HOW I GOT MOTIVATED TO DE CLUTTER AND CLEAN MY KITCHEN

My weight ballooned to 93 kilos at the end of 2012 and yes I hated the way I looked. I had been toying with low carb but decided that enough was enough and went full on DUKAN.

Wow, it did work for me and before I knew it I was 8 kilos lighter and felt much better. Like most people I did stop at that point for some reason, I can’t remember why now.

Anyway, since then I have been around 85k and have been able to maintain that with low or no carbs and by sort of following my friend Dr Dukan.

Getting on to being motivated…well I haven’t been motivated to do much of anything lately and have found that I have spent a lot of time just sitting around, too tired to do anything at all.

I work for 4 days a week and just love doing that so much. Then I have my long 3 day weekend and can feel the time just wasting away, so decided to have a few goals and more importantly put the PHOTOGRAPHIC EVIDENCE HERE FOR EVERYONE TO SEE.

GOAL NO.1 Clean up the mess and clutter in my kitchen.

GOAL NO.2 Clean out  the fridge and freezer.

No mean feat, believe me as it REALLY needed doing.

So look at what happened…
taking a photo meant that I HAD to take an after shot, so that’s what I did!

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

I stood back a few times this afternoon and looked at my handy work and yes I did feel a sense of achievement. In fact I feel better than I have felt for a long time. Getting off the couch had enhanced my life…really!
In August we are planning a complete kitchen make over with new EVERYTHING so being uncluttered and clean will help when I have to completely empty this space to get ready for the new cabinets and appliances.

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.