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 :)