well here comes change!

Firstly- a HUGE woohoo... to losing 1.1 kg this week :)
It's a very good feeling looking at my ticker and seeing I only have 1.9 kg to go until I'm down to 76.5 kg. It feels great watching those numbers go down- especially when I know it is only these last 8 kilos that I need to shift before I start feeling so much lighter and leaner.

And even better news: I have decided to move. I am so excited as I am moving back to Richmond- my most favourite suburb in the whole of melbourne. It is so close to everything, and I am beyond ecstatic to know it's only a hop skip and jump to the tan, the mcg, and walks along the yarra. The room itself is quite a shoebox- but it's cheap rent, and it'll be -my- shoebox.. haha :) It's been 2 years since I last lived in Richmond and I've missed it beyond belief. Great cafes, great shopping, great pubs, great vibe. A 5 minute tram to the city.

SIGH!
Very happy, but I know the stress will be absolutely on me contending with moving and school... but finally, I really feel like it's a step forward in the direction I want to go. I really do.

Thanks everyone for your lovely comments, It means heaps to have my little outlet here where I can share my thoughts. Consider yourselves my motivation-circle as I dare not babble on about boring weight-loss stuff to friends! It gets repetitive and rather indulgent after a while, so I am glad blogger is such an easygoing listener... ;)

Well good luck guys, here's to shooting down another week!
Did I mention there's only 7 weeks of uni to go this year?...= A W E S O M E.....

xo Kristy

some pics from the other night :)

At the start of the holidays I chopped pretty much all my hair off, so I thought I'd share some pictures of it.

I had previously bleached black out of it, so it was in pretty rough shape, and had gotten fairly long. During the uni semester I try not cut my hair too much as it's quite expensive! I was going to take the plunge and get a Kylie Minogue/Jessica Rowe length style, but ended up having a little bit of fringe/side bits and the rest very shortly cropped. It's grown a lot since then, and the front bits are starting to get down to chin-length.
It was a bit of a shock at first but friends really loved it which made me feel better.

As I mentioned, it was a sort of reddish-blonde previously, so I put a chocolate dye through it.. and only just recently a red rinse. I'm pretty happy as it's gotten much healthier, and I won't mind having short hair during summer, that's for sure!


No other news except lots of boring homework! I've been eating well, & feeling happy.
I've cancelled my gym membership as I'm enjoying walking outside in the sun much more at the moment.

IT'S FOURTEEN WEEKS TIL SUMMER, GUYS!

How scary is that?
Anyway- gotta get off my bum and do some homework... take care!
x Kristy

P.S. good on you Rae for the WW photoshoot, what a star!

weighed myself, and...

The gain looks like it's only 400 grams, which is good for eating half a tub of ice-cream.

Feeling enthusiastic, and going to issue a challenge of losing 1 kilo just for the 1 week!
I know I can do it!

x Kristy

owning up

Haven't been doing so well, lately, with really just hovering at 80 kilos for the past two months. Not so much maintaining, but gaining 1, losing 1, etc... I am still trying to get into a routine that works for me again. I was going brilliant at the end of last semester, getting down from 82.5 kg down to 76 kg. I am now around 80.
I have been hoping that guessing my balance of good/bad foods, a little exercise and luck would get me through. But drinks and nights out haven't been so kind the day after. I actually think that lately I've been eating to avoid homework. ("Oh, can't sit down to do this before making myself a snack/lunch/dinner or I'll be hungry mid-concentration").

I am now going to focus on drawing up a plan that will work for myself :)

I have gone to the supermarket and stocked up and good, fresh foods and some healthier treat options, and am hoping these will help. Tomorrow I will go for an hour walk around the park in the sunshine. Although the yo-yoing has been frustrating, I'm trying not to make too much of a deal out of it. Even getting down to 75 kilos would just be brilliant for me, and make summer more comfortable, so I have to find that motivation to say no to the bigger portion sizes, and that 9th drink/packet of snakes... So- no less, no more than the points I'm alloted for the day. I have also purchased jarrah choc drinks for late-night chocolate hits!

The brilliant news is that I do fit into size 14 in most shops (besides the skin-tight ones, that is!). I was even a size 12 jeans in Sussan! But that doesn't change the fact I have a lot of 'middle' to contend with that shouldn't be there- likewise thighs.
I just need to hit the right balance again, and stop being so complacent.

Losing weight isn't the be-all-end-all of the world... but at the same time, I have recognised it as a definite priority in my life. Now I just need tunnel vision to achieve my goals!!

x Kristy :)

reeeee-edit.

I have edited this post to protect unsuspecting readers from it's hideous boredom!
In short, I have had a gain of 900 grams. Now, I could describe to you the pain of the double-edged sword of drinking copious amounts of wine and fun, and it's resulting ill-fated consequences: but rather, I will post the results of the tag i received from Rae.

Here is.... 5 weird things/habits about myself. (In no particular order, I might add).

#1.- When I was a child, I didn't know whether I wanted to be/or was in love with Robin from live-action tv series Batman and Robin. In short, I dressed up exactly like him. Mask, cape, and yes... tights. I have a photo of me running around on a family holiday in the get-up. YES. I wore it in public. I didn't, however, limit it to just Robin. I also have photos of me in full Batman gear. I was probably 5 or 6.

#2- I have a really large, wonderful, beautiful (extended) family. Not a weird thing about myself necessarily- but an essential part of the makeup of who I am, and doesn't everybody consider their family weird? My mothers side of the family grew up very poorly. 7 kids in the western suburbs of Melbourne, they mostly got up to mischief (playing with firecrackers, playing practical jokes), playing as sisters along the river and riding their horses. My pop was an economical man who I've been told hiked his pants up with string- not because he couldn't afford a belt, per se- they weren't *that* poor- but because why buy one when one can achieve the same result without cost? Pop would encourage the kids to proudly announce their surname, and instilled a very important value in all of them: that there was ALWAYS room for another seat at the table, even when food was scarce. My nana was ever-growingly hard of hearing, and as her hearing became worse, even her own surprise party was planned right in front of her; she couldn't hear it. As a child, I would arrive with a hug and SHOUT (as a child, i couldnt distinguish the difference between raising the voice and shouting, so we all just shouted), "HELLO NANNA!". Nanna would often reply, "I'm good, how are you?"
Nanna passed away last year, but to this day I still feel she's around. Although the family is not quite as close, the childhood holidays and long, long days at nana's, playing on her swingseat and twirling around the verandah pole with my cousins, eating plain slices of fresh vienna bread stays with me to this day. They were the best times.

#3- I never realised until I was 13 that there was no particular reason why you had to have butter on your vegemite on toast. Call me dense, it just didn't click til then. I hate butter and haven't had it on vegemite toast since. Since moving out of home, there's been so many more realisations just like it. Daft, huh?

#4- I don't think I've ever loved a man as much as I loved horses. That said, I have never owned one. As a young teen, I was just obsessed with horses. My parents were kind enough to pay for a lesson once a week, and I would also volunteer every saturday to get a free trail ride. I would be carting around huge wheelbarrows of manure for that free ride, in the height of the summer heat, and in freezing winter. From 8am til 6, I would turn horses in and out, groom, and tack up horses, just for a measly little ride. Me and my best friend would collect as many horse books as possible and memorise the facts- the anatomy, the point of the saddle, we would just absorb all of the tips on horse-care and ownership. We would pretend we were opening our own stables and call arena flooring specialists and receive small samples of their woodchips. To this day, despite having fallen deeply in love before, I'm still unsure as to say whether I have had as much deep, dreaming enthusiasm as anything as the way I was in love with horses.

#5- I am obsessed with bruschetta. And skinny-hummus. And spicy pumpkin dip. And chick-peas. All of those. I have vegetarian tendencies, and my most favourite meals are usually vegetarian. Sri-lankin pumpkin curry with natural yoghurt, grilled eggplant and coriander is my ABSOLUTE FAVOURITE. For cheap, brilliant veg meals in Melbourne- check out www.vegiebar.com.au, and also Lentil as Anything. * To. Die.For. *

Anyway... Those are my things.
Better luck for a loss next week!
so- Here's to good choices... : ) x Kristy

700 gram loss

After another highly socia weekend, I'm pleased to say I've had another 700 gram loss!
Excellent! Have still been eating fair amounts, had a bit to drink, had a few naughty choices...
But overall, tried consistently to reach for the good stuff and watch portion sizes. Had a few walks as well.

Hope everyone is doing well :)

Kristy

woo-hoo!70's girl again!

Weighed in yesterday, a loss of 700 grams bringing me down to 79.8 kg :D

Not too bad at all, factoring that it included up to 10 drinks last friday, going out for breakfast, going out for lunch, generous nibbling on snake lollies, and going out for dinner x 2!

In fact... It made me feel just like I can really do a little bit of naughty, moderated living and still get away with losing!

So- a great loss definitely. Very happy and excited.
But I am definitely scrapping my 1 kilo a week challenge... I think focusing on 500 grams, and anything extra just being an exciting bonus, is the best way to go. With stress and study I need a few drinks at the end of the week and coffees with friends to tide me through.

So- happy.
When I saw the numbers, I thought- Oh, I can't wait to keep travelling all the way from the top of the 70's to the bottom...it's gonna be great seeing those numbers roll on down.

Also- I bought a pair of 3/4 black dressy pants from target marked down from $40 to $10- Size 14, and a polka dot cute top $23- marked down 20% from $30. It was a size 12- tho I am definitely far away from this size of clothing, it's a bit of fun seeing it written on the label! (I don't truly get down to that size til I hit round 70 kgs)

Very happy and excited spring is coming... I have been for a few walks this week.. A lovely walk around the yarra.. I can't wait til it's singlet and cardi weather again, and schools over... and I can enjoy these long, leisurely walks again... Something to work towards, I guess!!! ha :)

Over and out..
x K

SW: 82.5 CW: 79.8 GW NEXT WED: 79.3

the beautiful things in life

Don't these photos say it all?
I went out last night for a surprise party for my the BF of my good friend K (pictured above).
Starting the evening with intentions of not drinking too much unfortunately gave way to up to 10 drinks, but it was worth it to see so many of my beautiful friends and spend some time away from studying (!)

The BF was truly surprised and I got a kick out of seeing how much he appreciated the care and consideration that went into the planning of the evening. It was just great to be a part of it- firstly at his house, then karaoke in a small bar in the heart of Chinatown. We all had so much fun.

Prior to the party I took the opportunity to have some drinks with some other friends, Kat and T (pictured below).
I made the decision to drink only wine and champagne (as opposed to my usual beer) because from memory I believed that to be less calories. I made the assumption that a standard glass is about 1.5 points?


Anyway- I really enjoyed being able to take part in the socialising, and as soon as I woke up in the morning I continued healthy habits. My lovely sister Kelly was kind enough to take me out to a gorgeous, wonderful breakfast on the cafe strip in Kensington. I had a lovely skinny flat white, and for breakfast chose the poached eggs and spinach on sourdough toast, with thick lush avocado slices and a sprinkling of salad leaves. IT WAS GORGEOUS...Not to mention the lovely chat we had, as we don't often get an opportunity to do this sort of thing. It makes me really appreciate the time.

For lunch and dinner I ate a special wrap I make that goes down so well with a hangover- it's a bruschetta mix, with a little bit of olive oil, and a generous amount of garlic and basil- wrapped in a flat mountain (Sorj) bread, with a combination spicy pumpkin and skinny hummus spread.

YUMMM.....



I finished the day off with a deliberate ignoring of the ice-cream in the freezer, and instead had a healthy bowl of (canned) pear slices, heated in the microwave with a dash of cinnamon and lots of juice. I've also had several cups of peach & mango flavoured tea.

And along with all of this, I managed to motivate myself enough to go for over an hours walk around the park, and as I walked I just enjoyed the beautiful crisp air. The sun was setting, the lights had just been turned on at the oval where spectators watched a local game of football, and despite the time there were still heaps of walkers around the track.

I feel like I've had a lovely day off, and despite my hangover, and despite the drinks... I feel really in control, and loving it. This time last week I had polished off 3 blocks of chocolate in the space of a few days, and was feeling very uncomfortable and out of control.
It's funny what a difference one week can make.

Anyway..
enough jabbering on.

I hope everyone else out there are doing well on their plans.
I can't help but think whenever tempted to make bad choices about the fact summer is definitely looming up.(eep!)

so, to close: I'm gonna try to keep making good choices, taking it one day at a time.
Good luck on your journey!

K x

TOWN clubs

A number of times I have heard people grumble about the cost of WW meetings.
I myself have never gone because of this reason- being a student, it's just so difficulttime and money wise to make that commitment. What I would like to suggest, though, is that my Mum lost a lot of weight at the local TOWN club in Geelong.
Town stands for Taking Off Weight Naturally; they are not for profit, based in metro and country victoria, and I think it's a couple of dollars per meeting if I'm correct :)

The web address is at townclubs.com.au, and despite not having my own personal experiences of the place, I think every bit of support really helps. So if anyone is weighing up whether they can afford WW, TOWN seems like a pretty good place to start :)

Eating wise I had a good day- no exercise to speak of as so much homework. Feeling rather naughty that I didn't have a walk. (Plus I feel quite stiff after being in front of the computer most of the day).


I've also been eating a lot of yoghurt... I'm especially in love with the Nestle diet Cinnamon and Apple flavour... I only recently had the brainwave I could have been adding cinnamon to my yoghurts from the very beginning! Duh! I just adore cinnamon, so this is something I have been adding very recently... and also meaning I'm eating way too much yoghurt :P

Am trying to get my assignments under control so I can take a day off on the weekend to visit loved ones... I received a lovely letter in the post on Tuesday from my wonderful Mum. I really treasure the letters I receive from her for many reasons. It really makes me feel humbled to know she's thinking of me, and they always seem to be timed when she knows I'm feeling unhappy, or hasn't heard from me for some time. When I read them I can hear her talking aloud in the way she writes them.

I also got a few lovely text messages from friends, which gives me a boost. A particularly dearfriend called and asked me along to a concert with her and mutual friends and it just felt nice to be included in it... We're going to see the Dresden Dolls, in September I think it is... and with all the homework on the plate, I know it'll just be so good to look forward to.


Anywho.. this is me.. signing off.

See ya soon,
K x

SW: 82.5 : CW: 80.5 GW NEXT TUES: 79.5

if it's to be, it's up to me...

Well, hello friends, I am back.

What can I say? I have put on 3 kilos over the holidays.
Could be better, could have been worse.
What there is to know, though, is that it's time to refocus: Uni semester two is here, and spring is around the corner from us now.

I have missed my time away from my fitness/eating plan, and spent most of the holidays staying with others and living out of my backpack, really. I'm rather glad of being able to control what food is around me now I am home, as I find that is so much of a help, rather than relying on sheer will (or lack of in my case) to say no to the fatty foods I've been around.

I guess that now is as good a time as ever to issue my new short term goal: 4 kilos in 4 weeks.
I plan to go from my weigh-in today of 80.5 kilos, to get down to 76.5 kilos by the end of the month.
After this point, I shall aim to lose 500 grams a week til christmas... that is the plan!

I am really excited and have surrounded myself with healthy food.
I'm working on building a positive attitude step by step, and taking each day and choice as it comes!
I've been feeling the kilos I've put on very keenly in my face and tummy and thighs, and desperately want to feel lighter and tighter and less bloated. Mentally, stopping the exercise has been disastrous, as I've been a bit of a crankypants lately, so I can't wait to meet the more enthusiastic self that unfailingly returns when I have exercise/eating under control.

I look forward to sharing many more posts with everybody,
and having this outlet to share my feelings again... It's good to be back!

so goodnight, and thanks for listening.
x k

p.s. photos to come very soon of my new haircut (very short!! and brunette) and also hopefully party photos.