Goals

So normally my goal is to lose weight - but that's not happening so I have a new goal. My goal is to compete in a marathon (or perhaps half marathon) next year!
I don't run. So I have to learn to do it!
(cue Eye of the Tiger for my training montage)

First goal is to be at the gym at least 3 times a week - and on the days that I don't I will go for a big walk - then at the start of the new year I will begin to learn to run.

So tomorrow, after Dylan gets home, I am off to the gym. No matter how tired I think I am I will do it - also walk Harrison to and from kindy as long as it isn't persisting down!

10kg by Christmas

My goal is to weigh 10kg less by Christmas.
I will start by weighing myself tomorrow morning - then tracking points and going to the gym.

So back tomorrow to fill in the gaps!

10 sleeps to go

Right well - off to Melbourne next week! Last time we went was for our honeymoon so I am quite excited as we loved it then (2 1/2 years ago).
I went and bought some summery type tops today and a skirt - 4 tops, 1 cardigan and a skirt - $44. Pretty pleased with that - although I am planning a wee tiny bit more shopping while we are in Melbourne - lalala.
Also looking for a good steak house for a nice dinner out - Dylan is a big fan of steak - and I am even a little partial to a nice steak every now and again.
Of course the only other thing we have planned is the Dali exhibition - soooooooo excited! I can't wait.

10 sleeps ................... 10 sleeps .....................

Life

We are now living 5 minutes walk from the beach, in a massive house, sharing with my parents.
So far, so good!

Harrison loves it here - the only problem is that until a space opens (someone turns 5!) at Takapuna Kindy he still has to go to Birkdale - which is a 10km drive away ...... in the morning ..... every day ....... in rush hour traffic!!!!

Dylan has just taken the boys for a walk - Mr J is trying his backpack out for the first time and was looking pretty pleased about it all when they left - we'll see how he feels when they get back as there was a sudden downpour about 5 minutes after they walked out the door!

I am back on the weightloss wagon. Again.
I am trying to be very aware of what I am eating and not snacking between/after meals.
Working on it!!!

And they're back!

You know what sucks

being sick.

The worst thing is that I know that if I had a day of rest I wouldn't get this bad but because I spend the time looking after other people my cold gets worse. I am now at the tired, sick, sore stage. My legs hurt, my glands hurt, my eyes are tired and itchy .................... I'm exhausted.

Sooooooooooo

there is no way I will be goal weight by June 11!

But I have kept the weight off - just not losing anymore - so trying some new tactics.
Tomorrow is a Monday so I am
* counting points again
* drinking more water (rather than coke!)
* no eating after 7pm!!!
* and back to the gym

I have a bad habit of snacking after dinner an I eat way too much and it's always crap.

But anyway - I just want to make sure I am not going to start getting all the weight back - that is something I really do not want to happen.

We have been having smoothies for breakfast so at least I am having one every morning now rather than no breakfast at all. Now I just have to take note of all the other things I am eating.

I heart Savemart!

For me: Jeanswest jeans $20, Glassons top $7, Active Intent gym top $5
For Joshua: Pumpkin Patch overalls $5, PP pants $5, PP l/slv tee $4, Cotton On l/slv tee $3
For Harrison: T&T winter vest $5
Kid's Books: Charlie Brown's "My Body" 'Cyclopedia $1, My First Atlas $5, Peter Pan $3
Cook Books: Taste of Life for Children (signed!) $3, Digby Law's Vegetable Book $3

So many bargains!
I want to go back again and have another look through as I'm sure I missed so much.

Tired!

Dylan is working mornings so I am tired! He leaves for work at 6:30 - and of course me and the boys get up then too! Then I go to bed late because I stay up watching Grey's Anatomy (in an attempt to get up to date I started from the beginning again).

But in good news Harrison and Joshua seem to both be a lot better. Harrison had some sort of asthma type thing which has now gone away and Joshua had a UTI which is also better. But he still needs to have an ultrasound so they can check to make sure everything is ok on the inside.

At the moment Joshua is jolly jumping and laughing and squealing and Harrison has gone over to "play his new Stanley game" on the computer.

I now weigh 75.3kg. And I need a new dress - none of my pretty dresses fit anymore - they are all too big and we are going to The Observatory for our anniversary so I want to look purty.

Oh yeah and I am doing the $30 (formally $21) challenge this week. Which means I only have $30 to spend on food for the week ............ we'll see how I go! (Bearing in mind that I always buy too much stuff so I already have a pantry and freezer full of stuff!)

Yay for me!

I have lost 10kg (fairly sure if I looked hard enough I could find it at the supermarket) in 11 weeks. I now have another 11 weeks to lose the remaining 8kg to get to goal weight before our holiday.

Also (sarcastic yay) I get to go to the Wiggles this weekend. I won that because I am the parent who knows the most songs.

A lost art?

So I sometimes wonder if cooking and baking are becoming a bit of a lost art. People are taking up crafts such as scrapbooking, quilting, knitting, etc but do many people start baking?
I think it is a little lost for people my age. Like we didn't really learn as children. There were too many other things to learn and maybe it was thought that cooking/baking just wasn't that important.
I love to cook and bake - it relaxes me and I like to give people food that I have made. It is very satisfying to know you have made something so lovely with your own hands.
Anyway I am not sure where I am going with this except please teach your children to love the kitchen!

100 things!

1) Are you in a complicated relationship? Nope!

2) Do you hate more than 3 people? No - I try not to hate anyone

4) How many houses have you lived in? ummmmmm think it's 26? May be more than that

5) Favourite candy? Time out bars

6) Have you ever tripped someone? lol totally!

7) Least favourite school subject? (I'm with Becky) Maths and PE

8) How many pairs of shoes do you own? oh ummmmmmm at least 40

9) Do you own a Britney Spears CD? No!!!!

10) Have you ever thrown up in public? Yup - pregnancy does that

11) Name one thing that is always on your mind: My boys

12) Favorite genre of music? Rock

13) What’s your zodiac sign? Capricorn

14) What time were you born? 9:06pm

15) Do you like beer? Yup!

16) Have you made a prank phone call? Yeah when I was much younger

17) What is the most embarrassing CD you own? lol maybe TLC

18) Are you sarcastic? Always

19) What are your favorite color(s)? Pink!!!!

20) How many watches do you own? 2 but I don't wear them

21) Summer or winter? Winter.

22) Is anyone in love with you? Yes :)

23) Favorite color to wear? Black or brown

24) Pepsi or Sprite? Sprite

26) Where is your second home? My parents house

27) Have you ever slapped someone? Yup!

29) How many lamps are in your bedroom? 2

30) How many video games do you own? Dunno - a few

31.) First pet you owned? Goldfish called Goldy and Orange

32) Ever had braces? Yes and now my teeth are perfect!

33) Do looks matter? I think for first impressions they do

34) Do you use chapstick? sometimes

35) Name 3 teachers from high school: oh um oh dear! I can't remember any names.

36) What’s the first thing you notice about people? Shoes and probably teeth

37) Are you too forgiving? Yeah

38) How many children do you want? I will know when I have them all!

39) What’s your job title?Mum!

40) Favorite breakfast meal? Salmon and spinach eggs benedict

41) Do you own a gun? No!!!!!!

42) Ever thought you were in love? Yes.

43) When was the last time you cried? A few days ago

44) What did you do last night? Watched Grey's Anatomy until very late

45) Do you have any tattoos? I have 3 and am planning more

46) Have you ever called your teacher mummy? No

47) Have you ever been in a castle? No but that would be cool

48) Nicknames? Mel, Melsy, Melsy Welsy, Smelanie

50) Ever been to Kentucky? No

51) Are you thinking about somebody right now? Yes

53) Ever called somebody Boo? I call Joshua Booboo

54) Do you smoke? Ewwwww no

55) Do you own a diamond ring? Yup

56) Are you happy with your life right now? Happy with most things

57) Do you like your hair? Hmmmmm kinda but I need a new style

58) Does anyone have a crush on you? Dunno - knew someone did a few years ago

60) What were you doing in May of 1994? Hanging out with boys and getting in trouble ;)

61) Do you own a Backstreet Boys CD? hahaha no

62) McDonald's or Wendy's? Wendy's (chilli!)

63) What foreign countries have you been to? Aussie

64) Are you closer to your mother or father? Close to both in different ways

65) Favourite physical feature of the preferred sex? hands mmmmmmmmm

66) Are you afraid of the dark? Sometimes.

67) Have you ever eaten paste? No.

68) Do you own a webcam? Dont think so

69) Have you ever stripped? hehehe yes but privately ;)

70) Ever broke a bone? No

71) Are you religious? In my own way

72) Do you chat on AIM often? No

73) Pringles or Lays? Pringles

74) Have you ever broken someone’s heart? Yes more than one (and I am sorry about that)

75) Full House or Brady Bunch? Brady Bunch

77) Did you like your high school guidance counselor? Didn't see much of them

78) Has anyone ever called you a tease? Yup

79) Do you have any pets? No

80) Do you own a car? I have 2!

81) Can you cook? I am an awesome cook! Lol - it's one of my hobbies

82) 3 things that annoy you? Bad drivers, poor customer service, static

83) Do you text message often? Yup!

84) Money or love? Love

85) Do you have any scars? A few but nothing major

86) What do you want more than anything right now? No redundancy for hubby!

87) Do you enjoy scary movies? I used to but not anymore

88) Relationships or one night stands? Hmmmmmmmm well one night stands are fun ............ lol ..........relationships!!!!

89) Big Red or Juicy Fruit? Juicy fruit

90) Do you enjoy greasy food? Yes!!!!!! And thats why I am trying to lose weight

91) Have you seen all the Rocky movies? I have seen 1 an that was enough

92) Do you own a box of crayons? No

93) Ever done PDA's? Yup

94) Who was the last person you said I love you to? Harrison when he went to bed

95) Who was the last person that made you mad? I'll guess it was Dylan!

96) Who was the last person that made you cry? See above!

97) Who was the last person that made you laugh? and again - Dylan

98) Who was the last person that texted you? Mum

99) Who was the last person that called you? Jessamine

100) Were you named after anyone? a 60's singer

I like stuff!

Beautiful things make me happy - well, no - owning beautiful things makes me happy!
I bought the most beautiful jacket today. It makes me feel good to just put it on. It's perfect.
It was expensive (well for me it was expensive) but I realised 3 things while out shopping with my mum today. And I think a lot of women (particularly mums) are guilty of 2 of these!

1: I very rarely buy anything for myself. Most of the time I buy things for my boys! For some reason I feel like I have to justify buying things for myself. I used to buy myself things all the time and I want to do that again!

2: I always buy cheaper clothing. Again I feel like I can't justify spending more than say $30 on any one item of clothing. But why can't I? Isn't it better to buy a few nice, long lasting items than a whole lot of crappy cheap stuff?

3: I am always drawn to the same types of clothes. A-line skirts, plain tops and cardigans. Today I refused to buy any a-line skirts (and there were some nice ones!) as that is "fat Melanie's" uniform. I want to be "thin Melanie".

So ............ I need to buy more things for myself, not just clothes but other things too. I need to spend more on nicer items and not instantly put it down when I see the price. And I need to work out how I want to look, what suits me and how does it make me feel.

Some food for thought there.

Also I desperately need a cut and colour!!!!!

Monday Weigh In

So this past week I lost 1.3kg and am now weighing 77.2kg.
I have lost 8.8kg and only have 9.2 to go.

Getting there - come on size 12!!!

(Gym this morning)

Oh yeah and

my goal is about 68kg so only 10.8 to go.
And
I have lost 7.2kg so far.

Update time

So weighed in on Monday - 78.8kg - so only 400g lost but still a loss so it's all good!

We have weaned Joshua off his swaddling successfully. He now has a grobag to keep him warm and he has a muslin cloth that he holds onto as he goes to sleep - sooooooooooooo cute! Basically we introduced that as something for his hands to do when they weren't swaddled up!

Gym is going well. Have to push myself to get up in the morning to go but once I'm there it's fine. Lol - I just want to stay in bed!

All is quiet ...... that's all.

Well I was about to go to bed when .....

a certain someone decided it was time to wake up!
Joshua is now 3 months old. His favourite song is Bohemian Rhapsody, his favourite possession is his dummy, his favourite toys are his Lamaze lion and a soft elephant with crinkly ears.
He likes to hold things - he always gets a massive grin when he manages to grab something! He also like to be lifted up into the air and back down again for a kiss.
Joshua enjoys rolling over onto his side but can't get his elbow out of the way to get onto his tummy! He also likes to call out for people and attention. And, of course, it works!

I had my weigh in on Monday - I am now 79.2 kg - so have lost 6.8kg in 5 weeks! YAY!!!!

!

45 I think.
It's quite hard to count them.

I am reminded of "Interesting Times" urinating dog, urinating dog.

If you don't understand, too bad, I am not going to explain.

Before the kraken wakes

OK so he's not really a kraken but I'm sure if you had a teething kraken sleeping in a basket you too would tiptoe around trying not to wake it up!

Last night Joshua slept from 10 - 5:30 so that was pretty damn fantastic. Of course that was after the long hours of not sleeping.

Eeeeeekkkkkkkk ......... it's shuffling around ............

Weigh in day today but I only lost 300g this week - this is completely my own fault as I wasn't eating breakfast every day and also not drinking enough water. So goals for this week are breakfast every day at at least 1.5L water per day!

Tomorrow I am taking Harrislaw to his first movie - exciting!

I think I use too many exclamation marks!!!!!

Actual Exercise!

Today was my first gym workout and I worked out! My plan is 10 mins warm up (on the treadmill) then 2 -3 circuits of 6 resistance exercises then 20 - 30 mins of cardio, followed by some stretches.
Today I only did 2 circuits but it still took me 40 minutes! And I did 20 mins of treadmill for my cardio. And I cranked it up to 7kph. Which, by the way, is quite fast for me!!!
So I actually sweated and pushed myself to work harder than I usually would. So well done me!

And we had a plunket visit yesterday - Joshua is now 6.42kg an 60.5cm long/tall. Harrison is 17.8kg and 104cm tall.
Also it appears I have finally got a decent sleep from Joshua! 2 1/2 hours and counting ..........

And in this corner ........

weighing in at 80.8kg - down from her previous week's weight of 81.9kg - is Melanie.

Yaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyyyyy!

In other news Joshua is growing too much, too fast and will soon be moving into his cot. So tomorrow we are off to look at cot sheets and also baby sleeping bags as he likes to kick his blankets off.
Might also look for cute baby boy stuff for Becky's sister!
Hmmmmm and while I'm there both my boys could do with some new clothes and I'd love a new pair of jeans!

Oh and I start at the gym tomorrow too.

So turns out .........

a quarter pounder combo and a big bikkie would have been 27 1/2 pts - so I saved myself from eating an extra 20 pts worth of food!!!

Stress, stress, stress

I had a very stressful day today. I'm feeling like crap (thanks to the return of a/f after a very long break!) and Joshua has really decided that sleep is something that only happens to other people. And then there was a bee in the lounge and I couldn't get over to open the window so we ended up hiding downstairs until Dylan got home.
So then I desperately wanted something fatty and salty followed by something creamy and chocolate.
Instead I went to the supermarket and bought myself a WW lasagne (5 1/2 pts) and a WW berry mudslide icecream (2 pts). I am very proud as there was a part of my brain screaming out for a Quarter Pounder, fries and a Big Bikkie icecream bar.
But I am still well within my points for the day so I can also have a cup of tea and some WW triple chocolate cookies!!!!

Yay me!!!

Insert happy dance here

Weighed myself this morning an I have lost 1.4kg this week. So that's a total of 4.1kg in 2 weeks!
Only 12 to go. I am looking at joining a gym - we can afford it and I think that would encourage me to exercise if I knew we were paying for it anyway! I am looking at Contours as it is a woman's only gym - even all the staff are female - and has childcare facilities. I would try and fit going in around when Dylan is at home as he can watch the boys, but also thinking I could go when Harrison is at kindy and make use of the facilities.
I have made a meal plan for the next few weeks so I can do a big shop for all the tins, frozens, etc and just do weekly shops for fruit, vegies and meat. I have even allowed for sushi once a week and takeaways once in the 3 weeks!
Dylan hs strange hours for the next few weeks as he is covering the Louis Vuitton Cup. This week is 11 - 7, then he has Sat, Sun, Mon, Tues off then 9 -5 for 2 days and 1 - 11 for 5 days, then a day off, then 1 - 11 for 4 days, then a day off then 1 - 11 for 2 ays, then a day off, then 1 -11 2 more days and then e doesn't know his schedule after that!
So this means some extra monies for us but also extra stress for me dealing with the dinner time hassle (trying to get us fed and Harrison to sleep whilst juggling Joshua's feeding/sleeping!).
But of course Dylan (being a man) doesn't get that at all!!!!

Very tired!

Dylan, Joshua and I are all very tired! I think the only one who had a decent night's sleep was Harrison! Joshua has been very unsettled and we don't know if he's teething, if it's the heat or if it is something else entirely. He seems to be ok except he just does not want to sleep. He takes hours to get to sleep and by then he is overtired and grumpy.
So now we are tired and grumpy too.

At the moment Dylan is asleep in our bed with Joshua's basket next to him.
I have managed to have about 1/4 of a cup of tea for breakfast in between dealing with Joshua and Harrison! ARRGGGHHHHHH!!!!!!

How about this heat???

Hot enough for ya'?

I think I'm melting. Or, as the wicked witch of the west would say, I'm meeeeelllllllltttttttttttiiiiiiiiiiiiinnnnnnnnnnnnnggggggggggggggggggg.

And the flies are driving me mad.

Summer bites the big one.

And the boys don't seem to like it much either! It's too hot to do anything and we can't wrap Joshua to help him sleep. Harrison gets all sweaty when he's in bed.

Ugh.

Bring on Winter!!!!!

So about that woohoo!

I lost 2.7kg in the first week of doing weight watchers!
So that was my day starting off well then it went a bit downhill from there!

Was doing the laundry and was retrieving the stuff from the hamper in the bathroom when I saw something out of the corner of my eye.
And it turned out to be a big black hairy spider, roughly the size of Harrison's fist.

Yuck!

So I, being terrified of spiders, screamed for Dylan.
He turned up at the top of the stairs with a roll of paper towels - he has had to deal with spiders many times - but this time the paper towel squash just wasn't going to cut it. He trapped the hideous beast under a plastic cup and then managed to slide some paper underneath and chuck the spider out the window.

So I have spent much of the day shuddering at the thought of it and also jumping a little every time I see something move!

Then for the rest of the day Joshua has been really unsettled - not sure if he's not feeling well or if it's the intense heat we are experiencing today. And after Dylan went to work a bumblebee came inside so Harrison and I freaked out a bit whilst trying to shoo it out a window (it went!)
And then Grandma had to come and fetch Harrison and bring me some dinner because Johua decided the only place he would be happy was lying on his mummy!

BUT he is now (hopefully) asleep, and I managed to be stressed and NOT eat anything too crappy, or even touch the chocolate! And my dinner was a BK Tendergrill - so a healthier choice in takeaways.

Fingers crossed for a better day tomorrow!!!!

Woohoo!!!!!

Never mind - will update later!

The usual Sunday

You know, when you can't really be bothered doing anything.
So this morning we went to the Takapuna Markets - there is a dressing there that we love and had nearly run out of so we had to get some more. We also got some breadsticks, a bagel and a ham and cheese bun from "the bread guy", some "Christmas Pasta" and some sundried tomatoes.
Christmas pasta is (surprisingly) tri-coloured pasta in the shape of Santas, stars and Chistmas trees - and at only $2 a bag it's worth it. Especially since we saw some at New World on special for $9.50!!!
Then I got a Starbucks (trim milk) tall chai latte - only 2 points there! Dylan got an iced chocolate and Harrison had a juice and a little pie from Jesters. Their pies are good as they have no egg - lol - obviously except for the bacon and egg pies!
Then it was off to mum and dad's for a brief visit as Em has a cricket game today. Then to the Fox Outlet Centre where I saw heaps of cute baby things!!! But managed to not buy any, although Harrison needs some more jeans, jumpers and shoes, and Joshua is gonna need some 3 - 6 months clothes pretty soon!!! Darn giant baby keeps growing!
Our next stop was Briscoes as we need a couple of things (sheets for Harrison's bed, a new non-stick frypan and a new grater). We managed to get the grater (down from $15 to $9) but couldn't find the right size pan - they only had a few left, too big, to small, and woks! And sheets were still too expensive - I refuse to pay $50 for a sheet set for a 3 year old!
Then we went to Harvey Norman, where we drooled over furniture that we can't afford - but we do need a new mattress. The problem is I like firm beds and Dylan likes soft - so we have to compromise. Also looked at microwaves and laptops.
After that we had a look at Noel Leeming - I want a popcorn maker but it is $60 so I may try and find one on TradeMe! Also found the microwave that we like is $40 cheaper there than at Harvey Norman.

Then, finally, home for lunch and blobbing.

And housework.

Sigh.

I suppose I should .........

make a post!
So here it is.
Look at it looking all post like.

Post-rific. Post-tastic. Post-licious.

Yeah I'm done with that now.

So I started doing Weight Watchers on Monday. So far I haven't gorged myself completely on chocolate. In fact I could eat some, I have HEAPS of extra points, but I don't even want to. I may have overdone the chocolate over the Christmas/Birthday season.
I don't get to weigh myself until Monday - I did do a sneaky little weigh (how you have a little weigh, I do not know) on Wednesday and I had already lost about 1 1/2 kg. So that's good.

I'd like to lose 15 - 20 kg. Not entirely sure as it depends how I feel when I get there.
I'd also like to lose it by the end of April.
I am working hard at it - being extra careful what I'm eating, snacking healthily and drinking lots and lots of water.

So there, that's it.
Post over.