Mini Morsels

While I was out at a cafe the other day, I noticed something rather cool in their range of cabinet food. Can you see what it is? Along the two top shelves is a range of cakes and slices. Next to the larger portions of slices, there are smaller (half) portions called 'mini morsels'.  A smaller portion option... I love it! 

In a world where over indulgence is contributing to an obesity epidemic, isn't it sensible to at least offer the choice to have smaller portions? I think it should be compulsory.  We need to start getting our heads around sensible portions, particularly for calorie rich foods such as cakes and desserts. Ideally, I'd like to see all the portions on offer to be based on a standard, relative to the energy content -  but, having options is a good starting point.

The other great advantage is that the mini morsels are $2.50 compared with $4.50, so it is also a cheaper option to enjoy.  It's a win win in my opinion :-)

Yo Yo Maintenance

I have gradually managed to get my weight down from 80.5 kgs to 79 kgs - to some relief I will admit. It seems that the only way I can manage periods of overeating is to ensure these 'mishaps' are followed by periods of corrective under-eating. A yo yo diet of sorts- but on a much smaller, less extreme scale.

I'm okay with the ups and downs, it gives me flexibility to be able to go out and enjoy foods that are calorie rich or larger portions and then providing I can get back on track, I can closely manage my weight back down to the range I'm comfortable with.

It would be ideal to have a nutritionally balanced diet every day and just resist all temptations, but I have found it extremely difficult - especially being the holiday season.  It is not realistic for me and chances are I would only give in and end up disappointed with myself.

I like having guilt free eating experiences, but it means being honest with myself and weighing myself every day, even if I know I'm not going to like the result. I have to take ownership for the decision to indulge and then take action.

My action plan includes smoothies for breakfast, light meals and cutting snacks.  It's a simple strategy, but, consistently applied it works for me and it is reassuring that I can use this method to maintain my weight.

For the first time the other day, I had a comment on my weight loss, not just congratulating me on my initial weight loss - but on maintaining my weight. It made me realise that, although the past few months have been at times a struggle to find the balance, I am succeeding in maintaining my weight.

4 Steps Forward 4 Steps Back

I had a good 4 days of progress last week, using the Nutri Ninja for breakfasts, limiting carbs and sugar and reducing my portions and then...

I went away for a few days and completely deviated from the plan. Larger portions, poor food choices and convenience options have halted my progress.

It is disappointing, but it feels better to be back at square one than dealing with a gain on top of a gain. After loosing 1 kg, I'm back at 80.5 kgs and now that I'm back home, I can get back to routine.

The reality is, there are always going to be these challenges to test me. Next time I need a better plan to manage the situation and make a commitment to stick to that plan.

There are so many things I could have done to help rather than hinder my progress - like opted for entree size options instead of mains. I could have had the fruit salad option once or twice rather than Eggs Benedict for breakfast every morning. I also could have added a walk or two to my schedule.

The truth is, I wanted to treat myself and enjoy as much as I could. Now I have to deal with those choices and start over..  It's not a disaster or the end of the world, but I can't deny it happened and ignore it. I need to take action this week and stay on track.

Weighty Issue

My weight has gone up quite a bit in the last 2 weeks. I've gone from 78.8 kgs to 80.5kgs and it's not at all a surprise. There are very obvious reasons for it:

Snacking on biscuits and crackers.

Increase in alcoholic beverages.

Increase in carbs at meal times.

Decrease in physical activity.

Decrease in vegetable and fruit intake.

Like I say, it's obvious why my weight is increasing. Now it has to stop!

Some of this has to do with the fact that I'm working more hours and have less time and energy to dedicate to healthy eating and exercise. We are also heading into the Christmas festive period where we have more social events and excess is the norm.  That, however, is no excuse for letting go of my goal to maintain a healthy weight.

I'm starting off my morning with a vege/fruit smoothie and will have to go cold turkey on the snacks and alcohol. I've found its what is easiest for me. I should also increase the physical activity - yoga and walking would help.

Over the next week I will be dedicated to shifting the excess I have accumulated. Its not a large amount  but, that is the point.  I'm not prepared to let my weight get out of control.

Storage Sorted in the Girl's Room

A couple of initiatives have been successful in controlling clutter in the girl's bedroom.

I sat down the other weekend with my youngest daughter and together we organised the mess of hair accessories on the floor.  Using an exisiting storage rack, we sorted them into clips, ties, headbands and bobby pins. The rack is now up on the wall and working well.

I have also introduced 5 plastic storage bins for underneath the girl's bunk bed. 

The girl's have embraced use of the bins. They have two bins each (colour coded) and one extra bin for shared items. They are easy to access and store away and they look good too.  So far the floor space has stayed clear!

A laundry basket for the space is going to be my next focus. I'm still looking for the right option - in the meantime I'm just keeping an eye on the situation and reminding the girl's to use the baskets in the bathroom for dirty laundry.

The House - Post Declutter

It has been easier to keep the house clean and tidy following the declutter - except for a couple of zones...

The girl's bedroom has not had clear floor space in the past week. The biggest issues have been dirty laundry, bedding, hair accessories, jewellery and small toys. It is disappointing, especially after having decluttered the space :-( 

Organisation and storage still needs addressing as do routines and rules around putting away items after use and respecting the space.

I'm restricted by space and budget to create more storage, but, I have a couple of tricks up my sleeve.  The first is, storage baskets for under the lower bunk bed. Currently there are draws which slot under one side of the bed - but there is still some space on the other side which is being under-utilised.

My second trick is to introduce a large laundry basket for the room. The small one I had provided is just not cutting it.

The third trick is to provide some storage solutions for the individual problem areas - like a jewellery box and hair tie organiser for my youngest daughter.

The next area I am struggling with is the front entranceway. To be fair I have not decluttered this space, but I had upgraded the shoe storage from a small bin to a large wicker basket.

Shoes have not been the issue - the problem has been school bags and things that get dumped just inside the front door (like clothing, artwork, tools and cleaning apparatus).

Yes, I am guilty of dumping in this space as well. My vacuum, hand steamer and Little Green upholstery cleaner have all found a home in this space. It looks untidy and clutters the entrance!

I'm not responsible for the other clutter, but I've resorted to dumping because my hallway cupboard is a shambles. It has no shelving (other than a small shelf at the very top of the cupboard), so everything ends up squeezed onto the floor. Shelving will come - eventually, but for now the overflow is clogging up my entrance.

So, as you can see the mission to declutter and reorganise is not yet complete.  There is some work to do, so watch this space!

Master Bedroom - Before and After

The Master Bedroom has been a little neglected as of late, but after an hour or so of hard work it is looking much more cared for, clean and inviting.

This is what it looked like before the revamp.

Ok, it wasn't too bad, but I did have a bit

of work to do clearing the low boy dresser of paperwork. Most of it has now been sorted through and a good portion has been thrown out. The remaining paperwork has been relocated to the office awaiting a new shelving unit I hope to aquire soon.

I had a swap around with my wall art, removed general clutter and introduced a houseplant. I also cleaned all the furniture, vacuumed and very obviously made the bed. The room smells fresher and with less clutter will be easier to keep clean and fresh.

Phase 2, the Master Suite is now complete! I now have more work to do in the office, but it was worth it for the result  in the bedroom.  

Phase 2 - Master Suite

I've got off to a great start of Phase 2 of my declutter - the wardrobe is looking a lot better, so I've moved onto the ensuite.

My biggest challenge was decluttering around the bath. I removed a laundry basket of clutter (candles, soaps, bath products and shells). I have added back two small houseplants, a couple of candles, one tea light candle lantern and kept just one bottle of bubblebath and one soap. It seems like a lot - but it is much less than what was there.

I'm not sure how it got so cluttered. I had made it quite impossible to clean and it looked messy and unrestful - not really what I wanted for a relaxing bath time retreat.  I have a habit of adding too many accessories and loosing my whole intention for the space. I want to keep it clear and uncluttered from now on. 

The next challenge was cleaning the windows and shower screen. I tackled that by using my hand steamer and good old Mr Muscle with a microfibre cloth just to buff off any streaks.  It came up sparkling clean.  The steamer really does loosen soap scum. I will be using it more often for this job - it was quick and efficient.

I also removed a bath mat from the floor and cleared the vanity of a few too many bathroom products. I've just left the toothbrushes and soap as these are what is used most often.

The result is a calmer, cleaner space that is easier to keep clean and organised :-)

Friday Night in the Wardrobe

Yes, I had an eventful Friday night this week. I pulled myself away from the dreaded TV and dedicated a couple of hours to decluttering and reorganising our walk in wardrobe.

I removed 6 shopping bags full of unwanted clothes, shoes, dress jewellery and general clutter from the space for donating.  It looks so much better now :-)

I also reorganised my clothing into colour blocks.  I have A LOT of black! I used to have a lot more colour in my larger sized clothing collection - but I guess it tells me that black is practical, flattering and stands the test of time.

I reordered Hubby's clothes into work / formal (top row) and casual (bottom row).  He doesn't have much in the way of clothing compared to me - just as well, I need as much space as possible!

I still have some work to do to reduce the amount to beauty products I have cluttering my dressing table which is in the corner of the wardrobe.  I will probably sort out a basket to store all my regularly used products and either throw out or pack the remainder away.

The wardrobe is one of those spaces that needs regular attention to stay organised. It makes it so much easier for selecting clothes and accessories when you can actually see what you have to work with. 

The Best Way to Enjoy a Leftover Roast

This salad is made up of baby spinach leaves, tomato, leftover roast chicken, roast pumpkin and some grated parmesan and aioli to top it off. It was delicious! Definitely the best way to enjoy roast leftovers.

My weight has increased by 1 kg since my last post to 79.5,  not a huge fluctuation - but I am working to get back down to 78.5.  It's far easier to lose 1 kg than 21!

The Declutter Continues...

Since my last post we have filled my car three times with donations for the local opp shop (charity store). Hubby has has a reorganise in our shipping container and I have cleared the kitchen draws and found more children's clothing that no longer fits.

I still have a way to go with the master bedroom and walk in robe. It is not a restful and relaxing space at the moment and I'm feeling a bit stuck as to how I can make it the retreat it should be.

I can't believe how cluttered it still feels overall in the house :-( I expected to have a lot more space and calm, but I'm a long way off yet. What should I declutter next? What can I let go of and what will make the biggest impact? 

Steady Weight and a Size 12

I have had a steady weight for a full month now and my body shape seems to have settled nicely into a size 12-14.  

I'm thrilled with the way I look in clothes now and although I'd like to tone up a little more, I don't want to lose more weight.

Although I have been lucky not to have had major problems with stretched skin, I have noticed that the skin on my stomach, thighs and breasts have lost elasticity and there is some sagging and creping of the skin.  

I feel thankful that it is not much worse - I know of other people who have suffered terribly from loose skin and skin conditions after significant weight loss.  So, while I'm happy with my current situation, I am conscious that further weight loss would only aggravate the issue.

The Girls Shared Space

The final room and most difficult to complete has been the girls room. Dismantling and moving the bunk was tough enough, but condensing two bedrooms in one was the biggest challenge.

Luckily the room was a decent size to begin with and with some careful placement, the furniture fits in nicely.  We had to lose an arm chair, but otherwise, floor space has been the only sacrifice.

I'm proud of my eldest daughters decluttering efforts. She was able to let go of several bags of soft toys and books for donating and put four of her beloved pillow pets into storage to help make space in her wardrobe for her sister's belongings.

The ugly cardboard box on top of the white tall boy dresser is thankfully only temporary. It houses week old chicks being raised for my eldest daughters annual school Pets Day. They will be ready to move outside in another 4-5 weeks once they are bigger and the weather has improved.

So that is phase one complete! Kids rooms and the home office all done.  Next I will be moving onto the master bedroom, wardrobe and bathroom.  I'm hoping this won't be to tough as I've been slowly chipping away at it for a couple of months now.  Will keep you updated :-)

Home Office - The Basics are There

Here is the new home office.  There is still another desk to fit in under the second window and a small bookcase in the corner, but they are not in as yet, because we haven't yet bought them ;-)

We are trying to source suitable cheap or free options, so it could take a bit of time before it is a fully functional space.  For now, it is nice to have the space in the room.

The natural light in the space is lovely and the view from my desk allows me to see any visitors that come to the house. I could actually envisage a door from the front of the house leading in to the space to give it separate access.

The very best thing about the desk moving out of the master bedroom is that my 'zen den' is once again freed up for yoga sessions. I have already had my first session in several weeks and it was great!

First Room Complete

This is my son's room all tidy and organised.

We have got the toys down to two bins, a basket of cars and his train set, which is stored in a separate bin on the other side of the wardrobe.

He has kept his 'tree hanger' for hanging clothes / costumes and there is a small laundry hamper for dirty laundry.

His sofa has been replaced with a comfy old armchair and a small table and chairs from the girls rooms.  Probably much more functional than a whopping great sofa!

Now it's time to work on the other rooms and a mountain of washing which has built up over the weekend. I swear I was up-to-date on Friday! Oh well :-( 

Phase 1 - Declutter Kids Rooms

This boot load of books and toys is the result of a major declutter in the kids rooms. 

After we had sorted items for donating, I further edited down the toys, filling three 60 litre storage bins which are ready to go down to our shipping container.

This was necessary to make space for the girls to share a bedroom. Although their room is large and they share a bunk bed, there was still a lot to fit in the space and we wanted some floor space for them to play.

My son now has a load of space in his room, having moved the sofa out into our new home office.  His room is the only one that we have completed so far. The other two rooms are almost there, so I will finish them off tomorrow when the house is empty and I can really get stuck in.

The kids seem happy with the changes overall and are rediscovering toys that had been hidden amongst the clutter.  There has been the odd moment of concern, about not having as many toys or missing the familiar mess, but, it is something they need to come to grips with - just as I will when I come to decluttering my possessions.

More pics coming tomorrow!

Preparing for the Big Spring Clean!

It's that time of year and we are preparing for a big Spring clean and annual declutter of the house ahead of Christmas and the end of year holiday season.

The house seems to be bursting at the seams with toys, books, children's artwork, paperwork, clothes and collectables. We battle it day in and day out, but, ultimately it overtakes the house and an annual declutter is the only way to get it under control.

The difficult thing for me is that I'm not a minimalist. I'd really like to be, but I just have to keep a certain amount of clutter around me. It's hard to let go of treasures that have been accumulated over time, but I'm determined to be ruthless this year and let go of a lot of my stash.

Part of this year's process has been a change in the kids rooms.  The need for a work space has escalated with me working more from home. So we've moved the girls in together into the largest of the kids rooms and freed up a bedroom to become a home office.

It's not ideal, but I'm hoping that they will cope with the arrangement for a year or so, just until we can organise a separate office (probably a converted shipping container) when we can afford it.

This has meant that it is even more important to cut down on the clutter and free up storage space.  I'd like to live more simply and have less mess in my life. I'm hoping for a dramatic change to benefit family life!

Still the Same

Today my weight sits at 78.5 kgs.  That's almost exactly the same as it was 3 weeks ago.  That is quite an achievement! I have been trying to keep a steady weight and so far it is working!

I've been introducing a few carbs back into my diet -  small portions here and there. I've also eased up a bit on sugar - the odd biscuit or sweet.

I've actually found it quite tough to eat enough to keep my weight steady. It takes a lot more than I've been used to eating to keep weight on.

I've been a bit lax on good nutritional choices the past week. I've not been terrible, but I can do better. I'm not worried because I know I'll get back on track. 

Self Care Not Surrender!

I've really struggled through the last few weeks. Everything has felt so demanding.  I really can't say one thing has been worse than the other - it's all been taking it's toll.

I feel I'm doing my best to give as much as possible and in positive ways, but it never seems to be enough. I feel drained dry. I can't be everywhere, do everything all at once or keep everyone happy! Constantly rushing from one thing to another has left my head spinning.

How can I continue on an affirmative course when I'm exhausted and disheartened? There must be some way for me to re-energise and get back on track while still keeping on top of all the demands of my life.

Less demands would be nice - but not realistic :-( A holiday would be lovely, but is definitely not on the cards! I think it is going to come down to very effective planning, to fit in time for myself to recharge the batteries.

Self care is something that I've failed to prioritise lately and I can't see how I can continue to care for everyone else when I'm barely holding it together myself.

Next week, I am going to work in 4-6 hours of time across the week - just for me, to look after... me.  I need some time to relax my mind and sort out how I'm going to get back on track with energy and motivation. Surrender is not an option!

Mastering Weight Maintenance

I have sat pretty comfortably at the same weight for the past 10 days now.

I've had a few 'naughty' days where I've over indulged, but I've balanced them with 'good' days where I have been more disciplined.

The result has been that my weight has remained steady and that I have been able to go out and enjoy myself without beating myself up about it.

When I am ready to loose the last little bit, I will make the push - but for now I am taking my time to master the art of weight maintenance. 

Breakfast at its Best!

This is what breakfast looks like for me most days now. Well actually, it's more like this:

I know, I know, it doesn't look very appetising - but, I can assure you it's not all that bad.  The brown is a bit off-putting, but it has to do with the variety of fruit and vege that I have used in this smoothie.  

I'm learning to use different combinations, but I try use baby spinach leaves and blueberries as much as possible for their nutritional benefits. 

I'm still working on the ultimate combination (good health meets good taste). I'll be doing some research over the coming weeks, so watch this space.

78.8 Kgs Today

I'm heading towards another milestone - 78 kgs. My new weight of 78.8kgs brings me just 2.8 kgs from my goal weight! 

It's nice having a goal and I'm still sticking to it at this point. I know there was logic in my decision to aim for this weight and I want to see the process through.

I'm still a size 14. I can't see that changing at all - even with another 2.8 kgs lost. I'm pretty well happy with my size now and feel comfortable in my skin. BMI these days doesn't seem as important either. It is a medical guide, but it doesn't know me or my body and what I want to achieve for myself.

I'm finding my natural plateau as I get closer to my goal. I am trying to eat for weight maintenance more than weight loss these days and it's been quite tricky to slow my progress without gaining. These last few kgs need to move slowly now so that I am able to stop at my goal and not continue to lose.

I think the secret to weight maintenance for me is going to be to set a gain / loss tolerance so that I have some room to move and then regularly monitor myself to make sure I stay within that range. I don't think I'll ever be able to throw the scales away - it's something I will have to keep tabs on for the rest of my life.

I'm sure it's easier for some people, but this is something I have struggled with now for most of my life and a permanent weight management system is really the best option for me.

A Good Way to Start the Day

Today my morning smoothie consisted of kiwi fruit, pear, banana, baby spinach leaves and blueberries. Not a bad combo I might say :-)

I'm getting used to 'getting my blend on' each day and I'm aiming at increasing my  vege to fruit ratio (at the moment I'm using quite a bit of fruit to help with the taste factor).

I have been really impressed with the performance of the Nutri Ninja, it has blended everything I've thrown at it and I'm going to keep throwing new recipes at it every day!

New Nutri Ninja

Our new Nutri Ninja had its first workout this morning. I made a blend of baby spinach leaves, carrot, banana, apple and some left over tinned fruit salad. 

It was pretty good. The carrot made the mix a little gritty, but next time I'll try using the ultra-blend function. Overall though I was impressed at how well the unit did and the taste was rather nice.

I used the largest cup (1 litre) which made enough to give my hubby and I and my eldest. My two youngest still have issues drinking anything that is green :-( I will work on them gradually.

When you are no the go, it's a good way to make sure that you get some nutrition into your body. It's fast and easy and I'm all for that!

Good Bye 80's - Welcome Back 70's

Today I weighed in at 79.8 kgs! That's another goal down and only two left to reach - 78kgs and then I'm at 76kgs my goal weight :-)  

It feels great to be nearly at the end of the weight loss phase, but the journey of weight maintenance will be ongoing and will pose it's challenges.

A weight that starts with a 7 - I'm still in a state of disbelief. I'm pretty chuffed with myself...

Next Goal - 80kgs

I have almost reached a new milestone. Today I weigh 80.7 kgs!

I can't believe I am now almost at a weight that starts with a 7. Only 4.7 kgs from my goal. That's 21.7 kgs weight lost!

It has been a little more difficult to lose the weight for around the last 5 kgs. I think this has been a combination of less physical activity (more time at the computer working) and the fact that my body has slowly become accustomed to eating smaller portions and is now more efficient because it is not being over fuelled.

It's a new month and another goal achieved would be great.  There will be challenges, but I need to stay focused and keep my eyes on the prize :-)

Lunch On-the-Go

My weight has been stable the past week or so. I'm now at 81.3 kgs, so another gradual loss :-)

At 5.3 kgs from my goal weight I'm starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I have been a bit more relaxed with my intake but in saying that, I am committed to my goal and I am still following the low carb / low sugar plan while aiming to achieve balance through using the 'new food pyramid' structure.

Working the past few weeks has made it a challenge for me. I am not always home to prepare a nutritious lunch and I have not been organised enough to prepare ahead for lunches on the run. I need to get on top of this because often I choose not to have lunch and this only slows the metabolism and makes me hungry, tired and irritable :-( not good for fat burning or for those around me!

My main options are - pack a salad, low carb bread sandwich, fruit, nuts, a smoothie or shake (if I can keep it cold) or leftovers (if I can either keep it cool or reheat if necessary). Sounds simple enough and if I'm organising this for my family, then why can't I do it for myself?

Next week I am putting a bigger focus on 

getting my lunches on-the-go sorted by having some practical, healthy solutions  in place and being better organised to  make sure that I have have a healthy lunch to eat every day. 

The Low Down on Calories

I used to calorie count a lot in my younger dieting years.  I had a handbook (before the days of the Internet) and I committed the calories of certain food items to memory.

It was something I found was a useful tool in deciding how much I should eat to either lose or maintained my weight (which ever I was trying to achieve).

These days it is something I do automatically when I am preparing meals.  Usually I guestimate based on my knowledge and previous experience, but occasionally I do a more scientific calculation or look online.

So, what are calories?  They are a unit of measure (like metres and litres) but in relation to the energy value of food (at least that is my definition).  Calories seem to apply more to the US while the more common measure in NZ is kilojoules or kJ's.  You will see reference to them on the back of food packaging showing the energy value of the contents, per serving and usually per 100 grams.

While I normally don't subscribe to US units of measure (I like my metric system of centimetres and metres, over inches and yards),  I do prefer calories over kilojoules.  Here is why:
There is almost exactly 1 calorie to 4 kilojoules.  This means there are less numbers to remember when it comes to learning and remembering how many calories are in food items.  For example, a serving (2) Farmbake chocolate chip cookies (not normally on my list folks, but is a treat for the kids :-) is 503kJ -  so that is about 125 calories.  I use that value and halve it to get the per biscuit value of 63.  For me it is far easier to remember the lower number of 63, than 125 calories 'per serve' or 503 kJ. 

If you struggle with the math (as I do at times), you can use a calorie / kilojoule conversion tool, like this one:  
http://www.bupa.com.au/health-and-wellness/tools-and-apps/tools-and-calculators/calorie-converter

So, how is knowing how many calories are in something a helpful tool?  Well, once you calculate your daily calorie requirements (how many your body will use) you can then start to count your calories to ensure that you either maintain or lose weight. 

Here is a simple online calorie calculator tool to work out your daily calorie requirements (to maintain your current weight) http://www.mayoclinic.org/calorie-calculator/itt-20084939

My estimated calories needed to maintain my current weight works out to 2150.

With this magic number, in theory, I can work out how much I can eat or not eat depending on my goals. 

Note, if I become more active the number increases, likewise, if I become less active it decreases and my daily food intake needs to adjust to suit my activity level.

So what can I eat with a daily allowance of 2150 calories?  Well it's not all about quantity it is about quality and achieving balance (think of the food pyramid).  Yes, I could use my allowance to eat four Big Macs or 34 farm bake cookies and in theory I would not gain weight. But, what kind of nutritional benefit does that offer my body? 

Calorie counting must be used in combination with your nutrition plan.  You must also be sensible about restricting calories.  I have been down the path of extreme diets and let me tell you, reducing your calories too drastically will not help you achieve steady and sustainable weight loss or help you form healthy eating habits.

I tend to aim for an intake of around 3/4 of the estimated calories to ensure steady and controlled weight loss, but I'm not ruled by planning out my calories and getting the numbers right.  It is just one tool I use to help me get the balance right.

The BLT Low Carb Salad

Today's lunch is a classic example of turning a sandwich idea into a low carb salad. The BLT which I would have (back in my high carb days) made with a slice of bacon, two slices of tomato and a lonely piece of lettuce between two thick pieces of bread, has now become the BLT Salad!

I used two heaped cups of greens (baby spinach and baby kale leaves), a whole tomato (sliced) and two slices of bacon, along with mushrooms, cheese and mayo for extra flavour.  Man was it tasty! 

The bacon is from our own home reared pigs so is a cost effective protein option. The vege component was the most expensive part of the meal, but overall it was not too bad at around $3 for a delicious meal.  

The New Food Pyramid

  

A while back I wrote a post and included the 'new food pyramid'  This is one which was developed by an organisation called Fitness First.   Details are available on their website:  http://www.fitnessfirst.com.au/healthy-eating/the-new-food-pyramid/

There are a few schools of thought around what the healthy food pyramid should look like.  Back in the day it looked more like this:

 

 

 

 

The food groups in the same position as the newer model pyramids are veges and the sweets and treats category.  So there is some consensus.

The most obvious change is the whole grains, which have now moved from the bottom of the pyramid (eat most) to third from the top, in the newer model I follow.

A recent NZ Herald article http://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/news/article.cfm?c_id=6&objectid=11451171 stated that 'The Healthy Eating Pyramid has had it's first update in 15 years'.  This is the model that they discussed:

 

 

While I agree with the placement of vegetables, I have an issue with the order of the remaining categories.  I have a firm belief that proteins and healthy fats should rate higher (sit lower on the pyramid) than cereals or grains.  You will also notice that junk food / treats are not featured on this pyramid.  Apparently they no longer exist - however I'm pretty certain that they do exist and feature in most diets (a little unrealistic to assume that we will never have treats!).  It is a pretty pyramid, but I'm not convinced it is right for me.

I guess there is no right or wrong answer.  At the end of the day we each need to decide for ourselves what we should put into our own bodies.   We are all individuals and what suits one person may not suit another.  Guidance is good, but it's up to us to make choices we can live with.

Please note:  The opinions in this blog are my own based on my own research and experience.  I am not an expert Nutrition Advisor or qualified Doctor (although these days you almost need to be in order to take good care of yourself).  Please, do seek advice from a trusted health care professional should you wish to talk to someone about nutrition and healthy eating :-)

Making it Work

The hardest part of returning to work is making work - work.

When you are already busy meeting the demands of running a household and then you throw a full-time job in the mix, where on earth are you supposed to find the time to spend with the kids or go to dentist appointments, or ring your Mum?

Work/life balance is one of the hardest things to achieve but probably the most important part of working.  At the end of the day, family is our number one priority and it is vital that businesses recognise this.

Having a boss that fully understands that you have kids and that there are times that work has to take a back seat while family takes the front seat (sometimes to the emergency room, or a sports day or whatever) is a rare and valuable thing.

While I'm doing a lot of hours at the moment, I am trying to keep sight of the big picture and making sure that I give priority to my life's VIPs - who I happen to live with ;-). Fortunately I have a boss who is completely on board with what is important in life and shares the work/life balance philosophy.

It is still a challenge, one that I face every day and sometimes I feel like I get it all wrong and I'm a bad parent or that I'm not achieving enough of my work goals but, I'm trying and ultimately that's all any of us can do.

I'm still working on a recipe for the work/life balance secret sauce - when I have it, I'll let you know!

Carb and Sugar Fuelled Weekend!

It's all gone pear shaped and if I don't watch it, so will I!

What a weekend - bread, cake, potato and sugary drinks.  To be fair, I was not binge eating, I still exercised self control and made sure my portions were not excessive. I listened to my body and stopped eating when I felt full - so I can feel good about that.  But Oh did I indulge in all those things I have been trying to avoid :-(

The sad part was that I really enjoyed them! I think the thing I enjoyed the most was ginger beer (Bundaberg). God that stuff is good! I haven't had a sugar laden drink in nearly 6 months and it was heaven. Not so much the sugar part, but the ginger was devine. Okay, the sugar was pretty good.

What the heck has happened to my will power? Why am I not working harder to stick to the programme? Work has made life busier, but I still need to make wise choices around my nutrition.

I need to put the weekend behind me and focus on getting my nutrition right! More preparation behind lunches that I can pack and then eat on the run and saying NO to the naughties!

82 Kg Selfie

6 kgs till goal weight! 

20 Kgs in 20 Weeks!

I made it!  82.4 kgs down from 102.4 kgs.

It took 20 weeks, but I did it.  I'm a size 14, down from an 18-20 and my BMI is nudging ever closer to the healthy weight range, currently I'm at 26.3 (bang in the middle of the overweight category), down about 7 from my original 33 (which was well into the obese category).

So where to from here?  Well, I still have my sights set on 76 kgs as my goal weight (which actually still sits inside the overweight range.  I'm not letting the BMI scale dictate where I want to be, but I'm using it as a tool to help guide me.  I'm only 6.4 kgs from goal weight and it seems completely realistic and achievable over the next 6-8 weeks.

My level of physical activity has reduced recently (more time in front of the computer with my new job) but I have been careful to take that into consideration and I'm monitoring things closely.  I'm determined to make it, I've got this far and I'm not stopping now :-)

Working Girl Selfie

It's been a while since I selfied. All dressed for work :-) 

My current weight is 82.6 kgs. I'm inching closer to my next target and my goal weight. 6.6 kgs to go!

Busy Times Ahead

I have officially found employment! I joined the company on Friday.

I have started my induction with a newly formed business, working with a dynamic and passionate team.

I have loads to learn in my new role, so it's busy times ahead from now.  Here goes... 

Heading Home

After almost a week away from my family, I am heading home.

I miss my family, but it has been nice to see my Auckland friends and family.

It will be so sweet to be home again. There are some exciting things happening on the career front, so watch this space.

The weight loss is still progressing. 82.8 kgs as of this morning. My next target is close - 20 kgs lost soon!

Exercising My Brain

The past two days I have been attending a course to update my training in preparation of my return to the workforce.

It has been a positive experience and I have enjoyed exercising my brain. It has proven to me that it still works :-)(from a work prospective at least)

I am ready to embark on the journey to reignite my career which has been deferred while I have been home looking after my little ones.

Exciting times ahead!

Goodbye Size 18 Clothing

This week I sold a bulk lot of twenty two size 18 items of clothing online on Trade Me.

It felt good to say good bye to that chapter of my life, although it was bitter sweet as I really did like some of them , particularly the cowl neck patterned dress :-( but it really was far too big and the cost to alter it would purchase a new dress, so I decided to let it go with the other items.

I now have more space in my wardrobe for new clothes, once I reach my goal weight.  I am determined that I will not go back to that size.  My change is for life and I will reach that goal.

It is nice to get dressed up and feel good about the way I look.  It is also nice to get compliments from friends and family about my appearance.

I'm now nearly 20 kgs from my start weight of 102.4 kgs. My BMI is 27 and I'm well on the way to a healthy weight!  

The Worst Plateau Yet

For the past 5 days I have been stuck at the same weight and it's the first time I've had a gain in the past 5 months!

It has been frustrating to sit on 84.3 kgs for so long. To begin with I couldn't understand why.

Then I sat down and had a wee think about what could be happening... What have I done differently.

Ok, I have been missing out on my yoga. It is important, I enjoy it and it does burn a few calories, but I don't think it would cause a gain on it's own. No, there is something else, something I am becoming careless with...

Carbs? Let's see... Okay, I haven't been too bad, there have been the odd indulgences. The odd slice of toast here, KFC for dinner one night there (but not a huge portion), a salami and salad wrap (hardly a crime).  

Then what about sugar? Well, I had one cookie - it's not exactly a binge, but then I thought - I have been having a few sachet coffees this week too (around 3 per day). They are 74 calories each without milk, but they are 9 grams of sugar.

Things are starting to add up now. I have not been as disciplined in a few areas and although I've been watching portions and my overall nutrition, I have slipped up a bit and things have got off balance.

The body processes sugar and carbs differently and my body is used to having very little. When it does get a bit more that usual, it has an impact!

Some tweaking is what is needed and darn it, more discipline. I've lost my way a little, but I am back on the straight and narrow now. Hopefully I am back on track to achieve my next goal in the next two weeks.