Patience

 As much as I wish I could drop 2 jean sizes in one day…I know it ain't going to happen. I also know I am going to have some bad days…and have had a few of them over the past few weeks. Bu this week I seem to have held it together and at weigh in lost 500grams. So now I am back to where I was 3 weighs in ago. 
Have 42 days to go before we sail out of Sydney Harbour, would love to lose 3 or 4 kilo's in that time…lets see if I can. Just have to keep plugging away at it. 

Little William is now 13 months old…growing like a weed. Mummy says he has been a bit unsettled since he arrived home, hopefully he settles down soon for them. Poor little fella had a horrible week, seeing Dad flying out and not understanding what was happening with Daddy's Gullianne Barre Syndrome. A long drive down, pulling a heavy glass dish onto himself and getting a cut under his eye at a stopover on the way down. Seeing Daddy hooked up to machines and not being able to cuddle him….then daily trips up and down to hospital from here….ohhh and cutting another tooth….and then the long drive home !!
Mummy and Daddy are hoping to get him a brother or sister in the future….today was the first time in months that Kylee has ovulated, her POC is making it hard to conceive. Fingers crossed they are blessed with another little miracle like William. 

More ups and downs

Kylee and little William arrived here on Saturday and stayed here every night and was driving up to Perth every day to see Garry. 
Garry treatment included 

• Plasma exchange (plasmapheresis). The liquid portion of part of your blood (plasma) is removed and separated from your blood cells. The blood cells are then put back into your body, which manufactures more plasma to make up for what was removed. Plasmapheresis may work by ridding plasma of certain antibodies that contribute to the immune system's attack on the peripheral nerves.

These treatments are equally effective. Mixing them or administering one after the other is no more effective than using either method alone.

You also are likely to be given medication to:

• Relieve pain, which can be severe  Garry did have a fair amount of pain and had to have relief. 
• Prevent blood clots, which can develop while you're immobile

People with Guillain-Barre syndrome need physical help and therapy before and during recovery. Your care may include:

• Movement of your arms and legs by caregivers before recovery, to help keep your muscles flexible and strong
• Physical therapy during recovery to help you regain strength and proper movement
• Training with adaptive devices, such as a wheelchair or braces, to give you mobility and self-care skills
• Exercise therapy, to cope with fatigue…and Garry did have physio twice a day and came home with exercises he has to do twice daily to help his recovery.   He came home on Tuesday afternoon and spent yesterday relaxing before heading part the way home today. Kylee will be doing the driving has Garry hasn't the strength to handle the drive.

On Monday afternoon hubby and I drove up to Mandurah to my friend Robyn's house as she had won 4  tickets to the Perth sky show and asked us to join her and her hubby. We accepted with pleasure. We caught the train up and spent a lovely afternoon. It was soooo hot but the evening cooled down enough to enjoy our picnic hamper, bottle of wine and ice creams before the sky show began.   
That didn't help the weigh in the next morning…a 400g gain showed on the scales. 

Its been soooooo hot….little William has spent as much time as he was able to in this little paddle pool……boy am I going to miss him….going to be 3 months before next visit, Kylee and Garry have a wedding in Perth to go to in late April so will look forward to that. 

My Mantra this week….I can do it…
2 weeks and 2 gains, only small ones
but I want them gone !!

Ups and downs...

I have the above lil family on their way down soon. Garry has Guillain Barre Syndrome and needs urgent treatment. Waiting to hear if they are flying him down to Royal Perth Hospital or if he is allowed to travel down with Kylee driving. Since going back home after Christmas his symptoms have been getting worse.

Guillain-Barre (gee-YAH-buh-RAY) syndrome is a rare disorder in which your body's immune system attacks your nerves. Weakness and tingling in your extremities are usually the first symptoms.

These sensations can quickly spread, eventually paralyzing your whole body. In its most severe form Guillain-Barre syndrome is a medical emergency. Most people with the condition must be hospitalized to receive treatment.

The exact cause of Guillain-Barre syndrome is unknown. But it is often preceded by an infectious illness such as a respiratory infection or the stomach flu.

There's no known cure for Guillain-Barre syndrome, but several treatments can ease symptoms and reduce the duration of the illness. Most people recover from Guillain-Barre syndrome, though some may experience lingering effects from it, such as weakness, numbness or fatigue.

This they don't need, they both need to take sick leave so finances are going to be tight. They have just got back on their feet after a rough trot financially last year. 

I feel for them…but I am thrilled to be able to see little William again. 

Weigh in day today…a 100g gain. A bit miffed about that as although I had a bad couple of days at the beginning of the week  I upped the exercise and kept myself on track for the rest of the week. Ah well will have to do better this week. 

Achievement

Flicking through the pics on my phone yesterday I found a 2 pics of me when I started weight watchers at the end of April (28th April) so took a couple of pics to compare how far I have come. Seeing how far I had come put a grin on my face from ear to ear and if I hadn't of lost weight today I think I would still have been happy.  Yes…weigh in showed a loss of 900g.

Just on 8 weeks to go before we go cruising but I am not setting any goals, I am just going week by week and see how I go. 

New Year begins….

Today being weigh in day I was hoping that I had done enough to lose at least some of the 2.8 gain I had over Christmas. It being a revised program with a new weigh in book, new cookbooks I was hoping to renew my challenge to myself and see me at goal or it for our cruise. 

Anyways the scales showed a 2.1 loss. I was delighted to say the least. I have been tracking a 100% though exercise was not the best (its been too darn hot and I was busy with our little William too) so this week I am motivated to keep the losses coming. 

My goal this week is to get more exercise in other than my work. I want to see more active minutes recorded on my daily fitbit, somedays I don't get very active.

 I always track but this week I also plan on checking point values properly before recording….being a long time ww'er I do tend to guesstimate a little especially if its something I eat regularly. 

Also thrilled to see my DD has got herself a fitbit too…hoping that will help her to lose some weight. Her and Garry would love more children so she has to get herself motivated. William was a little miracle, lets hope with a few kilo's lost DD can carry another little miracle to the family. 

2015

 To all my blogger friends and anyone that reads….HAPPY NEW YEAR to you all.  May all your dreams come true.

 This is Mr Troublesome Shawn, who I must admit isn't as troublesome as he can be of late. We didn't see him over the Christmas break but he caught up with me at work the other day as well as his little sister…. and he got to cuddle William. 

 Kylee and Garry have taken the twins back to their mother and have left William overnight with me and Pop. he is such a delight…and loves the camera…this is and the selfie below were taken just before I put him down for his afternoon nap. Heck I am going to miss him when they come and pick him up to go back tomorrow. No idea when I will get to see him next. Cruise is in March and then in July we head off on a road trip to Qld. Hopefully between April and July we'll get in a visit. 

And this last one is my favourite from the photographer taken during his cake smash…

See you all next week...

pffffft a gain...

Bahhhh humbug…all my good intentions flew out the window on Christmas Day when Kylee rang me to say they would be down that day…and not Boxing Day as they had planned. I was beyond excited…couldn't stop smiling and well the eating followed. But I fronted up at my meeting today and faced the numbers…they weren't good, a 2.8  gain. Not a great way to end 2014…but next week is a new week and a New Year. Bring it on I say….only 75 days to go till we go cruising…hopefully with me at goal….

Pics were taken by the photographer I got for Garry and Kylee when William was born. My birthday present for William was having her take pics of William 1 year on…aren't they just great??

Merry Christmas.

A very quiet Christmas for us….
Paul and Tanya came out on Monday as they are going camping with Tanya's family.
Shawn, well who knows what he is doing….
Simon and Tracey are going down to his Dad's and Kylee and Garry will be on the road travelling down here today.
Most of the family will get together on the 27th for Williams birthday. 

Am off to my gorgeous niece's house for lunch, her twin brother and family will be there as well as a Aunt from the maternal side so that should be good. After lunch will be heading out to hubby's brother's for dinner….unless Kylee and Garry show up.

Tuesday's weigh was a stay the same….hoping this week will be the same…but it won't be if I don't hide the chocolate…

MERRY CHRISTMAS 

Day 32

This is a cropped pic of me, taken on my trip to Perth last week. That day feel like eons ago now. Its been go go go…what with work, shopping and trying to keep on top of the housework.  Plus having the stress of mil in hospital in Perth.  She is progressing so so slowly. She had skin grafts today which we didn't want her to have. Specialist/surgeons/doctors all told her it will help with the healing, but now she has had grafts taken off the thighs on both legs to deal with along with the ulcers. Worried much about her, she is after all 89 years old and was struggling with just the pain and discomfort of the ulcers!

Was meant to pick up some new glasses last week. Was called in to see them, but was told they would have to be sent back as they had left a ridge around the outside of the eyepieces. On trying them on you could see it…so hopefully this week I'll have them, be nice to have them for Christmas. 

Weigh was yesterday, a loss of 100g…not a lot but all those little numbers all add up. Its day 32 of my 100 day challenge…I feel good and committed. I have not had a gain since I started the challenge…and thats was part of the challenge to myself. 

Onwards…..

Day 25

 The above pics show me and my best friends Robyn (in green) and Carol on a day out in Perth. Rob lives 40 minutes from me in Mandurah so I drove up there and met her at hers and then we caught the train up to Perth to catch up with Carol and then spent the day shopping, yakking, yakking and more shopping. Gina,  another good friend of ours met up with us lunch. It was the best day. Amazing that we all get on so well together considering we all met on the weight watchers At Home board in 2005. But we do and have done so since we met. We have shared our ups and down with everything, not just our weight and make a point of getting together regularly. Rob and I being closer we meet up a bit more often. at least every 6 weeks.

Mumma Bear (Hubby's mum) in hospital still after yet another op on her leg. A real worry this all is, the ulcers are not getting any better…and mum's getting quite depressed about it. Mum is unsteady on her feet and has been for a while, and with the leg paining her constantly and not being able to put her weight on it she is getting unsteadier…finding it hard to even get herself off to the bathroom even with her walker. 

Now this little man is into everything. Up on the lounges now and climbing all over Daddy. He is walking more and more and even trying to run!!
I am on the countdown to Christmas when I see them again. 

Day 25 today of my challenge to myself and I am happy. Lost 400 grams on Tuesday at weigh in…and reached my 10k milestone. 
Last night I used some of my pro point "slush" fund as we had visitors so used them up with a few drinks and nibbles. A few low point days will balance it out. 
Onwards….

Feeling good.

 Little William has turned 11 months old…where has time gone. He is now finding his feet and toddles more and more each day, has hands on his feet and has learnt to climb. His Mummy and Daddy are very quickly learning that he is quick !!
We are counting down the days to Christmas so we can gather him (and his mummy) into our arms and give them a cuddle. We speak most everyday, I am lucky that Kylee shares just about everything that happens, all Williams little achievements, his like and dislikes. Through this Williams knows who I am, my voice and my picture (on FaceTime) so that bond is strong.

Work has been frantic, lots of extra hours due to extended shopping hours.  Its busy now so I shudder in horror just thinking about the last week before Christmas and the crowds in the shopping centre.

I thankfully have nearly finished my christmas present shopping. Am going to Perth on Friday with a girlfriend and meeting up with another close friend there….so hopefully I can get the last of what I need. Then next fortnight I can do my food shopping for Christmas and Williams 1st birthday party. 

Tuesday was weigh in…a whole kilo gone!! The week just flew bye and the 100 day challenge to myself seems to be working. I ate within my points allowance 4 out of the 7 days and between work and a few walks I managed to get heaps of steps in and lots of active minutes show up on my fitbit. 
I received my 10% and next week all I have to do is lose 400g and I will have lost 10 kilo's.  My goal to be near or at my goal weight by the end of the 100 days is looking good, yay!! 
I went well over points yesterday, I was craving a spinach, feta and sun dried muffin for my breakfast after weigh in…so I bought one. They are gi-normous but ohh so nice.  Usually I can't eat it all in one meal….but I did yesterday. Counting that has my oink oink moment for the week. 

Today is day 11

Today is day 11 of my challenge to myself….and I am going well.
Tuesday was weigh in day, lost 600g and was happy with that. Would have loved more of course, a kilo would have been nice then I would have reached my 10% but that means this week I will be doing my best to get that dratted 10%. Heck knows for the last month I have been so close yet so far from it!!

I had my granddaughter over for the weekend, such a delight to have. Took her out with her Daddy on Saturday morning after I picked her up so as she could spend her money that her Daddy and I both gave her for her birthday which was the day before…..then when her choices were made we went out for lunch. 

The only thing that took the edge of the weekend was son losing the plot and getting a 72 hour restraining order against him from his partner. Sometimes I wonder will that son of mine ever grow up!!!  He has his moments thats for sure. 

Anyways Skye had the best time and really didn't want to go home. 
On the way home we called in and saw her great-nanna (hubby's mum) who was delighted to see her. Mum is now in hospital up in Perth, we took her up yesterday afternoon as this morning she had to have a stent put in her leg to help her circulation and hopefully which will help her ulcerated leg heal. It was a very challenging day food wise but I made some great choices but maybe the portion sizes could have been smaller. 

This is our Skye after a shower and in the onsie that I bought for her. I had it in her Christmas stocking…but thought she could be a bit more spoilt while she was here. She loved it…I thought it was pretty funky myself. 

Challenging myself

100g's to go to get my 10% and what do I I? 
I stuff it up…by stuffing myself, thats what.
Had a few real bad days, and then couldn't get myself back on track….found excuses not too.  Why?? I don't know..there is a little devil in my mind that wants to indulge my appetite. Have it, go on its says…I have realised that I am back in a lifestyle and self confidence rut and taking some kind of solace in food.    Frustration much !!
Then we went to my nieces engagement party on last night and saw a pic of myself…OMG!!!
What a wake up call!! I saw what I really looked like, and it wasn't what I see in a mirror. Strange isn't it, I could see the weight I had lost and thought I was looking ok? Even though I have lost nearly 10k and quite a few centimetres I realise I have a long way to go before I am anywhere near what I want to look like again. Can kick myself for letting myself get like this again.
So I have given myself a 100 day challenge, a challenge to myself to do the best I can everyday, to be honest with myself, and to eat only what I need to eat.  Today is Day 1.
Tuesday is weigh in day…and yes I was going to weigh in so I knew what damage I have done to myself, but I have Fire Warden training at work that morning so will miss it.

Anyways will leave you with a few pics of the engagement party. 

Andrew and Serena.

Jim, Serena and Ted. Jim and my hubby Ted have been friends for 45 plus years. Serena is Ted's late brother's daughter. Was great to catch up with Jim and his wife Izzy.

The engagement cake which was designed by Serena's sister Mandy. 

The photo…me with hubbys brother Ben.

Another busy week...

My girl and her precious little William….just love this pic. 


Well another week has flown by….4 days of work, grocery shopping, organising the last of holiday in March (flights to Sydney and accommodation organised and payed for…and excursions in New Zealand booked and paid for too)
Visits to mil in hospital, washing, mending, cooking and freezing meals for quick meals and housework…..plus preserving peaches off our overloaded peach tree. No wonder I am tired.

This week have my nieces engagement party to go to and another 5 days of shifts to get through. 

Weigh in today…100grams lost.  Think lack of exercise and a few extra treats this week didn't help.  Next week maybe….hope so, only need a 10% to reach my 10%

Onwards….

Just a bit to go…..

And I will reach my 10%….
Weigh in today and with a loss of 700g I was delighted to see I am 200g from my 10%…its an awesome feeling.

 So this week with some patience, some planning, 100% tracking and some exercise I will face those "demon" scales next Tuesday confident that I have lost the 200g and made that 10%

Now these 3 are Caitlyn, Ashlee and Matthew all ready to go trick and treating. These are Paul's 3 munchkins and aren't they are growing up so darn quickly.  They live just down the road about 3 k's away and I think I see more of William who lives 1700k's ago than I do of them, I had to pinch these pics of Facebook.  No major conflict with us…sometimes life just get to darn busy for us all I think. 

Not much happening...

nom nom, I like yogourt

banana and watermelon

Mummy…I don't think I like watermelon

I am 10 months old now


Not much is happening in the world of Jen. Its work, work and more work….relief shifts are happening again while someone else goes on leave. But I need the $'s so its all good.
Tuesday was weigh in day….lost 400g so lost half of what I gained last week. Why is that its so easy to gain and yet so hard to lose? Think if I remember how hard it to lose weight I would remember not to do anything to gain???

Anyways…on to my most favourite subject at the moment….my sweet William. he turned 10 months old the other day. Pics are all I will have of him till Christmas and thats when he turns 1 year old. 

A few bad days...

I saw this today and just had to take a deep breath and soldier on .
The weather has just been so miserable, its gone from beautiful cheery sunny days to cold, wet and miserable. The colder days have seen me go from yummy filling salads with fresh fish to slow cooked curries and lamb shanks with potato's…and bread. I just have had a couple of "bad" days where I have had binges…looking for food just for warmth and comfort. I was even thinking of not going to my weigh in on Tuesday knowing I haven't had a good week and could get a gain. BUT I will go and take it on the chin…because I HAVE NOT given up!!

And to keep me from going down the road to a 3rd bad day is this pic of my happy little man. Mummy moved the couch to clean and look Mummy I found a blue m & m ….thanks mummy it was yummy …...

I faced some challenges….

My dad.

 But I sucked them up and moved on. One of them challenges was not to eat my emotions. Last Friday Kylee, Garry, twins and William came down and spent the night. Kylee, Garry and William had a marvellous holiday and weren't looking forward to the long drive back home on Saturday. They made the most of their last few days by spending time with the twins and us. 
I am not a fan of cooking, but entertaining people, even family, I enjoy. Making weight watcher friendly meals and desserts for others I enjoy especially when the plates are emptied and complimented on. 
Saturday was hard saying bye to them all as they headed off. It was also the anniversary of my Dads death, always a hard day for me. 
I found the strength to occupy myself and keep right out the way of food. 

And the scales rewarded me today for challenging myself. weigh in today showed a 900 gram loss. I feel as though I am getting somewhere now. Hopefully with another good week next week Icould reach my 10% …. but I will see what this week brings.

And to finish up…here's my cute lil man….roll on Christmas when I hope to see him again. I am lucky Kylee keeps me updated very frequently with new pics of him and his achievements. 

A little gain...

Tuesday again…and that means weigh in day.

Was hoping for a loss…but it was not to be…a 300gram gain.

I had prop-points left over for the week, did over my 12,000 steps everyday bar one day so guess it means I will have to work a little harder. I made Boston Beans with chorizo sausages for dinner for us last night…very very yummy, very high in pro points too…..mmmmm maybe I can blame that for my little gain..

Definitely going to make Boston Beans again, but think will make it with bacon instead, be a heap lower in points. 

Kylee, Garry and William are having the best time at the Gold Coast. Above are a few pics of them and my little man over there.  They have had a blast of a time at the the theme parks. And today they went to the Australian Zoo. Tomorrow is their last day there, they fly home Thursday. So looking forward to seeing them again before they have to head home.

Was hoping at Christmas time to go see them and of course celebrate Williams 1st birthday..but I was too late in requesting time off. I can get 4 days off…but its a days drive there and back so it will be too much. Kylee and Garry have requested time off, so lets hope they can get it and they can come down, Fingers crossed.

Early start in the morning so its off to bed for me..