inspirational pictures

I'm such a sucker for drew barrymore.
I watched '50 first dates' yesterday with her and she just has the sweetest smile!
A tad dorky... with a radiant soul.



...........................................................................................................
WEEK ONE OF THE 10 IN 20 CHALLENGE!
HW:95.5 / BlogSW: 82.5 / Challenge SW:78.8 / CW:78.8 / GW:68
...........................................................................................................

ISSUING MY NEW LONG-TERM CHALLENGE! :)

I am feeling much better, much more focused.
I have reviewed my weight loss goals and have decided I need to be more lenient on myself- particularly knowing I will be entering 3rd year next semester and study will be taking first priority.

My challenge... is to lose 10 kilos in 20 weeks.
This is achievable as I will be on holidays for 5 weeks shortly and will have time to exercise hard/eat well, and focus on losing some kilos. After I will be back at school, and hoping to have a loss of 500 grams a week. Some weeks I may lose less, but a loss is a loss and that will be my motto from now on in.
I have even made myself two nice tickers- one to show how far i've come from the very beginning, another to show the journey downwards from Week 1 of my challenge :)

(this ticker shows how far i've come since the beginning)


Also, I have decided I might start counting points as I often do not eat enough calories during the day and I think this is what may account for the binge I experienced at the end of last week. I think realistically, to lose this weight, long term will be the best approach, and by eating all my points I will be more satisfied.

In other news..I am also looking into taking up tennis as a hobby but more on that later.

(this ticker shows how much i'm losing for the challenge!)




UPDATE:
I have added here, for tracking purposes, my challenge "before" photos: me at 78.8 kg :)


There is no turning back- only onwards and downwards!!!!


Kristy
...........................................................................................................
WEEK ONE OF THE 10 IN 20 CHALLENGE!
HW:95.5 / BlogSW: 82.5 / Challenge SW:78.8 / CW:78.8 / GW:68
...........................................................................................................

ready for a new week.

Yesterday I did OK, went for a two hour walk in St. Kilda with a friend, we checked out the market and walked from one side of the beach way around past the marina and down the long walking track.
Also stopped at the Kiosk for a peppermint-tea on the boardwalk.
Wow, it was fantastic! I really enjoyed the view/sights/sounds. The cafe was quite cheap and it was lovely rugging up, sipping hot tea and staring at the water.The walk was just what I needed and today I am off to the gym.I know as soon as I get back into going every day it will not be long before everything begins to 'gel' again. I am weighing at 78.8 kg so I guess the damage I've done lately has been minimal, and I really would love to get down to 77 kg exactly in the next fortnight, but let's see. I've promised myself once i get to 77 I am going to buy myself a new pair of jeans (I really do need a new pair), but I want to see that number 'stick' and keep moving down, I guess, before I buy myself a pair.

Regardless.. I'm in a quite good mood.
11 days now, until I am finished with school for this semester. It is going to be a hugeeee challenge but I'll get through it.

Can I just say I have no idea where the year has gone? It's halfway through already and I still feel like it's March!

Oh well.
I better be off.

Thanks for listening,
Kristy x

i'm not going into huge detail, but...

The past three days have been rocky ones for me.
I entered that hysterical realm of "eat-eat-eat while you still can".

Now, I'm happy to say I feel that it has passed.
I'm not sure what brought it on... I'm not sure why I ate to the extent I did.

But- the focus remains the same. Staying true and honest to myself. Realising weight-loss, and uni work, are the biggest hurdles I face this year. And with a lot of planning, reviewing, moderating, that I can juggle both of these things, and come out strong, on top, and having worked towards true success,

True success? Do I mean having lost all the weight I want to? No... that's not it. But... True success meaning I don't use Uni as an excuse to eat everything under the sun. That I don't use uni to forget my body exists. That I don't use food to forget Uni exists. To learn the skills of balance. To cope under pressure without abusing myself with sugars and binge-eating. To keep my health, my focus, my passion, my happiness in check with energising exercise.

If I get through uni and just maintain my weight, that is fabulous. The key point is I don't want to go down 'the sugar road' to study, just because everyone else does it- I know taking that particular road will just hurt my confidence and esteem.

Balance, Balance, Balance...

So. Here's to turning the wheels again.
Here's to getting "BACK-ON-TRACK".

Kristy.

well, there's nowhere to hide here.

My mum came over yesterday, which is just what I needed.
Unfortunately, more chocolate was eaten- and a chai latte, and a scone with jam and cream, and for dinner- a really fattening pub version of bruschetta, followed by a little salad bar, 3 light beers, a bread roll (with butter) and... a slice of chocolate cake... followed by a few biscuits and tea before bedtime.

That's it- it's out, out, out in the open.

I'm confused.

I adore eating/living healthy, love making reasonable choices and having a small amount of chocolate/vice foods in my diet.
I've been feeling fabulous, so happy with my choices, feel full, don't feel i'm going 'without'.

Oh... except... I feel 'without' when I don't binge eat.
It's not missing chocolate... it's missing HUGE amount of chocolate.
It's not missing ice-cream... I could have that every day! And that's fine in my food-routine. But it's HUGE amounts of ice-cream that I miss.

In short... I miss eating things in massive quantities.

I'm annoyed at myself.
Why this 'all-or-nothing' mentality? I need to take care of myself. It's responsibility.
If I make poor decisions my weight/life will suffer.

Eurgh. I'm just so frustrated.

I just need to get this out in the open.

x Kristy

blow out last night

I was hunting for chocolate by 3:30. I needed a chocolate fix. Started with a little tiny packet of Pocky Sticks... Then when that didn't 'cure' the fix.. Had a little chocolate... still not enough... Had a little chocolate paddle pop... Wasn't too bad, hadn't done too much damage, but was i satisfied? No... I went to trampoline and had a small cup overflowing with yummy, gorgeous but full fat ice-cream... Which only made me want sugar more... and on the way home picked up a box of Almond Toscanis 'because they were on special'....
sigh!!!
Yesterday was just an eat-everything-you-see day.

There is no way I'd consider 'giving up', but yesterday was just one of those classic, "I don't care- I've blown it for today, now I can eat what I want" :(
And here I was thinking that I was doing well with sticking to healthy food + small rewards.

WELL...

today is another day, and if there's anything I've learned from weight loss over the years... it's to take each individual day as it comes. I will not give in today, but remember to be gentle on myself and think about how much I want to reach my goals.

x kristy

just about to head off to the gym..

But as no classes today (still lots of homework tho), i had a bit of a scroll on the ww forum.
Wow! How inspirational.
I just adore how no matter what mood or stage of journey you're in, you can pop open the
site any day and find others feeling exactly as you, letting it all out.
I have to say that I love writing down my thoughts/progress here every day, and I'm finding it very therapeutic and addictive. I spoke to my mum on the phone today and she is such an incredible woman, it made me happy to hear from her. I miss being involved in my friends and families lives, but I will get through the next fortnight of uni work and be able to spend the quality time I have been missing out on for so long.
Life has kept me very busy and challenged these last few months, and I am grateful for all the lessons I have been learning. You never do quite stop learning. I am just happy that within the next two weeks i will be able to say that I have done my work to the best of my abilities, withstood some stormy times, and steered myself the direction I wanted to go.

Despite now having to knuckle down harder than ever, I am excited as I know relaxation for 5 weeks is just around the corner. I need it... I need reenergisation.

I'm looking forward to then being gentle on myself, taking a mental break, and taking time to be proud of my accomplishments (before round two starts). I am so grateful for the beautiful friends and family that I have, and know all the work I will be doing in the next couple of weeks will be so I can see them again.
My journey this year is so much bigger than just weightloss, but it is an important part of it. I look forward to having the strength and courage to start and maintain healthy habits that will see my through the challenging times ahead.

Can't wait for the holidays... I think I'll take some aerobics/pump/dance classes... long aimless walks... coffee and chats.

Well.
I guess I need to end the daydreaming there and get to school.
It's a big day of homework... and I'm determined to get my tasks done.

Good luck for everyone elses journeys...
x K

i'm tired so it's short and sweet.

1xhr gym

2x toast w/ vegemite
1x banana
small handful almonds, couple of walnuts

moroccan pumpkin soup
apple

lentil & veg soup
licorice strap
couple sticks celery

good night good night.. lots of work to do tomorrow
xx k

an inspirational photo before bed

I was in love with horses as a child as only young girls do... I loved them with all my heart. Maybe I don't have enough money or flexibility in my life at the moment to ride horses, but I don't want my weight to be a reason I'd be ashamed to.
I miss riding and think of it often when I'm on the treadmill. It's another reason why I must get through my degree.

I'll ride again one day very soon, and I know that for sure.

x Kristy

going along ok

So not too stressed at the moment.
I can't really be stuffed with 'creating' enough stress to make me hyper-productive.

tired.

exercise wise today:
1 hr gym (treadmill/bike, you know the drill...)

food-wise:
2x toast w/ vegemite
1x small pear
10x almonds
1x lite strawberry yoghurt
1x moroccan soup
1x carrot
1x apple
1x lentil&vegie soup

goooooooooooooooooood-nighhhhhhhhht...

x Kristy

so, in recap..

So, yesterday I did really well.
i had 2x toast breakfast, 1x can vegetable soup for lunch,
2x carrots/celery, 1x can lentil soup dinner, couple of almonds.
Also 1 hr exercise.
I'm feeling a little under the weather and I'm really loving making the soup at school while i do my homework. There are so many great, tasty low cal varieties :)

Today:
1hr gym

2x pieces toast, 1 large carrot, 1x can of moroccan soup for lunch.
Will have 1x can lentil soup for brunch before dinner, not sure what I'll have. Probably fruche as I am going to see a movie and just want something light and sweet to have little tastes of.

I'm feeling motivated, but lots of work at the moment and I know this week is going to be *SO* busy... but here goes :)

Meanwhile- as I said. Off to see a movie- a reward for getting an assignment done today/picking myself up after bad eating.


xx Kristy

inspiration

okay, so I'm never going to be a stick like kirsten dunst... But I do want to be able to radiate that same happiness and vibrance that she has... I think that she glows whenever she smiles- and it reminds me of the power I have to do the same.

I think smiles are inspiring.. and beautiful personalities radiate.

the first stumble....

Well- I finally did it.
I succumbed to bad choices last night!

I overate on a chicken stirfry with noodles (i didn't even need the noodles...!), that was consumed far too late in the evening, had a milky way chocolate, a whole heap of almonds and some macadamias... AND.... *draws breath* a third/half tub of ice cream?

Oh boy!

Only one thing left to do... With grace I have woken up this morning, discarded any guilt, and am just about to head to the gym. I'm not going to let one bad day out of so many brilliant ones change my attitude. I will stick to working out hard like I have been lately, and stick to eating well like I have been also. In the long run, this is just a learning experience/minor setback.
----


Update:

Went to gym, had a tough 1 hour session... and am making good food choices. Feeling very positive- I will not get trapped by short-term thinking.. :) I am in this for the long haul! And I know it's how I approach these stumbles that is so much more important than celebrating losing the weight..

ALL ICE-CREAM SHALL BE REMOVED FROM THE HOUSE... and at next craving, will allow a small low fat tub :) No more spoon in the 4-litre tub for me, oh no!

I think I will just keep up the exercise, and incorporate a variety of soups into my diet for dinner over the next week. Inexpensive, low-cal and YUMMY...

Anyway- back to school work...
x K

stressful day :(...

Well, today was a really stressful day...
I avoided a tut i really should have gone to...
but it was so i could work on an assignment for that tut- due tomorrow.

after 4 hours i felt horrible, frustrated... things weren't turning out how
i wanted them to and i had the feeling i didn't quite understand the brief.

anyway- went and saw lecturer, who gave me some great advice, and made
me wish i had gone to the class.

Feeling all knotted and anxious in the stomach, I went to the gym and did an
hour to try get the frustrations out and have some 'me' time before starting
the assignment.

WELL... went to the lab, scanned the pics, finished the assignment :)
I'm satisfied enough with what I have done, just need to print it tomorrow.
This is... FANTASTIC... as i really thought I'd need an extension for the entire
weekend. Lecturer told me not to stress about it too much as it is not a high %
assignment compared to others... which put things in perspective... and assured
me it's more important to get this out of the way and concentrate on the next brief.

So... i've done it... I'll hand it in tomorrow.

I'm so happy as this frees up the rest of the weekend to catch up on bits and bobs
I haven't done, and make some real progress for the next major assignments. I am just
so happy that this semester will be coming to an end soon... and I will be able to have
a well-earned relax and reflection. It's been such a struggle, but I know that it is worth it,
and I'm so proud I've been able to keep up my eating during these harder times.
It would be so easy to grab a bag of snakes or m&m's while I work- or worse, dial a pizza-
and i'm just happy about how I've gone out of my way to get my organisatioon and motivation levels up.

My blog posts have all been positive so far, but i want to tell you that it is because of these changes
I have made- deciding to make myself happy by doing what I've been putting off for so long.
A month ago I was devastated, depressed, and unable to find any energy to do my schoolwork. I felt like I
couldn't leave the house, had no confidence and was intensely frustrated with any art i was doing, feeling
uncreative and slipping behind in my work. I just wanted to 'escape' by hanging out with friends, drinking, and
enjoying myself.

It was only after contracting bad tonsilitis, and spending a week lounging around doing nothing, that i
became frustrated. I was concerned about falling too far behind- and wasn't sure if i could make it up.
But i then booked appts with the school counsellor, joined the gym, and made it my mission to salvage
what was left.

I'm so proud because i'm on top of it now- I really am.
I know this post is a little long-winded but i guess it's my diary.. my venting spacce.

University has always been a bit of a struggle for me, and now it's the end of the semester, I feel a sense
of understanding of why it is that it is worth struggling. I have accomplished something. I've only 2
semesters left of uni after this- that's only 6 months of study, really.

And I know that I really... really...really want this degree.

SO.

Anyway.
I'm happy.

Food-wise:

1x little tub burcher muesli
1x 6 inch veggie delite subway
10 almonds
2x fruche yoghurt

Exercise:
35 mins treadmill, 25 mins bike.
will do 8 min ab workout too.

and now... home.

x k

i had ice-cream

I found a three-quater left tub of mint choc chip about 10 mins ago.

And guess what?

....

....

... I had some.



And you wanna know something?

....

I STOPPED after a few yummy, delicious mouthfulls.
I enjoyed it, then just put it back in the freezer.

---And it was nice to be able to do that.----


xo k

on another note...

I just wanted to mention that I think of Drew Barrymore as a huge inspiration.
Naturally voluptous, she chooses to embrace her curves rather than go against them.
I just adore her flower-child attitude and beautiful spirit.

xk

well...

WHAT. A. DAY....
just got home from uni.
have had a full day, and gotten a fair bit done.

Spent some $ on chapel street which... i shouldn't have done.. but...
retail therapy was in order. I'm so hideous!

Rents due soon too :(

But... if I hadn't have gone i wouldn't have these lovely new boots..
And I got some bronzer and hair conditioning treatment :)

I tried on some clothes and fitted into all the size 14 pants I tried on-
well... most of them were great in the leg and hard to do up at the hips.

Good news is: i tried on some sass and bide jeans, size 14, and they fit
really lovely (except for the hips).

It's really nice seeing the results of my progress.. and I know i'm really
going to appreciate the feeling of being a 'universal' size 14 in no time at all.

Otherwise.. I shouldn't have spent much money.
But the boots were marked down from $100 to $40..and....


... i've been working hard!!

Well... best finish up as must get some rest.

recounting today, exercise:
45 mins treadmill, 15 mins exercise bike (yup... still enjoying it)
8 min ab workout

food:
not such a good day nutrition wise :(

1x multigrain roll
1x medium skinny flat white
1x apple
1x salad sandwhich with lots of chicken (protein!!! finally!!!)

nothing for dinner :(
chicken filled me up and i was so so so busy..
drank heaps of water though.

I have a sense of achievement today and feel like I'm working hard.
I feel really focused and goal-oriented.... it's encouraging.

Well...Let's try for a productive day again tomorrow!

Night.
xk

before i hit the hay...

Yet another truly busy day.
Despite rushing around everywhere... managed to eat healthily and get the 1hr at gym.

Also.. weighed myself and am now 78.7 kg.... AWESOME. Can't wait to get down to goal 1 of 77!

exercise today:
45 mins treadmill (JOGGED FOR 11 MINS....awesome.)
15 mins exercise bike.
8 mins ab workout.

food:
1x multigrain w/ vegemite.
1x small handfull of nuts.
1x large multigrain salad sandwhich, no avocado :(
2x fruche strawberry yoghurt (OOPS..hungry)
1x lean cuisine chicken curry/rice (1270 kj i think)

Overdid it with the fruche.. but oh well. Better than being hungry.

Felt positive and happy all day... now... time for bed.
But before I go...Just to note.
For all this hard work there shall be a reward- oh yes.
I'm thinking first reward.... a pair of boots. For getting through the semester.
I also plan to buy myself a pair of SASS N BIDE jeans when I get to my goal weight- I'm *really* excited about that.

Well, time to hit the hay.
Night
xk

Feeling great

Don't you just love a day when you feel like you've accomplished something?

I haven't done everything that I would have liked to have gotten done, but a main goal for the weekend has been completed: another assignment has been shot down. (!!)


On saturday I jogged for 5 minutes on the treadmill...

Today- drumroll please--- A whole ten minutes!
Yes, I sweated it out, puffed along, carrying my heavy self a whole ten minutes...
It wasn't too hard, but more so a mental challenge of trying to stick it out the whole time.
I was thinking about it today, but I think I am more motivated to jog when there is a room full of people at the gym- and especially if there is someone running beside me.

I remember when I used to go to another gym, i was so blown away and challenged to up-the-ante whenever I was on the treadmill next to this slight, blind pensioner. He ran and ran and ran on that treadmill, he would go for an hour at a time. He would find his way with his stick to the treadmill, and proceed blow any of my attempts out of the water- a blind man, probably in his seventies! Ack... anyway. I figure if he can do it, I can too. So.. I'm gonna stick at it and try to improve :)

Food wise today:

Breakfast: 2x multigrain with vegemite
Lunch: Subway 6" veggie delite w/ cheese.
Snack: Medium handful of almonds and macadamias. 1x medium skinny flat white one sugar coffee.
Dinner: 2x strawberry fruche yoghurts.

Probably not the most healthy day nutrition wise.. but... the best I could do as working very hard :)
Have not looked into iron supplements yet.. thinking maybe in the holidays I'll get my nutrition and supplements sussed out.

Exercise:
47 mins treadmill, 20 mins exercise bike.
8 min ab workout in the evening.

More thoughts before I go....
I am feeling very positive, and am feeling much happier and able to cope with stress.
I hope this keeps up- I'm sure it will as long as I keep up the exercise.
I can see my collarbones are a LITTLE more visible and two little ribs are faintly emerging from the f l a b.
My stomach feels flatter and I feel more confident in my jeans because my stomach isn't as bloated looking (or feeling.)

Have called mum to wish her happy mothers day.. And say that she will be a lucky mum as she gets to celebrate it twice.
Once with my sisters, and again in a few weeks when I come down after uni's finished this semester. I'll take her out for a dinner and a dance at the pub, and give her a special day even though I couldn't make it today. She understands :)

Well, signing off...
Everyone have a productive week!

x k

so i gave in and ate the ice-cream...

..on thursday night. I finished off my itty-bitty low fat tub and just had to try my room-mates mint-chip ice-cream. It was so good! Oh well! At least I didn't scoff too much of it. I just shouldn't have ate it is all!

I think ice-cream and chocolate are my biggest triggers- the mid afternoon craving and the nightly craving can be so annoying.I find it easier if i brush my teeth after dinner or dessert- and with mints during the day.

Having been at work tonight, I manage my eating better, and have had a really good day because I've been busy.

TODAY:

45min treadmill
20 min exercise bike

2x multigrain bread w/ vegemite
a small pear
handful of nuts
salad sandwhich (w/ avocado, nice!)
apple
subway 6" veggie delite on way to work
2x carrots

I know I'm getting really repetitive... but I'm sort of off soup at the moment, been really busy so all i can grab is something quick from uni/supermarket. Fruit is just the most awesome convenient food to just pack in your bag, I love it. And subway fits into my budget.

I think I need to introduce some dairy or iron supplements to my diet?
I was thinking of yakult... or maybe yoghurt? I'm worried as most women don't have enough calcium, and I know I'm making up that percentage!

Anyway- how dull is this post.
Tomorrow I'm hopefully going for a spinning class, an hour of gym, and doing my homework...
Just the usual routine.

On a finishing note- I jogged 6 mins today on the treadmill and really enjoyed it.I think I'll try again tomorrow.
I'm also starting to notice changes in my body- I'm feeling less bloated, a teeny tiny bit more leaner, and on the whole a lot more happy and confident. I can't wait to see more changes.

Goodnight...
k x

OH, and... I want to play tennis and swim during the mid-semester break.

Food/Exercise Update

Doing well this week- have been drinking plenty of water.
1x hour of gym every morning this week so far, which is great- 45 mins on treadmill, 15 mins on bike.

So far today eaten:

2x slices multigrain toast w/ vegemite.
A small pear
Salad sandwhich wholemeal bread
Very small handful of walnuts and almonds

Not sure what's for tea yet... And am considering going to a spinning class.
I'm excited to give it a go again (spinning) as went to Kmart and bought a gel pad seat cover to help with the hard seat.

Other than that... lectures, tut's and printing assignments... Gosh! Busy.
I might grab some soup for dinner tonight but who knows.. I'm a terrible organiser.

Hope all are having a healthy day!

x k

weigh-in day

About me.
-----------
Name: Kristy
Age: 22 y.o.
Height: 174 cm

SW: 81.2 kg
CW: 79.2 kg

STEP1: 77kg
STEP2: 75kg
STEP3: 73kg
STEP 4: 71 kg

GOAL 1: 69 kg
GOAL 2: 67 kg
-----------

My name is Kristy- I am a university student, struggling to maintain a healthy lifestyle with the stress and pressure from school, well-meaning friends, and bad drinking habits (!)...

This next four months I am committing myself to working off excess weight I have put on in the past year, rekindling my love of exercise, and using daily fitness & diet as a way to healthily approach my studies.

I hope once I have lost these kilos to also become more confident and active in sports, and look and feel better for summer. The next few months for me are about working towards long-term goals with daily reviewing of the small steps I know are necessary for me to be successful.

It is necessary for me to note, that 2 years ago I weighed more than 95 kilos.
I lost 26 kilos to arrive at my goal weight through consistent exercise, and changes in my eating that have remained since.
However, due to drinking/partying/little exercise/chocolate over time I have since re-gained 10 kilos.
It is getting to a point where I am unhappy and uncomfortable, and can no longer ignore the problem.

So- here I am now.
I have signed up to the gym, and am focused and ready to take the challenge.

Wish me luck- I will update often.
And- If you are in a similar situation, I would love to hear from you!

x Kristy