My Journey on the weight loss trail

Ok so I thought I would share with you my journey of weight loss and how food and living has helped change me!


I was 110kg and had never felt so miserable in all my life as I was unable to keep up with my little man who had just turned 1. I would look in the mirror and feel terrible at what I saw looking back so I decided to make a change in the way I was living!

I started to change the foods I ate and also the size of portions, so instead of reaching for the whole packet of chips I would eat a row of rice crackers and drink water. I didn't cut all the things I loved out I just cut down and really focused on the portions. I walked everywhere and would spend time doing aerobic DVD's at home as I didn't want anyone to see me.

I finally got to my goal weight after 10 months and as a reward I joined my local gym, where I loved to do classes and use the equipment. After being so familiar with the staff I was approached to start training to become an instructor and for just over a year I have been encouraging our members to either loose weight, get fitter or just to have some fun!

My main tips are set small goals, don't look always at the big goal but look to the smaller ones. Every time I lost 5kg I would buy something for myself, nothing big but something nice as a reward.
Don't stop eating certain foods just portion size them or have them only as treats every now and again as you will crave and then give into the crave in a BIG way!

If you have never exercised start slow, go for a walk and gradually build up. If you use an excuse you don't have time break it down instead of doing a 30 minute walk do 3 10 minute ones during the day.
Have a partner to help you, surround yourself with LOTS of positive people that will help you, sometimes people can bring your good efforts down and make you doubt yourself. Sometimes writing your goals down is a good way to remember what you want to achieve.

So here is the before!!!!!!!!

This is a rare photo I had I actually looked like this for a number of years but just didn't want my photos taken!

And this is the after!!!!!!!

What does your poo say about you?

Ok so the title is a little interesting BUT have you ever wondered?

I received a message from a site called the food coach and found this article very interesting!

To view the article click here

Too hot to work out!

Sometimes when the weather picks up we may find ourselves making excuses as to why we should not excercise!!!! Here are a few tips to help get you out and getting fit.

• Try to exercise at the coolest part of the day, so if you can get up a little early and get moving!
• If you are not a morning person then wait until a little later in the evening and start then, I some times find it a little hard first thing in the morning to get out but getting the kids sorted and ready and giving them dinner then going is a great option as no sun and usually a little milder weather makes exercise a little more enjoyable. I will usually prepare a salad and then eat when I have finished, but if I am hungry prior I will eat a banana.
• I find I try not to exercise at the hottest part of the day as it makes me feel a little light headed, and this is due to overheating and the body not being able to cope with it all.
• Drink plenty of water, and when I say plenty I mean plenty! Prior to during and then loads after. Because you will be sweating more you need to replace what you use. I would even suggest to get something that has electrolytes in it as it is able to also replace not just the fluids but also all the other good stuff your sweating out.
• Types of workouts depends on you and what you want, however walking is one of the best things to do and also free and easy. 

The key is to set yourself goals and stick to it so try to avoid using excuses, including the one of the weather is too hot!

The BEST Breakfast Shake!

Ok so going away has been a good things as Melbourne has a great variety of food compared to Tassie! While we were away Ryan and I fell in love with BOOST juices. So much so that I have come home and started to pick up my game on ideas for my breakfast shake. And here is one I came up with:

250ml light milk
1 banana
1 ice cream scoop of muesli (yes fruit and all)
1 scoop of frozen mango yogurt
ice cubes
2 scoop of a good vanilla protein powder

Place all the items into a ice crushing blender and pulse until smooth!

Tastes yummy and will keep you full for a very long time!

A Hardcore Workout!!!!

Ok so I was looking over facebook today and found this post from the guy at career fitness and thought oh dear!!!!! If anyone is keen maybe we should give it a go, definately HARDCORE!


If anyone is time challenged but still looking for a hardcore workout then how about trying this little beauty courtsey of Crossfit. You do as many rounds as possible in 25 minutes of the following circuit. 5 x Deadlifts (weight = your bodyweight), 5 Chin Ups, 5 Squat Thrusters (Men 60kg/Women 40kg), 5 Kettlebell Swings (Men 32kg/Women 24kg), 5 Burpees. The Australain Record for this is 11 rounds in 25 minutes


The thing I think is that I don't think I could even get the weight on  bar to cover my body weight for the deadlift!!!!!!!! Good luck to the person who holds the record of doing 11 in 25 minutes they are some champion in the fitness world!!!!!!

Chicken Salad Recipe

Well after a lovely break away I am back to add more things on the food and living blog!

Last night we had the best chicken salad ever!

You will need:

2 small chicken thighs
1 small chicken breast
1 avocado
lettuce
carrot
Parmesan cheese
red capsicum
spring onions
1 onion or 2 small ones
about 6 mushrooms

Ok so first off you cut the chicken into cubes and add a good amount of cracked pepper and salt, and cook in a lightly sprayed pan until browned. Next you add the onion then once soft and slightly coloured add the mushrooms then cook until mushrooms are soft.

While the chicken is cooking shred a iceberg lettuce and grate finely carrot and Parmesan over the top of it. Add small diced pieces of red capsicum and spring onions over it. Once the chicken mix is cooked add it to the salad then add small pieces of diced avocado over the top. If you wish you can add a teaspoon of Aaoli but it will add more calories to the dish. Serve straight away!

The thing I like about this is that I don't need to add any other spice apart from salt and pepper to get a great flavour from the chicken and the chicken thighs actually make the chicken stay moist as chicken breast can sometimes be a little dry.

So you thing you don't have time to get fit?

Our life seems to be over taken with so much that we say that we just can't fit in time to get fit, BUT there are things we do everyday that can help us to get to our goal.


Here is a list of ideas taken from the Weight Watchers web site to help you on your way:



Get off the couch
You've had a long day at work, dinner has been cooked and cleaned up and you've been looking forward to watching your favorite TV show all day. Great! Use this opportunity to do an ad-break workout. Try completing one set of 20 lunges, squats, crunches, arm circles or as many push-ups as you can per break. Repeat this for each ad-break during your show. (Even better if you're watching an hour-long program!)
Brush and squeeze
Use the time that you're brushing your teeth to squeeze your butt muscles. Hold for one count and repeat. Do this trick in the morning and at night.
Use your steps
You probably lug your overstuffed laundry basket to the clothes line in one trip, but you'll burn extra kilojoules by making multiple trips up and down the steps. Instead of emptying contents into one basket, make smaller trips back and fourth.
Squat at every opportunity
Instead of thinking, "I don't feel like picking that up now," view a cluttered floor as a chance to get some leg and butt work in. Bend your knees when putting away clothes, shoes and everything else that isn't where it should be.
Do it yourself
Around the house, try mowing your lawn with an old-fashioned push mower (try Bunnings Warehouse), or take an afternoon to weed the garden or add a fresh coat of paint to a room in the house. In the kitchen, instead buying frozen pre-cut vegies, chop them fresh and mix ingredients with a spoon using elbow grease instead of an electric mixer.


I joined Weight Watchers to help me lose my weight as it was my conscience to weigh in each week! Maybe you can do the same thing at home and do a weekly weigh in, or you may like to get together with a group of people and weigh in together. They say losing weight is easier to do with a person so that you can help motivate each other and stay on track. If you do have a weekly weigh in remember try also to do a monthly measurements as well in case the scales don't change as much as you think they should but your body shape may be changing instead!