Day 44 - Shopping and fun galore!

Today was lots of fun! Well once I got through my usual slog at the gym. I just didn't want to go today. I did upper body weights and was gonna ride on the bike for 20 mins but my knee as clicking. Lame excuse I know. But I needed an excuse and that one conveniently deterred me from cardio. The leaderboard still hadn't been updated...hopefully tomorrow. Come on Larry!

Then I went over to my sister's, helped her feed the girls and then we went on a lovely outing! We went to Liar, Liar for lunch and I had two delicious coffees and a steak sandwich. Yum, yum, yum! I was a bit naughty cos I had white bread but hey ladies and gents, I think I deserve a little treat every now and again right?

Then after lunch we did a bit of Xmas shopping. The lady in the shop was lovely and didn't mind us bringing the double pram and a cheeky little poodle into her shop. We managed to get lots of presents in one shop and she gift wrapped them all as well. Would give the shop a plug but don't want to give any prospective gift receivers any clues...have you been naughty or nice this year friends?

After shopping, I hung out at home for a while, then went to meditation. It was just me in the class tonight, so we did a bit of meditating, then my teacher did a tarot reading for me. Apparently all's fair in love and career for me next year. Woo hoo! I'm looking forward to new beginnings. And travel. 2011 I can't wait for you!

Chow:

Meal 1 - lemon water
muesli with milk and berries

Meal 2 - water
steak sarnie on sourdough with tomato, lettuce, beetroot and chutney (mmmm!)

Meal 3 - water
2 apricots and nuts

Meal 4 - water
protein shake

Meal 5 - water
chicken salad with lettuce, red pepper, cucumber and balsamic vinegar

Meal 6 - water
yoghurt

Tomorrow is family day at the podiatrist. It's how my family hangs out. Me, Mum and my sis are going. We're not normal...

Day 43 - Start of Week 7 or Community service chick

Weight: 67.2kg
BMI: 23
Abs: On their way to flatness

Can't believe I only have 2 more weeks to go of this crazy challenge! Then it will be Xmas celebration time! Which means lots of food and drinks! And a bloated belly! Maybe I'll take a photo of my belly on Xmas Day. Bet it will be alot bigger than it will be on the final day of the comp!

This morning I did a THT class at the gym which was fun. Had heaps of energy doing aerobics after my morning caffeine hit and we also did heaps of leg resistance work. Then I went home, got ready and set out for a day of errands.

I got as far as popping to my mates to pick up my eftpos card (which I forgot I had left with her on the weekend) and buying my sister a coffee. I dropped off said coffee saying I'm only staying a minute and 2 hours later I left her place. My guilty secret? I missed my girls HEAPS. And I was procrastinating on the job seeking. But mostly I missed my girls. 3 days of looking after them made me miss them so much. And my poor sis is just so tired. I had to go. Just call me community service chick.

Also, I woke up this morning and thought, I'm happy. I don't want to work. All that stuff people say about being bored if they didn't work is absolute rubbish. If you are bored, you are BORING! There is so much you can do with your time. Pursue your passions, take up a hobby, volunteer. Give back. Of course this only can happen if you have money to live off. But let me assure you, its not boring! I haven't had a bored day yet. The only days where I have felt a bit flat are the ones where I have stayed at home all day with no social contact and watched DVDs. But so far I've only done that once or twice in 2 months.

After hanging with my sis, I did my food shopping and picked up my drycleaning. See how fun is that? ;) As I was struggling inside with arms full of shopping and winter jackets, I met my elderly neighbour Albert. He was sweeping and loading up two wheelie bins with rubbish. I asked him what he was doing and he said someone had dumped all this crap in our car pack so he was getting rid of it. This guy is amazing. I have seen him cleaning up big branches after a storm as well.

So I put away my shopping and helped him clean up. We swept up these weird little terracotta balls and silver shiny stuff and then he showed me something else he found with the rubbish. It was a set of instructions detailing temperature and light and flowers and buds and...he asked me what I thought it was and I said instructions for growing hydroponic weed and he agreed! He wants to confront our neighbours over it. They keep dumping crap and now this. He's pretty tough for an old bloke but if he pisses off our neighbours, I wouldn't back him to win the fight...

Then a bit later on, I saw the neighbour's friends turn up with a trailer full of more rubbish. Just go to a tip people! Its not that hard! Stop dumping your crap! Or put it on a nature strip like a normal Melburnian! I guarantee you that freaks will pick it up within 10 mins of it being chucked on the lawn. I was hawkeyeing them but they didn't unpack the trailer. If they have dumped the stuff there by tomorrow, I'm not sure what to do. Confront them or ignore it???

**NEWSFLASH - Now there is a moving van in the carpack and a chick is loading up two cars with crap. Heaps of people keep coming out the house and theres always loads of cars parked in our carpark for the house. It's like a frickin halfway house! Just checked, no rubbish dumped thank god!

So that was my second act of community service today. It felt good. I did look for jobs in the end and applied for a really good one! Fingers crossed for an interview.

A la carte:

Meal 1 - lemon water
muesli with milk and apricot

Meal 2 - water
pear and nuts

Meal 3 - water
quinoa and flaxseed wholemeal sandwich with avocado and roast chicken

Meal 4 - water
protein shake

Meal 5 - water
roast chicken salad with lettuce, red pepper, cucumber and balsamic vinegar

Meal 6 - water
yoghurt

Tomorrow my sis, the girls and I are going out for lunch and a brief spot of Xmas shopping. Hurray!

Day 42 - Check out these photos!

OMG! Went to the gym this morning and almost ran to check out my 3rd photo on the wall. And it looks great! I am so happy. I feel like all this hard work is finally paying off! It looks so much better than the second photo which totally sucked! What do you reckon? The fake tan and sucking in my belly really helped don't you think? ;)

After 30 mins on the bike, I went home, got ready and zipped over to my sister's for round 3. She and my BIL were going out to my BIL's Mum's 70th birthday lunch, so my best mate and I were on nanny duty again. The time flew by and we even managed to watch an episode of Tangle between feeds and pacifying the girls. We did work out a few things today, firstly that the girls need more awake time and so we put them on the floor for a little bit which they liked for about 5 mins. And they have been crying alot with wind pain, so we got them some Gripe Water which is this amazing stuff which shuts kids up and sends them off to sleep. It's a miracle! If only Gripe Water would solve all of life's gripes, I would skull it by the bucketload!

Now I'm home preparing for my next week of...well not work but job seeking, writing (I totally haven't written much of my novel at all! Only written 5852 words this month. Looks like I wont get to 50,000 words by Wednesday like I wanted to!) and more time with the girls. Life's pretty good :)

Degustation:

Meal 1 - lemon water
muesli with milk and berries

Meal 2 - water

pear and nuts

Meal 3 - water

rocket, beetroot, falafel and feta salad

Meal 4 - water

protein shake

Meal 5 - water

red pepper, zucchini and tofu sweet chilli stirfry

Meal 6 - water

yoghurt

2 weeks to go for this challenge! Bring it on! I should find out Tuesday where I am on the leaderboard. Hopefully in the top 5!

Day 41 - Baby its so Fun

So Friday night went pretty smoothly really. My mate and I slept on the couch and worked really well together looking after the angels. We did the 10pm feed, then put them to bed by 12pm. At 1.30pm, I heard one crying, so I got them up and started warming the bottle. Then we fed them, put them back down and one roused at 4.30am which was ages before the 6am feed. But my mate held her and used a baby sling to carry her and settle her.

So all in all we probably got 3 hours sleep in total. So I decided not to exercise yesterday and exercise Sunday instead. I went home around midday, did a bit of cleaning, played with my cat, watched some TV and had a nap, ready to go back to my sisters for round 2. And the best thing about round 2? It included naughty food! Woo hoo! Pizza and beer and chocolate! I was in heaven.

Eats:

Meal 1 - water

muesli with milk and fruit salad

Meal 2 - water

fruit salad

Meal 3 - water

quinoa and flaxseed wholemeal sandwich with avocado, falafel, tomato, cucumber, low-fat mayo and lettuce

Meal 4 - water

nuts

Meal 5 - water

2 Coopers Pale Ale stubbies

1 can Pepsi Max

crisps

1 small pizza (from Meine Leibe) with tomato, zucchini, stracchina, anchovies, porcini and proscuitto...sounds like a weird combo but it was delicious! All their pizzas are delicious! I used to hate anchovies but now I love the salty kick they give to pizza!

Meal 6 - water

cup of tea

lots of chocolate

Mmm...makes me hungry again just thinking about this food!

Day 40 - Measure, clean and sit

Well today got off to a great start. Woke up at 7.20am and dashed off to the gym for my 7.30am photo and measure-up. I'm very happy to report that the photo looked awesome with my fake tan and I lost good numbers in the measurements. And I finally solved the riddle about my belly measurement. It was actually my hips measurement, as Larry had entered it into the wrong section on the form. My belly is not over 90cms. I got Larry to measure it and its 75cms. So I'm below the danger measurement of 80cms for women. Woo hoo!

Here are my stats:

Hips

1st measurement - 99cm

2nd measurement - 97cm

3rd measurement - 95cm!

Tool - measuring tape

Tricep

1st measurement - 20.8mm

2nd measurement - 19.7mm

3rd measurement - 19mm!

Tool - skin caliper

Hips (love handles)

1st measurement - 24mm

2nd measurement - 21.4mm

3rd measurement - 19.7mm!

Tool - skin caliper

So I'm feeling pretty good about this comp now. I'm hoping after today I will be in the top 5 at least. Larry actually texted me tonight to say my photo was up on the board at the gym and it looks great. Thanks Larry!

After the measuring, I did 30 mins of cardio on the bike and lower body weights. Then Larry introduced me to his wife, Anne, who is a fitness freak as well. They both used to do these six pack comps together. Anne chatted to me about the last two weeks of the comp and recommended that for the last four days of the comp that I reduce my water intake dramatically to slightly dehydrate the body and reduce the fluid I'm carrying around my waist. Dehydrate myself? WTF? Am I a professional body builder here? This is so weird...

After the gym, I went home and cleaned the house which took me forever! Does it take everyone 3 hours to clean their house or is it just me? Then I watched a couple of awesome TV shows...Hung and Tangle.

Now I'm at my sister's getting ready for my long night of babysitting. I'm drinking pepsi max so I've got a bit of caffeine in my system. My best mate and I have DVDs at the ready because at 3am there's nothing worse than listening to a humming refrigerator as you stare into space instead of concentrating on tugging on the bottle in the baby's mouth in front of you. Drink up angels! The main carers are sleepy.....zzzzzzzzz

Gastronomy:

Meal 1 - lemon water

muesli with milk and berries

Meal 2 - water

pear and nuts

Meal 3 - water

quinoa and flaxseed wholemeal sandwich with avocado, falafel, tomato, cucumber, low fat mayo and lettuce

Meal 4 - water

protein shake

Meal 5 - water

old faithful pud puk

Mel 6 - water

yoghurt

Cant wait for my free meal tomorrow. Pizza and beer fo sure!

Day 39 - Busy day

Hello...how are we all? I'm bloody knackered. Actually had a nap before! All my advice to my sister about napping has actually rubbed off on me now.

This morning I went to the gym and rode the bike for 25 mins. I sat next to Sally and we chatted about the comp and how we are both doing. I found out she is gonna take a bit of a break over Xmas, then in the new year she is going to her personal trainer to start doing some hardcore weight training and body sculpting. Go Sally! She also said she can help me do a new program after the comp is finished, one that is a bit more challenging for weight training. Bring it on Mustang Sally! God, I'm gay...

Anyway after the gym, I got into in my interview clothes and dashed over to pick up my sis. We took her two little darlings to the maternal health clinic and they have put on heaps of weight again which is great! The we took them to their first cafe in High Street, Palomino. We had some delicious lunch and coffee, then we went to vote early cos my sister doubts she could get out of the house on Satdee and I'll be tired from baby sitting Friday night. We also took my sister's dog to the groomers and he came back shorn, silky soft and smelling amazing.

Then I jumped on a train and went to have an appointment with my career consultant. She is great. She said I should consider doing some networking if I find it hard to land a job over Xmas and New Years. So you might all be hearing from me soon! Anyone in HR out there that can give me some advice about the industry?

After that I met with another recruitment agency. The chick that interviewed me I actually sort of knew already, as one of her temps, I hired to be in my old team. Small world :)

Now I'm on the couch, totally beat. It's nice to have some couch time. Ive been out the last two nights. I'm so popular.

Cibo:

Meal 1 - lemon water
muesli with milk and berries

Meal 2 - water

homemade baked beans with feta and rocket on sourdough toast

Meal 3 - water

apple and nuts

Meal 4 - water

protein shake

Meal 5 - water

mixed lettuce salad with smoked salmon, falafel balls, red pepper, cucumber, tomato and low-fat mayo

Meal 6 - water

yoghurt

Tomorrow is 3rd photo/measurement. Unfortunately I will be totally bloated. Yes, it's that time of the month. But I guess my fading and patchy spray tan may compensate a little. I took this photo yesterday. Do you think it looks any flatter? I have been practising my poses like Larry suggested!

Day 38 - Go Go Joe

Today was totally Go Go Joe. Spent the whole day flitting from one thing to the next but it was totally fun. Went to the gym and did my upper body weights, then a tummy, hips and thighs class. Then I rushed home, made an appointment to meet with a new recruitment agency tomorrow and went over to my sister's at midday.

It was nice to see my little angels again as I hadn't seen them since the weekend. They looked bigger already. Tomorrow I am going with my sis in the morning to the maternal health clinic with will be their first visit to the centre as initially the midwife was coming to their home. Hopefully they have put on some more weight. I'm pretty confident of this, they look and feel bigger :)

Then I picked up my Mum and went over to visit my niece for her sixth birthday. I went with my sister in law to surprise her and pick her up from school. She had a nice day at school with everyone wishing her a happy birthday and birthday cupcakes in the morning. We went back home for presents and afternoon tea and I played with my two nephews for a bit too. Can't believe how fast they are all growing up! I need to visit more often :)

Then dashed back home, fed my cat and went to my friend's card party. She makes awesome handmade cards and charges far too little for them. She had lots of Xmas cards for sale but I still have a lot from last year, so I stocked up on birthday and everyday cards. She doesn't have a website but I think she needs one. She is very talented and her cards are a bargain!

Now I'm home, finally fed and rested. Tomorrow will be another big day but I'm ready for it! Then Friday will be the 3rd measure day...hopefully this fake tan hasn't washed off by then!~Dóh!

Scrummy:

Meal 1 - lemon water
muesli with milk and berries

Meal 2 - water
apple and nuts

Meal 3 - water
quinoa and flaxseed wholegrain sandwich (new Helga's bread, yum!) with low-fat cream cheese, smoked salmon, tomato, cucumber and mixed lettuce

Meal 4 - water
protein shake

Meal 5 - water
bolognese sauce with crudities of carrot and celery (didn't want to eat carbs at night)

Meal 6 - water
yoghurt

Its pissing down now. Melbourne, WTF! Seriously, whats going on with Spring this year?

Day 37 - Outside my lingerie comfort zone

So today was fun. Started off by weighing myself and thankfully I had dropped 1.4kg from yesterday and I'm back to 67.6kg. Although I shouldn't even be worrying about the scales as this comp is all about the photos and measurements, mentally it helps me to know that I'm dropping weight on the scales...

Then I rushed off to the gym and did 45 mins on the bike. Still can't bring myself to do a whole hour of cardio. It's so bloody time consuming and I just cant get out of bed early enough! I don't like getting up before 8 unless I really have to...anyway enough self justification.

Then I went to Camberwell for a spray tan. This was a very weird experience indeed. (Well getting the tan wasn't that weird, it was more what happened afterwards. But I'll get to that in a moment.) I stripped down to nothing (you could leave your undies on but I thought whats the point? These chicks have seen it all before) and my Scandinavian beauty therapist, let's call her Svetlana, started spraying me all over with the gun. She was quite thorough. Got into all the nooks and crannies. Then I had a look in the mirror and she asked if I wanted a second coat and for some reason I thought yeah why not, better get my money's worth. And now I look like, well, insert racist slang term for an African American. But it is pretty cool being brown. Such a novelty for me and my deathly white, almost purple with orange spotted flesh.

So Svetlana leaves me to dress and advises that I don't wear my bra because the tan will rub off. Me, not wearing a bra. Surely that's an oxymoron. I know you are all free and easy up there in the Northern Hemisphere Svetlana but surely you don't expect me to inflict my large saggy breasts on the world? It's not like we are in Africa here where its normal to see elongated droopy breasts. Here we hoist them up to our neck and strut around Burke Road. But cos I'm a good little girl and do what I'm told, I put back on my maxi dress, sans brassiere and knickers and went out to the desk to pay.

I asked the chick at the desk if I should actually go out in public like this and she said honey if I can, so can you. I looked down at her large, most likely fake boobed perky chest and thought, yeah its alright for some. But then I thought stuff it, I'm gonna shake up this toffy nosed suburb! So I spent the rest of the day, strolling around with not a care in the world, the breeze flowing through my dress and my boobs joyfully lolling to the side as I ventured in and out of shops and also took in a spot of Harry Potter. I had a great day and it was actually really liberating and comfortable to go commando. I propose we all take a leaf out of our mother's books, burn our bras and freeboob all the time! Who's with me??? Hello? Anyone out there? Ok, yeah I don't buy it either!

Dish du jour:

Meal 1 - lemon water
muesli with milk and berries

Meal 2 - water
apple and nuts

Meal 3 - water
nando's chicken pita with hot peri peri sauce and salad (ok so the white pita bread wasn't the greatest idea but otherwise this is a fairly healthy choice)

Meal 4 - water
protein shake

Meal 5 - water
mixed lettuce salad with grilled beef, falafel balls, red pepper, celery and low-fat mayo

meal 6 - water
yoghurt

Well I'm off for a shower. Don't wanna stain my sheets too much...

Day 36 - Start of Week 6

Weight - 69kg (WTF. Don't tell me I put on 2 kilos yesterday!!!)
BMI - 23.6
Abs - don't even go there

So got up this morning at sparrows and weighed myself as I do every Monday morning. And bloody hell I put on 2 kilos. (I weighed myself unofficially on Thursday and I was 67kg). Or maybe its muscle? Haha who am I kidding. Yesterday I pretty much ate a horse...the third measurement day is this Friday. I gotta burn this all off before then man!!!

Then I rushed off to the gym and did 11 mins on the bike (pitiful I know). I was gonna do 15mins but I got into a panic that I would run out of time, as I had a job interview at 9.30am. After the bike, I rushed through my lower body weight routine and skidaddled back home to get ready.

It was kind of fun dressing in work attire again and was nice to wear my new clothes (with my new body too!) Got to the agency feeling confident and ready to dazzle them. I think I did pretty well. They are putting me forward for a pretty cool job, so we'll see what comes of that this week hopefully.

Then I came home, had a bit of DVD time, then did some errands...post office, drycleaner, pet shop and supermarket. Seriously, when did I used to do all this? On the weekend? How did I have time to relax? Oh that's right, I didn't. And soon I will be back at work, so wanna enjoy this while I can!

Just eat it:

Meal 1 - lemon water
muesli with milk and berries

Meal 2 - water
apple and nuts

Meal 3 - water
cup of tea
2 slices of multi-grain toast with a bit of butter, small tin of baked beans and a poached egg

Meal 4 - water
coke zero
slice of low fat cheese with 8 rice crackers

Meal 5 - water
small eye fillet steak with celery and hummus and steamed broccolini and mushrooms

Meal 6 - water
yoghurt

Today I really wanted to eat some junk food. I couldn't be bothered cooking. In the past I would have just had toast for dinner when I felt like that...must continue these good habits after the challenge is finished. Must not put weight back on. It's a mantra. Live it, learn it, love it. Oh no hang on, that was Pepsi Max right?

P.S One of my psycho neighbours is playing Enya at full volume into the open courtyard that is our communal living area. (Sounds like Melrose Place but is so not glamourous at all. And there is no pool. Or Billy. Or Jake.) Enya is killing me softly but not in a good way! But my neighbour will get his comeuppance the next time I feel in the mood for a bit of Grinderman or Wolfmother or British India or even Peaches... Suckin on my titties like you wanted me, calling me like Blondie check out my...

Day 35 - Free meals all day...oops!

Woke up this morning and hurrah of all hurrahs, I didn't have to exercise! I went to Apte in Alphington for my book club meeting. Thankfully one person showed up. Before you go thinking that I have no friends (I do really have some, honestly), everyone was busy/hungover/hadn't seen the movie and only my best mate could make it. I had some delicious baked eggs and two awesome coffees. I have finally worked out that all the nice coffees I have drank at cafes lately have been made with 5 Senses coffee beans. Track it down. Drink it. You wont be sorry.

After brunch, I dropped into my sister's, helped her bathe the girls and feed them, then we all piled into the car and took the girls on their first outing. We went to my little big bro's house for his birthday. It was nice to see everyone again, as the whole family hasn't been together for a couple of months. I ate heaps of yummy food and had a few drinks (but only a few. Didn't go crazy like last weekend!) Then went back to my sisters for some pizza. So my free meal which was meant to be lunch, kind of ended up being a whole day affair. Oops!!! I feel so full now! Oh well. Back to the diet tomorrow.

Meal 1 - water
skinny latte
long mac
baked eggs with cannelini and kidney beans with a Parmesan crust and 1/2 slice of turkish bread

Meal 2 - water
little creatures pale ale beer
glass of red wine
cheese, tzitsaki dip and crackers

Meal 3 - water
little creatures pale ale x 2
1 white bread roll with salami, sundried tomato, feta cheese and lettuce
1 white bread roll with vegemite (I have missed my vegie!!!)

Meal 4 - water
orange cake with cream and berries

Meal 5 - water
coffee
3 slices of ham, pineapple, capsicum, mushroom and olive pizza

Meal 6 - water
NO FOOD NECESSARY. I'M GOING TO BURST. CANT BELIEVE I ATE ALL THIS. CANT BELIEVE THIS USED TO BE A NORMAL DAYS CONSUMPTION FOR ME. SOOOOO FUUULLLL.

Bring on Week 6. Gotta burn this all off tomorrow!!! Got an interview tomorrow morning. Wish me luck ox

Day 34 - Coffee definitely helps

Woke up yesterday morning, drank a coffee and went for a run around Princes Park. Did 2 laps and really enjoyed the second lap. The thing with running is that the longer you run, the more you get into it and start to enjoy it. (Unless you are running a ridiculously long distance of course...then you are just in your own private hell.) I think they call this getting into the zone or the flow. It's really quite awesome. Sometimes you feel like you are flying. Am I selling this to anyone yet? ;)

After my run, I did another type of marathon effort...cleaning. I hadn't cleaned in two weeks and the house was a pigsty. It took me 3 hours to get it all bright and sparkling again. Then I popped over to my sister's for more girly time. She had a couple of hours nap while my best mate and I played nannies. It was a pleasure as always. We hung around and had dinner with my sis and BIL.

Food:

Meal 1 - lemon water
muesli with berries and milk

Meal 2 - water
pear and nuts

Meal 3 - water
light rye sanga with ham, low-fat cheese, tomato and rocket

Meal 4 - water
protein shake

Meal 5 - water
thai stirfry with tofu and eggplant (from my fav thai restaurant!)

Meal 6 - water
yoghurt

What can I say? Yesterday was uneventful...

Day 33 - Feeling fine

So today was pretty cool. Woke up, had a coffee and went to the gym. Quickly did my upper body weights routine, then did a Fat Burner aerobics class. The coffee sure did help. I felt like I was pinging round the room and bouncing off the step. And we did lots of weights in the class too. I feel sore this arvo like I really pushed myself today. Woo hoo!

After the gym, I went into the city for some shopping. On the way there I got a phonecall from one of the jobs Ive applied for. We did a phone interview and it was all going pretty well till they told me what the salary was. It was too low. I said unfortunately I was after a bit more than that. It was a shame but it feels pretty good to have a job offer over the phone, and it was the first job I actually applied for! Ive only applied for 3 so far. I think my CV is 100% better than it was before I did the career counselling course. Fingers crossed now for my interview on Monday.

So after the phonecall, I went shopping in Melbourne Central. I quite like this shopping centre. I used to hang out there all the time when I was at uni. I went into Country Road as they had a sale and bought a present for my bro whose birthday it is today. Happy Birthday Little Big Bro! (He's the younger of my two bros.) Then I bought a present for my niece and friend's daughter (who really is more like a niece or goddaughter) and then heaps of work clothes for myself. Had a blast. Went totally nuts in Portmans and bought a skirt, pants, vest, 2 shirts, cardigan and a silk blouse. Think I'm pretty right for work clothes now till Winter!

After my much needed retail therapy, I popped into see my sis who I haven't seen since Tuesday. And boy oh boy have her babies grown. Especially twin 2. She is so cute and chubby cheeked. She's much more snuggly now. Can't wait till tomorrow. I'm going over to spend the arvo with my darlings.

Om num nums:

Meal 1 - lemon water
muesli with milk

Meal 2 - water
pear and nuts

Meal 3 - water
2 Californian rolls - one spicy raw salmon and one cooked tuna

Meal 4 - water
protein shake

Meal 5 - water
pud puk (I'm totally in love with this Thai stirfry now, who says takeaway has to be unhealthy?)

Meal 6 - water
yoghurt

Now I'm chillin on the couch watching a really shit DVD. A romcom with Catherine Zeta Jones. I hate Catherine Zeta Jones. Why did I order this from Bigpond Movies? What's my problem???

Day 32 - Hanging out again

Hello there! Today was pretty good all in all. Woke up at 8.30am (I know, I'm getting later. I cant seem to get into bed before midnight these days) and skyped my UK mate. We haven't talked in ages and it was great to catch up. We are going on a holiday together next year to New York. Can't wait! We are working out dates at the moment cos I'm gonna study next year so wanna go in the term break in June or July.

After our chat it was off to work, I mean the gym. Well it is my current occupation after all. I'm just not getting paid for this madness. I did half an hour on the bike and tried to keep my speed over 100 the whole time...not sure if that is good or not. It's better than I normally do. I had a coffee before the gym and that seemed to give me more energy. I am really getting addicted to coffee. I'm having at least 3 a day, sometimes 4. I used to have only 1 while I was at work. I guess this diet is making me really low in energy so I'm compensating with caffeine. Oh well, at least I'm not smoking fags I guess.

I still haven't managed to do 1 hour of cardio each day like my BIL said, but I wanna try as of next week. Maybe if I drink a coffee first thing each morning that will get me through.

After the bike, I did lower body weights. Really enjoyed it today. I felt stronger than before and managed to leg press 100kg. Woo hoo! The machine only goes up to 136kg. I'm so strong! Can't wait till I can lift impressive amounts on all the machines and free weights!

After the gym I pottered at home for a bit, watched DVDs, had a look on SEEK but there wasn't much new on there. So I decided to head out to Miss Marmalade's cafe to write. The coffee was so good I drank two in a row. And I got their beans with corn cakes and natural yoghurt. Pretty good. I got quite a bit of my novel done. I am almost at the end of Act 1. This is pretty exciting seeing as I have been writing this bloody thing for a year!

Then it was off to the movies with my best mate. We saw Summer Coda and overall I was pretty impressed. Great acting. Alex Dimitriades is soooooo hot! I love him. He is a lovely ruggard orange farmer in this film set in Mildura. It's coming to the end of its season at the movies but I highly recommend this Aussie film. See it on DVD!

Morsels:

Meal 1 - lemon water
muesli with milk and berries

Meal 2 - water
pear and nuts

Meal 3 - water
baked beans with yoghurt and corn cakes

Meal 4 - water
protein shake

Meal 5 - water
no food - was in the cinema

Meal 6 - water
yoghurt

Tomorrow I'm going shopping for clothes, some birthday presents and might even start my Xmas shopping if I'm so inclined. And maybe call in to see my girls...I do miss them so when I don't see them for a couple of days.

Arrivederci

Day 31 - Tide is Turning

Today has been great. I slept in this morning and instead of my usual weights and cardio at the gym, I did a Tummy, Hips and Thighs class. It was great to do a class again, I have really missed group exercise. The hour totally flew by.

And Larry put up the stats! Drum roll ladies and gents............................I'm number 6 out of 10 on the leaderboard. Not as good as I would have liked but at least I'm not last! (The chicks are on the left and the guys on the right in this photo).

I'm the second from the top on the left...I'm definitely getting a spray tan before the third measurement, which is Friday 26th November. Not far away at all!

After the gym, I had a very cruisy day and didn't even leave the house. Pure bliss. Isn't this what unemployed bums are meant to do? But actually I did spend the arvo applying for jobs and calling recruitment agencies. I'm meeting with a recruiter Monday morning. Gotta go work clothes shopping now. Hope I get some bargains!

Food:

Meal 1 - lemon water

muesli with berries and milk

Meal 2 - water

apple and nuts

Meal 3 - water

chilli con carne

Meal 4 - water

protein shake

Meal 5 - water

smoked salmon salad with rocket, mushroom and tomato

Meal 6 - water

slice of low-fat tast cheese and 8 rice crackers

As I write this, my cat is doing cat farts and biting me. They smell like chilli con carne. No I did not feed my cat chilli and no, its not really me farting. I spoke to my 91 year old neighbour today (lets call him Alfred) and he told me my cat is slipping into his flat and sitting in his bathtub. And now he is slipping out farts on the couch. Joy.

Day 30 - This Sucks

Yesterday I just wasn't in the mood. For anything. Couldn't be bothered exercising, breathing or eating. Could my hungover really still be lurking around from Friday night? Does being healthier mean that your hungover lasts forever? Maybe if I became an Olympian and got drunk, that would be it for the rest of my life? Eternal hungover? That sounds worse than being dead.

Anyway, I got up and shuffled round Princes Park and could only bring myself to do one lap. It was a nice sunny morning but I felt like raindrops were falling on my head.

After the run, I got ready and went with my best friend to see a movie for my book club, called Summer Coda. But it's a movie, I hear you say. Well most of the time we read books, but occasionally we break it up with a movie. We got to the Nova which is pretty much the only place still showing it and shit, fuck, damn, I got the time wrong. It wasn't on at 11.30am, it started at 11am. Oops.

Feeling like a big doofus, I suggested we go have lunch instead. Which was kinda cool anyway cos we went to a cafe that I have been dying to try called New Day Rising. The coffee was awesome, not too strong and bitter (which most long macs I have been drinking lately are) and my friend had homemade baked beans with rocket, avocado and feta on some delicious grainy toast. I looked at her lunch with envy cos I already had a boring sandwich with me. But I'm gonna go back and try the beans cos they are pretty healthy and fall into more diet friendly food groups.

After lunch we called into chez sister and did a spot of baby minding while she had a 4 hour kip! Grreeeedy. She should be able to cope with a half an hour here or there right? ;) The midwife came and weighed the twins and I'm pleased to report they have both put on over 300 grams and are thriving! So my sis can now stretch the feeds out from every 3 hours to every 4 hours. This will hopefully give her a bit more time to rest.

Plats

Meal 1 - lemon water
muesli with berries and milk

Meal 2 - water
light rye sandwich with ham, low-fat cheese, tomato and rocket

Meal 3 - water
apple and nuts

Meal 4 - water
protein shake

Meal 5 - water
smoked salmon salad with rocket, mushroom and tomato

Meal 6 - water
yoghurt

After dinner I went to meditation. I hadn't been in weeks and it was great. I really released some built up tension and it was great to still my mind for a while :)

Day 29 - Start of Week 5

Weight: 67.6kg
BMI: 23.1
Abs: a bit flatter but definitely not visible!!!

Again went to the gym with no motivation...but I guess it was enough to get me out of the house and through the door. Made a beeline for the noticeboard but Larry hadn't updated the leaderboard yet. He had put up most of the second measurement photos though. So far I have the worst second photo...there is one chick fatter than me though so I'm hoping her photo is shit. Love thy neighbour and all that ;)

With my BIL's words ringing in my ears I decided to do half an hour on the bike before my weights. I was so cbfed...but I kept pedaling. Then I did some upper body weights and during a chest press, a chick came up to me to tell me my technique was all wrong. She said I could hurt my wrists. I thanked her and tried to correct my technique but my muscles were fatigued by that stage...looks like I'm putting my weights up too much and forgetting about my technique! Thanks random lady...let's call her Maggie.

After weights, I was gonna do another 30 mins on the bike. I wanted to do an hour of exercise as my BIL suggested. But I had too much to do today, so I promised myself I will do it tomorrow...

After the gym, I applied for a job and then went round to my sister's. The poor thing was so tired but luckily my best mate was also available to help out, so we played nannies while my sis got 4 hours sleep. I think that's the most sleep she's had in one hit since she got home from the hospital. We are going back tomorrow and then my BIL's mum is coming for a few days. The girls are so beautiful that it makes their handfulness easier to handle ;)

Fuel:

Meal 1 - lemon water
muesli with milk

Meal 2 - water
apple and pistachios

Meal 3 - water
light rye sandwich with chicken, tomato, low-fat mayo and mixed lettuce

Meal 4 - water
protein shake

Meal 5 - water
roast chicken, tomato, mushroom and mixed lettuce salad

Meal 6 - water
yoghurt

Today was blah...the sun will come out tomorrow. Tomorrow, you're only a day away.

P.S Larry just texted. The leaderboard will be up on Thursday...I'm not sure I trust his maths skills...or am I just looking for an excuse if I'm on the bottom...

Day 28 - Halfway through the Challenge!

Woke feeling marginally better but still a bit blurry. Met my friend for a run around Princes Park but only managed one lap. Luckily he felt the same as me so my slack effort didn't slow him down.

Then it was off to brunch at my girlfriend's house. She put on a delicious spread and it was all quite healthy so I could partake in most of it which was great! We had lots of fun chats about our usual topics (boys, work, boys, family, boys) and spent most of the time pissing ourselves laughing!

Then I popped into my sister's for a little while. Spoke to my BIL and he said he has been reading this blog and I need to increase my cardio to an hour a day! NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!! That is gonna be so hard! But if I wanna try to win this thing he is right...come on me, you can do it! Positive self talk will get me through.

So tomorrow is the start of week 5 and I'm officially hallway through the comp. Hopefully I will find out where I am on the leaderboard too! Bring it on bitches!!!

Grub:

Meal 1 - glass of lemon water
yoghurt

Meal 2 - water
bruchetta with smashed avocado, diced tomato with basil and feta cheese
steamed asparagus with lemon

Meal 3 - water
handful of nuts

Meal 4 - water
protein shake

Meal 5 - water
roast chicken salad

Meal 6 - water
berries

Ok time to unwind with a DVD now...hooroo!

Day 27 - Kill me

So yesterday sucked because of my hangover. I desperately wanted to eat greasy food but I couldn't. At least it was my exercise free day and I didn't have to exert myself too much. I soldiered on through the day. I find that the more active I am with a hangover the better because it distracts me. Unless its so bad that you have to be bedridden of course but this one was bearable as luckily I stuck to beer the whole night!

So what did I do? Well first I had to walk to Northcote to pick up my car. I wasn't gonna take it with me the night before but it was pissing down when I was due to meet my mate and I didn't wanna get drenched. I kinda forgot that I didn't have it the next morning till I looked out my window and it wasn't there! Haha. So walked to pick it up, then went to visit my sis for a while. I had full-on baby withdrawal and although feeling a bit shaky, I managed to change nappies and feed them for a while.

Then I went to my best mate's place for dinner and her fabulous husband cooked for us again. It was delicious and nutritious. Just what I needed to detox after the night before!

Food:

Meal 1 - glass of lemon water
muesli with milk

Meal 2 - glass of water
pear and nuts

Meal 3 - glass of water
wholemeal roll with low-fat cheese and tomato

Meal 4 - glass of water
protein shake

Meal 5- soda water with lime x2
larb (thai chicken salad), asparagus and cucumber

Meal 6 - nothing...it was too late to eat any more

I conked out as soon as my head hit the pillow last night. I was so ready to wake up feeling better...

Day 26 - Friday Hiday

Well it's kinda hard to remember back to Friday now...and I haven't blogged about it yet because I have had a two day hangover...so I guess you can already tell what I got up to on Friday night!

Friday morning I did some lower body weights and from (poor) memory I didn't have enough time to do cardio so I skipped it. Then I went into the city and met with my job consultant and we had a bit of a chat about where I'm headed in my career. Feel much clearer and more motivated now which is great!

Then I went to my old work and caught up with a few friends. Was nice to see people and hear how much has changed in a month! Everyone said I looked great from the exercise but more than that, really happy! I guess being a bum does wonders for my mood!

After catching up I did a little bit of shopping, then headed out to a bar with my friend. I had a great night drinking delicious beer in a very cool Northcote bar, Joe's Shoe Store. I highly recommend this place for a laidback pint or two.

But as sometimes is the case, I had more than two. Frankly I lost count. And we were drinking long necks...very naughty! But I guess I need to let my hair down every now and again! Its been months since I was drunk!

Consumption (from what I can remember)

Meal 1 - glass of lemon water
muesli with milk

Meal 2 - glass of water
moldy pear and almonds

Meal 3 - natural mineral water x 2
calamari and salad

Meal 4 - glass of water
protein shake

Meal 5 - no water!
several long necks of little creatures pale ale
pizza from Meine Liebe (one mexicana and one delicious one with silverbeet, broccoli, lemon juice and Parmesan...sounds a bit weird and healthy but it was da bomb!)

Meal 6 - cigarettes (I know! what was I thinking!!!!)

Probably the weirdest part of the night was that I left home with my umbrella, lost it and then managed to score another one from a nice couple on High street. Good times.

Day 25 - 2nd Measure-Up

Got to the gym early today for the second measure up of the comp. Larry took a photo and I instantly felt disappointed looking at it. It looked exactly the same as the last one he took. I'm not sure what I was expecting. Ive looked in the mirror, I know I don't have (visible) abs! But for some reason I thought that this photo would look better. Larry told me a technique of standing up straight and breathing out while tensing my stomach muscles. He wants me to practice in front of the mirror for the next measure-up photo...ok Larry, but I don't think its gonna help! Ive also decided to get a spray tan before the next one in the vain hope that it will improve the shot.

But on a positive note, Ive actually lost a few cms! Here are my stats:

Area - Belly
1st measure - 99cm
2nd measure - 97cm
Total loss to date - 2cm
Tool used - measuring tape

Area - Tricep
1st measure - 20.8mm
2nd measure - 19.7mm
Total loss to date - 1.1mm
Tool used - skinfold caliper

Area - Hips
1st measure - 24mm
2nd measure - 21.4mm
Total loss to date - 2.6mm
Tool used - skinfold caliper

Well these are the numbers. Not sure whether I have got the cm/mm thing correct. Larry didn't specify on the form...all I can tell is that the numbers are smaller than at the beginning which is great! But is my waist really 97cm?? Apparently for women it shouldn't be over 80cm. That means I still have 17 cms to lose...can that be right??? I think I need to measure it myself!

Now I just need to wait till next week to see where I am on the leaderboard!

After cycling for 30 mins at the gym, I pottered around at home for a bit, then went into the city for a course on Changing Careers which was good food for thought. Apparently the key is networking the hidden market...looking at Seek ain't gonna get me where I wanna go. Damn! That means I gotta talk to people! Haha.

Oh and I got the most delicious coffee ever in the city from a cafe called Brother Baba Budan. You have to try it if you are ever down Elizabeth Street way. It is probably the best coffee I have had in Melbourne. Well there or Proud Mary in Collingwood. Check out the links to both...yum! Both places do a very rich, oily caramel like blend. Not for the fainthearted (weak coffee drinkers) and at first it's strange on the palate but it is sooo delicious!

And then I had the best Thai meal for dinner from Narai-Thai. Same place I went with my BIL a couple of weeks ago. If you re ever in Northcote, give it a go.

I should be getting paid for this plugging...then I wouldn't have to get a job!

So dishy:

Meal 1 - glass of lemon water
muesli with milk

Meal 2 - glass of water
pear and nuts

Meal 3 - glass of water
light rye sandwich with ham, low-fat cheese, tomato and mixed lettuce

Meal 4 - glass of water
protein shake

Meal 5 - glass of water
Pud puk - stir fried beef and vegies in oyster sauce

Meal 6 - glass of water
yoghurt

I'm going out to the pub tomorrow night so that will be my free meal of the week. I'm thinking chicken parma and chips and a few beers! Woo hoo! About bloody time...I'm starting to crave some naughty food again! And Saturday will be my no exercise day! Bring it on!

Day 24 - Night Nanny

So last night I stayed at my sister's to help out with the night shift. She had bought new formula because the one she was using was making the girls a bit internally blocked if you get my drift. So we don't know if it was the formula or the wonderful night nanny (me!) but they girls slept like a charm. They were behaving in perfect textbook fashion. We have really ironed out some kinks now and they are drinking more quickly, settling themselves in bed and sleeping a good two hours between feeds. Woo hoo!

I helped my sis with the 6.30am feed, then headed off to the gym around 8ish. Did upper body weights and 20 mins cardio on the bike. Really pushed myself today all round. I'm starting to enjoy the bike more. As long as I'm listening to good tunes, I enjoy thrashing my legs. Even took this photo I was enjoying myself so much!

After the gym, went home, fed my cat, got scrubbed up and headed back to my sister's. We had the same sort of day as the previous night, the girls were drinking well and sleeping well. It's such a relief. And great that my sis is FINALLY catching up on some sleep. Tonight will be her first night without help since she got home from the hospital. Well my BIL is there of course if she needs him but he needs to get some sleep for his busy workday tomorrow. I hope tonight goes as well as last night for them!

So now, home sweet home. It's kinda nice to just sit and only worry about feeding myself...which ridiculously I do more often than the babies schedule...I feed every 2-3 and they feed every 3-4 hours!

Haute Cuisine:

Meal 1 - glass of lemon water

muesli with milk

Meal 2 - glass of water
apple and nuts

Meal 3 - glass of water

tuna salad with mixed beans, tomato, low-fat mayo, 1/4 avocado and spinach

Meal 4 - glass of water

protein shake

Meal 5 - glass of water

100g eye fillet steak with steamed red pepper and zucchini

Meal 6 - glass of water

yoghurt

Tomorrow will be a busy day starting with the measure-up. Can't wait to see how many cms I've lost!!! Probably wont find out till Monday where I am on the leaderboard. Come on!!! I'm totally pumped!!!

Probably won't get to see my girls till Saturday! :( Oh well, a happy, well rounded main carer is a better main carer as they say...

Day 23 - Blah

Feeling a bit blah this evening but the day started pretty good. I got up and went for a run round Princes Park. Was gonna do two laps but I was a bit short on time (was about to say time poor but I frickin hate that saying! We all have the same amount of time in the day you narcisistic losers! Sorry forgot to take my meds today...) and was also feeling a bit asthmary which is weird cos I pretty much weened myself off asthma in the last few years. I weened myself onto it in the first place anyway...long story.

After the run, I took my cat to the vet. He's fine, it was just his yearly vaccinations and checkup. I asked the vet lots of silly questions like a nervous parent and she humoured me which was nice. My last vet yelled at me every time I went there about not feeding my cat bones. I do! He just has dirty teeth ok?!

Then I applied for a job! Woo hoo! First one! Spent hours fixing up my CV in the last couple of days and writing a great cover letter. Then I did a bit of research about the company online and lo and behold, it's going broke! Great! I guess I want be able to play hardball negotiating a salary with that one! Haha. Oh well, all companies have down times right?

After lunch, it was over to my sister's. I was excited to go as I hadn't seen her and the girls for a couple of days. The twins had a very unsettled afternoon and I decided to come over and stay the night to help out, which is where I am now. I better not rabbit on too much...duty calls.

Yummy?

Meal 1 - glass of lemon water

muesli with milk

Meal 2 - glass of water

apple and nuts

Meal 3 - glass of water

light rye sandwich with low-fat mayo, chicken, tomato and rocket

Meal 4 - glass of water

protein shake

Meal 5 - glass of water

grilled chicken with steamed red capsicum, asparagus and zucchini

Meal 6 - glass of water

yoghurt

Chat again tomorrow!

Day 22 - Start of Week 4

Weight - 68.2kg
BMI - 23.3
Abs - a little bit less flabby

Aah Monday. Unemployed Monday. Then why am I anxious? Cos I need to get a job that's why!

Woke up this morning and hotfooted it to the gym. Was starving and wanted to get it over and done with. Rode for 15mins on the exercise bike listening to some cool, energising tunes. Almost felt like I was meditating at times - felt a rush and a sinking feeling behind my eyes. Hard to explain but no, I wasn't on drugs. Well maybe just roids ;)

Then I did lower body weights and really pushed myself by putting my weights up and doing lots of reps. It felt good to train hard whilst thinking about Thursday's measure-in. Cant wait to see where I'm coming on the leaderboard. Please God, don't make all this work be in vain!!!

After the gym, I procrastinated most of the morning away to avoid looking for jobs. I even went through my hotmail account to sort out my emails. I was desperate. Then after lunch I finally started looking and found a great job to apply for. So then I had to fix up my CV which resulted in much hair pulling. I love writing but I hate writing my CV. I am not good with business jargon. I'm not good at selling myself on paper. I'm too honest! Everyone knows that CVs should be full of lies and half-baked truths ;)

Anyway I almost finished my CV and will do the cover letter tomorrow. I didn't make it to my sister's today though with all my procrastination. Hopefully I will get there tomorrow, although I am meant to be going to a session on Effective Negotiation (of salary) in the city. Really cbféd on that one. I wonder how helpful these additional sessions are, I'm probably better just to apply for the fricken jobs!

Then tonight I went to a write-in for the NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) I told you about last week. It was great! It was held in a Brunswick cafe called Miss Marmalade. For the month of November they have opened their doors every Monday night to budding authors, providing a cruisy atmosphere in which to write, drink coffee or wine and eat cake. Although I didn't chat much to the people there, it was nice to sit and tap away at my keyboard with a bunch of other crazy people. Aah the solidarity.

I felt energised after the write-in and was happy that I managed to write about 2000 words in a couple of hours. Felt great until I thought about my dreaded non-working situation. I am soooo happy not working, but cautious me is fretting in the corner of mind. She's picking scabs off her arms and saying "But what if the money runs out and you can't pay your mortgage? What if no-one wants to hire you? What if you wait too long and you really do have to sign up for the dole?" Shutup cautious me, I'm enjoying myself here thankyou very much...oh didn't I tell you I have split personality disorder? ;)

Grub

Meal 1 - glass of lemony water
muesli with milk

Meal 2 - glass of water
apple and nuts

Meal 3 - glass of water
multi-grain sandwich with avocado, ham, tomato and rocket

Meal 4 - glass of water
protein shake

Meal 5 - glass of water
chicken salad with avocado, red pepper and rocket

Meal 6 - glass of water
yoghurt

Goodnight my lovelies!

Day 21 - It's a snotty kind of day!

Don't know about the rest of you but Ive had bad hayfever today. I take tablets and a nose spray and I'm normally ok but today I'm itchy, sniffy and throat tingly...ok enough, I'm boring myself.

This morning I got up at 8am after 6 hours sleep, during which my cat woke me up 3 times. He really is a little shit. I think he may be hungry. I feed him the required amount but he always seems to want more. I often find him licking his bowl between feeds. It's weird. There are no crumbs in the bowl. Maybe he has mental issues. I guess he's lived with me too long ;)

Normally I would sleep in (because it was my exercise free day) but I was meeting my best mate for a bit of retail therapy. Country Road had a sale on which was ending today, so I bought a pair of thongs, a overnight tote bag and a handbag.

I did try on some clothes and to my extreme surprise.................sorry I really need to drag out the suspense on this one......I was a frickin size 8! WTF!!! I haven't been a Country Road size 8 since I was about 15. I tried on a pair of khaki fitted pants and I tried on the 10 and thought, oh they're a bit baggy, so tried on the 8 and they looked good! Not even tight around my belly at all. Still had a bit of room to move in them...this makes this crazy challenge all worthwhile! I didn't buy any clothes in case I lose more weight but in reality, I didn't really like the pants that much. I loved them in the catalogue but they were a bit too pyjamary in real life.

So that was a big ego boost for me. And even one of the CR tops I tried on was too big. I tried on the medium and it was way too big, I needed the small...this is weird. It's like I'm in an alien body. A really slim alien body. I'm lovin myself sick mate! Sorry for the trumpet blowing but this feels too good!

Must not put weight back on. Must not put weight back on. Slim is good. Slim is good. Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels...um I beg to differ with that last mantra. I know alot of food that is totally orgasmic and when I'm eating it, I ain't looking in a mirror! It's just me and my tastebuds, in love with the third party goodness in my mouth.

Um ok I seem to be getting off track a little here. I guess its all related to the challenge though, right?

After shopping, I went to the opening of my brother's art exhibition in Eltham. He has painted some awesome painting of streets and buildings around Abbotsford. Check out the website here

La norriture

Meal 1 - glass of lemon water
muesli with milk

Meal 2 - glass of water
apple and nuts

Meal 3 - glass of water
tuna salad with mixed beans, 1/4 avocado, tomato, low fat mayo and rocket

Meal 4 - glass of water
protein shake

Meal 5 - glass of water
smoked salmon, steamed asparagus and zucchini

Meal 6 - glass of water
yoghurt

And now I'm at home sniffing and wishing my cat would cook me dinner. But he doesn't seem to notice my pain. He would rather sit on the keyboard and use my full bladder as a springboard when he hears something more interesting happening outside.

Tomorrow. Week 4. Hold onto your socks ladies and gents. We are almost half way there...

Day 20 - Pottering and Pizza

Got up Saturday morning again with zero motivation. But I've made a commitment here folks and knowing I need to blog ever day about exercise and eating helps me stick to it. So I drove to Princes Park and did 2 laps. Totally loved it once I was there. It was a beautiful sunny morning and every bloke and his dog were enjoying the rays. I did my usual sprint at the end, with music blasting in my ears, total nirvana...if your idea of heaven is pushing your body to the limit and gasping for breath...but the endorphins are pretty good too.

I spent most of the day at home cleaning and pottering. I hate cleaning so I tend to drag it out unless I am in a rush to go somewhere. It took me about 3 hours, having to stop and eat and watch sex and the city reruns of course.

Then it was over to my sister's for dinner. I had dreamt all week long of this pizza I was gonna have and I stuffed the whole mofo in even though I was full after 3/4 of it. Then I felt guilty and bloated. Damn you healthy body! I even tried to eat chocolate and I didn't want it. It sat in front of me while I drank a cuppa and when I finished my tea, I realised the chocolate was still there. I drank a pepsi max and it tasted soooo sweet! Too sweet. It was the first soft drink Ive had in weeks. I haven't even had juice, just water and coffee.

I stayed with my sis till about 2am and helped with the midnight feed. She is trying to get the girls to sleep from midnight till 6am by feeding them more during the day...so far not quite going to plan but they are getting more settled each day...I think! They are only 1 and a half weeks old...I think we keep forgetting that! They are such beautiful little darlings and they are getting stronger each day :)

Num nums

Meal 1 - glass of lemon water
muesli with milk

Meal 2 - glass of water
pear and nuts

Meal 3 - glass of water
multi grain sandwich with 1/4 avocado, ham, tomato and rocket

Meal 4 - glass of water
protein shake

Meal 5 - glass of water
a few handfuls of crisps
small salami pizza
2 coopers pale ale
1 pepsi max

Meal 6 - cup of earl grey with milk and one sugar
1 poco stick (those wafer things with chocolate inside)

After dinner, I felt like I needed to go for a run! Ive turned into a fitness freak! Help!!!

Day 19 - Come on weekend!

So you would think being unemployed and all, that I wouldn't look forward to the weekend but I do. For a few reasons:

My friends aren't at work and can hang with me
I don't feel guilty about not looking for a job
I get to eat a free meal on Sat night
I get to rest and do no exercise on Sunday

So I'm looking forward to tomorrow night. I will probably go to my sister's and get takeaway. Maybe even pizza! OMG, naughty, delicious, scrummy, cheese oozing, salami oil dripping pizza! Normally when I eat pizza, I wolf it down quickly and try to eat as many slices I can before my stomach explodes. Normally I can eat about 5 or 6. Yes I know, that's alot. How do you think I put on that extra weight in the first place? Haha. I wonder with my shrunken stomach how many I can fit in now...

Also, I will drink a beer! Or two! I have had no beer during this challenge! Mmmm beer!

Alright, I guess I should report on today's events. Again, zero motivation when I woke up but managed to drag my old bones to the gym. Did upper body weights and wanted to push myself more but it seemed I could lift less reps than usual of the same weight...not sure why! I'm a bit of a wuss with weights and cos I worry about my technique, I'm always a bit unsure of when to increase the weight...a personal trainer might be a good thing but don't really wanna fork out good money...maybe I should start dating someone at the gym! Haha.

Then did 10 mins on the cross-trainer. I was running late so couldn't do anymore and I really couldn't be stuffed. Tomorrow I'll go for another run around Princes Park so hopefully that will compensate for today's cardio laziness. I was considering doing Zumba at the gym tonight but didn't quite make it there in time...

After the gym I drove to the Reservoir Bowling Club of all places to get a whooping cough, diphtheria and tetanus vaccine as I'm one of the twins' main carers. Luckily google maps got me there without a hiccup and I didn't have to wait that long. The nurse offered me a wollipop but of course I couldn't partake in mindless sugary calories...then she told me to wait there for 15 mins before leaving. Um I don't think so lady! I'd rather pass out driving home. Bowling clubs aren't my scene...no offense Dad.

Then in the arvo, back to my sister's for baby time! My sis ordered a Double Cuddle online which will hopefully be a help. I saw it on the New Inventors show on TV. Its a foam type feeding pillow so she can feed both girls at once. Once my BIL goes back to work on Monday this will be invaluable.

Banquet

Meal 1 - glass of lemon water
muesli with milk

Meal 2 - glass of water
pear and almonds

Meal 3 - glass of water
yesterday's sandwich I made to take to the course and forgot, so I thought I'd toast it today but when it came time to eat it, I was so hungry I didn't toast it...oh you wanna know what was in it? If you must - multi-grain ham, low-fat cheese, rocket and tomato sandwich

Meal 4 - glass of water
protein shake

Meal 5 - glass of water
NANDO'S - don't freak, I chose wisely...four tenderloins (lemon and herb cos I'm a wuss...yeah I know I need to branch out and try the peri peri!) and garden salad with balsamic vinaigrette

Meal 6 - glass of water
yoghurt

Ok, I need to chill and watch Dexter now. Goodnight my lovelies.

Day 18 - Change of pace

Today I was meant to get up early, go to the gym, then jump on a train to be in the city for a 9am class on networking. I decided somewhere in the early hours of the morning that this was a shit idea and slept in till 8.15am instead. I justified this with the fact that a few weeks ago, the other sessions I attended covered off networking, just not in as much detail. Besides, I can always book into the class again in a couple of weeks.

Anyway, I went to the gym and chatted to Larry and lo and behold, the information I blogged about yesterday regarding the pantyhose, one size fits all workout was wrong! He meant that it was a bad thing! Lucky I double-checked with him and didnt continue down that path. He said if you can do 3 x 10 of any weight you are not pushing yourself hard enough. To win this comp you have to lift the intensity. Ok Larry, I'm gonna go for gold in my upper body workout tomorrow!

Today I just did cardio - 20 mins running on the tready and I got up to a speed of 15! Love it! Then I did 10 mins on the bike. I dont like the bikes at the gym cos they have no foot strap and I always feel paranoid my foot's about to slide off and then I think too hard and it does slide off. Geez, I sound like a 5 year old sometimes. (Speaking of 5 year-olds, I highly recommend a book I have just read called 'Room' by Emma Donoghue. Its about a mother and child who are kidnapped and forced to live in a shed but its told from the perspective of the child. Sounds depressing but its not. Its very clever and insightful. A must read!)

After the gym, pottered around at home for a bit then went into the city for an afternoon class on the corporate networking website, LinkedIn. I am gonna create a profile tomorrow. If you havent heard of it, its like facebook but for business networking. Alot of recruiters use it to headhunt prospective employees. So maybe I'll get a job without even trying! Haha.

Then I got my hair cut and coloured tonight which took four hours and I was starving! But beauty is pain so they say. Also my knees were aching sitting in the chair. My poor body is falling apart from all this training! But I'm feeling good. Thank god for caffeine to keep me perky!

Oh and I didnt get to see my angels today. Miss them heaps but going to my sister's tomorrow!

Munchies

Meal 1 - glass of lemon water
muesli with milk

Meal 2 - glass of water
pear and handful of dry roasted almonds

Meal 3 - glass of water
light rye sandwich with avocado, chicken, tomato, asparagus and lettuce

Meal 4 - glass of water
protein shake

Meal 5 - glass of water
2 scrambled eggs and a handful of dry roasted pistachios

Meal 6 - glass of water
yoghurt

I have been managing to write some of my novel each day this week apart from today. I'm not hitting my 1666 words per day target though...might have to catch up tomorrow!

Ciao bella!

Day 17 - Motivation please!

Thought it was about time for another belly shot. I have compared this one to the photo I took on Day 1 and I think there is a bit of a difference, although maybe not visible to the naked eye! Haha. (Excuse the bra in the photo...not meant to be porn...but if it did get anyone excited, including the lovely red marks on my belly, I'd be seriously questioning your mental health).

I woke up this morning with zero motivation to get up and exercise, so I tried to think of something that would lift my spirits. I decided to weigh myself. I knew this could prove deadly but I needed something drastic. I had only just weighed myself on Monday but I thought what the hell. And, drumroll... I lost a kilo! I'm now 68kgs!

I went to the gym with a spring in my step and did 15 mins on the cross-trainer, then worked out my lower body. I changed my weights to 3 sets of 10 reps instead of the normal two sets of 10-15. This was by Larry's recommendation. He said the 3 x 10 reps is the 'pantyhose workout'. It's a 'one-size fits all guaranteed way' to tone up and trim down. I put my weights up where I could bear it and enjoyed the new challenge of 3 sets.

At the gym, another instructor, lets call him Ian, asked if I'd lost any weight doing the challenge. I said a couple of kilos. He said you can really tell. I felt quite chuffed and trim, taut and terrific! I am very close to my goal weight of 65kg. I started the year at a whopping 80 kgs and now I am almost where I want to be. But this time it's bloody well staying off!!!

After the gym, I went over to my sisters for my usual afternoon baby time. Today I spent a bit more time with twin 2. Normally I spend more time with twin 1 as I hold her while my sister organises herself and twin 2. But today I did a bit of a switcheroo, so it was nice to bond with my other little darling. By the way, I don't actually call them twin 1 and 2 but I'm respecting their privacy of course. They can choose later in life whether they want to be famous by association ;)

Tomorrow is gonna be quite hectic. I am in a job hunting course from 9am to 4pm in the city, so I'll have to go to the gym at sparrow's fart. Then at 6pm I'm getting my hair cut and coloured. Can't wait! I go every 8 weeks but it always feels like too long between visits. My hair is getting so long now...I'm not sure whether to cut a bit more off. Sorry boring girl talk, I'll save it for my hairdresser!

Food:

Meal 1 - glass of lemon water
muesli with milk

Meal 2 - glass of water
apple and nuts

Meal 3 - glass of water
chicken salad with tiny bit of avocado, whole diced tomato, bit of cucumber and rocket

Meal 4 - glass of water
protein shake

Meal 5 - glass of water
small eye fillet with corn on the cob and celery with hummus

Meal 6 - glass of water
yoghurt

Catch yous all later!

Day 16 - Melbourne Cup Day

This the tamest Melbourne Cup Day I've ever had (no alcohol!) but an enjoyable one at that. Got up this morning and went for a run around Princes park. Did 2 laps which is about 6-7kms and managed to avoid the rain. Felt awesome after the run and it was nice to exercise outside of the gym for a change.

Then got ready and went over to my sister's for the arvo, stopping off at the TAB on the way of course. I bet $40 all up and I think I won back about $50, so at least I got my money back. I pretty much do the same thing each year, bet on every race but put hardly anything on each horse. It's more for the fun of watching the race and cheering my horse on. Or yelling at it for losing...

My sis had a sleep while my BIL went for a much craved bike ride. He is an avid cyclist and was feeling out of sorts as he hasn't been on the bike in over a week. Although, he has hardly slept in the last few days, he needed the bike ride to unwind and get out of the house.

I feel quite tired now...I'm craving a day at home with books and DVDs...but too much to do at the moment. I need to find a job soon and I am trying to finish the first draft of my novel by the start of December (are my priorities out of whack? haha).

I started a new challenge yesterday to write 50,000 words for the month of November. Yesterday I wrote 795 words which was 871 words short of my daily challenge (of 1666 words)! Check out my daily progress here: www.nanowrimo.org/eng/user/731661

Menu du jour:

Meal 1 - glass of lemon water
muesli with milk

Meal 2 - glass of water
apple and nuts

Meal 3 - glass of water
chicken salad with avocado, rocket, tomato and cucumber

Meal 4 - glass of water
protein shake

Meal 5 - glass of water
150g eye fillet steak with corn on the cob and celery with hummus

Meal 6 - glass of water
yoghurt

Nice talking to ya!

Day 15 - Start of Week 3!

Weight - still 69kg (hoping I've actually lost fat though and the non-weight loss this week is due to muscle gain)
BMI - 23.6
Abs - the same

Wow, in to Week 3 already. Yesterday I was really craving some naughty food, but I resisted and I feel better today. I think when you let your hair down for a little while like I did on Saturday night, it makes you want to revert back to your old ways. But I'm glad I stayed strong. I think eating dinner at my best mate's house last night put some awesome food in my system and kept me on the straight and narrow today.

I woke up and went to the gym around 8.30am this morning. Today I did upper body weights and cardio. I lost a bit of motivation with the cardio and only ran for 10 mins. (Truth be told, I needed to use the loo and wanted to go home!) However, I think that I need to mix up my cardio a bit. I'm getting bored of doing it in the gym. If the weather improves this week, I might go for a run around Princes Park.

I tried to go for a higher intensity with the weights today and put them up where I could. Already I'm starting to see more muscle definition in my arms and legs which is nice, and I feel like I've lost a bit off my waist and hips...hope so anyway! Only 1o days till the next measure-up!

After the gym, went food shopping and then cooked my sis a vegetarian shepherd's pie for dinner and dropped it round in the arvo. Lo and behold, the new parents still hadn't slept for more than 30 mins in total since Friday night! So my best mate and I took over the reigns for a few hours while they got some shuteye. I got to hold one of my nieces for a couple of hours which was nice!

Nourishment:

Meal 1 - glass of lemon water
muesli with 3 strawberries and milk

Meal 2 - glass of water
apple and nuts

Meal 3 - glass of water
mixed grain sandwich with ham, low-fat cheese, tomato and rocket

Meal 4 - glass of water
protein shake

Meal 5 - glass of water
grilled chicken, mixed bean salad and celery with hummus

Meal 6 - glass of water
yoghurt

Cup Day tomorrow. So weird, I feel like the Spring Racing Carnival hasn't even happened this year. All the rain has really made it a non-event this year. Spose I'll have a bet tomorrow though...gotta be in it to win it!!!

Day 14 - Chill out?

Ok yesterday...what did I do yesterday? This should be easier to remember than Saturday...damn you short term memory!!!

Now I remember. I didn't set my alarm and woke up at 10.15am! So awesome. Was nice to have an exercise-free day (although i missed my happy endorphins and felt minusculy seedy from the wine the night before...not much though, I really did drink a bucket of water at the wedding).

Got ready for the day and went to Shoppingtown with my best friend to buy the twins a 'welcome to the world' present. We went to Cotton On Kids and got a couple of really cute, affordable outfits. Can't wait till they fit into them! They are 5 zeros at the moment and we bought them some 3 zero clothes, hoping that they will fit into them by Summer...

We got the present wrapped at Cardiology, then hotfooted it over to my sister's place. My poor sis and BIL had not slept a wink all Saturday night! They were totally exhausted. My best mate and I helped out a bit by feeding the girls and generally loving them to pieces! We promised to return the next day, bearing food and further assistance.

Then my mate and I went back to her place for dinner. Her fabulous husband had cooked up a storm for us on the BBQ...undercover in the garage because it was raining. It was delicious as usual. I am very spoilt cos I ate at their place last Sunday as well!

Energy in:

Meal 1 - glass of lemon water
muesli with milk and blueberries

Meal 2 - glass of water
pear and nuts

Meal 3 - glass of water
tabouli salad and mixed bean salad

Meal 4 - glass of water
BBQ lamb with grilled asparagus, quinoa, pumpkin and mushroom

Meal 5 - glass of water
fruit salad with fresh mint

I'm trying to rack my brains about whether I had six meals yesterday...I feel sure I did cos I think I would remember if I was one short...but I cannot for the life of me remember what it was...I definitely have caught baby brain...

Day 13 - Party time

Haven't blogged in days! Such a hectic weekend. Hopefully I can remember back to Saturday...here it goes.

Went to the gym and did some cardio. From memory I did 30 minutes walking on the treadmill on the hill setting with steep inclines going up to level 9. That really gives your butt a workout! The last 5 minutes I ran cos I started to get bored and the incline wasn't as steep...

Then I went home and cleaned my flat and got ready for a wedding in the Yarra Valley at Immerse Winery. (Didn't see my sister and the twins at all which was weird.) It was absolutely pissing down driving to the wedding mid afternoon, but they say rain is good luck.

The wedding was really fun and the food was delicious! It was my free meal of the week again, so I really enjoyed drinking a few glasses of wine and eating whatever I wanted. It was pretty healthy on the whole anyway which was good.

Menu:

Meal 1 - glass of lemon water
muesli with milk

Meal 2 - glass of water
protein shake

Meal 3 - glass of water
dark rye sandwich with low-fat cream cheese, smoked salmon, tomato and rocket

Meal 4 - glass of water
pear

Meal 5 - copious amounts of water
3-4 glasses of white wine
1 large pumpkin agnolotti with 3 prawns cooked in butter
small eye fillet with grilled asparagus, sauteed spinach and potato gratin

Meal 6 - more water
small piece of chocolate cake with icecream and salted caramel sauce

Like most wedding receptions, there was a choice of two dishes for each course but my lovely friend let me swap with him...otherwise I would have had to eat pork belly for main! Not that I don't like pork belly, but being on this diet, I may as well slice off my own belly, roast it and eat it before consuming a pig's belly!

I went to bed content, looking forward to Sunday's rest day...