Paris here I come

Thursday 31 July 2008

Renovation photos

Here are some pictures of our house in renovation mode. Most of the exterior walling is up but not finished off. There are some before and after photos of the back of the house. The front hasn't been touched.



Monday 28 July 2008

I made my GWEJ

It's week 15 and the end of the month. My goal weight for the end of July (GWEJ) was 102kg, and I made it today! I weighed in at 101.5kg, a loss of 1kg so I'm very happy about that.

My next goal is to be under 100kg by the end of August which I hopefully should be able to do if I stay on track. Need to vary the exercise more. So that's my exercise goal for August - to do exercise other than just walking. We go skiing in about 12 days time so I'll be certainly varying the exercise when we get to the slopes.

Sunday 27 July 2008

End of July Measurements

After 9 weeks
Neck: 41 cm
Bust: 116 cm
Waist: 114 cm
Hips: 136 cm
Thigh: 75 cm
Upper Arm: 48 cm

After 11.5 weeks - End of June
Neck: 40.5 cm
Bust: 114.5 cm
Waist: 109.5 cm
Hips: 132 cm
Thigh: 75 cm
Upper Arm: 48 cm
Calf: 47 cm

After 15 weeks - End of July
Neck: 40.5 cm
Bust: 111.5 cm
Waist: 104 cm
Hips: 127 cm
Thigh: 74 cm
Upper Arm: 47.5 cm
Calf: 48 cm

Measured in the morning with no food in my tummy. That's a loss of 14cm in July. Woohoo!

So what do I notice?
1. My clothes are feeling loose now, and I keep hitching up my jeans. But I'm still putting off buying new clothes until spring (cos it'll be my b'day in September). Also, I don't want to buy any winter clothes now as they won't fit me next winter. Well, that's the plan :)

2. I can cross my legs more easily. I can actually get my leg over my knee now whereas I could only do the men's cross-over method (ie. with my ankle on my knee)

3. I can walk faster for longer.

4. People are randomly commenting about my weight loss especially this week

5. I can run 100m (and probably further) but haven't tried to do that till today.

6. I eat a lot more fish, and fish is more expensive than wedges.

7. Wedges are really not worth it - 9.5pts for 6 wedges - you've got to be kidding!

8. I hate to admit it, but I feel more confident.

9. I spend more time cooking.

10. The whole family eats more healthily.

Tuesday 22 July 2008

Yummy Cauliflower, Potato and Bacon Soup


I've just made some yummy Cauliflower, Potato and Bacon Soup...and it's really good. So good I thought I'd share it with you. If you have a large bowl it's about 1.5 -2 pts. 2 pts if you add a splash of milk.

Ingredients:
1 Cauliflower
3-4 potatoes
3-4 cups chicken stock
1 large onion
125gm low-fat bacon
olive oil spray

1. Dice the onion, bacon, and potato. Cut the cauliflower into small pieces.

2. Lightly spray a medium to large pot with olive oil spray and gently cook the onions until soft, then add the bacon to finish cooking with the onions.

3. Add the diced potatoes, cauliflower and stock to the onions and bacon.

4. Cook until cauliflower is completely soft.

5. Blend the soup and add milk if desired.

If the soup is too thick, add more water or milk to thin it.

Makes 6 generous servings (especially if you add milk to each bowl which I did).

Monday 21 July 2008

Week 14 Weigh-In

I lost 1.4kg at this morning's weigh in. I'm happy with that especially with all the eating we've been doing. But then we've done a lot of walking as well which I know makes a difference. So my grand total is now 17.7kg...I weighed in at 102.5kg so only 2.5 kg to get to 100kg.

I've just discovered the joys of popcorn. A mini bag of reduced fat popcorn is only 1.5pts.

Thursday 17 July 2008

What a big week!

We've had my SIL and her hubby staying for the week, which makes him my BIL. It was great to have them here and we went to Shoal Bay for a few days, and did some stuff around the city. We went for a trip on the Rivercat from Meadowbank to Circular Quay, looked around the Opera House, then walked down Pitt Street and George Street to Chinatown and had Yum Cha. Then went to Darling Harbour to catch the Rivercat back to Meadowbank. A big day!


There were crowds of people from all the nations here for the World Youth Day. The atmosphere was amazing with people singing, praying in the streets, waving banners and flags around, and having heaps of fun. Great to see and be in the midst of the buzz. Here's a photo of me, my DD Sarah, and SIL Megan from NZ - we're just going past the Town Hall, and I'm wearing a denim jacket that my friend Gail gave me. It's the first time I've worn a denim jacket in ages!



On Monday (wk 13) I actually lost 600gm, so that was good cos I thought it could have been a gain...this week has been difficult cos of all the extra eating out. But I've been on the treadmill to try and balance things out. Need to get more food...running out of the good stuff in the pantry and fridge!

Monday 7 July 2008

Week 12 Weigh-In


I weighed in today with Joy...and we both lost again. I lost 1 kg and now the grand total is 15.7 kg. I got a star today for losing another 5 kg...cool ay?

Friday 4 July 2008

The Journey in Measurement

Here are my latest stats in measurement.

After 9 weeks
Neck: 41 cm
Bust: 116 cm
Waist: 114 cm
Hips: 136 cm
Thigh: 75 cm
Upper Arm: 48cm

After 11.5 weeks (present)
Neck: 40.5 cm
Bust: 114.5 cm
Waist: 109.5 cm
Hips: 132 cm
Thigh: 75 cm
Upper Arm: 48 cm
Calf (while standing): 47 cm

According to my calculations thats a lost of 10.5 cm in total in 2 and a half weeks. I guess that's good...I've added my calf measurement in there too this week.

I wonder if I subconciously held the tape measure a bit slacker the first time I measured and pulled it a bit tighter this time, lol.

I'll take my measurements once a month at the end of the month from now on...once a month's more sustainable I think.