Summer - Autumn 2010/2011 challenge #4

Hi guys, Just dropping in. I have been away at a conference and then on holidays. Although I have done a little bit of walking I have done a whole lot of eating. Yuk! So I am kind of detoxing now, nothing too full on but absolutely no junk food, and getting lots of fruit and vegies, and trying to stay away from coffee and going for herbal teas for a few days. I know I have ballooned - it is scary how quickly I put on weight. I have also come off the pill because since going on it I just haven;t been in control of my eating at all, and although I can't totally blame it I know it is part of the problem. Anyway I will be back on board. Hope you are all well. xo

Hey Krysalyss - I have missed you!!! It's funny you say that with the pill, because since going on it, it's where my weight has dropped dramatically!!! Do you think maybe it was the type of Pill? I am taking Yasmin & it's been so great. Cleared up heaps of blemishes on my face & also helped so much with weight loss. Prior to that I had the Implanon Implant & whilst I had no direct issues with that, I noticed I could work like a dog & still not lose any weight. My GP said it tinkered with my metabolism & slowed it right down - he doesn't recommend them. It was my OB who put it in to begin with. Can't wait to see you back in here some more!

APPLETREE _ You know the weird thing, I moved here with the fantasy of having so much time on my hands, but it's the polar opposite! I do Chinese Class for 2 hours 3 times per week, I have Zumba on Fridays, Monday is the only free day I have. I relish Mondays. But honestly, after dropping the girls at home, going for my morning jog, working out when I get back, doign the washing & general cleaning, deciding what to cook for dinner, going to class or Zumba, it's then time to go get them again. I am really looking forward to the possibility of having a cleaner TBH. I spent a LOT of my day cleaning & doing the laundry. Having white porcelain tiles, white kitchen table & white bench tops - you can't hide it for a minute. lol. I have made a lot of expat friends & I really need to get out more with them but everything else is taking up so much of my time. I am thinking of dropping Chinese class to twice per week - this first rotation ends at the end of April, so I might re-assess after then. I have to admit, the 2 bedroom is really appealing to me. The gym, pool & playground is a major drawcard for us. Plus being right across the road. The sqm size is the same as the 3 bedroom apartment I had my heart set on, so even though we are 1 bedroom less, we have bigger rooms - does that make sense? Both apartments are 168sqm, but one is 3 x 2 & the other is 2 x 2.

Ok, I'm off to class. I have really buggered my knee & I'm not looking forward to the walk there & the walk from class to the kids school. I did get through the 5km cross-trainer workout this morning, but I couldn't muster enough to jog this morning, but I did walk home. I am having major issues with cramps in my legs overnight, but that's another story. it's my weigh day tomorrow but I KNOW this time for sure I have gained. lol. It would be scienfitically impossible to have eaten what I have this past week & NOT gain weight. But it's the price I pay. lol

zz

Welcome back Krysalyss, I hope you had fun while you were away. I was on the pill a few years ago and I put on weight. The Dr gave me a lecture about exercising more so I assumed he was right but maybe it was the pill.

Jayne, if the rooms are bigger it might feel more spacious. My boys share a room and they enjoy it. There's always kicks and giggles after I say goodnight. Have you looked at the gym? I'm not sure that you should let it sway your choice. I worked in a building with a gym once and I thought it would be great being able to workout before I went home but really it wasn't so grand. There was only one TV so if anyone else was there it could be a bit annoying trying to sort out the volume and channel and there was only one of each machine so if someone was running already then I couldn't run.

I ran for 25 minutes on Tuesday which was a bit exciting for me. I'll shoot for 30 tomorrow. I might give up using the cross-trainer for more than 10 minutes. It makes me feet feel really weird - kind of tingly/numb and painful while I'm using it and today the top of my foot hurt so I'm blaming the cross-trainer.
I increased my bicep weight at pump today. Ouch. I might add to my back weight next time too. They are launching the new release on Saturday. It's reputed to have a really hard back track so maybe I'll wait until I've done that before going up...

I think I'm going to have to try dieting :o I'm heaps fitter and I have heaps more muscle but I don't seem to be shifting fat.
I'm fine with exercise, even when I'm not fit it doesn't scare me but having to deny myself food is something I struggle with. I think it's because all through my 20's I could eat anything I wanted and not gain a kilo and now that my metabolism has slowed down I have a lifetime's practice in eating like pig.
I've tried to cut down on sugar. I have only 1 teaspoon in my coffee now and I seldom eat anything sweet other than dark chocolate. I still eat takeaway about twice a week so I guess that has to go and maybe I need to stop having seconds.

Is food journaling working for those of you who do it?
Any diet tips for me? I need them :(

Sorry ladies - lurking mostly for now. AF is around the corner and has totally dropped my mood. Bad timing really.

Onyx - that is a tough one, it really depends on what it is that is making you fat, so to speak. For me I need to watch carbs, I love my bread and pasta to the point where if I let them, the other good stuff gets pushed out of the way. So it is good for me to note what my white carb intake is. With the CSIRO TWD I tick off a portion sheet, it has listed carbs, proteins, fruit etc. I have found that helpful. Other find Calorie King good, just go in there and log what you are eating. It should give you a good idea about how over you are going calorie wise. You could also try the trick of using smaller plates and bowl to lower your portion size.

Jayne - I have been on two different pills in the last 18 months. One of them was brenda which I think is the same as Yasmin? It did make my skin nicer though. LOL.

Onyx - Why don't you try counting calories for a little while? You can use calorie king. You might not want to do it long term but there could be some foods that you are overlooking that are bringing you down. When I started counting I was amazed at how much I really ate compared to what my body needed, and then what I had to eat to lose weight. I lost 20kg counting and exercising a couple of years back, and kept it off for over a year but now my weight is creeping up again. I have resisted counting this time because I can get a bit obsessive but if coming off the pill and watching what I eat without counting doesn't bring off the weight again I will probably have to count calories again. Calorie king at least makes it pretty easy to do if you have the internet and it is free.

Astrid - AF is here for me too so I know how you feel. Hope you feel better soon :) I do find that when I am good with my exercise that AF affects me a lot less.

Well I had soccer training last night which was really the first exercise apart from walking for a couple of weeks. My first game on Sunday so will be interesting to see how I hold up. Better get back to work I guess. Have a great day everyone!

Onyx - I find writing my food down is tedious, annoying, time consuming... and totally helpful. It makes me think about serving sizes & energy values. For me it takes a lot of the emotion out of eating and just turns it into a mathematical equation (i.e. I have this many calories left, what shall I spend them on). Sometimes I find that just a few days of recording my food and looking at where I'm going over can be enough to get me on track. I used WW for a while (really like their site) but for my on-again off-again style of recording, find that using CK is far better given it's free! I think with me it's the fats more than the carbs, and quite specifically, my snacks. Most of my meals are ok. So the deal i've made with myself is that if my losses start dwindling to nothing, then I have to record again. At present that's a great incentive for me to just eat well so I don't have to do it!

Jayne - you go girl! The apartment (and cleaner!) sounds awesome. I'm admiring your resourcefulness from here!

Krysalyss - welcome back, nice to have more folks in here.

AFM well I was doing great, but I've picked up a horrible lurgy from DD :( an 'orrible cough and fever. I'm sitting here sweating like a pig just doing nothing, it's not a very nice sensation. So i've been feeling distinctly manky for a few days. Very annoying. Have done some teensy walks but not really that much. Why do we get these things just when we were getting on a roll??!??! I'm mostly eating ok, I just had my "treat" of 2 squares of dark chocolate. Before 10am, that's not a good start. Not sure i'll manage a loss (or that I should even be trying to) this week... oh well, we'll see. Guess if I avoid a gain that'd still be good.

Hi ladies- does anybody mind if I join in here?
DS has just turned 7 months and it's about time I stop using BFing as an excuse to eat whatever I want!!! Goals are to shift fat, but also to eat healthier for more energy and because well, eating well and exercising are just good for you right?! I know I always feel better when I'm being 'good'. I'm *kinda* on track, but need a little something to keep me accountable. Hoping this thread can help out a bit!

Krystals - Welcome!!! Can't wait to get to know you better.

Girls, by tomorrow afternoon I will be the renter of an absolutely amazing apartment. Since we have lowered our bedroom requirement to 2 rooms, the search has been able to cast a wider net. So I saw an ace apartment yesterday, but I can get a bit bigger one for a fraction of the cost more, but with a beautiful seaview. So I'm seeing that one tomorrow. My poor agent, I really feel for her!! lol. Also Onyx, you're right, the gym isn't super. It's pretty tiny actually, but it has the things I would use - rower, tready, cross-trainer & then the pool. It's a family membership to use the gym, pool, cinema & discount to the restaurant downstairs. yes, I know, I never have to leave the complex - literally! So cleaner, remote control curtains, carpeted bedrooms, s****y kitchen (not s****y just has an oven! bahaha), here I come!!! Plus it's only about 400m to the school!

I'll BBL after my weigh in to let you know the damage!

xx

Oh bugger, i forgot to weigh in this morning! Jayne- sounds so nice!

MY LEGS HURT!!!!!

LOL, just did a 13km ride to the local shops, with DD on the bike. I've found with the wee ride, I can't stand up on the pedals to give it that extra bit of oomph up the hills so it's hard! But I feel pretty good :)

Jayne - Awesome on the apartment! Enjoy those views!

Krystals - Welcome!

Belfie - Hope you feel better soon :hug:

Hi to everyone else!

Super quick post because i am unbelievably happy right now!! Went into Witchery today and tried on a size 12 dress because they didn't have it in the 14 and it FIT! OMG!!! And then i tried on a fabulous jacket in a large BUT, for the first time in my life that i can remember, I HAD TO PUT IT BACK AND GET A SMALLER SIZE!!!! Wooooooot! Can't really believe it!

APPLETREE _ I'm loving you sick right now girl!! WTG! I am soooooooooooo proud of you! There is no better confidence boost I don't think! Rock on!

PAKRAKMG _ Hey, look at you go Biker Girl!! Fantastic effort!

I am feeling VERY sorry for myself, as if my week hasnt' sucked enough - I put on an entire kg. The whole frigging kg as well. Not .5, or .8 but a whole 1.0kg. I am NOT impressed with myself. Plus today I had an expat lunch at a buffet Italian! Doh! I did eat 2 small plates of food, but each time I made sure it was 2/3 veg & only 1/3 pasta or lasagne. I also ate 2 tiny squares of dessert. I am making a baked chicken risotto for dinner, so I'm really going to have to make sure I have a tiny amount. Kids size. Plus, no treats over the weekend & no new clothes. Boo hoo.

xx

Appletree - OMG that's awesome! :clap::clap: I'm so happy for you, and such a nice feeling!

Jayne - you have done SO well, you can do it and you WILL get back on track.

Well I've realised that my thursdays are my downfall. I don't know what it is, but my diet always goes a bit haywire on a thurs. When I logged on to post here I was feeling soooo tempted to make these little gluten free caramel cakes (packet)... in for a penny in for a pound right? But now reading your posts, and it occurred to me to check the calories... over 330 per cake. Youch. So you've saved me, I'm not gonna do it. Carrot & celery sticks for supper tonight for me. Plus I get a present as soon as I see a 6 in my kilograms. I was only .2 off it on Monday but I'm scared I'm backsliding. I'll try get back on track there's still time to save the week before monday. Thank you, you've just saved me from gluttony!

Thanks for the welcomes!!

PacRakMG- great job on the ride!!! Just waiting for DH to put new brakes on mine and I'll be on my bike too! A nice hot shower should do the trick for those aching legs, well done!

Jayne- your apartment sounds terrific. Don't be put off by a bad week, by the sounds of it, you've worked your way back before, and I know it's hard work, but you can do it again! New apartment, new start!

Appletree, that's such great news about witchery, they have such beautiful clothes, it's so nice that you can pick a 12 and feel so comfortable in them! You have just achieved my next goal!! Jealous and happy for you!! :dance:

Well done Belfie on making the right decision! You have also encouraged me not to go and grab another piece of toast. In for a penny, and you don't get the guilt of a pound =)

Well I haven't done *too* badly today, My problem is that we make all of our own bread and it's just too darn tasty!!! I don't adhere to no or low carb because I end up tired, cranky and no fun to be around, I'm more of a 'less sugar will do it' kinda gal :) So I had a wonderful chicken, avocado, spinach and mushroom sandwich for lunch, which was meant to be my bread for the day, but then I made a honey and oat loaf 'for hubby' but I took the crust. And then I had another piece. BUT THEN I STOPPED! Which is a good thing, and an achievement in itself.

I went for a short walk, but only 25minutes today as it started raining heavily enough for me to want to get bubba inside. I carry him on my back in a possum pack, usually for an hour. So I've been madly cleaning the bathroom and windows trying to work up a sweat =)

I'm feeling inspired!!!

Thanks ladies for your encouragement. I have had a bit of an inner-whinge to myself, but tonight I am feeling more refreshed. I KNEW that I would gain this week, I tried to reason with myself that it was bound to happen - you can't ALWAYS lose every week. It's not challenging if that would happen, does this make sense? It's still crushing to have been 1.7kg away & now I'm 2.7kg & the time is ticking down until we head back to Aus. 3 weeks today. That is basically 1kg per week.

Krystals _ WTG on stopping yourself with the bread. I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with bread, but I have learned to really cut it back. I'm lucky if I eat one slice of bread per fortnight. I do consume carbs though in the variety of rice & the odd pasta dish that I make. Maybe once a fortnight I cook using carbs as the base. Tonight I made a delicious baked chicken risotto & it was really tasty but oh so filling! I feel very blaoted now. I used to eat bread every single day, but it did awful things to my stomach. I was constantly bloated, went from one extreme to the other in the toilet department & just overall fell 'odd' after eating it. It also happens to me eating really creamy foods, like garlic prawns, or also fried foods. Take-out fries. So I have learned to live without them because for the 2 minutes it takes to eat it & enjoy it, I would spend hours afterward paying for it. Oh I had a coeliacs test, but it came back negative! lol. The walking you do with Bubs sounds really great! It's like a weight-class all at the same time!

Mmm, i so want your recipe Jayne! Good on you for getting over it, and good luck for the 3kgs! Its going to be a big challenge but i reckon you can do it! Go Jayne, Go Jayne, Go, Go, Go Jayne!!!

Ah bugger, i wanted to come and do a proper post but i am in bed on the laptop and my typing is bugging DF!

Welcome to our group Krystals! DF is also a bread maker, so i know exactly how you feel! Your loaf sounds amazing though! PRMG and I are both hip mumma's too ;)

PRMG- Oh wow, my legs are hurting so bad thinking about that! Great challenge!

Oh crap, i really woke DF up now. Oops! While he is up, i may as well make the most of it! Didn't make it to the gym this morning, but did a 50min walk/jog tonight before bed. Off to the gym in the morning!! Hopefully my ring has turned up ;)

ooooo risotto is one of my favourites! I do a roasted pumpkin and rocket one that is soooo yummy! The hard part is not putting too much parmesan in it! LOL. Jayne you sound like you've got a fantastic goal, a tough one, no doubt, but I know you can do it!!!! I just saw your ticker....OH MY GOODNESS!!! You have done SO well!! And you are SO close!! (I bet you're thinking 'duh, how frustrating!!!) You're amazing woman!

Appletree well done on catching up after missing the gym, it's hard when it gets to the end of the day and exercise is still looming. Good on you for getting out and doing it!

I think I might try and go for my walk this morning instead of this evening. Usually I go at about 5 o'clock which is a great time for bubba as we get back and it's bath, feed and bed- but lately it's been raining at that time. He doesn't sleep in the pack anymore, he's too busy checking everything out and screeching at the ****atoos =) Appletree, I'd seen PacRakMG in the hip thread, I didn't realise you were as well! Is your litle one still braced? I hardly notice anymore- Jack's just in a DB now so I forget it's on most of the time!

Man, brekky time! Jack slept in (YAY!) so I'd better go and get myself something to eat before I fall asleep myself! Have a great day gals!

Krystals, DS got the all clear after his first ultrasound, but DD who just turned 4 had a tenotemy (?? Wow, can't believe i have forgotten how to spell that!) and spica for 12 weeks and then the DB for 9 months. We just got the all clear for her a couple of weeks back as it hadn't actually done the job properly and they wanted to rebuild the socket before she started school. Luckily, it wasn't needed though! Her hips are now considered ok but not perfect.. LOL. I am more than happy with that! Man i hated the DB, i just wanted my little girl to be perfect and every time i saw it i was reminded she wasn't! Though, i found a super cute pic of her in it the other day, i will stick it in my photo album so we can compare types!

Hope you make it out for your walk! We got a sleep in here too! DS had been waking at 5:30am and DF was actually getting up with him, but this morning he kicked me and made me get up, so i just bought DS back into bed with us. After a half hour or so of squirming he fell back asleep and we all slept until DD came into the bed around 7:30. We then all tried to sleep a bit longer, but it was pretty impossible! I think we need to upgrade to a king size...
?
Ok, off to the gym, what to do, what to do... I think definitely my weight circuit, and then 20 mins each on rower, tready and crosstrainer? Pretty boring really! I need a challenge! Our session with a trainer is back on tomorrow, so i am looking forward to breaking it up a bit, and i will probably go to Zumba as well if time permits

https://www.bellybelly.com.au/forums...lbums/my+pics/

Here are some pics Krystals, also i found the one i made when this thread first started of how i am going to look when i am finished! Hahaha, its a long way to go...

AHHHH

Can someone PLEASE kick my ass? I seriously need to get motivated again....

HELP :(

Raupe!!! Where have you been? I was thinking about sensing out a search party...lol.

Why don't you just start by hanging out with us, no pressure to do anything other than chat and join in our general talk? We miss you! How is work going? Have you planned your engagement party yet?

Woooooooot!!!!! Just repeated my 1k run fitness test from 2 weeks ago and completed it in 6m53s, that's down from 7m35s!! I am feeling awesome :) go me!!

well done you!!!! awesome work!

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Woooooooot!!!!! Just repeated my 1k run fitness test from 2 weeks ago and completed it in 6m53s, that's down from 7m35s!! I am feeling awesome :) go me!!

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That's awesome!!! Congratulations!! :dance::dance:

I have been dragging my feet quite a lot this week - I am just having one of those 'why bother' kind of weeks I guess. I have already organised for us all to go for a walk this afternoon before dinner - rain, hail or shine lol so I am looking forward to that. I have decided not to weigh in again - I just don't want to get down on myself about it all.

Sorry for the quick post but Ive gotta run - have a uni assignment due in before 5 :doh:

APPLETREE - You rock woman! Way to go! I bet you feel on top of the world. So you should - you smashed that time! Awesome achievement! I'm happy to PM you the recipe, but I will have to do this afternoon. Otherwise, check out the taste website & it's called Oven-Baked Chicken Risotto (gluten free). Super simple to make & was really quite delicious. I think next time I might throw in some bacon, zucchini & mushrooms though. Just to spruce it up. I added the cherry tomatoes & the grilled capsicum, but I didn't think there was enough veg happening. I'm Zumba-ring today too! We can get our groove on together from afar! lol

KRYSTALS _ I am loving having you in here! You sound like you have all the right motivation, you just need to structure your day to get the exercise in. What about some dvd's to do during the day when it's raining & you can't get out for your afternoon walk?

RAUPE _ Get your bootie back in line girl! You know you can do, start it off slow, just chill out with us & then build back up to it! You KNOW you want to do it, you KNOW you can do it. Lets kick it!

Ok, I'm off to Zumba today. I jogged yesterday, but I didn't today, my knee is playing up again. But I AM going to get onto the cross-trainer today to make up for my non-jogging week. I only jogged once. Eeek! That is bad! So, ladies, make sure you push me to cross-trainer it today! Also, today is my LAST day of apartment looking. I have to decide on an apartment today. I never want to apartment hunt again! Wish me luck!

xx

haha JAYNE get your skinny ass on the cross trainer!!!! I wish I had one, we live in the middle of nowhere and it's 45mins to the nearest gym! I LOVEEE the cross trainer! I feel so strong on it, love squatting down into lunge position and really feeling it!!! Your arms get so toned as well- enough motivation for you!?!! Go Jayne, Go!!!! Good luck with your hunting! Oh, and you'll be so much clearer in your head after exercising so you'll be able to make better decisions re: your apartment!

~Ash~, I know you'll feel better after your walk today- hey, I'll (virtually) go with you! Then we can both get that virtuous feeling of doing the exercise even though we didn't really want to!!! I reckon it's okay to have a drag your feet kinda week- but the trick is not to leave your feet behind you too long- indulge in the 'why bothers' for a little bit- but then pick yourself and get into it, knowing you've been a friend to yourself and get on with the next friendly step- getting yourself into action! (feel free to kick me)

Okay- so I have confession. Last night I got a whole heap of my pre-preg clothes out and tried them all on. Don't laugh, you know you've done it too!!! Of course there's a whole heap that are a long way off, but there are a few that even though I am literally millimetres from getting done up! Okay, so I wouldn't be able to breathe, walk or sit, but I'm getting there!! Oh, and I even found a dress that fits!!!! The last time I wore it I was 3 months preg, so it was such a great confidence boost and motivator! I ended up putting on 32kgs with Jack- I lost 16kgs in the first week after he was born, and the rest is slllloooooowwwwwwly coming away. Who said Bfing made you lose weight? I have my favourite jeans sitting on top of my dresser so I can look at them each morning as all the encouragement I need to be good for the day!

KRYSTALS _ I think we are twins separated at birth. Everything you post, I nod my head in agreement with! Yes, of course I have got out little skirts & tops that used to fit & tried them on. Hey, it doesn't matter if you can't breathe in them, it's so long as they buttons & zips go up! That's the main thing! bahaha. I found that BF'ing didn't do diddly squat for losing weight! Although, I did only put on 12kg with Claudia & she was my breastfed baby. With Jessica I put on 30kg, but I lost 20 of that in the first 3 weeks. The kid just didn't sleep! She liked me doing step up, step down on our sunken room ALLLLLLLLLLLLLLL day & night long. That's where 20kg went. Over the years it really just trickled back on. But I am smaller now than my wedding day & also smaller than my smallest time of my adult life. SO I'm feeling pretty ok with that. Would love to get to the magical goal weight though in 20 days time. Hmmm.

Ladies, I am very pleased to report that I Zumba'd my little heart out today & then came home & did 5km on the cross-trainer & I feel all the better for it. I have had some left over baked risotto for lunch with a handful of cherry tomatoes & roasted capsicum & I'm now sipping a lemon citron tea. I am baking the kids nutella muffins though & they smell mighty delicious............... I will confess I had a few teaspoons of batter. I plan on not icing them, so I really don't think 1 muffin will do any great harm. They are small, kids size!

Have a great friday everybody! xx

~Ash~ did you go for your walk????

appletree, thanks for sharing those photos! Jack has the same DB brace- are you in Sydney? I think that brace is the westmead special :) Don't see it many places! Glad to hear her hips are normal(ish). LOL.

Jayne, nice work on the lunch! You're getting way more veggies than I am (note to self, veggies are your friend). Gawd, this is definitely the wrong place to ask, but what is the recipe for those muffins!!! Nutella is my best friend/worst enemy and had ALOT to do with that 32kg gain! LOL. Zumba AND crosstrainer? Geez woman, you'll lose 3kgs this week the way you're going! Just remember to take a break at some stage- your body needs to rest and repair x

Well, I had a velcro sooky bub today so the walk didn't happen....until he was in bed! YAY. It was dark, but I grabbed the dog and headtorch and went anyway! And now I feel good about both my decision making and myself! Geez I needed the headspace too! AF is here (finally, was chewing my nails waiting!!!) and usually I go and hide under the doona, but I'm trying to break that habit knowing that when I have a good exercise routine going, I always feel better.

We're up to 'use up the leftovers in the fridge' night. So I just had a couple of boiled eggs and a bowl of yoghurt for dinner tonight. Not very nutritious I know. But it could have been worse!

Am going shopping on the weekend to try and find a dress for a bridal shower I'm going to this week- wish me luck!

Jayne- i am forbidding you from sharing that recipe!! I have a big weakness for nutella too! They do sound incredibly tasty though!

Krystals- yep, Westmead special is correct ;) Which dr are you seeing? We had dr. little who was excellent. Fantastic work on the walk tonight! Is it quite dark where you live? We have just moved to a new area so my run in the dark last night was good to get to know the streets. I run on the street rather than the sidewalk as its smoother and i am less likely to hurt myself, but the main street i stuck to was quite a bit busier than i thought it would be and i had to keep running back up onto the grass as there was lots of parked cars and several buses coming though! I am patiently waiting on AF as well, no idea whats happened there as i am usually quite regular! Definitely not a surprise baby, i don't think that was physically possible this month... Oops sorry DF! I have been incredibly stressed out, so maybe it has delayed things a bit. Your dinner sounds good to me! I love a good yoghurt :) I bought myself a 12 pack of valia today, i only just discovered how yummy they are! And yep, i hear you on trying things on, i tried on the top i was wearing the night i met DF the other day! Holy moly is that one tight!! I think i am about 10kgs off what i weighed when i met DF at 19. I also didn't lose any weight after either of my kids, i actually gained weight! Just because i was at home and eating whatever i wanted. After DS, i didn't gain any weight whilst pregnant and straight after he was born i lost around 11kgs. I put that all back on again though within 14 weeks, and looking at what i was doing i can so see why! I would just eat and eat and eat, and not doing any exercise whatsoever! On the days when DD would go to childcare, i would stop and buy maccas on my way back and then climb back into bed to eat it before having a sleep for as long as DS would let me! Good luck finding a dress! Do you have something in mind?

Jayne- great work on zumba and cross trainer! How long does it take you to get to 5ks? And do you set a resistance? I will do a search of taste for the recipe, sounds delicious, especially with your veggie additions!

Ash- did you get your assignment done? What are you studying?? How was your big walk this afternoon? When i am having a 'why bother' week, i remind myself that i have never once regretted spending time to exercise, or felt worse after doing it and often i walk away feeling much better and then i realise thats why bother!

Raupe!! **KICK** Is that better? :p It's great to see you and I'm sure you'll be back on the wagon in no time.

Appletree, I guess your ring hadn't shown up at the gym :( WTG on the time trial. That's a great improvement.

Ash, I hope you get your mojo back soon. I really dislike those can't be arsed times. I think though that the hardest thing is often lacing up those trainers and taking the first few steps once you make yourself do that it's often easier than we expect.

Jayne, WTG on the Zumba and cross-trainer. Have you decided on an apartment yet? We're going to have to move soon because or landlady hates us because she turned up for rental inspection on the first day of school and the house looked like I had exploded a mess bomb in it. It was all surface mess, everything was clean but she still carried on like it was the end of the world.

Krystal, Good luck dress hunting. I hope you find something perfect. I haven't tried on my skinny clothes in ages. I'm on the verge of throwing most oof them out. I had them ready to go but DH guilt tripped me by asking if I'd just given up on being skinny so I put them all back.

I missed the gym today. DS2 vomited last night and then I did too so we spent most of the day lolling around in bed. DH gets home tonight so I might go to the 9am pump class tomorrow and then half an hour on the treadmill. If I do that I'll feel fine about taking Sunday off.

Oh onyx, that sucks about your and your DS being sick! I hate vomiting, one of my worst fears!! Just had to quickly say your line at the bottom of your posts is HILARIOUS! LOve it...

yup, what appletree said! And sorry to hear you've been vomiting :(

Yay for everyone else.

As for BF'ing helping you lose weight, well I lost 7 or 8 kg (you'd think I'd remember!) after having DS and gawd did I notice the calorie difference once I wasn't feeding!!! Dieting while BF'ing means you can still have some naughty stuff. Dieting non-bfing means being a saint! Plus while I'm still expressing extra for another bub at present I figure that's helping burn some more weight too (well I hope so lol, my karmic reward ha!)

AFM I'm feeling like crap, turns out it's a chest infection. Have had fever on & off all week and I'm so sick of it, I'm sweating ALL the time, drinking all the time, coughing all the time (ok so maybe I'm exaggerating) have done NO walking. Decided I would make those cakes tonight but luckily the eggs were out of date (and the egg-replacer ain't so good in that recipe). Still pretty scared about what the scales will say come monday cos I don't thinK I'm up for walking for another day or two. I figure if I post in here at least it will help me get back on track...

Hey Girls,

I HAVE DECIDED ON AN APARTMENT!!!!!!!! Finally! Well, to be honest, I had a big decision to make between 2 apartments. The one I didn't chose came purely down to the fact that it was more expensive & had NO furniture in it. The landlady said I could go shopping & buy anything I wanted for the apartment if I signed a 2 year lease. Alan is adamant he only wants to sign 1 year at a time. I'm happy to sign 2, but he wasn't. Plus, I had to shop for a dining table, computer table & chair, 2 kids beds, lounge, coffee table & tv cabinet. Was just a bit too much to shop for all at once & I want to move in next week as well. So on a technical side, I really only had a proper option of 1 apartment. I still have to stop for 2 double beds & 2 tv's, but apart from that we are set to move in. I would like to replace the couch, but I know I'm pushing it already asking for 2 tv's. The kitchen is all open plan & there is a marble centre-island breakfast bench complete with a wine rack! Hello!!!!! The only cruddy thing about the apartment is that the dining table is on carpet. I know I don't have babies, but I do have kids & accidents sometimes happen & the carpet is cream. So a big sheet of durable plastic is a MUST!

** APPLETREE: Close your eyes! **

Ok, for those of you who wanted the recipe - I'm sorry, but it's something I just made up on the spot. I *think* this is what I did. I creamed with a hand mixer thingy 2 eggs, 100g of butter & 3/4 cup of sugar. I then added 2 cups of SR flour, 3 heaped tablespoons of nutella & I just added milk as I was blending until the batter was smooth & fluffy. Then either just bake in a cake tin or muffin pan like I did until they are cooked through. Perhaps 15 minutes? Super duper easy! Quite delicious too. I only made them because I LOVE nutella myself & my kids wanted to try it, I knew they wouldn't like it, & they don't, so I figured I would use some up making cupcakes rather than having it staring at me begging me to spread it on hot toast every morning! I can't eat bread like that because it makes me feel so ill. lol.

ONYX _ Landlords have the most crud times for inspections hey? Mind you, we have never had an inspection here. Bugger that you will have to move, or you're quite happy to? Hope DS is back to bouncing tomorrow, I don't do spew, I'm scared of it. I hope you get a break tomorrow to head to the gym.

BELFIE _ Take your time darl! You are sick, your body needs to rest & heal. There is no point stressing yourself over exercise whilst you are sick like that. I would be watching very closely what you were eating & portion sizes, but ditching the exercise entirely. I hope you are better soon honey. Rest up!

KRYSTALS _ So proud of you for making time tonight to get out walking, but slightly stressed you went out at night on your own!!! Hopefully your neighbourhood is safe. I hope your little man is back to smiling tomorrow.

APPLETREE _ It takes me about 45 mins to do 5km on the cross-trainer. I don't go at a bat outta hell pace, but I keep it really consistent. About 6.2km/hour. I have it set on the easiest setting, purely because my knee is giving me grief, but this setting has given me really big bicep muscles & really toned up my thighs. I'm scared of setting it higher & ending up like a bodybuilder. lol. Alan changes the intensity, but he is bulking muscle. I think my muscle tone is actually quite good, I just need to trim the excess fat. KWIM? Did you find the recipe for the risotto? It's super easy to make, but I highly recommend frying up some leeks with the onions & adding some grated zucchini, just to beef up the veg content. I think bacon would be really great in it too. Yum!

RAUPE _ Where are you my dear? lol

ASH _ How was your day?

Well, that is all from me. One very happy girl who now has an apartment. Complete with a cleaner twice per week - thank you very much!!! lol

xx

Hi Ladies - sorry not the best on personals, will see what I can do though.

Jayne - congats on finding an apartment, so jealous of the cleaner. I am ignoring your recipe :lol:

Belfie - bummer about being sick. Hope you get better quickly :hug:

Onyx - vomit = fun (not). Hope you get your gym time in

To everyone else - hope it is all going well for you.

I found breastfeeding made me so hungry, so not the best for losing weight. A baby that only sleeps in the pram, used to be my mummy way of losing weight, going for multiple long walks each day.

Well thought AF was coming, but not here, not sure of my dates though, as I have not been keeping track. Hope it comes in the next week. We are not trying, DH has had the snip, so hopefully it is just me getting confused.

Diet wise, have not started my tracking sheet. Will get one printed out today (assuming I can kick DH off the puter that has the printer). Doing what I can to think twice before eating. Had a good dinner last night of chicken legs and salad. Did have something sweet with my cuppa, but I divided up the pack first so I only ate a few rather than just mindlessly munching on the whole pack.

Must drink more green tea, have found in the past I tend to lose weight when I drink the stuff.

Astrid, I fail at personals too. I dropped out of my baby buddies group because I couldn't keep up. If you don't feel like doing them there's no pressure.

Anyway... all about me. I made it to the gym this morning for the new pump. They said that back track was hard but it wasn't so bad it was the lunges track that murdered me. I ran for 20 minutes afterwards so I feel ok about taking yesterday off now.
My lower back is a bit sore, I think it was the throwing up in a freezing bathroom wearing tiny PJs that did it because I felt ok the night before and woke up feeling very strange. I hope it doesn't get any worse.

I've really gotta post in here more.
The batteries in my scales have been flat since the end of January, so I haven't weighed myself since then. The other night I decided to get my wii fit out to weigh myself, not sure how accurate it is, but I think it's fairly accurate...I've lost 4kg since Jan!

All from just eating better. But I still have another 2-4kg to go to get to my goal, so I'm walking to work more regularly (approx 5km).

I also did my measurements the other day for the first time since January, I've lost between 2-4cm from thighs, butt, hips, waste & bust (DH wasn't so happy about the loss from the bust though!)

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Anyway... all about me.

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tehehe this gave me a giggle! Good on you. Hope your back feels better soon.

D'bella - congrats!! That's awesome!

Jayne - wooooo hooo on the apartment that's awesome. And hey, when you don't need those cleaners one week, get 'em to just pop over here ok? ;)

AFM still sick yeah same old same old... BUT, I've signed up for a diabetes australia Life Program thingo. It's a free health coaching program for ppl who meet enuff diabetes risk criteria (which I do - dad has type II, i had GD+ insulin both preg & am VERY apple-shaped - waistline way into the high risk category), so I'll get some phone coaching sessions to help me keep on track! I'm always up for s'thing free, and s'thing free that helps me get fitter/healthier quicker.. HELL YEAH!

ONYX _ I had a giggle too! Loved the humour! WTG on the class today & then the run afterward. Yes, I would say you have definitely redeemed yourself for not getting any exercise in yesterday.

DANIELLABELLA _ That's awesome on losing that weight in between Jan & now. I used to use my WiiFit as my scales too - I do believe they are pretty good. Thinking I might need to hunt out my WiiFit actually............. hmmm Good idea! I have NO idea where it is in storage - so that will be fun.

BELFIE _ I sure will let my cleaner know that you are patiently waiting, but I'm almost 100% after cleaning our place twice per week we will use her up to the very minute! Its going to be a bit weird though, like I don't know what to do with a cleaner. Do I just open the door & let her go for it or do I need to tell her what requires cleaning??? This is all foreign to me! Plus, what if I don't like the job that she is doing? What if she isn't cleaning to my standards? I'm a bit panicked, I have never had a cleaner!

My island bench even have a wine rack in it!! I am sooooooooo loving the idea of it. I was up last night pacing like a little kid trying to figure everything out! We need to buy 2 double beds with mattresses, one queen matress, 1 (hopefully 2) TV's & some curtains. She has given us a tiny budget - so I'm trying to work with it as best I can. I'm hoping to take the kids curtains from one of their rooms from here, Jess' queen mattress (cos that is most comfy! Ours is crapola) & our TV from this apartment. I'm hoping to get them super cheap from our current landlord so I just have to buy the kids beds & mattresses & curtains for our room plus the living room. I really wanted to replace the couch, because it just looks dirty. I know it's not, but it's like a woven black & white colour so it looks kinda grey, but dirty grey? Anyway, I'm thinking of getting a few black polar fleece blankets to throw over the couch it a bit of a jazz up. Eeeek! I can't believe I have finally decided! Yay!

Oh & being that this is a fitness/weight loss thread, I should report that I have just finished a 5km workout on the cross-trainer. I have 900g to lose every week for the next 3 weeks. One of those weeks will be AF week too, so I really need to be super careful over the exercise & food intake.

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Oh & being that this is a fitness/weight loss thread, I should report ...

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Cleaners. I'm just about to sack mine. have tried both independant and agency. Usually I just tell 'em what I want them to do. I made the mistake this time of not pulling them up when they spilled some bleach on my bathmats and now wish I had. They did it again recently so I actually deducted money - was annoyed they were just being sloppy and the bathmat was a new one I bought to replace an earlier one they'd wrecked. Grrrr but partly my own fault for not warning them the first time. So my advice.. feedback IS a gift. So if they don't do it to your standard, then tell 'em, just tell 'em nicely. I am quite sure you're able to do that. I'm best of mates with one of my current ones (it's a pair that do it) and we're friends on facebook - I guess I consider it to be about the job not the person. Incidentally the sacking is not to do with the quality of their work, it's us restructuring our expenditure (huh sounded a bit fancy pancy lol).

Ok back to health & fitness now. For those of you being healthy. And fit.

Hope all are well & going great on their journeys.

Woohoo!!!!! I have officially dropped a pants size and can shop in normal shops again!!!!!!! Have on my spanky new jeans that look hawt! Off to a burlesque workshop this afternoon which should be interesting, need to start getting the hair & makeup done shortly, will be in proper gear for this workshop so am a bit excited, picked up a new pair of thigh high stockings yesterday (cute white ones with red bows at the top).