.. there is pump on in the city at 6:30 tonight.. I probably shouldn't do it though coz I did weights last night and they say you shouldn't do weights 2 days in a row so your muscle can repair.

Maybe I'll do more jogging..

Hmmm... Feel a little flat.."

Here is Phil's reply

"You are doing so well darl, and I will not hear otherwise!
I think you might be experiencing what I was about five weeks ago. I had a
look at your list of food there and (you might hate me for saying this) but
I don't think you're eating enough. I worked it out to be 14 points (not
including the hot chocolate, which would take it up to maybe 15 or 16) For
our weight we should be on 22 points per day and not drop it back to 20
until we hit 80kg. When I hit my plateau of 88.9 I was eating around 18-19
points per day and exercising regularly (not really challenging myself
though, which is the difference between us - cos you are!) but I couldn't
figure out why I wasn't losing any weight.

Ever since it was pointed out to me that I wasn't eating enough, I started
eating a minimum of 20 a day. Most days I eat 21 - one day last week I had
23.5 (naughty!) but I have been losing every week ever since. There are
some days where I don't feel very hungry - those are my 17 days, but that
means I have some points to use later in the week, so I don't worry too much
about it.

Another thing that was suggested to me was to change the kind of food I ate,
and not have the same things all the time, particularly with breakfast.

This is a typical day for me:
B: 1 serve Vaalia French Vanilla Low Fat Yoghurt 1.5
1 serve Carmans Classic Fruit Muesli 3
A few strawberries 0
L: Homemade Pizza 6.5 or Vegetable Soup 4 or Stuffed Potatoes with salad 4
D: 1 piece Lasagna (6), carrots, corn, broccoli & cauliflower (0), then
strawberries and mango (1) with passionfruit frozen yoghurt (2.5), Diet
lemonade (0)
Total: 20.5 (pizza) / 18 (other lunches)

If I had the pizza for lunch I would have a piece of fruit or carrot/celery
sticks with salsa if I felt like a snack. If I had the 4 point options for
lunch, I would probably have a homemade date and apple scone (2 points each)
as well as the other snack options.

I remember when I worked full time what a pain it was to think of things to
take for lunch each day because most of the time I just didn't have the time
to think about it. 99% of the time I would take leftovers from last nights
dinner - which can be a great option. Taking a nice big roll jam packed
with lots of salad would be a great idea too. When I am out and about in
the city I tend to either get a wonton soup from the dumpling place (about 6
points) or 2 sushi rolls (5.5 points) - they tend to be the cheapest thing.
I think you came out of your birthday bash very well - and you had such
lovely healthy food at the party. I can't remember the last time I enjoyed
a party so much.

Keep trying hard darl - don't give up. You've come so far, and I know
everyone in your life is very proud of you. You are such an inspiration to
me. We will get there together!!!"

I am oficially crazy!

Weigh in

With much fear and trepedation after my birthday blowout I stepped on the scales.

Considering it was the evening and I ate my weight in cake 2 weeks ago, I am not too disappointed with maintaining my weight.. (well, probably ACTUALLY gained and then lost again!!) 84.4kgs...

I am pretty sure that if I weighed in the morning like I normally do I would be 84 or in the 83s..

I did interval training at the gym tonight and a full on weights session! I am planning to lose at least 1/2 a kilo a week and not set my expectations higher than I can acheive! I planned to reach 79 by new years.. It's not completely off the cards but I am thinking that with Christmas coming up I am probably fooling myself to expect a kilo loss per week..

I am re setting my new years goal to 82kgs

Feeling pretty pumped for running again.. It is just so good!

Going walking with Kathrynoh tomorrow night at the tan...

It will be good to meet another blogger!

Better late than never

If I don't post about Sunday Phil will kill me! I am very slack!

On sunday, Mez (my sis in law and best friend) and I travelled across the city (in our new car WOOHOO!) to meet with Phil for an afternoon of scrapbooking bliss! I have never done it before.. scrapbooking virgin!

When we arived the yummy aroma of baked potatos wafted out of Phil and Dave's place. Phil has definately mastered the art of stuffing and baking a good spud! YUM! Sweetcorn and bacon! Good combo! She served it with a lovely green salad and we all sat at the tabe like very civilized people!

Our bodies fueled, we proceded into the "scrapbooking zone" (aka. Phil and Dave's spare room). I showed Phil some of my yet to be albumed wedding photos (it's only been a year! Give a girl some time!) and I chose a couple to begin scrapping with.

Phil's an expert... she has all the right gear! I felt so terrible for using her stuff that I wanted to pay her. Phil just said that when we go to a scrapbooking store with her, Mezz and I can buy her a pressie... sounds good to me..

We were shown some scrapbooking basics and I began on my first page.. I used a photo of John and I holding hands before we exchanged rings.. very cute.. Phil has these cool things called "rub ons" where you can rub letters onto a page (transfers) using a paddle pop stick.. We used those to write John & Ash along the bottom. This picture was fastened to a pink patterned background and just looked gorgeous. I did two other pages.. My favourite is a pink and green page with a picture of my bridesmaids also wearing pink and green!

Thanks for teaching me Phil!

Mezz did a cool page for her friend's 21st birthday using old funny pictures of shenanigans at school. She wants to learn to scrap so she can make a baby book for when her baby is born in March! Yay! Aunty Ash!

Food's going well this week.. Just joined "Diet Club" Online with my mum. Great site for counting calories and fat etc.. Check it out some time.. www.dietclub.com.au

I am going to weigh this weekend coming.. I decided to give myself another week to recover from my birthday!

Good week!

Okay! So! This is the week I have had!

I had to do a bit of damage control after my birthday (I ate a fair bit of cake... I planned to... you're only 21 once!) so I was particularly careful this week with my food. Pretty sure I stayed within my points every day except tuesday (had a bit too much cadbury light chocolate).

Heres the exercise I did this week..
(not crazy heart jumping out of my chest kind of stuff but regular fat burning stuff!!)

Monday: Low impact aerobics (which was actually not that low impact coz I jumped and ran and did everything hard and was very sweaty afterwards!)
Tuesday: 6am brisk 30min walk with John & Lunchtime 3.17km walk
Wednesday: Carmen Electra "Fit to Strip" DVD... surprisingly good! Sore body after!
Thursday: 2km brisk walk and 1km run with John in the evening
Friday: 3.17km very brisk walk at lunchtime & 40min brisk walk with John in evening

I think I have done quite well.. pretty sure all this would have made up for my weekend! If not, I'm well on the way to it!

I have had so much fun doing exercise with John!! He's so great! He took off his shirt tonight while we were walking and said that he'd have never done that in the past.. He's lost some weight and toned up too.. he's on the way to being "buffed"! Tee-hee! He'd kill me if he knew I was writing this!!

Yay! I feel so good tonight! I have spent some time reading other peoples blogs.. I never have time! Even though I don't comment a lot, I do come and visit and keep track of what's going on in people's lives..

Thanks to everyone who shares!

We get a new car tomorrow!!! AAARRGH!

I am ever so excited!

This isn't our particular car... our's is even newer!! But I just thought I'd post some pictures of one the same, coz I am so excited.. Ours is a 2004 Echo.. 19,000 kms on the odometer!!

We pick it up at 9am tomorrow!

Whoops, ours is auto!

Promise I'll write a post about weightloss soon! But there is just so many other exciting things happening!

AARRGH!

More party pics

John, Me, Phil & David

This is one of my best mates Byron (definately got into the pink thing) and John's very cute grandpa!

Me getting ready to kill someone!! Or devour all the cake... one or the other

This is me and Tony... Tony won the "pink prize"! What an effort.. He is actually a very conservative person

Big thanks to Phil for taking all these great pics!

Strange

How come some days I feel like this?

And other days I feel like this??

It is so confusing! Today I feel like wonderwoman... a week ago.. I defiantely felt like the lady in the top picture! I don't know why it happens but I am sure you'll agree with me when I say that I think most women have experienced this at some point or another.

What is it about women that makes us like this?

I don't think my husband John ever feels like this.. although he's never been really overweight..

Hmm.. just pondering life as you can tell...

How do you feel today?

Have a lovely day!

Me with the PJs Philippa and David got me!


I have had the best birthday weekend ever!! 1st of all, John bought me bundles of pressies including a hair straightener, a Lano and Woodley DVD, Missy Higgins CD and a bobble headed George Bush figurine (to punch). After all that specialness (is that a word?), he took me out for dinner at TGI Fridays in Chapel St and took me to see this AWESOME flick called RIZE.. Seriously go see it.. it’s a doco about kids in LA who get into street dancing instead of gangs.. great flick!

So after the movie, we were heading back to the station to go home and John suddenly veered off to the right and started playing with a pin code thingy.. I said “John! You’ll set off an alarm or something!”…. DUH! He’d booked us a room at the Clairmont Guest House in Toorak Road!! We had a gorgeous night.. the room was sooo cute! John was sooo cute!! Everything was FAB!

Full of surprises!

So my pink party was on Saturday night and we all had such a great time! I was very impressed with the effort people put into their outfits! So much pink everywhere!!

The food was brilliant although in all the excitement I wasn’t that hungry! Shame, as it all looked so yummy! Especially the meatballs and the gyozas.. YUM! (Should I mention my feast once everyone left?…. nah…)

My gorgeous hubby and my best friend Mezz (sis in law) made lovely speeches and embarrassed me.. I never knew I was such an indecisive person! That seemed to be the general theme.. also that I have so many things I want to do in my life.. Mezz reeled off about 20 different professions I have at one point or another said I wanted to do! The funny thing is, I still want to do most of them… I hope I do!

Overall, it was sooo lovely to be around so many people who I love and who love me.. Everyone together in one place.

Thanks to everyone who has helped make my 21st birthday so special!


Kisses!

Sweeeeet rewards!

Oh yeah!!

Had my massage!! I promised it to myself for when I hit 85kgs... I love being good to myself! I feel it is so important to reward yourself for hard work! Why not?!!

I had a massage at the Australian College of Natural Medicine in the city at 8:30 last night.. only $28! That's pretty good for 45 minutes!! And while I was in the city (before the massage) I got my hair cut.. feelin' very pampered right about now!!

Ended up not having the Maccas thingy for dinner last night, instead I tried Subway's new beef teriaki and all I can say is YUMMMMMMM!

Went to the IR rally this morning.. I think we made history..

Check this out!

Today's report

Monday 14/11/05
B- 2 slices grainy bread (2.5)
1 tbs jam low joule (1)
S-1 apple (0.5)
1/2 cup packet soup + rice crackers (1)
L- Wholemeal long roll with salad no butter (2)
apple and black currant juice (1.5)
S- rice crackers (2)
D- McDonalds deli roll (6.5)
S- Diet Yoghurt and Diet mousse (2)

Total: 18.5
Saved: 3.5
Exercise: 3.17 km brisk walk @ lunchtime Bonus: 2.5

Blah blah

I didn't mention that as well as getting weighed the other day, I was measured too.. This month I lost 6cms round my abdomen and 4cms round my waist!

The funny thing about it is that my arms, legs and bust all stayed fairly much the same! Isn't that weird!?

Anywhoo! I don't have much to report really except that it is my 21st birthday on Friday and I am having a party @ mum's place on Saturday night.. It's a pink party!! I have been doing a lot of gardening to get ready for it- I think active weekends like this are really helping my weight loss! Mum also found a catering company that specialise in healthy finger food.. there will be almost nothing fried at my party! Yay!

I will work really hard this week and save up my points because I have requested a white chocolate mud cake and I plan on eating some! MMMM!

This week I have done 2 30min run/walk sessions at the gym, one spin class, 2 45 min lunchtime walks and some rowing machine. Add to that weekend gardening and I'm going very well! No wonder I've been dropping the weight off recently!

I am now aiming for 80kgs! Not too far away now.. about 4 weeks I think! or 5!.. My new years goal of 79kgs will help me to stay on track over the Christmas period..

PRE CHRISTMAS PREPARATION

(I think everyone should do this kind of a plan because it will sneak up on you otherwise!)

• Inform all family members and friends that I will not be accepting any chocolaty gifts this year
• Write down what food is allowed over Christmas and what is off limits (including treats) and give the list to John (to keep me accountable)
• Avoid all "frankenstein foods" in the next 5 weeks leading up to Christmas (damage control)
• Ask whoever is cooking lunch/dinner what they are planning on serving and if there are no healthy alternatives ask if I can bring some skinfree chicken and light ham
• Ask if I can bring a salad and if they say no bring one anyway
• Make special light berry ice cream from fernwood's fabulous food cookbook (I bet everyone will want it so I'd better make a double quantity)
• Buy pretzels and air-popped popcorn to have as snacks on the day (closer to the day of course!)

I love Christmas!!

Yesterday

Thursday
10/11/05
BF- 2 wbix with low fat milk 2.5
& skinny latte no sugar 0.5
S- 5 cashews 1
2 strawberries and 2 segments mandarine 0.5
6 waferthins 0.5
L- Chicken and salad wholemeal roll no butter & 1 apple 4
S- Ultraslim cherry bar 2.5
1 banana 1
D- Souvlaki- beef- (no sauce) 9 ?
S- cake (carrot) 2

Total food pts 23.5
Saved 0
Exercise Bonus 45 min walk 2.5
Total weekly bonus/saved 4.5

Not too bad.. not really sure how many pts the souvlaki was.. the beef was very lean but I think they udes oil to cook it... what a huge yummy meal!!

OH MY GOODNESS!!!

I weighed at the gym tonight.. after a spin class and after drinking heaps of water and I weighed in at.............................wait for it..................... drum roll please!!.................

84.3 kilograms!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

AAAAAARRRRGHHH!!!


YAY YAY!!!

That's 2.3 in 2 weeks I think! Maybe 3 weeks!!.. hmm... I don't care!! Coz I have achieved my november goal of being 85!!

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGHHHH!

Sick again!

Okay...

This time I wasn't coughing.. I was spewing!! It all happened on Wednesday.. well, actually it happened on Tuesday night when John got sick.. he was sick during the night but felt better by the morning. I got sick Wed morning..

I had the BEST weekend ever.. it was so relaxing (see Philippa's blog for a very detailed report of our Sunday together).. Tuesday was warm and we had an awesome bbq at mum's house where we sat at a big long table in the back yard and ate loads of colouful salads and yummy marinated meats.. My nan made gorgeous fruit salad and we all sat around chatting well into the evening.. It was even raining for a little while but no one cared because it was warm and the rain came down in big fat droplets, cooling our skin. I didn't even get one mozzie bite!

John didn't eat anything because he was feeling so ill but I scoffed everything in sight... It was great!! Until the next morning when I saw it all again... It looked gorgeous on the table the night before... eeew!!

I threw up a total of 5 times.. well, only 3 really but I'm counting the 1st one as a triple coz it was so HUUGE! YUK! You were'nt expecting to be hearing such graphic details of my illness now were you?!

I passed out in the loo in the afternoon and then threw up everywhere again!

YUK!!

So the next day I woke up and I was totally better!! Admittedly feeling a little malnourished but all in all, feeling pretty good!

Anyway.. I ate next to nothing and threw up everything I did eat.. I had to have lost some weight! Weighing tomorrow!

Going to Philippa's for yoga and dinner tomorrow- Can't wait!

New Pic

Haha!! glad you like my new foxy pic.. hehe!!

I took it in the car the other day!

Tagged

I got tagged by Nicky!

The rules are:
1. Go into your archives
2. Find your 23rd post
3. Find the fifth sentence (or the closest one to it)
4. Post the text of your sentence in your blog along with these rules
5. Tag five other people

Here's what I said!
"I ate the burger and am now feeling really down.. totally rediculous I know!! It's only food!! I feel so stupid"

haha!! so funny!!

I tag: Luds, Suz, Brooke, Louchie and Phillipa... sorry guys!

OUT OF CONTROL!!!!

AAAARRGH!!!

(from an email I sent to Phillippa this morning)

"had a horrible food day yesterday! AAARGH!! I think it's to do with TTOM.. but that shouldn't be any excuse for me any more.. I have been doing this so freaking long!! I was at a conference and ate a muffin, 2 little bits of slice that was out for afternoon tea and too much free lunch (thats my problem... FREE! once thrifty always thrifty!!).. I thought.. thats ok Ash, just have a light dinner and you'll be fine...

so what did I do?! I went out to a party on an empty stomach and ate EVERYTHING in sight!! Oh.. and I feel so crap today... not like crap I'm down on myself for doing that.. I mean.. CRAP inside.. I had trouble hauling my fat butt out of bed and I feel so heavy and bloated and YUK YUK YUK!!!"

Nothing like a bad food day to get you back onto the straight and narrow... oh yeah.. and I didn't make it to the gym yesterday morning either!!

So here's the plan for the rest of the week..

Today: cutting right back to basics.. no extras coz I can't exercise today
b: 1/2 a diet yog 1/2 a banana and 1/3 cup natural muesli
s: 1 apple
l: lean cuisine.. beef and noodles
s: 1 banana
s2: handful mixed raw nuts
d: brown rice and veggies with hoi sin sauce

Thats it for today.. feel great haning planned!!

Tomorrow: Gym in the morning and a walk at lunchtime.. food basically like today but probably a sandwich at lunchtime..

Keep a runnin!! AAAAAAAAARRRRRGGGGGHHHHHHHH!

feelin crazy!!

Boring post

Here is a boring report of my food today.. tracking tracking tracking... hmm boring (but worth it I know)

B- 1/2 cup Natural Muesli, 1 tub diet yoghurt, 1 small banana (good start)
S- Whoops, forgot
L- Edgel light lunch rice salad thingy
S- Apple and manderine and a skim hot chocolate
D- Lean beef burger from Maccas

I feel gross for not having enough fresh food.. I love cooking but I didn't have any time today.. or for the last few days... hmm.. yuk!

The burger was aweful!! I usually like them but I ate it sitting on the train and one bite into it I realised that they had put full fat cheese in it and about double the mayo so it was sloppy and disgusting!!!! I ate the burger and am now feeling really down.. totally rediculous I know!! It's only food!! I feel so stupid!!

On a brighter note, I went to look at a car we might buy tonight.. 1998 Holden Astra- dark green/blue.. not sure if we'll get it, but it was fun to go for a test drive!!

I am going to be joining HBC soon and am very excited! Have a little extra cash I didn't have before so I can afford it now.. it's really good coz I haven't been wanting to go to HBC dinners/walks etc coz I felt like a bit of a fake, not knowing if I would be joining soon.. It will be really good to build a new network of people for support to help me kick these last few kilos forever...

I still feel so fat! I can't believe it's only 10 kilos to go... it feels like about 30!! In case you can't tell, this is my monthly sooky lala post I do at TTOM.. hehe.. I am so pathetic... I really need to sleep!!

I think I'll wake up early and gym it up in the morning... 6am.. it will be a good start to the day and will hopefully stop me from entering sooksville tomorrow too!!

Weigh in 22/10/05

YAY!! Down again!!
Loss of 500g!
I'm now 86.6kgs and on track to attain my Nov goal of 85ks! Cannot believe the weight is still coming off!!

Plan for this week is to stick exactly to the plan!! hehe!! Because it works!! Woohoo!! I am officially off my 90kg plateu.. it took me soooo long to get off but now I am and the fat is melting away!! (well.. maybe not melting, but it is definately moving!)

I looked at my body fat % today and I have seen a huge difference since I have started running... Jumped straight from 44% to 42% skipping 43!! I know it is only a rough etimate but I'm excited!!

Ran at the gym today...

Attained my goal of running for 10 minutes.. that meant I ran for 1.45kms or something.. and I did that twice!! It is getting easier every time... I HATED running when I started but I am a convert!!

Feeling a lot better after a good night sleep.. was so emo last night about the guy's funeral..

Tonight I am going to a dress-up 1920s murder mystery night.. not particularly excited about going but it should be a bit of fun... I'm going as May West... apparently famous for being a slut.. hehe!!

Up and at 'em!!

Got up really early this morning... 4:59 to be precise.. Got a message from Luds last night to ask if I wanted to go to the gym this morning.. I was planning on going after work but I thought.. why not?

Stepped through the doors at fernwood at 5:59 and was on the treadmil warming up by 6:05...

I did weights (upped them a bit so it hurt).. Then I hopped on the treadmil when Luds arrived for 1/2 an hour.. then I got off and went on che cross trainer for 10 mins and then hopped back on the treadmil for the rest of the hour...

I jogged for 7 mins straight in the first treadmill bracket and for 6 mins in the 2nd on 8.5kms.

I always get to 1 km and want to stop even though my body is actually doing okay! I was telling myself "your body feels good, you don't have to stop" but something just made me stop.. I could have gone to 10 mins I am sure.. so that is my new challenge.. to run for 10 mins straight!

I have to weigh tomorrow... I am scared.. I haven't weighed for 2 weeks! hmm... I have been going well with food but TTOM is suppoed to be tommorow and I feel sooo heavy this afternoon...

I am a student on placement in the statewide aquired brain injury unit at Melbourne Citymission.. We work with people in the 1st 2 years after getting a brain injury so it is pretty full on.. many people have had strokes or attempted suicide and ended up with a brain injury.. Went to a funeral today.. we had a client die on Monday.. it was someone I have been working with directly.. it's really hard... He got this condition called CIDP (not sure what it is) and went to hospital and got his brain injury through a bungled surgical procedure and died 12 months later after degenerating very quickly... It was so sad.. he was only 50.

RIP MB

I am not a sluggard!

Okay well... I am back in the "alfalfa zone" (AJ term for the HBC girls)

Eating going well..
Food Today- Banana on wake up
Gym
B 1 wbix and 1/4 cup muesli with skinny milk
S ww cereal bar
L Leftover beef and veggie stirfry (YUM!) and a mandarine
S Rice wheels and Kiwi fruit
D Not sure.. I think curry and brown rice that John made today
S 1 bikky at work tonight (kind of a tradition)

Exercise:
Yesterday I did an hour of cardio including 2kms of straight jogging and then fat burn stuff
Today weights, 20mins cardio in the morning and a 45 min brisk walk at lunchtime

Feelin' particularly energetic today...

Better go put my energy into my work so I can go home on time today!!

Cute thing

I'm not dead... just felt that way!!

(this was an email I sent Luda this morning and realised I could save time by posting it here)

Oh matey!!

What a week/weekend!! I am still coughing up my guts but I am going back to the gym tonight if you want to come... Have been stuggling for the last few days with the food thing but the worst thing I had was a cupcake (...well.... a couple of cup cakes.. and they had cream.. okay so I should have sauntered past to the rice cakes and apples but they just looked so yummy... and they were for 2 seconds but then the guilt hit and they didn't taste so good after that... oh well) on Friday at this conference thing I went to.. But I was feeling so sick last week that I couldn't eat so that kind of evens things out... I was lucky to get 1/2 my caloric intake I was supposed to each day.. but now (nearly TTOM) I am sooo hungry during the day so here's what I'm eating to deal with it...

b. Porridge with 1 banana and skim milk
s. An apple and a ww. fruit bar
l. small tin of baked beans and 2 pieces wmeal bread
s1.(3:00ish) rice wheels
s2.(5:00ish) another banana
d. stirfry beef strips with veggies hokkien noodles
s. diet yoghurt and 4 apricot halves (tinned in nat. juice)

How does that sound... feel back on track, love that I can just pick myself up and move forward now rather than having a bad week and then feeling like it's all over and I'm a failure... coz I'm not!!

Weigh in 8/10

WOOHOO!!!!


Lost 1.1kgs!!

Now 87.1kgs..


Never going back!!!

Secret grandmother's business

I felt like I wanted to be looked after so I have come around to my nan's place and she has made veggie soup so I'm having some of that and wearing a big old wincheater of hers and feeling very comforted! I used to come to Nan's when I was sick as a kid and it has always been the most comforting place.. Ever since I was about 2 she's been able to find something for me to wear.. don't ask me how... magic sectet grandmother's business..

I am getting weighed tomorrow.. I think I'll have another loss even though I haven't done as much exercise this week.. I have worked out twice and been active walking to and from the station etc.. we'll see.. Food has been good except for the other day I wrote about so all in all I haven't done too badly.

I'mm gonna go and be sociable now...

Thanks Nan!!

Cough Cough.. ooh.. my throat hurts

I'm not very well today... about to go home early... Need a rest..

Whoopsies!

Damn!!........... damn, damn, damn!!!!



I was just waiting in the lunch room for my sandwich to toast and there was a big plate of food there from a meeting (the food that doesn't get eaten gets left for everyone)... So I decided to just have a little bit.. There were blueberry muffins cut into quarters and I had a piece of that.. then another quarter, then I had 3 full-o-fruit bickies, 1/4 of a pastry thingy (actually a bite then I threw the rest out), and a chock chip bicky.... all of which were aweful and I didn't enjoy.... So then my lunch was ready and I didn't feel like it coz I'd just eaten all that crap...

Oh well.. this doesn't happen very much any more.. At least I have worked out today.. I spent an hour doing cardio this morning.. my body's still tingling.

Weigh in!

I went to weigh yesterday and was slightly disappointed to see that I had only lost half a kilo over the last couple of weeks.... I was a bit down about it because I've been working so hard, but then my weight loss consultant looked at my body's pattern (losses, gains, my menstrual cycle etc) and discovered that I always have a big loss the week before my period (unlike many other women) and I ALWAYS gain like 400-500g in the week after and this week I actually LOST 500g!! So that proves the difference the extra exercise and diligence with food is making.. so even though I was initially disappointed I can see that it is still working... slowly but surely.. I also got measured and lost 3 more cms off my waist and one more off my thigh!! Yay!

Luda sent me a huuuuge long encouraging SMS this afternoon which has helped me to feel more motivated.. She reminded me to celebrate the (seemingly) small losses as I have lost another tub of butter from my body over the last few weeks!!


HOORAY!!

Walking, Jogging, Eating

Well, I've been doing pretty well over the last 2 weeks... There has only been about 4 days in the last 3 weeks that I haven't exercised and my eating has been very good too...

I went around Princess park (fast walk for 40 mins) with some people from work and we want to start a workplace fitness challenge!! I also went to the gym for an hour last night and did speed intervals on the treadmill for 30 mins, fat burn on the bike for 10 mins and weights for the rest of the time..

Today I've been around princess again.. have less energy and motivation but will keep going despite that.. Going to the gym again tonight to do more cardio..

Tomorrow is weigh day.. I am expecting to lose a couple of kilos coz I have been working so damn hard for the last 3 weeks!!! And I haven't weighed since the saturday before booty camp! But I also don't want to get my hopes up in case I have no/little results- that would be such a let down... but there is absolutely no reason why I shouldn't see at least a kilo off!

Today I've eaten
B- small bowl muesli & skim milk
S- fresh apple, celery, carrot, beetroot and ginger juice (small)
L- 3 california hand rolls with soy sauce
S- 1 w-watchers berry crumble bar & 1 apple

..... not sure about dinner yet... probably a lean cuisine or ww meal or something!

Went to a really great church thingy last night... made me really think about all the amazing stuff God has done for me and in me.. and how he's been right there with me through this weightloss journey.. having him there by me has made it all easier!! Yay!!

The last pic

To see the pic properly click on it and then put your mouse in the bottom right hand corner.. A box will appear and click on that...

It happens coz the pic is a big file I think!!

Booty Camp pic!!

We ROCK!!!!

Before pic!

This is a before picture of me... I had already lost approx 8 kgs by this stage and I'm having trouble finding many photos of me at my heaviest!! I guess I dodged the cameras!

I know where one is but I gotta scan it!!

You can kind of get the idea with this one.. Look at the way I was covering up with that skirt!!

Going great guns!

Thanks to Luds and Suz for helping to keep me motivated for the last week and a bit!

Here's my exercise plans for this week!
Yesterday I went with L & S to the city fernwood and did speed intervals ( 6- 8.1kms) for about 45 mins all up.. The intervals were 2mins 30secs and I'm going to do this 4-5 more times this week! I also did a fast walk around princess park at lunchtime!

Today I'm going to the gym again and I need to do weights and more jogging
Wed: Walk/jog around the tan
Thur:Walk around princess park and then pole dancing at the gym and probably some jogging too
Fri: Gym after work

Feel like I'm losing weight faster now that I'm into this routine

Yesterdays food was pretty good too!
B- Porridge & skinny latte
S- 1 apple and fruit and nut mix (small handful)
L- Green veggies, capsicum and mediteanian salmon
S- 1 banana & 6 prunes
D- Healthy choice chicken in plum sauce with veggies and a scoop of cadbury light ice cream
S- Glass apple juice and a diet hot choc with skim milk
H20- 2.5 litres
Maybe a bit too much before bed but generally good and with all the exercise it's not too bad!!

Think I need to make more of an effort to include some wholegrain bread or brown rice at some point in the day.. Oh well, I'm doing ok!

Picture!!

Luds, Me and Suz!!

 

RUNNING!

Here is some information from the AusRun website about training to become a runner (which is one of my goals)... I figure I need to do this properly rather than injuring myself by pushing too hard too fast!!

(From AusRun site)
Starting Out
Training tips to go :If you’re just beginning a fitness program, the best and most effective way to start is through walking. Continuous walking will slowly prepare your legs for the upcoming stages and will also help you develop a consistent daily routine. Check the appropriate box after each day’s activity.Once you’ve progressed to Day 7, you may decide to jog every fourth minute, but do not jog for longer than one minute.
Training routine check list :
(Week 1)
Walk 20 Minutes Walk 30 Minutes
(Week 2)
Stage 1 Run 2 minutes, walk 4 minutes. Complete the sequence five times.
(Week 3)
Stage 2 Run 3 minutes, walk 3 minutes.Complete the sequence five times.
(Week 3)
Stage 3 Run 5 minutes, walk 2.5 minutes.Complete the sequence four times.
(Week 4)
Stage 4 Run 7 minutes, walk 3 minutes.Complete the sequence three times.
(Week 5)
Stage 5 Run 8 minutes, walk 2 minutes.Complete the sequence three times.
(Week 6)
Stage 6 Run 9 minutes, walk 2 minutes.Complete the sequence twice and then run 8 minutes.
(Week 7)
Stage 7 Run 9 minutes, walk 1 minute.Complete the sequence three times.
(Week 8)
Stage 8 Run 13 minutes, walk 2 minutes.Complete the sequence twice.
(Week 9 & Week 10)
Stage 9 (Double Stage)Run 14 minutes, walk 1 minute.Complete the sequence twice.
(Week 10 & Week 11)
Stage 10 (Double Stage)

According to AusRun by this stage you should be a runner! He he!!
Run 30 minutes.

I have been jogging with luds! Speed intervals on the treadmill are the best invention ever!!

Explanation of good fats and why they're good fats for LUDS!!

OK- let me try to explain this right!!

Essential fatty acids (EFAs) are found in foods like nuts, seeds and avocado.. Your body needs these EFAs to allow vitamins A,E,D and K into your body. This is because these are "fat soluble" vitamins.. Vitamin E is the common vitamin that keeps your skin looking nice and clear and in good condition..

This is why (among other reasons) we need to eat EFAs!!
Do not take fat soluble vitamin supplements unless under medical supervision as you can overdose on these as they are not expelled in your wee like the other vitamins (eg.. vitamin B pee is bright yellow!)

As a bonus~ nuts and seeds also serve to fire up the sex drive too!!

Water doesn't clear your skin but it does allow "water soluble" vitamins (just about all the rest) into your system... like vit.C and B complex vits! Your body will only use what it needs and the rest will be discarded in your pee..

Hope this was a good enough explanation Luda!
xoxo

New day every day!

Today is a new day!
!
Woke up late... rush rush rush

Ate my porridge.. quick quick quick

Jumped in the car (after getting dressed of course!)

Ended up getting to work 30 mins early anyway.. traffic was light! YAY!

Grabbed a coffee with John..

To work.. type type type meeting type.... snack.. apple...

Walk at lunch time 45 mins around princess park..
Ate lunch... tuna and veggies

Thats where I'm at!

Oh Yeah!!

Well!!

The boot camp I went on on Saturday really set me up for the rest of the week!

Yesterday I walked briskly around princess park at lunchtime (45 mins) and then went to the gym after work and did my weights and 30 minutes of speed interval training on the treadmill. I can't believe I can jog!!!!!!!!

Met up with an old friend who's going to fernwood city too!! It will be good to see her every now and then.. she's lost 20kgs too so we're like little twinnies!!

Walking again today at lunchtime with my supervisor so that will mean that I have done some exercise every day for the past 4 days!! Yay.. getting back on track!

My rings are falling off.. will have to get them re-sized... losing weight is expensive!!

Can't wait till Saturday to go out for Skinny Chicky's birthday!! Yay!

Gotta make a confession!
I had 3 small scoops of icecream instead of one like I planned... oh well, not such a disaster considering all my exercise!!

This is fun

Movin' my booty!

Well.. I have been little miss active for the past few days!! And I'm feeling absolutely fantastic! (although a little sore!!)

Did AJs booty camp on saturday morning (6:30!!!! shaaaaazzammm!!) which consisted of a lap (5kms) of Albert Park Lake, drills by the Sarge and a game of kick around soccer.. It was fab!!! I met some other babes who are trying to do the same thing as me and lose fat fat fat and build muscle!! I was so inspired by all the chikkies!! Especially those who really struggled because it takes a lot to persevere and they are doing it!! YEAH!

Met up with a fellow booty loser on sunday to go to the South Melb Market and we ended up also going for a 2 hour walk! Lovely walking path along the beach from Prt Melb to St Kilda.. Everyone should do it when the sun's out.. you feel like you're in California or something!!

Exercising more makes me eat better too! great!!

Here's what I've had today so far..

B~ small amount of jalna low fat yoghurt with a small amount of natural muesli and chopped up banana and strawberries.. yum!!

S~ One big juicy pink lady apple

L~ Stir fry beans, snowpeas, red peppers, bok choy, chinese spinach, zucchini with some salmon (lemon and dill in springwater) and a light rice custard thingy

S~ (yet to have) One big orange and a small handful of nuts

D~ Small portion of spaghetti bolognaise with salad and one scoop of cadbury light ice cream

So there.. sound yum hey!!

Can't wait to join Healthy Body Club!!

First time

Never Blogged before.. this is fun.. I think I'll make good use of this..

For anyone reading, I am 20, female from Melbourne Australia.. Studying Social work and making a huge effort to shift this last 13 of the 33 kilos I needed to lose.. 20 down!

Yay