OZ/NZ Health and Happiness Support Thread - come join in!!!

[Sapphire Spirit]

This thread is for all of us either trying to lose weight (no matter what diet, eating plan or plan of action), exercise or just have a healthier lifestyle. It's also for those looking for good mental and emotional health....come and join in for support, movitation and accountability. Let's all help each other.

[Sapphire Spirit]

Hey girls,
I hope we can all get right into this thread and help each other to lose, maintain, be healthier.....whatever the case may be.

I REALLY want to lose some weight!!!! I came away nearly 20kg lighter (than my conception weight) after having Sophie and I want to keep shedding some kilos. I am following the Weight Watcher program....not going to meetings..it's just too hard with a bub. But I have all the points books and I'm going to use this thread in place of the meetings (it will be even better!).

I have several goals. My first is about 9 weeks away. We have tickets to go and see The Dixie Chicks (who I love) with a group of friends - I can't wait. I would really like to be lighter by then. I am aiming to lose 5kg by the 6th of October which is the concert date. I've even got mum coming down to look after the kids for the night!! WOOHOO!! So that is my first goal...once I acheive that I will list another.

I am not taking met right now. I see my OB this week for my 6 week check up and I am getting a referral to see an Endo. I don't want to start taking it until I see her in case she wants to do any bloodwork. I do plan on starting it again though....it REALLY helps me (if I eat properly too of course!).

So....what are your goals?? I'm keen to hear what everyone's plan of action is.

[MonkeyBumPink]

Hi Ames! Im so in!

I have been going well of late. I started a Blog which I am really enjoying... And I am eating moderately well. I say this because I just polished off some choc pudding which was greeeeat! But very naughty.

I have 2 goals so far. A big and small.

1) To walk 120kms by Christmas. I am 10.5kms down already, have walked loads this week and I've felt better for it. I need those endorphins (sp?) too, happy hormones for once! Things I need to do to make walking better is get a decent pair of shoes. I have the Ipod, a cool double buggy (go the P&T E3!!), the motivation. Just need the correct shoes!! My pelivis and hip is crapploa, I think good shoes will help!

2) Im getting the Implanon in on the 15th. I want to step on my doctors scales and be 2kgs lighter than I was last time. Totally possible but can I do it!

Amy - I am also about 6kgs down from conception (wish I was 20!) and really don't want to put it back on. It's like a nice big kickstart isn't it? I imagine 20kgs is loads of motivation enough to keep it off! Your goals are so reasonable, and do-able. Yoo can doo eeit!! I believe in you!!

The name of my game is nice and slow. I am still breast feeding J so don't want to jeapordise that at all. Im in no great rush to lose the weight, I just know it's got to come off. I want to get to the bottom of my crappy relationship with food. In my Blog I want to write down my memories of food from when I was a child as I know it was a great escape for me and I wonder if I am still doing this as an adult.

Good luck to all on whatever goals you all might be setting! We can all do this!!

Bec xxx

[Pale Pink Aura]

Hi Amy and Bec!! I'm here too.

For me, the goal is healthy eating and maintaining (well, maintaining at 3kg ago - I've put on 4 kgs since having Matt, but that's only small so I need to keep it under control). I've had some full on health issues in the last five years and improving my and my family's health is my number one priority.

Yesterday DD asked for Maccas for dinner (for the toy...) so I let her have it. I got DH to get me a thing of chips while he was there (I can't eat anything else because of the gluten) and I have to say it was disgusting and I didn't enjoy it at all!! BIG step - I'm VERY happy with that. DD also hated it and ended up with a HUGE gut ache (do you remember the vomiting in the back of the car saga on our way back from Roma at Easter? That was post-Maccas too). I wonder if she'll remember that next time she asks?

I need to also start exercising. I need to have some mummy time to get out and clear my head, give me some endorphins and all that... and now's the time to do it, isn't it (Winter, can't use heat as an excuse...).

xx
Deb.

[Sapphire Spirit]

Aw, Bec - YAY!!!!!! I'm so glad to see you here. I was hoping you'd join in. I hear ya on the breastfeeding...I'm in the same boat, so slow and steady wins the race. You are well on your way to your 120km goal!!! Way to go girl! I truly believe exercise is a big deal in keeping weight off for good.

Hey Deb - Yeah, Macca's is enough to make your stomach turn. I wish Lachie didn't like it. He doesn't get it often...but often enough. We have made a conscious decision to avoid takeaways as much as possible. It's an easy trap to fall into when you've got a new baby (as you all know). I can't wait for the warmer 'salad' weather to come around. Hope you're able to get out and get some exercise....the head clearing time is good for the body and soul.

Well, I just got on the scales this morning and they are going the wrong way. I have put on 2kg...and I'm not surprised. I have been eating LOADS of rubbish, particularly chocolate. So, I've officially started my points counting this morning. NO WAY am I getting back to the weight I was. I look at photos of myself and just cringe!!!

Hey Bec, I would like to start a blog too. What site are you running from?

[sleepydumpling]

Hey girls,

I'm in. I'm at the highest weight I've ever been, despite having lost 17kg last year! I went off BCP's at Christmas time, and then I took Effexor for 5 weeks and just BALLOONED during that time. So I've got to get the scales heading back down again.

I eat pretty well, but I really do need to get more veges into my diet at the moment. Winter time is so hard for me, all I want are casseroles, soups and stews... which I just have on their own, which is ok because I make them myself and keep them healthy, but I need the green veg! Plus veg are more expensive at this time of year too.

Exercise wise I'm usually happy with what I do, I've found a level that I can maintain while still having time to have a life. Last year when I was losing all that weight I wasn't doing anything BUT exercising. No social life, work was slipping... and I can't maintain that level. So I've got it more manageable and my doc is happy with that level.

I have had a sprained ankle this past week though, which has meant no walking! It's a lot better now though.

So here's to helping shed those kilos girls!
Kath

[MonkeyBumPink]

Good to see everyone coming together!

I went for another walk this morning, before I did the groceries. I actually think I've been cutting myself sort and the distance I walk is about 3kms, not 2.5kms. It's a track around our lake and it is lovely. Everyone says hello to eachother and I always get scared I am saying hello back either too loud or too soft as I usually have the Ipod blaring! I went alone (with NO pram lol) and I much prefer it alone. I love my pram but it makes me slouch slightly.

Pity DH is hung over and just bought fish and chips and a hamburger which I ate half of. . See, I have no self control. Bugger, what a waste of a walk!!

Ames - I use www.blogger.com . Nice and easy to navigate. Its good to get it all out I think. I don't mention anything in there really - only my weight loss stuff and everything Im doing about it. Bugger about the 2kg but you're still 18kg up which is fantastic! Such a great kickstart. I too am really setting my mind on small goals for the minute as I find if there's too much pressure I fail. I have so many people putting pressure and expectations onto me at the moment that Im going easy on myself. Only 9 more days until my weigh in at the docs! I set the 2kg loss goal 2 weeks ago so hoping I'll meet it!

Kath - bugger bum about getting the weight back on. Such is life as a PCOSer I suppose, it is sooo easy to put on and twice as hard to get off! Throw in medication that makes you pudgy and you're doomed! Green veg is lovely in stews and casseroles!! Just steam them then throw them in - delish! I've been stacking sooo many veggies onto my plate, including carrot, broccoli, cauli, peas, corn and putting those packwet cheese sauces onto them. Look, I know it's not ideal but I freaking HATE steamed veg on their own and I figure I can work in the calorie/fat content of these sauces into my daily plan. It's worth it. I'd rather eat a plate full of them (and it turns them SO SO nice, I could eat that and only that for a meal I swear) than never eating veggies because I hate them IYKWIM? I dispence a whole packet between the 3 of us, plus Bronte's food so it's not like it's a whole packet!

Deb - Ahhh yesl. 'Maccas gutz' is what we call that in this house. I get it every time I eat maccas which isn't often. At least you can cross that off you cravings list!

Gotta run and Mr Porky wants food - as usual!

Bec xxx

[Roses]

Well here I am!!

First off, Amy I just want to say I am a nice shade of green at you being 20kg lighter than your pre-pg weight.

So far I am down 11.5kg since I was game enough to weigh myself after having Jack... it took me a good couple of weeks to work up the courage to step on the scales LOL.

I think I mentioned this in the other thread but I would like to be down about 5kgs by end of Sept and then another 5kg by Christmas. I would love to buy some nice summer clothes in a size 12 - I haven't been able to wear a 12 since we got married. Because I have really fine bones, I would still look 'chubby' at that size, but it would be an excellent start and then I can take it from there. My ideal weight would be another 10kg lighter than that.

At the moment I am doing Lite and Easy 5 days / week - my nan gave me some money and I have been given strict instructions that it is all to be used on moi! So I am using it to pay for the light and easy and my mums personal training group. No doubt it will be gobbled up in no time.

I am also still breastfeeding, so I am being careful and not letting myself be hungry. Yoghurt and WW cookies are on stand-by.

Short term goals are -
* Get below the 80 mark... hopefully by the end of this week or the next (AF just arrived so that is going to slow things down a bit)
* Get in at least 2 x 5km walks per week in addition to my training
* Drink lots of water... I have been really bad with this lately.

We can do this everyone... we are doing it!

[sleepydumpling]

Hey there,

Good to see you all jumping on to keep each other going!

Bec because I'm on my own I do find it really hard to cook for just myself. Half the time I couldn't be arsed, you know. I used to live off Lean Cuisines, but they're too expensive and you miss out on too many nutrients. I really have to push the veges again. I love steamed veges, but yes, some do need a little flavour. I often just chuck a slice or two of low fat sliced cheese on them just to jazz it up a bit. I also like those "Steam Fresh" veges that Birdseye do, because they're so convenient.

I am very good with grilling my meat when I eat it - simply because the griller is SO much easier to clean than anything else - just throw the alfoil away and voila, the griller underneath is clean!

Ohhhhh.... Maccas belly is not good! I can't eat it at all now with the Met. I can maybe have a few chips, but anything else.... groannnnn!!!!

Water - oh I've been bad with water just lately! I am really good in the warmer months, in fact I drink a LOT more water than most people, but bring winter on and I struggle. At least I'm only drinking one coffee per day, and only have a softdrink on very rare occasions. I just need to up that water.

I got a good walk today - went to the footy with my friend Kelly and she always parks a good 2km away and we walk. So 2km there, 2km back to the car. I'm happy with that, particularly with my slightly sore foot.

Keep going girls!
Kath

[Serene Tamborine Mummy]

I'd like to say I'm in, but I know I won't keep up with another thread. I have enough trouble keeping up with the ones I'm already in! DH and I are both trying to lose weight at the moment. Good luck ladies!

[Roses]

Girls I am SO HUNGRY today! I have had a bowl of porridge and just had 2 slices of toast now at 11am but I still feel like I could eat my right arm off out of hunger. I think this is what AF does to me from memory. Argh!

[sleepydumpling]

AF does it to me too Roses - it's my toughest time of the month!!

[Rum Lovin' Mummy]

Hi gals

I am in as well! Nothing new to add on the weight loss front here. When Angus was bf i was sitting at my conception weight without difficulty. Soon as he stopped feeding i went up 4kgs which is where i am at now. I am sooo annoyed with myself but it just seem to go on so quick and it is not as if i sit on my behind all day! lol

My ultimate goal is to lose 43kg by August 2007. That has been my goal since i first fell pregnant with Thomas! David has promised me a weekend away without the kids in Sydney when i do it!

My medium goal is to lose 12-15kg by Christmas if possible. My endo wants me to lose at least some of that by her Nov appt.

My short term goal is to not put on any before our holiday in 5 weeks time!

After that, and if Lite and Easy finally give my the approval to go on their programme, i will then start the eating plan. As a motivator David has a gift schedule for each 5kgs i lose. It is great!!!

I hope we are all meeting our goals in no time flat!

Fee

[RebeccaNZ]

HI

Count me in a s well. I would love to lose some weight again. Life has been abit hard lately and so i have not been eating very well ( it6 is very easy not to cook and have takeaways instead). It is time to get out of this rutt (sp) and do some thing about losing weight.

My first goal is to lose weight before a friends wedding in November, 10 kgs would be nice. I plan to start cooking better meals each night and to do some more exercise. I would love to be able to start bike riding again but i think that might have to wait til the weather is better( go away rain) In the mean time I found that i have an exercise video so i will try and do that at least 3 times a week to start off with.

Best of luck to everyone
Rebecca

[sleepydumpling]

I'm off to buy me some veggies and fruit!!