eeeeek ... holidays + no blogging = bad me! Wow I havent posted in ages! I thought with me having last week off work I would have MORE time to blog and read other people's blogs. But alas this just wasnt the case. I had DH home with me for most of the week so we did the whole "family" thing and went out to lunches/swimming/shopping/cinemas/etc with Bee.

It was great having him home so much to spend time with!! We went to Moranbah together for the weekend but I had to come home without him because he starts his new job out there today :( I miss him already!! He is gone from Sunday night - Friday night every week until Christmas. Then I am moving out there with him. Im going to miss him soooo much!!!!!!!

Moranbah seems really nice! I went to afternoon tea with Shawnnita and she is fantastic!!! (hi shawnnita!).

Im looking forward to moving out there because its a really nice quiet little country town - plus then I wont be working. yay!

But on the downside of last week - I was a norty girl. I didnt do too badly but I enjoyed my holidays a bit too much on a few of the days. The bad bits were: wine & cheese baby shower (eek too much cheese), a full-fat drumstick on the same day that I already had 2 bits of slice, a choc-top when I went to the movies, I WAY over-ate when we went out for dinner on Saturday night, and I wasnt drinking enough water nearly the whole time! Im used to drinking 1.5 - 2 litres each afternoon at work. And cos I wasnt working I wasnt drinking the water.

So Im in "Damage Control" mode until weighin on Thursday. Its so hard to stop eating sweets now that Ive had them last week. All day Ive been craving a big bit of the passionfruit slice I KNOW is at my mums house. eeeeeek stay away from it Karen! be strong!!!

I was good with my exercise though - I kept up with the Steps video, and we went swimming together, plus we walked heaps at Moranbah with the Pram to see around the place. And I did a tonne of housework during the week.

Ive started my fortnightly weighins so didnt weighin at WW. Im going to do an informal weighin at home on the bi-week - but I wont be reporting it here as it wont be as accurate.

Im trying a new recipe tonight from "Simply Mains". Ill post back tonight and tell yas how it went, plus ill put in the recipe.

It feels great to be blogging again. It really truely helps me stay on track.

Catch yas lataz :)  ¶ 3:59 PM 5 comments

  Things I couldnt live without ... support and goals! Firstly I just wanted to say that I appreciate the immense support that I get from you guys!!! I feel much more comfortable and gain so much more feedback from this online community of bloggers than I do in my local ww meetings! The advice and ideas I gain from your blogs and your comments has not only helped me understand this ww plan more, but has motivated me to no end. So a huge big gigantic THANKYOU to yas :) I dont think I would have made it this far without yas.

I originally joined WW with a friend - she still goes to meetings but she doesnt track or do exercise. In the 10 weeks of doing WW with me she has lost half a kilo. I dont know why she keeps coming. She loses 100 grams, then gains 500 grams, then loses 600 grams, then gains a kilo. I think its all to do with bloating and all that. If she was honestly doing the plan and having those results than I would understand - but she isnt even trying! So I have gained no motivation/ideas/advice out of her. My leader is nice but is always busy talking to everyone else so I dont really chat to her about my weightloss. And so really the only people that will listen while I go on and on and on about points is u guys!!! So thanks for your support :)

Secondly, me hitting my 10% has super motivated me to get the rest of this excess baggage off my lardy bum! Me getting to my pre-baby weight was a major thing I have wanted to do since I was pregnant - and now Ive done it!

So that was really phase 1 of my weightloss ... now I am entering phase 2!

Goals for Phase 2

Last Christmas I was a massive pregnant lady. Due to me putting on 22 kilo during the pregnancy I went to the HUGE family christmas lunch weighing something around 98 kilo. The Christmas before that I was doing the Atkins Diet so was around 70 kilo. So for those who hadnt seen me for a year must have really been thinking some thoughts about my weight.

This Christmas I really want them to think about my weight again - but this time in a positive way!!!!

Most of DH's family I havent seen since Christmas and I really want to be as close to my goal by then as possible. So Phase 2 consists of me losing 5 kilo before Christmas morning - 9 weeks and 2 days away.

Im going to put a second ticker in my top banner to help keep me accountable.

I know I can do this - I just gotta work my butt off. I did last week and look at the results - I lost 1.4 kilo!!! So if I cant do it I know that its because Ive been slack.


Its only 10am, so I reckon Ill be back later for another post. But until then, have a great Friday :)  ¶ 10:14 AM 9 comments

  Week Ten Weighin - 1.4kgs down Yay all the hard work payed off! I am down 1.4kgs this week meaning four things:

1. I am now my pre-baby weight!!!!!!!
2. I have lost 10% of my body weight!!!!!!
3. I am in my healthy weight range!!!!!!!
4. I am in the second half of my weightloss!! 8.5 down, 6.1 to go!!!!!

So excited. But in my excitement I did a boo-boo with my eating today. To celebrate I ate not 1, but 2 WW chocolate bar thingys. But its not that bad cos they are 1.5 points each - so only 3 points. Not catastrophic - I just dont feel very well cos they were really sweet. I froze them and they are delicious frozen! They go really crunchy. I do suggest you try them frozen if u buy them.

My weightloss this week I credit to the Steps video my mother in law gave me, the amount of water I drink, and also the trips to the pool. I am going to keep these three up this week and see if I can have another loss of a kilo or more.

Im positive that my weightloss has to slow down at some stage. I cant keep losing weight at this fantastic speed. But I may as well ride the wave while its happening!

This was my first big goal to reach. It really meant alot to me to get to under 75kgs. But the reward I initially chose out, a bike and bikeseat for Bee, I dont want anymore. Its way too hot to ride a bike everywhere. So I am going to change my reward, but I dont know to what!

Maybe a season entry to the pool? I have no idea how much they are. I can see myself going to the pool all the time this summer until I move to Moranbah. But thats not till January so maybe they have some monthly pass? I dont want anymore clothes, not yet anyways.

I did buy myself my first WW cook book today! As you may have guessed I love trying out new recipes. But I mainly just find recipes off the net, or I change around recipes I have been cooking for years. I heard that "Simply Mains" is a great WW cookbook so I bought it.

So over the next few weeks I will be trying out heaps of recipes from this book. If they are good I will of course share them with you so you dont have to buy the book :P

In 8 weeks I am going to Brisbane for a holiday so Im hoping I will at least be at my personal goal weight by then - 71kgs. That is 4 kilo in 8 weeks. I havent seen my brother since before I joined WW so I would love to go down there and surprise him! I miss him and my nephew so much! The last time I saw my nephew he was only 3 weeks old. He is now 3 months.

So my goals/plan for this week - feel free to check my exercise logs to keep me accountable:
Exercise - Fri (1 hr steps), Saturday (gardening + swim), Sunday (rest), Monday (30 min steps + swim), Tuesday (1 hr steps + swim), Wednesday (steps), Thursday (rest).
Food - Dont go over points anyday (I never do anyways)
Water - Keep drinking at least 3 litres a day (this is a habit now so isnt too hard)

Sorry I havent had much time to check people's blogs lately!! I have all next week off work so will get lots of chances to catch up with you all then.

Sending huge fat-burning vibes out to yas all!!! Byes!  ¶ 3:57 PM 7 comments

  PEERtrainer An anonymous poster gave me this link: http://www.peertrainer.com

It sounds pretty interesting! Apparently u sign up for free and then you can create a group of people who can all be accountable to each other. But u can only have 4 people per group. Its a shame ya cant have more than that cos then we could have a Bloggers group! Ill create a group, and if u wanna join to see what its like u are welcome to! Just post below and I will invite you. If we have more than 3 ppl comment then someone else can start a group and we can have a few groups going.

My group is called "WW Bloggers". If we have more than one group going I think I can change the name to maybe WW Bloggers Team 1 or something.

Info about PEERtrainer:

Know what to eat and how to workout but not following through?

PEERtrainer is a peer-based weight loss and fitness program. It's not a diet. PEERtrainer is a community of PEERs who put their collective knowledge of diet and fitness regimens into action.

Why it works:
Just 15 minutes of cardio a day and eating fewer calories will help you lose weight, but only if you do it. At PEERtrainer, you join or form a group of PEERs who answer to each other. PEERtrainer works because:
- groups have 4 members to keep you accountable
- it keeps you on track when laziness takes over.
- you set your goals to whatever works for you.

PEERtrainer is free. We offer:
- a daily log to record meals, workouts and goals
- a small customized group with focused interaction to help you stay motivated
- a calorie counter, lounge, diet and nutrition tips and more!  ¶ 7:09 AM 7 comments

  Chicken Paprika Ingrediants:

• cooking spray (0 points)
• 1.5 kilo chicken breasts, cut in half fatness-wise - so that its made into 2 skinny pieces (30 points)
• 1 medium onion, sliced (0 points)
• 1 carrot, sliced (0 points)
• 1/2 cup sliced celery (0 points)
• 2 tbs paprika (0 points)
• 3 tbs plain flour (3 points)
• 1 tbs tomato sauce (1/2 point)
• 1 1/2 teas salt (0 points)
• 1/4 teas pepper (0 points)
• 1 can chicken soup, about 1 3/4 cup, undiluted (6 points - may vary with brand)
• 1/2 cup low fat sour cream (3 points - may vary with brand)

Method:

1. Coat frying pan with cooking spray.
2. Brown chicken until golden on all sides.
3. Set chicken aside.
4. Re-coat the frying pan with cooking spray.
5. Saute carrot, onion and celery for about 5 mins.
6. Add 1/2 cup soup, mix till reaches boiling point.
7. Stir in paprika, cook 1 minute.
8. Remove from heat.
9. Stir in flour, ketchup, salt and pepper. (At this point itll be looking pretty foul!)
10. Gradually stir in the rest of the chicken soup.
11. Cook over medium heat until sauce reaches the boiling point.
12. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 10 minutes.
13. Add browned chicken. Simmer, covered, for 35 - 45 minutes, until chicken is tender.
14. Remove chicken to a warm platter.
15. Stir sour cream into the sauce. Heat through - do not boil!
16. Pour some sauce over the chicken pieces and serve the remaining sauce with the meal.

Stats:
Serves: 6
Total WW points: 42.5 (7 points per serve)

Serve with: Anything really. I served mine with 3/4 cup cooked rice and some point-free veges as I found there wasnt enough veges in the dish. This meant I ate less chicken too, so consumed less points.

Review: It was nice, but time consuming. If you have the time to make something like this give it a try. Its yummy :) I just dont have much time cos I finish work at 5pm, then have to bath/feed my DH and my 9mo baby.

  ¶ 8:22 AM 2 comments

  Last night I cooked a new recipe - Chicken Paprika - It was nice, but I dont think Ill cook it again. It was alot of hassle and the other meals I have tried have been just as nice but didnt take as long to cook. But if you have the time you may as well give it a try!

Ill post the recipe up tomorrow cos I cant be bothered typing it up now :D

This morning we called off swimming cos it was overcast and windy and I didnt want Bee out in that weather. Instead I did a 30 minute Steps exercise video from home while she slept. Then we hit the shops for 2 hours for a bit of retail therapy. So I got a fair bit of movement today.

During my retail therapy I bought my first set of scales! They are digital and were on special for $40 from BigW. So a bit of a bargain. I hadnt realized how expensive scales were!

I also bought a couple of new tops. My first new clothes since I started WW. It feels good to have clothes that fit! I got them from Just Jeans which is my ultimate favourite clothes store. I love them because they have larger sizes (they go up to XXL), they have a great 2 for $35 special on all the time, and they have great looking clothes! Today I got 2 tops and a singlet from there.

Todays food
Todays exercise
TIAGF: Just Jeans 2 for $35 specials. They always have such great clothes!  ¶ 3:59 PM 6 comments

  Like a duck to water .... not quite! On the right you may have seen links to my exercise and food logs. I generally am pretty good with tracking my food there - however I have been a bit slack with recording my exercise! Sometimes I can go for nearly a week and not log anything.

So Im going to try to be extra diligent with recording this information. It should help me keep moving! Because it makes me accountable to all you readers. So from now on at the end of each daily post I will include a link to that day's food and exercise, and a TIAGF.

I have recently found out that TIAGF stands for - "Things I Am Grateful For". So if I start slacking off whack me with an e-stick and tell me to get my butt into gear :P

My first lap-swimming - although I use the term "swimming" very loosely!

Today I swam my first laps - I did a grand total of TWO! I was a bit nervous about getting into the big pool. Its a big step from the wading pool with Bee to the "big person" pool. I saw all the others swimming their laps - and to me they looked to be naturals. Almost as if I was attempting to swim alongside Ian Thorpe himself. Needless to say - I was feeling "full sick" ... but not in a good way! (I hate those TV commercials!)

Anyways, I decided to start off in the shallow end so in I jumped and got started on my laps. I started off with Freestyle because that is the one I could remember the most. But somehow it didnt feel the same as it did when I was 13 years old. I felt like I was sinking. So after trying really hard to look coordinated (unsuccessfully) I stopped swimming and looked up to see how far I had went. I was already exhausted and was sure Id be close to the end of the pool. But I was only about halfway!!! If I was going any slower I woulda been swimming backwards. People must have thought I looked like a fool.

I was kicking my legs so hard just to get that little bit of distance. So Ive decided that tomorrow I will buy some flippers so I can make more controlled kicks with my legs.

So I decided not to swim anymore freestyle because I musta looked dangerously close to drowning - so I tried a warped style of backstroke. I was on my back kicking, but I didnt use my arms properly. I used them in a bit of a propella style under the water. I didnt want to leave them straight because I wanted them to get a workout also.

By the time I hit the other end of the pool my heart was beating fast - so at least I knew I was getting a good workout. So I just turned around and went back.

So I did a total of 2 laps. No idea exactly how long it took. But I felt really good afterwards - even though I looked like a fool. Im determined to keep going because its way too hot to walk. Itll get easier as I go.

Today's exercise
Today's food
TIAGF: Swimming pools in hot weather!!  ¶ 3:10 PM 7 comments

  Shawnita's Blog One of the great advantages of starting up this blog is that I have been lucky enough to meet some wonderful people. A girl I recently met online has decided to start up with weight watchers and Im positive she will have a very successful weightloss journey!!!

Shawnita has set up a blog at http://shawnnitas.blogspot.com/ so if you have the time please head on over and have a chat. She is a fantastic lady!  ¶ 8:14 PM 3 comments

  Current trend Ive noticed around the Blog World that a current trend is to finish a number of certain sentences. It looks like a great activity so Im going to follow suit:

Complete the following phrases: (Here are my answers)

I am eager to … better my life in 4 main areas: family relations, my health/fitness, my spiritual growth and the way I contribute to the lives of others.

I doubt myself when … I let the opinions of other influence the way I think. It stops me from re-evaluating myself in a self-honest way.

I feel powerful when … I end the day knowing I have had a good day of eating/exercising (cos it proves I am in control of my health), Bee is happy and sleeping peacefully (cos it proves I am a good provider for her), and when my DH comes home from work to find the house tidy and dinner cooked (cos it gives me a great feeling to know I am managing the household for him). What can I say, Im an old fashioned gal!

I'm proud of myself because … I have taken the first steps with improving my health.

My 10 favourite things are … DH, Bee, my parents, my 1 brother and 2 sisters, crispbread with tomato and cheese (im obsessed), waking up on a saturday morning knowing I have my DH home with me all day, socialising with friends, trying out new recipes, scrapbooking ... and scrapbooking some more!

I am most grateful for … the immense love I get from my family and friends. I am blessed to have such caring and loving people in my life.

I can simplify my life by living without … housework. I wouldnt mind someone coming to my house while I work and doing the housework :P

I feel my mission in life is to … give Bee an upbringing that promotes a healthy self-esteem, explores thoughts values and theories in a boundry-less environment, nurtures her spiritual development, and creates a happy homelife.

In my wildest dreams, I … never thought I could love 2 people as much as I do - DH and Bee.

I believe in myself because … I am a child of God and I can do all things through Him who strengthens me! If someone as wonderful and powerful as God can take a keen interest in me, then I know I am worthy of my own self-worth. I know that He will never put anything in my life that I cannot handle.

Enjoy your weekend ladies.  ¶ 10:15 AM 0 comments

  Weighin every second week I'm coming towards the last few weeks in my 12 weeks of pre-paid WW meetings and I'm realising that I probably dont need to go to the WW weighins every single week. I know that its great for the motivation - but if I devote myself to going every second week then I will still get that inspiration.

When I go I listen to what my leader says about half the time, the other half the time Im paying Bee attention because she is sooking.

I still dont own scales here, and that wont change. But on the off-week I will get myself weighed at my Mother In Laws. Cos she has digital scales that are correct. If I feel myself slackening off I could always go back to going every week. I know you guys wouldnt let me be a lazy bugger :P

But Im definitely going to WW this week cos I want to know if Im going to get to this 1.2kilo loss this week.

M has got it right. In one of her comments on a post 2 days ago she said that I have to "shift my tail". She is so right. I'm getting a bit complaicant - which is the worst thing I could do! Im working so hard this week, to get myself back into the habit of exercising.

Do any of my readers only weighin fortnightly or have some story of someone who did? Did they lost motivation?  ¶ 6:16 AM 1 comments

  untitled Today Bee went for her first swim in the pool! Addy cancelled her swim with me, although I dont know why Im surprised. She cancels on me alot. But I didnt let it get me down - I just rung up Jen instead and invited her to the pool. She has the day off work because today Kent is moving out and she is organising changing everything to her name. So she had a break from all that and came to the pool.

Although I didnt get a chance to swim laps (was too busy chatting to Jen), I got some exercise in the pool with Bee. I did stuff like holding her under the arms and running backwards so her body was swooshing through the water. I did this for ages as she loved it - plus I could feel my butt muscles and upper legs getting a good workout. All up it was about 30 minutes of light/moderate workout. So there was still benefit.

Last night I bought a pair of swimmers!?!?! I walked into A-Mart really apprehensively. I took Jen with me for some moral and fashion support. Browsing through the swimmers I was a bit nervous about anyone seeing me with such a small bit of lycra attempting to hide my fat rolls. Alas they hid nothing - which ultimately I knew they wouldnt. So I settled on a plain navy swimsuit. Its nice but nothing fancy. Plus I got a good special. Original price was $50, reduced to $20. Probably because it was a size 16. And people with a size 16 body dont usually go parading around in swimsuits all the time.

But I am determined to get into swimming!! So I bought a pair of shorts to wear over the top until I get comfortable with everyone seeing my shape. Plus the shorts help hide my baby belly to a degree.

So ultimately it was a successful shopping trip. I wasnt embarrased when I went to the pool today and wore them. Probably because I was with Jen. And being my sister I am 100% comfortable with her.

Last night we had a blackout just as I was starting to cook dinner, so I told DH he had to take me out to dinner. I didnt want to sit around in our hot house in the dark, waiting for electricity. So we went to Pizza Hut for a meal. I was so good though! I didnt want to break my points budget. I'd had a fairly low point day so far so I had 16 points to spare. I had heaps of point-free salad, 1 piece thin+crispy supreme pizza (4p), 1.5 cups of pasta (dont know points, work out tonight), small amount bolognaise sauce (about 3 points), and for dessert I had 1 taste of chocolate mousse (less than a teaspoon, 1/2 point).  ¶ 5:43 PM 4 comments

  loooooong post - lots on my mind I had such an emotional night last night. Firstly, my sister broke it off with her boyfriend. Which was a huge shock. I knew she wasn't 100% happy - but I didnt know things were this bad. I got a phone call at 7.30 asking if she can come over for a chat. Of course, I said yes. Anyway, she gets here and its obvious she has cried all the way over here and she just breaks down and starts sobbing. And me being the emotional person I am started crying as well.

Her boyfriend doesnt have a job, and hasnt had one for close to 2 years. She was working 7 days a week (a fulltime job plus subway on sat/sun) but got rid of the subway job about 6 months ago. Anyways, she has been on his case for ages to get a job because then it would take some of the strain off her.

Last night he apparently admitted that he never intends to get a job, and that she shouldnt force him to get a job because he isnt forcing her to keep hers. He reckons that she should quit her job and they will both live off Government money. But she doesnt want this - she wants to own her car, buy a house, get set up for the future etc etc.

She has grown so much since they started dating. She was 17 and he was 18 when they started dating. Jen has sorted herself out fitness wise (she is a gym junkie now!), career wise (she now works as a litigation secretary and loves it), and family wise (she is soo close to Bee and loves her to bits). And yet he is still exactly the same as when he was 18!!!

Anyways, so he is moving out this weekend.

But while Im chatting to Jen a friend of mine rings up to chat to me (its now 9pm). And she wants to go get a cup of coffee cos she is having some problems at home. And when I get there she tells me that she is thinking of leaving her boyfriend!!!! He apparently is seeing other women and all this other crap.

I wont go into that story though because yas are all probably bored by now so Ill stop going on about it. It was just such an emotionally draining night last night. And I was going so well on points up until they rang up. When Jen rang up I was exactly on my total points for the day, but when I met with Sally I had a muffin at McCafe - putting me over.

But the scales forgave me today! I know every week I say its a shock loss and I never expected to lose that much - but I mean it every time!!! And this time I feel the same way. I promise! I did one lot of exercise this week - I did that this morning. A half hour walk. I didnt track alot of the days this week so I have no idea about points. Plus I didnt drink enough water.

And I lost 0.5kg. Not much, but way better than a gain!

So my goal this week is to lose 1.2kgs. This is magic number for me because when I lose this 1.2kg and hit 74.9 it means:

1. Ill have lost exactly 10% of my body weight
2. Ill be at my pre-baby weight
3. Ill also be exactly in my healthy weight range for my height

So its really weird how these all are at the one weight!!!

But to do this I need to remotivate myself and get myself back on track. No more slacking off. Ive had a cruisy week. But now back to business.

Im starting swimming laps tomorrow. Im going to do this three times a week because its getting too hot to walk. Im going to start at 3 x 30 min swimming sessions (each session consisting of 15min swim, break, 15 min swim) a week. And hopefully bring it up to 45 minute sessions before the end of October.

So tonight Im off to buy a new swimsuit. Yay for late night shopping! Im going to look hideous in it with my post-baby belly still poking out. But the good news is:

1. Once Im in the water noone will see it.
2. I will get a head-start on my tan for summer (Ill be sunsmart though).
3. Although I look big now, Ill be skinny soon enough. It's bitter sweet.

So wish me luck. Im really going to need it this week because I want to be very good. Im going to avoid temptation and not go out to morning/afternoon tea at all! Cos its too tempting when I go out. Ill stay at home and have yogurt/fruit. And Im only allowing myself 1 sweet point a day. This way I can keep having my banana splits for dessert :P (1 scoop low fat icecream, a banana and 2 tablespoons of diet caramel topping). That will be my reward for being good for that day.

Sorry for long post. I just had alot on my mind. Love yas and thanks for reading :)  ¶ 1:58 PM 9 comments

  Good day today today was a pretty good day all up! This morning's walk with Addy was cancelled cos it was too windy - so when Bee had her morning sleep I got a 1.5 hour nap!! oh my gosh that hardly ever happens. I felt so good when I woke up. Then we had a lay-in for about 20 mins in my bed. Which I love - because I love her cuddles.

Work was cruisy. The boss is out of town for awhile. Short shift of only 3 hours.

Then I went for a walk this evening for about half an hour. So it was a pretty good day!

Dinner was superb - homemade pizzas. I cooked up some chopped chicken tenderloins, mushrooms and onions in cooking spray and then put it on the pizza with capsicum and tomato. The base was bbq bacon salsa. mmmmmm was so delicious. 4 points per slice though I estimated. So its not exactly low in points.

Have a great night all.  ¶ 7:21 PM 7 comments

  Chilli Rubbed Pork Chops oh my gosh what a crazy crazy few days. Firstly, I went to a scrapbooking crop day that was a fundraiser for Angel Flight. It went for 10 hours (2pm till midnight) and I got to go for nearly the whole time! I took Bee with me for the first half, then DH took her home for the second half so I could have some time to myself. It was soooo much fun. I made my first paper bag album yay!

Weightloss wise I have three good points I noticed yesterday:

1. I figured out that I have lost Bee's weight off my body! She weighs about 7kgs. So I spent ages yesterday holding her out and baffling over how much weight it actually is! Ive noticed a change, but it didnt occur to me that it was really that much.

2. I discovered that I can now take off my fav denim skirt without undoing any of the buttons/zip!!! While this is good, its also bad. Because its the main staple of my wardrobe outside of work - so I really am going to have no clothes soon.

3. I can fit back into my wedding rings. When I was preggers I gained a massive 22 kilos. Because it was in the middle of summer last year it was really uncomfortable under my rings. So I took them off. To my shock I couldnt get them back on after the birth. Now I can :)

On a not-so-good note, I havent tracked for a few days. I know I didnt go too bad on points cos I was eating basically the same foods, but I didnt write them down. Norty me.

I also havent been visiting other people's blogs - so sorry about that! I appreciate everyone's visits and posts and am sorry that I havent been able to reciprocate the favour. I will try to get around to everyone's blogs tomorrow!

I forgot to post that yummy recipe that I was telling yas about last week so here it is:

Chilli Rubbed Pork Chops

Ingrediants:
1 1/2 tbsp chilli powder
1 tbsp brown sugar
2 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp garlic powder
2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
4 thick lean boneless pork chops
500g beans, steamed
4 carrots, cut into strips, steamed
1/2 tsp fresh lemon juice

Method:

1. Preheat frying pan and coat with cooking spray.
2. In a small bowl, combine chili powder, sugar, cumin and garlic powder.
3. Add Worcestershire sauce and stir until paste forms.
4. Rub paste onto both sides of each pork chop, place on prepared pan and broil 4 minutes on each side until inside is no longer pink.
5. Serve with string beans drizzled with fresh lemon juice.
   
   Serves 4.
   
   WW Points: 4 pt.

It was soooo yummy! But I used a bit less chilli powder cos I dont like it too hot. Definitely try this one. I only post recipes I have tried myself and loved. So you know you are getting quality. I liked that this recipe has cheap ingrediants apart from the pork. So although I needed to go buy some of those spices they were only $1 each. Plus its a really quick thing to make.

My husband said that it tasted "just like a restaurant meal". But I had arranged it so the carrot and beans all were facing the same way, then placed the meat on top of the veges. So it was really well presented.

So I reckon I had a winner with this recipe! The only down-side about the meal he said, was that it wasnt filling enough. So next time I will serve it with some mashed potato as well. Thatll fill him up.

Have a great night everyone!

  ¶ 4:37 PM 8 comments

  He got the job!!! YaY! He starts in 2 weeks but I plan on going out to live there in Jan next year. This way he has a chance to trial the job and see if its really what he wants. Plus it gives me a chance to work a bit longer in town and then move out there to be a SAHM. But he will be coming home for the weekends so its not that bad.

Yesterday I didnt even bother to record my food in my food log. I ate so many bad foods. Not fatty - but sugary!!! I was in celebration mode because of the job situation. I didnt go over points, but definitely not the best choice of snacks!

Bee is sleeping so im off to finish off the housework and then hopefully i will be able to catch a nap as well! Life is so good for babies ...  ¶ 2:15 PM 10 comments

  Week Eight Weighin - 1.2kgs down YaY another successful weighin. I lost 1.2kgs this week putting me at 76.6kgs - 1.6kgs away from my pre-baby weight!!! Ive now lost 6.6kgs.

I definitely think its all the water I am drinking because I only exercised twice this week plus I went way under points on a couple of the days.

YaY for weight watchers!
YaY for water!
YaY for the 1.2kgs of body mass that mysteriously disappeared!

Also, DH went for his second interview today for this job and it went really really well. DH thinks he definitely has the job. Im getting quite excited about the thought of possibly moving. I love where I am now - its our first mortgage! But I really want to be a SAHM. A good thing is that a friend of mine is interested in renting our place when we move out - so itll be good to have someone I know and trust there. Id hate for someone to trash the place.

Gotta run, Im at work. Im trying out a new recipe tonight so tune in tomorrow for a recipe if it turns out to be nice. The only hint Im giving you is that its a pork recipe. It will be nice for a change! Im eating too much chicken lately.  ¶ 4:07 PM 6 comments

  Chicken Potato Bake Yesterday I had a complex day with food. Firstly, I had run out of cereal and milk so had 1.5 peices of toast, one with tuna, and the other with half an egg. And boy did it make a difference to how I cope with food during the day!!! The Sultana Bran I normally have is much better at keeping me feel satisfied during the day. When I went to work in the afternoon I had 0 energy. I was nearly falling asleep at my desk.

I will admit that Bee had a bad night sleeping the night before, but I havent felt so sapped of energy in such a long time. So lesson learnt: Dont let myself run out of cereal again!

Next I didnt have such a good lunch either. I had Paradise Lite crispbreads with tuna on them, and a very small salad. I dont know if that attributed to the lethargic feelings I had in the afternoon but it could have.

I also had run out of fruit at home, so for morning and afternoon teas I had yogurt each time.

What made it worse was that I was at work and I didnt take my wallet so couldnt go down to the cafe and get some food.

So total of 21.5 points yesterday when Im supposed to have 28!!!! Way way under points. I dont know what I am supposed to do now - should I try to catch all those points over the next few days? Or should I just forget yesterday and do proper points today? I already struggle to get to 28 points. Calling all WW geniuses to grace me with your advice! :)

At least dinner was beautiful. I tried out a new recipe that everyone should try:

Chicken Potato Bake
4 servings @ 6 points a serving

Ingrediants:
3 medium potatos peeled and sliced thinly
535g can chicken soup
500g chicken breast
large handful of ham, shredded (I dont know how many grams I used)
low fat cheese
Grated point-free veges (zucchini, carrots - basically anything)
Chopped point-free veges (eg. brocolli, cauliflower, mushrooms, asparagus - basically anything)
Dried parsley

Method:

1. Cook chicken in cooking spray
2. Coast casserole dish in cooking spray
3. Arrange half potatos on bottom of dish
4. Top with chicken
5. Layer vegetables
6. Top with ham
7. Sprinkle parsley
8. Pour half of soup over the top
9. Arrange rest of potato on top
10. Pour over rest of soup
11. Top with cheese
12. Moderate oven for about 50 - 60 minutes

Ways to cut back points even further:

• Use less chicken - I used 300g and found it was enough
• Use less potatos - if you sliced the zucchini lengthwise instead of grating you could alternate the zucchini with the potato to make it less points.
• Watch how much cheese you add, or even go without the cheese. Its not really needed.

It was yummy!

One last question: I see "TIAGF" on lots of ww blogs ... what does this stand for?!?  ¶ 1:49 PM 11 comments

  WW Recipe Cards from 1974 - LOL http://www.candyboots.com/wwcards.html
Clickity Click ^^

Definitely take the tour. The starting link is at the bottom. Their desciptions of the recipes is classic!!!  ¶ 4:09 PM 4 comments

  September Wrap - October Plan September in review

Beginning weight: 80.6kgs
Ending weight: 77.8kgs
Total weightloss: 2.8kgs

Goal Status: Goal not reached by 0.8kgs (I wanted to be 77kgs)

Starting BMI: 26.9
Ending BMI: 26 exactly

Commendable aspect of September weightloss: My water intake is huge compared to what it was. I really have been concentrating on my water over the last few weeks. I reached my first 5 kilos. Im eating TONNES of fruit. Im trying different exercises (Aug was only walking). And my BMI dropped by 0.9!

The areas I said I would work on at the end of August were my water and fruit intake (now fixed), longer walks (not really, but I now do other exercise instead), and a steps class once a week (I sometimes do it twice! But from home via a Video). So I have fixed all those problem areas.

October Plan

Im no longer doing timed goals, however I would like to see myself close to my pre-baby weight at the end of October - 75ish.

Areas to work on in October: I want to take up swimming or riding ... or both! And I want to increase my water intake again to a solid 3 litres at least. September saw least 2 litres, with some days being over 3. I want to not slacken off. I've realised Ive started getting a bit lapse with eating. Im eating the right points, but i could be eating more nutritious points, instead of "empty" points.  ¶ 1:38 PM 3 comments

  Moranbah?!? DH has applied for a job that he has a pretty good chance of getting. There is just one problem - its in Moranbah!?!?! Now, I currently live in Mackay, which is 2 hours drive from Moranbah. But its like going from a reasonably rural town, to live in an ountback country town that mainly is filled with miners! Moranbah is a mining town!! So I dont know what we are going to do if he gets it. I think mainly itd be me staying in our current home for a few months to see if he likes it there. He comes back into town on the weekends.

Then if he decides he likes it enough Ill quit my job here and move out there. Buy a second house cos we dont want to sell where we live now. The good thing is that this job pays more than both our current jobs put together! So it means I can be a stay at home mum at Moranbah.

They should have a weight watchers. But a way that it will positively influence my weight is that everything is fairly close in together, so I will be able to ride my pushbike around alot - for trips into town and all that. But to tell u the truth I have never been there - so Im going off hearsay.

He goes for his second interview on Thursday so I guess we will know by the end of the week. He has already done a telephone interview and that went well - so the guy is driving into Mackay to meet Tr0y face-to-face.

Ooooh nervous. I hope he gets it because of the financial benefits. But on the other hand we will be moving our whole family so Im very nervous if we are making the right decision.  ¶ 9:00 AM 7 comments