SO MUCH CAN HAPPEN IN 6 SHORT MONTHS

It's just over 6 months since I reinvented myself and went back to work after 4 years as a full time carer at home. When I finally got my job I needed to prove not only to myself but to all those around me that it was worth the risk of hiring an 'old gal' like me.

Well so far it has been one of the most worth while things I have done. I love working, love the busy environment of a medical and dental practice and feel wholeheartedly that I make a solid and positive difference to our patients overall health care. The people I work with are great, supportive and friendly, I really could not have wished for a better place to re boot my working life.

On the down side my weight back in April when I started was about 85 klg now back to 89. OMG how did that happen.....well, I do spend a lot of my day sitting at the front desk on the phone, on the computer and yes that does tend to make one HUNGRY I'm sure you'll agree.

I also had a 3 week sojourn to the UK and Europe back in September and living the good life eating at restaurants and pubs every day did me no good either. Worst thing was I had a heavy fall on my first day in London hurting my right knee and my back and although I did carry on regardless did not push too hard in the exercise department.

Anyway I made the most of the trip and enjoyed it all to the max. Loved seeing London again after 28 years and especially loved having all my family there to enjoy it too.

Paris was fun, again only a moderate amount of exercise and LOTS of delicious food, wine and treats.

Once home again I had more problems with my back after the horrendously long flight and also copped a nasty bronchitis. So that led to almost no exercise except walking to the car, to the office and back home again.

89 Kilos blahh I am not happy and wonder if I'll ever feel good again. Being unwell and out of action has made me realize how important good health is.
I am now on a mission to get rid of some kilos and generally feel better...SO, I am toying with Dukan and low carb ways to achieve my objectives.
I'm in the first few days and have been going OK although it's (the weight) is not falling off me but something has to happen soon as I have not touched the love of my life BREAD for what seems such a long time.

WOOHOO

Glad to report that I have a JOB and will start work next week. WooHoo I can't wait as it's been a long time between drinks.
To say I'm grateful for this opportunity is a huge  understatement and now it's up to me to prove that they have made the right choice in picking me!

Guess where I'm working.......

Actually I'll be spending most of my time at the reception desk 

and I'm looking forward to taking care of patients again.

Weight issues will be put on hold for the time being, I will certainly be doing everything I can to stay fit and healthy.

Loss At Last

This past week, although busy with lots of eating (and not always the right things) has been successful  and I've had a small dieting win...

2 Kilos

Couldn't be happier and am encouraged to keep going. I think that eating something small about every 3 has been a major help as I haven't allowed myself to feel hungry or deprived. In fact it's the best I have felt for a long time so now I'm an eager dieter.

Yummiest meal this week was Moroccan Chicken served with a very small amount of boiled basmati rice.

Eating out was a little more difficult than I had imagined though, I settled on braised pork with shitaki mushrooms and bok choy so that worked and was delicious. I did succumb to desert which technically was not necessary but as I had refused an entrée, justified it in that way. The portions were on the small side and I did have a glass of bubbly before eating and one of white wine with the meal.

The very next night guests for dinner so once again challenged..BBQ lamb with salad and baby potatoes and mint. Desert was a fruit crumble and once again my portion was smallish. Wine? yes

Breakfast has become one of my favorite meals. I have found a yummy muesli full of oats, bran, coconut and nuts and sultanas, I add mixed berries, yoghurt and skim milk. Top this off with green tea and I'm ok until mid morning. This morning I was busy so didn't eat again until lunch.

The 2nd large pot of vegie soup is in the refrigerator and on hand whenever I need it. I'm also trying to up my water intake and am trying to just have 2 pieces of fruit a day plus the berries. Fruit could really be my downfall  as I love and could eat 10 a day easily.

Looking forward to the next week, have had some positive feedback on a job interview and will know the outcome by Friday so fingers crossed it's all good news.

Just Add Water

 Yummy homemade vegetable soup with a mountain bread houmus & salad wrap.

Easy peasy recipe: 

As many different vegetables as you can fit in your soup pot, lots of garlic, pepper and just add water. I also used some chicken stock powder and didn't over cook so vegies are still a little crunchy

I am actually enjoying the meals I am eating at the moment , I didn't think I would and already feeling better for it. Can't wait to weigh myself to find out how I'm going. I haven't been hungry yet, eating every 3 hours or so and that;s really helping. Snacking on carrot sticks and almonds, also had a gorgeous crisp new season apple this morning.
Portion control has always been hard for me and it's still a challenge but I'm getting there, I am hopeing I'll get better at it.
Trying to keep meals interesting for everyone so trying a new recipe Moroccan Chicken tonight.
Forget to drink water, find it easier to keep a bottle by my desk so I can sip away when I need to.

Salad Days

"The colors of a fresh garden salad are so extraordinary, no painter's pallet can duplicate nature's artistry."  ~Dr. SunWolf, professorsunwolf.com

Lose Weight - It's Easy!

Someone posted this picture on Facebook this morning and I thought...mmm, maybe this is worth sharing. Anyway it won't do me any harm to be reminded every time I look at this blog.
How soon we forget the 'diet' when faced with a tempting delight from the bakery or take away food counter and I always think, perhaps just one won't sabotage me too much.

The weekend was great, very relaxing camping at the beach. Food wasn't a major problem either, ate a few snacky things and had some wine but on the whole not too bad so am not beating myself up too much. Long walks on this beautiful beach made me happy and realise how fortunate I am to be able to take time out like this in this amazing part of the world.

 

Back home today with new enthusiasm for getting healthier. 

Plan to make a yummy vegetable soup to help at hungry times. 

Lose weight - It's easy!!!!!

Chicken Curry

Hearty mid week dinner.

We really enjoyed this curry. I bought some red hot curry powder made in Pakistan from one of those interesting little shops in Dandenong that are filled with delights from foreign  lands. It will last forever because I use so little each time I cook with it. It's yummy, delicious, spicy and scorching.

Expecting the weather to be fine over the weekend so BBQ's and salads will be on the menu. 

Easy stress free meals the order of the day.

Cheated today and ate some potato chips, not only high fat but high carb as too...Oh well Rome was not built in a day and I am a work in progress.

Food Food Food

Isn't it interesting that when we are trying to restrict something we often do just the opposite. It always seems to happen to me...when I'm dieting all I think about is food food food, thus feeling hungry and deprived all the time.
It's such a pain and I know it's a mind thing but I just can't seem to help myself.
Ha ha I hear you saying, she has no will power and yes, you are right...None whatsoever, so there has got to be a better way.
I'm trying to focus on creating healthy interesting meals and snacks that satisfy without piling on the pounds.

So far this week I've done ok and we have had some mighty tasty dinners.
The rest of the day is a huge problem though so from today I have decided to restrict carbs until sharing dinner with the family. I will share some of these dinners with you.

 Amazing pasta shells filled with a delicious mixture of ricotta, spinach, garlic and Parmesan cheese. Baked with tomato sauce, topped with more cheese and served with a side salad...who said diet??

 


Loving these pasta shells, found them at the continental deli.
$6 for this packet and I'll get 3 meals of this size out of them, so fairly economical.

So far so good!
Had a carb free breakfast and not hungry, in fact feel quite full. I even made some flax bread so felt really good about that. There are heaps of low carb recipes on line and ahttp://lowcarbdiets.about.com/ seems to be pretty comprehensive and I am enjoying working through it all.
Am sure I'm addicted to sugar as well so will attempt to stay away from that evil white stuff.
On the job hunt front, I still have a couple of interviews to hear back from, so fingers crossed something will come up sooooon

Starting Over

I am really starting over, not only is it a new year but I'm on a quest to begin again.

I started this blog on the 11th August 2011 and that turned out to be EXACTLY one month before my dear mother passed away. and now it's almost 4 months since then. At first I thought I'd cope with grief and loss as I seemingly cope with the rest of my life....not to be I'm afraid and I'm still on that topsy turvy journey of getting on with things and feelings of unimaginable sadness.

Mum and I were really close, closer than most mothers and daughters. She lived with my family for the past 25 years and for the past 4 years I have been her carer. I gave up my last job so that she wouldn't have to face a nursing home or hospital care to go through her own journey with ovarian cancer.

Her wish not to go into the dreaded 'home' was granted and together we battled the disease the best we could. Believe me chemotherapy at any age isn't fun I'm sure but in your 80's it's really a nightmare. My mother was a brave woman, determined not to give up and in the past 4 years since her diagnosis we enjoyed many many happy times together and with family and friends.

I miss her terribly and am trying to honor her now by getting myself together. Job hunting at my age is not pretty and of course it's the 'current experience' that becomes so important. A little part time position to get me back into the swing of things is just what I need now. I have applied for many jobs in the past 6 weeks, no success yet but will keep you posted. I'm taking a leaf out of Mum's book and not giving up.

On the diet front....well things have not been good, although my weight remains the same 88klg however I feel bigger and am certainly less fit. I am trying to get a healthier perspective about food and am planning meals not only for good nutrition but trying to be budget wise as well. Hope being accountable will help!!!!

Another fresh approach to each day has been to de clutter my home and it's working so far and I'm feeling less stressed now everything is becoming more organised. I feel good about writing again and hope someone out there reads this. As the days go by I'll try to share more and more so until next time I send you blessings and wish you happy days.