Change of direction

Again after promising to post every week, it's been nearly a month since I have posted. I think I will have to get into the habbit of making shorter posts more often.

Firstly I have had to make a tough decision again. Because Steve has dropped $100 per week pay because he has gone from night shift back to day shift, I have had to reaccess our finances. Unfortunately at the moment I just can't afford to go to ww meetings. My 1st 10 week package has run out and I just can't afford to renew it. I certainly haven't given up. I am going to weigh every Sat morning and take a picture of my scales and email it to a friend to keep me honest.

I weighed this morning and have lost .3. Unfortunately my scales are 1 kg heavier than the ww scales so that would have been 1.3 kgs, but I have to go off of the scales I am weighing on. I have now lost 8.9 kgs since the beginning of January. I had a huge setback over easter. Totally lost the plot and ate far too much chocolate so I did put on a bit. But I have now lost most of that and am only .5 kg off where I was a month ago.

I have a new walking partner who is unreal and very reliable. We try to walk twice a week and I walk by myself or with the kids another 2 times a week. I am feeling heaps fitter now. We do a walk between the Semaphore and Largs Bay jettys which I used to dread but now I do it with ease.

Jarryd started school 2 weeks ago and is loving it. He has made some new friends and I am very happy with his teacher and the class he is in. I really thought I would have some seperation problems with him because I did when he started kindy, but that hasn't happened. He doesn't need me - boo hoo!!!

Nikki has started winter netball at ETSA park which is where the Thunderbirds play. Unfortunately it is on a Saturday morning and we have to leave home at 8am which is quite rude when it is sooooo cold. Her team has won their first 3 matches now so that is a great start.

I hope all the mums have a fantastic mothers day tomorrow. I have told my kids I want a sleep in so they had better not wake me up to give me their presents - lol. And a very happy first mothers day to Tania.

I have posted a photo of the kids on Jarryd's 1st day of school. It's not the best photo. I have a real problem with my camera with red eyes. Maybe one day when we have some money I will invest in a new digital camera.

Jarryd's last kindy day.

what a poser!!

Easter 2006

easter eggs everywhere.

Where to Start!!!

It never ceases to amaze me where the time goes. When I started this blog I promised to update weekly. Well that hasn't happened.

I must admit that when I'm not on track with my weight loss, I feel a bit as if I just can't be bothered with anything. That includes this blog, the ww forum and my ww group in oz I belong to. I guess we all feel like that to a certain extent.

During Jan and Feb I managed to lose just over 9 kgs. In March I lost the grand total of 200g and I must admit I have gone backwards so far in April. I have put on about 1 kg in the last 2 weeks. I made the decision on Friday that I would get through easter with no pressure about eating easter eggs which I knew there was no way I would be able to resist and get back on track after that. I even wrote out my weekly plan as of yesterday and have included every meal and snack and I am happy to say I am definitely back on track. I didn't weigh in tonight (yes I am a chicken) but I fully intend to record a loss next Tuesday.

In response to Jami's question re April 13th, I did survive Jarryd's last day at kindy. (Thanks for asking Jami) I was quite surprised how calm I was. Jarryd was so excited so I guess that made it easier for me to say goodbye to everyone. And I know we can always go back and visit and join in on the fundraising functions they have from time to time. My baby is so ready for school which is great because I really thought I would have problems with him. He is in the same class as a good friend of his so that helps.

Arpil has been a very busy month so far. It was Steve's birthday on the 8th, my nephew's 2nd birthday on the 7th, easter and then my birthday next Tuesday (Anzac Day)

We went to Stansbury for easter to stay with Steve's family. It is 2 hours from Adelaide and we had a great weekend. We even managed to come home without the kids - lol. No we didn't lose them on the way. They are staying with Steve's parents this week. Our school holidays have just started. Unfortunately I still have to work, but it is unreal just to get up in the morning and get myself ready. Instead of getting 3 kids ready as well. Steve and I are going out for dinner on Friday night for my birthday. Not sure where yet but I'm sure it will be thai. Yummo. The kids are coming home on Saturday and by then I will be missing them like crazy. It is so quiet here!!

This afternoon I went to visit Tania and finally got to meet her little man Lachlan who is already 6 weeks old. He is just gorgeous and I had cuddles. Aren't they just so precious when they are that little?? Tania is doing great for a first time mum and Lachlan is thriving.

Thanks to the people who have visited and left messages. Don't give up on me - lol. I haven't given up. Just got sidetracked for a while. I will be back next Tuesday to let you know how I went this week. Please leave a comment if you visit. It's nice to know you are interested enough to read my blog.

See you next week.

Update at last!!

Again, it's been ages since I have updated. I guess I have been putting everything else first as usual.

I have put on .4 in the last 2 weeks. I really haven't been tracking as well as I should which is always the biggest reason my weight starts to creep up again. Though I guess .4 in 2 weeks isn't as bad as it could have been if I wasn't following the programme. I am still exercising as much as usual which is another reason I haven't gained too much. I have virtually stayed the same for the last month, but I have lost 8.8 kgs in 11 weeks so I guess that's not too bad. Just need to get my head back in the right place again.

We've had a bit of sickness in our house. The kids have had sniffles and sore throats - nothing too serious. As I said, I always seem to put myself last and tend to get very run down sometimes. I had a sore throat and croaky throat last week but feel better now.

My baby boy had his first school visit on Friday and he just loved it. I knew he would. He is in a class with one of his best friends from kindy who started school in term 1 so I'm really happy they are back together again. It will make me feel heaps better on May 1st when he starts school full time. I know he will cope far better than me.

Also April 13th is going to be a very emotional day for me. That is the day Jarryd finishes kindy ending my association with the kindy all 3 of my kids went to. I have loved our time there and I know the kids have too so it's going to be a very sad day. I cried when Ashleigh finished so I'm sure I'll be a mess when Jarryd finishes.

Nikki played in her 1st netball grand final last friday. It was a very close game but they were beaten in the last quarter and lost by 6 goals in the end. Nobody really minded because they all got a trophy and got to go to Hungry Jacks after.

Anyway not a lot has been happening here lately. I'm looking forward to catching up with a fellow blogger friend of mine who had her 1st baby 2 weeks ago. A little boy called Lachlan James and from the photo I have seen, he is just gorgeous. Congratulations again Tania and Michael.

Busy Weekend

Wow again I've been reminded that I haven't updated this blog for ages. Life is just so busy.

Firstly my weigh in last Tuesday and I stayed exactly the same. I was a little relieved because I had been naughty the previous week and my scales said I had put on. So I pulled my finger out and from Friday to Tuesday I tracked like mad. So I guess I made up for being naughty.

Nikki had her 1st netball final last Friday and it was so exciting. They won by 1 goal and are now into the Grand Final this Friday night. The team and parents and grandparents were all so excited. It was like they had already won the grand final. But like I tell Nikki, as wonderful as it will be to win the grand final, at least they have made it there so that is a huge achievement in itself.

My baby boy turned 5 yesterday and we had a huge day in the Lehmann household. We had a family bbq for lunch with Steve's parents coming over from Stansbury (2 hours from Adelaide) Then we had another 8 kindy kids here in the afternoon. We had a jumping castle which was a huge hit and the kids all had a great time. From past experience, I have always had trouble with savoury party food like pies and sausage rolls so this time I only bought 12 party pies and 12 sausage rolls. The kids mainly ate the sweet food which I have no trouble avoiding and there weren't that many left overs. What was left over my kids had for tea.

By the time everyone left and I cleaned up, I was exhausted. It was a very humid day and I think I earnt a heap of bonus points. So I enjoyed every moment I spent in the spa when it was all over.

I still haven't heard anything about our electricity bill saga. I rang TXU on Feb 28th because that was the day the $10,000 bill was due. I thought I would do the courtesy of letting them know we had a faulty meter. The girl I spoke to was very helpful in contrast to the bitch that I spoke to when I got the bill. After telling her of the way I was treated, she asked me if I wanted to put in a formal complaint. I told her I did and she told me that management would be in contact with me within 48 hours. Well that was 2 weeks ago and I am still waiting. TYPICAL!!!!!!

I'm not sure about weigh in tomorrow night. TTOM for me next week and I can feel myself bloating up already. So I think it will be an interesting weigh in this week. I'll be back to let you know how I went.

Update at last

Wow, I didn't realize it had been so long since I updated. It's been very busy.

Firstly and most importantly I weighed in last week and lost 400g bringing the total to 9.2 kgs. I was very happy with that because I had a bit to eat and drink the Sunday before weigh in and I really thought I might not lose.

Steve and I were lucky enough to go and watch the NAB cup football game between the Adelaide Crows and Port Power in a corporate box. But because my team were getting dismally beaten I just had to drown my sorrows - lol. What can you do when you are getting free alcohol?? DRINK. And that's what I did. Naughty me. Then all the food came out which was very point UNfriendly. Wedges, fried chicken drumettes and a cheese and dried fruit and nut platter. I thought I controlled myself with the food better than the drink and I didn't have lunch so it couldn't be that bad, could it? We did park the car a fair way from the ground so I could get in some exercise so that was one good thing.

I caught up with a couple of friends from the ww in oz group last Saturday Karen and Pauline and it was so good to catch up. It had been ages. We are planning a get together in Melbourne the last weekend in August and the 3 of us are going to fly over and back together. Should be fun.

I have kept up my exercise routine. I am religiously doing aqua twice a week which I will increase next week to three times a week adding a Sunday morning class. I couldn't do it this morning because Steve was playing golf. Also walking Monday night with the netball mums (Nikki's netball not mine - lol), Tuesday night after work and before weigh in, Friday to and from school and Sunday I take the kids to the beach. I didn't walk today because it was fairly hot and Jarryd wasn't 100% so I did and hour of gardening instead. Let me tell you, I was sweating more than any walk I do.

As I said it's been hot here so we have spent most of the weekend in the pool. I just hope it's not too hot next Sunday because it is Jarryd's 5th birthday and we are having a party with about 8 kindy kids and I have booked a jumping castle. They are predicting 38 for Sat so I'll see what the forcast says later in the week.

We had some friends here this afternoon for a swim and they suggested we have a bbq tea. I had taken out a pork fillet to roast so that will have to wait until tomorrow night. The 2 families that came said they would bring the meat and I provided a tossed salad and the bread. They also brought dessert. Well there was nothing at all ww friendly. The meat was sausages, pork spareribs, satay chicken wings and chilli chicken wings. I had 2 tiny chilli wings and filled my plate with tossed salad. Dessert was a cheesecake shop Apple Strudel and I didn't have any of that either. And I gave all the leftovers to the guests to take home.

I always seem to do better with my food when we have company. Weird isn't it?? But I guess they all know I am doing weight watchers and I feel very strong when other people are around watching me. Why is it then that I struggle when I am by myself and always feel the urge to pick at things that aren't good for me??? I guess when I can conquer that constant struggle, will be the time I lose this darn weight for good.

Another busy week ahead of school, work, girls netball and dancing and my exercise. The kids have a pupil free day on Friday which is a bit of bad timing because I was going to do the shopping for Jarryd's party without the girls. Oh well they will just have to help me (or hinder as the case will be - lol) Then next Monday is Adelaide Cup holiday so we have a 4 day weekend in the Lehmann house except for Steve. He has to work Friday.

I'm a bit worried about weigh in this week. I seem to have put on about 700g according to my scales. I think my bad weekend last week has caught up with me. Also I need to get that tracker going again. Been a bit slack with that in the last couple of weeks. I have tracked all weekend though and still have 2 days to go so maybe the damage won't be too bad.

I'll update mid week and let you know how I go.

And good luck to Tania this week. Her baby was due a few days ago and she's going to be induced on Thursday if nothing happens. Fingers crossed for the natural birth you want.

Good news at last

We had our meter tested today and surprise, surpise it is faulty. Can I sue them for stress!!!!

The best words I have heard in ages from the repairman - 'I have good news' That is an understatement.

He replaced the meter and now I have to fight it out with TXU to work out if I have paid them too much in the last 18 months - 2 years. Goodness knows how long the meter has been faulty. We have been advised to check the meter weekly and get an average daily reading and then try and sort it out with TXU. I can see a fight happening. I am not going to pay them one more cent because they did a reading last September and should have picked up then that we had a problem.

Anyway I still managed to do an aqua class tonight with Steve running the girls around to dancing for a change. I really felt good. Like a release of all the tension.

I did treat myself to a bowl of icecream tonight. And boy did I enjoy it. I have been good with my eating today so I know it fitted into my points.

I also want to let Tania know (a fellow blogging friend) that I am thinking of you at the moment. Her baby is due in a few days and I am so excited for her and Michael. Can't wait to hear the good news.

Have a great day tomorrow. I know I will.

I love this photo of Nikki. She is such a water baby.

This is our project from last year. Took a lot of hard work because the paving and timber screen was done by Steve with a little help from his friends. We have spent heaps of time in the pool this year and the kids love it, even going in on days that are on the cool side.

What a HELL week!!!!

Well where do I start!!!!

On a good note. I lost another 600g at weigh in tonight taking the total to 8.8 kgs. I'm really going to try extra hard to get to 10 kgs next week. I was pleased with that loss because of TTOM and a very stressful week.

It started last Thursday when I got the shock of my life with a $9,900 electricity bill in the mail. I thought it was a joke because there were 4 bills starting with $1700, then $5500, then $7900, then the big one - nearly $10,000. Apparently according to TXU, they have been grossly underestimating our bills for the last 12 months and have cancelled all the accounts from last year and reissued them taking off the $1700 we had already paid. That makes it approx $3000 per quarter.

WHAT THE????????????????

When I rang TXU, they were so rude. The girl told me there was nothing wrong with the bill or the meter. HELLO!!!!!
Anyway we are having someone here tomorrow testing the meter and I just pray they find a problem or I don't know what we will do. I have had so many people telling me that maybe someone is tapping into the power, I am starting to believe it. But it can't be possible. We have an inside meter so how could that happen??

Anyway I worried myself sick on Friday and didn't sleep Friday night. I got up Saturday morning thinking I was having a heart attack. I had heart palpitations and couldn't seem to take a deep breath. I got myself to the doctor and she was convinced I was having a panic attack and has prescribed valium. My blood pressure and pulse were ok so I guess I wasn't having a heart attack - thank goodness. I wasn't sure about taking the valium but because it is only 2mg I started Sunday and it has really helped. I am sleeping so much better and am feeling much calmer.

In hindsight I think I have been having these attacks since dad died in August. I haven't been coping with things like I should be - which is understandable considering what we went through with dad. I asked the doctor if it was possible it is my heart and she said for peace of mind I could have an ECG which I am doing on Friday. I still have the heart flutters but I guess I will know for sure on Friday if there is a problem there.

I have kept up my exercise - walked on Friday, Sunday, Monday and tonight. And aqua Saturday and tomorrow night as well. If anything I haven't eaten enough points this week because I just haven't felt like eating.

So we'll know the result of the meter test tomorrow and if there isn't a problem I will be taking it further because no household can use $3000 of power per quarter, especially if they have gas hot water and cooking. And no we are not growing something illegal - lol.

And now that I know how, one of my gorgeous kids. But I'm not biased!!!!!

Yahoo!!!!!

I have worked out how to upload photos. It wasn't really that hard - lol.

This is a photo of myself and my 4 year old son Jarryd.

Thanks Bikinidreamer.

A big loss this week!!!!!

Weigh in last night and I must say I was shocked to get on those scales and be told I had lost 1.8 kgs this week. I was so happy. I knew I had been very good and had done lots of exercise so I guess it was just confirmation of my good week. The meeting was very interesting. All about portion sizes. The leader demonstrated the ww scales and I think we were all shocked to discover that a banana that was weighed (and that I guessed was 1 point) was actually 2 points!!!!
I would love to get some of those scales but at $99 they are a bit out of my price range at the moment.

So I have now lost 8.2 kgs in 6 weeks.

The weather here has been glorious and I have made the most of getting out for walks. Walked a lot Friday as I mentioned in the previous post. Then an aqua class on Saturday and lots of walking again on Sunday. My mum, sister and her little boy who is nearly 2 and myself and the kids went on a Port River dolphin cruise. It was 1.5 hours and I must admit it was a little boring by the end but we did get to see some dolphins on the way back. Then an aqua class again on Monday night and a walk to the beach last night before weigh in.

Steve and I didn't do anything for Valentine's day this year. The money is very tight at the moment and because it was a netball night for Nikki and ww night for me, we didn't even get to eat a meal together. Lol that's life when you are so busy.

I have also been meaning to mention another one of the most amazing support groups I have ever been involved with. Two years ago a gorgeous lady I met on the ww website started a yahoo group for people who have weight to lose. We have lost and gained members along the way, but I have made some lifetime friends. We met up this time last year in Melbourne and it was the best weekend. We all got on so well and plan to do it again sometime soon. We are always looking for new members so if anyone is interested, here is the link:

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/WeightwatchersinOz/

I must say the highlight of my week was walking to the beach with my 7 year old daughter Ashleigh yesterday. She kept stopping every 5 minutes to pick flowers out of people's gardens and giving them to me saying 'Happy Valentine's Day mummy.' I knew she shouldn't be picking flowers out of other people's gardens but I just couldn't tell her off.

My weekend starts

I don't work Friday and I love being home with my baby. My baby is nearly 5 and is starting school on 1st May. I have very mixed feelings about it. On one hand I know it is the next step in life but he's my baby!!!!

I walked the kids to school and am pottering around the house. Then I'm going to walk back from school via the playground so the kids can have a play and mummy can have a coffee at the kiosk. We have a great walk that I do often with my kids. It takes about 20 mins and we are at the beach with a playground, kiosk, jetty, bbq facilities and toilets. I can sit outside under the umbrella's watching the kids. It's my favourite place with the kids.

I am doing well again this week with my eating. It's funny, I have been counting points and the last week I have sort of been doing no count. 3 set meals a day with snacks in between. Snacks have been mostly fruit but if I have eaten anything else it is all within the 21 points extra per week (or 3 per day)

I'm sure if you are committed to do the right thing it does become a habbit. How long do they say to break a habbit?? Well this is my 6th week.

I am very inspired reading other people's blogs and the girls on the ww website are unreal. I really feel like there is a huge group of 30+ women (kgs that is) that are going to get to goal together. Wow what a party that will be!!!

Ok off to get some lunch and work out how to put photos on this blog - lol.

Tina

beginning the journey

This is very new to me. So many people on the ww website have started blogs so it has inspired me to start my own.

I have been doing ww for 5 weeks and so far I have lost 6.4 kgs. I feel as if I am doing really well and I am actually starting to enjoy exercising. I can't believe I just said that - lol.

I don't have a lot of support at home. My darling husband is a stick and can eat anything he likes. He refuses to walk with me becuase he has a very physical job and doesn't see the need. It would be nice though just for the support.

Luckily I have 3 gorgeous kids that come walking with me. They take scooters and we go for a 45 min walk to our local beach which has a playground and a kiosk. I usually reward myself with a skinny cappuchino.

I have also been doing aqua twice a week which I am loving.

I promise to update this blog at least weekly.