A mixed bag!

That is what life has been like since last Thursday.  All good though.

On Saturday I had to take my hubby to Brisbane so I packed up everything (bar the kitchen sink) and the kids, and off we went.  Dropped hubby off at Capalaba and the kids and I headed to Raby Bay for a few hours of fun in the sun.  We had a picnic lunch and then the kids had an absolute ball playing on the little beach that is there.  It was blowing a gale, blazing hot and they had a million people there for the open water swim championships.....but hey.....it was all good!

Went back and collected hubby then drove back home.  Unpacked, did cardio for the day, got kids ready and then dropped them off at the 'grandparents' for the night.  Hubby and I went to his highschool reunion.  It was a great night, but not a late night.  We were both pretty tired from the already busy day that we had.

Sunday brought lots of domestic duties and yard duties with it, and birthday cake cooking.  We had an early 6th birthday party for our son on Monday.  So Sunday was spent getting ready for it.

Monday came and so did the 7 little 6yr old boys that came to the party.  Hubby was chief sausage cooker whilst I was the games lady.  We had lots of fun, but I was glad when all the parents arrived to collect their children when the party had finished.

Tuesday (today) involved lots of driving.  I had to drive to the Gold Coast to see my trainer today.  I have been really nervous about this day arriving, but also a little excited to see how my body has responded to his plan.  So I drove by myself down and back......lovely and quiet......but no-one to talk to to calm the nerves!  I need not have worried, as after he did my skins he was impressed.....and so was I!  I had dropped 20mm in 20 days.  I was a happy girl.  I also got MORE food added to my plan.  Happy girl again!!!!  I have another 3 weeks until I see him again.  Hoping for good results again.

This Saturday coming, we have a 21st birthday to go to, then on Tuesday the 1st we fly out to Vanuatu, then more, and more, and more parties and events when we get back!

So far, I have not been tempted by anything at the events we have been to.  I have planned ahead and stuck to my nutrition plan.  I will be ok for all the parties and events that are here, but I am still trying to plan what I am going to do whilst in Vanuatu.  I have nearly got it worked out.  Not stressing though (trainer said to just do my best).

I guess this is the start of the 'silly season'.  I love christmas.  I love being with my family.  I love putting the tree up.  I love singing chrissy caroles.  I love driving around looking at the christmas lights, and I love the food.  This year I am not consumed by the food though.  It is one part of this whole occasion.  Not long to go now 'til we hear that, "ho, ho, ho".

Mirror, Mirror On The Wall.......

Who is in the best condition of us all?????  Lately I have been reading a few blogs about the time 'after' comp.  What you all go through, what it is like and how you are dealing with everything.  I have noticed a common theme coming through in all of your blogs though.........body image!  A lot of you are struggling with your self body image post comp.  Struggling to keep what you have worked so hard and so long for.  Struggling with the mind games of the mirror, and struggling to cope with the numbers on the scale.  Struggling to find that elusive 'balance' that is ever so precious.

I don't have any answers, nor am I going to even try to come up with any solutions.  It is a personal journey that we all take and the way we deal with the pre, during and post comp periods is entirely up to each individual.  But I just wanted to say, that you are ALL beautiful, inspirational and strong women.  Your will and determination has got you this far.......call on it again to get you to the next step.

Muster up your courage, gather your family and friends and switch that mind back into positive mode. 

I can not even imagine what post comp is like yet, as I haven't experienced it.........but one day soon I will, and I hope there is somebody around to tell me all the good things and prop me up when I need it.

All you gorgeous, athletic ladies celebrate what was.......but also celebrate what is........and what will be!!!!!!

Female Guilt

The new age woman's disease of choice!  And yes, I did say CHOICE!!!!  Why is it that when we don't do something for others we feel guilty.  If we don't do all the housework, if we don't have a job, if we don't take good care of the kids, if we don't please our partners, if we don't gossip with girlfiriends, if we don't bitch about the boss at work with colleagues, if we don't look pretty enough, if we don't eat healthy 100% of the time, if we don't exercise, if we are not skinny, if we don't have a big house, a flash car, lots of money............AAAARRRGGGHHH!!!!!!  Where does it end?????

For example, I had the day today ALL to myself.  Son off to school, and miss 3yr old at grandparents for the day.  How blissful.  How divine.  I spent most of yesterday thinking about what I was going to do today.  Things just I could do (with no kids in toe).  Don't get me wrong I love my kids to bits, but I also enjoy entertaining the thought of some 'me' time every now and then. 

Plan A - I could go to get pampered at the day spa (my personal favourite), but I didn't have an appointment as I only just arranged this day very recently. 

Plan B - I could drive to the beach for the day, but not so much fun when you are by yourself.

Plan C - I could go shopping for 'girly' things, but we are going to Vanuatu in 2 weeks time so we are saving our money

Plan D - I could go and have lunch with family or friends, but I am on holidays....they are working.

Plan E - I could have a loooooong restful sleep, but then the whole day would be gone before I knew it.

So, before I get to plans X, Y and Z, here is what I ACTUALLY DID:

I got up before breakkie and did my cardio.  Got breakkie for all, made lunches and packed bags for the day.  Got kids ready and myself.  Dropped son off at school, and daughter off at grandparents.  Gave my mum a talking too about her sore back and suggested she needed to rest it more (so counselling session done for the day!).  Went to town (was going to do some leisurely window shopping) ended up doing my son's birthday party shopping and the general grocery shopping.  Came home and unpacked the car and put all the groceries away.  And then did 'housey' stuff.  Oh.....and ate and drank lots of water in between all of this!  I am now awaiting my kids to be returned home, a friend and his son arriving to do a workout, hubby home at sometime, unpacking of all school bags and cleaning ready for tomorrow, cook dinner, bath kids, etc............

And if I didn't do ALL of this I would feel like I had been slack and lazy all day........the guilts would set in.  How sad is it, that we have come to a point where taking a day for yourself is more about being selfish and lazy, rather than restful and relaxing!

Whoever you are.....a mum, a worker, a wife, a girlfriend, a friend, a colleague, a boss, or a single entity I BET you have experienced the female guilts at some time in your life.

So, besides having to put up with that 'thing' hanging between your legs............who's coming back as a man in their next life!!!!!!LOL!!!!!!!!!

P.S.  Sorry guys, not a cheap shot.  We do love you, we just want to be you sometimes!!!!!

Jani

Just wanted to write about how remarkable this little girl and her family are.  I have just watched Oprah (yes, benefits of being on holidays) and she did a show about this little 7yr old girl called Jani.  She has one of the worst cases of childhood schizophrenia (excuse the spelling) in the world.  Because she is so young there is minimal help for her and her family.  The parents are her carers (they also have a 20mth old son) and they live in 2x1bedroom apartments.  They have to keep the children apart because of Jani's violent phsychotic episodes.  So, the parents take turns each night of looking after one of the children.  Mum looks after Jani for one night whilst Dad looks after Bodhi, then they swap for the next night.  They have been living like this for almost 2 years.  Both parents are on anti-depressants and the father has even tried to end his life with an overdose.

I don't know if anybody else saw this show today, but it was amazing.  I am an emotional sook at the best of times, but when it involves children I am worse.  I have two healthy, gorgeous children of my own and I felt so lucky for what I have.  I was in awe of the love and dedication that these parents gave to Jani, and she is one blessed little girl to have both those people in her life.

So, no matter how hard YOUR day to day life seems......it is nothing compared to what this family goes through, and will go through for the rest of their lives.  We live for the future, they live in the moment!!!

Pinching myself!

One week from today and I return to see my trainer.  I have developed this random thing over the last 12 days where I often catch myself pinching at my skin fold sites to see if I have lost bodyfat.  WTF!!!!  How insane is that??????  When I catch myself doing it, I stop and have a little chuckle and put myself back into reality.......'it has only been 12 days how on earth would I have moved BF by now????'  LOL!!!!  I think I am so desperate to prove to him that I can do this that I am trying to look for ANY little bit of improvement (or change) so I don't disappoint him.

Everything is going so well.  I love the nutrition plan still.  Am still NOT craving anything (highly unusual for me!)  Am powering through all of my workouts (my weights have gone through the roof!!!!) and I am enjoying my day to day food prep rituals.

This morning was the first morning where I have felt a little fatigued though.  I still got up and did my cardio before breakkie and I am just about to head down to do my weights.  Maybe it is because of the sudden heat.......not sure?

We had a lovely weekend.  Had dinner out with hubby's workmates on Friday night, and on Saturday night we had a small bbq here at home with the group of friends who come and workout here at my shed gym.  And yes, I stuck 100% to my eating plan.  I am so proud of myself.  Initially I was anxious about it, but in the end it turned out to be easier than I thought. 

This is all such a learning experience, and so far I can tick all the boxes.  Sometimes I do have to pinch myself (not to check bf %) but to check that this is all real, and is actually happening!  Bring it on!!!!!