The ankle is feeling much better...

... thanks for asking!

I was even able to go out for a short walk with Molly in the pram yesterday- only about 20mins but it's better than nothing!

I thought I'd post a letter I wrote to my family and friends at the beginning of the year about the community we live in and how we are involved- this was nearly a year ago so some things have changed, but all in all it's a pretty good wrap-up!

Hi All!

A happy 2008 to everyone!

I thought I'd give a brief rundown on what's going on for us this year as I haven't seen many of you and and you may be out of the loop! Firstly, our new address is ..deleted.. and our new home phone number is .. deleted...(mezz and byron's old number- had to keep it as it is also the business number).

We are so excited to have moved to Footscray! An exciting, vibrant community, filled with diversity and colour but also a lot of sadness (drug and alcohol addiction, racial tensions, loneliness, poverty etc) to which we have chosen to respond. Not by simple charity (which is useful but can be limited and impersonal) but by moving in and standing in solidarity with those who will hopefully become friends to us. This is what Jesus did and what we will try our best to do.

We live with Mezz (John's sister), Byron and Felix in a lovely big house with four bedrooms, two bathrooms and 3 LIVING ROOMS!! How amazing is that!?? Very important to have your own space. We also have a lovely (albeit charmingly old and crusty) kitchen which is in a central location and is in the middle of the hussle and bussle of the rest of the house- which makes cooking a pleasure!

I am looking forward to the year beginning as far as our community involvement goes. Some of the small ways we will be involved include the community garden at droop street (tuesday gardening), visiting James Barker house (for ex- alcoholic men) for a chat with the guys, Wednesday community dinner at Droop St, House church at the leasurely start time of 10:30 for a shared breakfast on Sundays, hopefully finding a job in Footscray, maybe getting involved in some of the local schools and just basically being present and available to make new friendships and community connections.

We have just celebrated Molly's 1st birthday (I know... a YEAR!!) and are having a wonderful time watching her grow and learn. She has taken 8 steps on her own and is saying many words clearly. She is just beginning to string words together like "Oh no!" and "No more"... We are so proud of her! We are also very excited that she will get to experience what living in real community and learning to love people despite their differences is like.

Love and blessings,
Ash, John and Molly


We also have some key principals we try to live by which I will find and post about in future...

OOH!

My jeans are feeling a bit looser today!

A good result!

Wow! I think my clothes lost weight- or that may have been me somehow!!

I lost 1.5kg bringing me back into the 80s again! Phew!

So I'm now 89.9kg with 14.9kgs still to lose.

So we're back on the straight and narrow again and I plan that my weight loss next week will not be as a result of some crazy fluke! I have already made a really nice friend in my meeting and I told her about my blog. She seemed very interested and asked to be invited! So we might see her around here at some point which would be nice!

I am so over my job!! I'm a Goddamn Social Worker (by qualification) and I am sitting here doing administration for a shoe company for shite money... grrr... I have said I am going to sit it out till the end of the year as it is quite a flexible position and the hours are just right but surely I could find a social work job that offers similar hours... hmmm...

I have been asked to write some stuff about the intentional community thing- I will, I promise but there is quite a lot to say about it and I need an opportunity to write uninterrupted for a while. But stay tuned!!

Here's a quick and very brief description of intentional community (from answers.com);

"The purposes of intentional communities vary. They may include sharing resources, creating family-oriented neighborhoods and living ecologically sustainable lifestyles (ecovillages). Some communities are secular; others have a spiritual basis. Commonly there is a focus on egalitarian values. Other themes are voluntary simplicity, interpersonal growth and self-reliance. Some communities provide services to disadvantaged populations, for example, war refugees, the homeless, or people with developmental disabilities. Some communities operate learning or health centers."

Ours is a Salvation Army community of people wanting to even out the ground between the rich and the poor. To be a loving and supportive family to those who are on the fringes, lonely, have mental health issues, have little money etc etc etc... We also have the theme of voluntary simplicity and sharing resources and advocating for those who cannot stand up or speak for themselves...

I have a lot more to write but no time right now....

Wish me luck!

I have weight watchers tonight and am a bit nervous as I have done no exercise (apart from my injury inducing netball) and have gone over points on a few days- so not expecting a great result...


I wish I could weigh in naked! I think my clothes are fat...it's not me- it's my clothes, HONEST!

Yummy thing!

Creamy "Joghurt" or "Yelly"

Make up jelly as normal (diet or not- whatever floats your boat) but replace some of the cold water with some low fat yoghurt and refrigerate to set for about 5 hours.

MMM!!

Wow! I didn't know there were so many of you!

Hooray for some privacy!!

Feel free to let other bloggers know my email address as I don't wish to be a total hermit however I just found out that I guy I know has tracked me down and has been reading. I am not comfortable with him knowing about some of the more private things I have posted about recently (ie. the pap smear saga).

So here we all are then!

The ankle is already feeling a lot better, thanks for everyone's kind wishes!

I'll be back with more weight loss related banter shortly!

Hugs to all you ladies in the "inner circle"!!

Had to get rid of the photo post to make the page work properly... doh!

Private

Have decided to go private.

Please email me at ashleyecarr@gmail.com if you would like access.

Is anyone else having trouble viewing my last post...

It just looks blank unless I click on the actual title of the post... hmmm

My ankle isn't broken- from the look of the x-rays but they said they often can't tell till it starts healing. But it's already starting to feel a bit better. I have a nice bruise to show for the pain!

I spent 5 hours in emergency yesterday to be given a pair of crutches and a tubey stocking thing and sent home to rest...

grrr...

A spanner in the works...

Last night during my 2nd of a well intentioned 3 games of netball I rolled over on my ankle and heard a big CRACK!

The umpire started yelling "that's gonna be bad! I heard that crack!" which was awfully considerate of her, don't you think?!

So I'm off to the doctor today to have it looked at- it is like a big balloon!

Look! I have dainty feet and ankles usually!

Weight watchers...

Last night I went back to weight watchers.

I haven't actually been to a meeting since I was 99kilos in 2004. I have decided I need a bit more accountability and a chance to meet other people in my community who have the same goals and struggles as me.

The scales were not friendly to me! 91.4kg!! I know all scales are different but seeing that 9 on there has got me motivated to definately be an 80s girl again within the next 2 meetings!! There were 2 ladies who reached goal and 3 that achieved their 10% goal last night- that was very encouraging. Anyway, it seems like a good group and I met a girl who's a lifetime member, at goal and has just recently joined a running club- so hopefully surrounding myself with a few more like minded people (plus weekly weigh-ins) will give me the kick I need to get to my goal of 75kilos.

So I bought a journal and an updated points guide and feel very encouraged.

Here's my exercise plan for this week.

Today: Gym for weights and cardio
Wednesday: Running
Thursday: PT
Friday: Weights and running
Saturday: Running
Sunday: Rest

Onward and downward!

KFC and butterfly cakes....

That's what is being served at my work for lunch today.... grrr.... It's someone's farewell....I will be a good girl and eat my tuna, salad and pumpernicle.

Pushing yourself feels bad.... but when it's done it feels great!

I felt un-motivated again today. However I have realised through many years of trying to get fit and stay fit, motivation is not going to get me where I want to be.

One of the big differences between those who achieve their goals and those who don't is the ability to simply push on and do it without over-thinking things and without letting their lack of motivation get them down.

Tonight I went to the gym as it was part of my plan- simple. I did 10 minutes on the bike at level 5 to warm up. I then did abs and back (went fairly hard), then spent the most gruelling 30 minutes on the treadmill. I went with my gym buddy and we both really needed each other tonight. We did interval running but half way through I changed to straight high incline walking and ended up burning more calories than when I do intervals!

I felt like giving up 15 minutes into our cardio but I didn't and that feels fantastic! Nothing like some endorphines to brighten the mood!

Yummy thing alert!!
For lunch today I had a mountain bread wrap filled with sundried tomato and basil tuna, grated carrot, crunchy mixed lettuce and spicy hummus. It was absolutely beautiful. Tomorrow I am going to try the same combo except put it onto some sunflower seed pumpernicle (sp?) bread and eat it with a knife and fork. MMMMMM!

Making the decision to be healthy...

This afternoon I found myself with an hour to kill before picking Molly up from childcare (hallelujah!) so I wandered around DFO at Spencer Street window shopping.

This kind of an excursion would normally include a quick sweep of the foodcourt to see what calorie laden morsel I could sink my teeth into (blaming threethirtyitis for the binge). However, today as I was standing in front of DoughBoys gazing at the glazing, I made the decision to be a healthy person. Just for that moment- then I would deal with the next challenge next time one presented itself. It was just so easy- it was unemotional and it made sense. I had two options, I could eat a doughnut and decide to be unhealthy or I could bypass the sugary, heart-clogging bit of junkfood and make a choice that would ultimately make me feel powerful and strong.

Powerful is not a word I would use to describe myself when I'm in "The binge zone". I may have a powerful appetite and be able to plough through a lot of food- but I sure don't feel powerful. I feel controlled and manipulated, disgusting and weak. Those are not empowering words.

So instead of eating, I stopped and thought "what do you really feel like?" and went and got a small skim latte. It was just right.

Had a very down day yesterday....

Felt shitful yesterday... actually, it was mostly the afternoon and into the night.

I spent the day with Molly at Highpoint- which was nice, but we were there too long and there was a lot of stuff to do at home. John took the car key with him accidently so I was stuck on public transport while the car sat out the front of our house.

Anyway, we got our tax return and it was a decent amount so I decided it was time for a new pair of runners- considering the last time I bought runners was when I didn't even know I was preggers with Molly- just before the run for the kids (2005)... So I bought a pair of super comfy Nike Zoom. I had a lot of guilt buying shoes that were probably made by a poor little child in a sweatshop but then I looked around and decided they probably all were anyway. And I need some decent shoes if I am going to be running like I plan to. If anyone knows of any "no sweatshop" decent runners, please tell me and I will take them back and get a refund.

They are seriously like walking on air. It will take a few weeks for me to wear them in but I know they'll be great.

Anyway, when I got back from the shops I got a call from John who said he'd forgotten he booked a recording client last night so he'd be out from 7 till 11pm. I really wanted to get a workout in so I had to re-arrange my afternoon and go at 4:30 instead of after dinner with my friend. The workout was hard- I felt every ounce of resentment dragging my body down making me want to give up. I could barely lift my feet on the treadmill so I decided to do some heavy weights instead. I went pretty hard and tried to get my anger and frustration out that way. I then hopped back on the treadmill but only lasted 10 mins before I decided to give up and go home. I figure 20 mins cardio and 30 mins weights was enough for a day where I feel shitful.

So I got home and gave Molly dinner (creamy chicken and avocado pasta cooked by housemates- grrr undoing all my gym work- but I think it was evaporated milk so hopefully not as bad a cream), put her to bed and sat watching crappy tv on my own. I was just so close to tears all night- I am sure I am premenstrual but it was rediculous.

When john came home he made me a wheatbag and hot water bottle and a cup of chamomile tea as he felt really bad about having to go out on a designated "gym night"... He knows I need more time to myself than I have been getting. He's trying to work out ways to make it happen (ie. quitting his afternoon 3 day-a-week job at the school) which may work out if we are entitled to a bit more centrelink. We have worked out that he would get nearly as much in Austudy if he were to go full time (3 days at the moment) at uni as he does with his job. That would work out fine unless I fall pregnant again- in that case I'd need to get parenting payment too...wonder how much that'd be? Oh well, we'll deal witht that when we get to it.

Another three to finish!

Just submitted my registration for The Spring Into Shape Series!!

It's a bargain at $65 for 3 8km runs!

I hope to beat my time each run...

Weigh in today...

Scales said 87.3 today!

Probably coz I'm sick but I'll take it any way it comes!

Dying for a run!

Now that I shouldn't run I REALLY want to...

Hmm..

Do you think a little run would hinder my healing??

What about some weights??

Grr- Wednesday is my gym night and I have a regular gym buddy! It's been so long since I have had a gym buddy!!

Maybe I'll go and see how I feel.

But I might be contagious!

But I'm at work!

Oh well....

What's worse than a bad case of DOMS?

... a bad case of DOMS while you have tonsilitis!

My skin and body are so achey and I can't eat anything with any texture!

Grrr...

Did a good workout on Sunday- hence the muscle soreness...


Molly has spots- a virus that is going through her childcare...

Blaaaahhhh!

Decided to keep a food diary online again...

I will put a link in my sidebar if you fancy taking a peek- I don't want to bore people on here with it but would like a place to be accountible.

Feeling surprisingly fine!

Ha ha!

A little embarrassed looking at that last post! But have decided to leave it there as a couple of you have told me to... It could've been worse! Ha ha!!

I felt a little giddy this morning but totally fine. We have John's mum's birthday party thingy tonight and I can be sure I'll wish I were in bed instead of there at about 9pm!

John took me out for breakfast this morning as he doesn't feel like we have seen enough of each other recently. Probably true. We shared a egg and bacon pide and I had a taste of his buttermilk pancakes... Molly was so excited to have a babycino! I also had a yummy apple, carrot, celery and beetroot juice. Felt like I needed vitamin concentrate!

My baby bro gets home from his 6 month adventure to south and north america. He wont know what to do with himself but I have missed him a lot. Even Molly has been saying "ucle David on Sat-a-day!"

Yay!

Day 3 of week 1

Yesterday I ate to plan- apart from a few jellybeans, and my calories were around 1650 which is right where I want to be at the moment.

I made a delicious dinner- bean and veggie chilli over a baked potato and 1/4 baked sweet potato. I was planning to have that for lunch today over rice but left it on the bench, so I guess lucky John will get to eat it! So I have a heinz very vegetable soup for lunch today- it wont fill me up and I'll be hungry later- but it's my only option and it's better than KFC!

I didn't run! After all my blowing on yesterday, I didn't do it!! It was pelting down with rain and, while I could have been brave and just done it- I didn't want to... I ran pretty hard at netball though..

So- here's to today!

The plan is to go to the gym tonight after community dinner.

I also plan to go out to the shops with Molly before dinner as the afternoons at home are very dangerous for me. It is when I want to eat 5 pieces of toast with peanut butter (not that I ever eat that much- but the desire is there!) It's not even junk food I crave, just carbs- I know it's a blood sugar thing but I need to come up with other things to help me- like a nice trip to the shops!

I might pop back later and post some more- feeling very bloggy today!

Spoze I'd better update.... day 2 - week 1

After a less than pleasant week-and-a-bit, I'm back on track.

I did no running last week but did PT, Netball and Community Fitness- so three sessions is better than none, right?!

But I SOOOOO want to be a runner that I simply must get back on track.... today! So after work today I will put on my neatly packed (ie. shoved in my bag) running gear and head off for a lap or two of Princess Park before I pick Molly up from childcare.

I have entered the Runner's World Magazine "RIO- Run It Off" Challenge.

Today is day 2 - week 1...

There are fairly loose guidelines for this challenge, you simply send a photo holding a newspaper, you know the deal- pick a start date and a race date 12 weeks ahead and go for it! You take your weight and measurements. I am going to weigh and measure every 2 weeks.

My race date is November 16th- the 3rd Spring into shape 8km run.

This is timely as there is now only 12 weeks until my birthday- wouldn't it be the perfect birthday present to get into the 70s?!!

So, Here's my starting stats;

Weight: Still 88-89kgs
Goal for challenge: In the 70s!
Waist: 98cm
Bust: 107cm
Thigh: 60cm

I aim to keep my calories between 1500 and 1800 per day.

Today's food looks like this.
b. very yummy 1/2 cup porridge with almonds, starwberries, skim milk, honey
s. yoghurt
l. 1 tortilla with spicy mince and bean mix
s. apple, banana
d. beans with rice and veggies

Big videos...

Does anyone know how to shrink video files... I have a few vids I want to share but they are too big.

Ta!

RE: Anon comment...

Hi again,

My doc has told me not to go rushing home accusing my hubby of being unfaithful from the hpv result as it is something that could have been sitting dormant in me for years- or I may have had it in my last smear test but she could have swabbed a different spot.

I have NO concerns about my husband!

HPV can also be transmitted from any skin contact. I have had wart viruses (hands, knees, feet) before and doc says there are studies being conducted at the moment about whether those viruses can transfer to STD type viruses...

Please, don't go anon- I am not worried about comments or peoples opinions.

Just for the record... I have only had one sexual partner and so has John... go figure?!

You can tie it in a knot, you can tie it in a bow!

You know something?!

I just realised that I no longer notice my body swinging to and fro when I run! I know I still have quite a bit of fat to lose however I am not distracted by my tummy and boobs going up, down and waving all around any more!!

I remember writing a post when I did the Spring into Shape 4km run last year saying that I needed a body bra- well, I don’t think I do any more!!

Hoorah!

Doctors appointment...

Hi all,

Thank you for your support!

The doctor’s appointment was ok. It is HPV- eww! Very common, but not nice.

I need to go back for another test in 12 months as it may clear up by itself within that time.

If it hasn’t they will need to treat it as 70% of cases (of certain strains of the virus) lead to cervical cancer if not treated (over many years).. It's worth monitoring it!

So it’s good news, annoying… but good..

Some pics from the run...

Me in my new running top!




Me with all the other lovely running ladies!

All smiles after another good run!

Look I am getting dimples again!

Another run to cross of the checklist!!





I finished in about the same time as I did last week but this week it felt much harder. This is probably due to 3 factors.





1) I am sore from PT


2) It is TTOM and it hurts!


3) My mind kept wandering to tomorrow's doctors appointment.





It really took a long time to get into my groove this morning. It wasn't till the 2nd lap of Albert Park that it started to feel easier. I had to tell myself to keep going when I ran PAST the finish like for the 5k race... But it feels great to have done it! I finished 100 or so metres in front of the lady who finished after me last week... she crossed the line saying "I'll get you one of these days!" Very funny! But she's entered in the Sandy Point Half Marathon in 3 weeks time... I don't think I'm up to it yet but it wont be long!

I can't let myself slack off this week! It is easy to fall in a heap after a run and find yourself at the next weekend again having done no exercise- easy to fall out of the groove!

So here's the Plan!

Monday- Gym- weights
Tuesday- Netball
Wednesday- Gym- weights
Thursday- running
Friday- PT
Saturday- Community Group Fitness

The next run I am doing is the 1st of the Anlene Spring Into Shape series... BRING IT ON!!

Push-ups, food and planning

Earlier this year I couldn't do one pushup on my toes... today in PT I did 7 on my toes and another 30 on my knees!!

I worked really hard in PT today- I nearly didn't go as I was feeling pretty crappy after hearing from the doc. But I thought to myself "why don't you wanna go?!" and realised that it was all emotional and I just needed to get on with it. So I went- and worked bloody hard..

My shoulder muscles are getting more defined.. I love it!

Todays PT went something like this.
skipping with a rope to warm up
step ups with 5kg weights x3
squats with 5kg weights x3
lunges with back leg on step and 5kg weights x3
pushups on step x3
bench press x3
plank x3
plank tricep lifts with 5kg weights x3
side planks x3

I'm going to be sore- I doubt I'll beat my 10km time this Sunday as I'll be hobbling around in pain..

There is still a chance to come on down to Albert Park this Sunday morning for the Queen of the Lake 5 or 10k run. You can register at 8am on the day. Please let me know if you're coming and would like to meet up.. I have bought a pretty green running shirt for the occasion!

Eats weren't that good today- too many "treats" and not planned meals. Breakfast and dinner were good- an egg on toast for brk and japanese dumpling soup for dinner... lunch was just snacky bits and pieces of food from about 10:30 to 2:30...

Tomorrow is Saturday, often a day where I have trouble staying on track. So here's the plan.

9:30 community fitness class

b. porridge with honey, and skim milk and a protein shake
s. almonds and fruit
l. chicken and salad sandwich
s. fruit and yoghurt
d. meat and veg
s. yoghurt or shake (if hungry)

Better be heading to bed... have had an exhausting day.

"minor changes in pap smear"

I have to go to see my doctor on Monday as my recent pap smear has picked up some minor changes...

I'm freaking out a bit...

She said it wasn't urgent but that she would like to speak to me and she needed to go more in depth than she can go over the phone...

I haven't told my family (John and my household know) as I don't want to worry them but I needed to vent, so here I am!

PLease send me some prayers!

Or I can wear it parted like this.....

Hair!

ps...

... got my fringe cut!! Feel like a new woman!

Running Photos...

Click here, then click on Olympic Dream- then enter bib number 169 to see some pics of me running.... none are good enough for me to buy so you wont get any on here!! Haha!

Have had a couple of non-working out days as I have been very busy! It seems that life is a bit all over the place at the moment and I'm a little stressed out. But I am not going to let that get in the way of my goals! Tomorrow morning I will be getting up early and going to do some weights at the gym before mum's group at 9:30. I don't wanna lift too heavy as I need to avoid being too sore on Sunday for my 2nd 10k run!

Found an old fat photo tonight which has spurred my on- never going there again!!!

I might scan it and put it on here..

Need to go to bed now!!

Very tirrrrrrred!

Something yummy out of nothing!!

Last night I stood at the open pantry and sighed...

It's often nights when there seems to be no food in the cupboard that we end up eating something different and yummy.

I had some frozen chicken breast, some nearly too old garlic, a jar of passata sauce, and pantry staples...

So, I browned the chicken and some garlic and then let it simmer in the pasta sauce. I then mixed 4 cups of flour with a generous pinch of salt and enough water to make a dough. I then separated the dough into 6 balls, rolled them out with a rolling pin and cooked in the frying pan with a little oil to make chapattis! I rubbed them with garlic, filled them with the chicken mix, folded them over and popped them in the sandwich press.

YUM!!!!!

Talk about making something out of nothing!

On a very important note, I am considering cutting a heavy fringe... what do you think?? I love them- I think they look tre-groovy!

Results...

Feeling a bit sore today but fully stoked!!

I came 1497th overall yesterday! I didn't come last!! Yay!! 143rd in my division and 536th of all the women.

My official time was 1:18:46. My split times were 39:01 for the 1st 5 kms and 39:45 for the 2nd 5kms.

I am still waiting for photos to come up on sportingimages.com.au but will have to screen them before I post them as I don't look my best after running 10k!! But I may have to go by the motto a multinational sportswear company is promoting at the moment..... "run yourself ugly" as I certainly did that yesterday!

I did it!!

I completed this morning's 10km run in just under 1 hour and 20 minutes. That means I was travelling at an everage speed of 8kms an hour! That's usually the faster end of my intervals!!

I still ran most and walked some but that is a definate PB for me!!

I have no more energy at the moment but will do a more in depth race report once the results and photos are ready!!

:)

Go me!

I said I'd do it so.....

... I didn't do it!

Doh! Really did not have time to run... this is not a lame excuse!

It seems there were less hours in the day yesterday than I thought as I forgot there was Nutrition group last night and I had to plan it. Then I had to run the group at 5:45 and then get Molly home for dinner, bath and bed before 7:30 when I had to leave to go to Mezz's gig. So it looks like I am not the superwoman that I thought I was....

Although I have made up for it today by riding an hour to work (a lot less stressful than public transport from where I come from!) and I'll be riding the hour back too. According calorie king that burns 1088 calories! The ride was good but I need to find an alan key (sp?) to fix my handlebars before I ride home as they nearly slipped right off and I had to walk the last part of my journey! (Symbolic of my life maybe!?)

Anywhoo- I think that makes up for my lack of running yesterday.

Feeling a little nervous...

... about Sunday's run!

I have all of a sudden realised what I have gotten myself into and am having a slight freak out. There is no turning back for me though. There is no easy quick fix way to get this lard off my arse (arms, face, legs, tummy etc etc) so I may as well just feel the burn and try to enjoy the process...

Although, I am going to have to burn a little (okay, maybe a lot) harder today as my day started with a fully fledged fat-girl breakfast. A bacon and egg sandwich on white bread and a skim latte... mmmm! The skim counteracts the fat in the sandwich doncha know!?

Oh well... the rest of my day of food looks like this:

Lunch: 1/2 can of Campbell's creamy chicken soup and 1/2 a wholegrain roll
Snack: fruit yoghurt and an orange
Dinner: sushi

So I should be okay.

I need to fit in a run today- it's another one of those days where it is hard to squeeze one in however as I reported the other day... I said I'd do it, so I'm gonna do it! It might have to be the first time I strap Molly in the pram and try to run.... she hates the pram, but I hate my wobbly bits even more so I'm afraid that if she cries I'll be replying with a loving "suck it up princess!"

Gotta go do some work now- busy day ahead!

May post some more sneakily through the day.... does anyone else blog at work in Word and then paste it in quickly when no one's watching??! Not me!! *lol*

..and a few more for good measure...

and more again!

more pics...

Olympic dream...

Less than 7 days till the Olympic dream run!!

No weights in the 3 days leading up to the run as I am so sore still from Thursday!

Anyone running in this race or in the Queen of the Lake next weekend? I'd love to meet up with more super-keen wannabees like me! *lol*

It will be interesting to see if my time improves from one week to the next. We'll have to wait and see!!

Bike seat!!

Just won a new child seat for my bike on ebay for $45!

Yay! Another healthy activity we can do together!!

Some pics...

Just one cute one for now as I need to resize them so it doesn't take forever to upload!!

Week 3 Cto5K

This evening I took 30mins out from a family gathering at Hubbie's ma and pa's place to do my 3rd run this week. It was a lot harder as my muscles are still so sore from Thursday (yes, I did stretch- but then we did 7kms of walking yesterday).

When I got back all red faced and sweaty I sat down and said to Molly "Mummy just went running!" and people in the room turned around and said "really?! you seemed to just leave the room a minute ago!".... that's how easy it is to squeeze exercise into your life. I am discovering more and more that it is consistency that matters more than HOURS and hours on end, slogging it out. Of course, it is good to exercise longer when you can, but the moral of the story is to fit it into your life when you can and where you can but make it a priority. It would have been very easy to rule out exercise today because of the family do, but I said I'd do it so I did. That is how I got to goal last time. Quit making excuses- make a plan and stick to it!!

So my food plan for tomorrow is;
B. avocado and light cheese on 1 slice of soy/lin toast (LOVE IT!)
S. a tub of low fat yoghurt and an orange
L. salmon, broccoli and cauliflower with melted cream cheese (YUM!)
S1. banana
S2. (need 2 snacks) small handful almonds

Tomorrow night we are out for dinner so I will have a sensible portion of whatever is served and will be passing on dessert.

Am going to upload some pics but will do it in a different post as it always stuffs up the formatting...

Onward!

Bit the bullet....

... and entered the 10km Queen of the Lake course instead of the 5km I was going to do.

Go me!!

Albert Park Royalty...

I am now registered for the 10km race on Sunday August 3rd. Feeling pumped! My race kit arrived today for Sunday's Olympic Dream run. Running in the morning as the DOMS is already feeling better.

Staying at mum's tonight and heading to "Nick's Farm" in Clarinda in the morning to stock up on some bulk dried beans and other cheap healthy staples to keep in the pantry.

Just finished watching Jaimie's "Eat to Live" show- what a motivation to keep this healthy lifestyle up!

Fun Friday

Hi again!

I was right. I have a baad case of DOMS! (Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness) I am hobbling around like an old lady. Decided to wait till tomorrow to do my 3rd run for the week so John can mind Molly and I don't have to push her pram. She doesn't really like being in the pram long enough for me to take her anyway.

The lemon cordial is delicious! I am such a brag!

We had a lovely morning at Women's group today. We met at our ethiopian friend's house. She is an amazing mum of 4 and is so hospitable! The kids had a great time playing outside. We all caught the bus to her plae together. It's the simple things that I always enjoy the most.

Gotta dash!

Will post tomorrow and let you know how my run goes.

Good day!

Hi there!

Today has been a really great day. I am in a very positive fame of mind and I have a sneaking suspicion that it may have something to do with all the extra exercise I am doing at the moment!!

Last night I did session2/week3 of C25k and it was challenging but very good. Then this morning I had personal training. I worked SO hard!! I am going to be sore tomorrow- I may not be so positive about tomorrow's run!!

My friend Linda is a personal trainer and has started up a 12 week fitness program thingy for our whole community to do. She has made each of us a passport and you have to accumulate "Kilometres" by doing exercise and make it around the world in 12 weeks. So for example, a 30 min walk is 500kms, nutrition group is 600kms, personal training is 800kms etc etc. And for the 12 weeks she has made 30 min PT sessions $5!! It's a great motivator. I'm already at Darwin and will be at Bangkok by Sunday! Woohoo!!

Nutrition group went really well. Lots of people showed up and we discussed food groups and balance and how to create a healthy meal easily. We will be focusing on food diaries and connecting emotions with food along with low budget meal planning and cooking sessions. It should be good! The community we're part of has a lot of low-income earners and many of the people who we hang out with are or have been homeless so we have to plan the sessions with that in mind. It's no good me saying "go and buy some lean meat and flaxseed oil" as people will quickly lose interest and stop coming as it is unachievable for them. I will be saying "here's how to soak dry beans for some protein and here's yummy things to do with them. Here's how many healthy veggies we can get from the Footscray Market for under $5 and here's what we can do with it"... We will also be focusing on growing our own veg as it is a cheap, healthy, community thing to do.

I have spent this afternoon cleaning out our fridge, shopping for the next week (yay! we have food in the house- and a nice clean fridge to put it in!!), washing clothes and nappies, and squeezing lemons (A LOT!!) for the lemon cordial I have just made. I feel very domesticated!!

I also made a delish chicken and veggie stirfry with buckwheat noodles and hoisin sauce. It was divine!

Molly is now in bed and I have the house to myself with not much to do except to put the left over squished out lemons in the compost.

Ahhh.. feeling great- now for a cup of tea!

PS. If you're feeling environmentally friendly go Google "Living the Good Life" by Linda Cockburn. This is the book I have devoured over the last month. It is about a family in Qld who decided to try to live "domestically sustainably"- ie. not spend a dollar, for six months.... it's a great read!

Template...

I just LOVE it!!

Netball, weights and nutrition group

We won netball last night. The other team was a really fun Islander family who didn't take it too seriously. Most of the boys obviously were better at basketball as they kept getting "OBSTRUCTION!!".. I think the umpires were getting frustrated having to pull them up so often. But we had a fantastic time and I did a good lot of sweating which is great!!

Have been reading Kek's blog a bit more recently and she's looking absolutely fantastic. In training for a women's bodybuilding competition. What an inspiration she is. She's inspired me to try to incorporate a bit more weight training into my running schedule. I don't want to sacrifice running time as I am committed to this thing. So here's my plan.

This week:
Monday: running
Tuesday: Netball
Wednesday:running
Thursday: Weights
Friday: running
Saturday: Weights

Ideally I would like to do running and weights on Mondays. Or netball and weights on tuesday. Will try this next week but don't want to burn out.

I am running a community nutrition group tonight and really need to get prepard! I have loads of ideas but need to get them into some kind of order. Any ideas would be welcome.

Week 1 will be looking at basic carb, protein, fat balance and looking at what a balanced meal looks like. I might also make a "match that nutrient" game where you match the name of the nutrient with what it does in your body and what foods you find it in.

Well, better get some work done!

Ash
xox

My kick-ass running event schedule

Please see left navigation bar!!

I'm a runner! Well a wannabe runner anyway!

I accidently did week 3 podrunner today. My MP3 started playing and off I went. By the time I realised I just thought "stuff it, let's get on with it!".. It was more challenging.. In a good way.

Woohoo!

Headphones, body changes and sore toes!

I got some new “wrap around your ears” style headphones- a sure sign that I am taking this running caper seriously! My old ones were falling out of my ears as soon as I got sweaty.

I am finishing week 2 (albeit a little late) this afternoon after work and hope to have week 3 (3 sessions) done by Sunday. I think I will go do some weights at the gym this evening too.

I have not hopped on the scales in a few weeks and am feeling a lot better emotionally. I will jump on this coming weekend but until then I am going to enjoy my blissful ignorance! Over the last few days I have noticed a definite change in my body though! Looking in the mirror I can see my waist thinning out a bit and my PJ pants are looking and feeling looser. It’s a great feeling.

I am about to go and have a look at what other runs are on in the next few months because Mum has offered to pay the rego for the next one. Thanks Ma!! In fact, my whole family has put up their hand to help financially- so I have no excuse!

I need some new runners soon as my toes hurt every time I play netball!! So maybe I’ll start a shoe fund and put in 20 bucks a week or something. We are also saving for a bike seat for Molly so we can go for family bike rides. We are, like, so active!

Molly!

Hi there!





I took Molly to the health nurse last night for her 18 month check-up thingy. We have changed nurses and I was a little nervous about it but it turned out to be really great. The nurse totally focussed on the whole picture and was very careful but natural in observing everything she needed to. Molly trusted her immediately. Molly now weighs 10.3kg which, for the 1st time has brought her UP a line on the growth curve! I knew her ferocious little appetite would show up eventually!





She's now between the 25th and 50th percentile for weight, right on average for height and above average for head circ.





It was a great relief to find someone who looks at the whole picture (including commenting that she had exceptional vocab and communication skills) and was happy to support me in my decision not to vaccinate her against chickenpox.





Yay for the city of Maribyrnong!

My 1st run!

I did it- I have registered for he first of (hopefully) many runs before the end of the year. I am competing in the Olympic Dream 10k run/walk on July 27th, giving me a few weeks to prepare.

Having completed the 1st week of Cto5k I feel confident that I will be able to run at least 5 of the 10km.

Had a bit of a lazy food-filled holiday in Daylesford (a mini-break with the mini-family... Just Me, John and Molly) and ate too many yummy sweet things but managed to get in a decent veggie packed meal for dinner every night. We were in Daylesford because John had a gig in Bendigo on Saturday and we wanted to make the most of it!!

I am not going to weigh this week as I think it will depress me but am going to just concentrate on having a great healthy week this week. I made a delicious pasta throw-together meal tonight and am having it for lunch tomorrow. It was wholegrain pasta with steamed and chopped cauli and broccoli mixed with light cream cheese and salsa. It went together really well!!

I had a quick bite of lunch in Bendigo with Beckie, Scott and new baby Morrison (who slept the whole time and Scott, being the good dad he is, wouldn't let us pick him up for a cuddle in case we woke him...). Beckie looks great and bub is so cute!! Thanks for coming out to see me Beck!

Molly did something really funny today. John was walking with her and she stopped and said "Molly Fart!" and squatted down and let one rip! Then she walked a few paces and did it again... and then again! How funny!! Then later on I asked her if she could fart and she strained for a minute before saying "fart stuck mummy!"

1st running session completed!

I have just returned from the gym where I completed my 1st Couch to 5k session!

It wasn't bad at all- I am definately fitter than when I started running last time because I just remember hating it so much! But I LOVED it today, knowing that in 5 weeks I will be able to run 5k (hopefully!).

The session went for about 26 or 27 minutes with a warm up at the beginning. I am LOVING the Pod Runner MP3- Google it! It really made the time fly. It's so easy, you just run at the tempo of the music!!

I left my exercise at that half hour today as I am known for going too hard too soon. I was tempted to do some weights but I might just try and get a few running sessions out of the way before I start adding in anything that might make me too sore to run.

Nicky has decided to do it with me too and I am very excited to have a training buddy (even if it is only online)- the support is invaluable! We can do it Nicky!

I was just thinking I might be cheeky and ask people I know to sponsor me to do some events this year as I have just realised that if I am relying solely on my own funds I am not going to be able to enter many events at all as we are quite broke. So if you feel the urge to support me drop me an email me with how much you would like to contribute. I will be hitting my family for cash too and they are always pretty generous with their wallets!!

Can you tell I'm feeling good!?

Congratulations.....

...to Becky, Scott and Bradman on the arrival of new baby

Morrison Astor

born at 9:15 this morning weighing 4.708kg or 10lb 8oz!!

Becky and bub are both doing very well.

All my love and kisses!!

Welcome Morrison!

xo

Running...

I have decided that I am going to learn to run again. I've been flirting with running on and off over the past few months but I have been scared to commit to a relationship with running again since we broke up in early 2006 when I found out I was pregnant.

But I have been reading lbtepa.blogspot.com and have had my passion for running and competing in events re-ignited. So, this is what I have decided to do, I am going to complete Couch to 5k and I am going to enter as many events as I can afford. So I will always be training for my next event.

Ohh. I'm getting excited thinking about it.

I really want to deal with the reasons why I have been eating too much recently. It's not really my food choices, but the amounts of food I am eating and when (eg. 3pm scoffing 5 biscuits- it's not that I don't think I can have a bikky every now and then, it's the fact that I feel I need 5... you know what I mean)... Grr- makes me depressed. I cope much better on a strict (ish) structured food plan.

Any suggestions would be good.

xo

Tan walk..

How does 7:30 Saturday Morning sound??

I know it is early but maybe my chubby thighs will get a shock at being woken up so early and evacuate- wouldn't that be nice??

*lol*

Walk and talk!

Hi Melbourne bloggers!

Would anyone be interested in resuming the old "walk and talk" around the botanical gardens track? (The Tan)

We used to do it a couple of years ago and it was great!

Early Saturday mornings work well for me.

Good weekend..

Good morning (or afternoon… or evening for that matter),

Thanks to all the ladies who turned up for lunch and a LONG chat at Southbank yesterday. I have photos but am at work and can’t upload right now. I had a lovely time! It was great to see everyone but especially those who came a long way to be there (Chris, Wanna- not ness (hehe) and Jac). I had yummy sushi hand rolls and and iced tea which satisfied me for a while- but I was hungry again before we left because we chatted for such a long time. So I was really hungry by the time I got to the pub for my roast pork and footy!

I look forward to catching up with Jac again in the next couple of weeks.

Weight wise: Weighed in at 88.2 last week, which is ok but I’d prefer to be losing a bit faster so will have to concentrate a bit harder this week on balanced eating and smaller portions. Oh, and working out!

I might post again later- at work and should be doing something more productive!

Weigh in 2nd June '08

I knew the lack of exercise (only 3 sessions) and slightly slacker eating would bite me in the ass (I wish it would've taken a bigger bite and taken some with it!!)...

I had a 300g gain this week. :(

But I must remember that I am still on track to get to my birthday goal as I really only need to lose 500g a week most weeks and 1kg some weeks to make it.. so I am still 700g ahead of the start! I just have to make this week a really good one.

Here's my goals to make sure it happens...

1. Get at least 8 hours sleep a night!! (this was my downfall this week)

2. Eat 21 points a day or stick to yoghurt and fruit for brekkie, meat/beans veg and rice or soup for lunch and dinner and fruit and yoghurt for snacks.. Don't even entertain the thought of eating any treats just for this week- we're getting back on track after all!!

3. Follow the following exercise plan:
Mon- Gym for running and weights
Tues- Netball
Wed- Gym after dinner
Thurs- Morning walk with Molly in the pram
Friday- Morning walk with Mezz
Sat- Footscray Community Fitness

4. Blog a few times this week and actively contribute to WW in your 20s

5. Put on a happy face and think of some things I like about my body

This feels really good. I like that a gain doesn't make me feel like a failure. I am sick of that shitful cycle that I have been in- I have come through it though and feel great.

Thanks for everyone's comments. I LOVE you all!

Really looking forward to the Blogger meet!! Woohoo!

Weigh in 24th May 08

I knew I'd had a good week! I was rewarded with a 1 kilo loss bringing me back to 88.9. So I am off to a good start on my "Get to goal by my birthday challenge"!

Hoorah for me!

I aim for 19 points per day for the next few days as I went over points on Saturday and Sunday and don't want to undo my loss from the last week.

As you may have noticed I have started counting points/calories again recently as I have realised that this works for me. It is not by any means the only or best way to lose weight- if you stick to just about any plan which limits calories you are most likely going to lose weight. But for me I realised that a lot of my bingeing behaviour comes from feeling deprived and if I can count points or calories I can allow a few treats here and there without it affecting my waistline. I do not go to meetings, I just use the material I already have and I weigh myself at home on Saturday mornings. I am also using the WW in your 20s forum as some extra support as things around the blogs are very quiet now compared with how they used to be.

On the exercise front, I collected for The Salvos Red Shield Appeal on Saturday and Sunday for a total of three hours. This involved walking up and down the intersection jingling a tin in the direction of passing cars and hoping they chuck some money my way. We worked out that we walked about 12 kms in three hours. So hopefully my poor eating was neutalised somewhat by the exercise. Tonight I am going to the gym to do some more weights and interval running.

I baked another huge loaf of bread yesterday. I cannot get over how easy it it! I need to look up some healthy bread recipes to experiment with.

That's all from me for now.

Looking forward to weigh in tomorrow--- wha???!!

Yup, thats right- I feel I have done so well this week with my food and exercise that I am sure to be coming a but further into the "safety zone" of the 80s... please cross your fingers for me!

Here's todays food so far:
B. 1 apple (.5) and 1 pear (.5) microwaved till soft
S. 2 home made rice paper rolls (4) at women's group
L. grilled chicken (2.5) and salad (1-avo) with a slice of pumpkin and potato bread (1.5)

Plan to have meat and veg- maybe with noodles, for dinner.

I have set a new goal for myself. I can't remember if I have already posted this and can't be arsed to check. The goal is to be at 75kgs by my birthday on November 18th. This would mean I would need a loss of half to one kilo a week. To lose half a kilo a week would take me to December so there will have to be a few weeks of larger losses. But I KNOW I can do it and the new goal has further inspired me to keep going!

Good food and pink cheeks...

Just got home from a killer workout at the gym! Did 15mins on the x-trainer to warm up then upper and lower body weights until I couldn't do no more- then another 20 minutes of interval running which I haven't done for over a year but as Phil recently reminded me "you don't see any fat runners do you?" so I am going to be a runner again *lol*...

Haven't weighed for a few days as I realise it is getting me down a bit too much and need to restrict weigh ins to once a week. Enough to keep me accountable and enough time to make some changes in the space in between if I try hard.

My Iron supplements are already making me feel a lot better. I don't feel nearly as down and I have more energy for exercise which is great! I am not really craving junk either- I guess when you have more energy your body doesn't tell you to eat high energy foods so much.

I did have a nice treat today though- Paddle pop's new product "Moo"... it only has 89 calories (I think- definately in the 80s) and 2ish grams of total fat so it is an allowable indulgence. And very yummy too!!

I made a loaf of wholemeal bread tonight! From scratch in the oven!! How clever am I?! I can't believe how easy it was and how cheaply you can make lovely organic, bread where you know everything that has gone into it. I worked it out to cost about a dollar- and that's with expensive organic flour!

My food was good today:
B. Crunchola and milk
L. Heinz winter veggie soup with 2 light saladas and cheese
S. 1 apple and a pria bar
D. Veggie casserole with rice and a slice of home made bread with 100% fruit spread and light butter

I'm off to have a cuppa and get ready for bed. Big day of stocktaking tomorrow!

Blood tests, Mother's day, Savers and the party!

Blood test results showed up that I am anaemic! This explains a lot of my crappy feelings and lack of energy recently.. and quite easily fixed which is nice!!

Mother's day was very special indeed- apart from Molly fainting in the morning (doc thinks if was a viral thing). I was greeted with a big bunch of tulips, a pair of explorer socks for chilly nights and a little box of favourites. Yum! But my favourite present is a CD that John and Molly made at the studio. John got Molly to say all these words and he put them together into a message.. I will try to work out how to put it on here for you to losten to. Any advice would be helpful. The message went something like this;

"Hello! Happy Mother's Day. Mummy, I love you mummy. Thank you for milk, hugs kisses and love. You make me happy. (general chattering and singing) I'm in a big room" (with lots of echo- very funny!)

I was so overcome with laughing and crying all at once I couldn't get any words out.

We had lunch with John's mum and dinner with mine- a jolly old time was had by all!

Savers is my new favoutite place. I got 3 tops and a jacket for the party tonight for less than 20 bucks.

The Party. Bazz is 25 this week and we are having a Rick Mayall party tonight- no one really knows what that means but I make a very ugly Rick Mayall cake today- photos to come!

Blah Blah Blah!

Then and now(ish)

Many of you would have seen this "before" photo posted on my old blog but I just feel I need a bit of encouragement at the moment to remember where I have come from. So I am putting it up again.

I am struggling to stay positive right now as I hopped on the scales this morning and 89.9kgs flashed before my eyes.. I desperately want to stay under 90 after all the work I have been putting in.

Why am I stuggling with food so much?? I just don't know. What is there in my life that I need protection from? (often the reason we stay fat)... Am I stressed? Not really, am I sad? No- bored? Hardly! Happy? YES! I just don't know!

Any ideas would be welcome! As anything I seem to try at the moment ends up with me putting more weight on. Even NOT trying!

GRR!

SIMPLE!

vs

My goal for today is simple....

To just try and make the best food choices all day... to simply choose the healthy option.

Why don't you give it a go?!

My new ticker...

I just made a ticker for the top of my page which helped me realise that OH MY GOSH!! I have come a long way!!!

For some reason this little thing at the top of my page has renewed my drive to get the rest of the excess lard off my backside!!

Thanks to Beck who showed me these two blogs-(Lou and Tracey) more motivation!

Hoorah!

A couple more Molly pics!

Watching her beloved "Wah Wah" (Wiggles) with peanut butter on her face.

I had some blood tests yesterday to check my cholestorol and thyroid and to see if I have IBS. I'm in one of those places where I would love to have a reason why I am not losing weight and why my tummy feels so bad even though I eat well. We'll see I guess!

Played a killer game of netball last night- the team gave us a real run for our money but we still came out victorious! Woo-hoo!

A Message from Mezz (SIL)

hello lovely friend !!!

come hear me live with band (including new permanent addition to the lineup- guitarist Ben Paddick!) at Gertrude's Brown Couch this Thursday 8th May at 8.30pm ($8 entry.) I will be supported by the sweet and chirpy tones of Dizzy Grass (Gabi Smith) and the queen of twee-pop herself Georgia Fields bring your friends to have a listen too!

See you at the Brown Couch!!!!! Thursday 8th mayGertrudes Brown Couch30 Gertrude St Fitzroy8.30pm $8 entry

Mezz Colemanwww.mezzcoleman.comwww.myspace.com/mezzcoleman Mezz Coleman's EP 'My Little World' is available to purchase via www.myspace.com/mezzcoleman or digitally through itunes.

New day...

Today I have decided to blog my food intake to help me be a bit accountible.

B. 1 crumpet and one piece of grainy toast with peanut butter
S. 1 soy hot chocolate
L. Chicken and corn soup with 4 vita wheat biscuits and cheese
S. 1 apple and a small bunch of grapes
D. 2 soft tacos with lean beef mince, low fat cheese and salad.

Total 1491 calories

Calorie king recommends I eat 1680 calories so I can have another protein snack if I want today... Totally doable!

Plan to get happy...

My darling friend Phil has encouraged me to write down a plan to het healthy and happy. So here are nine goals for me to work towards.

1) To stop looking critically at my body and to actively acknowledge the amazing things it has done. (No standing naked in front of the mirror, no pulling at my tummy skin)

2) To take responsability for each food choice I make, knowing full well that even if someone else is cooking the meal it is ME who makes the decision to eat it (and HOW MUCH of it I eat!). To choose the food that works best for my body to nourish and heal me from the inside out. This includes avoiding refined foods and wheat where possible.

3) To track my food for a while and PLAN what my daily food choices are going to be before scoffing and avoiding my 4pm sugar fix by planning a healthy and yummy snack to eat then.

4) To make exercise more of a priority in my life but not allowing it to take over or become an obsession like it has in the past. This exercise will include netball, gym, walking and yoga DVDs at home.

5) To communicate with one of my very bestest friends Phil about how I am going and try to provide some love and support for her in achieving her own goals.

6) To drink plenty of life-giving water and herbal teas to see me though winter

7) Remember where God fits in all this. He/she doesn't want me to feel this bad! He/she wants me to experience vitality and strength in my body and soul. Make time to worship that God.

8) To write in my journal again and work through my feelings rather than eating them away.

9) To remember that I am on a journey and no magic number on the scales is going to make me a happier or better person. I may feel physically better but whether I am 200kilos or 60 I need to get happy anyway.

Flat as a tack...

I have really been stuggling recently. Stuck in a spiral of feeling crap-eating-feeling crapper-eating more-feeling crapper-eating etc etc etc……

I have put on a few kilos- should have been more considering how bad my eating has been. I guess the exercise is helping.

I am feeling a lot better today though- I guess that’s why I feel I can come and face the music here. I have started a fresh page in my food diary and am playing netball tonight. I hope things get better soon.

Ash

Cutey Pie!

Wednesday!

I can't believe it is Wednesday already!

I have been so busy recently that the weeks are just flying by! Thought I'd give a bit of an update of what is going on for us right now.

Health and Fitness:

All is well on the exercise front! I am working out a few days a week- Mondays I go to the Gym with a friend after dinner, Tuesdays I play netball, Wednesdays is Gym after dinner, Thursday is a rest day, Friday early morning Gym and Saturday is community fitness! Feeling very good as a lot of my exercise is social and it helps a LOT! I struggle going it alone.

I am trying to stick to the naturopathic diet but a few things have crept back in and I can notice the difference in how I feel. I have also decided to pop my food intake into calorie king every now and then to monitor my quantities.

Molly

She is terrific! Going to creche on a Monday for a few hours and she's loving it! We have also recently turned a corner with her sleep. Until recently, we have needed to rock or cuddle her until she is fully asleep. Over the last week it is like she has decided that sleep is GOOD! We just pop her in her cot, put on some relaxing music and say goodnight! It is an amazing relief! Go Molly!

Footscray

Things are just cruising along around Footscray! We are starting a womens group this Friday at our place which will be a great way to get to know some of the women in our community. We have a new member of our community- a refugee from Thailand who is living with some of our friends. She is a lovely lady and it is a pleasure to get to know her. It is Felix's 2nd birthday on Sunday and his party will be another time to enjoy with our friends and family.

Work

I have to do payroll on my own today and I am freaking out just a little bit!! AARGH! Please send me some positive thoughts as I will have a pack of middle aged women retail workers on my back if I stuff up! We just had some IT training yesterday and I learned a few techniques to make my job easier and some new functions of our computer system that will add to my workload- which is ok but a bit annoying.

Favourite food right now

I am LOVING almond, cashew and brazil butter on Spelt and sprouted seed toast! YUMMMMMM!


That will have to do right now! I'd better get back to work!

R4K!

The run was great! I just bought this funny pic! (CLICK TO ENLARGE)

And just for fun, heres a pic of me and Molly...

Having a good morning- another lazy Tuesday!! Gotta love it!!

Ash

xo

Tuesdays...

Tuesdays are good days at work- nice and quiet… Mondays are taken up catching up from a busy weekend of trading and Wednesdays I have to do payroll and banking reconciliations. But Tuesdays…. Ahh Tuesdays! I can do the extra things that need doing- that the last girl in my job didn’t have time to do. Makes me look good.. Haha!

I'm bringin' owchie back!

I so sore today!

Last night I played my first game of netball in about 3 years and I have to say- I really sucked!! It was good fun though- and that’s the name of the game! I played in Goal Defence which I have never done before as I have always chosen keeper so I didn’t have to run too much. But last night I ran around in circles trying to stay on my opponent and I have the sorest back muscles today!! I didn’t know you used your back so much in netball!

When I got home last night I did an hour of yoga to try and prevent soreness- but it was not to be! Although the yoga did make me feel very nice and I slept like a baby last night.

Right now I am munching on home made fried rice (brown rice with veggies and egg) and trying to stop thinking about work for a minute. There is a lot to do and I have just been asked to take over the payroll for the shops. They keep giving me more work- I must be doing something right!

Easter bunnies!

Hope everyone had a lovely Easter.

We did- Especially a Passover supper we had at our house and the Easter Sunday dawn service we had at a city lookout in Maribyrnong. It was a very special time together.

I decided to have a little break from the diet over Easter and I am glad I did as it coincided beautifully with TTOM and I was able to kill two chocolate addicted birds with one stone. We bought Chocolatier Fair Trade easter eggs and they were delicious! I ate a bit too much but we’re back on the straight and narrow today. In fact I am eating a chicken salad right now!

I have a really bad bronchial cough thing at the moment and I really hope it clears up before the Run for the Kids on Sunday!! Is anyone else doing it??

AAARRGH!!

Nearly a week of straight and narrow!

I am feeling really good today. My body is loving the new way of eating. I can't believe it has been nearly a week of eating ONLY healthy and nutritious foods. And this morning I tried puffed corn and malt-free/sugar-free soy milk for breaky and it was so delish!!

I didn't realise how much rubbish I had been filling my body with- Even looking on the back of a packet of cheese flavoured corn thins I found a plethora of additives, salt and preservatives. So many nasties in one crunchy little parcel!

So how is everyone- please leave a comment as I have no idea if anyone is even out there reading this rubbish!

Have a happy day!

:)

Naturopathic clarity...

I have been put on an "Anti-Candida" diet by my naturopath as my poor body had been filled with it for months. It began when Molly and I had a bad bout of thrush when she was about 4 months old. She had it only in her mouth but I got the works- name any dark moist region and I had it there! I even had a sore scalp from it. Anyway, to cut a long story short, I visited my naturopath on Thursday night and she feels that my body has never really recovered from the candida and all of my other immune related symptoms are caused by this- including eczema, easy bruising, tiredness and SUGAR CRAVINGS!!

So my diet has been brought right back to basics minus anything that contains even the slightest amount of sugar including fruit!! I am going okay so far but it is very strange having a completely savoury diet! I am not allowed anything processed or artificial so even sweetners are out. And no diet coke!! That's what I am missing most- but I know that it's something that I shouldn't be having anyway so I really just need to deal with it.

Yesterday my food looked like this:
B. 2 eggs on wheat-free, yeast-free, everything-free, flat bread
L. 2 nori hand rolls with fresh salmon
S. 2 peeled carrots
D. chicken with roast carrot, cauli, broccoli, peas

Today is:
B. Brown rice and veggies with pumpkin seeds
S. Hummus and flat bread
L. Brown rice with veggies and salmon
S. Corn thins with ABC nut butter
D. Buckwheat noodles with garlic, chicken and veggies

I am not allowed pumpkin, potato, legumes or mushrooms for the first 2 weeks but after a few weeks most things will be introduced back in. I had brown rice and veggies for breakfast this morning- call me a hippy, but it was great!!!

I do feel as if things are going to turn around for me because of this. It will clear my mind and help my body to function at it's best. This thing is hard but it will be worth it in the end.

Diet Girl really is Amazing!

I am so addicted to Dietgirl's book!!

Go read it!

I am signing up at Vic Uni's gym tonight. It only costs $497 for 12 months!! I am so keen to get back into classes- particularly spin and pump! I feel those are the two that pack the most punch for the time you spend exercising. Woohoo!!

I am loving my new job but really not liking sitting down all day! Maybe that's what's causing the recent urge to get back to the gym. Or it could be the big binges I have been having every afternoon. I don't know where it's coming from as I haven't felt out of control for quite a while. Any comments or suggestions would be appreciated!

My blogs are so quick and boring recently. Maybe it's coz I'm so busy!! Which is a good thing!!

Happy Hump day!

Ash

Sunday

A quiet day in the office today. Well, it is for me anyway! The girl whose job I will be doing shortly is run off her feet so she’s not able to train me much today. So here I am with time on my hands and nothing much to do. What better way to fill in my time than to blog it away!?

I had a lovely weekend. John and I took Molly to the Collingwood Children’s farm yesterday and we had a beautiful time looking at the moo-cows and the chooks (which Molly was a little scared of- funny, as she’s not scared of mum’s bear-like Labrador!). We stopped off for a bite to eat at Lentil as Anything and indulged in a banquet style vegetarian feast. I LOVE eating good vego food- it feels good for the soul or something. They must put LSD in the chickpea curry! Thay also make a damn good chai latte.

We then wandered around the gardens at the Abbotsford Convent and felt truly relaxed.

Very nice!

Well first of all....

Congratulations to Kate, Stef and Felix! I am so excited to welcome baby Caspar into the bloggasphere (although he has been welcomed on many other blogs already!).

I just want to say how excited and how proud I am of you Kate! You carried yourself so beautifully through your pregnancy and will continue to be a fantastic mummy to two beautiful boys!

Also, congrats to Becky, Scott and Bradman on the exciting news that they will shortly be welcoming a little bundle of BOY into their already fab family!

Hoorah!

So, the new job!! I am still very excited as I have been offered and have accepted a position in the head office management team for Traffic Footwear. We have stores in Port melb, Sth melb, Hampton, Hawthorn, Richmond and Sorrento and my job will be to ensure the right stock goes to the right stores, that deliveries are made on time, that the point of sale computer system is operating well and is up to date and I will most likely be doing payroll and other bits and pieces too! The best part is I will be working in a very fun and funky office (where my mum also works- but in a different department) with amazing, talented and creative people. I will be sitting right next to the design team. It is a very flexible position which will allow me to work the equivalent of 3 days a week over however many days I like (does that make sense??).

I want to say a belated congrats to Shauna (Dietgirl) on the release of her new book "The Amazing Adventures of Diet Girl" which I  happened to notice while meandering through Borders the other day. I will have to save up some moolah and buy this one soon!! You know you've made it when you are on the front table at Borders! Go girl!

On the weightloss front I am doing okay. Slow and steady wins the race (or so they say) and at this rate I'll be coming in 1st!! I did a fitness test this morning and I did much better than I thought I would. 21 pushups (knees) in a minute and 37 crunches! I also had +20 cms for the sit and reach test (where you sit on the floor and do a forward bend reaching your hands towards or past your toes.) which is an excellent score! I used not to do well in those as my tummy got in the way!

Better go- Molly has just woken up and I can hear a faint "mumma" in the distance.

YAY!

I JUST GOT A NEW JOB!!!

Weekend off!

This weekend (just gone) I decided I would have a little break from my strict plan and have a few things I have been wanting. While doing this I still wanted to be careful not to overdo it but just wanted a bit of freedom so I don’t end up feeling really deprived and bingeing.

So I cooked up some apple and cinnamon muffins and a tray of cannelloni (my fave!) and ate a sensible but delicious portion of each. So that’s out of my system and I am back on track today! Feeling good but it is amazing how quick your body gets used to something as I am really hungry again today. I know I don’t need more food than I am having right now but once you have a day or two off the plan it’s like you think you NEED more food… But it’s just not true!!

So I have made a delicious salad today with crunchy snow peas and alfalfa sprouts and mushies and I am looking forward to eating it soon! YUM!

I did my fitness circuit on Saturday and I’m still sore! Which is great as you need to slightly damage muscles before they can get bigger and stronger. This evening I am going for a nice walk along the Maribirnong River. NOICE!

My routine...

I know that when I was in the early days of my weightloss journey I loved reading about other people's routine- how did they lose weight? What did they do?! So here's a day in the life of me!

6:30-7am Wake up, breastfeed Molly
8am Protein shake for breakfast (working for me right now as I don't feel like eating)
10:30am peach or apple and a small handful of raw nuts and seeds
12:30-1pm Salad with olive oil and balsamic or veggies with either some lean meat/tuna or another protein shake (if I want something sweet)
3-4pm another piece of fruit and some nuts and seeds or 1/2 a protein bar
6-7pm Lean meat and veggies or an eggwhite omelette or a healthy fritatta with 1/2 cup of grains (eg wholemeal pasta or brown rice)

If I am hungry after this I will have a diet jelly or another piece of fruit.This is working for me and one meal a week I have whatever I like (in moderation) which helps me not to eat those things during the week.

My exercise routine goes like this:
Mon: morning yoga strength dvd
Tues: evening walk/jog around the neighborhood
Wed: evening yoga strength dvd
Thur: eveningwalk/jog around neighborhood
Fri: rest
Sat: footscray saturday morning fitness program (only costs a dollar!!) which is usually based around resistance activities.
Sun: rest

Hope this is helpful!

Just gotta brag!

I weighed in this morning at 84.1!!

That means I have lost 4.4kgs in 3 weeks!!!

Whoop!

Hoi Hoi!

I have just registered for the 14.14km Run for the Kids on March 30!

Yay! Another challenge!! So there is about 2 months to prepare and by the race I hope to be at 79 kilos. I am currently 85 so thats six kilos in 2 months. Totally doable! The way I am going at the moment I will definitely be there by then!! I am so in the zone right now and having this run to look forward to will keep me on track.

Time to crack open a can of whoop-ass!

Yesterday marked the first inaugural "Footscray Fitness" Saturday morning circuit training session! It is run by my friend (and fitness instructor) at the community house in Droop Street and only costs a gold coin donation! 

I'm sore today which is FAB!

Bring it AWWWWN!!!

:)

Tomorrow!

Molly and I are meeting up with Beckie, Linda, Jade, Kate (?), and me thinks many other girlies and bubs tomorrow at a play centre to be confirmed!

Yay!

Haven't seen anyone for aaaaages!!!

So excited!

:)

Molly and this morning's weigh in

Here's Molly!!!

She's a scetti lover!

Weigh in 4 days into my new healthy regime: - 1.4kgs! Yay!

SPOOOOOOKY!!!

It has been a whole month since my last post... exactly!! What a strange coincidence!

I apologise for my lack of bloggature recently. I now share an internet connection and I don't feel I can sit around click click clicking away on the keys for hours at a time. However I have been slacker than slack and there is no reason why I couldn't post two lines every couple of days to report on how I am going.

Maybe it is because I haven't been going! I have stayed exactly the same weight for months now. So it's all very boring really! Living where I do means that a few nights a week dinner is out of my control (unless I REALLY wanna rock the boat) and I am yet to put my foot down about what is served up... It's a bit difficult really because my housemates don't have heaps of money so cooking anything with nice lean cuts of meat is out of the question. Although we could easily have veggies, rice and beans pretty cheaply. Anyway- I feel I'd really like to get back in the game and move some of these excess kilos. I know I feel so much better in myself when I am lighter than I am right now.

I have considered going on another program, a shake diet, weight watchers, soup diet etc. However I feel I have poured enough of my money and energy into these things in the past and have simply decided to eliminate most junk, eat lots of fruit and veggies and a moderate amount of complex carbs and protein, plus lots of water and I should be on the road to a smaller buttski in no time.

So here we go again!

xo