Lest We Forget ~ANZAC Day 2013~

This is Andrew!

He is my pride and joy.

We put him into St John just before Easter.

Every week he would come home and we asked him "what did you do tonight?" 

and he would reply, "we did marching".

He just started when they were practicing for ANZAC Day Parade.

Today, he put on his uniform and we took him to do his Parade with his Division.

I was SUPER proud of him!

Andrew is right there ^ in the middle standing at ease :)

And this is Andrew in the pretty black bubble haha

Happy ANZAC Day!

#12wbt week 10...what do we eat as 12wbters?

I get asked this a lot from friends who are looking at signing up or by people who are in pre season for round two because they signed up.
Every round as far as I know is different.
Different recipes
Different nutrition plans
Different exercise plans

The one thing I am pretty sure of is that the basics are the same for each round.
I wish someone had written something like this for me to find, so I am doing my best to pass on this to you.

If you have signed up or are thinking about it, you will need to stock up on some basic pantry items. I will start with herbs and spices.

Just a reminder that these are all optional. You don't have to follow the nutrition plan. I do. I wait every Thursday for the new plan to be posted and then I shop. I already had most of this in my pantry, but I know lots of people who don't.

• Additives And Food Ingredients

  • Ground Cinnamon 
  • Paprika 
  • Cumin 
  • Beef Stock Powder 
  • Vanilla Essence 
  • Chilli Flakes
  • Cacao Powder
  • Liquid Vegetable Stock
  • Stalk Lemongrass
  • Cajun Spice
  • Rosewater
  • Baking Powder 
  • Vanilla 
  • Curry Powder 
  • Ground Coriander Seed 
  • Allspice 
  • Ground Turmeric 
  • Eastern Spice Mix
  • Tzatziki
  • Chicken Stock
  • Dried Oregano
  • Nutmeg
  • Thyme
  • White Vinegar
  • Mustard Powder
  • Sweet Soy Sauce
  • Capers
  • Fresh Ginger 
  • Jar ginger
  • star anise

I think I am meant to remain friendless.....

I don't know what I am doing wrong TBH in making friends.

I either let people take advantage of me and then when they don't want me anymore or I am not fun to push around, they drop me to the curb OR I stick up for myself and they still take advantage of me and then drop me to the curb.

I made friends with a mum at school. Her twin is in Declans class and I want my kids to have friends and kids over to play and go to kids houses to play.

Somehow after taking advantage of my nice nature and then me saying no, she got really cold and stopped texting. It was uncomfortable going to her house and she stopped offering me a coffee so I got up and left and haven't been back unless my boys want to play with her boys.

I would drive to her place in the morning and walk the boys to school with her and her boys.
I would take her to town and window shop while she spent money lol
I would go to her house everyday and have a cuppa and she would take what she could and never return the favour.

BUT she is not the only one to do all of this. She is just the latest to do all of this.

I don't want to stop the boys from being friends so when I pick up my kids from school on Wed and Fri, I take them around (if she is in a good mood) to play.

The thing that annoys me the most is that she has the problem with me and I have no idea what I have done wrong. Yet she texted me saying "Why do you snob me and give me the cold shoulder at times and then want to come around on Wed and Fri?"
Well I am guessing I have done something wrong, because she hasn't texted back after my reply and now I am getting pissy.

People don't confront each other anymore.
It is all done via email, FaceBook, text messaging etc. As long as you don't have to talk face to face or on the phone (like we used to in dinosaur times), we can all do what we like?

I stand with my older post last year....Women are nasty! I am yet to find a genuine female who just wants to be friends and not take advantage of the other person or be a complete back stabbing mole.

This is todays thoughts.....it is very sad the way things are and have always been for some people.

I have to share my lunch with you!

Today is "tighten up Tuesday" that means.....

Eating what is on the meal plan
Drinking lots of water
Exercising
Not eating crap

I have been doing extra good considering I don't eat breakfast (but now I will eat a banana or the planned breakfast) and I don't make lunch lol.

Today, however, it is raining and cold and I WAS HUNGRY! So I got up and cooked.....

Chicken & Grape Salad with Feta & Walnuts

It is FANTASTIC! I had warm chicken in it and it warmed me up.

Here is the recipe

Ingredients

• 3 Handfuls Rocket (120g)
• 100g Grapes
• 80g Cooked Lean Chicken Breast
• 18g Walnuts

• 30g Low Fat Feta
• 1 Tablespoons Vegetable Oil (20g)
• 2 Teaspoons Lemon Juice (10g)

Preparation Tips

• Halve the grapes
• Thinly slice the cooked chicken
• Toast the walnuts
• Crumble the feta

Method

1. Combine the rocket, grapes, chicken, walnuts and feta in a bowl.
2. Combine the oil and lemon juice in a separate bowl. 
3. Drizzle over the salad. 
4. Season with pepper and toss to combine.

So I sliced the chicken breast into 3 pieces through the breast, cut the grapes in half, and then drizzled some dijon mustard over the top.

YUM!

Short week does NOT equal no dramas!

It has been a short week this week with Easter and the kids home.
It certainly has not been short on dramas this week.

John had a driver licence medical on Tuesday and because he hasn't seen a GP since 2010, the Dr decided to do a full medical.
This resulted in finding out he has been glucose intolerant since 2010.
It also resulted in a huge argument about his health when we got home.

The kids picked up on the stress and got into EVERYTHING they could and I ended up taking the lego off them, the sky kids channels and throwing toys in the skip bin.
I went out and got the toys out the bin after the boys went to sleep.
BUT not before Declan had a melt down because he didn't want a shower.
So he got dumped in the shower fully clothed.

I have had constant pain where I had my surgery, so I have not been a happy camper.

I had the GP yesterday (Friday) for Declan. I need a referral to a paediatrician. 
The Dr was late as usual and a friend I thought I could count on did NOT want to help me out so I had to go and pick up Declan from school and I caught him walking out the gate. Said friend plastered a smile on her face and I just looked at her and took Declan and walked to the car. I said "thanks" and left. I probably shouldn't have said thanks since it was like pulling teeth.

So, I spent 2hours in the Dr for the Dr to then try and fob me off.
I am not a happy camper from this week and I am starting to see things that I wouldn't normally see.
Like the school mums not wanting to talk to me because I am the mother of the "naughty" kid and they wont let their kids play with Declan outside of school because of this. Not to mention most of the parents in his class have found a problem with me at one stage or another or listened to gossip about me. I don't actually care, but I cry for Declan. I cry because he doesn't understand that no one wants to play with him and that he wont be invited to birthday parties. That then makes me cry because no one will come to his birthday party and I don't know how to tell him this.

I am the mother of the "naughty" kid at school and when he was at kindy, he was just a boy playing in the sandpit and he was just a boy playing with is friends.
Now he is at school, he is not just a boy anymore. He is the kid no one wants to play with and I am the mother no one wants to talk to at the school gate.

I am feeling very alone. I am also sitting here wondering if a compliment I recieved today is something I should feel bad about or something I should accept and be happy for.

Hmmm my Saturday Musings.

2 years in Photos!

I found some photos that I had posted on a weight loss FB group I belong to.
I don't have a lot of photos of myself and I don't like to share the photos that I DO have so these ladies are very privileged and so are you!
In 2011, I weighed in at 99kg or round abouts. These aren't in any order.

August 2011 sometime.
Self Pics arent GOOD

This is Nov 2011 sometime. Andrew was playing with the camera.

Feb 2011

Feb 2011

In 2013, I am starting week 7 of #12wbt and I am 87kg!

 

 Sorry for the pic over load and the bottom pics were taken by Andrew so I was standing there telling him how to take the pic and thats how they came out!

Happy Sunday

Week 7 wrap up

As I finish Week 7 and go into Week 8, I have things to ponder.

I am regretting not taking a before shot, doing the exercises and posting regular updates for the world to see like other people have.

I did choose NOT to do pictures as I don't take a good pic and self pics are terrible things if you can't get them right.

I also didn't do the pre start exercises as I signed up bang on Saturday and had to push all those pre season things into TWO days.

Now I sit here in week 7 and although I feel GREAT and look just as good, I can't help but feel like I have let myself down by not embracing the whole "weight loss" thing.

Its not the be all etc as I have hardly ANY pictures of myself in the photo collection (which I am trying to change so my kids know I was there), but I really should have documented this journey better.

I also have the dreaded "fat girl" syndrome where I feel great, but still see that big girl in the mirror and then I don't want to share my pictures with anyone lol.

I am also disappointed that I came into the #12wbt ready to go and now I am cooped up at home recovering from my surgery and I just want to go to the gym or go for a run or SOMETHING!

But enough with that......

It is EASTER!!!

• John is outside making himself a planter box to do a raised garden in.
• He put in some ceiling insulation so the kids are getting quite toasty rooms now
• I am STILL waiting for the rain to come (with everyone else)
• I am thankful that Jesus died for our sins and rose again
• I won $72 on my lotto ticket last weekend!
• I won 12 Hot Cross buns from an awesome cafe today on Facebook!
• My kids are healthy and so am I 
• Ooh and my brother is coming over on Monday!

Go and enjoy this time with your family and watch some really bad telly!

Much Love

Well its Friday....

I have had an absolute shit of a week. 

This probably qualifies for Sarah's FFS Friday

On Monday, the DPU nurse rings to check that I am still going to my MINOR operation and I find out the time got changed for a third time and didnt tell me 

On Tuesday, DH and I rock up to DPU and have to wait 30mins in reception before getting into DPU to wait for a nurse.

The nurse wanted a pregnancy test done prior to the operation

As usual, it was negative. DH and I thought it was pretty funny.

For a simple 30min procedure, they wouldnt discharge me until I was up walking, eating and had gone tinkle and had my pain under control.

It was almost better than period pain so I got to go home after a few lies to the nurse.

I should have laid up on the couch, but instead I have been doing dishes etc and am completely exhausted.

I had to call mum to come and help me as I am really not dong that good.

I must have looked bad because my lovely checkout lady opened a checkout and waved me through it so I could go home after picking up some things for dinner.

I now have a post op infection and am on ABs and really should be resting.

Instead, I have dinner to do and will have to eventually buy food and a Tee Ball game in the morning.

Happy Friday everyone!

Week 5 #12wbt and other stuff

I am on Bloglovin so go over there >> above my "About Me" and click on the link to Bloglovin :)

I hate how you have sooo much to update and just CBF doing it.

Last Wednesday was weigh in day for Week 5....my weight loss is slowing down, but a loss is a loss all the same. So last week's loss was 100gms. Pretty happy with that!

Then I had a dieticians check up at the hospital and he said I have a loss of 5kg from our last appt and that I have lowered my health risks by 5.3%. Pretty happy with that too!

Week 5 was pretty good for #12wbt and I am still on track to eating, still drinking plenty of water and still running/walking around the lake! Pretty happy with all that!

Today, I had my surgery so CBF doing a proper post as I am still tired from the GA...so will love you and leave you all!

Round 1, Week 4 round up

It has been FOUR weeks since I embarked on my journey!

It seems like such a long time ago.

One of my first blog posts on the forums was about Sabotage. It was day 2 and John had taken my lunch out of the fridge and I was angry and frustrated that every time I try to make myself a better person, I felt like John was trying to hold me back.
I now wonder why I posted what I posted back then, but through all the messages of support, I got up and made lunch and dried my tears and got on with it.

• If John wanted to eat my lunch, then I went to the shop and bought more ingredients and made lunch.
• If John wanted to come home for lunch and I was doing my workout, I continued with my workout and had a coffee with him afterwards.
• I was a heavy 92.5kg four weeks ago.
• I wasn't happy about me or my size.
• I wasn't doing any exercise anymore because I didn't feel like it.

Now, four weeks later it is a different story.

• I weigh 88.5kg (at the last weigh in)
• I am happy with what I have done in so little time.
• I exercise every day (whether it is a video online, a walk or a workout at the gym)
• I drink way more water than I did (and I thought I was already drinking HEAPS)
• I have even started RUNNING (yes, running) around the lake (it is 1.6km or 1 mile) it is not a complete run, but I WILL get there!
• John even comes to the lake Saturday and Sunday nights after dinner and walks with me (he has even started running a long side me and teaching me to pace myself)

The first few weeks were soooo hard and you can read about them on my blog, but once you overcome that, you can do ANYTHING you want.
I have more motivation now than I did four weeks ago. I still need to do my measurements for the stats page, but I have lost 10cm on my belly.

I got called overweight on a forum (actually they were really nasty) and it didn't bother me. I am doing something and they aren't. I am happy and they are not happy. I can tell they are not happy, because if they need to be so nasty to try and bring people down, then they aren't happy with themselves.

I have learnt so much in four weeks, done so much and feel so much better.
I love getting my meal plan every Thursday and printing it out
I love printing out my shopping list and recipes
I love what I am doing.

And you know what?
My kids and hubby love it too.

I want to RUN!

Today marks Week FOUR of #12wbt and I want to run!

I have energy when I work out.
My heart doesn't beat out of my chest anymore
I have more bounce in my step when I walk or do the treadmill

SO I WANT TO RUN!

A long with other stuff, I need to re-do my blog!
I need a new title and name
I need a "follow me" thing like other blogs I follow
I want it to look like it isn't a hobby thing...that it can cross over to a business or whatever if I choose to go down that road.

I WANT IT TO LOOK LIKE A REAL WEBSITE!

I want a lot of things today.
And I have no idea what to do.

And how do you give advice to someone to try and keep them safe without looking like a mean jealous person?

I think that is it for today. These nails are starting to bug me when I type and I am also doing heaps of googling to try and refresh my blog.

Much Love
XXX

#12wbt week 3 round up

Well I have just realised that I haven't blogged......FFS

I wanted to try and link up to Sarah's FFS at Dear Baby G but couldn't figure out how to paste the button FFS

And then realised I hadn't done a #12wbt update FFS

So here I am No FFS

I have had a good week for #12wbt

I wanted to tell you about what happened this week, but it wouldn't make sense and take too long FFS

Ok, I will tell you lol

A part of the hall carpet was slowly getting wet FFS
John went to investigate at 11pm a few days later after we noticed it FFS
He found that the mains pipe had cracked right under the hallway floor FFS
He took a plastic container ontop of the pipe to divert water

I then called a plumber the next day
He then left to get parts and install them
I am still waiting for the bill to come FFS

The toilet cistern is now making funny noises and wont stop dribbling water FFS
John is getting shitty with the noise the toilet is making FFS

Dog has an allergy FFS
She is shaking her head all the time FFS
It is annoying John (and I woke to it one morning) FFS
Went to vet to ask for ear drops to be told the are prescription FFS
Would I like a consult? ummm NO thanks FFS

Went to pick up the kids from After School Care
Got handed an invoice that we weren't expecting, adding stress FFS
Found out it wasn't the right bill and that they want to charge what they printed FFS
Organised a meeting
Meeting got cancelled FFS

Picked up Andrew from school on Wed No FFS
Noticed he was itching when I took him to school that morning FFS
Decided that I would check his hair
Found some freeloaders FFS
Luckily they were babies and clear
They all came out in the wash

So now we are left wondering what is next

I went to pre admission today at the hospital for my surgery
I was 10mins early
She was 25mins late FFS
Then she called me on why I looked shitty and tried to make me feel bad for being shitty FFS
Then she weighed me and told me I was overweight FFS
That was the last thing she did, so I got to leave No FFS

Now I am sitting at home waiting for John to get home from work FFS
He is working late so he can take tomorrow off for Declans Tee Ball game No FFS (in fact thats an AWWWW)
I wonder when he will be home so I dont have to go to bed alone FFS?

I will love you and leave you now.....but I did lose 1kg in this weeks 12wbt!

15 minutes is better than nothing right?

Right?

I struggled through the first week of 12wbt....didn't handle the detox very well.....chugged down a Powerade and had a nice salty pork riblet with my salad the other night and now have my energy back!

So it is grey and raining today and cold so John suggested I do a workout to wake up.

Turn on the desktop (connected to the telly), load it up, do the first 5min warm up and what do you know? The damn internet is STILL dropping out when it feels like it.

Now, I usually have time to wait out the drop outs....but today I don't have time to put a 45min workout into 80mins as I have to pick up Declan from school.

I did do the warm up and the first circuit and Im pissed off that I didn't turn the computer on sooner today.

Happy Friday or FFS Friday?

12WBT Week Two!

So it is officially 1.5wks since I started this.

Today was weigh in day (like every Wednesday).
I have a total of 2.9kg loss so far to date.

I am still finding it hard! I still have the headaches, tiredness, mood swings etc that no one told me about.
I cry or I yell. I curl up on the couch with John at night and fall asleep on his lap. I wake up and feel like I want to puke.
I have no energy.

I know, this is NOT what you want to hear if you are following my journey, but I am truthful. I can't go RAH RAH RAH THIS IS GREAT if I don't feel that way. I am tired and thirsty and can't concentrate and I'm hungry!
John says it will all pass, but I need to keep going. I intend to keep going, but this is NOT what I wanted to have and I hate feeling this way only 1.5wks into the challenge.

I pop my back out during workouts (which is painful since I have a back injury lol)
I hurt and I ache and I don't have the get up and go to jump through a workout or go from lunges to burpees.
In fact, Im pretty sure my pelvic floor muscles are WEAKER now than when I started lol. What with all the jumping and lunging and squating and burpees etc lol I am not surprised.

The upside?

My tummy is shrinking! Yes, it is actually disappearing on me.
My jeans are falling down! But I am still a wee bit big for the next size down.
My water intake is triple what it usually was! And I pee less
My grocery budget is cheaper! Because John and the kids are eating the same as me for dinner (John is doing lunch and dinner).
I feel great after a workout! And I get to do the laundry etc (after sitting on my kaboosh most of the day holding my eyes open)

So while I feel like utter crap and I am emotional and crabby, there are some upsides.

This really is HARD. No one told me how hard it was going to be, so I am telling you.
Its a huge emotional road. What you see on The Biggest Loser show, is pretty much how it is when you cut your food down and exercise every day!
I chose the weight loss plan and I get a 1200 calorie allowance each day and I have 45mins of exercise PLUS the things we do each day that we don't think about.

I need to get lunch and then I have an appt to get my butt to today....

Much Love
xoxo

I got a JOB! and #12wbt wk2

I got a chance to work at the local A&P show on the amusement side thanks to my best friend!

I was the hot dog girl in this trailer in the pic!

Ok, I was the till girl in a very unsexy red polo shirt, a hat and an awesome apron haha

It was an awesome experience and now I wanna run away with the circus.

Its not a circus per sae, it is the rides and the side games and the hot dogs lol...but yes I got a taste of working life and I want it again!

It was fun!

The people I worked with (and for) are awesome people (with the exception of a few).

People walked right past me and didn't notice I was there, so I got to see things that I wouldn't normally see.

I got to see what happens on the other side of the glass and how it all looks.

I would definately do it again, and I must of done a good job because I already have been asked to do it again!

I got to WORK! And I want to do it again!

Now onto the important thing you all want to know.....

NO I did not get the muchies for the hotdogs and deep fried food lol. 

I am still on track with my 12wbt, and I feel great. Ok, I lie.....

I feel like utter shit!

I am tired and thirsty and have detox headaches! This is NOT what I signed up for, but apparently it should pass soon.

I better be off....

JFDI

First Weight In

So today is Weigh In day for the 12wbt people.

I thought that since I officially weighed in on Sunday, that today is too soon........

Well I will tell you that in two days I have

• Eaten my three meals 
• Been slighting under my calories as I have been FULL
• Done two days of excerise
• Drunken more water than I normally would

And I am feeling GREAT.

So today the scales had a.......

1.5kg LOSS

I want my bed......

I did Day One of 12WBT today.

It was hard on so many levels.

I ate my food plan.

I did my workout video.

Now I wanna sleep.

Hmmmmm

12WBT - Signing in #12wbt

I think I am crazy!

Really I do.......

Through following one blog, I found another and I liked what I saw......her name is Sarah from Dear Baby G
She did this amazing thing of starting Michelle Bridges 12 Body Transformation and sharing it with EVERYONE and I got hooked. I had seen it around and I wanted to see someone do it and I was very impressed!
I signed up yesterday for Round One 2013!

My goals for this are

• Lose at least 5-10kg
• Be fitter
• Get off the couch and JFDI
• Eat better
• Hope it all rubs off on John 

So, I have done most of Pre Season.
I have my shopping list
I have my gear all ready....(dont tell anyone, but Im still deciding on whether I need the Polar or not)
I need to do shopping for Monday and Tuesday

I need to JFDI

Thanks to Sarah at Baby G, I am on my way to feeling better.

I am going to report in here.....I hope you all keep up on how it is doing and I hope to share pictures etc too.
I need support! Lots of support!

I can't walk away from this like I did with Weight Watchers when they told me I wasnt trying hard enough.
I can't walk away from this like I avoid MFP because I CBF with the hassle of loading in my calories (even though I eat the same thing pretty much every day).

I CANT walk away! I have to to this. Even on the third day when I dont want to anymore because it is too hard. So jump on here and follow me and keep me going, because when I dont want to keep going and John is busy at work, I will need someone!

Much Love

Getting ready for school!

Today we are getting ready for school tomorrow!

The lunchboxes are clean and waiting to be filled

The brand new alloy drink bottles are cleaned out and in the freezer so there will be a nice cool drink in the heat

The uniforms, togs, towels and school bags are washed and on the line

Just waiting on the alarm tomorrow to get the kids up!

Andrew is excited for the FIRST time in 3years!

He is off to a NEW school with all his after school care friends and his little brother.

I am happy, but also wondering if I have made the right choice in taking him out of his previous school (due to bullying) and putting him in a new school.

Only time will tell.

Happy Sunday (or Saturday)!

Much love

February HAS to be better right?

It has been a rough couple of days, weeks and months.

On top of Johns uncle and Dad dying, I had my smear taken.
I wasn't too worried about it as I almost ALWAYS have abnormal results.
I went to the dr in January to have my routine biopsy taken and didnt think anything of it.
I had pain etc from after the biopsy (which is expected since they are cutting parts out of me lol) and just got on with it.

I had a letter yesterday in the post date marked 22 January.
It says "Your recent biopsy has demonstrated the presence of abnormal cells on the cervix which need treating"

AWESOME!

So, how many more times can I go through this before that treatment isnt going to work anymore?
What if I cant have any more babies?

Im fine on the outside, but I am going through the same thing I went through all those years ago. Except now I know what I am going through and its not all as scary as it seemed the first time.
BUT I still cant help but wonder all these things.

On another note, it has been a horrible summer so far! It is dry and hot and you cant get cool and you cant do ANYTHING. It is maxing out at 35+ degrees Celcius and it is TOO DAMN HOT!
I am currently looking at holiday homes to try and get John out to the beach for the weekend since he has been told he cant work tomorrow...what is the bet he will be working tomorrow?

I am currently job hunting too....so bring on February!

Much Love
xoxo