Weight Challenge

Feel Energised

2011-01-15T08:56:00.003+02:00

So today is the 6th day of eating a better meal. As I said our diet has not changed much except that I have added more veggies and salad to our meals and basically cut down a lot on other foods. I was so proud of my family for eating a veggie meal which contained no meat. Though I am not very good when it comes to making veggie meals without meat, so if any of you have recipes please send some my way, this is a new area for me.

Yesterday we had our braai with baby garlic and herb potatoes and tossup salad. It was devine and we did not overdo the eating, well I at least did not overdo the eating. My husband was stuffed.

I started exercising again after a long time of not duing anything due to hurting my knee. I did 25 minutes on the treadmill and then did over an hour of the Kinect Dance Central. i could really feel my body burning. It felt good though.

Ever since the diet changed I have been waking up feeling refreshed and energised. I have been so motivated to exercising and just doing more. This morning the whole family was up before 7am, miracle I tell you, usually I will curl up and go back to sleep, but I didn't, I got up put on my exercise clothes and went to exercise. I did about an hour of the Kinect Dance Central and tonight I will do about 30 minutes of the treadmill and will carry on doing some more Kinect. The great thing about the kinect is you can have fun. The kids can join you and you can turn it into a game. Fun Fun Fun

As for the headaches I woke up this morning headache free, it seems as if the mint, orange juice and honey tea does not agree with me, so I guess I'll try it with just the mint and honey and see how that goes. Otherwise It will just be the normal honey and tea.

It was interesting, I was chatting to a trainer who works at the gym. I was telling him how sick and how I almost want to vomit after I exercise and only after I did about 20 minutes to, when I exercise in the morning on an empty stomach. He said that new studies have found that it is better to eat a light breakfast wait 30 minutes or so and then to exercise. Why? Well in the past it was said that it was good to eat on an empty stomach, because you burnt more fat, but actually you really are burning nothing as you have not consumed any food yet. He said that they are finding more people who exercise before eating are more likely to have heartattacks then people who has had a light meal, even if it is just a shake or even an apple. So my routine I entend to change. Instead of waking up and exercising, I am going to wake up have an apple and then exercise.

As from Monday, I plan on waking up at 5am, have an apple, get breakfast ready for the boys and make thier lunch for school (this will be from Wednesday), then from 5:30am I plan to go on the treadmill till 6am, from 6am to 7am I will do the Kinect Dance Central (This will fall away after my boys go back to school as my oldest son will be starting school at 7:15am and then this time will be getting him ready for school). After the Kinect I will have breakfast. As from Wednesday things will change. from 5am to 5:30am breakfast made, lunch made. 5:30am to 6am treadmill, from 6am to 6:30am Kinect (while boys eat), from 6:30am to 7am getting the boys ready for school. 7am take oldest son to grade 1, then come home and take youngest son to Grade 00. Wow I am really going to have a busy week ahead of me.

All I am going to say is this year is going to be a good one. Well I am sure going to make it a good one. Well for now I have to prepare my little kitten for his first injection. Awww poor little baby.

It Is Friday - Say Hooray

2011-01-13T19:55:00.003+02:00

Should I be happy that today is Friday, but I am not. Why? Well this morning I woke up with this terrible headache. I got up to go to the toilet and I almost passed out. I was so dizzy. I climbed back into bed leaving my husband without breakfast and him going to work on an empty stomach. If I don't give him breakfast then he won't eat breakfast. Well back to my headaches. I have been having them now for the last 3 days, it only came at night just before bedtime, though last nights one seemed to carry on over to the morning. Why am I having all these headaches? I am not sure why, but I always suffered from headaches and bad ones to that I get dizzy and pass out and sometimes even to a point where I vomit. Am I drinking enough liquids? Does 3lt water and about 750ml power aid enough, not to mention I have been drinking for the last 3 days I have been drinking 1lt rooibos tea with orange, honey and mint in it? Mmm could it be the tea? I have always drank rooibos tea, but could the orange, honey and mint be having an effect on me? Well today I have not had the tea and will see tonight and tomorrow if my headache is less. Panado's every day, people will think I am addicted. I assure you though I am not.

Supper last night was yummy. I made stirfry. chicken, cabbage, carrots, onions, garlic, ginger, corriander, mint, rosemary, thyme, mushrooms, red, yellow and green pepper. It went down very well and my husband even had some for lunch.

I am shortly off to take my son to the dentist. We trying to get all these sorted before school starts, I guess my nerves is doing a jumping jack in me.

Well let me go and eat something small to keep me going. We are suppose to be having a braai today, but I don't think that is about to happen, thanks to it being windy outside, so it looks like the braai might be mommy standing by the oven making food. Mmmm so much for a day of rest from cooking.

What does this weekend look like, well not sure what i am planning making for the weekend. We were suppose to be eating left over braai, but it might not happen. So I might just have the shake this whole weekend. Will see how I feel.

Till next time Enjoy your weekend. I plan to.

What A Lovely Supper

2011-01-13T08:33:00.002+02:00

So I made the bean salad last night. It was our first meal without meat. I can easily not eat meat as I am not a meat fan, but as for my husband, well he is 3 people in one and in the end to stop him from eating a whole cow (just kidding) I land up eating more then my share. I really enjoyed the bean and cabbage salad it was devine and so refreshing. It took me a short time to make and the best part of it is, my kids enjoyed it. Yes you heard me, my boys ate all their food, my oldest even asked me for seconds. I added a little something extra in the salad, feta cheese, it is for sure a meal I will make again.

Usually when it gets to 9 pm I am starving, but last night I was not, I was hungry though. So I took out my notes from my challenge I did a year plus ago to see what in my house I could snack on. I read you should not eat after 10 pm, so by now it was 9:30 pm. So instead of supressing the hunger I made me 4 provita wheat biscuits with cheese and chicken palony. One slice of chicken polony (which was thinly cut and then cut into 4 strips to go on the biscuits). And I had a cup of coffee. I for sure thought that I was not going to loose weight, so even though I said I was going to weigh myself only on Friday's, I just had to check and all I can say is wow, 600 grams has been lost.

This morning I woke up, made my orange, mint and honey tea. Made my husband and me a USN shake with moducare cereal in it. Said good by to my husband as he left for work and now I sit and type all about my day and day to come. Today I am planning on making chicken stirfry, to my dear husband's disappointment as he wanted steak (T-bone or some other kind). Usually when this happens then I become sad that we going off the wagon again, even though eating a small amount won't do any harm and certain steaks are aloud. Now I did want to go to the fridge and clean it out and say ok that is it this is not going to work, but I didn't, I looked at him and .told him, I have supper already for tonight, we having stirfry. His reaction to that was, so make it another night, now I hate when this happens, because I like to be prepared and now he is changing my menu. So I said no, I have the ingredients already, I am making this, if you want steak we can have that on Friday. So an agreement was made and steak will be on Friday. Now the question is, will this be considered the cheating day if I make the steak with garlic baby potatoes and a tossup salad? Or can I still have Saturday as the cheating day which is our takeout day? Decisions, decisions, decisions. Anyway think I am going to have a little snooze with my baby kitten who is just too adorable and not to mention extremely friendly. Then to get up and clean this house. On days like this I wish I could just click my fingers and everthing falls into place, but I guess that won't happen, unless I put my hands to work. lol Till next time enjoy your day all.

Update: Why can't I loose weight?

2011-01-12T13:46:00.002+02:00

Every time it is something new. I loose weight, but it is not much weight. My diet has not changed since I started the challenge a year and few months ago. Driving to the shop to go and buy food for 2 days, I began craving something sweet whatever that something is, I wanted it. I was also on my way for a checkup. So I went for my checkup and told the Sister how I was feeling and how going to the dietician didn't work, because of the fact she wanted me to eat things I don't eat and how I was in tears when I tried. I told him about the endless struggle and how I eventually found a challenge that had really helped me, but because of certain things had to stop one or two of the items, but even though I did the exercises and ate normally I was either loosing a little or nothing at all. She then said that it is probably because hormones, my levels might be very high so in order to get it balanced I got a herbal supplement I have to take twice a day.

Not once did it ever cross my mind that my hormones could be the cause of me not loosing weight or loosing very little. So the first step to a healthier tomorrow I have decided to deworm the whole family, to my boys disgust it was a successful event with minimal crying.

I have now made my orange, honey and mint tea and type while I wait for it to cool down. Silly me forgot to get ice, but try shopping with two kids that keep nagging for this and that. Not easy at all, so not easy. Oh well I think I managed to get all my shopping and more. Now to relax a bit and enjoy a nice cup of ice tea. Till next time, this is me signing off.

Morning :World

2011-01-12T07:53:00.003+02:00

I know yesterday I had a lot to say, but not as nearly all I wanted to. I told you about me being ill, about how I lost my wisdom tooth, how depressed I had been and many more, but did I ever mention the one achievement I had struggled to get and was mostly speaking about it? I don't think so? With depression and other things happening in my life I eventually was able to do the one thing I kept speaking about. I got my drivers. Yes I got my drivers. It was one less stress, though it was stressful and all I wanted to do was drink coke. I failed the first time, but I did not give up. I just went for it again and succeeded. Last year my dear husband said goodbye to his mom, so it was a very emotional time in the family, but we got through it and even during this time I was able to not fall back on takeouts and other junk food.

It is 8:00 am, I am awake, been awake since 6:55 am. I could have gone back to sleep but for once I actually do not feel tired and especially after I went to bed just after 2:00 am. Yippee there is a week left and school starts. I can't wait, I love my kids and love having them around, but I also would love a little break so I can do other things and not constantly have them nagging, fighting or everything else they do. I know it is all part of growing up, but I think they did have had enough of the holiday and would also like to get back to school. My youngest son can't wait to go to school. Every day he will ask me. 'Mommy is today school?' and I would have to break his little heart by saying no. But enough of them lets me tell you what is in store for me today. It is 32C today and already I am thinking of a nice big class of coke with lots of ice, so my first reaction is to think of something else to drink during the day besides water. So I come to the conclusion what is the healthiest option to drink? I am not a juice drinker unless I freshly squeeze my own juice and why is that? Well if you don't know it, juice is actually not healthy unless it is 100% fresh. With all the added persevertives they put in the juice you might as well drink coke, it will be a lot healthier. Well I have decided that today I am going to add a new drink to my list, Iced Tea, what nice drink to drink in heat like this and healthy to. Now comes the question what healthy food can I make today? Mmm, yes like my husband says I am fussy. I don't eat a lot of veggies, I only eat ones I like for instance this is what I will eat when it comes to veggies. Cabbage, Cauliflour, Brocolli, Carrots, Baby Carrots, Corn, Peas, Pumpkin, Butternut, Sweet Potatoes, Potatoes (though not a big potato fan), Squash, errm think that is all, but will think of more later. If you have any nice recipes I can use with these veggies please send some my way. Thanks. Anyway I think I found something today that I will be making that is healthy and it looks yummy and I so can eat it with a few adjustments. Here is the recipe:

Mexican Bean Salad

Mexican Bean Salad Ingredients:

4 eggs
2 avocados , peeled and stoned
2 x 400g cans of beans, (we used pinto bean and kidney beans, rinsed and drained) [I plan on using butter beans]
small red onion , finely sliced
large bunch coriander , leaves only, roughly chopped
250g punnet cherry tomatoes , halved
bottle bought good-quality dressing (we used English Provender Company Lime & Coriander dressing) [will leave the dressing as i am not a fan of it]
1 red chilli , deseeded and finely sliced [and then leave this out due to the fact my kids will be eating it to]
½ tsp cumin
I'll be adding cucumber to this salad
another adding by me cabbage

Mexican Bean Salad Preparation:

Lower the eggs into boiling water and boil for 6½ mins, then put into a bowl of cold water to cool. Slice the avocados and place in a large bowl with the beans, onion, coriander and tomatoes. Measure 3 tbsp of the dressing into a small bowl, then mix in the chilli and cumin. Once the eggs have cooled but are still warm, peel off the shells and cut into quarters. Toss the salad with the dressing and nestle in the eggs. Serve straight away – delicious with toasted tortillas.

For a tasty supper or lunchbox snack, pile the Mexican bean salad into the centre of a flour tortilla or stuff into a pitta, then grate over some cheddar and add a dollop of natural yogurt. Roll up the tortilla or close over the pitta tightly and eat.

Ok so I know I can't call it Mexican Bean Salad, but anyway I left as is for you if you would like to try the salad out yourself.

Now to decide what to make tomorrow so I can go and do my two day shopping. Yip I have decided that instead of buying for a week I am going to buy for two days. I know it means shopping every 2nd day, but it is better that way at the moment for us. Anyway will share tomorrow what I will making my fussy family.

Recipes

2011-01-11T21:10:00.002+02:00

I thought let me share some the two of my recipes with you from yesterday and today's supper.

Monday Supper: Cajun Grilled Chicken

What you need is (i cook for 4, 2 adults and 2 kids, my 6 year old son has suddenly got a hunger of a horse. Not even sure a horse has a hunger he has, so now he eats more then his mother, so depending on your family figure out how much quantity you would need).

Boneless Skinless Chicken (chopped into fine pieces)
2 Onions (chopped finely, I use a grinder to grind my onions)
3 Garlic Gloves (I usually add this to the onion and grind it all together)
2 mint leaves (again add to onion and garlic and grind)
2 teaspoons of Lemon Juice
Teaspoon Olive Oil
Cajun Spice
Salt
Pepper
Water

Heat Olive Oil In Pan.
Once You grinded the onion, garlic and mint together add to the heated oil. after 2 minutes add chicken and once chicken is brown add the Lemon juice (depending on tastebuds you can had less or more). Cook for another 2 minutes then add Cajun Spice (again add to your tastebuds). Add a pinch of Salt and pepper for flavour. Add water if the gravy looks too thick or to prevent it from drying, don't add more oil. Test a cube of chicken if it is tender then you lunch or supper is complete.

Steamed Baby Rosemary and Garlic Potatoes;
1/2 teaspoon Olive Oil
rosemary (according to how much you like)
Garlic (according to your taste)
Baby Potatoes

Grind Garlic and Rosemary together. Steam Garlic Potatoes. Once it is steamed to your liking nice soft and fluffy mix the garlic and rosemary in the steamed potatoes so it goes all over. What I usually do is put it a bowl with a lid and turn the bowl upside down and then back the normal way and walla you have your steamed garlic rosemary baby tomatoes, oh left out one thing I usually put it over the steam for another 2 minutes before eating.

Tossup Salad:

Lettuce, baby tomotoes, avo, feta cheese, cucumber and onion. All depends on how big or keen your family is, add as much as you want. I am not a fan for salad dressing or salt and pepper on my salad, so this salad dressing, salt and pepper free is good for me. I am one for plain natural food then fancy not knowing what you eating food or too salty food.

Tuesday:

Beef cubes (depending on how many u cooking for)
3 Onions
Garlic Gloves
Mint leaves
Rosemary
Thyme
Coriander
3 tomatoes

Heat a teaspoon of olive oil in a hot pan. Finely chop the onions or like I do grind the 3 onions along with the garlic, mint, rosemary, thyme and coriander. Add the ingredients into the pan and cook for a few minutes or till slightly brown. Add the cube beef and cook till brown. Chop or grind the tomatoes. Add baby potatoes and the tomato. Cook until potatoes is soft. Add water if it seems the gravy is drying up. Add salt and pepper for taste. You can add what every veggies with it. I steamed peas and sweetcorn and added it in afterwards instead of cooking the veggies in the stew. Always find the veggies looses a lot of nutrients and other minerals when cooked.

I must say both my boys enjoyed their meals on both days. My oldest son even though had a nearly daddy size plate of food asked for more. I thought I was going to fall over. These are a lot healthier then cooking it in oil, using water you can still get a tastey meal and like I said my boys loved it, there was less artificial spices, I used fresh mint, coriander, etc, etc and instead of this garlic in the shop already chopped and other stuff added to it I chop my own.

I weighed myself this morning and that 80kg has gone down to 79.3kg. And just this from cutting out 1 thing COKE. Not even chocolates. Sunday was the first time I had a chocolate in a long time and that was the chocolates I got from a friend at Xmas.

Anyway I did not exercise yesterday, so 10pm my kids are asleep, I am going to put washing in and then I am going to put on the kinect and do some dancing. My 6 year old has completed on of the dances on hard level and managed to get a 5 star. I was very impressed, did not think he could do it, but it shows you don't under istamate someone, they will always show you they will be on top.

Life is good, a good start to a good year. Putting painful memories aside, forgiving those that have done wrong to me last year and wishing them all the best this year is my resolution. I have this saying I tell myself. They know not what they say, for they have nothing good to say, they like to hurt, they like conflict, they know not what they miss. Give a smile and say thank you for opening my eyes to who I can trust and who I can see are my true friends. It means a lot that now I know I might forgive you but I don't trust you. And to that note I turn my back and walk away to a room of people who truly know me.

Where Has Time Gone To

2011-01-11T18:57:00.003+02:00

It has been a long time since I posted. I honestly did not want to face my blog until I could actually get my weight down to where I had been before picking it all up. What changed my mind to sit and share my struggles. A friend of mine started a blog about her struggles. She reminded me of my blog and I got inspired to actually no matter what keep typing my struggles.

I could not believe that I was doing so well, until I got sick and had to go on cortosone. It was a difficult struggle, but I tried my best.

Ok so as you all know I was doing this weightloss challenge with other people, like the biggest looser. I was dedicated, I excercised, changed my diet to my taste buds, but just cut down on a lot of foods. I even managed to cut out coke, ok occasionally I would drink coke, but not as much as I use to drink, yip a 2lt could easily get finished by me in 3 hours and me alone. I could feel a difference when I drank the coke. I felt bloated when I swam I had so much gas in me I would actually float, no lie I kid you not. Have you ever tried it, if you are a coke drinker try it for yourself. Now how could I say that. Well ever since I was a child I could swim under the water, right under and touch the bottom. Then when my coke intake got more I noticed I could no longer swim to the bottom and I would just float up to the top. These were all indications that I had to do something when I heard about the challenge, I knew that I had to motivate myself and I had to do it. Why? For the support. Doing it on my own failled number of times and not because I wanted it to, but because the one person who also needed to loose weight failled before me, even though he will say I give in before him. This group was amazing, I was able to see how others struggle and hear what they struggled with during that week.

My first Challenge went well, I lost a lot of weight and even won a prize, but my motivation was not for the prize, it was for me. It was my 2nd Challenge where I failled. Where did I go wrong you might ask? Well I got sick, I kept having stomach pains, so intense that I would vommit. I could hardly eat, everything that went in, just came out. Thinking I might be pregnant I did a test and it was negative, it was a relief, well not because I don't want another baby, oh how I do. My baby will be 5, my oldest son will be 7 and going to grade 1, so I am so ready to have another one. Though that will not happen right now. First I need to get my business sorted and running. Earn enough so I know I will be able to support another baby. Then there is the decision should I have my own child or should I adopt? If I adopt will they let me, because in my research I did they say couples that have biological kids are lastly considered for adoption. Aaaah decisions, decisions. Anyway when the time comes I will decide.

Ok I see I got a little side tracked there, what was I saying now? Oh yes, I was sick went on cortosone and started picking up weight. I still stuck to my exercise and my eating correctly, but I found that it was not helping. I cut out everthing that made me vommit and then slowly added something in. When I noticed I was not getting sick with the stuff I was happy and thought yeah now I can start loosing weight as soon as this darn cortosone is finish. I carried on doing everything included everything back into my diet I had cut out. Three days later, I was getting sick again. This time I took note of the thing that made me vommit the most. Found that it was the Herbal Life Thermo Tea. I took it out and after a 2 weeks I started feeling normal. I was on cortosone for awhile and other meds. It was annoying, but I had eventually totally recovered. Except that during this time of doing so well I got depressed and started having more then what I cut down and all of the wrong stuff to. I was in tears. All I craved was chocolates, sweets and coke again, though my coke was less.

For a long time I was suffering with toothache, but I never did anything about it until last year May when my tooth broke and I was in terrible pain, that I could hardly eat. During this time my cravings for sweet things was more, I guess I can say I went overboard. I eventually could not handle it any longer and so I phoned the dentist. Made an appointment and I went in to find I had to have one of my wisdom teeth removed. I had it removed and after a 3 weeks my husband baught me a slab of chocolate. I ate one block and put it in the cupboard sealled where it sat for days until my dear husband saw it and said whats wrong don't you want your chocolate. He was shocked when I said no. I could easily eat a packet of sweets, opened it and took 2 sweets out and the rest my kids ate. I started feeling motivated again. Besides the sweets and chocolates I was still eating healthy, I had a shake in the morning and was eating my healthy meals, but I was just indulging way too much in sweets. Even though I was drinking lots of coke I was drinking less then what I drank before my challenge. Yes I picked up weight but I have not reached the 89kg that I once weighed or even more. I managed to keep my weight between 80 and 83.9kg. How would I know you might say, well I checked every morning on the scale until the day I said I was not going to check the scale until my birthday and that was what I did, to my suprise I had gone down to 80kg, but my niece's wedding I was down to 78kg after my dear husband baught me a treadmill. I was on it from the day we got it. I felt good. I stayed at 78kg after I had enjured my knee and could not go on the treadmill, but I kept eating normally and just took each day as a challenge. Unfortunately Christmas lunch got the better of me and I picked up 2kg, so I am back to 80kg. Christmas is over, Holidays are coming to an end and I am taking each day to a new level. I am well, my knee is fine and I have lots to keep me from loosing weight, kinetic and my treadmill. yip I will be posting more. Both my boys will soon be in school and I will have more time to focus on me and my business. I am going to make 2011 a good one, even if I do it for me, that is who counts more me. Oh and no this is not my new year resolution, I have decided to bottle that and just taggle each day. Set my day before and do as much of it as I can. So for now I am going to go and dance off these kilos, till next time may you all have a fabulous year. There is always light at the end of the tunnel, but more importantly, there is always something good awaiting you.

And to my friend who has taken on this challenge, you not alone the two of us will fight it together and we will be where we were once again. Hugs XOXO

Before & After - And The Winner Is........

2009-10-07T21:42:00.005+02:00

BEFORE

AFTER

Well my 12 weeks are over and I am feeling good. I am still sticking to my diet. I have not done any exercise this week due to being sick. No I am not the biggest loser, but was the runner up, so that makes me second, still good. I was not the winner, but I was still a winner to me. I lost 7.7kg in the 12 weeks and 30 odd cm's. Well my road is still long another challenge awaits me in 2 weeks and so looking forward to it. Have 2 charity walks I plan on doing. One on the 25th two days before my birthday and another one next month, it feels good to be able to enjoy something like this, especially when you can do it for charity. Well as I have said here is my before and after picture, now it is time for me to go to bed and rest these eyes and sore throat for tomorrow I have work to do.

12 Week Challenge Is Over

2009-09-30T12:50:00.002+02:00

I have succeeded and have gotten through the 12 weeks. It was a rough road and there were many falls along the way, but I looked forward at my goal and made sure that when I fell I picked myself up and aimed for the goal. It is amazing how one's eating habbits change and how you get so use to it, that when you go a day with out any veggies or fruit your body craves it.

I was going to put my before and after picture up this week, but decided that I'll wait for next week as we are having our prize giving on Saturday to find out who the Biggest Loser is. I would say hold thumbs it is me, but hey I am still a winner. I gotten to a place I know I would never have gotten on my own.

Look ahead, look towards your goal, smile at the loss you do loose and strive to do better next time. Don't get discouraged, find some good in what you are feeling and turn that awful into good feeling. If you concentrate on the bad, it is the bad that you will see, if you stumble and say you can't do it, you'll stumble more then once, but if you stumble and shrug it off you'll for sure walk a smoother road. Stay motivated, don't let your busy life get in the way of you feeling good. Always remember you are not alone, there are many out there who are going through a similiar thing you are going, find comfort in their story, let their story be a motivater in your life. If A can do it so can I, tell yourself.

I still have a long road to walk to reach my ideal weight, 9kg still to go to get to my goal weight and what I keep saying to myself is 'I CAN DO IT, I WILL DO IT, I AM DOING IT.' Motivate yourself. If you aren't motivated you'll never be motivated.

Well that is all from me today, till next time.

Just One Of Those Days

2009-09-20T17:34:00.003+02:00

You know when things seem to be going well and then all of a sudden there is a crash and stress just fills up inside you? Yesterday was that day for me. Since Thursday I have been depressed, today it has been the worse. Today I feel like indulging in that chocolate, I feel like drinking that coke and just not stopping, I feel the past 11 weeks has been a waste with the way I am feeling and just want to give up. Then to top the stress levels my eldest son is rude, fights all the time with his younger brother and back chats when you speak to him. I lashed out at him yesterday when he was fighting with his brother. They both have these bean bags that we bought them, now J has a green and C has a blue. J felt like sitting on C's bean bag, so C allowed it and went to sit on J's one, J did not like that and tried to push C off his bean bag, so C accepted that he couldn't sit on J's one so went to his one and sat there, J then was pushing C off the blue bean bag which is C's. J has this attitude, leave my things, but whatever you have is mine. You can't play with my things, but I can play with your stuff. This is so not fare on C, so yesterday was just the last straw for me and I lashed out, throwing a lemon I had in my hand, not meaning to hit J, just to scare him, but my aim got the better of me and the lemon hit him on his arm. I really felt bad about what I did. Not sure what else to do with him. I speak nice to him, I give him options, I punish him by putting him in his room, but it does not help, he just gets more frustrated. I have noticed that his behaviour has been worse now then before with my husband stressed, it is putting the stress on me and I think J is feeling it to. I also think with him constantly being sick, it has added to him being like this. I am trying to stay calm as much as possible. We had a long chat just the two of us without C around and all was good, except this morning when J decided that it was a good idea to take his cereal and put it on C's clean pair of pants I put on him. I was really upset with him when he told me that he felt like doing it, because C was lying down. I told him he has to clean C's pants bofore he goes to school, but that did not happen as he got his father to take him to school a bit earlier. He did not even say good bye to me or give me a kiss, he was out that gate waiting by the car for daddy, but little does he know that mommy has not forgotten and when he comes home he is going to be washing C's pants (am I doing the right thing?).

Well today I do feel so much better. I don't feel like the 11 weeks of challenge was a waste, especially when I weighed myself this morning and found out that I am down to 77.8kg. I am over the moon. I am already down another 200grams. Saturday I was down to 78kg, that was a kilo lost. I am loving my Hip Hop Abs DVD and my body feels good. Also we are eating a lot more healthier then we have ever been, more veggies and salads then we had before, I can't believe what eating can do to ones weight. There was a time I weighed 93.8, I managed to get down to 82.8, but picked up 2kg when I gave up. Then this challenge came, I took that extra step and did it and walla I lost more then just 2kg, you can say I lost 7kg all together, who knows, maybe it will be 8kg by the end of this week.

I have a busy week ahead of me. Tomorrow Jarid and I will be making cup cakes for entrepernuers day on Wednesday at his school. He is so looking forward to it. Today and tomorrow we will be making a poster for our table decorating it and then making our table look nice on Wednesday. The evening I will be capturing the memories of a Matric Banquet (what fun, I so love capturing memories of people). Thursday morning I have an Heritage Day event I will once again be capturing. Then the weekend is my final Challenge meeting and I'll be also taking pictures of everyone there. A before and after. I know I promised pictures of a before, but decided to let you wait in anticipation a little longer until I get my after picture. Well that is me ranting on about who knows what, but it does feel good to just get everything out instead of keeping it all bottled in. Have a fab week all. Good Luck on your journey.

'When you at your lowest, don't let temptation get you down, rather tempt yourself with something good, look at the positive side and pick yourself up and make your rocky path smooth, don't let temptation win, but let your will power to fight get stronger.'

Update On My Son - walking

2009-09-17T08:43:00.003+02:00

Thought I'd update everyone on how my son is doing. He is like a jelly bean jumping from wall to wall. We took him to the doctor and found out that he has indeed asthma. He is on a 3 month course of allergy meds and asthma meds. For now I have to nebulise him 3 time a day for 2 weeks and give him cortisone meds (preflam), The asthma pump and allergy meds and nasal spray I have to keep on giving him for 3 months, then we take him back to the pead and take it from there, and then give it to him less. It really is not fun having an allergy asthmatic child, especially when they can't express themselves too well. According to the pead Jarid was extremely comfortable with the tight chest and we didn't even pick it up, I felt very sad that I didn't pick it up. Though the pead said that sometimes it is difficult to pick it up unless like now he was sick and the wheezing was loud. I thought the doctor was going to be like our other pead and tell us that he is fine as we took him the day after the wheezing was gone, only to find out that his chest was still just as tight. At least now we know what is wrong with him and we can make sure he is more comfortable then he was.

Was going to send him to school today, but my husband told me not to, so instead he went with daddy to work. He misses so much, even though he is only in Grade00, I still feel he should have gone, well at least now that he is being treated school attendance will be much better then it was, especially next year when he goes to gradeR.

WALKING

Well I have decided to do something for charity. I saw that Avon Justine is having a walk, which a few of us have decided to do. I must be crazy as I am going to be doing a 20km walk, but I really think this is also going to be a motivation for me. I am really looking forward to it. Then in November I am thinking of doing the Big Walk, but won't attempt the 80km walk just yet and me who sleeps till 6ish will never make it at 3:45am, I'll die lol. This is making me feel really good about myself. I'm motivated and can't wait to enjoy a day of walking with family and friends.

Well that is my update on my son and a little bit on what I am planing on doing in the near future. Thank you all for your kind words and inspiration, it really helps to know you have support.

Mmmm What Do I Eat, What Am I Doing

2009-09-16T08:51:00.002+02:00

Someone asked me what I eat besides taking the Herbal Life products. Well basically this is how it goes for me during the day. In the morning I wake up, have a cup of Thermo Herbal Life Tea, 250ml water, 250ml Herbal Life Shake (vanilla) and that is my breakfast. I have been having snacks, something I usually don't do, they aren't always at the same time only when I really feel like it, then I will have either fruit or provitas with low fat cheese wedge with a cup of Thermo and another glass of 250ml water. At Lunch I have my Shake again, Thermo, 250ml water and sometimes if I really feel like something more I will have a fruit, usually an apple or naartjie. Mid Afternoon Snack Again I will have either a fruit or yoghurt or provita biscuits. Then for supper I have my main meal, now that is different each day, so I'll tell you what I had last night. Last Nights supper, was roast potatoes (didn't eat it, I am not really a fan of potatoes), roast veggies (sweet potatoes, butternut, broccoli, cauliflower, mushrooms and carrots), steamed gem squash, roast chicken and a salad. As I said I didn't eat the roast potatoes, but ate everything else. I weighed myself this morning and I was down 300g, which brought me down to 78.7kg. I am really proud of me, even my husband has made comments to me how proud he is that I stuck with it. He thought I would not stick to it, but I persevered and showed him that I can do it and I am nearing the end of this challenge a week and a half and then I am done with this challenge, there is a part two to it which I might do, but we will see how things go as It is far to travel every week or even every 2nd week, also I am heading towards a busy work schedule, but I feel I'd need it more as I so need to have this drive I have at the moment. I do fear I will loose it if I stop here, but I have to keep positive that is what it takes to get you where you want to be.

Yesterday was another big challenge for me. My 5 year old was again sick, same as before, wheezing, every month for 4 months he gets sick. I nebulized him last night and gave him the celestimine which he seems to be doing fine now, not too bad, I got him to eat today which was a relief, I was so happy about that, I really felt like eating the biggest slab of chocolate I could find or even indulge in loads of sweets, but I quickly put that thought aside and went for a protein bar which I have to say made me feel so much better. My husband was impressed with my stressful levels I had during last week and then yesterday, he is finding that I am managing stress so much better. I think so to, usually I will get loads of sweets and chocolates a 2lt of coke and stay in bed when I am stress and work gets left undone, but I am finding that even though I am stressed I am doing the work and it has not stagnated and left for the last minute like I usually do. I do my work and complete it. If I don't say it myself, I am very proud of my accomplishment. I still have a long way to go. I still have 10kg to loose to reach my first goal weight I have set for myself and another 20 odd kg to loose to reach a weight I want to be, but all in time I will get there. I have already lost 15.8kg, who is to say I can't loose 20kg.

One of the things that has really motivated me even more which shocked me to, was that my mom told me that she can see I lost weight. That really has motivated me even more now to eat healthier and do exercise. Talking about exercise, I have been doing it for an hour each day. I have now moved from the Tricia Penrose Body Blitz to Shaun T Hip Hop Abs and I tell you I really can feel it. I was feeling like my body was getting too use to the Body Blitz exercise, so decided to go for something new. I'll do that until I feel I am stagnating and then will move back to the Body Blitz again, but I have to admit that I have been feeling so much better now that I am exercising.

Talk about exercise, it is time for me to go and Hip Hop my way to a thinner me. Hope you enjoyed the pictures from the walk, someone asked me which one am I. I am standing next to my niece with the red hair. Mmm the one that does not look too impressed, actually I couldn't really smile, because I had a terrible rash on my face which made it feel like it was on fire, but I am ok now.

Some photo I took on our 6km walk, more like 20km (lol)

2009-09-15T09:47:00.009+02:00

THE WEIGHT CHALLENGE GROUP MINUS 2 PEOPLE

INTO THE HOLE WE GO, SCARY LOOKING AINT IT

MY NIECE, I LIKE THIS PICTURE

SOME LEAFY PICTURE WITH WATER DROPLETS I TOOK ALONG THE WAY

EVERYONE AHEAD OF ME

OUR LEADER

THE BEAUTIFUL VIEW FROM WHERE WE RESTED

2 weeks Left

2009-09-14T08:49:00.002+02:00

This weekend I did not get measured, but no stress, my body water came up (good), body fat came down (good), muscle index came up (good), veral fat (arround the stomach area came down, yippie (good) and I lost 1.7kg (yippee). I now weigh 79kg. I still have a long way to go, but I am getting there. I am eating a lot more healthier and I am exercising more. I have changed my exercise for Tricia Penrose Body Blitz to Shaun T's Hip Hop Abs and I have to admit that I feel great.

As a family we have even started with our own veggie garden, the kids love it and I have to admit I feel on top of the world. I am very energitic and feeling I am getting more done during the day then what I was before. I can't believe what a difference it has made in my every day life. I was under a lot of stress last week that even my face broke out and became dry, I was getting enough water eating correctly and still exercising and to my husbands suprise he said that I handled the stress very well, normally when I am under so much stress all I want to do is eat, eat, eat and all the junk foods too, but I never had that problem last week, I kept to my plan and just took each day as it came and hoped for the best. I am glad I had the power to push foods away that I did not need. I am also happy that even though I had craved chocolate I did not go for it, all the sweet stuff I avoided and I am proud to say I DID IT. What a wonderful feeling.

Hope everyone had a great week and remember just take each day as it comes, if you have a low just move on and try better the next time, don't give up or think you cannot do it, I thought that many times and still do, but I knock it out by saying I can do it, I will do it. It feels good to take my big clothes and put it in a black bag and say by to it. From a size 40 jeans, to a 38 and now a 36, what a wonderful feeling. Soon it will be less and I'll get to a smaller size before my birthday which is on the 27th October, a month and a few days time. If I can loose a kilogram a week that will be 7kg I need to loose which will bring me down to 72kg and I know I can do it, yes I can. Just need the right attitude and perseverance that I have and I can do it.

4 Weeks Left

2009-08-31T16:47:00.002+02:00

This weekend I went to my sister's place as I was asked to take photos at a dance function they were helping out with. I also had my weigh in. I lost 1.5kg and 9cm (all around). Think being sick the loosing of the weight, but all well now. My water and came down and fat went up, but was told that it was due to me being sick the previous week. Aaarrrggghhh this can be very confusing at times

Anyway I also danced that day more then what I usually do and feeling the pain today, but I so enjoyed myself, it was loads of fun. They also had raffles and I won one of them even though I can't eat everything that is in it, I still get to enjoy it in some way. I was still waiting for the person to come up and get their raffle, not thinking that it was actually me that was suppose to go up until my sister mentioned to me that it was me. Well this morning I weighed myself and I weighed 79.4kg, the dancing paid off.

Today I had lunch early as I had to take my oldest son to the Occupational Therapist, so we decided at 11:30am to go and have lunch. I had a Side Salad and Fruit Salad with a Slice of wholewheat bread, I still feel full after that. I am back on track, but taking it easy, especially after I heard that a student here where my husband works collapsed on the soccer field on Sunday and died. An email came around today telling us not to exercise for 10 days after having the flu/cold and to first let the body recuperate. I have not done that, though did take it easy.

If I take what I lost in kg's from when I weighed 93.9kg, I have lost 14.5kg. Wow I am so happy. I will soon get to my goal weight.

Have a great week all and good luck. We will make our goal, please remember though don't exercise while you are sick and recuperate for 10 days before you jump into exercising.

A Week Of Torture

2009-08-24T12:04:00.002+02:00

Last week Monday, I landed up with the Swine Flu. Not good at all. It started mildly on Monday, then hit me full on Tuesday in which my eldest son was too hit, by the evening my husband was also sick. Touch wood my youngest has not gotten sick. It was torture seeing to a house full of sick people and a toddler who demands your every need and to top it off you sick as well. My husband was very good and kept C with him as I was the worse out of the 2 of us. Seen as I was sick in bed, could not eat or drink, but forced myself to drink lots of liquid just so I could keep my water intake to a peak which I think worked well. Started feeling better on Friday afternoon. Weighed myself on Saturday at 2ish and I lost 2kg, yip you read right 2kg down. I am on the 80kg border, ooh does this mean I will make it to 75kg before my birthday? I guess all I can do is hold thumbs and persevere forward. It isn't the best way to lose kg, but hey if it helps get me a step closer to loosing my weight for that short period then I guess I can accept it as a loss. Though I would not want to go through that week again, it felt like my kidneys were on fire, actually felt like my whole body was on fire and soon everything would dissolved. Well back to working and exercising. Have a great week till next time.

And.....

2009-08-17T09:56:00.002+02:00

The Challenge Goes On.

I had a weigh in this weekend. I lost 1kg, 13cm all around and my water index is up, muscle index up and my fat index came down, basically I lost where I was suppose to and gained where i was suppose to. I was so happy, it made me feel even more determined. Aint it a good feeling when your achievements are met. I lost 5cm's around my bust, some of you might ask why would I want to loose there, well mine are big. I am not saying loose all, but I want it to be a size where they are not popping our of every single top I wear or like, so yeah I want to loose there. It was my sister's birthday yesterday, so we celebrated Saturday night, it was loads of fun. We had our hair done, put on make up and enjoyed ourselves. I am sure my sister felt extremely special. We danced, had karaoke, played pool and just enjoyed ourselves, but back to the grup and off to do some work, exercising and cleaning. Aaaah, not sure I am up to it, still trying to wake up.

Well that is all the good news drained for now, back to the grub. lol Enjoy your week all.

Yet Another shopping Spree

2009-08-13T16:50:00.002+02:00

On Sunday is my sister's birthday. She is having a combined party with my cousin on Saturday. Anyway as I found out the night before the funeral that most of my tops don't fit me any more. No I have not picked up weight, I drown in my tops. The rest are still too small, I was lucky to have found a shirt that fitted me which was great. Anyway I decided today to go and get me a top. The one shop had some nice clothes, but they weren't for me. I went to another shop where I started trying on clothes. I usually take a size 20 which is an xxl, I have gone to taking an xl, size 18, but that is not even the good news, the 18 is still too big for me, which means now I have to sit and take it in, but it is worth it. The size 16 is just too small for me, though in another top the size 16 fitted me perfectly, so now instead of wearing a size 18-20, I am wearing a size 16-18. What a wonderful feeling. Next to get me a new pair of jeans, but I think I will go with the shorts they were just what I have been looking for.

Well let me go and do some work. Loads to do before I go to me sister for her party. Enjoy your weekend all.

Aaah to feel good

2009-08-12T15:36:00.002+02:00

So we went to the shop, because I needed new underwear. I also decided to buy me pj's for summer. OMG I went pink, there must be something wrong with me, quick somebody feel my head and I burning. Anyway, I didn't try it on at the shop and took a guess. I normally buy xxl, but decided to take the chance and buy xl. I got home and put it on and it fits, you heard right it fits perfectly, ok not perfectly, it is slightly loose on me, but I know going large would be too small for me, a few more weeks and who knows I will have to go down to a large.

I was also proud of myself as we decided to go out for lunch, instead of me having a pizza like I usually would go for I went with a chicken salad. It actually tasted yummy and I was content. Instead of going with a coke I went with a grapetizer. Now tonight I will take the shake. A good day all around. I exercised, ate well and feel great.

Anyway another entry for today.

Another Day

2009-08-12T08:23:00.002+02:00

So I wanted to exercise in the evening, but my evening landed up with me fighting with the boys to get to bed, so no exercise was done. 9pm and the boys just would not sleep, you would think they were asleep all day, but nope that was not the case. So instead of exercising I decided to relax after I finally got the boys in their beds. I had a nice warm bath and then snuggled up in bed and watched CSI Miami, aww it is was so relaxing. Well soon it is time to have my shake then time to exercise. I have to admit that I am feeling a bit bored of my exercise dvd and feel I need a new challenge, but for now I will persevere and carry on burning that fat away. Hey one of my pants is already 4 fingers too big for me. To be honest I really do not feel like today. I don't feel like doing anything except climb into bed and go and sleep. I am so exhuasted it is not funny. I can hardly keep my eyes open and have no idea why I feel like this. I guess the weather also counts for me wanting to remain in bed, it is cold, wet and such good weather for staying in bed and watching a good movie.

I have had the Mirena in for over 3 years. I am loosing weight even though I have read things where women find it difficult to loose weight on it. Some of the symptoms they discribe is what I have. Though have not read about someone constantly being tired. Oh have I mentioned my moodiness, don't let me get started on that. I am extremely moody. I snap constantly. I think I need to do a pregnancy test sooner rather then later. I can't keep feeling like this. I read where a women had it removed and she lost the weight she had put on. I wonder if my husband will agree for me to have it removed. I just hate feeling like this. I get confused between the mirena and my body. It is like it is playing tricks on me and I hate it when people plays tricks on me why would I like it if my own body does it. Well a chat later, this mirena needs to come out.

Sorry for all the rambles.

Sad Few Months

2009-08-11T16:12:00.002+02:00

It has been a sad few months for my family. We lost a cousin in April, then my sister lost her father-in-law a month ago and last week Friday we lost another cousin who was very dear to us. I put aside my diet this weekend and pigged out, I had half a slab of chocolate, jam donuts and coke in memory of her. My cousin loved her coke. She was never without her coke. That was all she drank. She was out going, fun to be around, filled your heart with laughter and she always could put a smile on your face. A month before her birthday she said goodbye to this world. I know some day I'll meet her again, but I feel like there is a emptiness inside me that won't be filled. I feel like it is just a dream and the next time I go my cousin will be sitting on her favourite chair laughing, telling jokes, telling stories or just listening. She never complained and she listened when you spoke. She was special in more then one way. We don't know how much someone means to us until they are gone. Don't think have I done enough for the loved one I lost, don't think that, rather do more for the loved ones you have. Give a smile, give a shoulder or just listen to what they say. Appreciate them while they are alive rather then when they are gone, for you only notice these things when you have lost them. It is sad how we only really appreciate our loved ones when we have said goodbye to one. Remember every day to appreciate them.

On to some good news. I lost a few more grams and I am sure I lost some weight to, I can fit 4 fingers in my pants I am currently wearing. I might have to rethink my wardrobe sooner then later, but gonna push it for a few more months. Need to weigh 78kg then bring on that summer so I can get some good sexy summer clothes. I am feeling good though since last week Wednesday I have been feeling extremely tired. I have had a few moments of where I got sick, but over it now just extremely tired. Now before anyone says 'are you sure you not pregnant?' I am sure I am not. I have the Merina in now for over 3 years. I think it is my body adjusting probably also had a few rough weeks, with my eldest baby (ok 5 is not a baby, but he is still my baby) suffering from asthma and the baby was sick too. Then like I said my cousin passed away on Friday, so things have been a little stressful for me, but we get through it and hopefully things will go back on track again. Time heals all wounds they say. To me it is not time that heals all wounds, but love, laughter and happiness.

Well this is all from me. Till next time.

Aaarrrggghhhh - a day you feel like giving up

2009-08-05T08:03:00.002+02:00

Don't you just hate it when people around you eat things they know you are trying to cut out? It is like they do it on purpose to see if they can get you to fall. I so am hatting this, though I am still being determined non the less. When I get stressed I usually love to indulge in donuts, coke, sweets, chocolates and chips, basically all sweet things. Then people come with this and that all my favourites when they know I am trying my utmost to stay away. Grrr and especially yesterday was one of those days I just was too stressed to think of anything healthy. My youngest son was just too wild, no not just, he was totally wild. We were at each other all day. Fighting, sending him to his room. Then when we went to fetch the oldest son they were at each other all afternoon. I have to admit, I am finding it extremely difficult to count my calories. I am reading labels and watching how much I eat of things. Last night I made a salad with lettuce, yellow peppers, onions, avo and italian tomatoes (little ones), then I did a stir fry with chicken with the salad, actually mixed the chicken into my salad and it was devine. I also had a small helping of potatoes, not too big a portion, I am not really a potato person, but will eat it if it is there. The boys enjoyed it, ate all their food, they loved the salad, especially the youngest one who isn't really a chicken or meat person, but I think that is changing. My husband I made a Rump Steak, it was huge, first time I made something like that for him, but he enjoyed it and said it was the best he has eaten, Brownie points for me yeah. See you don't have to be a chef to cook. lol Well I have to thank my sister for that rump steak, otherwise he would never have had something like that at home.

Well it is time to have my shake, then time to exercise. Plenty to do, too little time. Good luck all for the rest of the week. Chins up and persevere. I got through a day like yesterday.

Herbal Life Weight Loss Challenge Update

2009-08-03T15:18:00.002+02:00

I am on week 5 of the weight loss challenge. I had a proper weigh in over the weekend, though things interfered with my weight, etc, etc. I by mistake drank something which something in it that causes me to swell and my sugar levels drop, but I am still happy non the less. This was my weigh in:

measurements when I started

Weight: 84.8kg
waist: 101cm
Hips: 115cm
thighs: 67cm
Arm: 40cm
Neck: 37cm
Bust: 109cm

Weight: 83.2kg (so far I lost 1.6kg)
waist: 100cm (this I am sure would have been less if it was not for me being swollen).
Hips: 112cm
Thigh: 64cm
Arm: 37cm
Neck: 35cm
Bust: 109cm

A total loss of 14cm's aww I am so proud of myself. It was a bad week yesterday as my son was sick and had asthma on top of the flu, it was not nice at all for the 3 days we had to nebulize him. I was not very good in taking my shake and eating during the day, so things were quick and not thought of. I guess we all have days like those or weeks like those.

Bye bye coke, I think

2009-07-26T09:30:00.003+02:00

So since I have started the challenge I have been drinking less coke, the first week I bought a 1lt instead of the usual 2lt, I drank 500ml of that coke, the 2nd week I again bought only 1lt coke and drank only 250ml of the bottle, this weekend I bought a 500ml bottle and only drank 100ml of the bottle and my husband drank the rest. I have also found this flovour water, well actually discovered it ages ago, but never really drank it, usually get it for the boys which they love. Anyway I tried this water and just love it. It does not have all these things we try to avoid that the diet coldrinks have, so I am happy with that. I am not a juice drinker.

Arrrgggghhhh don't you just hate it when you are branded as someone who does not do anything. My gosh, I wake up in the morning make the boys breakfast, make my husband his USN shake, make lunch for Jarid and Caydon (even though he does not go to school). I do the washing, I spend the morning entertaining Caydon and I do a few things here and there and I get branded as someone who does nothing. I barely have time to even have my herbal shake in the morning or to have a glass of water. I am so mad right now. We are having a potjie today, but I am not in the mood for it now. All I want to do is get a 2lt coke chocolates and chips and go to bed and stay there forever. I even run my own business, but I do nothing. How do they have clean clothes on their back if I do nothing. How do they eat a good meal every day if I do nothing. Anyway let me get to doing nothing. I guess that is what I do best.

Biggest Loser - Herbal Life Challenge week 3

2009-07-25T14:08:00.003+02:00

This week has been so much better then the last, though exercise has not really happend unless you I count the endless amount of non stop cleaning. Eating has approved this week, though it is difficult when you have a husband that is the one who does the motivating for takeouts. Not easy to say no. 2 days we had takeouts, due to Jarid having had soccer I made a big lunch instead of supper, but then when I was suppose to have the shake it turned into takeout. Though I cut down a lot on the amount I ate, it was difficult, so I went back to having the shake at lunch and a meal at supper time.

The good news is that I lost 700 grams, wow, not much, but still something right. That means in 3 weeks i have lost 1.7 kg, Ican't say anything about how much cm's i lost because I find it difficult to measure myself and don't have anyone to do that for me. Though I have to admit that I do feel like I have lost some. The week ahead of me is for sure going to be a lot of stomach scrunching, but for now I am taking it easy as my tooth I broke does not help with the pain that lies within my mouth. Maybe I should stick to the pain then I might eat even less and lose more, but come Monday I will be phoning the dentist and taking Jarid with who has a problem with grinding his teeth and has now what looks like two molars in the front. If anyone has any ideas on how to get him to stop it would be great. My poor tongue has been scratched open by this sharp tooth that is now in my mouth. Aaarrrggghhh, learn your lesson go to the dentist when you are suppose to and don't wait for something to happen to go. Oh well that is life I guess.

Well I hope you all have had a great week and a further weekend. Good Luck for the week ahead.

School has begun

2009-07-20T10:37:00.003+02:00

So today school started for my 5 year old. Last night we got his lunch together, litte one also wanted lunch, so we pulled out another lunch box and filled it with food. This was their lunch for school. 2 Chicken veinna's ( I don't know where they put the food, but recently they have both been eating a lot), youghurt, cheesie square and cucumber with juice. They placed their lunch boxes in the fridge. This morning little one wanted to know where his bag was when his brother put his lunch box in his bag, so mommy had to go and scratch for a bag for him. Then we took big boy to school, little one wanted to know where his school was. Shame I really need to send him to school, but before that can happen I need to get my learners and drivers. Anyway we got home and I sat down with little one and we sang and I read him a bible story, then we coloured in and he cut and tore pieces of paper and stuck it on to paper. he really enjoyed himself a lot. Now he is having his break, had his lunch and decided he wants to watch Ants movie, yip not a typical school, but anyway that is the beauty of having school at home. lol

Little one woke us up around 12:30pm . He isn't so little anymore, 3 years old, but he is still little in size. He woke up screaming and crying, did not want to stop crying. I eventually brought him to our room and bed. What a nightmare it was, I woke up with sore hips and back and a stiff neck. Also where we should have been awake at 5:30am we only woke up at 7:30am. Not to mention that yesterdays exercise added to me being sore. I guess in time I will start feeling normal and the bruised body feeling will go. I have not done my exercise yet, guess I'll leave it for tonight. Probably will take the boys and my camera for a walk and take some pictures along the way later this afternoon, but will see how this tired feeling holds up and see if the herbal life tea kicks in. I am so exhausted. Anyway i guess it is time to go and do some more school things with little one, then get ready to go and fetch big boy from school. Where does the time go to. All morning focus has been on little one. Lets see how things go.

Ok can someone please tell me how do I lessen my calories, everything I eat seems to have it in. I think I am calculating wrong. I usually don't eat snacks, but now have included snacks and I am all of a sudden eating close to 1500 calories a day. Snacks (not all at once), fruit, naartjies, bananas, apples, 1/2 protein bar, non fat yoghurt, Low GI Bread (only 1 slice), non fat cream (teaspoon - on my toasted low gi bread) oh and strawberries. I have the herbal life shake in the morning with a fruit (mentioned above) and in the afternoon too. I eat a my meal at night, which is less then I usually eat and I've added salad, mainly tossup salad. I drink between 3 to 4lt of water a day, besides the herbal life tea. Which is not my problem, just not sure how to lessen the intake of calories. Oh well I guess it is a learning thing. Back to the grind for me. Oh and the close to 1500 calories is without supper. Mmm guess I have to sit down and see how to reorder my meals or what to cut down more.

I'll soon put a picture up and my meal plans for the last two weeks, time just seems to get the better of me. Till next time.

Awe, Can I still Do It?

2009-07-19T11:51:00.002+02:00

Friday I got back into doing my exercise dvd Tricia Penrose Body Blitz. I was still ok after that, but then Saturday I did it again and ouch, by 3pm I was in pain. We went to my sisters house for a braai and I could not believe I drank water throughout the whole time I was there. I was tempted to pour me a glass of coke, but decided to rather just wait for when I have my meal. My meal came and that coke tasted so good, but I was happy with just one glass. Not to mention the braai was also so tastie as always, my sister is the best coke whether she is cooking, baking or braaing (barbeque for some of you who are not sure what braai is). Shame the boys didn't want to come home. The oldest wanted to bring everyone home with us, but no luck there as we do live a distance.

I almost forgot, I lost one kg, in the two weeks of this challenge. Now I need someone to just measure me so I can see how many cm's I lost. I am sure I lost something, but guess I'll just have to wait for next weekend.

Well that is it till next time.

The Challenge Goes On

2009-07-16T08:35:00.002+02:00

The week is nearly at the end. There has been a few temptations along my way, but I am trying my best to not let it get in my way. After a long period of not eating correctly and being of the shake I once again have not been having breakfast and eating snacks. Now to try and get back into that routine is so difficult at the moment my breakfast is a yoyo all over the place. I take the shake in the morning, but it is not consistently, sometimes I only take it at 9:30am. It is holidays and it is winter and it is freezing, so even though I am awake I lie in bed and read, before I get up, only getting up when the kids do, because then there is no way stopping them.

I weighed myself Saturday round about 2:30pm and I was down by 600 grams, yip lost 600 grams. Though it is interesting that when I weighed me sunday morning I was down 1.3 kg.

Tuesday we decided to let the boys get out movies and had a little afternoon movie day for them. I made popcorn and they got lucky and were allowed to go crazy on sweets. Not something they get to do every day unless there is a party. Well as tempting as it was all my favorites looking at me I managed to say no and walk away, instead of getting a packed of ghost pops that I love I found weigh-less cheese naks which I tell you tastes just like niknaks. I am watching the calories and protein intake. The chips is a 20g pkt, calories is under 100. I also got a USN protein bar, so if I was tempted to eat the sweets I could have half of the protein bar. My husband who is suppose to also not pigging out, pigs out. Tempting me to also eat the junk, but I have kept strong, not sure if not wanting to pay R10 or R15 for a gain is the motivation, but if that is what it takes, then so be it right?

I have been doing exercise a few minutes in the morning and a few minutes in the evening. It has gone up to 13 minutes, 8 minutes in the morning and 5 minutes in the evening. The morning exercise is painful, not painful in sore body, painful in that I am constently feeling sick. Yesterday was my worse, I thought I was actually going to die. I took 2 glasses of water before I got on the cycling bike, sipped on water during the time i cycled and had 2 glasses after. I really was panniking, so called the couch to find out what I could do. Ok so I have not been having breakfast before I cycled. Thanks to cramps I use to get a few years ago that the dietician told me to rather exercise before I eat. Today I am going to take the shake and then exercise 30 minutes after it and see how things go.

All I can say is, that it is difficult to stay strong when you don't have someone in your household motivating you. Times like this I wish had someone closer to motivate me. It is not easy saying no, but one has to just try and think of how you'll feel in a few months, years, etc when you have achieved your goal.

BIGGEST LOSER - WEEK 1

2009-07-10T10:39:00.002+02:00

I won't be updating every day. Time is not always on my side no matter how I try and set it out. Though don't you think by me writting every day you'll get a bit bored? Anyway weighin is tomorrow, but unfortunately I won't be there to get weighed and I know if I don't write now I will never do it tomorrow, so even though week one officially ends tomorrow I am writing down now.

My eating habbit for this week was like this

Monday - Saturday Breakfast and Lunches
Herbal Life Shake with protein powder, Herbal Life Tea and water

Monday - Saturday Snacks morning and afternoon
Water and Herbal Life Tea

Monday Suppers
Spaghetti Bolaignase (lean beef mince)
Toss up salad
Water

Tuesday Supper
150g (it was less) lamb ribs
potato salad
toss up salad
Water

Wednesday Supper
Pizza - chicken, mushrooms and avo
Water and Grapetizer

Thursday
Chicken Stew - potatoes, peas, green, red and yellow peppers, mushroom
Rice
Water

Friday Supper I am planning on making lean beef egg burgers with lettuce, tomatoes, onions and cucumber on and Saturday, well not sure will think about it when it is shopping time and let you know next week. Won't weigh myself today, but will do it tomorrow.

I am so proud to say that I have been drinking 3 to 3.5lt water a day. I could lie and say I did exercises since Monday, but ja I can't do that, I only started the exercise yesterday, which yesterday was bad. I decided I was going to start with cycling (the gym ones), I cycled for 2 minutes when my pulse rate hit 190 and I started feeling faint and felt like vomitting. I got off and laid on the cold tiles for 2 minutes before feeling fine. It was an awful feeling. Today I am proud to say I cycled for 5 minutes and my pulse rate was at 140, but really not as bad as yesterday.

I compared a photo of me weight round about 94kg a few months ago and the one I have of me now weighing round the same. I could not believe that I look bigger now then I did when a few months ago. What was the difference? I was exercising. Hopefully I can get back into the whole exercising again. I am sure my dvd has collected a lot of dust, but for at least a week I will stick to just the cycling, easing myself into it. lol

Anyway my farm town on facebook awaits me. Till another day, good luck to all who is on this journey with me, may the pounds/kilograms fall off us like melted butter. Have a great weekend.

The Biggest Loser - Herbal Life

2009-07-08T16:47:00.002+02:00

It has been two months since I actually sat down and decided to write. I was to scared to see what an improvement I had made and then to see that I let it go all to waste. I have picked up 2kg over the two months and decided it is enough. I am not feeling good and I am tired all the time again, but to actually get out of a habit and into a new one is so difficult. I found that I was just talking and not actually doing, all words, but no action. I never had the motivation I had before, but got it over the weekend. So far so good, but it is only the begining again.

The boys and I had a little holiday by my sister. I told my husband that when I got back we are going to start the whole dieting again, but he knew I was just talking, though he did not expect the surprise that awaited him Sunday when he came to fetch me. The Saturday I found out that there was going to be a biggest loser function starting at my sisters place for twelve weeks. I joined with my sister, niece and cousin. Unfortunately I cannot travel there every Saturday to do the weighin and listen to what is going on, but was still able to join in and have to record my details and send it to the couch every week. I started Monday and so far I don't have any sugar cravings. This is what I need, what I need to do to motivate myself, so I can get to a goal I want.

And this is what I have to say: BRING IT ON....

I have been so bad recently eating jam donuts, chocolates and drinking a lot of coke, even though I was still drinking water, I was not taking in much. The junk food was piling up inside me.

WOW - I am amazed

2009-04-05T11:50:00.002+02:00

As I have said in the post before this, March has been an extremely busy month for me. I have slightly stepped off the diet and have been going party crazy, though to say the least I have been watching my Calories intake. Exercise has been to a minimum, but I am going to start again tomorrow with it. The boys are on holiday and I am going to get into the swing of things again. My mom's birthday is this month, but at least it is not a party every week like it was in March. Just when I thought the parties were over Jarid got an invite at school to attend a child's party on Friday. I took him, it was nice meeting the parents and he had fun. It was his first non family party that he went to. I had been forgotten until the kids went to swim. Even though he knows how to swim he refused to go into the pool, because there was no grownup in the pool. Mmmm that was due to me telling him that he must not go into my sisters pool unless there is a grownup in it. They were shocked when he refused to swim. I was amazed that he remembered what I said. I am certainly going to take him for swimming lesson's once winter is over. Just need to get a number then I should be set to go.

Anyway like I said it has been one party after another last month. Every weekend we were at a party. The last party was the boys, yip all 3 of them, Jarid, Caydon's and Daddy's party. We had a braai and i hid easter eggs all around in the yard, the kids had fun looking for it. Then I played the sack race with them. I think it was fun. I know if I was a kid I would have enjoyed it, but kids of today, prefre computer games, xbox and psp, not to mention the others. Oh well you try your best. The cake was amazing it was a chocolate cake with easter bunny eggs on and a duck in the pond, it was just too cute and yes mommy did not want to cut the cake, but of course it had to be done, so I eventually cut it last week. The boys really loved their cake.

Well I was refusing to weigh myself in fear that I was going to weigh a ton, well I took the plunge today and weighed myself. I was shocked to see I weighed 82.6kg, so I decided to measure my waist, it was at 94cm. Oh my how wonderful I felt to know even though all those parties we had I had not picked up weight, but in fact lost it. It pays to what your Calories intake. Though I have to confess that yesterday I indulged in eating a pack of easter jelly coated eggs and ate about 10 lollies. I was so on a sugar high yesterday, just because I needed that sugar, though I paid for it this morning when I woke up feeling bruised, which I now know it is from the sugar as when I was off it I woke up feeling fine, my body felt sore from exercising, but never felt bruised. I could feel the difference, but I know, before I get on that sugar eating van I need to step back and move forward with my diet. Be persistant and just go for it. I was thinking of cleaning my system out this week with just a liquid diet, but ja not sure if I can pull it off for a week, but we will see. I might still have a meal.

Wish me luck as I try this liquid diet again. All the best to those who are walking the slippery rocky pathway with me.

The End Of The Month

2009-03-31T08:54:00.002+02:00

Well today is the end of the month. Have I achieved my goals? The answer to it all is no. I did not have my id renewed yet, I have not go my learners, I have not reached my weight goal. I almost achieved thinking positive until this morning positivity was broken.

I thought I was the one that was holding back from getting my learners so I could get my drivers, but this morning I realised it is my husband too. Why? Well he is waiting for us to get an automatic before I get my learners and drivers. I want to learn with a manual, so that I will be able to at least know how to drive one incase I need to, but he says I don't need too, I must just go automatic. Why? He is afraid that I might hit someone or have an accident, where is the positivity in that. Why is everything negative, why is it I can never do something, because of who I am. He says I will freak out and he knows me. So much for giving me the confidence I need. I still insist that I need to learn manual, but ja he doesn't. My morning is really not starting out too well today. I actually feel like I can't accomplish anything. Grrrr why do some people have to make it complicated.

On the up side though I have not picked up any weight I am remaining at 83kg. I have not measured my waist and hips in two weeks. I have actually been quiet, it has been one hectic MONTH. Every weekend has been a birthday party. No rest. I had my son's party combined on Sunday, so that takes care of the youngest one for next month. Life is a journey you learn to cope and take a step each day to your goals and to your dreams. You just have to persevere.

I have to admit the way I am feeling I want to munch on those sweets and easter eggs I have, but I am trying to be strong and trying stay far away from the sweet things as possible. I know one bite and all resistents will crumble, though there is one or two easter eggs that is mine, but that I'll eat with my meal as a dessert and eat the other one another time for desert.

Well that is all from me for now. Hopefully I will get to record my wieght and everything else some time when things starts to settle.

Hope everyone is doing well.

Weigh In

2009-03-16T08:04:00.002+02:00

Well once again no photos, not because I don't want to show you any, just because it has been a rough week with my office not finished and everything lying all over the place, waiting to be placed in their rightful place. At least my computer is functioning and I can now do work.

It seems since I have been on the diet I have been ill more then what I was before, but I know it is my body trying to get to where it wants to be. I'm sure as my body gets stronger so will I not be sick as much. First the flu, then two weeks ago the whole family had the stomach bug. I got better went to my sister for the weekend, then the sunday when I got home the stomach bug started again. I was ill the whole week. After 2 days of having the stomach bug my stomach was hard and constipation had settled in. That was awful, but anyway took fibre and herbs and that worked my stomach nicely. Feeling so much better today, but going to take it easy this week. Well here is my update. I have lost 2cm, yippee, the weight is going slowly, but it is going. Not sure if I am going to reach my goal by the end of the month, but if I am close to my goal I'll certainly be happy. Well let me go and have my shake, Jarid has not gone to school today as he seems to have the sniffles and I hate him going when he has the sniffles. I'd rather him have no sniffles and enjoy his day at school then have the sniffles and be miserable. Hope everyone has a fab week. Till next time.

LAST WEEKS WEIGHT
DATE: 9th March 2009
AGE: 30
HEIGHT: 164 cm
BUST: 103 cm
WAIST: 98cm
HIPS: 110cm
WEIGHT: 84.3 kg

THIS WEEKS WEIGHT
DATE: 16th March 2009
AGE: 30
HEIGHT: 164 cm
BUST: 103 cm
WAIST: 96cm
HIPS: 110cm
WEIGHT: 83.9 kg

HAPPY YET SAD

2009-03-10T12:07:00.002+02:00

I should be happy right. I am down to 84.4 kg, this morning I weighed myself and I was down to 83.9kg, now why ain't I happy, why ain't I shouting for joy that I am down that much. I have gone from 89.8 kg down to 83.9 kg, that is about 6kg lost in the few 2 months of my diet. Well I am happy, I am also just sad. A feeling I can't shake. I am feeling emotional and I am craving junk food. I just want to eat, eat, eat, even though I know I'll just pick up all that weight I lost. I am trying so hard not to indulge in the junk food. To tell the truth I am not even feeling like this because I can't handle the diet, that is what the case is usually other times.

The weekend I went to stay by my sister. My mom lives with her. When I saw my mom I got this odour from her. It smelled like a dead rat. I told her that she stunk and that she should go and bath. I then went to ask my sister why my mom stunk. She told me that she did bath as my sister bathed her, but the smell is still on her. Then my sister was telling me about the death smell and I remember also smelling it on my when my aunt was dying, though I never knew what it was. I feel sad for saying what I did, but what is hitting me the most is that I am realising that some day my mom will no longer be around and it is hurting me. My oldest son Jarid woke up the one morning screaming. I asked him what was wrong and he said Hannah is kissing ma. Hannah is my aunt who died when I was in like Grade 5 or 6, some where around there. I never mentioned my aunt to him nor did he hear about her from anyone else, but he woke up and said this. I think this is all playing on my mind and it makes me sad. What will this world be like with my mom not in it. I know I don't see her every day, but when I go to my sister will it be strange not seeing my mom? All these questions go through my mind. Next month she'll be 70 and we are planning a party for her. I am trying to collect pictures from my aunts and cousin's so I can do a slideshow for her and the more I do it the more I get emotional. Will she get to see her 70th Birthday. Will she get to see the slideshow. My heart hurts. I know it should not, but it does. I love my mom and she means the world to me, even though she wasn't the greatest mom, she was still a mom in some way and she never disowned us. She will be forever missed.

When I am sad I want to eat. I felt like a chocolate last night. I usually will nag my husband to go and buy me one, but I was happy to have found a protein bar instead in the cupboard and went for that. Once I ate it, I was fine and the craving for chocolate went away.

Well let me get back to working and hopefully I'll feel better soon.

Weigh In

2009-03-09T09:07:00.002+02:00

The week was torture, just one bad week after another. On Monday Caydon was sick with the stomach bug, I was up most nights with him, so never got much sleep, he was vomitting then after that had diarrhea. Tuesday our alarm kept going off every hour for no reason, until eventually no one could sleep. On Wednesday Jarid came home vomitting and runny stomach. Later that day I started, leaving me with a runny tummy and vomitting all night, so 3 nights in a row no sleep. My husband on Thursday morning woke up with the stomach bug, that left all 4 of us ill, though Jarid was fine by the morning and by 12pm Thursday I was fine. That left just my husband ill still. My sister and brother-in-law came to fetch us on Thursday for the weekend. We had a braai that night and went to bed late. It was my brother-in-laws birthday. Then on Friday it was my sister and brother-in-laws anneversary and we had boerewors rolls. I was sure when I got home after the weekend I would have put on the weight. Friday night was another late night, but not too late. On Saturday was my great nephew's party at Macdonalds then straight after that his mother was having a babyshower, so loads of stuff happend this weekend. It was yet another late night, thought from Thursday to Sunday it was all fun and enjoyable. The boyz enjoyed themselves and Jarid loved the pool and didn't want to get out. Caydon is scared of the water and didn't stay in for too long. On Saturday we only went to bed after 6am the next morning, leaving me waking up just before 10am. I did no exercise this weekend while there. I also did not want to exhaust my body after it went through that awful day of stomach bug. I want to exercise today, but am so tired and thinking to leave it for tomorrow, give my body a rest after it being extremely sore for a few days due to the stomach bug.

As I have probably told you, my office is in a shambles waiting for the laminating flooring to be laid down and then will be moving things back in. There is already a few things that has been put in. My husband is busy setting up my new computer for my work etc, etc and my backup computer for all my work to be saved to and where my printing will be done from. So unfortunately I cannot add any pictures this time around, but will add it as soon as I can get on to my computer.

Well this is my update for this week.

LASTWEEKS WEIGHT
DATE: 2ND March 2009
AGE: 30
HEIGHT: 164 cm
BUST: 103 cm (1cm lost)
WAIST: 98cm (5cm lost)
HIPS: 112cm
WEIGHT: 86 kg

THIS WEEKS WEIGHT
DATE: 9th March 2009
AGE: 30
HEIGHT: 164 cm
BUST: 103 cm
WAIST: 98cm
HIPS: 110cm
WEIGHT: 84.3 kg

Weigh In - Grrr I'm Dreading the Scale

2009-03-02T05:46:00.007+02:00

Shoo A Suprise at the bottom.

LAST WEEKS WEIGHT
DATE: 23rd February 2009
AGE: 30
HEIGHT: 164 cm
BUST: 104 cm (1cm lost)
WAIST: 99cm (5cm lost)
HIPS: 112cm
WEIGHT: 86.2 kg (Never lost anything here)

THIS WEEKS WEIGHT
DATE: 2nd March 2009
AGE: 30
HEIGHT: 164 cm
BUST: 103 cm (1cm lost)
WAIST: 98cm (5cm lost)
HIPS: 112cm
WEIGHT: 86 kg

Well this morning just after 5:30am I woke up refreshed, went to the toilet, then weighed myself. Didn't loose much, but a little, which I think is better then loosing all at once. After this weekend I expected to pick up not loose, well still I'm happy. We have another weekend like this weekend coming up and then the following weekend is another weekend like the last two and yet another one, this whole month has something on each weekend. Yesterday I wasn't true to my diet due to my son's birthday. I put the dieting aside for one day. I know I should not have, but at least I was still good and watched what I was eating and ate in moderation compared to what I usually do and I really wanted my son to have a very special day. Nothing getting in our way adventure all around for us. It was a really good day and his PSP he got for his birthday was the ultimate gift we could have given.

A party every weekend. What a sugar high for the kids. Shoo I am feeling really tired this morning, first was woken up by our 2 year old then the birds started singing at 5:15am, it is really nice to hear the birds if you want to be awake at that time, yes I'm complaining, I still had 15 minutes of sleep before my alarm woke me up, but nope natures alarm woke me up first. But not to fear I should soon be on my way to recovery and will soon have my energy back. I hope.

I came across these pictures the other day, while going through my folders looking for something else. I was in shock how 'big' I was, you can see it in my upper arms back and the side, what a shocker, how did I ever let this happen, grrrr. My friend baught me this top for my birthday October last year. This is what it looked like on me then and this is what it looks like on me now. What a huge difference. I am so proud of myself and at that stage I had already lost 4kg. This is such a motivation and soon I'll have to buy a smaller top.

Happy Birthday Jarid

2009-03-01T09:08:00.002+02:00

My oldest baby turned 5 today. It makes one feel depressed to see how quickly they are growing. I am feeling very emotional today and want to cry, but so happy that he is a healthy little boy and he brings me so much joy. He is my little helper, my superhero, my star and my angel. The joy on his face when he got his gift was priceless this morning. He has not complained for anything, has just been playing his psp all morning, even is breakfast is bein eaten slowly. He got the ultimate perfect game, a protable game he can move around with him. Happy Birthday Big Boy, All the best for the years to come. Mommy and daddy loves you very much. Hope we made today as special as we can and remember you'll still get your party.

Yesterday we went to my niece's party and oh boy I was so good. I steered away from the sweets, just had the savoury stuff. I drank loads of water and only had 2 glassess of coke the whole time we were there and they weren't even a full tin glass, more like half a tin. This morning I weighed myself and boy oh boy I was 86kg on the dot. I lost all that weight that I was concerned about. Can't wait to see what my cm's is going to be like, though I might put it all back after going to eat out, but gonna try my best to not.

My day today is going to go like this. At 10:30am we are going to take the boys out and then go to the spur for lunch for Jarid's bday, then we'll come back and lounge around, no actually I have cleaning to do, then at 6:30pm will go and judge some posters and give my vote and then we'll take Jarid for a small snack afterwards before returning home and filling the party packs and putting the boys to bed, then come home and do exercise, then off to bed for a good rest, though with the smoke that is coming into our house last night was an awful sleep, the boys have red eyes and my eyes are sore, nose is dry and throat is sore to. Jarid was also complaining that his throat was sore.

Well let me go and get the boys ready and get ready myself, today we are going to leave the walking for another day, but let me find out from Jarid, he might still want his walk. Till tomorrow have a good day.

Exercising - How to Flatten your Stomach, is it possible in just 3 days

2009-02-27T11:02:00.003+02:00

If only I can be more into eating correctly as I am eager to exercise. I feel so good after exercising, but with eating I just crave the junk food, the more I exercise them more I want to eat the junk food. I was good last night and had a sub which consisted of lettuce, cucumber and cheese on wholewheat brown roll. It was yummy, I must admit and I felt happy. I have been weighing myself every day this week because tomorrow a friend of my niece who is a herbal life consultant is going to weigh me on her scale which tells you if you getting enough water, and your body fat, etc, etc. This sort of thing makes me nervous. I have kinda been good this week, better then other weeks. I exercised for 30 minutes in the morning, and about an hour in the evening before bedtime. The last 3 days I have been very active running around the campus giving things to people and I also have been exercising in the late mornings just to do something, it feels like my body does not want to stop, even sitting here typing I feel like moving my legs and body. So I have been exercising for about 2 and half hours a day, besides walking places. Anyway as I said that this girl is going to weigh me tomorrow on her scale. I am petrified as this morning when I went onto the scale I no longer weighed 82 kg, I weighed 87.1kg, where did all that weight come from when just yesterday I was still at 82kg, I didn't even eat that cookie that my husband baught me and it is a very yummy cookie. The only thing I could think of was the coke, that is the only other thing I drank that I usually don't drink with a meal. I knew I should have left the coke, but unfortunately it was not in a tin or bottle it was in one of those cups and my husband had his and still had some of mine. Grrr I really am going to show that weight maybe more tomorrow. I'm scared to check my waist, in fear I had put around there to, but my pants feels fine, does not feel tight, just perfect, so think I am safe for now over there. Today I am going to be eating a good meal, no takeouts and diffinately no coke not even a sip. I have to see if this weight will go down a bit, so I can still stay in the 86's. Aaarggg she had to say she was going to bring her things and weigh me. To top it off it is that time of the month and I am bloated which puts more weight on me. I am really swollen and still have 3 days of this swollen body, maybe I should ask her to do it next week rather. Well I was looking for something to help me to flatten my stomach. A friend was telling me about someone who flattened their stomach in just 3 days, is that possible? I mean is this person just teasing my friend? I just cannot see how it is possible to flatten ones stomach in 3 days. I have been exercising for over a month now and I still have that bulgie stomach. I diffinately feel the burning, but my bulgie stomach is still there, not as big, but still there. I found this article on how to flatten your stomach. It is exactly what I do and boy oh boy does your stomach burn afterwards, not to mention your legs too. Anyway let me get ready for the rest of the day and get my exercise clothes off. Until next time. Toodles as my 2 year old says.

How to Flatten Your Tummy
by Rachel Keller

"Help! It's been some time since the birth of my son, but my tummy still bulges. How can I flatten my tummy?"

This is a common complaint, and not just from new mothers. The best way to flatten that tummy is through diet and exercise. You can do some exercises, such as the Kegal exercises and the pelvic tilt within the first six weeks postpartum. After six weeks, and with a doctor's approval, you can slowly add some other exercises. For more help, you may even want to consider a postpartum exercise class.

These exercises are great for anyone who wants to flatten the tummy. You may want to begin with the head lifts, and after doing 10 lifts comfortably at a time, proceed to the shoulder lifts and then eventually the curl-ups.

Head Lifts

Lie on your back with your arms at your side. Bend your knees and keep your feet are flat on the floor. Inhale and relax your abdomen. Exhale slowly as you lift your head. Inhale as you lower your head.

Shoulder Lifts

Use the same procedure as the head lifts, only lift both your head and shoulders off the floor. When you are comfortable with this, progress to the curl-ups.

Curl-ups

Use the same procedure as with the shoulder lifts. This time reach your arms as you slowly raise your torso to about a 45 degree angle (halfway between your knees and the floor ). If you prefer you can cross your arms on your chest with your hands on your shoulder or you can place your palms on your ears or behind your head. To prevent injury, never pull forward on your neck. Do up to 25 repetitions.

Abdominal Crunch

These are great for strengthening the abdominal muscles and reducing a protruding stomach. Lie on the floor. Hold your legs at a 90-degree angle with your lower legs parallel to the floor. (You can also place your legs over a bench or a piece of furniture.) With arms at your side (or on shoulders or behind ears as in the curl-ups), inhale slowly as you raise your shoulder off the floor, forcing your chest muscles toward your legs. Pull your hips upward, hold for a second, then exhale slowly and roll down to the starting position. Do up to
twenty-five repetitions.

To view the movement of this exercise and others, go to

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/abs.htm

Reverse Curl

This helps strengthen the lower abdominal muscles and reduce a protruding stomach. Lie on the floor. Bend the knees, place the feet flat on the floor, and place arms at sides. Pull the knees to the chest, raising the hips off the floor; do not let the knees go past the shoulders. Keep your head in a neutral position. Slowly return to starting position. Exhale as you pull your knees toward your chest; inhale as you return to starting position. Repeat until fatigued.

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Should Be In Bed

2009-02-26T23:58:00.002+02:00

I know I should be in bed already, every night I have been going to bed early, but tonight we went out shopping for birthday gifts. 3 kiddies bday's are in one week. On Saturday is my nieces, Sunday is my sons, Tuesday is my great nephews. Shoo can't believe how busy this coming week is going to be. A party this weekend and next weekend. Well I did not cook. We decided to eat at the place. I was so proud of myself instead of going with my usual takeouts, I went with a Subway. It had lettuce, cucumber and cheese on. It actually was yummy and I felt content. Unfortunately my husband ordered me a small coke, even though I told him not to worry about getting me something to drink I would get at another shop, but anyho, I drank about half of it and the rest went to waste. I was so suprised with myself, because the coke stood there until had eaten all my food. Yeah coke you just sit there and wait your turn, no more drinking before I eat. I didn't even realise that I had not drank any until my husband pointed it out to me. He also got cookies from the subway for the four of us, but I turned my cookie down. Why in the world would I do that, I think the walls came down around me when I told my husband that I didn't want it. Well sugar, I have been so good with the sugar intake that I did not want to break the pattern. The only sugar I take in is when I have coffee, otherwise I cut out sweets, chocolates, cakes, etc, etc. I baught myself a pedometer today and wrist weights that you attach to your wrists. I was going to get another workout dvd, but could not find anything that I'd like. Oh well maybe next time.

Well my shopping for birthdays is done, thank goodness I am only having Jarid's party at the end of the month with Caydon's. It is a long wait for him, but trying to save a bit of cash and for some travelling far it can be costly. We going to go with the easter theme and have an easter egg hunt. What fun it is going to be.

I hear a soft voice calling me, I wonder where it is coming from. I think it is my bed, for my eyes are starting to close, so for now I'll say goodbye, until next time we do meet. Hope you all have a fabulous weekend and all the best on the exercises, loss, etc, etc. Till next week.

Grrr No Rest For The Wicked - What a Week

2009-02-23T08:57:00.007+02:00

Before I get into my stories my pictures for this week and my update.

LAST WEEKS WEIGHT
DATE: 16th February 2009
AGE: 30
HEIGHT: 164 cm
BUST: 105 cm (not sure why I have not lost anything as I had to tighten my bra straps.)
WAIST: 104 cm
HIPS: 113 cm
WEIGHT: 86.2 kg (not much lost, but still a loss right?)

THIS WEEKS WEIGHT
DATE: 23rd February 2009
AGE: 30
HEIGHT: 164 cm
BUST: 104 cm (1cm lost)
WAIST: 99cm (5cm lost)
HIPS: 112cm
WEIGHT: 86.2 kg (Never lost anything here)

As you all know I was sick over the Valentines weekend, well the week still saw to it that I stayed in bed on Thursday morning I decided to get up and do exercises as that whole week saw me doing none. I could not even go for a walk, because of how bad I was. I could not even sit by my computer everything irritated me. I eventually just said enough is enough and I exercised. I didn't do too much, just a warm up a few stretches and a cool down, that was roughly about 20 minutes. I slowly increased it again and today even though I still have a few sniffles I feel much better and ready to tackle this week full blast. I was feeling very depressed knowing that I was sure to have lost nothing, because I was ill my husband was in charge of feeding the family and we those who know him will tell you he is not a cooking type, so his cooking is takeouts. I ate, but did not eat much. On Thursday we went to do some clothe shopping, which I tell you annoys me that they still did not have my size, so I decided that I'd get me a pair of tracksuit pants which would fit. I picked up the one that said 97 - 104cm, but had this edgie feeling to take a smaller size too, so I took the 94 - 97cm. I did not even fit on the bigger size, because when I put on the smaller size it fitted me. I was in shock. I stood there for about 20 minutes looking in the mirror asking myself is this possible have I really lost so much around my waist? I was dying to get home and put the tape measure around my waist, but I did not I enjoyed my moment of being in a smaller pants. This morning when I did my check in I was suprised to find that I was down to 99cm. Can you say wow, another shock for me, even though I did not loose weight I lost cm's expecially around my waist. I put on a new bra I had baught ages ago, but could not fit into it. I did not take it back, because I decided to make it my goal to fit into that bra. For fun I decided to put the bra on and I am proud to say I have 4 cm to go then I'll be in that bra. This week is seeing us back onto a good eating diet now that I am going back to cooking. On Sunday my son and I walked to the shop, it took us about 30 minutes to get down there, but he so enjoyed it. Oooh I just told you about my pair of pants I got I forgot to tell you about the other things I got. Well I also got last week proper walking, gym, jogging shoes and a yoga mat. Wow what a difference the shoes makes and I love my mat. Back to Sunday now. Anyway we went walking to the shop and met daddy at the shop, actually was a race to see who got to the shop first and obviously daddy would get there first, so to be fare we went ahead and I called daddy when we were halfway there. Jarid so enjoyed it. We ofcourse beat daddy to Jarid's delight and I did a little jogging in my shoes which I felt like I was running on clouds it felt so good. Jarid's feet though got a bit sore and his feet has blisters now, not good when your child does not have the prober shoes and none of his proper shoes fit him, so after the walk to the shop we went to the mall and got him a pair of shoes well two. He is so excited about his shoes, he wanted to walk to school this morning. I think I would have taken him up on his offer if only I had not just done my exercise. His school is a bit further away from the shop. Maybe next time I'll do that then my husband can meet me there and bring me back. This sunday we won't be doing our walking, it will be Jarid's 5th birday, aww how time flies. He is so looking forward to it. We won't be having a party for him now, but will have one at the end of March with his brother who will be having a birthday in April. Maybe we'll still do our walk on Sunday, but I'll leave it up to him.

Well what seemed to be an awful week actually turned out to be a suprised week. I hope you all had a fabulous week and will continue having another fabulous week, till next time. Chow

ARRRRGGGGGHHHH I'M STILL SICK - Not sure what to put in my son's lunchbox

2009-02-18T20:44:00.004+02:00

I can't tell you how frustrating this is for me. I feel like I am never going to get better, by the time the day ends I am exhausted and not from physical stuff, just from blowing my nose, coughing up a storm and doing some light work. I get out of breath during the day and I feel like someone is crushing my chest. I still have a mucous drip and my throat can't decide if it is sore or not. One minute it is sore and I can't swollow and the next minute it is fine. I sound awful at the moment to and I just don't have the energy to do anything. I am taking lots of vitamins and the homeopath meds, but it seems all it is doing is keeping it at bay, I guess the next step for me to do is just go to the doctor to sort it, but I really don't like taking antibiotics. I'll give it till Friday to sort itself out. I got no exercise done this week due to being sick and it is frustrating. My body keeps telling me to move. All the exercise I do is walk from one side of the house to the other and then walk to my husbands office. Today I walked down 5 times. He is the IT director at a College and we stay on the campus. The first time I actually went to meet with someone and not to go to him, then they weren't in their office so went to him and left Caydon there, while I went for a 2nd and 3rd time. 3rd time being lucky. Between the offices there are lots of stairs so I got a bit of workout there going up and down the stairs. I'm afraid to say that this week is going to be a no loss.

I am still drinking loads of water which is good when you sick I suppose, just wish it got rid of the sickness in a day. Upset with my husband who was suppose to make plans for a babysitter so we could celebrate a belated valentines. He didn't do it and this week is almost come to an end, he did manage to make plans to go out with a friend for breakfast and then tomorrow is going out for lunch with his boss tomorrow. I was not happy at all. He complained about having too much work which I know is true and accepted it then all these things. Aaarrrgggghhh I think I just need a break from the kids. This week is a depressing week. I hate looking forward to something and then it doesn't happen and I really was looking forward to us time without the kids for a few hours.

To top my week even more I am at a loss for words. Jarid eats very little of his lunch and brings everything home. Things he usually likes eating at home. No sweets are allowed in their lunchbox only on Fridays. And I like healthy options. Today I gave him wholewheat all grain provita and put cheese on it. He ate one and the other two came home. He ate his grapes though. Let me give you a list of things I make for him.

Day 1 - Peanut Butter Sandwiches on Brown bread. One day he eats then the next week he refuses to eat it. Apple, it comes home not even a bite from it, because I did not cut it up. Cheese cubes only thing he eats it seems and raisins which is not eaten.

Day 2 - 2 Viennas at his request cheese cubes, cut apples and a piece of biltong stick. This is a good meal he ate everything except for the cut apples and biltong stick. Reason for not eating the apple it was old, because it went brown. Grrrrr

Day 3 - Yoghurt, banana, few raisins. Eats yoghurt and brings the rest home. He doesn't like bananas, but when he gets home then he wants one and there was nothing wrong with the banana.

Day 4 - Chicken fingers, biltong stick, cheese cubes and grapes. One chicken finger, cheese cubes and grapes eaten and the rest comes home.

Day 5 - Provita wholewheat all grain with cheese on, grapes (at his request). Grapes and one of the biscuit sandwich was eaten the rest came home.

I give him less and it still seems like he brings his lunch home. This isn't the order in which I give things and sometimes will repeat stuff twice in the week just not after each other.

Tomorrow I am going to give him bread with chicken palony, banana (he does eat it sometimes) and packet of peanut and raisins. Will see how that goes, think that should be enough for him.

Things I've tried so far in his lunchbox which he loves to eat at home is cucumber, carrot sticks, tomatoes (baby) and lettuce. If you have any ideas for me to try please let me know. I am going nuts with not knowing what to give him. He can't eat veinnes and cheese cubes every day, he will surely get bored of that too. I'll post this again closer to Tuesday. Thanks.

Well the upside to this week is that we are using my brother-in-laws car which has aircon in it. Awww what a luxury. He towed our car to his workshop for us so he could see what is wrong with it. Our car at the moment can't get us far and my husband is forever topping it up with water, so hopeful what it is won't cost us too much to have fixed. Well let me go and do some work before going to bed.

Weigh In

2009-02-16T08:24:00.003+02:00

I decided to take a side shot this time. My belly is still big, but soon will be flat one day. I decided to put on a pair of jeans I got from my sister which fitted me but was a tight fit now fits snuggly and comfy. The top she gave to me for Xmas it was too small. I saw it hanging in the cupboard, so decided to try it on and walla it fitted me so nicely, just got to get rid of the stomach and it will be perfect.

RECAP OF LAST WEEKS WEIGHT
DATE: 9th February 2009
AGE: 30
HEIGHT: 164 cm
BUST: 105 cm (not sure why I have not lost anything as I had to tighten my bra straps.)
WAIST: 105 cm
HIPS: 114 cm
WEIGHT: 87.2 kg (not much lost, but still a loss right?)

THIS WEEKS WEIGHT
DATE: 16th February 2009
AGE: 30
HEIGHT: 164 cm
BUST: 105 cm (not sure why I have not lost anything as I had to tighten my bra straps.)
WAIST: 104 cm
HIPS: 113 cm
WEIGHT: 86.2 kg (not much lost, but still a loss right?)

As you must have read, that on Thursday afternoon I was hit by a terrible cold/flu. My eldest son was sick first, but mildly then it hit me. This weekend saw me in bed having a horrible valentines day on Saturday. It would have been perfect, in bed, no kids bothering me and a relaxing day, but even though my husband looked after the kids, there was that nagging cold/flu. I coughed that I was so sure my lungs were going to explode. My nose could not stop running that I was sure I was going to take it off by the next wipe and my eyes were watering that I felt I could fill a bucket with the tears. My throat was so sore that I felt like someone was suffocating me. I dozed myself with homeopath meds and lots of vitamin c. On Saturday I decided to weigh myself just to see how true it was when you sick you loose weight. I was so sure that I had picked up, because when I am sick I like comfort food and my comfort food was KFC on Friday. I didn't eat a lot and I only had a tin of coke compared to a 500ml. It was enough coke and from there on I was craving water. Anyway besides that I had weighed 86kg a whole 1kg lost. I was shocked. Then this morning when I did my weigh in I was 86.2kg. I wasn't expecting to go down that much I was expecting to be 86.8kg, but hey who is complaining right? I also lost a cm around my waist and hips. I did a 15 minutes walk yesterday morning with my son. Decided that if I couldn't do my dvd then I could at least do a small amount of walking. It felt so good to have done that and I think the fresh air did my cold/flu some good.

A Tip for when you are sick: I was stupid enough to carry on with my exercises on Friday. I only did a warm up and a cool down, but boy oh boy did it knock me for a 10. By 2pm I was snugged in bed with the covers over me cold and in another world. I slept the whole afternoon woke up asked my husband to feed the boyz and went back to bed. That evening was torture. Never again. That is what you get when you read blogs which say that exercise in moderation is ok when sick. Mmmm, I think they could be right, but I think if you are just starting to exercise and you get sick, rather not do it. Go for a short walk, but don't do more then 10 minutes and if your body says it is enough before that then rather stop and listen to your body. Though I listened to my body and did the exercises and it landed me in bed for 2 and a half days. Ok I know I probably would have been in bed anyway, but I think it was a lot quicker then i thought it would be. I am feeling much better today, but will still only do a brisk walk for 10-15 minutes until the cold has gone.

On the bright side I got dumbbells and can't wait to use them in my exercises. Next on my list to get will be an exercise mat and prober walking/gym shoes.

Until next time. Hope you all had a better week and weekend then I did. Have a further great weekend.

Shout, Shout, Let It All Out - Venting

2009-02-12T20:50:00.003+02:00

I was chatting to someone today and they told me that my kids get too much sugar. Grrr honestly how would this person know does she know my kids diet? The same person said to me that I should just eat healthier and not take diet supplements to loose weight. I am messing up my body.

Grrrr again, I have tried so many times to eat the way I use to eat and I it did not work. I use to be a great believer that I would never touch diet products. I'd be able to get on track if I fell off. Oh was I wrong. It was difficult and even the dietician's way didn't work. I think what I am doing is best for me. I don't have breakfast I find it difficult to make me it, the shake is quick and easy and I feel like I had a meal. I am more energitic then I use to be. I for the first time have successfully exercised for nearly 2 weeks. Usually I only last 2 maximu of 3 days. I am able to play with my kids more. Do house chores and find myself spending some more time with me. Isn't that what it is all about?

I was highly upset with this person, even though I know what I give my kids. Yes I have a cupboard full of sweets, but you'll never see me give them sweets during the week (ok I can't say never, sometimes I do if they have been good and then it is only one or two). I only give them sweets on a Friday, that is their special day when they are allowed to have it and on a Saturday to. If I do give them during the week they only get as I said 2 to 3 sweets and usually I only give them at snack time. My kids sweets during the week is dried fruit. Dried apples, peaches, apricots, raisins and peanuts and they will prefer to eat that then sweets. I fill their sweet cupboard once a month, but not with sweets with dried fruit. Then when I told her this she said I give them too much juice and I must water their juice down. Again my blood was pumping. Again their juice intake is to a minimal. My kids will rather ask for water then for juice. I fill their water bottles up in the morning (300ml) and again at lunch time. They drink that and then in between drinking that will have water in a glass if they see me drinking and don't feel like going to fetch their bottle, so in total they have a lot more water then juice. Then she got a shock when my 2 year old son who was at that moment drinking juice put his juice down and asked me for water. That showed her, she was shocked and asked me my trick. Trick is make them see you drink it. If they see you drink the water they too will want to drink it. Get them a 'special' water bottle and tell them that they can drink that during the day and reward them at a certain time with anything they want even if it is just one sweetie.

My boyz thinks the water is magic. I wrote them a story using their names in it about Magic Waters. I'll share it some time with you. They really enjoyed the story, especially, because their names were in it.

I explain to them every time when I give them water that it is good for them. My son will take juice and water to school with him. The teacher was amazed to see that and said she never seen it before. The other kids in the class won't want water they want their juice. She said during the morning he will drink the water and will only drink his juice when he has his snacks. She asked me my secret and there we have it I told it to you.

So why did she say these things, because my 2 year old is very energetic. This little boy of mine doesn't eat meat or chicken, he will occassionally eat a small amout, but he usually chews and spits it out. He will eat fish though. He goes for veggies, carrots, peas, sweetcorn, etc, etc. He eats tomatoes, cucumber, lettuce, etc, etc. He loves his veggies, salads and fruit, especially bananas. Yes he is active, but he is a happy active little boy. He is always on the go and exploring, but he isn't distructive (well to a sense, he is just curious at times). She was amased by how well he ate, especially seen as at that time he was eating his snack which consisted of a salad, lettuce, tomato, cucumber and a banana. Again she asked me what the trick is. Actually to tell you the truth, I don't know, I guess I could call it luck. My oldest son is more on the picky side. He hates veggies and occassionally will eat meat too. He does love fish and I found out the other day that he loves sweet potatoes, which was fried in a little lemon juice. Aaarrrggghhh I sometimes wonder why I get upset about what people say only to find out that what they are trying to reflect on me is actually what is happening to them. I felt better realising that she was trying to not feel guilty about giving in to her childs every whimp. It was her way asking me for help. I know it was not the right way, but yeah I guess we all have our ways.

The diet comment well again I think it was a reflection of her feeling bad about taking a supplement, because before she left she told me she was taking the some Low GI supplement. She waited for a response from me and I just said that is good you found something that can work for you. I also told her that if she needs encouragement I am there for her.

Not sure I am going to have time to blog tomorrow so this is my post for tomorrow. I have to be at my son's school at 8:30am for a meeting. Then I have to go and drop off some things to be printed and framed and then pick it up, do shopping for next week, make my son's costume for his water sports day. His team is the Red Indians. He has to wear a red t-shirt, but not sure what to do, just thinking of making a band, stick a feather on it and then use red face paint and make lines on his face. Then got to go and fetch him from school make them lunch and then will be at his sports day from 3:30pm.

I was very tired this afternoon and went and had a nap while the boyz where napping. I woke up with a sore throat and sniffles. I still have it and feel like it is getting worse. I can't get sick now. I have to snap away at my son's sports day tomorrow. Going to go and do my exercise and then go and bath and dream I am sleeping on a fluffy white cloud. Night till next time.

Feeling Good

2009-02-12T08:19:00.002+02:00

Yesterday I made chops and sweet potatoes. I no longer use sunflower oil nor do I use olive oil. Insteady I use a little water. It works wonders and with salt (not a lot), pepper and herbs your chops tastes wonderful. After you have cooked the chops you add the sweet potatoes into the same pan in the juice of the meat. You cook until it is soft. Add a little lemon in. When I was done I put a toss up salad with the food. The boys loved the sweet potatoes even my oldest and he usually does not eat it. The youngest even at the meat which he usually leaves. It was a good not too fatty Lunch. Then for supper I made my shake and made the boys a light meal, egg and chicken viennas cut up into the egg.

I am so proud of my husband he has now officially lost 2kg, though I do more then him and he is not that active at all, but he is trying.

Then I am amazed at my body. Why, you may ask? Well I just feel like moving all the time. Yesterday I did my exercise in the morning as always, then I landed up doing it again in the afternoon which I mostly did the upper and lower body toning, but still I did that. I thought I would leave it in the evening, but when it came to the time I usually use for exercising, I was up and doing the upper and lower body tonning again. My husband made the comment are you at it again, but I can't tell you how much wonderful I feel after the exercise. It is probably my andrenaline flowing. Maybe I'll slow down some time in the near future, but for now I am letting my body do what it wants. I am listening to my body and giving it what it wants.

Yesterday I so felt like eating a chocolate. In amazement my husband told me that he has never heard those words come out of my mouth in a very long time. We went to the shop to get soap powder and went pass the USN products which is the healthy stuff. It is expensive for the healthy chocolates and sometimes they aren't as nice as normal chocolates, but because the craving for chocolates was so strong I decided to try the USN diet chocolate. It was yummy, rich, but yummy. I managed to eat half of the chocolate and have half for when I get a craving again. I was content I had my chocolate and today I have that half a chocolate in the cupboard, but don't feel like eating it. It is such a wonderful feeling to say no to chocolates and it is great to have found something that doesn't taste like you want to gag.

Now to some juicy bits. This morning my husband went early to work, while I was doing my workout. He came home to fetch our oldest to take him to school. I went for a drive and when I got to the car he made the comment I can now really see you've lost weight you look refreshing and sexy. Aaaah to hear those words, not that he didn't say it before, but now it feels so much better when he says it. It makes me feel good and really motivated to get to where I want to be. Can't wait for Weigh In, to see how much I have lost.

I must say though I am feeling a bit sore the last 2 days, but still motivated.

Keep on moving and have a wonderful weekend soonish.

All About Me

2009-02-11T10:13:00.002+02:00

Ok this is all about me more in detail.

I live in South Africa. I am 30, married and have 2 adorable little boys, even though sometimes I feel like I want to throttle them (don't worry I don't do that, I'd rather throttle myself then them). I am a photographer and love capturing people's moments. I am forever taking pictures of my boys. My camera is never far from my hand. I love being creative and love challenges that motivates me to be even more creative. I love dancing and always wanted to be a dancer. I always dreamt of being a dancer in a movie, but ja that never happened.

As a child I was thin, but was made to believe that I was fat what I ate people use to say you gonna look like a cow, it made me throw up my food every time I ate. I was always compared to my cousin who was a year and few months younger then me. As a teenager me making myself sick got worse. I became depressed and on many occassions wanted to just leave the world. In Matric I was Bulimic. I kept on having cramps and terrible headaches. I could not concentrate and I was always tired. Then I was put on anti-deppresants. After that things got better. After High School I studied Educare (Childcare), my marks got better, I was still thin, I had a wonderful boyfriend (now my husband) and kept my food down drinking loads of water and exercising. I got married and was still thin. I started picking up weight after the birth of my first son, though lost it slowly when I realised it was becoming a problem. I just drank water and exercised. Then my second son came 2 years later. During my pregnancy I kept on loosing weight, I was sick constantly and could not keep anything down. The nausea tablets didn't work and eventually the doctor gave up and told me to eat dry biltong, it helped for a few second's, but after that it would all come out. After my son was born premature I became depressed. I wanted to eat and was eating all the wrong stuff and at loads of sweets. Even when he came home I was still depressed and found comfort in foods. I went on a food binge. I was even keeping food by my bed something I never ever use to do. I would throw food away just so we could get takeouts and would tell my 2 year old to shhh don't tell daddy (till this day he does not know).

The weight biled on. I realised that I needed to do something. I tried to get back into my routing, but it was difficult. I cried, I was in tears all the time. Coke became my new water and water was disgusting. I could not even drink half a glass. I then realised that I needed help. I am so anti diet pills, but thought if I took it will help me to get onto a path. It worked I lost a few, but after a month my cravings were heavy and I'd start eating all the junk and not stop. My husband who also needs to loose weight was reffered to a dietician as his blood pressure was high. I decided to support him and go to the dietician with him. It worked for 2 weeks and I was in tears and crying. I just could not do what the dietician asked from me. I hated the food I was allowed to eat. I hated the point system and by nighttime I was hungry and wanted more to eat. During that time my boys were constantly sick. You got the one better and the next one would start. It was also difficult for me to have breakfast. I am not a breakfast person. As the 2nd child got older I found I was constantly seeing to everyone else except me. It was their needs that came first not mine. By the time I was done sending my oldest son to school I was seeing to the youngest one. When I was done with him then it was time to go and fetch the oldest from school and have lunch again lunch became a problem. I fed everyone and by the time I got to eat I found I was eating supper, so in all I had one meal. I found during the day I was snacking on junk. A sweet here chocolate there, biscuits here, etc, etc. I stopped going to the dietician and went back onto eating junk. My sister told me about herbal life. She started that and had already lost some weight, so I decided to try it out. We didn't have that much money as I am a wahm and I didn't take on too much jobs. My mom then said she'd by me the shake and my sister baught me the thermostat tea. I started taking it and that week I felt great I had energy, I lost 3kg in one week and I was getting a breakfast and a lunch in through the shake. I found myself reach for an apple if I needed to snack. The Thermostat tea gave me energy and I found that I was able to concentrate better. I no longer slept till 1 to 2 in the afternoon over the weekend. I didn't take it religiously due to money issues, but would try and stock up as much as I could when I did have a flow of cash come in. My only downfall was the shake was not making me feel full. My husband tried this USN shake and said that he was content on it. I tried it as I ran out of the herbal life shake and started feeling full longer. It came with this green tea tablets. I took that and my energy level spiked, the other day I was even able to wash the walls something I could never do. I have been on it for 3 weeks now and have not looked back. My cravings for chocolate has become virtually 0 and my coke intake too. We use to drink 3 to 4 bottles of 2lt Coke over the weekend and would by a 2lt a day during the week. It became just the 3 to 4 bottles over the weekend after taking the herbal life. Then 4 weeks ago went ot 2 bottles and the past 2 weeks has gone down to 1 bottle over the weekend. No coke over the week just water, but yes there has been slips, but recently found myself drinking very little and leaving the rest. I even ordered water when going to a restruant with friends which is a shocker. After being introduced to Healthy You Challenge and reading about all of you and what you are going through, made me feel at home and feel that life goes on even if we do fall. It made me feel like I can make this happen. The support has been wonderful Thanks for it. I also read about exercise alot, something that I forgot about. Shoo I remember I use to be active, use to play netball, do athletics (running, high jump, long distance, short distance running, etc, etc). Being married to a husband who isn't sporty has made me become lazy. I decided that this was my chance to do something and join you in exercising. I started last week and have done 8 minutes a day. I am now doing an hour and a half a day. I feel good and the other night when I said I wouldn't do it, I actually went to do it, because I just could not sleep knowing that I didn't do anything. After the exercise I slept like a baby. It is amazing how the body adapts to things.

I am almost by the month mark on my diet. Once it reaches a month and a few days I'll treat myself. I am still trying to think of what to treat myself with. Hoping I can treat myself with new clothes.

I guess you can see I changed my ticker again, well I had a friend over yesterday and she wanted to use my scale but was afraid, so I told her I'll weigh myself and then she can weigh herself, so she agreed. When I climbed onto the scale I had gone from 87.2 kg to 87 kg. I was so chuffed that I decided to change it. That means I had lost 2.8 kg already.

One thing I like with what I am doing, is that I am loosing slowly, it isn't a fast dip and there we go you at your goal, it is a challenge each day and I that is what it is all about challenging yourself to do the best you can. A healthy you means a happy you.

Well that is it from me for now. Time to go and drink some water and wash dishes. Till next time have a wonderful day all.

Update of the day

2009-02-09T21:37:00.004+02:00

Before I tell you my update, please scroll down for my weigh in etc, etc. Thanks.

I am sitting here blogging instead of exercising. There is good reason for that though. As you know I have done 45 minutes exercise today, well normally I do another 30 minutes in the evening, but due to me having so much energy, I landed up cleaning the house top to bottom. I washed walls, packed kitchen cupboards, sorted out the dvd's and threw what wasn't working or cracked away. I dusted, washed dishes, scrubbed the kitchen and bathroom from top to bottom. I didn't do anything in the boyz room as their room was already clean only made up their bed when they woke up in the morning. I didn't get to tackle our room as we had people laying down laminating flooring in the passage between the boyz room and our room. Aww wish our room could have been done, but only wishing for now. I even play 'race' with the boyz. I never would have been able to do that with them.

It was a fun filled day.

We were walking through the mall which 90% of the shops were closed. The boys were thirsty so we went to buy them juice. I wanted a water, but all they had was flavoured water and I just can take them. I feel like I want to gag, so I decided that I'd get a coke, just to quench my thirst. It was like drinking flavoured water. I took one sip and could not drink it. Not because I was feeling guilty, just because I think my tastebuds have changed. My husband was shocked that I turned it down after a sip. We walked pass another shop which had water in it, so went and baught me one of those instead. I would try and drink juice, but always find that it give me heartburn, so try and stay away from them unless I make it myself from fresh fruit. I knew from that moment when I said that was enough to the coke that soon my coke days will be numbered. When I go to the shop I don't look for it anymore, I look for water. I know I am gonna have a set back, come the end of the month and it is that month. It is the month I usually want to stuff myself with chocolates and coke, but who knows if I can go without chocolate for 3 weeks maybe one day I can do the same with coke.

One step at a time right.

Weigh In

2009-02-09T08:17:00.005+02:00

Last Week
DATE: 2nd February 2009
AGE: 30
HEIGHT: 164 cm
BUST: 105 cm
WAIST: 114 cm
HIPS: 121 cm
WEIGHT: 87.8 kg

This Week
DATE: 9th February 2009
AGE: 30
HEIGHT: 164 cm
BUST: 105 cm (not sure why I have not lost anything as I had to tighten my bra straps.)
WAIST: 105 cm
HIPS: 114 cm
WEIGHT: 87.2 kg (not much lost, but still a loss right?)

Bust still the same, but lost 9cm around my waist and 7 cm around my hips. Something to be happy about right. Yeah can't believe it. Now to just keep it up and to stay strong.

I can't believe I thought I was exercising for 30 minutes in the morning. My husband timed me after I got up at 5:30am and did my workout. It was 45 minutes. That is pretty impressive. I can't believe how I went from 8 minutes to 45 minutes in just one week. It feels so good exercising. I have not felt so awake, so refreshed and so ready to attack any task heading my way. Even my boyz who are 2 and 4 enjoy doing the exercises with me, though Caydon gives up after the walking part is done and Jarid almost finishes the Warm up, he does join me again when he sees it looks like fun. they both love the cool down from the dvd and can't wait for that, they
want to skip to that all the time, but they try to be patient with me and go and find something else to do, or they try and see how much they can irritate me while I am working out, knowing I can't do anything while concentrating on the workout. It is loads of fun and can believe I lasted a whole week. In total I have been doing an hour and a half work out a day. Not sure if that is good or not, but I have really been feeling good. I get a good nights sleep and I am refreshed in the morning.

Don't you just hate taking pictures of yourself. I just hate it, but I really want to see a change over the weeks, so it has to be done. Sorry about the unorganised hair, it is so hot here that my hair is not couping in this weather. Thank goodness it has not frizzed yet. I am in the same top as last week. I want to stick to the same outfit for each week to show the difference. So far this is what I felt in the top last week. It felt tight around the bust, actually made my busts stand out, today it is a comfortable fit and my bust aren't out there, they look comfortable. I just had to put this one of Caydon looking up at me. He is thinking, what are you doing mommy, you silly women. LOL

Well that is me. Till the next weigh in day.

Sunday - One Day Till Weigh In

2009-02-08T08:57:00.002+02:00

Yesterday we went out with friends. I didn't order much. I had a pie and salad. I was half way through my pie (which mind you was not that huge) and I was already full, the salad and half a pie was just fine for me. We then had pudding. They had all these fancy puddings, so I went with just a milktart according to the dietician was ok to eat.

I did 30 minutes exercise in the morning and another 30 minutes at night. My muscles feel sore. I can really feel it stretching, but I also feel good. I feel fresh after I have done the exercise and I feel like I am ready to take on the world, though my husband does not agree that I smell too fresh, but nothing a nice soak in the bath can't cure. Then at night I do another 30 minute workout. It really is relaxing to do just before bed. Another soak in the bath after the workout and into bed snuggling up to your comfy pillow makes you sleep like a baby. I don't know when last I did exercise. I don't know when last I exercised this much. I think it was before I met my husband even after that I exercised, so think the exercise stopped when I got married. I was very active, did sports and went for walks, now I just prefer to sit and do nothing, but I do realise that it is not the case and I need to move around, so that is what I am setting my goal up to do. Exercise, exercise, exercise.

This morning I did another 30 minute workout. I can't believe I went from 8 minute work out to a 30 minute work out at the end of the week. It is amazing how your body picks up its limits. I also do the workout at night, so in total I do about an hour workout a day now and that is excluding taking the kids for walks or playing catch, ball and the exercises Jarid has to do for school. My body is getting plenty of workout I think.

Once again I have defeated the chocolate monster. I was so tempted to buy a chocolate yesterday. Friends were buying them chocolates and my husband bought him a juice and I took a water. That was my chocolate replacement and I didn't feel like oooh how I wish I had that chocolate. My thought was oooh this water tastes good. Also taking into consideration that it was extremely hot yesterday. It was 34 C yesterday, we were all sweating buckets. I was happy to have just the water. It was nice being in a aircon car, our car has no aircon and is such a problem in the heat. I decided not to let the heat get to me and by 9pm I did my exercise. It felt good especially taking a nice long cool bath afterwards.

As a reward for doing so well I watched Mama Mia twice before going to bed. Because of the heat it took me awhile before I fell asleep, but my body was relaxed after the exercise and the bath. I never felt so calm like that before. It was so much easier winding down then I could before. I would twist and turn trying to get comfortable, but I felt like I was sleeping on a cloud.

Well the rest of my day is going to be filled with cleaning up, doing homework with Jarid and going shopping. Also somewhere in there I want to take a short nap, in this heat you need it.

Feeling Good

2009-02-07T09:05:00.002+02:00

Well I am so proud of myself. I have been doing about 8-10 minutes exercise a day this week. Yesterday afternoon I bought myself an exercise dvd. I tried samples of a few during the week to find something that would be for me. I like ones where they combine dance moves or even ones where the moves are so similar to dances. I searched for Kathy Smith's dvd, but could not find it at the shop. I then saw Tricia Penrose's dvd, read up a bit on it and decided that it was the dvd for me. It shows you her before weight and then her now weight before going into the exercises. You can decide weather you want to do the whole dvd or just certain exercises. I have so far done 30 minutes yesterday of the warm up, 10 minute work out and the cool down and again today I did another 30 minutes, but this time I did the warm up, the fat burner and the cool down. I could not believe that I could actually finish 30 minutes where the most in one go was 15 minutes. I am really proud of myself.

Yesterday I also had to tighten my bra strap as I could feel it falling down. At first I thought there was something wrong with my bra, but thought it is new how can there be something wrong. I checked and realised that the straps were loose and just needed to be tighten. Mmm I have tightened it the most it can go, it might be that soon I will have to get new bra's.

Yesterday the boys offered me one of their sweets. I was so tempted in taking it, but said no thank you and asked them for one of there raisins instead so they didn't feel bad about sharing with me. It is such a tough road having to now say no to your small kids that don't understand that mommy can't have sweets or chocolates. Especially hard for the 2 year old who loves feeding people, but it is a step at a time that we have to take.

It has been a rough week. A very bumpy road. At times I was almost on the verge of tears, but I managed to get through and go on. We had takeouts 4 days this week, but I really cut down what I got me and made my portions very small. I was content and it really was enough for me. This is what you get when you have a husband that works late and you waiting to go shopping, you cave in and get takeouts. Can you believe we still have not gone shopping yet, but tomorrow my list is ready and we are going to fill our cupboards and fridge. Then no excuses on lets gets takeouts during the week.

Two more days then it will be me, the scale and the measuring tape. In a way I am a little scared, but looking forward to seeing if I had shed anything. I might not have lost much, but I know I would have lost even if it is a little. Losing a little is better then losing nothing.

My Goal today is to smile and enjoy every minute with the boyz, for now I am signing off and going to soak my body in a bath of cool water.

Have a good weekend and good luck to those who are on the bumpy road with me. Persevere you'll get there.

Achieving Something

2009-02-06T08:20:00.002+02:00

Yesterday was a good day. I got through out the day with out a craving for chocolate. My husband had a voucher for 2 free pizza's, the cut off day was yesterday, so we decided to use it. Roman's makes the yummy pizza. It wasn't oily like a lot of pizza's can be. There wasn't too much cheese, but just enough and I washed it down with water. Normally I'd wash it down with coke, but my coke is in the fridge for later on when I have a meal. I never felt bloated afterwards like one normally can feel after eating pizza or any other takeout, but I didn't eat as much as I usually do. I usually will eat a large pizza by myself, this time I shared it with the kids, they had 3 slices between them, then my husband had 2 slices, so out of the whole pizza, I only had 3 slices. Wow what a total cut down. I didn't feel hungry. I was feeling content and later on I was still not hungry.

My Day Yesterday:

Overall I excercised about 40 minutes, not all at once though. I excercised 8 minutes in the morning, then for 10 minutes did some exercise with Jarid, jumping, playing with the ball and climbing. I tell you playing ball you can really feel the muscles get sore. Then I did 15 minutes at night to a exercise dvd. I also went for a 5 minute walk just before picking Jarid up from school. Then not to mention cleaning house also gave me more exercise. I felt like my day was filled with exercise all around.

Yesterday I saw this lady she was huge, when getting through the door she had to move sideways. I felt so sorry for her and saw myself. I got petrified it really challenged me to do more things today. She sat in the restraunt. Her husband and her son then came to join her, the husband was not that fat, but the son you could see was obese. They were celebrating his 5 birthday. He was huge, my son Jarid shouted, mommy look at that fat boy, he doesn't do exercises hey mommy. I tell you I never in my life felt so embarassed. I think the embarassment left when I saw this 5 year old sitting there with a Large pizza eating it. Between the 3 of them there were 5 pizza boxes on the table. We waited a while for our pizza and noticed no on else had come. When we were leaving this 5 year old had started on another box. It was horrifying seeing this. I almost felt like telling the mother she is harming her child, but stopped myself when I realised that I am also doin the same, maybe not as much as that mother, but in a small amount, though my son's get salad when they have pizza. Shoo 2 large pizza's for one little boy. He didn't even chew his food, it was as if he swollowed a slice whole. I saw these things in movies, but never actually thought that it could happen in real life. Every time I look at pizza I am forever gonna be haunted by this little boy.

Today is Friday, 2 more days and then it is weigh in day. I am really nervous. I did not step on that scale today even though I had pizza. I told myself wait for Monday. You can then see what your weight is. It was difficult, because I really wanted to see if I had lost or gained. I must admit though that I don't feel like I gained. I feel light even though I ate the pizza. It feels good to feel like this.

MORNING:
Went well. No cravings. I was happy and a bouncy bunny all over the show.
Did 8 minutes of exercise and then did a 5 minute walk too, so over all I did 13minutes of exercise.
Drank 8 glasses of water.

AFTERNOON:
Again it went well: No moodiness. Went to buy soccer balls for Jarid, so he can practice throwing and catching. Came home had my shake, fed the boys and still felt good.
Started getting mood round 5ish, due to being hungry. No cravings. Played ball with Jarid and practised his jumping on one leg and star jumps. That was about 10 minutes of exercises
Drank 6 glasses of water.

EVENING:
Was moody, but as soon as I ate felt better. Had pizza, not good, but at least I didn't eat a large one all by myself like I usually do. Only ate 3 slices. Drank 3 glasses of water. So overall it went well. Exercised for 15 minutes.

Yesterday was afterall a good day.

Today I'll be making boiled eggs on low GI whole grain bread for supper and will have lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber and onion as a side salad, bread will be smeared with low fat cream cheese instead of butter. The boyz will be having 2 minute noodles covered with cheese and mushrooms. Going to see if I can get to push my 8 minute exercise into 15 minutes.

Thats it from me for now till next time.

Another Day

2009-02-05T08:34:00.004+02:00

I had a severe graving for chocolate. I was on the verge of crying. I lasted so long with out the crave, why now? This is one of my reasons, why I prefer Herbal Life, I really don't feel the need to eat a chocolate and if I do then I just have one of their protein chocs, but that is usually ones or twice a month. Well I made supper we had Lemon Fish, boiled potatoes smothered with mushrooms and salad. I thought the crave would end, but it did not. My husband then decided we should get a little treat (enough of the treats already, wait for the end of the week). Well we went to the shop. Going into the shop I saw all the chocolates, even though I was craving it, I steered away from it and went rather for a small ice-cream (ok it had a little bit of chocolate on it, really was not that much chocolate on), after eating that small amount I felt content. I didn't feel guilty or bad, just content, my spirit was a little high again and today I know I can walk pass the chocolates in the shop again without wanting that slab in my mouth. Though I have to admit that I did again weigh myself today to check if I had picked up. I am still on my current lost, so I have not picked up nor have I lost, but come Monday I will see what happens. The toughest time in my life is that time of the month when you just have to feed the cravings, but I know if I overdo it, then my diet will be a dead thing and my habits will be back.

Yesterday I did 8 minutes again of exercises, that is all I can get myself to do at the moment, though I have been active throughout the day playing with the kids throughout the day, jumping, running, etc, etc. Today I will do another 8 minutes of workout, maybe it will be pushed to 10 today, but just one step at a time right!

I think today is going to be a good one.

Please copy this and add to your blog. Remove my answer and fill in your own. It felt good doing this.

MOOD: Yesterday I felt Depressed, angry, frustrated, Snappy. Today I feel happy, energitic and ready to run a marothon. lol

FEELINGS: Yesterday I felt Hungry, Tired, Sore. Today I feel great, but still sore, just after 8 minutes of exercise.

DID YOU CHEAT: Yesterday Yes I did. Today still early to tell, but the way I am feeling I know I won't cheat.

WHAT WAS YOUR COMFORT FOOD YOU CHEATED WITH: Yesterday I cheated with Ice-cream which had a small amount of chocolate on. Today I hope I cheat with an apple. lol

DID YOU EXCERCISE & FOR HOW LONG: Yes, for 8 minutes.

WHAT DID YOU HAVE FOR SUPPER: Boiled potatoe, baked lemon fish and toss up salad.

WHAT IS YOUR SKIN LIKE: Breaking out with loads of pimples on my forehead other then that my skin is still the same.

WHAT IS YOUR SLEEPING PATTER LIKE: Before I use to be going to bed 12am - 1am, sometimes even later, then I couldn't sleep and would toss and turn. The last 3 days I have been finding that I am going to bed at 10pm, sometimes earlier and then waking up ealier too.

HOW DO YOU FEEL IN THE MORNING: I use to feel tired, like I could sleep all day, sometimes felt like I was going to fall over. Recently I have been feeling like I could build a house. I get up motivated and already by the time Jarid has to go to school I have already cleaned one room which is theirs, which knocks off some time in doing other things during the morning.

ARE YOU HAPPY WITH YOUR DIET: Yes, very Happy. I have other diets and even doing it the way the Dietician told us to do it and I became too depressed after just 3 days. I am really bad in making breakfast for myself, so find having the shake fills me and keeps me content.

WHAT DIET ARE YOU ON: I am on the Herbal Life Diet, but have run out of the my shake and now currently taking the USN Shake. It is expensive to stay on, but I still like to stick to it as much as I can. Currently only taking the Multi vitamins, HL tea and the Fibre and Herbs from Herbal Life. Then at night I try and eat according to what the ditician has laid out for me.

DO YOU EAT SNACKs AND WHAT DO YOU EAT: Occasionally I will eat a snack, but if I really need to eat one, I go for an apple or I'll have a low fat yoghurt.

WHAT IS YOUR GOAL FOR TODAY: My goal today is to just get through the day without getting any sweeeeeeeeet cravings. For every sweet craving I get I plan on drinking a glass of water, but I know I will be a good day.

Being Strong - Weak Support

2009-02-04T08:47:00.000+02:00

Last night was one big frustration. My son Jarid was miserable and his brother Caydon was being in a teasing mood. They faught like cat and dog, thought they were going to really do some harsh damage to each other. I managed to seperate them, but after that felt really frustrated, cross and angry all I wanted to do was drink coke and eat lots of chocolates. Then to top it off my husband came home late and when I phoned to tell him that we are suppose to go shopping he got cross with me. I was really angry at this stage and felt like my head was going to explode. I had coke in the fridge, but I stayed strong and didn't drink it. Then when he got home he said lets get takeouts, this just pushed me over the edge. I was angry at him for saying it. The kids were all for the takeouts, so there was no way I was going to get past this idea, so we landed up having KFC. I only had one burger and chips and with it came a can of coke. So I drank the coke. There was an extra tin which came with the kids meal, but due to it being late I refused to let them drink it. I told my husband to put it in the fridge. Shortly after I had asked him to do that he opened it and was drinking it. He felt bad and gave me half, which I refused. My anger was now over the top. I snapped and told him he is suppose to be supporting me. He is suppose to also be on the diet. He looked for an excuse, which was such a lame one. He tried to get me to drink the half a can, but I still refused. I had a can, but didn't even finish it and here he is trying to get me to drink more. I was so irritated after putting the boys to bed I went to find something to do to ease my frustration. Now I am going to have to work off the takeout. Our deal was no take out during the week and only one during the weekend on a Saturday. So my plan on having the tuna sandwiches fell through. This morning I weighed myself and my weight has not gone up, so I am happy about that, it is still the same. When I have takeout, I just have to weigh the next day to see if I picked up. I know I shouldn't keep on doing it, but I just can't stop when I have takeout.

I had a very active day yesterday, my son Jarid came home from school and had 'homework' to do. On the activity side he has to learn to jump on one leg, do star jumps and then do some ball skills. We did the two jumping and this morning my body was sore, think we did the jumping for like 15 minutes. If I didn't say I had enough I think we would have done more. I could feel my stomach muscles pulling and my leg muscles. It was eina, but at least I got to do some sort of exercise, not mention the 8 minutes I did in the morning by myself. I am so proud of that.

I see most of you are rewarding yourselves after each week. I guess my reward is the takeout, which was spoilled last night, so nothing to look forward to over the weekend. My big reward at the end of the month is to make Cinnabons. I just love cinnabons and the boys have been nagging me to make it, so I thought that as a treat for all of us I'll make it. Also there are a few parties coming up at the end of the month, begining next month. My niece 28th Feb, 1st March my son Jarid will be 5, the 3rd March my great nephew, 5th March my brother-in-law, 5th of March a very good friend of ours. Also my son has a friend who is having a bday on the 5th of March too, so it is going to be one big bash that week. I though have decided to have both my son's birthday party at the end of March which is also my husbands birthday. Caydon my youngest turns 3 the 20th April, so I guess meeting them in the middle somewhere won't be a problem. Where does the time go to. March is Party month, a party almost every weekend. How does one keep up.

It is amasing how when anger or depression sets in all you want to do is curl up and snack on junk. I hope I will over come that. Last night was the toughest battle on this road I had to fight. Being strong will and doing what is right, but with support I know I can do it.

This morning I woke up feeling like I was dragged through bad weather. Grrr I have an extremely sore stomach. I think I have a tummy bug which I could have caught from Jarid as he was complaining yesterday that his tummy was sore. He is fine this morning though, but now I feel like he felt yesterday afternoon. Grrr not good when you on a diet. Well off to go and do something productive. Chow for now.

My Daily Plan 3 Febraury 2009

2009-02-03T08:27:00.000+02:00

Before mentioning what my day is like. I have to just mention that yesterday at lunch time after fetching my son Jarid from school we went to Macdonalds as a treat for him. Usually I will have a Quarter Pounder Delux, chips, 2 cheese burgers (small burgers) and a large coke. Yesterday I left out the Quarter Pounder Delux and the chips and only ate 2 cheese burgers and had a small coke. I felt content and not bloated like I usually do. At night we had a braai. We also didn't braai a lot of meat like we use to do and I made more salad with the meal. I was certain that I would have picked up a huge amount after eating all that yesterday, so I had to weigh myself just to see. I am proud to say that my weight is still at 87.8 kg.

MY PLANS FOR THE WEEK:

6:00 - Get up, take the Phedra Cut XT and make the boyz porridge. 1 Glass of water

6:30 - Have Shake and take the CLA Green Tea. 2 Glasses of water and take vitamins and Fibre and herbs.

7:15 - Have another glass of water and then take Jarid to school.

8:00 - Do a bit of updates on computer.

8:45 - Clean up. Mmm I am sure I will be burning fat while doing that. This various though, sometimes I will be teaching Caydon, it all depends.

10:00 - Give snack to Caydon. Then put him down to have a nap.

10:30 - Play outside with Caydon. Play ball, catch and any other physical activity.

11:00 - Show the domestic worker where she can iron. Then work a little on compter. On the days that the domestic worker does not come then I'll go for a walk with Caydon.

12:30 - Have Phedra Cut XT

13:00 - Have Shake and CLA Green Tea

14:00 - Work

15:00 - Play outside with the boyz some more activity stuff.

17:00 - Prepare For Supper

18:30 - Bath Boyz

19:00 - Supper

19:30 - Put Boyz to Bed

20:00 - Work

22:00 - Go to bed, yip been going to bed early.

This is for the week, it is pretty much what I do now. Though there might be changes for instance if I have visitors or go out with a friend then the day slightly changes, but pretty much this is my every day routine. The domestic worker only comes on a Tuesday for 2 and half hours, so during that time I will either do work or find something to do if it is raining and walking is out of the question.

Today for Supper I am going to make Tuna Sandwiches. Tuna on Low GI whole grain bread, with salad on the side.

I drink about 3lt of water a day and if I really need a snack I stick to fruit, mainly apples.

Well I am already over my time for starting to clean up, so I better get to it.

A New Year

2009-02-02T15:27:00.002+02:00

I have been trying to loose weight now for over a year. I start loose and pick up again. I have been on Herbal Life. I am using the shake, vitamins, thermostate and fibre and herbs. I started on the protein powder this month. I feel that I am still hungry even with taking the protein powder. If I don't snack my sugar levels drops dramatically due to low blood pressure and therefore find myself snacking. If I don't snack I get sick and extremely tired. I have snacked on fruits and other healthy stuff.

I am now on my 2nd week of my diet and I have lost 2kg. My starting weight was 89.8 kg, I am now on 87.8kg. Last week I ran out of Herbal life shake and decided to try my husbands USN Shake. I took that and found that it filled me up a lot more, I wasn't craving any sweet things and to say the least it is that time of the month and I still have not had a chocolate. I am not even craving it. I then got another USN shake and with it came the CLA - Green Tea with my meals and have been feeling very energitic. Now I usually take the thermostate tea from Herbal life which has done wonders, but with the USN CLA-Green Tea I have found that I really am not hungry at all. I have drawn up a meal plan and we've cut out cold drinks completely and only drink it over the weekend. We also have take outs over the weekend otherwise during the week I cook. This morning I started the USN Phedra Cut XT. You take 2 capsules 30 minutes before a meal in the morning and then 6-8 hours afterwards on an empty stomach. I only started taking that, so will have to see if it has an affect on me, but I have been feeling like I can climb a mountain. But saying this about USN, I only just started taking it and who knows a month down the line I might not like that and on a healthier scale, I prefer/like Herbal Life and will stick to it and get it when I can.

I also have been drinking lots of water and eating apples (what do they say an apple a day keeps the doctor away, well lets hope that is true. lol).

I decided to start this blog to inspire me. To motivate me and to keep me on the diet. I'll take a picture soonish. Just need to get up the courage.

Seen as I have not recorded everything before I will do it now.

One: STARTING WEIGHT
DATE: 19 January 2009
AGE: 30
HEIGHT: 164 cm
BUST:
WAIST:
WEIGHT: 89.8 kg

Two
DATE: 26th January 2009
AGE: 30
HEIGHT: 164 cm
BUST:
WAIST:
WEIGHT: 88.5 kg

Three
DATE: 2nd February 2009
AGE: 30
HEIGHT: 164 cm
BUST: 105 cm
WAIST: 114 cm
WEIGHT: 87.8 kg