Erica & Enny Weigh In

Low and lurgies

2008-09-22T18:04:00.002+10:00

I spent a few days in a row at 73.something last week, then a dip up to low 74.something, and then I got the flu... meaning I spent the last three days at mid 73.something, high 72.something, low 73.something.

I guess there is some small upside to everything looking/smelling unappealing, but I'd much rather be feeling fit and healthy!

Dipping under

2008-09-15T23:00:00.002+10:00

2 days in a row now I have finally cracked my plateau kilo of the past couple of months - here's hoping it sticks!

I was having a slim feel day today - it's funny the way a little number can change your whole attitude (and your walk!) for a day.

I think the gym has been helping - I worked really hard yesterday all by myself (middle bro was coming but then realised he was late for lunch!) and caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror as I was getting ready for my chest press. I was red and sweaty and looking a little pooped BUT I also looked like someone who was really working hard! I felt it when I was in the car, working the energy up to get the groceries - like yeah, I was pooped, but yeah, I was so PUMPED about it!

This must be what those gym junkies get hooked on.

Feeling the love and Loving the feel

2008-09-08T18:10:00.002+10:00

I lost between 0.8kg and 1.3kg last week - that is, my weight this morning was 0.8kg lower this morning than it was last Monday, but on Saturday it was 1.3kg lower than it was on Monday.

It's been good going so far and I'm feeling good.

Why?

Well.

- My jeans feel looser.

- Gf2 told me I must have been losing weight as my limbs looked longer.

- My nails are looking great.

- Mumsy and dadsy both commented to each other that my skin was looking great on Friday night.

- I love laying in bed and feeling around my hip bones.

Many benefits to this healthy eating thang!

Update!

2008-08-31T19:09:00.001+10:00

So - I reached ONE of my goals - The Hun and I got engaged last week.

Since the last time I posted, things have been going well - I have stayed within the same 1kg range, which is very nice.

I went to the gym this morning and got a new program, and hope to get down another 4 and a bit kg by October 25. We'll see how it goes - I have plenty of motivation, that's for sure.

I'll also be trying to get some input from my middle bro - he's lost over 40kg all by himself and has been doing an awesome job of getting me to do some cardio. He really is an inspiration and I hope he has an opportunity to share his story with others.

Anyways - till next time (if you're even here now!).

Enny - Measure Up / Weigh In #10

2008-07-21T21:57:00.002+10:00

Am thinking of only updating weekly, with the measure up / weigh in and a roundup of the stuff I would have put daily... any thoughts?!

Weight: 74.6kg (-0.40kg) (Total: -3.80kg)
Widest stomach : 960 (-20mm)(Total: -40mm)
Smallest stomach: 800 (-20mm) (Total: +90mm)
Widest thigh: 610mm (-05mm) (Total: -35mm)
Smallest thigh: 400mm (-15mm) (Total: -45mm)
Widest chest: 1005mm (-15mm) (Total: -15mm)
Lowest chest: 820mm (+20mm) (Total: -20mm)
Hipbones: 955mm (-25mm) (Total: -55mm)
Armpit outwards left arm: 330mm (+15mm)(Total: -15mm)

Doesn't feel that successful a week...!

Blood blood sugar

2008-07-19T20:10:00.002+10:00

I was all over the place with tireds today - up and down and up and down.
It's quite interesting to look at the way what you eat affects the way you feel.

Me and caffeine, for example - a large part of me feeling tired and blood sugary and a bit headachey is that I hadn't had a Redeye or cola until 2pm. How odd to be a big ol' living thing and have so much of the way I feel controlled by a liquid.

It doesn't help that I cooked up platefuls of hash browns, mushrooms and toast for myself and a friend this morning. Then didn't eat again until 2pm when I wasn't really hungry but The Hun's mum pulled out a box of those archilles-breaking rosemary and sea salt biscuits. Then after playing laser-shooting with some friends I got macca's fries so I could get cash out without having to get out of my car. And I just had cold pizza for dinner.

But focus on the coke, people. Focus on the coke.

"Is one of your legs shorter than the other?"

2008-07-17T18:12:00.002+10:00

That's the RPM instructors gut feeling about why the back inside muscles of my left knee feel strained after RPM

Tonight I try lowering the bike seat, then if nothing changes after two weeks then I should look at some cycling shoes. Then if THAT doesn't work, I guess I need to see someone?

Bizarre.

Enny - Measure Up / Weigh In #9

2008-07-15T21:24:00.005+10:00

Here we go....

Weight: 75.0kg (+0.3kg) (Total: -3.40kg)

Widest stomach : 980 (+/-0mm)(Total: -20mm)
Smallest stomach: 820 (+10mm) (Total: +110mm)
Widest thigh: 615mm (-15mm) (Total: -30mm)
Smallest thigh: 415mm (-10mm) (Total: -30mm)
Widest chest: 1020mm (+20mm) (Total: +/-0mm)
Lowest chest: 800mm (-10mm) (Total: -40mm)
Hipbones: 980mm (+/-0mm) (Total: -30mm)
Armpit outwards left arm: 315mm (-150mm)(Total: -30mm)

Those of you that had right to be alarmed by the massive intake yesterday can breathe a sigh of relief - I'm very much dedicated again, ate well and had a good RPM session.

And a chart update:

Hrm - I think the weight one is the more impressive one!

The Monday after, 7am - 5pm

2008-07-14T16:48:00.002+10:00

Weetbix x 2
Soy Milk x 1
Apple x 1
Banana x 1
Rice Paper Rolls x 2
Redye x 1
Pepsi Max x 1
Giant Rice Cracker x 1

Big Bag of Chips x 1
Bag of Jellybeans x 1

Do I feel full? Yes.
Do I regret it? Yes (even though I'm not though all the jellybeans yet).
Did it make me feel better? Yes. For a while. But Yes.

Todays measurements will be up tommorrow.

Wide old open plain

2008-07-13T20:37:00.002+10:00

3 days of eating more quantity and less quantity.

Luckilly the scales have remained pretty flat, but I plan on another big ol' good week this week to try to knock another kilo off.

It's mostly been more bread - my cold weather gene kicks in and I grave the crusty softness. When I need a bit of a sympathy binge this afternoon I did it on a packed of ricecrackers rather than a packet of chips. And that's an adjustment for the best, right?

I fought the law...

2008-07-11T23:04:00.003+10:00

... and the keeping-it-up-and-wagging-gym ~~law~~ won.

(PS - Shoutout 'hullo!' to my loyal reader Lala!)

Lazy Thursday

2008-07-10T17:44:00.002+10:00

Two glasses of moscato and roughly 20 chips at work.

Now it's time for the battle between keeping-it-up-and-wagging-gym vs working-off-the-calories...

This cold weather...

2008-07-09T18:02:00.001+10:00

... makes me feel like potato chips.

And toast.

And hot chips.

And crusty rolls.

And mashed potato.

And buttered turkish bread.

Noticing a theme here?
So far, doing well.

This here is my face

2008-07-08T21:33:00.001+10:00

This morning while I was doing my hair, I realised my face looked a little thinner.

Sure, it could just be me thinking it looks thinner, but it made me feel better nonetheless.

What's one thing you're liking about your you?

Enny - Measure Up / Weigh In #8

2008-07-07T21:57:00.003+10:00

After the weekends episode, I almost went down ANOTHER kilo! Seems the stop-it drugs really, ehm, stop it!

Weight: 74.3kg (-0.50kg) (Total: -3.70kg)

Widest stomach : 980 (+/-0mm)(Total: -20mm)
Smallest stomach: 810 (-20mm) (Total: +100mm)
Widest thigh: 630mm (+10mm) (Total: -15mm)
Smallest thigh: 425mm (-55mm) (Total: -20mm)
Widest chest: 1000mm (+10mm) (Total: -20mm)
Lowest chest: 810mm (-10mm) (Total: -30mm)
Hipbones: 980mm (+/-0mm) (Total: -30mm)
Armpit outwards left arm: 330mm (+/-0mm)(-15mm)

I think I'm doing okay now - looking forward to being able to go to RPM twice this week.

Gastro

2008-07-06T16:16:00.001+10:00

Simultaneously the most disgusting and hilarious manner of illness (and weight loss!).

You get what you wish for

2008-07-04T22:21:00.001+10:00

I had a LOT of stress/cabbage induced stomach upset today.

That's what I get...!

Busy bee

2008-07-03T21:58:00.002+10:00

Missed a post yesterday (I think I'm only talking to my reader here!) because I was straight from work to seeing a martial arts senior from Darwin - This weekend is going to be very busy with martial arts things.

I remember when I first started weight watchers a few years ago, one of my first weekends was spent in Melbourne for a tournament. I was frenetic because I'd miscalculated how many points were in a bag of those Crunchie bites, and was having problems finding healthy food on the go. That week, I lost almost 2 kilo's.

My stress instinct is to eat - it's like I'm not already busy enough thinking and planning and cursing, I have to keep my hands and jaw busy too. I always wanted to be one of those people who were too stressed to eat - I think the amount I sweat and churn my stomach when stressed must burn extra calories.

The full gamut

2008-07-01T21:35:00.002+10:00

I experienced the full gamut of exercise emotion (exemotion?) this afternoon.

I had to go to Bunnings with youngest bro after work to get some stuff for martial arts this weekend, and it took a little longer than expected. In line for the checkout I kept looking at my watch and weighing up whether I wanted to rush and make it, or was looking for an excuse to get out of RPM.

It was cold in Bunnings and it was colder in the car, and I decided that I wouldn't be riding tonight - it was too cold, I was running late, the traffic was bound to hold me up - I better just give up on the idea.

Then an upbeat song came on the radio and I realised that no, I wanted to go tonight. I wanted to feel strong, and successful, and worn out.

I rushed into the house and popped a piece of raisin toast into the toaster (vegan + cycling - carbs = miserable failure) and ruffled around looking for my nicks. I KNEW I'd put them somewhere, after The Hun insisted they couldn't sit in the loungeroom drying for a week. Where were they?

Oh I give up. I'll be too late anyway. I might as well turn the computer on now.

Oh no - wait - here they are - quick Quick QUICK!

I dashed in and got to class just before my name was called on the roll.

I set myself up and got straight to work.

And I gotta tell you - the more classes I do, the more I seem to sweat and the better and stronger I feel.

The hardest part is simply starting, people.

Enny - Measure Up / Weigh in #7

2008-06-30T21:36:00.003+10:00

Hooray for good weeks!

Weight: 75.2kg (-2.20kg) (Total: 3.20kg)

Widest stomach : 980 (+20mm)(Total: -20mm)
Smallest stomach: 830 (-10mm) (Total: +120mm)
Widest thigh: 620mm (-10mm) (Total: -25mm)
Smallest thigh: 480mm (+50mm)(Total: +25mm)
Widest chest: 990mm (-20mm) (Total: -30mm)
Lowest chest: 820mm(+/-0mm) (Total: -20mm)
Hipbones: 980mm (+/-0mm) (Total: -30mm)
Armpit outwards left arm: 330mm (+25mm)(-15mm)

Check it out - almost below 75kg!

WeightWatchers jokes

2008-06-29T16:56:00.001+10:00

I wonder what percentage of the population would recognise a WeightWatchers/points joke?

heh heh

Heh

2008-06-28T19:48:00.001+10:00

From here.

Turkish

2008-06-27T23:45:00.001+10:00

Turkish bread, hommus and chilli dip - you just can't beat it for a super fantastic meal.

Granted, I would have eaten half a loaf of the turkish bread.

But it was worth it. I'll just have to go for a walk tomorrow!

Coming down, down, down to funky town

2008-06-26T22:07:00.002+10:00

You know the way you feel before you get full blown sick? You're a bit headachey, your throat hurts and you feel lightheaded and dizzy? You realise that last night you were acting a particular type of silly, the type that's often a sign you're not 100%? Your limbs seem heavier than usual, your toes colder than usual and your face more blushed than usual?

That's what kept me from RPM tonight.
Boo.

Here's hoping it either goes totally mental and knocks me off work for a few days OR it just disappears completely.

Hooray for the daily weigh again!

2008-06-25T17:56:00.001+10:00

Another 800g overnight?!
My first foray into the magic 75?!?!
party Party PARTY!

Tune in tomorrow when I'll likely whinge about the gain which isn't really a 'gain' as much as it is less of a 'loss'.

Hooray for daily weigh!

2008-06-24T17:57:00.001+10:00

Again - Hooray for the daily weigh!

This morning, I was 76.6 - the same as I was last Monday. How great is that?! :o)

Enny - Measure Up / Weigh in #6

2008-06-23T17:30:00.002+10:00

Feel free to skip the next part!

Weight: 77.4kg (+0.8kg) (Total: 1kg)

Widest stomach : 960 (-10mm) (Total: -0mm)
Smallest stomach: 840 (+80mm) (Total: +130mm)
Widest thigh: 630mm (+/-0mm) (Total: -15mm)
Smallest thigh: 430mm (-20mm) (Total: -15mm)
Widest chest: 1010mm (-05mm) (Total: -10mm)
Lowest chest: 830mm (+20mm) (Total: -10mm)
Hipbones: 980mm (+/-0mm) (Total: -30mm)
Armpit outwards left arm: 305mm (-25mm)(-40mm)

Overall, I'm still smaller - but as mentioned yesterday I'm trying to get back in with the WeightWatchers stuff for a while (I downloaded a WICKED spreadsheet today!) and hoping to lose the 7.4 in four weeks. I've also put my little daily measure spreadsheet on the wall so I can track from day to day - hopefully it will fall and hopefully it will keep me motivated and aware.

I seem to be missing an Erica, might you have seen her?!

New Day, New Way

2008-06-22T21:27:00.002+10:00

Honestly, I'll be surprised if I'm not back up at my start weight tomorrow.

I've set myself a few targets (perhaps something crucial that has been missing up until now):

Date: Saturday 23rd of August
Weight: 70kg
Method: Am considering trying out the Weight Watchers again...

Sidenote: Am planning to mix up the exercise - I'm getting some kind of pain behind my knee and I think it's coming from the RPM. So. I plan to do two RPM's a week, with Pump one week and Cardiobox the other - but I've got to sort out the timetabling. As much as I like the idea of being out of bed before 1pm on a Saturday, the Saturday morning teacher is my least favourite and I end up napping anyway (thus negating being out of bed so early!).

Jeans Day

2008-06-19T18:22:00.002+10:00

I went shopping for a new pair of jeans today - I have two pairs of baggy jeans that are lazy lazy lazy, and a 'good' pair that I bought for my 21st. While still be able to wear them is a bit of an achievement, it's not really - I yoyo so much that it was kind of inevitable. And while they still fit, the seams inside the thighs are getting thinner and there is just going to be a massive exploding volcano of inner thigh flesh.

Stocks is having a sale so I headed in and picked out three pairs - the three biggest pairs in the store (who are these people who wear size 7, 8 and 9 that are so against sales?!) and headed into the changerooms.

The first pair looked fantastic on my calves and ankles - just like all the trendy kids! Unfortunately, I wanted jeans that would go past my knees, so I had to pass them in.

The second pair fit well on my knees, but the crotch was hanging mid thigh - so I had to pass them in.

The third pair fit. It's funny, but I can't even remember if they looked good or bad or terrible - all I knew was that they fit and they were$60 from $200.

Instead of making me more determined to lose weight, it made me hit the vending machine. And skip RPM. And have a kebab and chips for dinner.

The RPM instructor knows my name...

2008-06-17T21:46:00.001+10:00

... and called out in class for me to lift my chest, then later to relax my elbows.

The Hun says to see it as a good thing - good feedback to keep getting better.

But then, why didn't she correct anyone else?

I still love the class though - once I'm in the seat (the hardest part is getting there!).

Enny - Measure Up / Weigh in #5

2008-06-16T17:56:00.002+10:00

So, how accurate was my whinging?

Weight: 76.6kg (+0.3kg) (Total: 1.8kg)

Widest stomach : 970 (-20mm) (Total: -30mm)
Smallest stomach: 760 (-90mm) (Total: +50mm)
Widest thigh: 630mm (+/-0mm) (Total: -15mm)
Smallest thigh: 450mm (-20mm) (Total: +05mm)
Widest chest: 1015mm (-15mm) (Total: -05mm)
Lowest chest: 810mm (+/-0mm) (Total: -30mm)
Hipbones: 980mm (-10mm) (Total: -30mm)
Armpit outwards left arm: 330mm (+05mm)(-15mm)

Less than two kilos in over a month?
That's terrible!

I need to get on track - a good track! - and stick to it.
Grr.

Disencouraged

2008-06-15T19:25:00.002+10:00

Don't know if it's a word, but it's what sets in when things aren't going exactly how I hope.

The scales this week will be up - perhaps even by a kilo? And yet, I don't feel I got 'value' for it.

But then, I feel like I fit a bit better in my clothes - I went through some shops on Friday and tried on size 12's and they weren't bad... they were doable if I had really wanted them.

At sports today, I felt okay. I have picked up the habit of hovering my hands over the front of my hips to see how my belly feels. And it felt fine.

But then getting ready for a shower I caught side of my reflection and wondered who I though I was fooling. I don't look any different.

So at least I'm getting value from my floury bread and Nuttelex and wondering what it is I want and how I'm going to get it.

Saturday morning struggle

2008-06-14T15:12:00.003+10:00

I had a really hard time getting out of bed this morning for RPM at 9:30 - the alarm went off at 8:40, 8:45 and 8:50am. I struggled up and stood in the loungeroom for a while, thinking about the slight headache I had (not enough water in the last few days) and the tiredness I had (perhaps exams had knocked me around more than I realised)?

I got my act together, ate a banana and swallowed a glass of water and two panadol. I got into my gym outfit, kissed The Hun buh-bye and hopped into the car for 12 minute drive.

I pulled in to the carpark just after middle bro arrived and we signed in together. He tried to fill his water bottle up using the bubbler, and I went ahead to tell the instructor our names and membership numbers to check in.

"Hrm", she said, "You're not on here... either is he."
Middle bro repeated his number and it turns out he was on the list afterall.
I wasn't.

It was at that moment that I realised I had forgotten to call ahead and book. When I'm at work I get my email to remind me to call and book, but my fluffing about in the loungeroom all week studying meant I had completely forgot to call.

DURR.

So I came home and slept another three hours, then had the last of the cake and a vegemite flatbread for lunch.

Don't expect fantastic results this week people.

Undoing the hard work, one step at a time

2008-06-13T21:03:00.002+10:00

Last exam day means I had red licorice after sushi, vegetarian takeaway and I'm on to my second glass of Moscato.

Surely I can't do too much damage in one night?
Although my checking every second day or so has shown slower loss this week - don't think I'll go down a kilo.

*sigh*

Pass the moscato please!

Foodcourt curry for lunch...

2008-06-12T15:11:00.002+10:00

... with The Hun after my exam this morning.

But (BUT!) there is still (STILL!) cake (CAKE!) in the kitchen!

Maybe not tomorrow, but for now.

Exam Period

2008-06-11T13:00:00.002+10:00

I think this is the first exam period I've been through that hasn't coincided with eating bags of No Name crinkled chips, loaves of bread covered with butter (or equivalent) and lots and lots of icecream.

Take the cake for example - I two long slices (four 'normal' slices) when it was out of the oven... and NONE since then. Yes, I am planning some this afternoon, but it's amazing it hasn't completely dissapeared already.

I think because I jump on the scales every few days to see how I'm going, and because I have made my commitment to RPM (even when I'm studying!), I'm starting to feel and see the results (I don't think there's anyone reading this who hasn't laid on their back in bed and felt around for their hipbones!).

Study lunch

2008-06-10T16:53:00.001+10:00

Care to see what not-entirely healthy but totally-entirely tasty treat I had for lunch today?

Click on through!

Enny - Measure up / Weigh in #4

2008-06-09T11:00:00.003+10:00

Straight into the deep end, folks!

Weight: 76.3kg (-1.2kg) (Total: 2.1kg)

Widest stomach : 990 (-10mm) (Total: -10mm)
Smallest stomach: 850mm (+/-0mm) (Total: +140mm)
Widest thigh: 630mm (+/-0mm) (Total: -15mm)
Smallest thigh: 470mm (-05mm) (Total: +25mm)
Widest chest: 1030mm (+10mm) (Total: +10mm)
Lowest chest: 810mm (-10mm) (Total: -30mm)
Hipbones: 990mm (+/-0mm) (Total: -20mm)
Armpit outwards left arm: 325mm (+/-05mm)(-20mm)

As a special treat - I'll graph every four weeks. I'm nothing if not self obsessed.:

You may be surprised how much the graph helped - my weekly and total tracking math skills are not awesome, and until I whipped out my trusty Excel I thought I'd gained everywhere but lost only from my bust. Which would suck.

So - weight down = good.
Measurements slightly down if not stable. I think that's good?

Diet Diary

2008-06-08T12:09:00.004+10:00

I think I've had a relatively good week - I made RPM three times in the one week, and they were all one hour sessions for the new launch. Tuesdays class made me feel good, but I was pretty anxious about the time it took as we were going to see the (TERRIBLE) Indiana Jones movie later that night, Thursday I felt drained but then elated in the carpark (hooray endorphins!) and yesterday I was not really looking forward to it (9:30am - yawn) but worked really hard and had a great time. That said, I've been to the movies with popcorn (twice) and had ANOTHER bag of jellibeans (although, all those occurred after I'd done an RPM class).

So, while this isn't the best (worst?) time to post this, as soon as I saw it here, I knew it belonged here too:

Veganniversary

2008-06-06T22:12:00.000+10:00

If you're reading this, there's a good chance it's because I nagged you to come here from here.

If not - check out this post from earlier in the week, where I talk about how easy it is being vegan.

While it doesn't point out the 'healthy' side of veganism, it's worth a look*!

*Biased, obviously.

Work computer.

2008-06-06T19:53:00.002+10:00

Was going to have quiet Friday. DVD and healthy takeaway, relax and get ready for long weekend.

Instead undid good work of eating healthy lunch all week by drinking two pints plus more of beer. Then coke mixed with something.

Now back in office (next to pub) and eating pizza shapes from office kitchen. Also shortbread cream because still hungry after pizza shapes.sd

THIS IS NOT GOING WELL AT ALL.

Dressin' fancy

2008-06-05T18:01:00.002+10:00

I'm loving RPM, but I'm not loving how I look when I go:

(I decided not to include my lumpy arms too!)

Some People...

2008-06-04T17:52:00.002+10:00

Conversation with a friend:

"Hey - You should totally try to get to RPM tonight! It's an awesome workout."

"What?! No way!! People sweat so hard they nearly pass out and vomit - I'm just not fit enough."

"Huh? No! You work at your own pace - I haven't seen anyone sick yet."

"Well then it's obviously not a good enough workout - why would I waste my time?"

*sigh*

Measure up #3 - Erica

2008-06-02T22:52:00.004+10:00

Once again no scales.

Really dreading measuring self.

Procrastinating...

Cold sitting in underwear...

Really cold.

Still cold.

Fucking cold! Just going to do it then can get into pyjamas and snuggle up with hot water bottle of comfort.

(Tape measure cold!)

Stomach (widest bit): 850mm (-10mm) (total +45mm)
Natural waist: 780mm (-40mm) (total +5mm)
Thigh: 560mm (+5mm) (total +/-0mm)
Hips: 1010mm (-10mm) (total -15mm)
Bust: 925mm (+5mm) (total +5mm)
Chicken wing: 290mm (-20mm) (total -10mm)

Estimated fitness change - worked up sweat walking to library from train station. Possibly means am getting less fit, though could also be due to too many layers of wool.

I think I need to really work on my accuracy of measuring...

Enny - Measure up / Weigh in #3

2008-06-02T21:53:00.002+10:00

As alluded to yesterday, I was not expecting anything spectacular this morning:

Weight: 77.5kg (+0.2kg) (Total: -0.9kg)

Widest stomach : 1000mm (+10mm) (Total: +/-0mm)
Smallest stomach: 850mm (+20mm) (Total: +140mm)
Widest thigh: 630mm (-05mm) (Total: -15mm)
Smallest thigh: 475mm (-05mm) (Total: +35mm)
Widest chest: 1030mm (+10mm) (Total: +10mm)
Lowest chest: 820mm (-20mm) (Total: -20mm)
Hipbones: 990mm (-30mm) (Total: -20mm)
Armpit outwards left arm: 320mm (-20mm) (Total: -25mm)

I'm not so concerned about the weight - I'm just under a kilo down and this is the heaviest time of the month for me (also seen by the increased bust and belly) and that's ignoring the extra sugar and bread I could have passed on last week! The thigh change is interesting too - perhaps my cycle is starting? That or all the dancing I did on Saturday paid off - my calves are still tight...

Anyways, 200g is just a PGB* away. Time to focus on the now!

*Post Grog Bog. Sorry.

Another writeoff

2008-06-01T20:34:00.002+10:00

I blame the whole hormones-are-ravaging-therefore-food-is-the-answer attack that kicked in on Thursday.

It's hard to tell how I fared after yesterday - yes, I danced a lot, but I also drank 4 doubles. Yes, I brought a falafel roll for lunch, but they made me turf it so I had kettles for dinner. Yes, I didn't eat lots, but again - KETTLES.

I'll be happy if I'm still the same weight tomorrow - I only made it to cycle once, I ate a buttload of popcorn, I had a bag and a half of jellybeans and a fairer than normal amount of bread.

Here's hoping the hormones-that-make-me-a-cranky-b!tch kick in and I can a good week.

Sunday Brunch - revised

2008-06-01T11:46:00.003+10:00

I'm now making poached eggs and baked beans on toast. I didn't have any oranges and have no money to buy some, as I gave my littlest sister my last $20 yesterday.

Sunday Brunch

2008-06-01T11:12:00.003+10:00

Things went much better for me last night. I went out to dinner for my sister's birthday and stayed off all alcohol except for a gin and tonic at a bar afterwards. I also didn't gorge myself completely on Thai food, despite there being an abundance at the table.

Now it is late Sunday breakfast time and I can't decide whether I should make poached eggs with baked beans on toast or Crêpes Suzette. The former is much healthier, however the latter is so much more special. I have poached eggs during the week, so they lose their appeal a little for a Sunday breakfast. I have also never made Crêpes Suzette before, and would like the cooking challenge.

So if I eat the Crêpes for brunch, have a healthy dinner and finally work in some form of exercise I think I'll be doing OK.

Write Offs

2008-05-31T14:08:00.003+10:00

I think the only thing for me to do is to write this past week off as a temporary lapse in concentration. Next week will be a fresh start.

Total exercise: riding bike to and from station; stumbling up and down hallway to vomit in toilet
Number of nights eaten pizza for dinner: five (four nights home made pizza which is somewhat healthy, one night greasy delivered pizza)
Amount of pizza vomited back up: five mushroom chunks approx.
Alcohol intake: one drink a day at beginning of week; somewhere around ten drinks last night
Number of people called while in tears on the train: unknown
Number of text messages received asking if OK: one from mum
Number of times remember falling over: one, on Chapel Street (bruised chin, hip and elbow on pavement)
Number of times don't remember falling over: two; once in hallway on way to bathroom and once out of bed on way to spew bucket (came to both times to discover self sprawled on floor)
Number of times thought should call ambulance: at least four
Number of times refrained from calling ambulance as not sure if had ambulance cover: at least four
Number of times thought am never binge drinking again: somewhere around thirteen

FYI

2008-05-30T22:08:00.000+10:00

I'm going to need to dance a :LOT: tomorrow.

Update on Sunday!

Double Uhoh...

2008-05-29T23:02:00.002+10:00

I have eaten tomato, halloumi and olive pizza almost every night this week. In fact every night since Sunday except last night.

Uhoh

2008-05-29T22:09:00.000+10:00

Enny + Bag of vegan jellibeans = Bag - Jellibeans.

Relax

2008-05-28T21:56:00.002+10:00

Today was a little more relaxed for me - I kept to my Weetbix and Soy milk for brekky, banana for morning tea, small gnochhi for lunch, popcorn airpack and rice cracker for afternoon tea.

Then I had some toast for afternoon tea that I probably didn't need.

And some bread and salted pistachios at The Hun's parents house with dinner (stirfried veggies and rice) that I didn't really need.

I figure it's okay - I didn't eat till I felt gorged and I didn't eat as much as I would normally have. Besides - I'm dancing for 10 hours on Saturday - anyone else going to Warehouse?!

Losing weight is often about compromise

2008-05-27T17:39:00.001+10:00

I am picking up Ali Baba for The Hun's dinner after cycle tonight, then we are going to see Iron Man.

I know I am going to have popcorn at the movies - I'm not going to deny myself the special occasion - therefore I am forgoing the kebab (I would have the deep fried falafel and would probably have chips). I know popcorn is not a standard 'dinner', but going to the movies means it's not a 'standard' day. Besides, I'm going to get the popcorn either way - surely it's better than eating half my weight in popcorn AND kebab AND chips!

Measure Up #2 - Ericizzle

2008-05-26T20:22:00.003+10:00

I fell of the face of the earth for a few days there, I'm sorry about that. I'd gotten off to such a good start too, what with forgetting my underwear at the pool and all. Unfortunately I not only fell off the face of the earth, but I fell a little bit off the wagon. I didn't do any exercise after about Wednesday, and the second half of the week was spent with my alcohol intake far outweighing my food intake. It was not a good week last week.

So, measurements follow*. No weight this time, as don't own scales and not at parents' house:

Stomach (widest bit): 860mm (+55mm)
Natural waist: 820mm (+45mm)
Thigh: 555mm (-5mm)
Hips: 1020mm (-5mm)
Bust: 920mm (for some reason did not measure last time, so no comparative figure)
Chicken wing: 310mm (+10mm)

*measurements taken after martini** but before haloumi, tomato and green olive pizza. Accuracy questionable...

**decided yesterday will drink only dry martinis from now on***, inspired by John Lemmon. Martinis clear drink therefore much better for weight loss than coloured drink like beer or wine. Also will look like 50s film star**** when ordering at bar.

***did not follow plan through last night, as drank too much beer and yelled and screamed like Beatles fan at Eurovision on big screen television in bar.

****also decided to wear false eyelashes every day. And to get hair cut like Shirley MacLaine. Will add to 50s film star glamour when teamed with martini drinking.

Enny - Measure up / weigh in #2

2008-05-26T08:36:00.002+10:00

Let's see what difference a week makes, shall we?

Weight: 77.3kg (- 1.1kg)

Widest stomach : 990mm (-10mm)
Smallest stomach: 830mm (+120mm)
Widest thigh: 635mm (-10mm)
Smallest thigh: 480mm (+35mm)
Widest chest: 1020mm (+/-0mm)
Lowest chest: 840mm (+/-0mm)
Hipbones: 1020mm (+10mm)
Armpit outwards left arm: 340mm (+/-0mm)

So we can see that my measuring might not be spot on, or I am changing in different places at different degrees. At least my chest hasn't changed, I guess!

I'm very happy with the 1.1kg loss - that seems like a good amount for not having changed anything to drastically, and I believe it is a sustainable amount to lose and keep off.

Your turn Erica!

Almost week two

2008-05-25T18:21:00.000+10:00

I will admit I've been sneaking on to the scales a few times this week and I've been happy with what I've seen. Nothing major, but then I haven't made any major changes to what I'm doing.

Only tomorrow will tell, I guess!

How are you feeling, Erica?

Nixxed!

2008-05-24T18:46:00.003+10:00

Cycle this morning was awesome, but tiring, but enjoyable, but exhausting. And painful.

Lucky for me, I popped out this afternoon and bought me some cycling shorts. Basically, they are ugly tight bike shorts that make my thighs look like stringed ham, with a built in chamois that looks and feels like you're wearing the largest overnight pad ever made. But, my hiney will thank me for it.

And I'll only be wearing them under other shorts. The rest of the class will thank me for it.

Week One Weekdays Won

2008-05-23T21:45:00.002+10:00

In some ways, weekdays can be quite easy for me. It's easy to get into a pattern of eating certain things at certain times and trying to keep my hands and jaw busy by deleting emails and chewing gum.

In some ways, weekends can be quite easy for me. It's easy to sleep in until 12 or so, have a late breakfast and hold out until dinner time.

In some ways, weekdays can be the hardest. It's easy to consider making it to Friday some kind of achievement that should be 'rewarded' with something 'naughty'.

In some ways, weekends can be the hardest. It's easy to get caught up in 'things' and find yourself eating whatever you have access too, or relaxing a bit too much and indulging a bit too much.

What is hardest/easiest for you?

Walkabout

2008-05-22T21:34:00.002+10:00

RPM was booked out when I called this morning - I must remember to set up an alarm on my work computer tomorrow that will remind me to call and book three times a week.

I called The Hun to mope and suggested a walk - I don't think I'd ever walk alone, but he's more of a runner and has only ever walked with me two or three times in the more than four years we've been together - do I was quite shocked to hear him reply that he was keen for a walk.

It was only a half hour walk around the block, enough to get me itchy but not enough to get me sweaty. But it was lovely to do some light exercise with support.

Everything is easier when you have support.

Hump Day

2008-05-22T00:12:00.002+10:00

Despite Wednesday being known as Hump Day around many offices, Wednesday never yields any humping for me. Wednesday is a bastard sometimes!

That previous paragraph has nothing to do with this blog. It was just a thought on my mind.

Today I didn't do any active exercise, nor did I eat particularly well (though did avoid the biscuits in the work kitchen!), but I did go and see an excellent play. So although I didn't work on my physical side I worked on the emotional and mental side. This is important. My mind feels worked out and tired out. It feels like it ran a treadmill and then came to rest alert and post-exercise-energised. It's a good feeling. I hope I'll wake up in a much better and more relaxed mental state than I went to bed.

Wow! You're looking slimmer already!

2008-05-21T22:32:00.001+10:00

That is a great thing to hear as you're getting ready for work.

It doesn't matter that it's your reflection talking to you, it will still start your day off on the right step.

It's only day two!

2008-05-20T23:25:00.003+10:00

I went for a swim tonight. I felt good after the swim, and very energised. I'm not feeling so great about all of this, however. I know it's only day two of the official start, but I'm wondering about my motives. I have a history of taking on projects to distract myself from othing things going on, and to forget about things that are painful or awkward to think about.

Is this another distraction project?

I think I need to take things a little bit slower and easier, and not let myself get caught up in it. I have other things I need and want to accomplish, and I need to find a balance between everything that's going on, including the not so nice stuff. Balance is always the hardest part.

Girl stops before full, shocks all.

2008-05-20T18:05:00.002+10:00

Witnesses were shocked last night when Miss Enny, 26 of Canberra, put her wooden chopsticks back in the paper bag during dinner last night.

'I've never seen this before' an onlooker was overheard exclaiming, 'normally she soldiers through a meal even if she's so full she has to adjust her outfit'.

'What makes it all the more remarkable is that it was a takeaway meal. We all know they stuff too many rice noodles in those boxes and are used to putting half of it aside, but this is the first time she's done the same. She was quite proud of herself as she announced she was going to take the rest in to work for lunch the next day'.

Another witness (who wishes to remain anonymous) relayed the tension a few minutes after the chopsticks were put down 'She pulled the chopsticks back out, surveyed the contents and decided she should have an equal half for lunch and dinner, so she had a three more mouthfuls. Then, would you believe it, she put the chopsticks away again!'

There was another gripping encounter when Middle Bro, 23 of Canberra, got up to serve dessert to the table. 'Next thing you know, Enny called out not to bother getting her any dessert. Not that it mattered, as Middle Bro had run out of money for Enny's soy icecream, but still. No dessert on a Monday?! I'm waiting for a pig pat to land on my car!'.

All present believe this indicates good things in the future of Enny's waistline, self-control and overall wellbeing.

Enny - Measure up / weigh in #1

2008-05-19T19:22:00.002+10:00

Uh oh - weigh in day -my turn!

Unlike Erica, I step on the scales fairly often. Not that it seems to motivate me, it just serves to make me feel bad, or feel okay if I've eaten tonnes of junk and the scales haven't changed much.

I debated about whether or not I'd put down actual numbers, or whether I'd use vague target terms, but I'm taking the plunge. Just keep in mind I'm on the tall side ;o)

Weight: 78.4kg (waaaaaaaah)

Widest stomach : 1000mm
Smallest stomach: 710mm
Widest thigh: 645mm
Smallest thigh: 445mm
Widest chest: 1020mm
Lowest chest: 840mm
Hipbones: 1010mm
Armpit outwards left arm: 345mm

I'm not a very good measurer - I don't think I'm consistent with the bits I measure, I have trouble keeping it straight, and I spend so much time sucking in my tummy I find it hard to relax it without pushing it out to it's furthest - so we'll see how it goes.

I'm looking forward to the numbers going down - I can see happy times at 75, 72.5 and 70 - and perhaps even the ever elusive 68! I'm not holding my breath for that figure because I want to make sure I lose weight with fitness, so I'm expecting some muscle to kick in somewhere along the line. I guess I'll be able to track my fitness by how hardcore I go at cycle, how puffy I get walking up the stairs, how much I can lift at Pump etc.

Here we go!

Stranger Danger

2008-05-19T18:53:00.002+10:00

I've just returned from a short walk around my suburb. Nothing too strenuous, but enough to work up a sweat. I'm no good at running, so power walking is next best thing. I walked with my sister last night, and she's got me inspired. I also needed to work off the really bad food I ate today at my parents' (raisin toast for breakfast, some spoons of chocolate ice cream also for breakfast because it was there when I got bread out of the freezer, cheese avocado and tomato toasties for lunch, enormous chocolate milkshake for after lunch...).

The only bit I'm not sure about, however, is the safety of my suburb. There were quite a lot of other joggers and bike riders about, some solo, but most in pairs or groups. Is there anyone who lives around the Yarra Bend area who can give me some pointers about the safety of a lady walking alone in the evening hours? Should I be carrying some form of protection? A torch? Capsicum spray? Should I be making myself look as unattractive as possible to ward off potential sexual predators? Or is it quite OK for me to be wandering around the parks of Fairfield on my own?

Guidance would be much appreciated!

Measure up / weigh in #1

2008-05-19T10:12:00.005+10:00

So, Monday is weigh in day. I don't own scales at my house, and the plan is for me to judge my progress by measurements instead. I'm at my parents' today, however, and do have scales. Today will be a special weigh and measure day.

I haven't stepped on a set of scales in about ten years. Whenever I buy stockings and tights I estimate my weight to be about 65kg to choose the correct size for my height. I've never really been that interested in what I weigh. I judge my weight by whether my clothes are too big or too small. I seem to fluctuate so frequently that a pair of pants can fit one week and not the next. This whole process will be an interesting experiment, even just to see whether this fluctuation is really happening, or just in my head.

Weight: 63kg (turns out I was pretty good at estimating all these years)

Stomach (widest bit): 805mm
Waist (natural waist): 775mm
Thigh: 560mm
Chest: 905mm
Hips: 1025mm
Chicken wing: 300mm

I'm not sure if I need all those measurements, but I wouldn't mind monitoring where the weight is coming off. I think I also need some kind of fitness monitor, but don't know how to do that. Perhaps I'll just guage by how many laps I can swim or how ill I feel after riding my bike a long distance.

Your turn, Enny!

D Day - 1

2008-05-18T20:17:00.002+10:00

Well, tomorrow is D Day!

I'm excited and positive - it's going to be a good thing (Please refer back to this if/when I turn whingey instead).

I got this article in my feeder the other day, and saved it for today. It's worth a read - I'm planning to save a copy to my desk worktop to flick through occasionally, but here are the main points to entice you to go have a read of it here!

17 tips to help you get lean and fit

Increase cardio.
Do triathlon training.
Lift heavy.
Eat adequate protein.
Focus on bodyfat, not weight.
Be accountable.
Eat when you’re hungry, stop when you’re full.
Get into calorie deficit.
But don’t be in deficit during your exercise window.
Eat clean if possible.
But don’t severely deny yourself.
Eat lotsa veggies and fruits.
High-quality carbs are your friends.
Drink water only.
Increase intensity.
Rest is just as important as exercise.
Most of all, enjoy yourself!

Commando

2008-05-17T11:15:00.002+10:00

The answer to yesterday's question ended up being the pool. I ate poached eggs, got my stuff all together, put my bathers on under casual Friday clothes and headed off to the pool on my bike. The swim was, in fact, really great. It's a half size pool, so the laps aren't as long as the old pool I would swim at, and I could handle them much easier. I used to get tired out half way at the old pool and have to switch from freestyle to breaststroke to complete the lap.

I felt great after the swim. I also felt especially great in the water, as somehow the water pressure seemed to suck all my wobbly bits in and give me a more streamlined impression. This was perhaps all in my head, but it felt good nonetheless.

I sat in the dry sauna with an old Italian woman. We chatted briefly about the flu. The cold shower was amazing. It sucks the breath out of you and raises your heartrate, and feels really refreshing. Suddenly the idea of rolling in the snow after a sauna doesn't seem so extreme. I plan to do this in Russia.

Everything was great, until I went to get changed after showering. Somehow, the underwear I had so carefully selected and placed on my bed didn't make it into my bag. Everything else was there, including gloves in case my hands got cold riding my bike, and knitting for the train. I had even brought a small lacy black scarf to wind around my neck as part of my casual Friday outfit.

It was too late to go back home before work. I decided the only thing to do was to go underwear-less for the day. Unfortunately, the top I'd chosen to wear was in no way appropriate for the workplace without something underneath. It was very tight and rather sheer. I attempted to fashion some kind of bandeau-style bra out of the black scarf, but it was too small. I considered whether I could remove the waistband of the jumper I'd already knitted from my needles and combine it with the scarf to make a bra, but decided that wouldn't work at all. I even wondered if I could knit something in the 15 minute train journey to work that could act as a bra. But no, the only thing to do was to wear the top and my jumper over the top, and not be able to take the jumper off for the entire day.

It was rather uncomfortable. It was not until the very end of the day when, after telling the girl who I did my first aid training with at work what had happened, she said "why didn't you just go and get a bandage from the first aid box and use that?".

Why didn't I think of that!?

Training and Fasting

2008-05-16T15:26:00.003+10:00

You'll get a day off from my incessant blabber (what? already?) tomorrow - I'm running a Dan Camp for some of my students down the coast. Part of the requirements is that we fast for a day (no, not my idea).

On the bright side, it might help me mentally prepare and see that not eating all the time is not the end of the world.

Or it might blow out of proportion how 'difficult' controlling my intake could be.

Or I could be just fine with it all -in which case I'd probably feel ripped off that part of my 'last hoorah' is spent not enjoying 'bad' things for one last time (in a little while).

And I know the above line is ridiculous, because denying myself of things I enjoy just destines me to fail. And my attitude I just demonstrated is the reason I got myself 'here' in the first place.

Have a great weekend - see you on the other side!

GOOD MORNING!

2008-05-16T05:01:00.004+10:00

Yes, it's 5am; I'm not awake by choice. I've had so much trouble sleeping lately that five hours a night has become my standard platform of sleep to begin the day from. Last night I was able to relax for the first time in so long that I fell asleep at 10:30. But instead of sleeping until 6, waking refreshed for a delicous Friday breakfast, my body clock blared its alarm after my requisite five hours sleep. I've been restlessly awake since 3:30, and finally decided to just get out of bed and do something.

So on finishing this post I will get up, cook poached eggs on toast with a cob of corn, and then decide whether my exercise is going to involve going to the pool for laps and a sauna, or riding my bike the six or so kilometres to work.

Pros for swimming:

Pool located in arty suburb so may meet cute boy also doing laps
Can enjoy sauna after swimming and feel even more relaxed than last night
Sauna relaxation will carry on through working day, colleagues will comment how glowing and calm I look
Sauna relaxation will also carry on to after work drinks, which will hopefully end up at bar with cute bus boy who spoke to me last Friday
Sauna will help sweat out toxins ingested from Thursday night after work drinks

Cons for swimming:

$7.70 for casual swim plus sauna - eats into Europe saving budget
Have not dealt with body hair in some time due to "drought", will have to do that before getting to pool
Really only want to go to pool for the sauna, may not even swim laps at all
May forget bathers like last time went to sauna, and have to sit in underwear, wrapped in towel, next to old men. Forgetting bathers also means will not be able to swim laps
Not actually very good at swimming, and still traumatised from past mishaps, including accidentally flashing in front of business man also doing laps
Despite possibility of cute boys, chances of snagging one very unlikely due to swimming cap/goggles combination

Pros for riding:

Free! Can spend pool money on coffee at favourite cafe instead
Can leave home later, giving extra time for fixing iPod and cleaning room
In general, riding skills stronger than swimming skills
Less likely to flash boobs at business men
Can wear fluoro jacket

Cons for riding:

Arrive at office sweaty and red-faced, have to get changed in work showers
Have not ridden long distance in some time, may not be fit enough to make it all the way
Have to ride home, as now illegal to take bike on peak hour trains
May have after work drinks and should not ride home intoxicated
But if do have after work drinks then can take bike on train, as peak hour over. Perhaps cancels out last con...
Fluoro jacket may not alert all crazy drivers, so still a chance of accident

Which to choose?

Running Away

2008-05-15T20:48:00.002+10:00

I am not a runner - I figure, you're either a runner/jumper or a puncher/lifter. I am the latter.

When I 'run', I turn red in the face and my arms get blotchy. I start too puff too early and freak out that I am breathing too loud. My lungs ache and my nose drips. My ankles twang and my knee caps grind. My boobs, my belly, my bum (what little of a bum I have) - it ALL wobbles.

However.

I have to really control myself when I'm walking down the hallway at work and there is no one else in the way. I would love nothing more than to sprint from one end to the other and see how quick I can go.

Worryingly, the scenario in my head always ends with me tripping and carpet burning my chin and having to explain wtf happened. But still.

The lesson? Find something that you love to do - then 'work' never feels like 'work'.

Things I will not miss come Monday

2008-05-14T17:50:00.000+10:00

Having to decide whether I wear my pants low (hem scuffing the carpet: hiding the tops of my shoes on my log legs, but creating a platform for my tummy to sit on) or high (to use my belt as a restraint to suck my tummy: reducing bulge-age but increasing sock-age).

An excellent start!

2008-05-14T11:37:00.001+10:00

I went to bed early last night with all the best intentions. Get up early, go to pool, swim laps, have relaxing sauna, arrive at work glowing and calm.

Instead!

Close to midnight my housemate decided to make grilled cheese somethings in the kitchen. The smell and shrill laughter wandered up the hallway, under my bedroom door, and made me incredibly starving and prevented me from sleeping.

However!

This weigh-in does not officially start until Monday, so sleeping in through morning swim and sauna was not so bad. It was to be a trial run - a warm up. Like a practice exam that you have all the best intentions of completing but then something comes up and you decide it won't help you learn any more than you already knew.

So this is actually a very positive beginning.

My bike riding will move me in all the right ways

2008-05-13T21:35:00.000+10:00

This is my goal.

In November my brothers, a gang of various hanger-on-ers and I are planning to cycle from Canberra to Narooma. I may have to be in bike shorts. I've never worn bike shorts.

I would like to be fitter, I would like to be slimmer, I'd like to make use of my gym membership and I'd like to be a positive role model as a healthy vegan. I'd also like to be a sexy-minx-vixen and entrap my defecto into marrying me with my stunning good looks, my wit and the manner in which I no longer hide chip wrappers under the snotty tissues in the kitchen bin.

My legs will become so thin that men spontaneously walk into light poles.

2008-05-13T21:24:00.000+10:00

This is my goal. I leave for Eastern Europe on the 5th of November, and by that date I expect to be resting my bean pole body on two other bean pole legs, my head sitting on top of a bean pole neck, my arms two long slender bean poles from my shoulders. I will be the queen of all bean poles, and all who see me will tumble and tremble in my bean-pole wake.

But if I fail in my quest for pure bean-pole-ism I at least want to to become fit enough to walk for three months with a backpack full of heavy jumpers and woollen tights.