GABBY'S GAB

Quick update - leav'ng on a Jet Plane

2010-08-10T23:08:00.003+12:00

My bags are packed and I am leavn'g on a jet plane tomorrow - off to meet the gorgeous Miss Ruby... so exciting.

I am having 10 days in Brisbane (again), it will be so lovely to see my daughter, SIL and new Grandbaby. I just love babies - you may have gathered that from all my ravings :). Being so far away has been really hard for me, however I know my daughter is a really strong, together - woman and will make an awesome mother. I am really proud of how she is adapting to this wonderful new chapter of her life. My SIL has also been incredible and is taking such good care of them both.

On the weight front this week I lost 600gms and was very happy with that as it was a stressful week - however also the best week ever!!.

I am taking my computer as I have to keep a few things going at work - so will update and maybe get some photos posted.

Thanks for all the lovely comments and birthday wishes :) It was so lovely to log in tonight and see your kind words.

Take care and have a great week

The best birthday present EVER! Miss Ruby has arrived!

2010-08-06T22:30:00.001+12:00

Yes I got my wish and the most beautiful little girl Miss Ruby Rose was born on the 4th August 2010 at 7pm weight 11lbs 7oz - finally by emergency C Section in Brisbane Australia.

It was a very stressful time for me being so far away and having to wait patiently to hear any news all day (that is a whole other story) . However the wonderful outcome was well worth it.

My daughter is doing well (C Section is not the best) however after 15hrs labour and the size of Ruby it was the best decision ever made.   The Son-in-law is totally in love and the family are all happily getting to know each other.

I so do miss not being able to share those first special days - photos are just not the same and I am a little jealous to hear other people are having cuddles with our little girl.   However I do not have long to wait until it is my turn as I have just booked to go over later next week when they are home to stay for a week.

So exciting!!!!   and yes I will say it again the "best birthday present" I could ever get.

Another Week and the results were as expected

2010-08-01T12:22:00.000+12:00

The dance of addiction... two steps forward and one step back!   Well... this week life got in the way of my good intentions and my resolve was not strong enough.   Not an excuse, it was just what happened.

Review:
Had a busy couple of nights - dinner out and catching up with friends and also on Friday I went to the Food Show in Auckland. So many samples to try :(   so I have paid the price and gained 400gms this week.

And also No exercise :(
Still that was then and this is now and it is another week.

The Plan:
So what is next on the exercise front! .... In July I did the Gold Coast Half marathon hehehe what a great experience.   We only walked/jogged so our time was not the greatest, but we got the medal and the t-shirt (and a shocking photo) however had an absolute ball.   I am so glad I did it!!

Next up is November 27th - I have agreed (actually to be honest I have been convinced it will be great and I will be able to do it... yeah right ) to be part of a relay team for the Taupo Cycle Race. The full course is 160km however we are doing it as a relay team of 4.   So in theory only 40km (how hard can that be)! I have always loved to cycle, however I find the roads around here rather dangerous especially by myself.   However one of my goals is to compete in a cycle event and as time is quickly ticking by, I have decided to do it!!!.   I think I have rocks in my head sometimes!

So out with bike - I have not been on it for over 6 months, so it will need a little service.   On with the padded pants (oh what a sight!) however believe me they are invaluable item of clothing for certain lady parts :).   Off to set up a training plan. Surely it can't be "too bad"..... do you sense my apprehension.

On other news - no news of that baby yet.   My birthday is this Wednesday, so I am looking forward to sharing the day with a lovely wee girl (fingers crossed).

G

Don't believe the scales

2010-07-24T23:03:00.000+12:00

Do you ever stand on the scales and as the numbers slowly appear you disbelieve what they say?

That is what happened to me this morning - I got on, I got off, I got on and still they said the same number! hehehe all in a good way.   I lost 1kg this week - still not quite sure if I believe the number.

However have recorded the success and now on to week 2 :)

The sun shone this morning and it was a great day for a early morning walk 1.5hrs - done and dusted by 9.00am.   A beautiful day in Auckland today :).

This week has been not all been smooth sailing and I have struggled with my food in the evening.   All is good until I get home at night and then things go off the rails.   I know I need to plan my meals and I need to come home to something prepared. The thought of what to have when I am tired is not good for me!

So my goal for this week is to plan and prepare a minimum of 3 meals tomorrow for the freezer.   Surely that can't be to difficult :)

Off for another walk in the morning tomorrow! Fingers crossed it will be another beautiful day.

Where does time go....

2010-07-20T21:49:00.000+12:00

It has been a while (a bit of an understatement) however just wanted to record a few things.

Grandbaby due in 10 days - a beautiful wee girl will soon be here (so sad the family are so far away). Mother is grummy and over the waiting game. I will fly to Brisbane a few days after the birth :) to meet her.
Did the Gold Coast 1/2 marathon 4th July 2010 - got the medal and the t-shirt. Fantastic time and so glad I did it. Great team effort girls
Weight Loss - nothing. The constant off and back on is driving me crazy. However no-one to blame except myself. Love to get back in the groove - you know that place where it just all comes together! Never ever give up...... I am still here
New goal is to take better care of myself! My challenge for the next three months is to eat well consistantly and control my stress better. Watch this space :).

Gabby

Late update - Week 2

2010-03-03T21:19:00.001+13:00

How quickly the weeks go!!! Another loss of 500gm for last week Had quite a good week - exercise was excellent, food was better and water was good.

Still getting my head back around the small losses. I felt a little disappointed at only 500gms, however slapped myself quickly and accepted the loss gratefully.

6 days later I would love that loss for this week.- not so good, sad to say. Had an absolute frantic week at work and have not planned and organised my food. I am really bad at not eating and then grabbing anythng quick I can (usually sugar and heavy carbs.) So it looks like it will be a gain tomorrow :( but again deserved considering what has passed my lips. Now what is one of the golden rules..... Plan your meals

Today is another day and have planned my breakfast and made my lunch and prepared snacks before bed tonight - just doing that has made me feel a lot better.

Loving summer at the moment - long may it last. My garden is looking very sad, however the warm weather is just so lovely. And living in Titirangi is just breath taking - I will post some photos shortly once I figure out how to load photos again

G

p.s. just 8 more sleeps and I am off to Brisbane

Week 1

2010-02-22T22:11:00.001+13:00

Well I survived the first week and acheived a 400gm loss.   Par for the course, my weight loss has always been small losses per week. This has always been a challenge for me (a real head thing), however I know that slowly, slowly I can acheive the results I want - I just need to keep going and never give up!!

On reflection, my effort for this first week was only really about 65% - so a 400gm loss is GREAT. My exercise plan lifted off last weekend but then took a nose dive for the rest of the week as I did not get out again.   My water and food were so/so.....

Anyway onwards we go.... Since Friday I am going great guns and have been on track - exercising, eating well (within my points allowance) and also my water have been excellent up to 2ltrs per day. Go Me :)

I spoke with my DD2 tonight (who now lives in Brisbane) and by the way is having a baby (their 1st) how dear she do that and live so far away heheheh. Anyway I was over in January for a long weekend and I am going back again on the 11th March for a few days.   They are moving house and tonight she asked me if I would like to come over as she has her 2nd Baby Scan on the Thursday and she asked if I would like to be there .... WooHoo as they will find out the sex.   Also I will get to help them settle into their new house - meaning I will get to help unpack! Loving it...

So I am all booked - over on Thursday 11th returning Sunday 14th!    .... time for some serious baby shopping I believe.

Just so excited! Can you tell.

Weekend exercise

2010-02-14T22:35:00.002+13:00

I liked this :)

Well, after much procrastinating I went back to WW this week..... I just haven't been able to find the 'click' for over 6 months.  My weight although stablised (still 4.6kg above my goal weight) seems to have re-distrubuted itself and I am struggling with how my clothes are fitting. After many weeks of "weighing" up the pros and cons the overriding conclusion was the times I am successful is when I am accountable and going to meetings seemed to acheive this for me.

I am fortunate that the meeting I go to have wonderful staff - who have been there for a number of years. They still remember me :)...

So it is back to having more focus and being accountable. The accountability is also to update my blog with how things are going each week.

Exercise:   My goal for this week is to do some regular exercise and this weekend I made a great start.   Saturday - usual morning walk however for 1.5hrs and then a hike up into the Waitakere Ranges today (3.5hrs - with 1hr up hill)

Food and Water Intake.... ummm not so great, however small steps as I am trying to beat my sugar carvings and my addiction to Diet Coke (only have had 3 cans since Wednesday!).

So yes I am back! So time to get organised for the Week.....

G

Day One

2009-09-16T22:16:00.001+12:00

New start, new template, new approach...

THE SLIPPERY SLIDE.... MY STORY

2007-10-30T21:59:00.000+13:00

Hi there - this is my story

Your weight loss stalls, however you are feeling good and your new clothes feel great – with a smug smile you watch others try and fail, you think you have it under control and you have won the good fight at last......

You and food are suppose to be friends now. You weren’t suppose to be depriving yourself anymore. Anyway isn’t it time to get on with your life and to think about other things rather than weight loss? After all you have paid the price and done the hard work, isn't it time to ease off.

That when you start pulling the bricks out of the healthy living house you have built over the last year, you do it so gradually that at first you don’t even see what you are doing.

You rejoin the Clean Plate Club and your pantry starts to be magically filled with all those Frankenstein Foods that call to you every night after work. You tell yourself “once in a while” isn’t a big deal, even as “once in a while” is turning into “every day”.

And then you start skipping workouts and walking, even though you thought you’d left the Couch Potatoe lifestyle behind for good. That Lifestyle wasn’t dead; it was only sleeping and a few nights of lethargy woke up and want to remain at rest.

The kilos start creeping back on; all they were waiting for was one crack in you defenses. The new clothes start to pinch and that ugly roll around the middle starts to overflow when you sit down. But you know what the bottom line is: The scale, previously the bearer of happy news, is no longer your friend. You know you won’t like what you see anymore.

In full denial until none of your clothes fit and you can’t even figure out where you were while all this was happening. Yeah right! In moments of lucid thought you know you are fully aware of what you have been doing and how destructive it is doesn’t make things better really. In fact, knowing that you are sabotaging all your hard work makes the guilt that much worse.

So where to from here?

Crashed & Burnt

2007-01-17T21:50:00.000+13:00

Week 23 weigh in - Gain 400gms

Well, so much for the Core Programme! actually it was not the programme (principles are very sound) just not right for me. I really struggled :( I found it really restrictive and unfortunately consumed my 21 bonus points within the first 3 days, and then it was all down hill from there! So the gain was deserved and expected.

I am back on points this week and feel so much more in control. 5 Days down for the week and I have kept within my points and feel great. Some weeks, things just seem to come together (don't you just love these weeks) :) I have finally learnt to just ride the wave - some weeks are great, some weeks are not, however it is the courage to keep going that is important. No matter how long this takes, I am going to achieve my goal this time!!!!

Well this Sunday is the Wedding - my DD2 is getting married. After 8 months of planning it is now only 3 days away! Very exciting! well is "exciting" the correct word? ummmm. Yes it is, a little stressful however I am sure it will be beautiful day. I will post a photo next week if I can figure out how to get one on my blog.

The dress is ready to pick up tomorrow and the last finishing touches to the organisation are underway. Hard to believe my baby is getting married - how time flys.

So it has been a really hectic couple of months with lots happening in the family area.

Cheers
Gabby :)

Feeling better!

2007-01-08T21:44:00.000+13:00

Yes! that is right after 7 days of feeling rather under the weather, I am glad to say I am feeling so much better. Couldn't believe I had caught another cold??!! I am generally a very healthy person, who rarely gets sick. When I was working in the "Corporate" high stress world I think my count for 10 years was about 2 days sick leave..... what's with that???!!!!

Never mind I a feeling my old self today and was out there walking this morning. Yeah! it was nice to be back.

Week 22 Weigh in: 100gms loss

I will take that! thank you! After such a bitty week with rubbish eating and only 1 walk (total of 43,116 steps for seven days). Only 3 o.k. days on programme - Honestly I was expecting a gain!

WW have launched their new programme of 2007 (really just refining and a new name)... but for those on points - whats with this points for corn on the cob (1.5pts) pumpkin and peas(.5pts for 1/2 cup). I just love corn on the cob and the season has just began :(.

Anyway I am trying Core programme this week (use to be called No Count). They now allow a few more snacks now, which is a big help for me, as this is what I struggled with before.

This I know for Sure: Sugar and white flour are not my friends. And I can easily fall into a major binge when I get to0 much of them. So will try Core for a week to see how I go. Feeling a little anxious about not counting points (still automatically do it in my head - see what all the programming does to your mind).

Great to see other's back from holiday - so good to catch up on the news.

Cheers Gabby :)

Happy New Year!!!!

2007-01-03T12:03:00.000+13:00

2007! Happy New Year to everyone! - What I like most about the new year! - it is like you get to start all over again! Love new beginnings and the excitement of what this year will bring.

Well December 2006 whizzed by (or is that just because I am getting old - lol) and between the overseas holiday, helping moving family into new house, Christmas, a first birthday, and the New Year, I hung on by my fingernails and am quite proud to report I have achieved most of my December goals. Why? because I wrote them down! and I knew I was accountable - so for a quick summary of the last 5 weeks.

Week 17 - Loss 400gs! Ya back on track after week 16s gain and needing a positive results before heading off on holiday to Ozz.

Week 18 - No weigh in on holiday! Loved the sunshine coast, we had a great time - walked and walked, ate and drunk lots of wine in the wonderful warm sunshine. Noosa was fantastic!!! I was mindful of my Dec goal to acheive 10,000 steps per day (one day did 31,890 steps). Waking early and going for a walk before brunch made this goal easy to achieve while we were away. Don't you just love holidays! I was also anxious about putting on too much weight while away so I made myself be aware of what I was eating and actually tracked for the week we were away. (Never thought I would ever do that!!??).

Week 19 - Loss 500gs!!! WOO HOO all that walking paid off

Week 20 - Loss 400gs! Feeling great and in control - however getting a little scared about the appearance of two large Xmas hampers that appeared on my doorstep this week. Don't you just hate food gifts (very generous of DH employer and supplier) however!!! not good for me. Still with this positive weigh in result for the week keeping my motivated I was sure I could handle it. - YEAH RIGHT

Week 21 - Gain 700gs Well Xmas week was not good at all - Christmas day was ok it was the days following that were the problem. Still I did have 4 good, extremely hard-out 1 hr walks up One Tree Hill (thank goodness, imagine what the result would have been without these). I was totally gutted when it came to Saturday weigh in, however in hind sight glad I went and faced the music!

So to summarise my goals for December:

Weight (stay the same)
Lost 500gs for December

Exercise (10,000 steps per day)
389,761 for December!

No Scorched almonds or cashews
None - Zero - zippo! for December! (pity about the large consumption of other chocolates!)

To have a good time without over indulging in food.
Had good time however did over indulge in food, so not achieved this one - as the results sadly showed! :(

All in all not too bad - I was looking forward to starting the New Year in a far better place than previous years and I feel I have done that.

However just to ensure I was challenged, I caught a cold on New Year's eve and this has had me feeling rather horrid for the last three days. Also my eating has not been good - it is so hard when I do not exercise and have no interest in healthy food (that should really read "in planning and cooking meals")...... I have been grazing and eating rubbish!

Tomorrow I am back on programme (not feeling very positive about this week's weigh in) but I know I will still go and face things. This is one good habit I now have established! so often before I would just not go and try and fool myself I was ok.

Found this great quote that I just loved, as I always struggle when I screw up. and what I have learnt over the last 5 months is that I will screw up (I am human), but it is getting back on track and not letting the screw ups cloud my way through this journey. I have been reading some amazing blogs where the woman just never give up, (some have been slowly acheiving their success over years) They have had slip ups and fallen hard, but they always continued and have made truly inspiring successes. This is not a quick fix it is going to take a while..........

"SUCCESS is not Final,
FAILURE is not Fatal:
It is the COURAGE to CONTINUE that counts"
Winston Churchill

Good Luck everyone! I hope 2007 is filled with lots of good things for us all!!! I look forward to sharing the journey.

Progress (oh, IF ONLY.....)

2006-11-28T12:21:00.000+13:00

Weigh In - Week 14 Loss 200gms
Weigh In - Week 15 Loss 200gms)
Weigh In - Week 16 Gain 500gms urrrrah!!(

So, as you can see the progress was continuing at a very slow pace (considering the amount of exercise I have been doing) however it was going down. And then..... this Saturday a gain! I have had two 100gm gains over the 16 weeks, however this was so disappointing for me when I stood on the scales. I was gutted and guess what..... yes I headed down the bingeing slippery slope for two days. What really frightened me, when I came to my senses was how quickly I reverted back to the old binge cycle.

But I am now ok again - as of yesterday I am back on programme and determined not to give in to old habits. It is one day at a time - I so, do not want to put back on the 5kgs I have lost so far. It is only a small amount, but does make such a big difference to how I feel about myself and my clothes are not straining at the seams and my liver roll is not too large.. lol
This is the place that has become a common cycle for me, where I usually fall over and give up..... BUT NOT THIS TIME.

I also have decided to write out my goals for December - this is such a hard time of year for me and I usually end up weighing 2/3kgs heavier at the begining of January. This December is also going to be challenging as we are going on holiday for a week at the beginning of December. (yeah! really looking forward to some warm weather in Australia) I know I would be fine about December, if I was one of those people who could get stuck in and loose one or 2kgs over a couple of weeks in January. However face it Gabby, I AM NOT (as much as I want to be and complain about it, I now realise my body does not like to give up it's fat... man it is a struggle to let go of that stuff). I do exercise most every day for 1hr (and at a good level) cycling and brisk walking however my rate of loss is just so small. I also know I put on really fast - one day off programme and a good meal out with wine and guess what....it just feels so not fair. Enough complaining! I know what I have to do - I just need to stay in control - so here are my goals for December 2006 (written down!). Credit and inspiration for this idea must go to Anne from her blog - we share very similar traits and goals. Thanks so much Anne for doing it and inspiring me to do the same.

Weight Goal - Stay the same
Yes, that is right - I will be happy with that, with all the food and holidays, I will be working on not gaining for the month.

Exercise Goal - 10,000 steps per day
I wear a pedometer when I remember - for December I will wear it every day and clock up 10,000 steps per day or 70,000 for the week. This is quite achievable for me, however with holidays getting out sometimes can goes by the way. I will wear my pedometer when I go on holiday it will help as I will not have my regular routine..

Food Goal - No Scorched Almonds or cashew nuts
These are my down fall and I know I can not resist, once I start. For me one is just not enough and usually ends up a full packet. (yes, that is right I can eat a whole packet in one go) It is all those extras over the next weeks that just seem to jump into my month.

Other Goals - To have a good time without over indulging in food.
(this was an example from Anne and my WW meeting notes - really liked this so I am going to use it too - it sums it up nicely!)
NB :On Christmas day I really love Pav and fresh fruit salad this year I will allow myself a small plate - usually I just pick and before I know it have probably eaten half a pav.

So there it is my plan for December - wish me well

Be back soon!

AWOL

2006-11-10T12:09:00.000+13:00

AUGUEST TO NOVEMBER - what is that all about. Well I have been reading lots of blogs!.........does that count?.
However I am really happy to report, I have been on the right track. A quick summary of the last three months regarding my weight loss journey is as follows.

1. I got that really bad relentless flu (it took me out for over 2 weeks). However as I was recovering I was so over myself I somehow got my head in the right space and decided to do something about this body of mine which I really did not like living in any more and made the right choices to change my lifestyle. If anyone is reading this and struggling - please be encouraged! ...... if I can do this so can you! I have learnt that it is all about your head space and never ever giving up on yourself. I think it is so true what I have read so many times before about really truly wanting something badly enough - I kind of had to hit rock bottom, before I knew I really really wanted to change (believe me when I say I was so over myself and how I was starting to look). So many times before I have said I wanted to loss weight - however two hours later faced with bread or muffins, I chose to eat and stay on the couch and watch TV. I am not saying it is easy - it is actually the hardest thing I have ever done, however the feeling for me of being back in control over food and feeling fit and healthy is priceless. I know there is going to be challenges (and boy this week is one of them) and I do and will fall off the horse, however I have made a commitment to myself to just get back on again the next day -no matter what. OMG I am sounding like one of those self rightous dieters! Enought Already !!!

2. Went back to WW and purchased a Spring Pass (paid until the week of Christmas).

3. Attended 13 continuous WW meetings.

3. I have lost 5kgs (it has been slow but steady) - I have worked really hard, however I have found that it is really slow, but I am determined to not give up. Had a couple of gains of 100gms and the rest have been losses! I have found going to the meeting and getting the group support is what I needed.

4. I have also been getting fit - cycling 3/4 times a week, plus at least 4 x 45mins on my treadmill (Go Gabby!) Feeling great. Even entered into the Molenberg Sub Stride & Ride Series (Cambridge this weekend a 15km cycle) - and also planning a few Duathalons over the summer. Gee it feels great to be fit!

5. Decided to do the 101 things in 1001 project that a few bloggers are doing. Just coming up with 101 goals was really hard. How the challenge is getting them done! - however quite inspired now they are written down! Will keep you posted.

Promise to back soon!

August Challenge

2006-08-02T22:33:00.000+12:00

I have been reading Sue from Wellington's Blog and I was really inspired by her monthly Challenges which she has been setting herself - so I have decided to create some of my own for August. As you know, I really want to concentrate on getting back into some sort of exercise (I feel this is my missing link at the moment)

August Exercise Challenge!

Go to the gym three times a week every week in August.
Use my treadmill at home for 2 x 45min cardio workouts.
Join a walking group (actually ring up and find out where they are held and participate in a walk)
One day in each weekend I will go for at least one-hour walk

It does not sound that inspiring when I wrote this down - however I want to ensure that it is achievable. I have learnt that sometimes I make grandiose plans (totally over the top) and then never achieve them. So for now I believe for this August Challenge it will still be a stretch for me (considering I have not being doing anything) - however quite achievable if I focus on doing something most days.

New Month - and an inspiring message

2006-07-02T22:18:00.000+12:00

Today I was reading Gail's Weight Loss Journal where Gail recommended a blog from a lady who had lost over 80kgs. What really spoke to me was how this lady never gave up (it was not an option)! This little saying kept running through my head all weekend - and it has now sunk in. GIVING UP IS NOT AN OPTION! For me!. No matter how long it takes or what happens along the way - yes I have gained, but so what. I am still here and I will keep going.

I am so inspired by this saying I have added it to my title.

End of another month....warning this is a big winge

2006-06-30T21:38:00.000+12:00

June 30th - End of Month results........... Gains + More!

Since my last update things have gone from bad to worse - last week I had a huge gain (so bad I am too embarrased to even post it on this blog). And then this week has not been much better as I have had a terrible case of a winter bug with hacking cough. It was so bad, I even took myself off to the doctor, as I was feeling so sorry for myself. I am feeling a little better, however totally over everything.

Is it the time of year? Is it the Cold weather? Is it because I have been unwell? No! it is because I always seem to have an excuse and carve the feeling that food gives me. (Wonder what Dr Phil would say about that). So what have I been doing - lets be truthful?

I go weekly to WW for the meetings...
I regularly read other successfull bloggers blogs (those ladies really have it together)...
I track my eating on WW online (well I start each day until I go over my points) WTF that about?....
I read lots of great receipes and think yummy I should make that. (Honestly I have this thing about receipe books - I have draws full of great books, however rarely make anything from them)...
I have a gym membership (but always have an excuse not to go)...
Everyday I wake up and say "this is the day" I will follow the programme today...
Everynight I go to bed disgusted with myself having failed....

Tomorrow is WW and I really do not want to go. I have gained so much that I am now 2kgs above when I joined (I know that is totally unbeliveable to all those focused WWs). How this for avoidance tactics - at last week's weigh in, I even told the weigher I did not have my book as I didn't want her to see I weighed more than when I first started.!

Week 4 - WEIGH IN

2006-06-17T14:17:00.000+12:00

Well I did go to WW and the result was worse than I even imagined..... a gain of +1.3gms!
So, I can winge about what a failure I am and go on and on about now I let this happen, or I can choose to get back on plan and make next week a positive result.

I choose to........ pick myself up and put in the work to ensure next week I will have a positive result. So my focus will be:

1. To stay within my points allocation of 22pts per day
2. To exercise for just 30 minutes a day! I can do this - (I have a treadmill, I have the shoes and water bottle!)
3. To drink 1.5ltrs of water a day. (Confession time - I have not been having my water intake for the last 2 weeks - I think it has been because it is so cold)
4. To blog each day and detail my progress.

Keep smiling - I believe I can do this!!!! watch this space

GOOD, BETTER, GREAT... and then Sabotage!

2006-06-15T22:17:00.000+12:00

OMG - it has been nearly one month since my last update! I so admire those bloggers out there who update every day or even just once a week. I love to read others blog and regularly check in - however when it comes to update I seem to get writers block....

So to quickly update you and explain today's title. Well.... I went back to WW for the zillonth time three weeks ago. I know from experience I need to be accountable for my actions (sounds totally crazy to pay $'s just to step on the scales and some woman I don't even know record my weight in a blue book). But it works for me! I hadn't been for a month and my weight was on the up and up once again.

Week One - Good week! I felt great and was adopting the NC plan. I found not tracking was very difficult, so as I am a WW online member made the decision to still track. Cut out snacks and replaced them with fruit and three good meals a day.
Points was 20/23 per day. Loss 900gms WOOHOO

Week Two - Better Week! Feeling rather smug with myself and was on a roll - food was undercontrol and I was riding the losers wave. Loss 1.4gms (I rocked!!)

Week Three - Great day! I was fantasizing about my new wardrobe and counting down the weeks until I was at goal. THIS TIME I WAS GOING TO DO IT! I was going to join all those other successful,amazing bloggers out there - I was going to be one of you! My clothes were starting to feel a little loose and I am sure my back fat was shrinking.

But then... like so many times before - I fell off the wagon. Talk about self sabotage - for the last days I had eaten enough to feed a small starving nation. So much so I am too embarrassed to actually list what I have consumed. How could I just keep going, day after day? Each night I was so full I was uncomfortable and felt totally disgusted with myself. But did it stop me! NO! not even as I stepped on the scales each morning and saw the number climbing. A feeling of dread as the days tick by and I know the next weigh in is only a couple of days away. This behavior has become a major pattern in my life and I just don't seem to be able to change it. There is a great saying "If you do what you have always done - you will get what you have always got". and that is so true for my weigh struggle. For two to three weeks I am able to follow the plan and get results and then I hit a bump and fall right off plan and binge away. The feeling of failure is all consuming and I really start to hate myself.

Talk about major issues Gabby! so what am I going to do differently. To start with I am going to WW on Saturday no matter what! When I usually get to this stage I convince myself I will not go this week (and you know what then happens)

Any other suggestions will be greatly appreciated?

Success

2006-05-14T21:32:00.000+12:00

A couple of successes to record over the last week.

At long last I have actually been able to figure out how to put up a profile picture!! Yeah - so simple when you know how..... Now I have a face to my blog.

Second success is that last week I competed in the Special K Duathalon - I did the Special K Triathalon last year with D1 for the first time, it was quite a stretch for me as I am not a swimmer, however we trained and did it! This year we decided to do it again (and I was really pleased to hear there was no swimming). However like a lot of things in my life I start off with a lot of enthusiasm, but never really fully commit. We registered at the beginning of the year and felt really comfortable there was a lot of time to train. We had great plans!!!

The weeks slowly ticked by and no training was done (always there was this little voice saying.... "Next week" we will start). Well only two weeks to go and I still had not even been on the my bike. It was with dread every time someone mentioned "Special K" to me. My poor bike was sitting in the garage -tires were flat as a pancake and the spiders had taken up residence in the wheels since last years event.

I had inspired a friend to register and I felt really bad when she called to ask about my training and would I like to go for a ride with her (she had just purchased a new bike for the event).

Not to admitt defeat, I dusted off the cob webs and pumped up the tires - I was off! Well I was on my bike a least - the first ride was ok - just a sore butt. The next week it was 10kms and a few hills, my competitive nature kicked in! I wanted to show my friend (who by the way was now in peak condition and been training for over 3months) that I could keep up with her.... After about 8kms and on the last hill I was nearly sick, my heart felt like it was going to jump out of my chest and my legs were burning. LOL - who did I think I was! thinking I could do this event with just 2 rides and a couple of walks. Well it got worse, three days before the big day I also developed a head cold...... but I was not giving up. and I am happy to say I DID IT........ 1Hr 15mins.... but I finished and have the photos to prove it. It was a beautiful day in Auckland! We were so lucky to have such perfect conditions (I know some of the other regions had the worse weather) and I have to say I am so proud I did it... at the end.!

So why can't I get this determination about my weight loss? I know I can do it, but something just does not click. I know, you will understand what I mean about the "click".... as I remember when I got to goal. Something just "clicks" and you are away. Does anyone understand what it is, or how you get it.

It is the start of another week and I am starting NC - will keep you posted.

Keep smiling
Gabby

I AM BACK............

2006-05-02T14:47:00.000+12:00

I have tried for at least 1 1/2 hours to get this picture in my profile, but unfortunately is keeps erroring....????

Guess what I am back! Yes I have decided to pick up my Blog and start to write about what I am doing. I have been so inspired by others out there - they are amazing people. As you can see my weight has not changed from last Sept. It has gone down and then up and then down and now up again. Other people who I have read have done amazing things and I have followed these inspiring ladies on a regular basis. My congratulations go out to Phillipa who reached her goal last week. This lady is truly inspirational - her support to others in the Blog community is also outstanding.
So now is my time - I have made a promise to myself that I will update at least once a week to share my weigh in results and write about how I have been feeling. I so much want to stop my yo-yo diet mode and make a life long change in my relationship with food and learn to be comfortable in my body.

Note to self ...."do it now"!

2005-09-22T15:45:00.000+12:00

Wow it is Thursday already....... this week has flown for me, as I have been frantically busy with work. Actually the truth is I have procrastinated over the last few weeks and now it has caught up with me. I have some major deliverable for a couple of clients in the next few days and I had not even started the work until Tuesday.

The good news is I have a least one under control and the back broken on the other. However I always say this - "next time I will plan and not leave things to the last minute", as this causes a lot of stress and you know what stress does for me. Yes! that is right eat.

I am happy to say that this week, as I am a born again week 1 WW I have avoided the junk food and snacks (I love sweet things). It has been really hard at times, but I have survived. Quiet amazing as this is day 4 and all this year I have not been able to get past day 2.

Also happy about my exercise - 1hr walk for 3 out of the 4 days! I am also a Walking with Attitude member, so the new challenge has me all revved up. Long may this last.

Have my tracker back in action (have not used it since I got to goal). ummmm that is an interesting thought. When I did WWs and got to my goal weight I tracked religiously. You see I have this terrible disease called "food amnesia" I forget what has gone in my mouth. Yeah right! Well, the point of all this is, I had actually forgotten that every little snack adds up. Yesterday I took a rough stab at what my points total for last weekend would have been.... over 35pts on both days (and I did not have my usual bad weekend). OMG it is no wonder I have piled the weight back on. So the tracker is here to stay! It was a really good tool and it keeps me honest.

Well must get back to work :)

One day at a time! - little steps

2005-09-20T15:17:00.000+12:00

Well, I finally have my blog template sorted. So now I am accountable - it really is quite scary putting my thoughts on paper. However, I have been so inspired by reading others over the last 6 months that I have promised myself that I will update on a regular basis.

Day One - Had a good day! - 45minutes walking (on treadmill) as it has been such a cold snap at the moment and ate really well (1 pt under my 20pts). Eating well and exercising, even for just one day makes you feel so much better - if only I could hold this feeling. This morning I felt so much better - I think it is about being in control of my life!
I know I have read many times - it is not about how many times you fall down it is about how quickly you get back up.

I am such an "all or nothing" kind of person - this is something I really want to work on. What has inspired me about many of the Blogs I read, is how people just consistently push on - no matter now long it takes. As a LM of WW I found that it was not so much about getting the weight off - but keeping it off that was my biggest challenge. (I think that has something to do with my "all or nothing" attitude). This time in my journey I have to learn to lead a healthy lifestyle as part of reducing my weight, so that when I get to goal I will be able to handle life and what it serves up to me.