IT"S COMING OFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Horaah at long last the scales are dropping and at a rapid pace it looks like in the past couple of weeks I have lost around 5 kilos or so. This is a miracle after such a slow start.

I guess it goes to show that it can take awhile for your metabolism to kick in. I had in-visioned losing 5 kilos in my first couple of weeks so was so stumped when the scale dial NEVER seemed to move. Now it seems to be motoring!!. Such a nice feeling to jump into my clothes and have them feel loose.

It is also great that this new regime does NOT feel like torture anymore.

I thought I would right down what I typically eat in a day. I have covered my nutrition plan but it doesn't list specifics.

Yesterday I ate:

Breakfast

2 slices of vogels and a cup of weight watched hot chocolate.

Mid Morning

Banana

Lunch
Smoked chicken salad with capsicum, cherry tomatoes, avocado, red onion a tiny sprinkle of grated cheese and balsamic vinaigrette dressing. 


Afternoon


Kiwi Fruit and I will admit a couple of my daughters twisties ( whoops)


Dinner


Lamb chop, peas with weight watchers gravy and a roasted carrot.


Evening


Weight Watchers hot chocolate.


Exercise wise I did a 50 min power walk, ran up some stairs and did my 20 min strength training.

Today's exercise may not happen as both my toddlers go immunized today and I have a house inspection tomorrow. So I am up to my ears in cleaning and screaming infants :S

However, my trainer told me not to worry about days like these as you can always make it up later, it is more important that would keep a positive mind set.

xxx J

Tigeress!!!

I LOVE this image... So true!

21 Days...

This is how long it takes to form a habit. After being on this lifestyle plan for well over that time I would have to agree.

The first 21 days are the hardest you have to deal with cravings, as well as, feeling sore from exercise you are not used too. Now the cravings are all but gone in fact I don't think I could ever go back to eating so many carbs again!!!! I have totally fallen in love with Vogel's bread and I love a nice crunchy slice for breakfast.

Also I am now so alert and awake!!! Before my eating plan I was on iron pills to help my energy levels but with all this fresh food and exercise I feel vitalized and refreshed. IN fact when I don't exercise I go stir CRAZY and have a need to burn energy :)

As far as exercising goes I am all for a good walk, it is low impact and the best thing of all you can't quit if you find pushing your kids up a hill hard you can't give up because lets face it you need to get home at some
point!!!

If you have a child that is too big for a pram invest in a scooter my 6 year old loves going for a scoot while I push the babies :) We also stop at  a park about 3/4's of the way through which breaks it up nicely for them.

So go put your walking shoes on ( I recommend shape ups!)

xx J

THE PLAGUE

The plague of weight-loss is upon my family. SICKNESS. I have had such a healthy family the past few months that it was bound to happen.

Angel turned 6 on Thursday and on the same day her little brother threw a 39 degree temp. As you can imagine my workout plan has come to a halt in favor of 24/ 7 mothering.

Today his fever broke and tomorrow everything will be back on track * fingers crossed.

The good news is the scales are dropping I have finally lost a couple of kilos hopefully this exercise slump does not slow things down.

Also I would like to thank Weight Watchers products for making like so much easier I am in love with their drinking chocolate, gravy and the zero point jelly!

Mirror, Mirror, why do you LIE!!!

When I look in the mirror what I see is different to what everyone else does, sure I see someone overweight but not shockingly so. However, when I see a photo of myself I almost pass out cold from sheer shock.

I think it must take awhile for the brain to register a reflection, as the weight gain is so slow it takes awhile for the mind to catch up. Either that or if I saw the truth I would be a blubbering nervous wreck that would not be able to function properly.

My husband came up for the weekend for our son's first birthday since he is only up every couple of weeks he suggested he take a photo every two weeks so I can see myself change slowly. I thought this was a fab idea. Hmmm that was until I saw the photo, again I plummeted into misery, why had no one said anything?

At my first daughter's first birthday I was so excited to be 5 kilos off my pre pregnancy weight, having gained 29 kilos during that pregnancy it was a great effort. At my second daughters first birthday I was 8 months pregnant with my son so everyone expected me to be a whale. This year I weigh more than when I was in my last trimester with my son. How the hell did I let that happen.

My trainer told me that if you have around 3 treats a week ( this could be something as small as a few pieces of chocolate) on top of an average diet with little exercise you can gain around a kilo a month. No one notices a kilo a month but after 12 months that is 12 kilos and two years later that is 24 KILOS!!! No wonder many of us are over weight.

I wish someone had told me how big I was getting as friends can tell the truth but those mirrors LIE!

Motivation

I got to meet with my trainer today and have my first weigh in. After the mid week weigh myself debacle I was really scared. It was not the happy news I thought it would be in fact I was 4.5 kilos heavier than I had last weighed myself several months earlier. I will point out that I never weighed myself when I first started the program in fact the last time I was weighed was at the Dr's in early October. So I probably had gained weight since that visit.

I feel better and lighter so I am going to check in again in another 3 weeks. That way I will honestly be able to know if I am changing and if not I can seek medical help. I should also noet that I am on pills for PND ( post natal depression) so these can effect weight loss.

Now my official start weight is 99.5 kilos. I cried as someone who normally sits between 55 - 60 kilos being so close to the big 100 is a fear come true. My mission is now to make that number shrink and to NEVER hit triple figures.

I don't like to reveal my weight but I think it is important for me to acknowledge that number and to get it off my chest hehe literally!!

My work out intensity has been increased to make sure I am definitely burning what I need to.!!!

I will keep you posted.

WTF

Seriously I am livid at my body, after following my strict as diet and exercising an hour every day except Sunday I have gained 2 kilos :S

I felt like crying onto my new scales that were supposed to bring me good news it was my first time weighing myself in months. All I can think of is that since it had been a couple of months since I had weighed myself before the program started, I may have gained some weight between then and the start.

All I know is after all the hard work it really bites!!!!!

Curves are sexy!!!

I will never understand how curvy used to be sexy now it is more sexy to look like a boy :S I know who I would rather look like.

CAUGHT OUT

Of course cross trainers are fun when you haven't yet turned one and you are NOT supposed to be on it!

Hooray for Small Victories

The last few weeks have  been really frustrating I have been following everything I am supposed to be doing but other than feeling healthier I have not felt any lighter. Then yesterday while chasing my son up the stairs my PJ pants fell to my ankles and I mooned the front door. I have never been so happy to lose my pants!!!!

As I mentioned in my food plan I am allowed 3 treat meals a week so long as they are no bigger in size than my regular meals. Last night I took my kids for a Happy Meal as they were dying for a chipmunk toy. I decided to treat myself to a chicken burger as one of my treat meals. OMG I felt both mentally and physically ill afterwards. It is AMAZING how different your bodies feels after having healthy food pumped into it to having a small amount of "junk food".

Healthy body really does mean healthy mind after you eat a nice healthy meal not only does your digestive systems feel good but your mind is intrinsically rewarded to. You feel no guilt and you  feel nourished, and well looked after. I will still confess I miss adding condiments like mayo to my salad and my other treat meals have consisted of kumara and pumpkin as I miss those.I definitely feel better both mentally, as well as, physically better at the moment....

xox J

Exercise Plan

Otherwise known as the thing that can make a grown woman cry louder than when giving birth!!!!


Monday:

Strength training:
30 Squats 3 x set of ten
30 stair climbs missing a step and that is 30 per leg so 60.
30 push ups
Modified plank 3 x 45 second
90 Prone Mountain climbers
60 Supine alt leg drops ( by far the worst of them all)

followed by 20 min of cardio!!!

Tuesday:

60 Min cardio

Wednesday:


Strength same as above.
20 min cardio

Thursday:
60 min Cardio

Friday:

Strength training same as above

20 min cardio

Saturday:

60 min cardio

Sunday 

REST MY LAZY ASS ON THE COUCH!!!! ( yeah right like my kids would let me do that lol )

Of course with 3 kids this is not always possible and sometimes it has to be broken up during the day. The more you get used to it the easier it is to squeeze it in. This does take an intense commitment though and some days it just BLOWS.


kia kaha  it will be worth it in the end.

Fairytale

Once upon a time in a metro land called Auckland there lived one hip, hot princess with a rocking bod. Then along came Prince Charming. Prince Charming came from a less than charming kingdom called Hamilton. But Prince Charming was hot and had a nice car so the adventurous 19 year old princess decided to take a ride.

A couple of of months later the princess found out she was expecting her own little unplanned princess and moved down to the kingdom ( if one could call it that) of Hamilton. These were dark times for the princess, as she could not drive and was completely isolated from friends and family, the prince wasn't so charming with suddenly having a hormonal and house bound princess in his care and they bickered endlessly.

Then on one HOT January day the princess went into labor,  4 days later  and every pain relief imaginable a little Angel was born, who was named,  well Angel.

Having had a seriously  fab pre pregnancy bod it was a bit disconcerting carrying extra weight but the princess wasn't too bothered at first, then as the Summer approached she starved and walked then starved some more until she was just shy of her pre pregnancy fabness.

All was well for awhile the princess still yearned for her previous cosmopolitan city but busied herself with gaining her higher education so she could one day be in the position to help other people. Before to long there was a royal wedding and another princess was born, little Willow. The princess set forth to the working world  and became a secondary teacher but before her first month was up,  found out that she was expecting yet another royal. By the time the new baby was born the princess had fled from her prince after one to many rows and a mother in law that had it in for her, and returned to her homeland.

The princess returned to her home though not in the state she had left, suddenly with 3 babies, 2 under 13 months she was all alone and 35 kilos heavier than she was when she ruled. Alone and overwhelmed a fairy godmother appeared in the form of Little Treasures magazine and blessed the princess with a personal trainer.

How does this fairy tale end?

Well I am hoping with a happily ever after, I will keep you posted ;)

The Fountain of Youth

I have discovered the secret to ultimate youth!! WATER yes little old H20 has magical powers.

When I first heard that I had to drink 2 litres of water a day I cringed. I have never been a huge water drinker my mother said she had to force it down me even as an infant. I do not mind the taste of chilled water so I brought a 2 litre bottle at the supermarket. Every night before I go to bed I refill and chill, I then work my way through it during the day. I have found the more you exercise the easier it is to drink and it really is the ULTIMATE thirst quencher, when drink other fluids you tend to want more but water really does satisfy.

My skin is so very radiant and while I have been blessed with a peaches and cream complexion it really does look outstanding better than any Principle's Secret infomercial. Also what a money saver I used to go through several bottles of Coke Zero a week not to mention a few liters of milk as well, now I have found water has actually eliminated my soda cravings, truly amazing.

I have also heard that our body also mistakes thirst for hunger this is very true as since I have been drinking this miracle fluid I am no longer as hungry and I snack less.

So reach for the water bottles and discover your own fountain of youth.

Guilt Free Mocha

I used to like to start the day with a Nescafe Vanilla Latte sachet. Unfortunately for me this contains A LOT of sugar, I do not like the taste of regular coffee and if I am at a cafe I always enjoy a mocha. Thanks to Jeremy and weight watchers I have now found a new get up and go in the morning and a sweet treat at night.



Low Fat Mocha

1 heaped teaspoon of Weight Watchers drinking chocolate
1 teaspoon of instant coffee
milk and hot water as desired.

At night I find I want something after the kids have gone to be it used to be chips and dip or chocolate, maybe a cookie if we had done some baking etc now I have a Weight Watchers drinking chocolate or some weight watchers jelly. You really have to hand it to Weight Watchers for coming up with some seriously brilliant alternatives that still retain great flavor.

SAY WHAT ?!?!

Guess what people! That food you swipe off your kiddies plate yeah you know what I am talking about, it counts. Yes those sneaky calories on your kids plate count towards your own. I always thought those mummy calories were ok I mean come on why waste food the critters don't eat. Those calories add up so mums, dads stop sneaking the kids food and throw it on the lawn or in the bin asap!

My ultimate temptation was my 2 year olds left over chicken nugget wrap. It was sitting on her plate half eaten all in its battered, carb, mayo, salad with cheese glory!!! I was so tempted but I was strong and threw it out to the seagulls.

I think as a mother we hide behind our children a lot and use it as an excuse of being bigger, " oh I am carrying baby weight" never minding that our so called "baby" is entering their pre school years. With children there comes temptation, it is so easy to finish their food when you take them out for a Happy Meal, not to mention all the baking etc. At the end of the day though we as parents are the ultimate role models for our children so why not model good nutrition :)

Nutrition Plan

They say you learn something everyday. I used to consider myself food savvy I KNOW what I should be eating and what I shouldn't the thing is I just don't do it. I make a conscious effort to only shop the outside of the supermarket eg fruits, vege, meats and dairy but then I add the condiments, mayo, fats, sauces. I always thought since I was relatively active I could burn these off WRONG. What I have learnt from my trainer / nutritionist is that it is 70% food and 30% exercise that accounts for our weight! So even if you are active it really DOES matter what you put in your mouth.


This is my new nutrition plan:


Jessica Nutrition Plan

2/1/12

Meal 1:

1 piece of whole grain toast (vogels or similar) + 2 poached or scrambled eggs. If you scramble the eggs only use a small amount of milk and no butter or fat.

Option: 1 cup of fresh fruit + 1/4 cup of low fat plain unsweetened youghurt.

Meal 2:

Small apple

Option: if you had fruit and youghurt for breakfast, then a this meal you should have a small handful of roasted unsalted almonds and carrot sticks

Meal 3:

Protein and salad or vegetables

Tuna, salmon or chicken 140grams plus unlimited green salad or mixed vegetables. Use sparingly 1 tablespoon of olive oil or balsamic vinegar for your salad dressing and if you like avocado add 1/4 avocado to the salad. If you use balsamic for your dressing you can afford to have a little more than if you use olive oil.

Meal 4:

Low carb protein shake if you have it, or I can recommend a brand that is good. Made with 1/4 milk and 3/4 water. I remembered you said you like drinking milk so this would be a good substitute. If you don't have almonds at meal 2 and have fruit instead then you can have almonds here instead.

Meal 5:

Large lean protein source chicken, fish, beef, steak or lamb and unlimited salad or unlimited mixed vegetables. The same dressings you used in lunch are applicable here. If you are wanting a cheaper option you can make lean beef mince with dolmio sauce and put the beef mixture if lettuce leaf pockets like pita pockets but using lettuce instead. And give your kids the same, or option of tacos or spaghetti.

Meal 6:

Weight watchers hot chocolate if you need something sweet, or weight watchers jelly is also a good option for a sweet treat.

I love the fact it is not egg whites only :) I also love that there are lots of meals. Starvation STUMPS your metabolism people and affects future weight loss!

You are also allowed 3 of your own  meals a week but note the portions have to the the same as your healthy meals. NO BINGING.

So this is week one of my nutrition plan. Wish me luck!