Summer - Autumn 2010/2011 challenge #4

[~ Zarava Flutterby ~]

Just a quick one, still away and hav 1 brother and 2 feral children running around dads place
Went to k-mart and got some AWESOME bargains and for once actually bought myself some clothes, i got some nice basic tops in SIZE 14 and THEY FIT.. i did stick with mainly size 16 but got a couple of 14's and they are so so comfy
Not game to try on pants just yet though.

Alsomy best friend who i haven't seen since December nearly fell over when i walked in the door and i only weigh 1kg more than she does now i can't believe it... still got 12kg to go but man am i feeling really good right now.

How is everyone else travelling, will catch up on personals ASAP.. sorry ladies.. might steal this laptop tonight when the girls are in bed and have some ME TIME while theres no DP to annoy me

[Astrid]

Decided I will weigh in tomorrow. Someone kick me if I don't Will also be restarting the EA active 30 day challenge. Got 6 days into it last time, then I dunno, every thing got in the way. Will also be trying to do more around the house and garden. When I have looked back to past weight losses I have spent less time on the puter and more doing general movement. I also read a good article the other day about how housework is a great exercise. I do hate it, but it needs to be done, so I may as well have a motivator for it.

Have found I am not so hungry today. Not sure if that is due to AF being here (still trying to work out what my body is doing these days), or if it is due to something else.

ZF - woo hoo on buying new clothes!

[Sopdet]

a 2 hour workshop in killer heels means hip is sore, so no exercise today

Back into it tomorrow, have 5 weeks left on the 12wbt and I've dropped the ball fitness wise big time, so Monday morning I'm back into it, going to do a cardio DVD at home, then head to the gym in the afternoon.

[appletree]

Well, the weekend comes to an end and back to work tomorrow! Yikes, 4 day weekends are not long enough!!

Sopdet, Ouch, ouch, ouch!! I hope your hip feels better soon, did you have a great time at the workshop though? Awesome work on your plan for tomorrow! Sounds like it will be a fun day How is the challenge going otherwise? I saw the chick from Rebel sport who just about talked me into doing the challenge last time i went in there, and she is looking amazing! This was her 3rd round and she has lost nearly 30kgs, she is very inspiring!

Good luck with weigh in Astrid! Cleaning definitely burns calories, it is programmed into myfitnesspal- 30 mins will burn off around 100-150 cals, depending on how hard you go of course. Not too bad at all, almost as good as getting on a bike and riding flat for that amount of time! Another one i have read about is the sex diet, I think it was something like 30 mins a day and it was considered highly effective! LOL, maybe we should all try it for a week and see how much we lose!

ZF- that is so excellent! Hope you are really proud of yourself I bet you are looking completely hot!

Belfie- take it easy!! You poor thing being sick, nothing worse! I hope you managed to get a nap in or some other kind of rest! Hope it is short and sweet and you are feeling 100% again soon!

Raupe- i have all my fingers crossed that you are pleasantly surprised tomorrow!

Ash- i love that aching feeling too! It means i have worked hard Fingers crossed for the HPT! Where are you up to in your degree? I did psychology at uni too, though didn't go on to do post grad. What is your focus? I am guessing org psych because you are doubling up with business? This was my goal, i work in HR now specialising in performance management and remuneration strategy because i was a bit of geek and really enjoyed stats, it appealed to me because i get to play with numbers every day and there is a tangible link between what they say and what i recommend we do. I used to think that i would go back and do post grad in developmental psych, but not if i was to go back to uni again i would prefer to do midwifery. How was yum cha?? I love yum cha! My mouth was watering at the mango pancakes, i had them for the first time the other week!

Krystals- Way to go on the size 12 skinny jeans! That is awesome! I am too scared to try them on, i think they would come up to about my calves?? LOL. Great choice on the skim hot chocolate for a treat, i will keep that in mind next time i am feling like i need something when i am at the shops, i was naughty on saturday and bought a tim tam ice chocolate from GJ's!

Jayne- good luck with moving, are you paying someone to come and pack it all up for you? Wow, are you going to be there for at least another 2 years? That is a really long expat assignment! Have an awesome time shopping for all that stuff! And good luck with your goal of 900g per week, when do you have your next weigh in?

AFM- i am starting to think about my birthday, which is not till the end of may! But, i really really want that heart rate monitor, and i am also thinking about buying myself a wii fit, or something similar? Does anyone have anything they would recommend?

[~Jayne~]

Good Evening Ladies -

ASTRID _ Good luck with your weigh in!!! I'm excited to cheer you on. I hear you on the housework. Things like vacuuming, cleaning the bathroom, window cleaning, carrying a washing basket - they are all things that are good movement wise, but we don't really see the benefit in doing. Also, gardening is a great one. All that bending, stretching & lifting. What is the EA Program thing?

SOPDET _ Ouchies on your hip. I would have a nice warm shower tonight to try loosen it up a bit. Do you have a yoga DVD that you can do some stretching to?

APPLETREE _ I love how you plan for your birthday presents. This is exactly what I do! I can highly recommend the wii fit & balance board. I have them but they are in storage & I desp want to bring them back with me next time. I also have the game that does the 30 day challenge, but I can't remember the name of it! Grrr. It's so much fun, even doing things like the tennis & bowling, it's all active based so you are working without realising it. I think it's a great gift to yourself!!! I think they now have a zumba game, I'd like to give that a whirl! We don't have much stuff to take to the new apartment, a few loads in suitcases & we will be done. The driver will work for us that day & so he will drive us to & fro. There is no furniture to move, only a kids princess dollhouse. That's the biggest thing that has to go. We just have our clothes, bathroom stuff, kitchen stuff & the kids toys. That's about it. Pretty easy! Half a day & I reckon we will be moved.

ZF _ Have missed your cheerful posts! Woo Hoo on the shopping and awesome job on the size! Am so proud of you. You must feel really great about it too because your post is brimming with happiness about it. I love hearing it! Keep it coming.

ME ME ME ME ME _ Well I am still nursing my upset ego over the 1kg weight gain on Thursday. I have really kicked things up a notch. Weekends are normally when I slack off a bit on the food side so I have really paid careful attention to what I have eaten & I have done 5km each morning & 5km each night on the cross-trainer. I am feel REALLY good about setting myself up for a weight loss this week. I will be extremelly happy just to have removed that 1kg gain. I know that 900g per week is a really tough gig, so I have had a quiet word to myself that so long as I lose the kg I have gained & a lil bit more, I will be happy enough. I'm going to give it everything I have got, but if I don't get there, it's not the end of the world. Remind me of this post in 3 weeks please! lol

So we went furniture shopping today & have decided on bunk beds for the girls. It's the best way to space save the room & ensure they still have adequate 'play space' & I'm constantly warning them that every time they do stupid things on the bunks (aka jumping off them), their mattress goes on the floor for one night. So now I have to order the bunk (I didn't speak enough chinese to get it delivered, lol) & mattresses & the TV's. Everything is on target for a Friday night move.

For those girls weighing in tomorrow.... GOOD LUCK!!!

[krystals]

!!ASTRID!!!... Have you weighed in?! Hope it's great news for you and the gardening helps!

ZF- LOVE a great shopping trip! Congrats on the bargains and sizes at Kmart!! You must be feeling so great, especially when your friend saw you! That jaw drop is always a winner

Appletree, I plan my bday pressies too! In fact I got a HR monitor for one of them. But it was too confusing for me and I never used it. I understand the HR stuff, but the actual unit was too hard!!! I recommend checking out the POLAR ones, hubby has one and it's great for him, easy to use and links in with a lot of gym equipment.

JAYNE- yup, you gained. You'e identified why- let your ego rest a bit. Do I need to rub your face in your ticker?????? Have a look at that. Think about the type of woman that achieves that! YOU are that type of woman!!! Don't beat yourself up and don't be too hard on yourself exercise wise. There's no way you're going to lose that weight if you injure yourself!! Good stuff on ordering the beds- wow Friday, so close!!!!

Well... I weighted this morning and I had to do it again because I didn't believe the scales! 1.6kgs down!! It's my first week of being back on the wagon, and I know the first week is always the biggest, but YAY!!! Feeling SO good!

[Phteven]

WTG Krystals!! If you get the HR stuff you're doing better than me. Either I'm puffed and red in the face or I'm not. That's about as much as I understand lol. I hate those people who work-out without looking like a tomato. And wow at the skinny jeans. I could never wear skinny jeans. Even at my skinniest I have a very round butt.

Jayne, Friday is so close. I hate moving. I love having a new home but I hate the move. I always say next time I'll get removalists to do the lot but I never do. Kent just broke $12'000 of my brother's furniture so I'm extra wary of them at the moment. Your losses have been amazing so you don't need to beat yourself up over one gain. Just so long as it's an aberration it's not important.

Sopdet, ouchies on the hip. Did I mention on FB that your corset was fab? Because it was.

Astrid, good luck with your weigh in today. I need to do more housework. I wish I had a dishwasher. I'm so heartily sick of dirty dishes

Belfie, I hope you feel better soon.

appletree, I have no idea what you should get for your birthday. I'm hopeless at asking for presents for me so I always end up with nothing.

I started the week on a bad foot. DH is home and he got me a hot-cross bun and a coffee with 2 sugars for breakfast. i guess I had better work hard at the gym today. Pump and a run. We have to go to Sydney this weekend to see the in-laws. Yuck. On the plus side I can do some shopping and buy the cape I've been lusting for that isn't for sale in Canberra. Would it be OTT to ring the shop and ask them to hold one in my size?
We're up early today because daylight savings is over. Usually at this time I'm racing around making sure that the boys are wearing undies and have water in their bags.

[krystals]

ONYX I'm the same as you!!! I only have to get ON a machine, or start walking and within a minute I'm already red in the face and looking like 'other' people who have run a marathon! Call the shop! They might ask you to leave a deposit or something, but do it!!! You'll regret it if you don't Oh, and don't look at it as starting the week on a bad foot- you just had your afternoon treat for breakfast!!! Now, when 3pm comes along, have a bowl of cereal LOL.

[Phteven]

krystals, I'm blaming you for being an enabler I just rang up and put my cape on layby. It was the last S/M they had in stock.

[Astrid]

Ok, got the weigh in done. 82.5kg, down .7 since 3 weeks ago. So much better than I thought, as I was expecting a gain.

Finding this so hard to do around kids. Just trying to weigh myself was almost impossible. Had to get the Wii Fit set up to do it, which meant waiting till small child has not interested in the TV, then of course, small child demands at moment that I must go outside and watch her on the trampoline So managed to weigh myself, but no chance of a work out. I did get some raking done outside whilst "watching" her on the trampoline and my arms a good workout.

I know I should get up before the kids and get it done, but I am just not a morning person. Sleep deprivation is killing me at the moment.

[belfie]

krystals, I'm blaming you for being an enabler I just rang up and put my cape on layby. It was the last S/M they had in stock.

yaaaay so glad you did - I read your post earlier and meant to say the same thing!

Astrid - .7g down, that's great . Incidental exercise just seems to take more mental energy to organise sometimes, but I think it is a more realistic way of doing it between the challenges of children and sleep deprivation - you can do it.

AFM am attempting to eat better today. Also after recording my .4kg increase yesterday, this mornign I was only .1kg up! arrgh (and i had moved my weigh-in day) so am trying to be encouraged by that and remind myself that eating tonnes of chocolate will not actually help me to get better ANY faster! I think I'm a few days off being able to exercise, but actually managed 4-5 hours sleep last night (between coughing fits) which i was a HUGE improvement on the night before. Still think it's so wrong that the only thing stopping me sleeping is ME - not the kids! Oh and I made the caramel cakes yesterday (naughty naughty). Am off to freeze the rest so i can scoff them.

[~Jayne~]

Did somebody say CARAMEL CAKES?????????????? Recipe please!!! bahahah. Sorry, but I LURVE cooking & trying new things.

BELFIE _ So glad to hear that you are finally on the mend. Bugger that you're not getting much rest overnight, but it's a good sign that you are recovering. & no, sorry, I don't believe that chocolate is going to make you feel any better in the long term - but the satisfaction of eating it is rewarding enough. lol.

ASTRID _ WTG on recording a loss this week! That is so great especially given that you were expecting a gain! Do your kidlets nap during the day? Are they in bed early enough at night to give you some workout time? Do you have a tandem pram where you can take them for afternoon walks? I hear you on trying to get the WiiFit to yourself, I used to have that issue at times too. Given them a controller with no batteries is a great distraction though & they think they are actually playing!

ONYX _ I was ALWAYS one of those red-faced people at the gym, even in the god damn pool! But you know what I realised it is? It's the way you control your breathing whilst you are working out. I have really noticed that I have had to pay attention to my breathing since I have been jogging. My body was able to keep it up, my heart was not because I felt like I was hyperventilating all the time. Since I have learned to somewhat control my breathing, I am finding my face isn't 'as' red as it used to be. I used to get soooooooooo embarrassed with it. I don't get all red-faced at Zumba, maybe just pinkish, but there are a couple of ladies who do. I am still getting all 'flushed' when I jog, but it's not nearly as bad as in the beginning. OMG hot cross buns. How I love & adore thee. I have asked my parents to put a few packs into the freezer for me for Good Friday. It was nice that DH made you breakfast though I guess.

KRYSTALS _ How much do you love your scales just now? I am soooooooooo thrilled for you. 1.6kg is such a wonderful start to your journey. What an excellent result! You are well & truly started now my love! Thanks for the pick up about me too, was really nice of you to say.

MEEEEEEEEEEE _ Well, today I have Miss Jess at home sick. Do you know how mean I felt sending Claudia to school while Jess was staying home? I 'almost' gave in, but I was strong. I promised her a new Barbie though as bribery. hahah. Jess has been brewing a cold for a good 2 weeks now & she woke at 5am coughing until she was gagging & she is all pale & had bags under her eyes. I have been giving her cough syrup but I took her out for a walk in the sun & I had to go buy some chicken for dinner & I noticed her to be quite breathless & shallow in her breathing while we are walking. I think she has asthma. I'm SURE that she was wheezing too cos she was making like this whistling rattling sound. So because I have her home, there went my jogging this morning. But so be it. I haven't been on the cross-trainer this morning, but I will be on there tonight when the girls are in bed. My knee is a bit tight again today, so I'm glad to just let it rest for the day. I have eaten super healthy! Tomato soup for lunch - no bread. Blueberry cereal with a chopped banana for breakfast with a peach/passionfruit tea. Yum! Dinner tonight is marinated chicken drumsticks with veg & cauliflower & brocolli cheese.

Enjoy your day girls!

[krystals]

krystals, I'm blaming you for being an enabler I just rang up and put my cape on layby. It was the last S/M they had in stock.

haha, I get that alot Glad you called though, imagine if you had've missed out!!!!

Nice work ASTRID!!! .7kgs is such good news, I'm really glad it was a nice surprise for you! I hope you can get some rest soon. Be nice to yourself, you can't be everywhere at once.

Belfie, I really hope you feel much better soon. And chocolate might help for a little while when your sick- take care of the emotional side while the physical side is down. Then be hard on yourself when your body can kick your mind's ass

Jayne, I'm sorry the girls aren't well. Is it gearing up to asthma season in China? Urgh... can imagine. Aircon aircon aircon!!! You're right, I love my scales this morning!!!! Couldn't believe my eyes- got hubby to jump on as well to double double check

Today has been terrible food wise- even after such a positive start to the morning! Meal wise you can't fault me, but I've been a sugar addict today. Polished off half a pack of NCC jungle jellies before I'd even paid for them trying to walk DS around BigW in the pram today!! LOL. Too funny. I was 'that' woman in the shopping centre! You know, the one you give pity eyes too?!! Heehee... then came home and polished off a snickers almond bar- I don't even like them!!! Poor bubs has been screaming all day. So unlike him. He's in bed at the moment, not sleeping, but resting, so I'm happy with that. Will brush my teeth and start drinking water like a mad woman. That usually gets me back on track!

I'm meant to visit a neighbour this afternoon with DS but it will mean not going for my walk. I'll miss it tomorrow as well as I have a bridal shower to go to. Hmmmm maybe I can go tonight after he's in bed. (Are you enjoying my internal monologue being delivered in type?). Will have to be careful tomorrow- I now there's going to be beautiful food!!! Have made some yummy chicken and parsley sandwiches and cucumber on wholemeal bread to take tomorrow (sounds weird, but they're totally yummy)- just so I can at least start off with the intention of being virtuous!!!

[belfie]

Oh and I made the caramel cakes yesterday (naughty naughty). Am off to freeze the rest so i can scoff them.

that might have been a bit freudian. I MEANT to type... so I CAN'T scoff them!


Re Wii Fit.. I have Fit & Fit Plus. Used to enjoy using them... shall have to pull 'em out again soon. It was handy in winter on cold late nights when it was too dark to get out of the house, but I don't use it as much in summer. I reckon some of it was good for my core strength though. Sometimes if I was really time-poor I found it a bit too much faffing around. Did i hear someone say Zumba for Wii? Has anyone seen it? is it any good??

[Miss.September]

Goodness this thread moves fast!!! Hi to everyone!

I've had a very ordinary food wise few days - mum's birthday and my brother's birthday one after the other and then DD's the week before. Too many yummy things, not enough will power. Blergh. Never mind though. Plus DH bought me an ice cream attachment for my mixer, so naturally I had to try it out, although it's probably better for me than shop-bought ice cream.

I've been reading all your stories and where you're at. You're all so inspiring and wonderful. Keep it up ladies!

[Raupe]

I had my weigh in today, too! I'm 89.5 now, so 0.1kg down from last time! Well, better than a gain 'spose. Off to actually lose some weight now! Wish me luck...

[~ Zarava Flutterby ~]

Gee ladies i really need to keep up.
Will try tonight i PROMISE... i was so excited this morning i took my pants and t-shirt off and jumped on the scales 90.7 i am NEARLY under 90kg and 12.3kg lost.

Last week i didn't walk, we were so so busy but today am heading out with HotI and I AM going to push myself.. prob not good with a week of no exercise but i need it and i WANT it.
Also my inspiration is now i have my 10yr school reunion in a month or 2 and i want to look remotely decent

Back later, got to get feral kids ready and dance around excited about my weight loss... i WILL come back and read everyones ASAP.

[~Jayne~]

RAUPE & ZF _ You both rock! I"m very, very, very proud of the both of you!!! xxx