I Heart Yoga

I have kept up my nightly yoga this week - well 5 out of 7 nights.  I have increased my 20 minute sessions to a 30 minute session that I have customised using the Simply Yoga app. I paid the $4.99 to upgrade from the lite to the full package (enabling the option to customise my sessions).  I think it is well worth it as I know what specific areas I want to work on and a customised session will be far more beneficial.

Here is my yoga set up. It's pretty basic. I use the lounge after the kids go to bed and just push the ottoman to one side so I have the floor space. I use a basic yoga mat and I have a couple of cushions at the ready in case I need extra support. 

I like that I don't need much equipment for yoga. Basically I could do it anywhere as long as I have floor space, a mat and my phone to run me through the session.

I enjoy the few minutes meditation at the end of the session, just laying in corpse pose and focusing on the breath. I'd like to extend this time gradually, but I am mindful that the lounge is a shared space and that I have more to get done in the evening after yoga, so I can't take more than say 10 minutes, but that will do me nicely.

My favourite pose is 'warrior pose'. I can really feel the stretch through my arms.  It also takes a lot of mental focus to hold the pose while reaching the arms out in opposite directions and feeling the stretch in my legs while lunging forwards.

Did I mention that I heart yoga! 

Wrapped Pork Burger

I have used 100 grams of pork mince to make a hamburger patty, then made up a no carb burger with a large iceberg lettuce leaf, sliced tomato, cheese, a fried egg and a teaspoon of chilli sauce and a teaspoon of Mayo.

The wrapped burger really is ingenious.  And the pork is very flavourful. I made the patties by adding egg to the pork mince (half an egg is adequate for 100 grams) half a teaspoon of coconut flour, a drizzle of sesame oil, a drizzle of soya sauce, pepper, salt and smoked paprika to taste. 

It is delicious and you could easily substitute the lettuce for a cabbage leaf and do more of a coleslaw filling to go with the patty. An excellent alternative to the standard white bread hamburger bun.

Pork Mince Chowmein

This huge plateful is my lunch today! 

I stir fried 100 grams of pork mince,carrot, leek, green and purple cabbage and fresh pineapple with seasame oil, soya sauce, garlic salt, pepper and smoked paprika. I have sprinkled chopped almonds and seasame seeds on top for some crunch.

The result was very tasty and cost wise around $2.50. 

Gotta love lunch...

On My Way

Here's me this morning - 91.9 kgs.

I'm on my way to my way to my next target of 90 kgs.

I'm really happy with my progress. The yoga has been awesome in combination with my nutrition plan.  I feel so energised and I'm noticing my arms and legs especially are feeling more toned. 

It still feels odd taking selfies when I have tried my best to stay away from cameras for the past 2 years, but I'm slowly learning to love my selfie :-)

The Little Things

It's strange adjusting to a new body. The changes sneak up on you. It's not just my size or my shape and physical well being that have undergone change. There has been a shift in my state of mind, my confidence and self esteem.

You notice it when you actually feel like making an effort to look nice (follow a beauty routine, wear make up, accessorise etc.). You don't feel so nervous about going out socially or find yourself ducking for cover when someone wants to take a photo to post on Facebook. 

There are also changes to day to day living. Some are funny little things, like when you notice your hipster briefs have suddenly become full briefs or when you realise you can use the bottom dish draw because you can now bend down that far without crushing internal organs!

Then there are the truly sweet moments like when you can put your original wedding band on and it fits for the first time in years.

The world seems to fit better, seat belts don't dig in, chairs accommodate better and most shops actually stock my current clothing size 16. 

I have to say I like all these changes, well maybe not the underwear scenario, but I can always invest in new knickers - I'm just not ready for the full brief phase of life yet :-)

I knew that my weight impacted my life, but I'm only just starting to realise all the ways it did. I'm sure that as my weight loss progresses that I will see further changes and I'm looking forward to discovering them.

Value for Money Skin Care

For the past while I have been trying out some skin care products I purchased at our local Bin Inn. It is stocked with a great range of organic and gluten free products as well as specialty delicatessen foods, cleaning products, pets foods and heaps of other bulk foods and products. You would be surprised just what you can find there.

To find your local Bin Inn, go to www.bininn.co.nz and check their store locations tab.

The brand of skin care products is Vaadi Herbals. They are made in India and are, well, they are really cheap. The tub of Neem Face Pack I purchased (with clove and turmeric) was $5.90, the under eye cream $5.90 and the foot scrub soap $3.60.  

I have to say I was a bit sceptical about buying such cheap products that are made in India, but I thought it worth a try.

I mean I know I should be cautious about  what products I use in my skin, but I was ready to discontinue use the second I had any problems.

The face mask has a very strong smell (spicy and perfumed) which I actually rather enjoy, although I can completely appreciate that it would not be appealing to everyone.  It goes on smoothly and takes around 10-15 minutes to dry before you rinse it off. The mask left my face feeling clean and fresh and I definitely felt warmth and noticed a slight pinkness to my skin, which stayed around for a couple of hours after I had removed the mask and moisturised. 

The mask did have an effect on the acne I get along my jawline and over a few days I noticed it had diminished. 

I have used the mask once weekly for 4 weeks and there is still about half a tub remaining, so a good value for money product with a very impressive result.

The under eye cream, which comes in a little tub, is a thick and rather greasy white creme, although I didn't find it greasy when applied to my skin. I have used it nightly for the past 4 weeks and to be honest I'm not sure it has made much difference.  I don't typically use an eye product, just a plain Aveeno brand evening moisturiser. I'm not exactly sure what I was expecting from the Vaadi eye cream, but it didn't wow me, so I doubt I will bother with it once the tub is finished.

The 'elbow - foot - knee' scrub soap is the latest product I purchased in the range and I have used it just the once so far.

The soap has crushed almond and ground walnut as exfoliants and is super abrasive. I would only use it on my feet as I found it too harsh to rub even lightly on my knees and elbows. 

It worked extremely well, removing dry skin on my cracked heels and I liked the way the product lathered up in the shower.

I would only use it weekly as it really is too intensive for me to use more frequently.

Overall I was pleased with the product and for the price and would definitely buy it again.

Nightly Yoga

I have finally introduced a physical activity to my wellness plan. I have been doing a 20 minute beginner yoga session each night (straight after the kids go to bed and before I'm too tired) for the past three nights using a free yoga app on my phone called 'simply yoga'. The app is very simple, it offers 20, 40 and 60 minute video sessions to choose from, from beginner to advanced.

 

It has been great rediscovering yoga. I initially tried yoga two years ago when I did a weekly one hour class for about 6 months. It is a low impact yet surprisingly energic activity which strengthens the core, encourages flexibility and tones the whole body. I also enjoy the meditative qualities of yoga. It helps clear the mind and allows you to focus on breathing and relaxing the body.

Having done yoga before with a trained instructor certainly helps me with my sessions at home. I have a good understanding of technique and how to approach the poses as I was familiar with almost every pose in the beginner session.

The most challenging for me is the sun salutation. It is a fast and energetic composition of about 6 different poses, and I do struggle to move fast enough to keep up, although I am improving.  I also have trouble with the poses which require sitting crossed legged. For some reason one of my legs just does not want to cooperate and it becomes painful if I persist with it. It doesn't put me off though.  Hopefully I will get there with it, through time and persistence.

I love the way I feel after yoga, I just feel more awake and alive. I'd love to introduce a morning session, but I'll see how I go. I am already so pushed for time in the mornings at the moment and I just can not get my head around getting up any earlier right now!

Overnight Oats with Chia Seeds

Today I tried a different breakfast

I followed a recipe I found on Pinterest (yes another idea from Pintrest)

http://www.theyummylife.com/Refrigerator_Oatmeal

The mix came out a little sloppier than I was expecting, but overall the taste was pretty good. I will reduce the milk portion in my next batch. The chia seeds did what was expected, which was to swell, soften and absorb the other flavours. I actually didn't notice them at all. 

I was keen to try out chia seeds, a nutritional marvel that will hopefully add a myriad of health benefits to my diet.

Some of these benefits are:

High in protein

High in omega 3 fatty acids

Helps balance blood sugar

The list goes on. These are enough good reasons for me to try chia, but there is quite a comprehensive list on yummy life.com if you wanted to know more about it.

Creamy Zucchini Fettucine

I whipped this little number up for lunch.  Bacon, mushroom and zucchini ribbons sautéed with some garlic, a little butter, EV olive oil and then the sauce is a couple of tablespoons of left over pasta sauce (Pams brand) and about the same of fresh cream.

The cost is about $1.50. Zucchini (some of the last of the season) is from the garden and the bacon was the last of a pack of butchers scrap bacon. The expensive component was the mushrooms at about half the cost of the meal, but so worth it.

It took 5 mins prep and 5 mins to cook. Quick, tasty and delish!

Yippee for 93!

I am now lighter than I have been at any point over the past 9 years - 92.7 kgs. It's like going back in time, I have my 28 year old body back (with a few more wrinkles and more than a few stretch marks).

My next target is 90 kgs. This will be a tougher challenge. 18 months ago I plateaued for a couple of months at 93 kgs and it broke my resolve. I went back to my old carb and sugar ways and piled all the kgs on.

I have a better strategy this time around. Last time I was going it alone. This time I have much more support. Hubby is following my nutrition plan with me and sharing my highs and lows and I have my blog, which keeps me focused on making progress on a daily basis.

I also use scales to closely track my progress, which is an important tool. I am a results driven person and to see the data and measure the results gives me huge satisfaction. I don't have to guess or wonder if I'm on the right track, I know!

Leftover Heaven

This rather glutinous and starchy looking feast is actually a gluten free sausage (sliced in half and laid flat) topped with grilled onions, cauliflower mashed potato (not potato at all), two thin slices of cheese and cracked pepper. I also added and some green capsicum on the side.

The only items not leftovers were the cheese, the capsicum (which was free from my Father in Laws garden) and the pepper and chilli flakes.

Talk about delicious. 20 minutes in the oven transformed my boring leftovers into a spicy, warm and filling meal. Here's what it looked like before baking:

The leftovers didn't owe me anything, but realistically the cost all up would have been about $1.40. That's pretty economical even by my standards.

The cauliflower mash is really the hero of the dish. I used a recipe I found on Pintrest. It was really simple and I recommend it to anyone who is reducing their starch/carb intake.

http://ketogenicwoman.com/cauliflower-rice-potatoes-tutorial-low-carb-gluten-free/

I'll definitely be making it again :-)

Products I am Loving Right Now

I just had to share my experience with a couple of products I have been using the last week.

The first one is Spatopia's 'Argan Oil Hammam Hot Scrub' with ginger and eucalyptus. Made in the UK.

I actually used this product last winter and was so impressed, I have splurged and bought it again. It really is so warm and invigorating heading into the cooler months and the smell is divine, it clears the airways and is uplifting. 

I also like the feel of my skin after use, it softens it by moisturising as well as exfoliating with Dead Sea salts and ground walnut shell.

The cost at $17.99 is up there, but used sparingly I can make the scrub stretch to a couple of months use. It is a large tub, but it is very tempting to use every single day. I usually pick a particular area, arms, legs, feet, torso and do a different area with each use. 

A word of warning, the product does contain essential oils that can not be used near or around mucous membranes  - that is eyes, nose, mouth (let's just say avoid your face completely) and your private parts. It pays to be cautious in the shower, because it is easy for product to wash down into sensitive parts - trust me!  I would not recommend using it in the bath and it must be kept away from children.  

The second product I have been really thrilled by is the Designer Brand 'Beyond Amplifying' mascara. 

The promise of 'no more panda eyes' was what prompted my purchase of this product. I had been leaning towards the waterproof option (my previous choice) but thought that for the extra $5 there might be something special about the 'Beyond Amplifying' range.

And, there was! For $14.99 I have got the best mascara I have ever used. It goes on glossy and smooth and dries firm in a few minutes. It is not oily and smudgy like the mascara I have used in the past, it is almost rubberised, it takes quite a battering before it is rubbed off and when it does come off in the shower it rolls off easily in little rubber fragments.

I have used it for a week and I'm loving it. I would imagine it is not for everyone, and it will be interesting to see if it lasts well for a few months of use, but for now, I'm a huge fan. 

Steak and Salad

Here is today's simple but sensational steak and salad lunch. Very little prep time and so nutritious. The steak cost was $3.59 and the salad around $1 all up - free cherry toms of course. The only thing missing is some avocado, they are not in the budget and our free supply has well and truly disappeared.

A pricey lunch, but I have managed to get the dinner cost down with discounted chicken leg/thigh portions at half the cost of the steak, so over-all it's not too bad. It can be a challenge to eat healthy on a budget. I usually have to shop with the specials and meal plan after I get my ingredients home. Regular trips to the supermarket, if you have time, also allow you to spot the specials and markdowns as they come up.

Of course eating less does help the food budget, but at the end of the day I think the costs will even out. Organic and gluten free options even in small portions are expensive and I am working towards introducing more and more into my nutrition plan. I'd rather spend my money on this than loaves of bread, rolls, packets of potato chips, crackers, pasta and rice. They are cheap energy that we just don't need. There are healthier options for fueling our bodies. 

My next food to introduce will be chia seeds. I have done some reading on their benefits and I am keen to give them a go. More about chia seeds later...

Tempted but... No Thanks

Today I made a rare trip out and took the kids to the movies. It was a nice treat, but the popcorn, soft drink and chocolate pods that the kids had were so tempting.  It is not something that I would normally even think about, but today was an exception.

I managed to hold out and stick with the programme, but it was a hard slog. It was surprising just how much I was affected by a change to the routine, a different environment and of course coming off the back of my day of indulgence yesterday.

I feel like I am at a crossroad, I'm back to a size 16 and I am about to meet a new target, but I know I have to summon the willpower to take it to the next level. I know I can do this. I just need to hang tight for a few days and get back to the safety of a steady routine and home ground.

A Day With Indulgence

Today I took a break from the programme.  I had lunch out at a Thai restaurant and ate way more than my usual portion. I even topped it off with some baked cheesecake with whipped cream and it was so good!

I wasn't so full at the time, but after an hour or so I felt stuffed. I was also incredibly thirsty as I struggled to digest the meal. I could barely eat dinner, a small portion of pumpkin soup and I was full to bursting. It really was a bit of a shock to the system after 10 weeks of good behaviour, but I really enjoyed all the food and flavours.

I don't feel guilty for it, there will be occasions where I indulge and the plan goes out the window. I have to be able to manage those situations and still enjoy treats without stressing myself out about it. Today was great - tomorrow I will get back on the wagon and carry on with the plan. 

 

Lambilicious

My lunch today consisted of a salad with lamb, baby spinach leaves, walnuts, orange and a sweet orange and mustard Mayo.

The lamb was fried in organic extra virgin olive oil, with garlic salt, black pepper and dried rosemary for seasoning. 

I made the Mayo by wisking together one Tbsp of Pams American style Mayo, one tspn whole grain mustard, half a tspn of Maile Dijon mustard, and a Tbsp of orange juice.

The total cost breakdown was: lamb $1.96, spinach $0.80, walnuts $0.30 and Mayo approx $0.70. The oranges were free from a friend. Total $3.74 - a bit pricey but my iron intake for today is well and truly covered :-)

Setting My Ultimate Goal Weight

I have been doing some research into what my ultimate healthy weight should be.  My first thought is to look at a BMI chart.

This is the one I use, I like it because it takes into account quite a few factors which makes it more accurate:

https://www.kiwicover.co.nz/your-health/bmi/calculator?ref=google&gclid=CPXoiPvP8cQCFRUJvAodK0UAvA

This is my current chart:

I am still just within the obese category (with a BMI of 29.9). I'm just stoked I'm under a score of 30 now!

It also tells you a recommended weight. Mine is 75kgs. This means I have another 18.7 kgs to lose.

I haven't been 75 kgs since 1999!

16 years... or so.  I can pin point this because at the time I was a devout journaler. It was a special time of my life, when Hubby and I first met and I'm kind of sentimental about it, so I have a journal entry of that era that proves it.

I find it somewhat humorous but also disheartening that I was unhappy with my weight, which was obviously quite healthy back then! It is also funny that I still spell exercise incorrectly - except these days spellcheck fixes it up for me

:-)

What was I thinking? I know there are other people out there that struggle with accepting their body image. Is there anybody that is completely happy with what they have got? I certainly hope I would be happy with 76 kgs today. If not, I need a big reality check!

So I think I will settle for a goal weight of 76kgs. Afterall, it has special historical significance to me and who cares if I am a kg over the ideal. I won't really know if this is going to work for me until I lose a bit more. I might feel I am healthy at 80 kgs. I can ultimately decide this for myself, but for now I have my sights set on 76.

Good Progress this Week

After such a slow week last week, it has been quite a relief that the weight has been much easier to shift this week.  I can't say it has been easy, I have had to exercise a lot of willpower and determination.  It hasn't been a punishment either, I have been enjoying the food I eat and feeling sustained and nourished by it.

I have moved rather rapidly to 93.8 kgs. That seems to be the way it works, a few losses and then a plateau. It is so motivating to be in the loss phase and to see and feel the difference. It has been nice to start fitting into a size 16 clothes again and to actually feel like making an effort with my appearance. Plateaus are a test of my resolve but they do give me time to reflect and refocus on my goals.

I am heading towards my next goal of 93 kgs with hope and enthusiasm.  Once I have reached this goal, I can wipe the slate clean start a new phase of wellness. 

Life below 93 kgs is something I haven't experienced in nearly a decade. I'm not sure how I feel about the prospect - excited but unsure too, will I stay the same person? How will life change for me?

Spicy and Nicey!

Today I made my own Cajun seasoning from a mixture of smoked paprika, chili flakes, garlic salt, black pepper and a little cumin. I used this as a dry rub for a fillet of lemon fish (at a cost of $3.45). To go with it, I sautéed sliced green beans and zucchini from the garden and added about a dessert spoon of pumpkin seeds. I did it all in the one pan, so it only took 6-7 minutes all up to prep and cook.

The fish was moist, spicy and delicious and the greens were a nice compliment to it. It is a big serve, but it's all good stuff. I will definitely be cooking this again soon.

Breaking the 95kg Barrier

My next target has been achieved!  95 kgs is a thing of the past. Here's me this morning at 94.9 kgs. Not a big change from the other day. I'm actually just proud of the fact that I can wear my peplum top again - it hasn't fit me in over a year.

It took longer than expected, but I'm not worried. Slow, steady weight loss is key if to staying healthy while I slim down. It's not my aim to starve or undernourish myself.

My next goal is not far off. 93 is the magic number this time.  I have made this goal because it was my weight 18 months ago in September 2013. I want to break this barrier with the knowledge that I an entering new territory.

I am noticing differences in my body and not just my size or shape, my skin tone and texture is improving, my hair is less dry and frizzy and my nails are stronger and longer than they have been in years.  I'm putting it down to healthy fats and all the vitamins and minerals in  my diet.

It's exciting that I'm changing from the inside out. I know that if I could see what is going on in my internal systems, I would see improvements too. I certainly feeling the difference in my breathing, in my digestion, in my muscles and joints and my circulation.

It's not all flowers though... my menstrual cycle and hormones have had a real shake up. I think it will be time before all that settles, but it has only been a couple of months and some changes are just going to take longer to kick in.

Breakfast Basics

Here's what my breakfast looks like these days:

I have muesli or granola - this one is an organic brand made or rather assembled in NZ. It is expensive, but I get 9-10 portions from the pack, so the cost per portion is bearable.

I top it with Greek unsweetened yoghurt which I make myself in a yoghurt maker for $3.60 per kg. Then I have a serve of fruit, today I was lucky enough to have fresh blueberries and raspberries which we picked up in Pio Pio on our trip back home from Auckland, although again not cheap. The total breakfast cost is around $2.50 per serve. 

It is a very filling breakfast, obviously the oats help with that, but I feel like I need a good burst of energy to start the day. It is carbohydrates but oats are a medium-low GI option that will 'slow burn' their way to lunch and keep hunger at bay.

Today's Leafy Lunch

I managed to pick up some shaved smoked salmon on special this morning and made a salad with it along with baby spinach leaves, cherry tomatoes, crushed Brazil nuts and a dressing I made from extra virgin olive oil, a little maple syrup, balsamic and salt and pepper. 

Yes the maple syrup is sugar, but it is a natural and unrefined source. Total cost was around $3.50 for this meal - not my cheapest, but certainly one of the tastiest! I'm glad I have the ingredients to make the same again tomorrow :-)

Selfie Time

Here's me this morning - new weight, 95.8 kgs. Roll on 95kgs!

I Made It... Just

Easter is over and I made it through the weekend with just one peppermint marshmellow exception. A weekend away from familiar surroundings and routines can be hard going. The temptation to indulge is always present, but it is particularly trying on holiday. 

I have continued to hover around the 96.2 kg mark, but I am relieved that I have managed not to gain at this point.  My portion sizes are still controlled and I'm making my choices carefully, but, I have been less disciplined than in previous weeks and I know it has an impact.

I have started craving potato, bread and other carbs - I miss the feeling of fullness they offer the most. I keep telling myself that these foods are not part of the plan and do not offer my body beneficial nutrients. It is not healthy to eat until full - rather until no longer hungry. There is some adjustment to be made to accept this concept!

I'm looking forward to a more productive week. I'm going to work extra hard to lift the fresh vegetable content and I'm hoping for some reduced salmon to boost my omega 3 intake. This week is a great opportunity to get my nutrition right and aim for some losses on the scales.