Winter Garden

Miss 3 and I spent yesterday afternoon gardening, getting our winter veggie patch ready.  Now, I have to admit, there aren't many veggies that I eat whichwill grow during winter, so our garden will be relatively small.

Yesterday in Canberra was a very cold day... and made me a little more than grateful that this seasons gardening will hopefully be very low maintenance as I really don't want to be out there in the cold with wet hands from tolling through the soil.

Miss 3 holding the worms in our garden

About a week ago, Miss 3 and I ripped out the old (and original!) raised garden bed to get it ready for planting.  After ripping out the veggies, we mixed the remaining mulch through the soil (it's sugar cane mulch and I have since learned that it doesn't decompose that quickly - which is what I was told at the garden shop lol).  Then we placed a layer of worm castings from our worm farm over the top - worms included!!  Hopefully these helpful buggers will help our vege garden and reproduce to make more. Finally we placed another layer of soil over the top. We left this for a few days to let it all sit and settle.

The freshly planted winter veggie garden

Then, yesterday we went to the local Bunnings and bought a few different veggies that we will hopefully use in our winter cooking.  We have just planted:

• snow peas
• lettuce
• leeks
• onion
• shallots
• garlic

Miss 3 feeling proud of our efforts

In the other garden bed we still have lettuce, carrots and a couple of broccoli plants (which haven't done much).  I am leaving this garden in place for a few more weeks, and then I will replant it to look like the one above.  This way we will have a bit of a rotation system going, and onions and garlic will last for quite a while and we use a lot of them, so that will be great.

In my garden, in total I have the following planted:

• thyme, basil and organo
• capsicum (which won't last much longer in the frosts, so I will probably replant the lavendar in this pot)
• snow peas
lettuce
leeks
onion
shallots
garlic
carrots
broccoli
strawberries
potatoes
chives and parsely

I think the next step will be mulching the top of the freshly planted garden bed.  I am still learning about this, but I believe it helps the plants in the frosts.

And for a bit of variety - some flowers!

 

I made it!

I made it through yesterday without a single bit of chocolate... even though there is still plenty of chocolate in our house, and Miss 3's chocolate stash sitting on the counter.

Quite sad that I need to celebrate this achievement, but it's all about the small wins!

Also, last night Miss 3 and I had strawberries for dessert!  Although I had mine with Balsamic Vinegar... yum yum!

Snacks

As promised, here is my list of snacks... please feel free to add more by commenting below! I have been trying to think of what I used to snack on.

• Piece of fruit (eg mandarin, peach, orange, nectarine, kiwi fruit, etc)
• Fruit smoothie (tub of yoghurt, frozen berries, skim milk - blended)
• Cruskits with honey, vegemite or cheese
• Tub of yoghurt
• A box of sultanas
• 2 slices of cheese
• A cup of Jarrah Hot Chocolate
• A packet of popcorn

I think that's all I got so far...

I Forgot How Hard It Is...

Since my last post, I thought I had done ok eating wise... and then I remembered all of those little things that I thought would be 'ok'....

I have failed at not eating the easter eggs... it was as if I justified eating them... I couldn't say no... but then, I know that I struggle to 'detox' from chocolate after I have had a massive binge, because really, all I have been doing lately is binging.

So, this morning, I have been thinking about chocolate, and instead I am currently eating a yoghurt.  I have also as yet not put together a list of snacks, so will be doing so straight after this post so that it will be in it's own thread.

Each day I look at my body and can't help but be a little disgusted with what I have done to it again... I thought I was still chubby when I was at my lowest weight, but looking back I was doing so well. (isn't hindsight awesome?!)

So, it's totally up to me to step up to this.  It is all on my shoulders and only I can make the best decisions for me... I need to stop with the excuses and just get going with it.  First step is to get my eating habits sorted.  Over the last week I have realised that it's not going to be simply "getting back on the wagon", it is going to take a lot more effort to do so... and quite honestly, that scares me!!

I have forgotten a lot of my recipes and snacks and such, so I think it is time to trawl back through Calorie King and see what I used to do... And I have to admit, that the thought of going back to Lite and Easy has crossed my mind as we are really struggling with our time management lately (and I know there were a few foods that LnE did that I really enjoyed.)

I am nervous about how I am going to go with my uni exams coming up in 3 weeks.  I already know that I get hungry when I am studying and I crave sugary foods. I was actually talking to other students about this, and I found it interesting to know I wasn't the only one!!  Any tips??

Anyway, this is my little update for now, trying to put more of my thoughts out there!!

Blogger Challenge Week 10: Benefits

Now that we are nearing the end of Round 1 of the 12WBT, you will have noticed a few changes in yourself, in how you look, how you act and your fitness levels.  By now you will have seen many benefits from doing the program.  Some of you will have reached a lot of your goals, others may have felt as though they haven’t done as well as they had hoped.  Either way, you will have noticed many benefits and had a few breakthroughs along the way.  The important thing to remember, is that you are still here, and you are still trying.

What are the benefits you have noticed in the way you look?

What are the benefits you have noticed in your mindset? What breakthroughs have you had along the way?

What are the benefits you have noticed in your fitness levels?

And finally, what benefits have you noticed in your health? (You may want to look back at Week 5’s post on Health)

If you are a little confused about what to do, please read through the blogger challenge instructions (opens in a new window).

To link your answer to this blog post, just click the add your blog button below. From here you paste the link for your actual post (not your blog). This weeks Blogger Challenge will close at 11:59pm on Wednesday 25th April 2012.

Cracked it... and now it's really time to take action...

By cracked it, I don't mean that I have gone bonkers... I am actually refering to the fact that I now weigh over 100kg... yup... I weighed in yesterday at 100.5kg...

I have come to the realisation that Easter and I do not mix well together... especially in a (now) 3 person household where one is a chocoholic (that would be ME!), one non-chocoholic (B) and one who would be a chocoholic if we let her (Miss 3).  Basically, we got 3 peoples worth of chocolate and pretty much only me eating it... which is really not a good option...

So, last night I had a really good talk to myself (hmmm.... am I bonkers?!) and I have come to realise that I am honestly feeling more at peace with getting back onto the wagon and getting it going again.  I have also decided to come up with a list of healthy snacks (my downfall) and I will be continuing to use the Menu Planner app on my iPad as it has honestly made life easier for us.

This morning I measured myself for the first time in months, and I have to admit, I was more than a little astounded by the numbers that came up!

Week 1
Wednesday 18 April 2012

		Change	Total Loss
Weight:	100.5kg	n/a	n/a
Arm:	30.5cm	n/a	n/a
Bust:	116cm	n/a	n/a
Waist:	125cm	n/a	n/a
Hips:	126cm	n/a	n/a
Thigh:	73cm	n/a	n/a

I have come to the decision that it is time that I start putting myself out there 100%. Owning up to my stuff ups and celebrating the wins.  I am only human afterall!

So, I am very much a goal oriented person, and as B and I have been thinking about taking a holiday (like a cruise) for a while now (I mentioned it a few posts ago that it may be a bit of a reward) I have decided to aim towards that.  I have also come up with a few other goals/rewards to help me along.  Now, I have put away all of the remaining easter eggs, although I do know where they are, I am hoping to use them as more of a reward.  Now, I know that you shouldn't reward yourself with food, but I am hoping that having them there will help to teach me a bit of self control.

I have put together the following list of goals.  I have pinched this idea and format from Mandy over at Fearless, Fabulous, Female... and Forty!! (hope that's ok Mandy!) I may add to this list, as I go along, but at this stage, this is it:

	Heaviest Ever	100.5kg
	Goal Weight	74kg
WEIGHT	MINI GOAL DETAILS	STATUS
99.9	Back to the 90's
95.5	5kg and 5% lost
	Fit into my 'fat' pants comfortably
90.5	10kg and 10% lost
89.9	in the 80's
	Complete the C25K
89.6	Get to Overweight BMI of 29.9
	Size 14 clothes
85.5	15kg lost
	Run a 5km Fun Run
80.5	20 kg lost
79.9	Livin' in the 70's
	Size 12 clothes
75.5	25kg lost
74.6	Get to Healthy BMI of 24.9
** 74 **	GOAL
70.5	30kg lost
69.9	in the 60's

 

 

See - gym bag is packed and is in the car!

I am really missing exercising too... and I am so afraid of injuring my knee further, I have been avoiding it.  My physio has given me a few exercises to do (which I really should do! lol) and overally is really happy with my progress.  I think I find it a bit hard to go to the gym and sit on the bike or the cross trainer for only about 10 mins (as much as I can take at the moment.) - mostly I think it's frustrating, but I need to start somewhere I know. In fact, today I felt so motivated that I actually packed my gym bag and put it in the car!!  Now I just need to get my sorry arse to the gym! I have been meaning to pack it and have it ready in the car... have to admit I am a little proud I did it... baby steps!

You might remember a while ago I set myself the goal of running in 3 fun runs.  Well, 2 of them have gone, but the Mother's Day Classic is coming up and I have recieved my tag and number, and I really think that it will be a good thing to do.  Now, with my knee and my fitness levels at the moment, I won't be running, but I do want to do it - even though it will be the weekend before my exams start.

I am also wanting to get the winter veggie garden up and running, so over the next week I am planning on getting the patch ready and planted. Speaking of the garden, I cooked up some of the most delicious tomato relish the other day using this recipe and tomatoes from our garden.  We have started using a lot more of the veggies we have grown and it's so wonderful to know that we are eating fresh and that we have grown it ourselves!

Blogger Challenge Week 9: Support

Support is a fundamental part of any life changing event – including weight loss.  As you know by now, weight loss is a mind, body and soul journey, there are so many ways that you need support.

Unfortunately, some people can struggle as their partners/work colleagues/friends may not be supportive, or may sabotage your efforts – you have probably seen quite a few of these kinds of posts on the forums.

In saying this, having that support doesn’t make or break your weight loss success.  It’s true, it can be harder with saboteurs around.  What I really want to get out of this week’s question is acknowledging those that have supported you and most of all how have you supported yourself?

1. What would you tell yourself at the start of the program in support of yourself?

2. What would you tell those around you that may not have been that supportive?

3. Who would you like to thank for being there for you and helping you on your 12WBT journey so far?

I would like to take this opportunity to say a thank you to you all for doing this Blogger Challenge, by having people complete this challenge, I have received support from you all by knowing that you all are visiting and reading my blog – it keeps me accountable.  I would also like to think that you have all been supporting each other when you read the other bloggers posts and commenting on them.  We really are one big family. 

If you are a little confused about what to do, please read through the blogger challenge instructions (opens in a new window).

To link your answer to this blog post, just click the add your blog button below. From here you paste the link for your actual post (not your blog). This weeks Blogger Challenge will close at 11:59pm on Wednesday 18th April 2012.

What a Relief!!

Just a little uni update!

After my freak out a couple of weeks ago in regards to my chemistry exam I am really happy to report that I didn't do nearly as bad as what I thought I did!

Don't get me wrong, it's not a good mark, but it is excellent in comparison to what I thought I was going to get (which woulld mean that I thought I would be lucky to even get 5%). 

It seems that even though I panicked and left pretty much all of my questions without a final answer, I still managed to get 30%.  This also still means that I am still technically passing chemistry at the moment (I do well in my labs and tutes).

So, next step is to get in touch with the lecturer and have a chat about the best way for me to proceed.  All I need to do now is to get at least 40% in my final test.

Where is Everyone?

Well, it seems with the Easter rush, people have forgotten about the Blogger Challenge!!

The next question is up and waiting for your answer! Consider this a friendly little nudge :D

Hope everyone has had a wonderful break :)

Just Say No...

I keep telling myself, "Just say no to the chocolate!"

Unfortunately, I am not listening to myself.

In saying that, I have been able to recognise when I actually want the chocolate and when I am just bored or just want to eat it because it's there, so I haven't had that much really. (well, comparatively at least lol!)

I cannot believe how much chocolate we have in the house at the moment... I even told B that I might get him to hide it and ration it out to me... it was said in jest, but I think the idea does have merit!

I have been a little flat out this week, so I didn't get a chance to pop in here and let you all know that I have lost weight this week.  So I managed to get down to 98.3kg.  However, the amount of chocolate that has passed these lips will mean that I will be putting weight on again.

I am definitely starting to reach my limit with these 'allowances' and I don't think it will be long before I am back into the swing of things...

I think the first step is to hide the easter eggs.... haha!