About Me

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Adelaide , South Australia, Australia
I am 49 and heading for 50. This is about me, the highs and lows and a lot of stuff re weight loss, so follow me and see wha I am up to !!

The wonderful people that follow and support me !

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Why is this time of year difficult

Well the last few days my eating has been appalling, but today so far so good. Christmas is not an excuse to eat. Dinner out last night with my best mate at Salt at Glenelg, a lovely meal with fabulous wine - my favorite Rockford Alicante ! It is nice to go out with such lovely and supportive friends. My focus on the next few days is just to do what I am doing, tracking even if I am bad seems to work the best. Today is a pretty normal day, tomorrow is our work show at Sammy's at Holdfast shores and my boss orders a large seafood platter with fresh seafood - so points wise good and a few glasses of very good wine. Bliss. Thursday driving home and now have a passenger so I am not happy, I Vince the wonderdog and I usually listen to my audio books and that passes the time, now I have a virtual stranger who I don't know and have to entertain him but I have my supplies for the trip and my water and then only have Christmas day to go and the hard part is over. Anyway, not much to report but basically a lot of soul searching has been done about where I want to be this time next year, I am going to do a collage on a cork board of various things, like boots - I cant wear them because my calfs are too large, fitness photos, good food etc to inspire and motivate me.

Sunday, December 20, 2009

The question was asked "what do you want to achieve from 2010"

Well, where to begin ! I should be doing housework and packing for my trip home, the house is a mess but that can wait for the time being.
Last week was busy, I work for a law firm and most law firms close during the Christmas period - mine closes from 23/12/09 at 12pm and re-opens on 6/1/10. So with the additonal solicitor I am working for, things have been busy. Some of you may or may not know, my last job had me working horrendous hours for am employer where I wasn't even allowed to take leave (other than the christmas break) and as we were understaffed, my stress levels were high. I was approached by my current employer to work for her, as I had previously worked with her many years ago, and the workload wasn't as large as I expected, now with the additonal solicitor who specializes in MVA claims, it is all happening - so this last week was shocking and next week worse, but the focus must be on one task at a time.
I am lucky in this job to be able to have 1 RDO off a month, so Friday I was at the gym at 7am with my friend, and did all my shopping, WI at WW Lifestyle Centre - gained 400 grams but I have had a lot of Christmas functions and TOM is due and I always gain. Gribbles Pathology rang me and need more blood, the 3 previous vials were not enough, so by the time I got home by 5.30pm I was exhausted. During the day I popped into see my dear friend Tania who has been trying to be superwoman, running a house, kids, WW, exercising like a demon and the demands of doing 2 jobs at work whilst a fellow employee was on maternity leave, so I dropped off some flowers to say I loved her and for her to chill during the first few days of her holidays. She made a lovely comment on her blog and facebook, in my life my friends are such a huge and important part - they are all just loved and each bring a different part to my life. Tania is my WW person, my WW rock and the voice of reason when I am off track. I think that gesture had an impact on her but it is what I do. Like the other day when a personal trainer at the gym has gone above and beyond her job to make me feel comfortable, I wrote a letter to the manager and praising her enthusiasm and support of me. My first solo effort at the gym was a little nerve wracking, whilst getting changed I mentioned this was my first time without my friend, 10 minutes later she came over to see how I was going, each time I get a supportive word or if I have a query about the program that was designed for me by another trainer a helpful tip. The manager actually looked out for me and thanked me. I said "it is what I do" I refuse to be a person that whinges all the time.
Weight Watcher had me secure a gain, with TOM due I always gain and the Christmas season being what it is, I was surprised but on review probably deserved 400 gram gain. Di my leader asked me to take 30 minutes during the Christmas break to "Think about what you want to achieve in the next year" although the WW staff members and my leader did comment on that I was looking good and re-focused, actually I am and I think that purging of my feelings helped, I plan to lose weight at my next weigh in on 8/1/10 as I am not sure when I am back from Broken Hill with my niece.
Overall, this time of year is great, the end of one year and the mistakes that have been made, with a fresh brand new year ahead. I am taking time to evaluate all things in my life, striving ahead for the type of life I want and getting the demon weight off and the issues associated with it.
I am quite relaxed about the WW journey, I believe with WW you can get the food balance right in that you can really enjoy what you eat, not feel like you are dieting which is not what we are doing anyway, learning that exercise is your friend both physically and mentally.
I suppose I would like to set myself a monthly goal of some desription, by the end of January 2010 I want to do a pump class, face my fear and get on with it. The gym is an enjoyable haven for me, at times I struggle to finish my workout as I am just exhausted from lack of sleep and the symptoms of my lung condition, but I do it - I am looking forward to the New Year, I want consistent losses.
I wish everyone the happiest Christmas and safe New Year, for us that are struggling to lose those excess kilos - together I am sure next year is the year this will happen. I have learnt the mental edge is what helps, if you have the focus the road is not hard.
Please feel free to comment and put any personal goals, challenges or even 2010 resolutions on your comment. I may well remind you of these when I read your blog in 2010.
Martine xxxx

Monday, December 14, 2009

Fluffing around with blog designs !

I just realised that I have been sitting at the computer for an hour fluffing around with blog designs ! So I thought whilst I am around that I would arrange a quick post. Today was busy at work, my workload has dramatically picked up and with the end of the year approaching it is madness. So, after work tonight I was tired but had my gym clothes in the car and went to the gym, it was easy once I got there. Did 30 minutes on the cardio machines with me trying to increase the intensity next week and did 1/2 of my weights program, with this I think I am going to need to take it slowly - instead of 2 lots of 20 repetitions - basically I do each machine twice and 20 reps each, I have (as well as my gym friend) easing into it. Overall it has been a good day, I must admit to enjoying the feeling exercise gives me and no one can be more surprised than me. Ended up having fish for dinner, I must admit to having no appetite when I finish my workout. Vince the world's best dog keeps coming in to see me - I think that is a gentle hint it is time for a cuddle - that dog is so cute it is frightening. Isn't it funny how just purging my problems to my leader made all the diffence. I must admit to being proud of myself for just relaxing about it all, I think that our bodies will do what they want to do - all we have to do is track, eat right, drink our water, exercise. It is an interesting concept that the more exercise you do the more food you need - no doubt this will be a balance I need to sort out. Me being me, a fairly social person - has also getting a few people saying howdy to me at the gym, this is always good and now I don't feel so frightened.

I always like a Monday

Somehow Monday is always a good day, it horrible getting out of bed but food wise it is just easier. The weekend wasn't the best food wise but plan to ensure the rest of the week is superb. Have the gym gear packed in the car for the gym tonight - so 30 minutes of intense cardio and my weight program should have me around 75 - 85 minutes of exercise tonight, I fully intend to ensure that I build up my exercise gradually instead of a bull at a gate and enjoy the process of seeing my exercise and fitness build up.
Tonight is an easy dinner of eggs made into an omelette. The house is a mess so plan to eat dinner and starting sorting some stuff out, the weekend I was pretty tired and so need to ensure I get everything ship shape before heading to Broken Hill for Christmas.
Now on the subject of Christmas, my personal plan is to enjoy the actual day 25th but not use Christmas as an excuse to go off the plan, if I can maintain my weight over Christmas then I will be happy. Why is it that you never feel like going to the gym until you actually get onto a machine, the feeling when you finish is such a good feeling, thankfully tonight when I go at around 6pm, the news and current affairs shows are on and they keep me amused. Had a crossiant for breakfast today, got I love those things at 4.5 points for one it is a bit steep but worth every damn point, I feel like when I eat these that I am having a real big treat.

Sunday, December 13, 2009

I am back !!!! Lots to tell

Well I can't believe it has been so long since my last post. Work has become busier and that was when I normally posted my updates, so I am planning to either do an update during my lunch hour or at night. There is lots to tell so will start at the beginning.
Weight and Weight Watchers
As mentioned in my previous post, Don my leader who I had a great bond and rapport with left WW. The leader that I now have Di is great but I lost my mojo and focus after Don left. My weight just was up and down and I needed to decide what I was going to do, leaving WW is not and never has been an option for me. Went to a city meeting with Toni who was wonderful and thought that might have been an option, so on the 4th December 2009 I had a huge talk to Di, initially I was going to move meetings. I basically poured my heart at and it was so therapeutic to do so. I decided and Di agreed I needed to start over (this was to coincide with the opening of the gym). and so started a new card and book with Di to keep the book at WW. Somehow it was a good feeling, she admitted to me she thought it would be difficult for me when Don left. So the old saying a problem shared is a problem solved is exactly right.
So my first weigh in was Friday. Had a good week and it was unfortunate that I had a work lunch late on Friday before my weigh in, got on those scales and only 100gram loss but happy that it was a loss and considering I ate at 2.30pm and didnt finish till 3.30pm - that could be the reason, the scales are not the be all and end all of success, particularly during the Christmas season.
This week I am just planning on doing the same things I have been doing. I am proud of the fact that I am reasonably relaxed about what has happened of late, I think at times we put too much pressure on ourselves and there needs to be a balance, if I cant get the gym one day, it is not the end of the world. Putting too much pressure on ourselves is a trigger for disaster, I want this journey to be enjoyable and to enjoy the food and exercise but not let it dictate my life.
Gym
The gym has finally opened at Glenelg it is the Genesis Gym and the gym has opened and is a state of the art facility and brand new, it is nice to work out in a nice environment and what is good is that the people that attend are just every day people. A program has been designed both cardio with levels I should be aiming for etc and the weights program, all going well and I certainly am sweating after the workout and can feel that I have pushed myself. Going to the gym and doing a good workout is enough, baby steps at present for me with 3 times a week is my initial goal till the new year, a walk every now and again during the day for me. I have an iphone with an ipod so hoping to sort out the downloading of stuff for that and particularly good podcasts to enable me to listen to something whilst working out, the good things is the gym has tv's everywhere and I can plug into listen to them and that is entertaining. I have had one PT training session with Adrian, he is a great guy but not for me but have bonded quite well with one of the other trainers Jess and think I might investigate to odd training session with her, money is extremely tight so I am hoping just to fit a few in every now and again.
Health Wise
I have been diagnosed with sarcoidosis which are nodes on the lung, the symptoms of these are coughing, breathlessness, headaches, change in heart rhythm and exteme lethagy. So I have undergone a battery of tests at present to see what condition everything is in. It is a rare disease but hopefully I can get it sorted out, so I am pleased that even though I am extremely tired I can at least function. There are all sorts of treatment, I have been given some medication for the cough which is getting worse and driving me mental, although there is medication that I can take the side effects are shocking and one of them is massive weight gain - obviously this is a last resort.
Food Blog
In the new year I want to start a food blog to review recipes, new food products, food journals and cook books, cafes and restaurants but not only with WW in mind but food in general. I am trying to think of a catchy name. Some of the names I am thinking of are:-
  1. Food Review
  2. Food, Restaurants ,Recipes and Review
  3. Cuisine Chronicles
  4. All things food
  5. The Foodie Corner

Anyone else has any ideas?

Love Life

This time of year (Christmas) can be a very hard time of year for us single girls. My friend Michael (friend with benefits) which has last 14 years and I know cares deeply for me is committment phobic, it is frustating for all types of reasons. I suppose if I need to change my life, then it is me that needs to change it. This time of year I am surround my new born babies, they absolutely tear at my heart and although in this life, it hasnt happened for me and I am fine with that, it still hurts after all I am a very maternal type of woman and in this life my "Isabella" my baby name is not going to happen. All of this makes me realise why I am spending time with Michael that what I want is not going to happen. I have a lovely friend who is going out with a great guy in the USA and they are having a long distance relationship which is working out well, he is a tour manager for the rock band Kiss and is fabulous, this relationship makes me realise what I am missing out on. It is not always flowers and romance and realise that this does fad but I want to experience that at some point. So before I go to Broken Hill for Christmas on the 24th of this month I am going to have it out with him and tell him I can't do this any more. It is going to be emotional but saying that I need to do this.
Well - that basically covers it, during the Christmas period I am going to try and just maintain my weight and focus on one day at a time. I think the fact that I am fairly relaxed but focused is going to help me get that 50 kilos off and not crash and burn.
Please feel free to comment on this blog, it helps no end. I promise to blog daily from now on.
Martine xxxxx