I hate to disappear, but I want to

I have no idea what happened with my last post (now deleted), but this is what it was supposed to be:

Blogging. Love it. Love reading other blogs even more, I think. So I do that more than I write on my won blog.

So, I've been around blog world for quite some time now. And around the healthiness/weight loss/fitness blogging circles, I've realized there's a trend; Most bloggers, like almost all, who have reached their goals and are now in maintenance, or are near their goal, started blogging after losing some. And then those bloggers who started blogging when they started their journeys...those are mostly blogging away day after day, or skipping days or weeks in between, but are not getting far in their journeys. That is just my observation and may not be absolutely accurate, but if I'm right, does anyone know why that is?

I find it very interesting. Especially because it applies to me.

Anyway, like the title says, I hate to disappear. But I want to leave, to stop blogging for a while. I want to go away and work on myself privately. I will start blogging publicly again when I have lost a significant amount of weight. An amount that I won't only see on the scale or by how my clothes fit, but where by I'd have to stop wearing some of my clothes because they are too big. I want to come back to blogging when I know I'm making some real progress.

I love blogging, so it'll be quite a reward to work towards.

So, see you later.

Have a merry christmas and a great new year! What gifts are you giving yourselves this coming year?

Modern technology

Thankful
I'm sooo thankful for modern technology that has reunited me old old friends that I've always known will be friends for life. Even during the lulls I knew they were there among the stars as I was there amongst their stars - isn't that what friends are, each other's twinkling stars.
I've missed you, I miss you and hopefully one day we'll be in the same room again.

Back to the grind

Thankful
I'm thankful for support systems and systems in general that allow me to take a break from the regular stuff once in a while. I managed to get time off work and my family cared for my son, so I was able to drive off into neighbouring South Africa for some fun time. I enjoyed every minute of it, from the ride down (it helped that I didn't drive at all except when I had to park the car at the border on the way back) to the down time in the hotel room. Fun times. We need to do that more.

T'was my birthday!

I'm thankful for life, and love in all it's forms.

Personal transport

I'm thankful for my little car that gets me where I want to go when I want to go. It's easy to take having a car for granted, but it just takes a single day without it and having to use public transport to appreciate it. Add bad weather and you appreciate your car tons more. The only down side to driving is that it decreases your chances of 'naturally' incorporating physical exercise into your life. So, in appreciation of my car, and myself, I will drive whenever I need to, but I'll really think about whether I need to drive or not before I turn the ignition on.

Excitement

Thankful
I'm thankful that I am so 'young at heart' and so easily excited. I'm extremely excited about my birthday on Wednesday, and perhaps even more excited about the christmas season coming up. Seeing all the decorations already up in the stores and malls has me giddy. I can't wait till I can decorate my house. I'll do it on the 25th (American Thanksgiving day) when I'm off of work.

I'm taking 3 days off this week to celebrate my birthday!! I have a lot planned, including an out of town trip where I'll be on the look out for new christmas decorations for the house. Why isn't everyone around me as excited as I am about christmas?? Of course it's only one day, BUT there's a whole season around it. I started seeing the first decorations this year in October, that's at the very least 2.5 months in advance of the day, and you want to tell me it only 1 day? I'll always be a little girl when it comes to christmas, and can only hope that my kids will love it as much as I do.

Anyway, on the regular stuff...I'm still taking my hiatus. Enjoying everyday without much worries. I have overdone the last few days but have given myself permission not to beat myself up about it. In the process I've learned how to make the most amazing pizza. I've had pizza from a thousand places the world over, but believe me when I say I have never tasted any as great as what I made on Friday. I also baked some chewy cookies that my son absolutely loves and will be getting often. Tonight I'm making some moroccan chicken curry to go with rice. It's a Weigh Less recipe that I love and have made several times already.

As for gym I'll go when I get back from my little trip. I'm sure there'll be lots of walking on that trip which should prime me for starting regular work outs.

Other than that, I'm constantly thinking about how I should give myself the next 2 years of my life, 33rd to 35th birthday to live my best life while attempting to find the real me. Be more feisty and just enjoy life more. I'm sure going to attempt to live more. Just have to come up with a plan, and it's probably time I made up my bucket list...

Half day Fridays!!

Thankful
I'm thankful that on Fridays I get to go home (or rather leave work) at 1.30pm. I cherish these few hours off because, other than holidays, it's the perfect time to do things I can only do on week days, that otherwise I would not have a chance to do. Usually I find myself getting home later than I do on other days, but with what I would have accomplished in comparison (personal matters, not work), it's okay. Today I don't have lots of plans though, just going home and playing with my son since he's not at school today.

Double benefits

I'm thankful for the privilege to benefit from both my country's and American holidays. This means that I get about twice as many days off of work, not charged to me, as the average person in the country. This, and the half day Fridays are some of the top things I'll miss about this jobs when I leave. *The day was very productive, I'm pleased*

Inside information

Thankful
I'm thankful to be privy to news that has me sooo excited before the general population knows! The next Gaborone Marathon will be in April next year, so I get to have a head start in my training --- because I want to run at least the 4 or 5K, whichever one they do. I'm so excited for it.

Yep, that means I got a jolt to get off of my tush and start the C25K. I soooo want to run the 5K next year. This year I walked with my son in the stroller, and it was hard. But next year I'm determined to run. So, I'm going back to the gym immediately following my birthday and hitting the treadmill. It is the oddest thing that I can go to gym just to hop on the treadmill, yet I have one of my own, and a pretty good one too. Somehow I just can't summon the motivation to use it anymore. In the past few weeks I've considered loaning it to my mom, because what's the point of having it occupying valuable space while she could make good use of it? Think I'll have to think that through again because I may just want to use it at times when I can't make gym.

Ohhh, please please let this training for the marathon finally be my ticket to getting serious and making some progress... I am going to ride it as much as possible, and God knows I'm soo ready for some progress.

The rainy season is here

I'm thankful for the rain that has come to relieve us of the heat that had descended so unrelentingly upon us. If it just keeps on raining while we sleep or don't need to be out-doors then I'm all for it. Woza malam'lela! Pula!

Great weekend, or not...

Thankful
I'm thankful for nice, restful weekends. They are rare, so when one comes along it is truly cherished.

After our weekend plans fell through on Saturday, we resolved to not make any new plans and just use the weekend to sort of recharge and get some much-needed rest. I only left the house 2 times between Saturday and Sunday. Once to get a very necessary ingredient for a recipe, and then to make the weekly grocery run.

Rest we did. It was quiet, if you discount the constant chatter of a 2 year old, and we really enjoyed being in-doors the whole time.

Of course, there's a down side to all of this. That recipe for which I had to get an ingredient - really bad-for-your-heart stuff. And we ate, ate, ate. And we drank, drank, drank. Both soft and hardish. We concluded the weekend with a very late supper, which comprised of brunch-like foods. So, there you have it. A weekend of zero activity, and high consumption.

That means, weight was up this morning, obviously. I stress too much about my weight. I think about it all the time, and yet I'm not making any progress at all. Somehow I always self-sabotage if I make even the smallest progress. Could it be because par fo me misses something when I do lose? Ugh, I don't get it.

Anyway, this is what I'm thinking. Between now and my birthday I'm giving myself a chance to just exist without worrying about what I weigh. I will not worry what every move I make means to my weight status. I will just be, and I'll see what happens. No, this is not an excuse to over-indulge, not at all. I'll go to gym when I feel especially moved to go, I will not force myself. I will feed my body nutritiously, not  with junky substances. And on the morning of my birthday I will see if I have gained or not. That's all. Not a plan really, just letting go for a bit.

I've been baking

Thankful
I am thankful for all the things that I may take for granted on a day to day basis. A roof over my head, air conditioning - a total necessity in this heat, a car to take me places whenever I want, clean water, food, electricity, a well-functioning body. And just about enough money for me to afford the basics. And my job, for as long as I have it.

So I've been baking. A lot. Even during the week. My downfall has been food blogs. I browse around and often I come something that looks just irresistible and easy to make. So I bring out the recipe, make sure I have all the right ingredients and I go to town. So, far I've been successful with each single recipe. My latest was a rich fruit cake that turned out very well, and everyone who got a taste of it was just raving about it. Which means I'm not so bad. But, it also means that my 'taster' will suffer the consequences of this incessant baking. Guess who the taster is??

Myself, of course.

Another 'confession'? I haven't been to gym at all this week. Excuse, after excuse, after excuse. Some really legitimate, but others, not so much. And I just won't dwell on it, what's the point?

And last, at least for today... I have decided not to renew my Weigh-Less membership at the moment. I have not been following the plan properly and know I can't fool myself thinking another 3 months membership right now will make me make a 180. I told my online group leader that I will resume as soon as I feel that I'm ready to make the commitment.

Where does that leave me?
Struggling of course, recycling the same 5 pounds over and over. But it also leaves me with a resolve to not gain any more than that 5 pounds above my lowest this year. I'd love to be losing of course, but in the absence of losses, maintaining is acceptable. Not weight gain. I'm not motivated right now to chase the numbers down, though there are motivators left, right and centre, but I'm determined to continue eating healthily, and move as much as possible.

I am thankful

My birthday month is also thanksgiving month for Americans. Ever since I discovered Thanksgiving day, I've wished that it was something we celebrated here. But fortunately, there's no reason why I can't just choose to celebrate along with the Americans, and also I've always worked in organizations originating from the US, hence working with Americans and getting to celebrate along with them holidays that I would otherwise maybe not aware of.

Anyway, I have so much to be thankful for. When I look around myself, I can see that I am truly blessed. I am blessed first of all by having been born into this country. Peace, tranquility, stability. I can't imagine being from elsewhere.

I've decided that for the rest of the month I'm going to post a blog saying what I'm thankful for that day. One or two or more things. I'm even getting ahead of myself right now thinking of all the things that bring me joy, make life easier, and just plain make me glad to be me.

I'm looking forward to doing this and wish I had started on the first.

First: I am thankful that I am aware of, and I am able to celebrate, Thanksgiving this month along with my American friends. I am thankful for this platform to celebrate all the great things, and not so great things that help me grow in to a better person day after day.

Birthday month

Another November. I turn 33 this year. 33 used to sound ancient, but now it feels just ok. I don't feel old at all, and people close to me have tried to convince me that I don't look older than my age, I don't know if I'm convinced.

I remember my 22nd birthday, 11 years ago. I treated myself to a pizza in my dorm room, after weighing myself and telling myself I was going to lose weight and be fit and trim by my 23rd birthday. Those I think were the most confused years of my life. I worked out, come rain, shine or snow, if you may. But I also ate probably more than I ever have in my whole life. I'm telling you, living in the US is the worst thing that has ever happened to me 'weight-wise'. What I can't figure out is why I kept both contradicting behaviours? Weird even to me.

This morning I looked at a note book I kept 2 years ago. I weighed close to 10 pounds less than I do today. Very odd since for the past two years I've been trying to lose weight. I guess I'm your typical yo-yo. I lose some and I gain some and guess which is more??

Anyway. October was my worst month since I re-embarked on this journey a few months ago. I gained weight overall. But that's fine, because I can not undo it. It's what I do from now on that matters. So I have to sit with myself and set things straight. Plan. And do.

I'll be 33 in 16 days.

I'm back

I flew back home last night and was pleased to be back. I always miss my son so much when I travel. And he was happy to see me as well.

I don't know what switch flipped overnight, but the poor thing woke up with a freaky fever this morning. Had to miss work to take him to see the doctor - he assures that he'll be ok soon. But seeing him being so different from his usual bubbly naughty self is so sad. I pray that it passes sooner than we think.

As for me, I did very well on my trip. No gain yet again. I think I'm getting the hang of this travelling thing. I just wonder whatever made me think that being on the road gives me an excuse to stop taking care of myself... Anyway, I'm glad that I finally got it. And guess what, I've realized that I eat even better when travelling now than I do at home. I suppose not having the food there waiting to be eaten should I choose is very helpful. I buy only what I need and that's all I eat, whereas at hoem I can always munch on something from the fridge, or even whip something up.

As planned I did not exercise at all while I've been away. I did miss it a lot though. However, my foot pain is still there in the background. I can tell that a walk on the treadmill would have me limping again, so what do I do? It's probably time I got help for it. But being where I am, I know the best I'll be getting maybe pain killers. When will our part of the world reach world standard in that area, I wonder. Oh well, we just have to deal.

The weekend is here, and though there is so much I could do - US Mission sports day, friend of a friend's wedding, boyfriend's cousins reunion, trip to Jwaneng - I don't feel like I'll end of doing any of it. I think I'll end up just home looking after my son. Yeah, I think I have my priorities right.

It will be a good weekend though. If anyone reads this, have a good one yourself.

Away

I'm away on a work trip since yesterday, going back home tomorrow, just on time to surprise my mom on her birthday - I told them all I'll be back Friday, and I have a very cool surprise lined up. As for me, I wrote that I can feel myself slipping in that post that I lost last week. My food intake had taken a wrong turn and I was eating more and more, also more of the unhealthy stuff. Now on this work trip I've planned out my meals such that despite hotel buffet breakfast and take out lunches and suppers, I'm eating relatively very well. As for exercise, I started skipping days last week, mostly because I was avoiding cycling. I've never been a fan, but since my ankle is taking it's sweet time to heal I can't do the treadmill. So, I decided that I'm going to take this week off while I'm away to let my ankle rest and hopefully heal completely so that I can go back to gym in full force. I've been missing moving though! Anyway, seeing this monitoring visit to the end tomorrow then flying back home to resume my life as usual.

Aahh

When I labour to type a post from my phone, then I lose it before posting... Too much. I did well today, despite all odds. Following that disaster with the lost post I don't feel like typing out any more.

A Lesson in Perserverance

I got this in a forwarded email from a friend this morning:

Have you ever observed the behaviour of birds in the face of adversity?

For days and days they make their nests, sometimes gathering materials brought from far away.
And when they have completed the nest and are ready to lay eggs, the weather, the work of humans or some animal destroys it, and it falls to the ground - all that they have done with so much effort.

Do they stop?
Bewildered and leave the work?

No way. They start over. building the nest again and again until they have eggs in the nest again.

Sometimes, and very often before the chicks are hatched, an animal, a child, or a storm destroys the nest once again, but this time with its valuable contents.

It hurts to go back to begin again...Even so, the birds do not ever stop. They continue to sing and build, and singing and building.

Do you sometimes get the feeling that your life, or work, or family isnot what you had dreamed? Do you sometimes want to say, 'Enough! The effort is not worthwhile, it is all too much for me'?

Are you tired of it all? Do you feel that the daily struggle is a waste of time, your trust has been betrayed, your goals not realised just as you were about to get there?

Life strikes you down sometimes, but do you go on, say a prayer, put your faith in hope, not darkness? Do not worry if you get injured in the battle, that is to be expected. Gather yourself together, rebuild your life, so that it runs well again.

No matter what happens...Do not shrink, but move forward. Life is a constant challenge, but it is worthwhile to accept it. And never stop singing.

Motivation much?? Definitely. And just at the right time because I've been feeling that I'm letting go just a bit. My evening meals need serious re-evaluation. And I need to revert to my old strength training schedule since the new one is not working - I end up avoiding parts of it - meaning I'm not doing enough.

So, rebuilding and singing.

Monday blogger

So, it appears I have become a Monday blogger... I post a blog on a Monday, with the intention of posting regularly thereafter. However, time just gets away from and I find myself under pressure to post again the next Monday because if I start going beyond a week without blogging then I might as just stop. Actually, honestly, deep down I just feel like stopping, but I also want to have at least part of story down to reflect on one day in the future.

Anyway, I'm still ok. My foot isn't fully healed yet, so I've been cycling like a mad woman. I would take walking over cycling any day, but since I'm trying to keep as much as possible off of my foot I don't have a choice but to cycle. I then lift, push and pull before heading home. I can feel myself becoming stronger since I've been lifting heavier weights and using higher resistance on the bike though I'm keep pretty much the same speed.

But, oh, my music is quickly becoming stale. My current playlist has been so overused that I seriously need to come up with a new one. Will find a way. Some of the tunes still get me going hard though. I'm sure they're all time favourites that I'll keep even when I make up a new playlist anyway.

News about my son!
He's started sings songs from school, with the rhythm and hand gestures and all. Just too bad we have no idea what he's singing. The poor baby is having such a difficult time becoming fluent. It makes me very sad to see when he tries to say something and I can't understand and he keeps trying until eventually he kind of hangs his head - in shame, sadness, embarassment? It's really sad. I read about it, and really hoped it won't happen to him, but it's here. The best I can do is to pray that his 'tongue unravels' soon and he can talk to his little heart's content.

Oh, weekends and holidays...
Week days are great for healthy eating. I pack my food and that's all I eat. In the evenings, as long as I have my meals prepared ahead of time I'm pretty much good. When I have to cook first I can be trapped into having a little something while I cook, and that can get out of hand pretty fast. But then weekends, and those week days when I don't have to go to work are crazy. You know may be I should start packing my food as though I am going to work and keep to that only all day. But being around the house most of the day really does not help. It's even worse when I have to run errands and meal time or hunger finds me somewhere far from home. It's so easy to fall into temptation when you have to buy a meal. Yesterday was a very serious example of how quickly things can go wrong despite all good intentions at the beginning. The things I ate I hadn't eaten in quite a while and I fell hard onto them. But hey, moving on, today has been great!

Ha ha. I really hope to post again before Monday!

To blog or not to blog

Well, I guess the answer is to blog. But seeing as I'm on my phone and formatting is non-existent, it'll be short. It's been yet another blogless week, yet again totally unintentional. Been busy - song of the season. But really, though I've read my fair share of blogs last week I never had the time to string words together for a post of my own. Anyway, now that I'm here, what do I blog about? My injured ankle that I'm still going to gym in spite of? My bingeing on the mint-peanut butter cookies that my sister made? My pushing through and going to gym though I'm not feeling it because of my absence most of last week? The fact that I'm bench-pressing 7.5 kg dumb-bells unassisted? Yep, there's much to tell, but this post just won't cut it. I'll have a better time telling it all with a proper editor. So till then, this should be better than nothing...

So much to do, so little time

That is exactly why I have not posted a blog since last Monday. I've found myself starting a post on my phone a couple of times over the weekend but an incoming call or the need to make a quick before I'm ready to post and I would have to discard the post...(yeah, that's what you get for using a cheapo phone).

Anyway, I've been ok. I mean it could have been worse in many ways.

Exercise
I'm seriously rocking the gym people! Even I can't believe myself sometimes. Ok, last week I had to miss Thursday and Friday because I had unavoidable commitments. BUT, I went to gym both Saturday and Sunday and did more than I was scheduled to do. I mean, who does step exercises during weight-lifting breaks?? It was intense, and I was sweating for a while after leaving the gym both days.

I'm so proud of myself. I can feel myself getting fitter and fitter...managing speeds I couldn't before, cycling faster at higher resistances, lifting heavier weights, and heck, I can do the plank now. And I don't mean just raising myself off the floor for a couple of seconds only before falling on my face. The background is that I've always had a weak core, and it's been worse since my car accident some years ago. I couldn't lift myself off the floor at all at the beginning of the month, but I've been working on it and now I'm so much better. I can only look forward to being even fitter.

Food
If my dedication to food was as strong as my dedication to exercise, I would be so much further in my journey. I am trying to follow the Weigh-Less plan. I mean I paid for the plan and I report my weight and receive a motivational speech (written) every week. (There is no Weigh-Less group here so they're doing an online version).

However, for some reason I do very well during the day at work - said a thousand times before, but then when I get home it's a different story. Well, not really. I don't eat too much a lot of the time, I don't binge. But I eat more than I should. I eat things outside my plan. The thing though is that the Weigh-Less plan is as easy as they come, It really does not restrict what you eat at all. It works by controlling the ratio and amount of food types you eat. And it has worked for soo many people. I'm just wondering what it will take for me to finally do exactly what I'm supposed to do.

Rationalization  
I lose a little each week, sometimes I gain, but overall I'm losing. Very slowly. I want to lose faster than I am. But I fail to follow eating plan perfectly. So I don't lose as much. I find myself rationalizing this fact like this: I can't follow the Weigh-Less eating plan to the letter except fi I really force myself. So following it strictly and losing weight faster only means if I do I will end up gaining it back...
Does that make any sense at all? Sometimes I feel like it does. Other times I think I'm just crazy.

For now, I'm just doing my best where I can, the rest will follow. Currently on a work trip, I depend on hotel buffet breakfast and take out or restaurant the rest of the day. I've challenged myself to actually lose this week.
We'll see.

Happy Monday!

Another chance to start over IF you've been having trouble staying on plan; if by mid-week you'd started forgetting to follow your plan; if the weekend made you do things you wouldn't be caught doing doing the week, etc. etc.

Guess what?! This Monday is for me to continue doing great, because I have been doing great. I mean seriously, I go to the gym on Sunday mornings, who am I?!!

I'm sure I've said it before that I am a fan of physical activity. I love my gym time. It can take some inner power at times to get me there, but once I arrive I surprise even myself. Example being last Thursday. I wasn't feeling like going and didn't go until an hour adn a half later than my usual time, and I thought all I would do would be a bit of walking and may be cycling. But I finished my whole program for the day and even did more cardio at the end! I was amazed at myself. I rock.

I plan to follow the same plan only until the end of the month, then I'll mix it up for October and probably do the same each month. You know, just to keep my body guessing.

Now if I can just see the results of this walking and cycling and getting nowhere, and lifting heavy things for no reason at all! lol.

Well, I'm off to do more walking and lifting, maybe pulling and cycling too.

Food blogs

I love food blogs!
With their nicely arranged and colourful food pictures and step by step recipes sometimes.
Oh, I love food blogs. I could look through food blogs all day!
The pictures are just out there, like they make me want to eat the food right there and then. Thank goodness they are not actual displays of food or there would be hell to pay.
I happened to come across a couple of new (to me) food blogs the other day and they just blew me away.  Especially From Apples to Zucchini. I absolutely LOVE her. She's taken the best recipes out there and made them over to suit her healthy lifestyle. So, it was quite an adventure going through her archives looking for new recipes to try.
But then the archives go way back to before she started her new lifestyle, back when she made the recipes with all the fat and sugar, etc. that they called for. In that part of her blog I happened upon a very easy recipes for 'doughnut muffins'. So I thought I'll just print it out fo rmy little sister to try. And yesterday when I got in from work they were done. I couldn't resist, and ended up with 3 going down my throat in the course of one evening! They were good, but I will definitely stay in the more recent section of that blog if I want to maintain my own healthy lifestyle!
You should check this blog out, the best recipes out there if you're out for something decadent but low calorie.

Then this morning I was just craving a cheese puff pie, and couldn't resist. Got one, enjoyed it in place of my lunch and snacks. Not on plan but planned into my day any way. Oh well.

Another Monday

Lost!
Knocking off and ready to leave work but thought I should post that I lost 2.4 lbs this past week! Well deserved too, if I say so myself.

I worked out everyday last week, 7 days straight from Sunday to Saturday! The first 6 days were regular gym with cardio and weights each visit, and Saturday I participated in a 5K charity walk. I intend to carry on the same way this week.

Food has been ok. Following my Weigh-less plan to the T all the time, except I have extras from time to time, and weekends I don't want to lie. I just try to keep things moderate but don't keep to the plan. I think as long as I'm losing it's ok to do that to avoid out and out binges.

After the walk on Saturday my feet hurt all day, and even on Sunday I felt that the most I could do for cardio was cycle. I had my day planned out with a gym trip at 6 pm, only to have to old friends pay me a surprise visit at 5.20 or so while I was finishing up with meal prep for my suppers this week.  So, gym was shot yersterday, but hey, maybe it was the universe's way of telling me I needed a rest day?

Awards and blogs
So, I have 3 awards in total that I still have to pick up! Thanks ladies, I'm so humbled because I don't think I even deserve them, but as soon as I have the time I will stop by to accept them. By the way, I've been reading your blogs but just haven't managed to comment yet. I'm with you, congratulations on all your successes and I'm with you in spirit as you go through the difficult times. Remember 'The Will of God will never take you where The Grace of God will not protect you'

Looking forward to another focused week.

Mission accomplished!

I just completed a 5K charity walk! I did it pushing my son in his stroller. And it feels great. Now I'm ready to enjoy my weekend! Have a good one.

Doing well

If only there was no such thing as biscuits... I've been doing pretty for the last week or just over. I've been to the gym every single day, except when I took a rest day like Saturday, and I've been rocking it with both cardio and weights. I'm very proud of myself right now. My eating could also be defined as great, only there are these bad guys called biscuits, or cookies to American friends. They've always been my downfall and I'm sure a large fraction of the fat on my body was manufactured from them. I eat clean all day, then after dinner I just have to have a couple with a hot drink. Last night this happened close to midnight! Unbelievable. Oh well. That was last night, can't undo it, can I? So, though they are not on my plan, I think just a couple or even one every now and then should be useful to stave cravings that could lead to binges. Check the time of day, and make adjustments to prior and it should be fine, no? Today I'm using a new phone and I'd just like see how this post will appear. If it works then it might mean more regular posts on the blog!

Alive and kicking

It's been a whole week and a day! Everyday I want to post but time just runs away from me.

Well, just know I am not only alive and kicking, but I'm also doing much much better than I have in quite a while. Even I'm in awe of how well I am doing!

And I'm happy. Good times.

Someone said...

'Being fat is hard. Losing weight is hard. Choose your hard.' I rest my case.


The questions are, how to stay the course, how not to get discouraged, how not to seem to obsess, how to stay in the right state of mind without feeling like going crazy at times?!
I'm telling you, everyday of my life, for the longest time, I think about my weight issues, it almost feels like an obsession. Will it ever end? The worst thing is that when I look at the mirror, and that is very often as I'm not the kind to shy away from seeing all the grossness, I focus on what I think is my most troublesome spots, the parts that I wish would change before everything else. How do I stop being drawn to the worst bits and start focusing on what I love?


I've walked, I've run, I've kicked and boxed, tae-boed, and done various other routines I've picked up along the way. I've dieted, low fat, low carb, liquids, cabbage soup, fruits and veges, even if I only lasted less than half a day on some. Yet, here I am, stilll way far from what should be my goal weight. I've lost soooo much weight over the years - I'm sure if I had the figures and calculated all that I lost, I'd find I lost all of me plus more. But I've kept gaining back, gaining more that I initially lost.


I was a skinny child, started gaining as a teen and kept gaining. I've always been fit, as fat as I've been. But not anymore. When I was pregnant with my son I gained an obscene amount of weight, which I vowed to lose before he turned 1. He's now going on  30 months old, that's 18 months past my goal time.


I want to blame my now sedentary lifestyle, most due to my job. I want to blame the pregnancy --- it did bring the cravings though. And I want to blame my life situation - living far from work, traffic, gym time vs, quality time with my son. But I know that I can make it work if I tried hard enough.


What do I want? Do I want to stay this way? There's a lot that I'm holding off till I've lost the weight; but I'm not making much progress so am I never going to do or try those things ever?


Life is hard. It's hard. My 33rd birthday is in a few weeks (November). I have everything I NEED. I have a lot going for me. There's much more that I WANT, which I know I'll eventually get. But because of my weight issues I feel stuck.


STUCK. Like I'm not going anywhere. Everything is at a stand-still until that's done, but it's not getting done well enough. What do I do about that?


I try. What more should I do to stay the course? To stay motivated?

Rough times

Ugh. Ok, so I have issues. But I was ok all day yesterday, then I was feeling a bit anxious in the evening. Then I listened to a stupid radio programme that just made things worse. I cried myself to sleep. Well, I cried on my pillow, but couldn't sleep. So I got up and watched Big Brother until 2 am.
I tried drinking warm milk to help me sleep, a whole cup. And I ate 2 slices of bread with it, one with PB and the other with cream cheese. My dinner had been half a cream donut and half a pizza. Both yummy but so not necessary in my life.
Anyway, I feel better today. And so far I've done better.

Friend Makin' Mondays (On Tuesday)

I happened upon this while doing the rounds on blogland and I liked. If you'd like to participate visit Kenz's blog and link up.

My answers are mostly related to this journey, but that's what you want to hear, right? Here goes...

I like... that despite being on a work trip and not being able to eat decently I managed to maintain.
I don't like... that I did not put on more of an effort to lose weight last week.
I love... that today is another day, this is a new week and I get another chance to improve my health and my life in general.

I dream of... a happy secure future.

I wonder... what I will be doing this time next year. Don't know yet what I'll do after thsi project ends.

I know... things will always work out for the best. The Will of God will never take ME, where the Grace of God can not protect ME.

I went... shopping for plain yogurt, baby marrows and chicken breast yesterday to beef up this week healthy food supplies.

I have... everything I need right now. What I want is a whole other issue. Material things that is.

I think... will eventually achieve my fitness goals, even if it is not apparent right now.
I plan... to rock my personal challenge running from tomorrow till the end of the year. Check side bar.

I regret... not trying harder and sticking with my plan each time I attempted to lose weight. Leaving my pervious job.
I do... not stick to my budget as much as I should, wish I did.

I drink... Rooibos with Equal (good for me), even though I'd love cofffee (not so good).

I wish... I didn't have to come into work this morning. I was absolutely tired. Honestly, I wish I didn't have to work at all.
I am... a mother. Sometimes I wonder how I got there. Despite how much I love my son. And I'm tearing up thinking it right now.

I am not... perfect.

I need... peace of mind.
I graduated... from 2 universities on 2 different continents.

I hope... my plans for the rest of this year are successful. The big plans.
I want... a great life. I will have it.

I sometimes... wish I lived elsewhere, where things are easier to get by.

I always... hope for the best. I'm very optimistic.

I can... promise that I'm getting in my work out today.

I work... in the HIV/AIDS field

I cannot... imagine what my life would be like without all the experiences I've had.

I avoid... people that make me feel less.

I will... plan and follow through.

Go for it, check out Kenz and discover new bloggies!

Recovering...

Better at last

Thanks for the well wishes, I'm feeling much much better today. Most of the nose/nostrils stuff is gone, so just a bit of a cough left.

However, short as it was, the yuckiness set me back a few paces. I haven't weighed myself since my Monday weigh in, but I know I've probably picked up upwards of a pounds in the past couple of days. The first thing to go was my water. When you have a cold you don't want to drink anything unless it's warm. I did sip on quite a few cups of Med Lemon and Tea, but usually I drink up to or even more than 2 litres of water on top of any water I take otherwise, as in teas, coffee and other drinks. Cold and cough syrups are just that, syrup. Throat lozenges and cough drops - sugar. So, yeah, there was a lot of sugar in my life this week. And then there's the recklessness that comes when you're not really yourself, extra slice of bread with extra cream cheese here, extra rice on the plate, etc.

I'm currently gathering my senses and moving on. No use crying over spilt milk.

Travelling

I'm glad I'm so much better because this evening I'm off on a work trip. Last time I was at the place I'm going to I got a terrible cold, so it would seem I'm always sick when I'm over there. After work on Friday I'm going over to my grand parents' and will fly back only on Sunday. I'm definitely going to miss my little boy.

Travelling and eating - never been good together for me. I've been trying to work out in my head what I should eat for each meal while I'm out there to avoid another gain. This week I was only 0.6 lbs up, but these little numbers just add up the way they do when you're losing. So, I'm really going to try and avoid splurges and follow my plan to the best of my ability given the circumstances.

I'll be busy the rest of the week, so I may not be able to catch up till next week, but I'll do what I can.

Till next time... may be sooner than you think.

I am sick...

Goodness, I have no idea why I even came into work today. I have the grandmother of all colds. I had a terrible weekend due to this cold and I still feel absolutely horrible.
It everything really, the sore itchy throat, the blocked, yet runny nostrils, the fuzzy head, the painful cough. And I just want to sleep and wake up ok. I've taken all sorts of medication over the weekend, but I'm far from better, what to do.
And you can imagine the added calories from all the syrupy medicines, the cough drops, the soups. Sies. I have yet to weigh myself for this week's weigh in to see if any damage is evident yet.
I'm meaking the decision to take today off sick. I am sick.

The weekend is here!

And I'm excited, because these next two days I will be free to do whatever I want, without having to be in this office or wandering between the office and the labs for 8 hours each day!

It's been a good week. One of my best weeks in a little while actually. My eating has been on plan except relatively very few times in the evenings when I got home. Somehow, I feel the need to have a snack after supper most days, and on really good days it's only a cup of tea or coffee. Anyway,  I'm praying that I'll be able to control myself this weekend, and then I'll be in for my reward (a loss on the scale) on Monday!

Exercise has been ok, I haven't walked on the treadmill evey morning as I intended, but I've gone outside for my walks and even walked in the evening to compensate for missed mornings. So, really not bad at all.

This weekend will see me signing up for membership of the Gaborone Sun Executive Health club. Which means I'll be able to use their gym, pool and courts. But of course I'll only use the gym coz I don't swim, and neither do I play ball sports. It's a relatively small gym, but I plan to milk it as much as possible, going later in the evening to dodge the after work crowd.

On the food end, I've finally been granted access to Step 3 of the Weigh-Less programme, meaning my choices are now much wider. I received a 24 page (I think, maybe it's larger) booklet of food lists from which I can make selections and make up my own recipes. For starters I'm going to stick with what I know. May be later I will be more adventurous and try other recipes.

So, next week I have the new menu plan, and gym to go to after work. Excited yet? Ugh, just hope it gives the boost that I so need right now.

Have a great weekend! I plan to.

The Versatile Blogger Award

Thank you, Traci!

Thanks very much Traci for giving this award! Traci blogs over at Traci's Treasures, if you haven't been over you should check her out. I especially love her '10 on Tuesdays'!

The award rules are:
1. Thank the person giving the award - I have, above and as a comment on the awarding post, Thanks again Traci!
2. Share 7 things about yourself - To follow below
3. Nominate 15 newly discovered blogs - Will do, I believe newly discovered does not new, right?
4. Let the nominees know about the award - Sure, I'll be doing the rounds around blogland I guess!

Well, here goes:

First, the nominees:
1. From Fat to Fab
2. No trying, just doing!
3. Black Girl Gets Fit
4. Previously Plump... In Progress
5. Skinnie Emmie
6. Fight Fat Phobia
7. I go through life in inches and pounds
8. [238] and Shrinking
9. For Real, This Time!
10. Necessary Imperfections
11. The Incredible Shrinking Gal Baby
12. Corletta: It's a new year...no more EXCUSES!
13. Lose Weight? Me? Really?
14. Fat Girl To Thin
15. Deeply Rooted

Ok, I have to admit that I had to 'discover' some new blogs for this post. But hey, it was so worth it, because I've found so many inspirational blogs that I can't wait to go through!

7 things about myself
Let's make this short and painless...

1. I'm a single mother of a 2 year old son (well, 2 and 5 months and 2 days)
2. I've been overweight since my very early teens -  like 11 - 12
3. I've spent at least a weekend in big international cities including New York, Washington DC, Toronto, London, Paris, Montreal, and Johannesburg
4. I've lived in the US, the UK and Africa
5. I don't have one best friend, instead I have a circle of best friends
6. I love comedy shows
7. I love travelling and I would absolutely live for it if I had the money
Bonus: I currently do not have a passport - it's expired and I've been lazy to apply for a new one. You can tell I haven't travelled internationally for a bit.

That was easier than I thought! The 15 above will be hearing about this nomination in the next few days.

On other news, I've been frustrated with the scale lately - a new one! Actually, I think I'll save this for another post.

Till then...

My mom's question

This past week was so-so; I woke up early for a walk 4 times, including outside once, I mostly ate well, especially during the day while I was at work. The evenings were a bit different, and so was the weekend. So, where I was down more than a pound on Friday, I only returned a 0.8lb loss this morning.

So, I'm registering the 0.8lbs and moving on to bigger and better things.

What my mom asked...
I've said a few times before that my mom's house is one of the worst places for me in terms of eating. No, it's not really my mom's fault, but of course she's been known to offer me foods that are absolutely bad for me and I shouldn't eat often or in large amonuts. Anyway, whenever I'm at my mom's house I just have to get to the kitchen and find stuff to eat. I suppose it's just residual from when I was growing up and eating uncensored.

So, I was over at the house. And while I was eating some 'bad for me' food all the while lamenting how I shouldn't be eating off plan, my mom asked me why I am bothering to 'diet' because I always go off plan anyway! I wasn't shocked at all, because to a bystander it really is a valid question.

Well, it was easy to answer --- I'm not dieting, I'm trying to create a sustainable healthy lifestyle. It's still a little difficult but hopefully with time I will be able to get it and maintain it. I can only try from day to day, and if I find myself doing things or eating things that do not fully support the lifestyle I'm aiming for, tomorrow is another day and I can try again. Actually, my next meal I get to do better! Second, can you imagine what I would weigh if I ate this way all the time?

I hope she got it. To me, every little bit counts. If I falter I know a little compensation later on will make a difference. No matter how long I can lose my path to a healthy lifestyle, I will always come back. Because really, what's the alternative, gaining even more weight? Nope, I'm not having any of that. I'd rather stay where I am by being on and off my path (not intentional), rather than stay off forever and end up........ I don't even know how to end that sentence. Woudl you complete it for me?

Finally

My first loss in 4 weeks - 2.4 lbs! Could've been better, but it's more than good enough and I'll take it any day over a gain or maintain. Things were starting to get really scary, like I'll never be able to recover, but I finally put my foot down and:

1. Started walking on my treadmill every week day morning before work
2. Following the Weigh-Less menu plans for all meals.

And I got the pay off!

Too bad weekends happen
Yep. Every five days we take a 2 day break from work and/or school. Who came up with this idea?? Why is it that 2 day break has to become a break from being purposely active and following a healthy lifestyle? I mean, seriously, who needs a break from their own lifestyle?

But really, seriously...
Weekends do not have to change our lifestyle. Not going to work does not mean meal times have to change, it does not mean meal contents have to change, neither does it mean I have to skip my work out. I can always compensate for the little indulgences I 'have to have' over the weekend. If I sleep in and skip the morning work out - do something else later; take my son for a walk outside, anything. If I have to eat out, at a restaurant, party, friend's or relative's house, I can still make the best choices by planning ahead. And if I'm bored and feel the need to graze, get up, get out and do something exciting, or just something!

For now, I'll take my 2.4, take to my treadmill and take heed of the Weigh-Less lifestyle guidelines until it all becomes second nature! Can you imagine what a string of 2.4 lbs losses would mean?? If only.

Reunited!

Me and my treadmill. My treadmill and I. It had been a while. And it was time.

I made up my mind that beginning August, come what may, I'm getting back on the exercise bandwagon. So, last night I made sure everything was ready for the morning. Made sure the power supply extension was ready and laid out my clothes and shoes. Made sure my music was ready, along with the earphones. And when I hit my pillow I knew there was no way I wouldn't do it.

Finally this morning, after the long long  hiatus, I got up at 5.30am and hit my treadmill before getting ready for work. It was a sweet reunion, because I thought I would really struggle to get 30 minutes done, but I was just fine. I even 'slogged' for a couple of minutes when just the right jam came around on my playlist. Which makes me believe I could be ready to try C25K again in just a couple of weeks. Can't wait!

All that's left for now is to set up the whole exercise area properly because it has been neglected since we moved. I need to have the tv where I can watch it without craning my neck and maybe twisting a muscle, but for now, the playlists will do just fine.

That's the first of the achievements I aim to amass in August - the goal was simple: start working out. I intend to walk on the treadmill at least every week day in August, with ab and core work to supplement. Then we'll move on from there. The rest of my goals will emerge over the rest of the week.

So, what plans have you made to improve your health and fitness this month?

August

August has come too soon. Too soon. August is the 8th month of the year, meaning at the end of the month we'll be 3/4 (three quarters) through the year, is that almost believable?

While, I won't go crazy now with the eats with the intention to start over on the 1st of August, I intend to start my own challenge come August. I joined the Summer Slimmin' Challenge hoping that by August 6th I'll have glorious resulst to show, but alas, I'm still where I was when we started. I did well for the first few weeks then totally backtracked. This time I intend to start my own challenge, just for me, one that I do just for myself, all my own goals, adn only myself accountable. That way, hopefully, I will be more inclined to follow through...

Have a nice weekend and see you in August!

Free blog bling is frustrating!

To say the least! I loved the look of my blog, but then I got a notice that the free background will expire on August 1st...so I went ahead and checked out what else is there. But I still preferred the current (at the time) look of my blog and tried to reinstall it, only to get a plain background - or was it no background at all? Anyway, I tried something else, which didn't work for me. THEN I went back and used the code for my old background, and IT WORKED! That's how excited I was. Until I came back today and we were back to a plain/no background. Well (..sigh..) I suppose unless I pay up I have to find something else...

So, it may be you're looking at a different picture than you've seen if you've been here before, or next time you come you'll find something else. Well, hope I find something I like almost as much as the big and bold flowers I had up before.

Hard, but true

I had a perfect glutton's weekend this weekend. Looking back, it was really gross, but each time I overindulged, especially in horrific things, I felt justified. I had all the meanies people - between last week and this weekend I had - KFC mini wrap, chicken n chips, pops, Spur rib n wings, crisps, coke (after how long?), ice cream, seconds at home, buttered toast, buttered toast and buttered toast. I just about lost it and didn't care! Can you believe that? Of course I was hungry, out in town, didn't feel like cooking, etc. but I could have made better choices.

It was actually at the back of my mind all the time that I shouldn't be doing that, yet I threw caution to the wind. Even after my gain last week and my intention to 'get back up again' I still went ahead and sabotaged myself. Well, obviously I had another gain. All of 3.6 lbs. In one week! I can wish this is just water, but I know I deserve it just through the extra calories I ingested. And no activity at all.

Well, time to really go back to the drawing board. Make goals and stick with them. Today has been super clean so far. And I'm tracking again.

We fall down...And we get back up again

Get back up again! Love that song. I can still hear Denise in my head belting it out on stage during a student association dinner back in 2000 or 2001. That girl can sing!!

That song and me
Looking at my track record over the past few weeks, it was inevitable that this day will come. The day when I will report my first gain after so many weeks of ....nothing? Well, let's call it maintenance. I had 7 weeks of weight losses, no matter how minute (talk about a 0.1lb loss), and there is just no way I'm going to dismiss that as a small matter. I did something I've never done before, something that I hope I can keep doing over and over until all my small losses add up to a substantial loss.

So, my car broke down and I had to release my maid who was making my life absolutely miserable, meaning I had to use public transport and/or rely on others and I had to do extra work around the house especially caring for my son. Then we had the holiday month - July's really nice because we have 2 long weekends - one was FIVE days long, the other 4 days, and this was a sure recipe for disaster. I totally lost track of my plan and should I say threw caution to the wind? I ate. And I sat and watched the new season of big brother. And yep, I gained back 1.8 lbs. I had that one coming. And it was no suprise really when I saw that number on the scale.

Get back up again
I know myself. Once I fall it's soooo difficult to get back up again. I usually spend days where tomorrow I'm getting back on plan, and sure, for the past more than a week I've been saying that to myself. Thankfully I wasn't too overboard with the overindulgence or it could have been worse. The thing that really went wrong was the choce of food types, more than the amount. So that it what I need to adjust back - less sugar, less carbs, more protein and more fresh produce. That's my mantra for getting back on track. I just need to readopt my healthy eating, and stick with it until it's second nature. I wonder how long I need to do it for it to really stick...

Anywho, for myself; I'm going to go over my menus, reintroduce them as they are, with no modifications that aren't beneficial to me. And from there on, we move on. And I'm telling you, I will get back up again!

Ugh - a plan blog - I didn't even process that until now that I'm done. Well, this one was warranted.

Slow and Steady...

...wins the race, right? In that case I'm definitely a winner, just give me time. Well, that's me being sarcastic I guess? At 1.2 lbs in 4 weeks, that's an average of 0.3 lbs a week, and 15.6 lbs a year - I really see how I can(t) be a winner - it would take me 6 years to reach my Weigh-Less goal at this rate!

BUT
I started Weigh Less 7 weeks ago, and I have not gained once in that period! That is NEW and I plan on maintaining the staus quo. No gains, just losses, no matter how small (even maintaining will do). I am not in a race to lose the weight, I'm trying to get fit and healthier - and weight loss will follow. However, I still need to do quite more to reach a comfortable level of both. And I will continue to pursue both for as long as it takes, no matter the number of detours along the way. As long as I'm going in the right direction I'm ok.

Summer Slimmin' Challenge...
...Is definitely more of a challenge that when we started out. BUT - in all honesty I'm rocking my Cookin' Meals, Eatin '5+ a day and Trackin' It! I am. Drinkin' water becomes a problem over the weekend, and unfortunately I haven't had scheduled Movin' Its yet. My problem is that cooking sometimes becomes an issue when I overdo it - too much! So, my sweet reward - Losin' Lbs - has been slow.
I;m pulling my socks up as we speak!

Other than that, I'm ok. Car problems, so I might be depending on others for transportation for upwards of a week! With the winter here being as bitter as it is at the moment, it's a big challenge to walk to work from the public transport stop. But I've been through worse times so I'll survive! And God is great, so everything will be ok.

Good week

Sure, I said I'll post weigh-ins and today's not weigh-in day (Monday)...so what am I doing here? Valid question. But I just needed to celebrate that I've had a good week so far. I've stuck to my meal plan with the exception of bits here and there during meal preparation and what my aunt pushed down my throat when I went to visit. She could well have done it physically because she left me no choice having said no like 5-6 times!

Anyway, that's that. I'm crossing fingers for a good weigh-in Mondays because I feel like I've made the effort now I just want to see the pay off. See, none of that I'll do this or that, but rather, I DID and therefore... Well I hope I do well over the weekend.

Hope everyone has a good one!

Summer Slimmin' Update? And a decision

Summer Slimmin' and Weigh In
I survived the long weekend! Well, barely. But I'm here, and reporting DID NOT gain should cancel all that's bad that happened, right? Right? But I didn't lose either. It's an absolute miracle that I did not record a gain this past week! So, I'll TAKE IT, because I don't deserve it...

Yep, unfortunately this past week was my biggest fail as far as the Summer Slimmin' Challenge. But this is a new week and I'm on it like it's going out of fashion. Well, may be it is...with less than half the time left. Which means I best hurry up and do my utmost best if I want to see that sweet reward of drinkin' water, cookin' meals, etc.

Decision
You know, I was looking at my weight loss stats earlier today. I know I'm on a journey to be healthier and fitter and I'm focusing on 'things' that will help me achieve that. But I also know very well that what the scale says at this point in my journey -- early days -- is reflective of the strides I'm making towards achieving my health and fitness goals. So, yes, I get on the scale a lot. And so, seeing how I lost SIX pounds the first week on the Weigh-Less plan, and have lost only 5.4lbs since then (5 weeks), I feel like I'm not doing well enough.

As I was thinking about it earlier, I just felt like coming on here to say I've lost 0.4 lbs or 0.0 lbs is really under par. So I thought how does it help me to blog about that? And I thought, may be rather than blogging often about my goals and my plans and not showing any results, isn't it better to just shut up and do it?

So I thought, what if I prove to myself that I can lose the weight without annoucing plans that fall by the wayside all the time. So I thought, may be I should step away from the blog, and only return when I've lost 10 lbs. Wouldn't that be a motivator enough to get me going? May be.

Sooo, I'll be posting my weekly weigh ins, but not talking so much about what I'm going to do. Focusing on doing, rather than telling.

Let's see how long this will take.

Back home

I'm home and I'm finally recovering from the monster cold that started on Monday, as is my poor little boy. Thank God for that because it was really hard.

My week
Well, the week sure went by fast, I can't believe it's already Friday! I also kind of wish it was Monday so that  I could give the week a different outcome. Eating off of a buffet and depending on take-away can be very difficult for someone who is seriously influenced by visual cues. Am I the only one who could swear that I will eat this and/or that, but then because I see something else I go for that and forget all my good intentions? Surely not.

I'm sure you get the drift already. The week didn't work out the way I wanted... If I even maintain this week it will be a huge miracle. But since  I've been back I've tried to be more selective and focus on eating healthier. And I intend to be more so over the weekend.

JULY - Into the 2nd half of 2010!

Goodness, time does fly doesn't it? We're in the second half the year already. Time to take stock and recommit to my healthiness journey. What's past is past, I can only take lessons from it because beating myself up with should haves and could haves will not benefit me much. I pride myself in the fact that at least overall I have lost weight this year so far. I weigh less than on the 1st of Jan and I have no intention of going back up! The only way to go is down.

So to start here's my plan for July:

1. Go back to Weigh-Less Rebalance Step 1 - to revive those great food habits .
2. Turn on the treadmill and walk - At least 3 times a week - beginning this weekend.
3. Recommit and successfully finish the Summer Slimmin' Challenge - ends August 6th.

That is all. That simple. And I will reassess in August.

How are you planning on furthering your healthiness or weight loss journey as we enter the 2nd half of 2010?

Updates

1. Summer Slimmin' Challenge
I'm sorry but if this were a challenge where our results were graded for the whole group I would be dragging everyone down with me. It was an extremely difficult week and the weekend was even worse. Since I'm travelling this week it may not be much better but I'll try. I hope everyone's doing MUCH better than I am, I haven't had a chance to go through your blogs yet.

2. Weigh In
I only lost 0.4lbs in the past week. Had to weigh in yesterday since I had to leave home early this morning.

3. This week
I'm on a work trip and will be eating hotel buffet breakfasts and take away lunches and dinners. I will try to keep things as close 'as possible' to my allowances - servings. I also have a horrible cold that started bothering me just this morning, I was perfectly fine when I left home and when I arrived here. My son had signs of a cold yesterday and didn's sleep well, so I guess I got it from him. He apparently got it from my brother who spent the day with them last week.

Anyway, that's that. I may or may not update again this week. If I don't, everyone have a great week. If I can just kick this cold I'll be ok.

Finally...

You'd thinking I'd have jumped onto it the minute I found out that Karen had bestowed upon poor old me this wonderful award; but I have been so busy. But finally I've decided it's time I fulfilled my promise to participate no matter. Thanks again, Karen!

The rules of the award are to tell you 7 things you may not know about myself then pass it on to 7 others.

What you may not know about me

1. I think I'm obssessed with weight loss/fitness blogs; no matter how busy I am, I make time to read the latest posts of my favourite bloggers. Wish I could comment all the time. But you knew that already, didn't you?

2. Right now, at this very moment, if I could have my own way I would be a stay-at-home mom. I love my job, but I'm tired, right now.

3. I'm the first of 4 kids, and was technically an only child for almost 7 years; however, those first 7 years of my life I lived with my grandparents and since my mom had me when she was still young, I grew up more like a sibling to my mom's younger siblings rather than a niece or nephew. So, my cousins refer to me as their aunt and they are my nieces and nephews.

4. I don't work on my birthday. I always make sure to take the day off of work and spend it relaxing. In the past couple of years I've taken my son's birthday off as well to be with him.

5. I love to bake; but I haven't in a while because I tend to end up eating most of what I baked right out of the oven.

6. I don't have a best friend; I have a circle of friends and I don't know who to call my best friend because they seem to alternate for that title. Then I have other really good friends outside of that circle. Then there's my mom, and her youngest sister who's just a year older than me. My best friends. And then there's my son, whose nickname means 'friend'.

7. I'm having killer cravings this week. Last night it was bread with butter, this morning it was something salty of the meat variety. Ugh. But hey, I haven't had, or craved, a Coke in the past 5 weeks!

Bonus - when we go to the grocery store, my little sister and I spend a few minutes (or many seconds rather) gazing through the glass at the goodies at the bakery and salivating. Yeah, I'm silly like that. That's how the chocolate-chip cookies happened on Sat, but usually I'm very strong.

7 others
Can't we say I'll have exactly 7 people read this and each and everyone of you will take part? I think that'll work. So, there you are, go for it!

And since it's Friday, have a great weekend. I intend to, though I think I'll end up being strapped for time. Training a new maid, plus regular weekend stuff, plus getting ready for a work trip on Monday and visiting with my grandmother who came into town last night.

AWOL

I seem to be staying away from the blog a lot lately, busy busy busy. Things are kind of tight here at work and before I know it the day is over and I still haev lots to do. Then I have to rush home because it's late, and sometimes I even forget that I wanted to blog until I'm half-way to the house.

Anyway, still hanging in there. I could say things are better than last week, though I had an episode with chocolate last night. Ugh. I bought a bar of chocolate for my sister and she was going to give me a couple of pieces, but I ended up getting to it before she did and I ate half of it before I 'instructed' her to take the rest before I finish the whole thing. I just couldn't stop myself taking piece after piece. Big reason why I can't have any in the house and why future purchases, if ever, should be strictly snack-size!

I haven't been on the treadmill yet. I know it's getting old, or rather, it's a fossil now, but I'm really stressed right now. Not having a maid is really tough on me, and now my sister has found a job, meaning I now have to ferry my son half-way across town to stay at my aunt's place during the day tomorrow, and then I have to go back and pick him up after work. I do not even know how that will happen because I struggle to get to work on time, and now having to go all the way and back and make it on time... Anyway, such is life and I just have to deal. At least the new maid is starting on Sunday.

I have to run now because I haev my sister and my son waiting in the car. Hope everyone's doing better than I am. How are you doing?

Summer Slimmin' Update and Weigh In

In my last post I said I was doing well, besides exercise. Turns out that was not true at all, I only thought I was doing well.
Obviously exercise is a write-off as I haven't done anything so far; as for food, looking back at my week, every single day there was at least one item with a star besides it. A star means that that something was extra, not in my usual food plan. So, despite tracking everything I eat and making an honest effort to eat food that I have prepared myself, I'm still 'sneaking' in extra stuff and hence am not/did not see the progress that I wanted.

Ok, Summer Slimmin' Update

Goal #1 - Cookin' Meals -  Good, almost every meal came out of my own kitchen, except the pistachio nuts and Tempo bar I sneaked yesterday. And I'm sure that was all out of boredom because I had an hour to kill out at the 'station' and found myself in a Choppies getting some supplies that we still needed only to emerge with those 2 extra items and proceeded to eat them in my car. Not too bad, but shouldn't happen the way it did. Oh, and then there was the 3 tiny chocolate chip cookies I had with a hot chocolate on Satuday evening...now it's bad.

Goal #2 - Eatin' 5+ a day - Almost win - weekends are challenging especially when I spend most of the day outside the house. Yesterday I went under, but every other day I was ok.

Goal #3 - Movin' it - FAIL. I really can't say more.

Goal#4 - Drinkin' Water - Week days - 110%. Weekends, not so much. I have to train myself to keep some water in my car for when I'm stuck outside for a while.

Goal #5 - Writin' it Down - Fairly good. Even when I have to record a 0.1 lb gain overnight or those damned chocolate chip cookies.

All in all it was a weak week for me, I can do better and I HAVE TO do better.

Weigh in
I mostly plateaued all this week, but saw a dip on Friday, only to bounce back over the weekend to record only 0.6 lbs loss. But it's a loss, so I'll take it. Total loss so far is exactly 11 lbs.
I have for the first time ever weighed in for for weeks in a row and the weight at the end of each week is lower than that of the previous week. I want to maintain that streak so I'm going to try to make the best choices at any given time.

Plan
The way forward now is to look back at the records from my 1st week and see what I was doing differently to now and apply that, that 6 pound loss was something! Simple as that. Other than that I'll continue to source all my meals from my house - cooked, except the stuff that you can't cook, track everything, drinking my water, eating my fruits and vegetables, and I will visit and make a standing appointment with my treadmill this week.

Funky 5 Meme

My friend Felipa at I'm Getting Fit tagged me for an exciting meme ala Funky 5! Thanks, Felipa! If you haven't been to visit her blog, you're missing out. She has lost 42 lbs so far and became a Zumba instructor!!! What's not to admire??Lol.

Anyway, now onto that meme:

My Funky 5

Where were you 5 years ago?
Unfortunately down to the date June 18th, 2005 is somewhat a challenge; but generally during that period 2 big things spring to mind quite fast - I was recovering from a car accident (I escaped with a compression fracture on 2 thoracic veterbrae) and I was getting ready to start my master's degree over in the UK that fall.

Where would you like to be 5 years from now?
5 years ago I thought 2 years from now I would be a PhD, happily married with 2 kids, a boy and a girl --- and between then and now I have decided I have no real use for a PhD expect just to say I did it, and that kids don't necessarily come after marriage. So, right now I'd like in 5 years to be happily married with 2 kids, the material stuff doesn't matter much.

5 things on my to-do list today 
At work -
Action list for monitoring visit
Update SOP master and distribution lists
Print and distribute SOP L80
At home -
Watch England and Algeria (world cup)
Do something with those chick peas

5 snacks I enjoy
Ryvita with cottage cheese
Biltong
Air-popped pop corn
Chocolate
Most nuts

5 things you would do if you were a billionaire (overnight)
Set myself up with a few houses in the most prime locations
Adopt my orphaned nieces and nephew
TRAVEL
Pay for my son's education in advance
Drive aroudn in my dream machine

And the 5 I'm tagging (will notify on Monday)
Sally from SlimmerSally.
The Better Idiot at Bottomless
Pam at Uncovering Pamela
Michelle at Working on my fitness
Dawn at Fixing Myself Thinner

Enjoy!

It disappeared!

I just typed a blog and when I went to publish it refused and I couldn't retrieve it! Now I don't have the time to retype everything.

But the gist of the post were this:

• I had a busy day at work and couldn't visit with my blog friends much today.
• Doing well, but not exercising yet - world cup has a big role - so I need to reassess my priorities.
• THANK YOU Felipa for tagging me for the Funky 5 MeMe!
• THANK YOU Karen for awarding me the Beautiful Blogger Award!
• I will formally accept and participate when I have a bit more time, hopefully tomorrow.

And now I've got to dash home, my mom and my brother are coming over.

Summer Slimmin' Update and Weigh in

I should have posted my updates on Monday, but hey, sometimes life and other things overtake you and your best intentions fall by the wayside.
Let's get straight to it then:

Summer Slimmin' update

Goal #1 - Cookin' meals - All except lunch on Saturday which was a sandwich fixed at my mom's house! So good job there!

Goal #2 - Eatin' 5+ a day - Easily about 7+ a day each single day, except Saturday which might have been only about 5!

Goal #3 - Movin' it - FAIL. I have this big excuse that I keep throwing around in my head that I just have to get rid of - I'm tired from straightening out the house. I'm still dealing with the moving mess, making sure everything is where it should be, sorting and refolding clothes, etc. So, sometimes even just thinking about it gets me tired. I need to start on the treadmill, really I do.

Goal #4 - Drinkin' water - 2+ litres every single day!

Goal #5 - Writin' it down - All my food and daily weigh ins have been tracked everyday. Only thing is that sometimes I write everything down at the end of the day. But as long as everything gets in there I think I'm fine.

Weigh in
So, overall I think I'm not doing so horribly with the Summer Slimmin' Challenge. Because my sweet END RESULT - Losin' LBS - 2.6 in the past week (weighed in on Monday).

The weekend was great. Worked on the house some, but mostly it was about the world cup! I'm still deciding who I want to win though.

And, ugh, I currently don't have a maid, so I have to do so much more than I'm used to at home. Sucks all my time, and it's probably one of the reasons I haven't gone to the treadmill as yet.

I'm here and despite the above complaint think I'm doing well. Thanks for checking on me The Better Idiot!

World cup weekend

The beautiful game...soccer/football, is my most favourite of sports, to watch of course. I used to be a more serious fanatic back when I was younger, so much so that I watched EVERY SINGLE GAME of the 1998 world cup in France. And I thoroughly enjoyed it!

But for some reason my interest generally kind of waned over the years, but when it's world cup time I wake up. So this weekend will be spent celebrating 'the beautiful game'. Luckily I've never been a beer person, so that will not feature in my weekend, nor will anything not in my plan, fingers crossed.

So, to everyone who'll be watching, or not, have a great 'moderate' weekend! I intend to thoroughly enjoy myself, I deserve it after the kind of weekend I had last week.

Every little counts...

...either way!

You know how we know that we should make little changes here and there, and those little changes will add up and eventually will lead to weight loss? Cutting back on sugar, leaving the last 2 bites on the plate, choosing something fat-free or low fat over full fat? Also, parking just a bit further away from where you're going, taking a short walk when there's no time for a full work-out, etc. All those little habits add up, and eventually your body will thank you for them. Right?

Now, there's the reverse. On the Weigh-Less plan that I'm following, you have to weigh and measure your food and make sure to eat your whole 'formula' for the day. I weigh my food all the time. But I have realized a couple of 'little' habits that can add up pretty quickly. For example, I'm measuring out 175ml of yorgurt, I put exactly 175ml in the container, then there's that bit left on the spoon, what happens to it? I lick it off - how many mls was that? Or, I have to weigh out 100g of chicken breast, the portion I'm holding is 110g, and I go ...ah, what's an extra 10g? ...and on the plate it goes. Is there a trend there? Yes, a little bit more than I should be eating ends up on my plate or in my mouth one way or another every day! And what does that mean? - That I'm actually eating more than I should be. But then I'm surprised when I don't see significant changes on the scale!!

See, every little counts...excess or shortage. And in the end, the little bits will add up, positively or negatively.

I'm going to start being diligent about my measurements. 100g is 100g, not a gram more. 175ml is 175ml, and the spoon gets washed. No bits of cereal get in my mouth without being on the scale first! From now on as long as the plan dictates that I weigh my food I will weigh the exact measurements. 

Is is just me that has little habits sneaking in to sabotage my efforts? What have you been doing that's detrimetal to your other efforts?

Comments!

I've been receiving a few comments on my posts in the past few days. Hurray! I want to thank everyone who has come by and left some words of encouragement because I really can use a lot of it. It is this kind of support that can help me keep steadfast to my plans and focus on doing well everyday. I wanted to comment on each comment, but haven't figured out how to do that yet, is there some setting I need to adjust? If anyone knows please let me know how in a comment or via email.

On the flip side, I know I should be leaving comments/support/encouragement on all your blogs as well, because we all should support each other. I can't only receive but not give anything back. I know I have been slacking on this, but believe me, I visit and read your blogs - that's to people who have already commented here, those that are on my blog list, and those that I follow. However, I have noticed that there are a few blogs where the comments are either disabled or there's something wrong because when I tried to comment I couldn't. Please check to see if you've enabled comments on your blog.

Other than the giddiness I get when I see '1 comment' or '2 comments', everything's going well. Still settling in at the new place. Loving the drive into work in the morning because it's so much easier, and I don't have to dread the knock off time traffic either!

With less stress, I can focus more on my healthiness journey!