Come visit my new blog http://this-year-its-all-about-me.blogspot.com/

I'll still be blogging here. This year my goal is to blog more!

Book review

I am half way through re-reading Weight L0$$ for F00d L0ver$.

Here's what I've got out of the book so far:

1. begin as you wish to continue (no more fad diets!)
2. it's not about self discipline, it's about creating habits and strategic structures, and just doing it
3. avoid "what the hell" (you know when you blow your diet and say "what the hell" and keep eating and eating and eating) and "last supper" by beginning as you wish to continue. I know personally the thought of dieting triggers overeating, it's how I regained 20kg.
Restricting or depriving ourselves of certain foods is the beginning of the sabotage process that will ultimately bring our dieting undone.
4. avoid deprivation, starvation and justification
5. eat breakfast like a Princess, lunch like a Queen and dinner like a Supermodel
6. dont set goals to lose x kg, instead set your goal to develop a healthy eating lifestyle while really loving your food
7. there should be no forbidden foods, instead decide on the fattening foods that you love and include them in your food plan. Essentially give up the fattening foods that you dont really love. So far I've decided to give up icecream and popcorn.

And that's as far as I have got...

Im working on a goals list for 2010.

This year I want to find peace with my eating.
I want to develop healthy eating habits that become a natural part of my life.

Just popping in to say Hi, and Merry Christmas!

Next year I promise to be a better blogger, and I say this every year, but next year I AM GOING TO LOSE WEIGHT!!! I know, lot's of exclamation marks in this short post :)

Next year it's all about ME. I am going to focus on ME and put myself first. In 2010, it's all about ME and MY goals! Naturally, it's about Ali too, since this is a joint blog, hehe.

See you in January :)

Still here

Sorry for being more than quiet here, (try non existent!)

It’s just that I’ve been having such a fantastic time here in Oz, I‘m trying to make the most of being here.

Not to mention the weight loss has taken a back seat while I’m here.

I’ve got a week left before I’m plunged back into the cold land of the UK and reality, so I‘m trying to make the most of it.
If only the rain would stop!!

In some ways I could totally move back here, and fit into my old life so easily, and in other ways I can’t wait to get back to the UK.

I’ve definitely enjoyed having my car again.

It’s just so easy to get places, none of this waiting for a bus that never comes.
It’s also useful in getting to the gym, and pool, and anywhere else I want to get to.

I think I’ve managed to do more exercise with the car than without, which surprises me.

There’s no excuse why I can’t go half way across town to the gym, when it takes less than 10mins in the car and you’re there!

I love the outdoor lifestyle you get in Australia., I miss it.

I’ve been trying to make the most of it as much as I can, getting out there and enjoying the sunshine, since that‘s almost non existent in the UK.

There’s this walk I used to do all the time when I was living here.
It’s about a 7km round trip around the Nepean River and the scenery is so stunning especially this time of year.


It’s just beautiful at the moment, with the smell of jasmine in the air, and the beautiful purple jacaranda's, almost everywhere you look .

It just screams Spring!

Not to mention getting out in the Blue mountains, and stomping through the bush (my second home!)


I love walking amongst the native plants, the UK has nothing on a Banksia!

I’ve spent heaps of time reacquainting myself with old haunts, and I love it.

Another thing I can’t get enough of is summer fruits. Yum

They’re definitely something I always took for granted when I was living here.


Fresh cherries warmed in the sun, strawberries that give your tastes buds tiny little orgasms when you bite into them, juicy watermelon on a summers day, and not to forget mango’s..
oh how I’ve missed thee.

I’m not looking forward to leaving next week, but at the same time It’ll be good to get back to reality and into a routine again…

Not to mention having money coming in as opposed to going out in droves!

Quotes

I've been trying to find a post on Philippa's blog. It was something along the lines of not waiting for everything to be perfect to lose weight, but to just do it. Along the lines of what I posted yesterday.

Remember the old saying, fake it till you make it?

Maybe the key to success is just doing it, afterall dont they say it takes 21 days to form a habit? So, if you "just do it" for 21 days, you'll have formed a new habit. Oh, so easy!! Lol

If you were to focus on changing one thing, and doing it for 21 days, what would it be?

To be successful

Im in Brisbane this week, at a work conference.

Today our keynote speaker was Phil Jauncey. He is a performance psychologist, with 4 degrees.

His presentation was obviously not intended for weight loss, but could so easily be applied to weight loss.

Check out the video his website (from 1:34 mins) (scroll to the bottom of the page)

Ok, here's my notes from today.

Success is not dependent on:
MOTIVATION
POSITIVE THINKING
GOOD ATTITUDE
GOOD FOCUS

Basically he was saying these things alone will not make you successful, and they are not excuses for not being successful. Eg: you wont lose weight by being motivated, instead you need to eat right and exercise (put simply), and vice versa, saying I cant lose weight because Im not motivated is not an excuse.

Alrighty, so now we have Phil's 6 steps to success.
Step 1: assess what am I doing now?
Step 2: is it working?
Step 3:
a) if it's working, dont change
b) it it's not working, change

If you need to change, follow steps 4 to 6

Step 4: be specific with your goals, be clear about what you want to achieve and be able to see it
Step 5: make a plan
Step 6: act on it

Pretty simple....

Last up, reasons why we fail:
1. you dont know WHAT to do
2. you dont know HOW to do it
3. you dont have the resources to do it (ABILITY)
4. you dont want to (CHOICE)

He also spoke about "positive doing" instead of "positive thinking".

He has a few books, which Im adding to my wishlist.

Hopefully that all made some sense.

A little example, if you dont FEEL like getting out of the bed in the morning to exercise, what do you do?? His response, get out of bed! JUST DO IT!!

It's been awhile

What can I say...

Remember that goal of going without chocolate for the 6 week challenge that I had?

I made it a few days...

It kind of came crashing down when multiple 1kg boxes of chocolates hit the department...

Seriously, you try to avoid those tiny, tempting little packets of foil, especially when you're having a shocker of day!

I'm not giving up on it completely though, I'm going to try again in the new year.


Yesterday was my last day in Leeds.

I'm actually really sad that I'm leaving them.

It's the longest job I've had in the last 3 years, and I loved everybody in their own way.
It's definitely been a week of social outings, & catching up with everyone before I go.
I did try choose the healthy option most of the time.
Though there was a fair amount of booze flowing last night, too many free drinks from people (not that I was complaining!).

And I left in style...

By falling bum first out of a car!
(I'm all class!)

Needless to say, I don't recommend having to pack when you're hungover, it's not a very pretty sight.

But I managed to pack my life of 2 years into my pack, and a small carry on & boy was it heavy!

I even got the whole tingly sensations down my arms after about 30mins of carrying it, which can't be good.

I have to say though carrying a heavy pack around for a few hours, definitely makes you realise what being overweight is doing to your body.

Everything is immediately harder to do, a short walk, standing still, climbing a short flight of stairs, going through train doors (though that may have something to do with all the other bits and bobs I was carrying), even picking something up off the ground is near impossible.

Being overweight is like having to carry that pack around, day in and day out, never being able to put it down.

I'm off back to Oz tomorrow night, and while I'm not planning to be 100% good while I'm home. I can't wait to get back to my old gym, and go swimming at the beach/pool. So hopefully things will even each other out.

See you on the flip side!

Ali 1 : Chocolate None!

Guess who had access to copious amounts of chocolate today, and resisted???

That’d be me!

Woo hoo!

One of the “nice” patients brought in a massive box of chocolate for all the lovely radiographers (we do like those nice patients, no special treatment at all!)

Anyone that’s worked in a hospital environment knows that any type of sugar goodness is well received!

We’re not allowed to accept money, but who can resist food!

Anyways the box sat right behind me for 5 hours… and I resisted that delicious chocolate!


Weekend

I survived my 2 epic bus journeys in style, and within points.

Didn't see that one happening did you!?!

Sunday was a little on the pointy side, where I think I ate 3 days points in one day.

oops

I blame it on being locked in the accommodation, well maybe not locked in, but unable to lock the door
(After leaving my keys in London, and having to break in, stress eating,!! But kind of hilarious.)



Weigh in

Weighed in today and lost 800g.

Happy with that, after the dismal eating yesterday.


Tomorrow

We're having a surprise party at work tomorrow as it's CK's 40th Birthday, so lots of nibbles to be had...

I've been good I picked up lots of carrots, and I'm taking some low fat dips, as well as what I've been told to bring...

That way at least there will be something low fat to snack on.

I just need to choose that option instead of the more delicious looking pointy ones which I know will be there!

wish me luck

Spring into Summer Challenge - Week 1 results

My first week of the Spring into Summer Challenge is over, and the results are a 300gm gain. Considering how excited (I thought) I was about this challenge, I had a hard time actually starting it and making any changes.

I've decided I need to take this weight loss journey day by day to begin with, and set myself daily goals. Baby steps!

Today my goals were to do 10 mins on the exercise bike and to track my food in Calorie King. I've done both.

I decided to swap from WW to Calorie King for a bit. I need to focus a bit more on the nutritional side of my food, instead of just sticking to pts or calories. I've been bordering on having high blood pressure for a while now and it appears the boy has developed it also. So we both need to get serious and lose some weight. I like being able to track my sodium intake in Calorie King, hence the swap to Calorie King. I'll put a link over on side to my food diary on Calorie King for anyone interested.

Today's food:
Breakfast: nothing (slept in and wasnt hungry)
Lunch: footlong Subway club, with cheese and honey mustard sauce (skipped breakfast so thought I would use up the calories at lunch. Next time would stick to the 6 inch)
Dinner: chicken parmigana and salad
Snacks: apple, orange, Subway cookie, 1/2 Byron Bay cookie

Calories: 1,581/1,900
Sodium: 3,416/1,500

I did some quick research on suggested sodium intake and it's recommended to have around 1,500 to 2,000mg. Im aiming for the lower end.

My Subway had 2,500mg of sodium. OMG! Evil Subway!!


Here's a pic of my dog (just because) taken today :)

Currently

listening to: silence
crushing on: kristin cavallari

lusting over: MAC makeup (I have a huge wishlist)
consuming: ice break
rocking: you're such a kabuki queen
watching: being erica
stressing over: study/exam
scared of: never losing weight
make up essential: lipgloss
wanting: a new car
loving: good health mag
hanging for: a holiday
addicted to: ice break

Stolen from Miss Nicky

I promise I'll do a real post soon.

I had a few moments of weakness today which I’m not proud of.

Every Thursday here, they do procedures in one of the CT rooms & the nurses and Doctors involved bring in goodies for morning tea, like biscuits & cake.
Mainly because they don’t have time to go have a proper tea break.

Anyways today they brought in a delicious assortment of Viennese biscuits.

I had one before lunch, and it just melted in my mouth. Yum

Anyways by afternoon, the procedures were over and they all left, leaving the left over goodies behind.

Bad mistake.

I ate 3 more as the afternoon went on.

I should have stopped at the first one.

I managed to fit them into my points.
Though they kind of feel like wasted points.

I didn’t really want them, I just ate them because they were there.

Mindless eating is definitely something I need to work on.

I’ve got a bit of an epic journey on the bus tomorrow.

Since I’m cheap and unorganised I’ve decided to catch the bus from Leeds to London over the weekend..

Nothing like an epic 5hr journey in peak hour on a Friday to keep you on your toes… (I’m thinking it will be more along the lines of 7hrs at least!)

My plan is to have dinner at lunch, and then maybe a sandwich on the bus for dinner.

Need to work out some low point snacks to take with me as well. what I take is what I can have.

And then I get to turn around and do it all again to come back!

Joys…

3 days in...

So I managed to last a good 2.75 days before I cracked it and had some chocolate.

It wasn't exactly chocolate... but a chocolate covered cake...
The boss went off at tea time and came back with a collection of them and gave everyone one.

I had good intentions at first, and left it to the side hoping one of the guts of the department would come along and wolf it down...

but no such luck, and it beckoned to me after lunch..

It's chocolatey goodness just melted away in my mouth.


I suck!

Anyways moving along

Carrying on from yesterdays post

I agree with you Nicky. I am a grazer, always have been, and suppose I always will.

Just trying something different this week, to see if it makes much of a difference.

I'm missing rice crackers. (they used to be my staple of 1p snacks.)
I need to get a carrot fund going in the fridge, with some salsa.
I love nuts, but I don't think I have the will power to stop at just 5 cashews at the moment, I'm more likely to inhale the bag because they're so morishly good.
Diet Jelly is good for a 0 pt sugar rush
as is low fat yogurt (I'm extremely fussy with yogurt, the one I like over here is 1.5pts a small tub)
Struggling with getting enough fruit at the moment; it's winter here, and it's a dreadful fruit time. I miss fresh summer fruits.

But Banana's are a bargain, and one can never have enough!
I still remember a few years back when banana's were $8 a kilo, and I spent $5 for one banana... desperate times!!!!

Buying the popcorn was a mistake.
I knew that when I bought it... I had a mini argument with myself in the shop before I even bought it!
Should I own up and admit I bought 2 packets too (it was buy one get one free... stupid offers!) but happy to report that I've already rationed it out into little bags and have so far kept it like that.

But air-popped corn would have been so much better for me.

I bought my mum one of those popcorn makers for mothers day one year, it was awesome, and I was always using it... funny, I can't remember my mum using it ever... maybe I should steal it back!?!

And Kristy, I usually try have morning tea, and something to eat of an afternoon as well.

I've just been a little slack on organising myself of a morning of late, I keep sleeping in. It's just so dark outside, an my bed is so warm! I often end up running for the bus, and in the process not having time to pack proper snacks/ lunches...

Time goes back an hour next week... I'll have no excuses!

I'm generally ready to gnaw off my arm when I get home, that's when my snacking seems to be at it's worse.

Which is where I'm trying not to snack so much. Some days I snack so much I don't end up having dinner.

Food log

B: Special K+ skim milk (3)
L: Homemade chicken salad (4.5) & mini yogurt (1.5)
S: mars cake bar (3) (naughty naughty!)
D: WW thin & crispy chicken fajita pizza (7)
S: Popcorn (4)

Some idiot stole my banana at work, trust them to steal that rather than the cake!

Week 1 S2S: Food Log

Monday

B: Special k with skim milk (3)
S: mini yogurt (1.5)
L: Greggs Char grilled oval bite (sandwich from a bakery chain over here in the UK) &
Packet of mini Cheddars (pure evil I tell you... but delicious!) (11)
S: Velvet crunch crisps (2)
D: 2 ww sausages,with bread & salad (6)
S: Diet jelly (0)

Total 23.5 (over 0.5)

Tuesday

B: Special K with skim milk (3)
L: Homemade chicken salad & mini yogurt (6.5)
S: Morrison's butter salted popcorn (3.5)
D: Chicken Caesar melt (4.5), with salad, & a serving of Oven baked chips (4.5).
S: WW rice custard (1.5)

Total 23.5 (over 0.5)


So yeah the last 2 days haven't been the healthiest of days.
But I've got in lots of salad veggies, and I've just been to the supermarket and picked up some fruit.

I bought the popcorn before I could stop myself... It's good though... mmm popcorn, but I didn't really need it.

I'm trying to limit the snacking by eating more at lunch and dinner this week.

Another day, another weigh in

It’s been 9 weeks now since I started this weight loss journey again.

There’s been some gains, but mainly losses..
Not too many huge ones, but losses all the same.

Today I finally reached the big FIVE



That’s 5kgs off and out of there!

Wooohooo!

I’d be lying if I said I was completely happy how things are progressing.

Things are moving a little to slowly for my liking.

I love to be rewarded after putting in the effort, who doesn‘t?, and these measly little losses I’ve been having of late are really doing my head in.

I’ve tried changing what I eat, amounts, eating more/less at different times of the day, and nothing seems have kicked off this weight loss at all.

It’s reasonable to be asking for a 700g loss a week?, I weigh over 100kgs after all.

Isn’t it recommended that you lose 1% of your total body weight a week.

At least initially.

Anyways this week I’ve decided to drop my daily points allowance by 3, and see if that has some effect.

Anyone following the WW plan either in the UK or Oz, will know that in order to work out your daily points now, you take a little quiz.

I have an active job where I’m constantly running about like a headless chicken, walking close to 7-8 KM a day, just at work (and I work in a box!)

So technically I’m dropping the extra points I’ve been given because of that.

I think I might take to wearing my pedometer, and recording the actual bonus points I should be getting while at work. To see if they correspond to what I’m actually meant to be using.


Other news:

Today marked the start of the next 6 week challenge.

I haven’t quite worked out what my challenge goals are going to be this time, but have a few.

• No chocolate
• Getting back into the nineties
• Beating Jadey!

Kristy I’m sure is going to leave me in the dust this time round!

I have an excuse though, half way through I’m heading back to OZ for a visit.

My first in 2 years…

Now it can go either way.

1. I go completely nuts making the most of all the delicious Aussie foods I’ve missed living in the UK
2. I realise I’ve gone without it for 2 years why do I want it now!?!

Mmm I wonder which road I shall take?

I’m hoping it won’t be all bad. I’m excited to be able to swim outdoors again, and go to a gym with classes that I can actually attend!

Wooohooo for combat classes!

But I don’t want to make things to strict for myself, as I know there’s bound to be a whole heap of socialising going on.

But it would be nice to come away having had a great time, and lost some of that excess baggage in the process.

Spring into Summer

I thought I'd share my goals for the Spring into Summer Challange here:

1) lose 6kg
2) track my eating (at least 80% of the time)
3) be able to ride my exercise bike for 30 mins (I've already wrote up a plan, similiar to C25k)
4) drink 1 lt of water daily
5) develop a skincare routine, stick to it and stop buying more products (wanted to have 1 non-weight related goal)
6) try 6 new recipes

I am really psyched (that looks wierd) about this challenge!

So when I last blogged, about 3 weeks, these were my stat's:
Week 1: 2kg loss
Week 2: 1.6kg loss
Week 3: 100gm gain
Week 4: 1.7kg gain
Total loss: 1.8kg

These are my updated stat's:
Week 1: 2kg loss
Week 2: 1.6kg loss
Week 3: 100gm gain
Week 4: 1.7kg gain
Week 5: no weigh in
Week 6: no weigh in
Week 7: 400gm gain
Total loss: 1.4kg

And here's my graph from ww online....

**THIS** is the cycle I need to break! And I am hoping this 6 week challenge will help me get beyond the initial 2 to 3 weeks.

PS. I hate this blue background...

No chocoate...

So as part of this whole Spring into Summer challenge (which should be Freeze into Winter, since it's definitely not springing into Summer here!)

I'm going with the group and giving up chocolate for 6 weeks.

Not sure how I'm going to last a day, let alone 6 whole weeks without it.

Oh delicious chocolate how I shall miss you...

Challenge time!

Just a quick post...

I am doing the "we are slimming" 6 week Spring into Summer Challenge! Have you signed up?? The challenge starts tomorrow (but you can join any in any day next week).

Spring into Summer Challenge

Calling all old Weight watchers

Anyone out there have or remember the old weight watchers program?
I'm taking the pre Discovery plan, or whatever they're calling it in OZ.?

I'm talking 2001 style were there wasn't a quiz for how active you are in the day, there was just a weight range, and the number of points you were allowed.

I need to get my hands on a copy.

I've done the points quiz on the program over here a few times, and I still reckon they expect me to eat too many points.
Sure I love the extra goodies I can nibble on with my extra points, but I don't remember ever being on this many points before, even in my heaviest of days.

It's just not working for me

I just finished a 6 week mini challenge over at We are Slimming, and for a change I actually stuck to it, and lost 1.7kgs.
It's a loss, yes.
But not an impressive one.

Even having active weeks, with lots of incidental exercise and planned exercise, and eating well, the scales hardly budge much.
Everyone knows what kick to the motivation levels a small loss has, especially when you've given it your all.

I've varied my food intake through out the day;
eating more for breakfast and lunch, and less for dinner.
changed what I've been eating,
had smaller meals, more often
had larger meals less often.

nothing seems to change things

So I've decided I must be on too many points

I know the other system from back in the day works, I've proven it

So if anyone has an old copy of it lying around, do you mind emailing/posting the weight/points chart..

Otherwise I'll just have to dig out my old copy when I come back to visit in a few weeks..

Though I'm interested to see how many people like the older program better than the new improved one?

Anyone?


On anther note;

I've been banashied to the other hospital across town to work today, they're "borrowing" me.

The problem is I have no idea where this so called hospital is and how to get there....

wish me luck! ;o)

Pre- Prepared meals

I've been living in the dark ages it seems.

I've just discovered the best section in the supermarket... the pre-prepared meal section

I'm not talking, frozen meals, or microwavable meals.

I'm talking whole meals in a packet, with all the ingrediants included, and all you have to do is cook it! (the lazy chef in me loves it!)

It's fantastic..

I love cooking.

But since I came over here to the Uk I've been pretty sparse recipie wise.

I'm one of those "eat it to death" kind of people, where I'll eat the same thing over and over agin, because I love it, and it's easy...

Stirfry is a common feature for dinner, not only is it quick an easy, but you can make a massive wok full that'll last you all week!

As is steamed veggies, they seem to cater for families where I shop, with massive bags of fresh mixed veggies, so I end up eating them day in and day out!

But this new find has broadened my horizons...

Here we have dinners for one or two, and relatively low in fat.

Chicken topped with backon and Cheddar

Roast lamb with thyme & rosemary, and roasted vegtables

Salmon in all sorts of flavours

The list is endless.

Before you judge, I should remind you that I have no fixed abode.

I'm literally living out of my backpack, and have been for the last 3 years..

Think of how excited you feel when you get home after a longish holiday, and get to unpack your things...

Then think what happens when you don't get to unpack them!

That'd be me..

Somedays I wish I had a "home", other days I just can't even think what that would be like.

I mostly stay in hospital accomodation, which can really go either way.

I've stayed in some hotel worthy places where you have your own bathrom.

But many are like staying in a hostel (only you get your own room), with mushroom infested showers (like where I am now)

(Makes you wonder what the kitchen is like, if there's mushrooms growing in the bathroom, doesn't it!? ;O)

Think of all the little things you need to start a kitchen from scratch.

Plates, cutley, frypans, woks, baking trays, spices, rice, flour, the staples most kitchens have already.

Every time I move, I have to start again.

I'll admit to being a food thief on occasion, stealing spices and such from the communal cupboard... cause what's the point of going and buying my own when all you want is a sprinkle (right!?!)

It's joyful...

Anyways I've been eating out my cupboard the last few weeks, trying to use up the last of things. (For the sole reason that I'm off back to Oz in 4 weeks, then moving somewhere completely different when I eventually find a job in Jan.)

So I need to be able to physically move what I own in one trip!

So having to go out an buy more essential items, for delicious looking recipies is just not happening at the moment..

I've been getting a little bored of late eating the same sorts of things.

One can only eat so much pasta people, before they themself turn into a sticky sprial shape!

With me now!?!

So now do you understand my delight at finding the Pre-Prepared meals at the supermarket!?!

Dinner in a box... you can't beat it!

Weekends

What is it about the weekend, that has resolve disintegrating like a chocolate cookie in a cup of steaming tea?

Is it the freedom of not having work to occupy your mind?
Or the fact you have more time to obsess over food?
More time to cook exclusive delicious things?
Or even just more occasions for temptation to bite you on the bum?

I struggled today.

It kind of started when there was a sale on Kit kats in the supermarket.

Not really bring a huge chocolate fan I don’t eat too much of it.

But this week there’s been a bit of the good old craving of some melt in your mouth chocolate.
Fuelled probably by the fact that I have a 1.1kg tub of delightful mini chocolates just sitting on my wardrobe, awaiting the joys of leaving this place.
I’ve been tempted to crack them open, after all no one would notice one missing.

But knowing me… would I stop at just one???

Most likely not.

So anyway while I was out picking up some milk and eggs, I picked up a strip of Kit Kats, 9 for a pound…
bargain!

They lasted a while sitting there on their own, before I cracked opened the packet.
Letting that delicious chocolaty smell escape.

I savoured the first.

Then I found myself calculating how many of the delights I could devour in one sitting rather than savouring a select few.

I wish I could say I my mission was a success and I walked away after just two, feeling thoroughly satisfied.

But alas, I did not.

Instead I ate until there was no taste, just texture and the sound of chewing, setting my thoughts to a soothing rhythm.

Why do I do things like that?

I’ve had such a brilliant week otherwise.

That’s it, I’m sewing my mouth shut, and eating through a straw!