I'm a vegetarian!

For the past month I have been giving my 6 year old son, J, fish oil in the mornings. I tried it with him last year, but he didn't like the lemon & lime oil flavour. But then my sister told me about some new omega 3 fish oil "squirts". So I bought some for him.

Now some of you may be thinking "hmmm why the fish oil?" Well, I've read several studies on the effects it can have on kids who have trouble concentrating etc. J is far from being ADHD/ADD, not that I am against those with the condition. I just feel that these days people are so quick to label kids and whack them on medication. Even recent studies suggest kids with ADHD should be given fish oil. Good for the brain!

As far as my son is concerned, he's just one of those kids who can't sit still, and has a hard time concentrating for long periods of time, and I'm forever repeating myself. In other words, he's a typical 6 year old TURD, oops boy! So, I thought I'd give the fish oil a go, and see if that improves his behaviour.

So far, so good. He will sit down with me each night and blitz through his homework (3 readers and words), sit down and colour-in without getting up all the time, and even his teacher said he is able to do his work on his own without being distracted etc.

Anyhoo, this morning I gave him his 2 "tablets", which are shaped like a fish, and in this plasticy type shell with the oil inside. Kids can either rip off the tail and squeeze the juice inside their mouths, or you can chew them up. Totally safe! I was getting the kid's toothbrushes ready while they ate their brekkie, when I heard the following conversation which made me giggle ... (remembering A is almost 8 & J is 6)

A: "Just eat it, J!"

J: "I can't! I'm a vegetarian!"

A: "WHAT? You are not. Besides fishes aren't vegetables!"

J: "Yeah, but I'm a vegetarian, so I can't kill fishes."

long pause ....

J: "I'll just pretend it's like a .... lion's skin!"

long pause ....

A: "hmmm, just eat it, J!"

A: "Muuuum!" ...... "Are fishes vegetarian's?"

Thus began my morning discussion on what a vegetarian REALLY is !!! Hmm, beats the ol' "What is a lesbian?" talk ....

Goal 1 achieved .. FINALLY

Like most WW followers, I have set myself mini goals in my journey to reaching the big goal - GOAL WEIGHT. After my initial "failure" at WW, I started back up again 2 days before the New Year, and haven't looked back. It's been a slow start, which I take blame for, but after getting stuck into exercise this past week, I can FINALLY say I have reached my first goal.

I'm finally UNDER 100kgs (220lbs). I'm only 1kg under BUT I'm under, and I will never get myself into those triple digits again!!! I've added a new section to my blog to include my goals. Hey, a girl has to brag a little hehe

I still have a LOOOONG way to go before reaching my goal weight, but getting over this first hurdle feels so good! I was so pissed off the past month because I kept hovering around the 100 - 101kg mark, that I almost cried when I saw the scales sitting firmly on 99kgs. God, it felt so good. I was hoping for a little bit more since I worked my fat arse off last week (walking, bike riding, that fricken elliptical machine lol), but I think TTOM due this week played a part in not losing more. Anyhoo, here's to a new week !!! YAY, ME ... and hubby for helping me stay motivated and leaving me motivational notes. He's a good man, even though he gives out lame Valentine's Day presents haha He said his gift to me is having him for life .. yeah whatever, I still could have done with some flowers or sumfin' hahahaha Oh, but I'm not bitter hehe

White Zombie anyone ???

I've been really good this week and have stuck with my new-found motivation, as far as my exercise & being tight with tracking my WW points goes. I haven't totally stuck with my new exercise program, but we did have our nightly family walks, and even went on that dreaded elliptical trainer.

Up until now, I dreaded that bloody machine. We've had it over a year, but I could never get past 1 or 2 minutes without having to stop. So, rather than perservere, I'd have the mentality of "what's the point?"

We had a rest day Thursday night, being that it was Valentine's Day. Friday was stinkin' hot, so we didn't go walking again. If it was just hubby and I walking, I would have gone, but it's a bit much to ask the kidlets to tag along for 30 minutes. They whinge at the best of times, let alone in the heat lol

So, hubby decided he'd use his new ipod shuffle that I bought him for V-Day, while using the elliptical. Incidentally, I got a stinkin' x-lotto ticket for tonight's draw as my "pressie", but that is a whoooooole other story lol Anyhoo, I had put some music on the ipod, as per requested, while hubby was at work.

I sat at the kitchen table, writing out some WW recipes in my new note book (I'm a cookbook freak and love new recipes), while Mr H decided to go for a 30 minute stint on the elliptical. The most he'd ever attempted in one go. To his credit he managed to do it.

So, I got inspired and asked if I could use his ipod to listen to music, and see if I could attempt 10 minutes. I put the headphones in my ears and pressed play, and OMG, if I wasn't slightly deaf before, I am NOW!!! I got the volume down to my level, and worked out to ..... METALLICA and WHITE ZOMBIE. Not exactly my kind of music, but I did keep going for my stint. I even managed to go a whole 13 minutes without stopping. I don't mind a little Metallica, but not sure it's really good workout music lol But that's what you get when you borrow the man's ipod.

If it was up to me, it would have stuff like Black Eyed Peas, Fergie, Alicia Keys and Rogue Traders haha But whatever keeps my mind focused and allows me to keep going when I'd normally give up. I even perservered and took the ipod along on my bike ride this morning!

HEAVY METAL WORKOUT MUSIC ANYONE???

struggling ...

Since refocusing on my Weight Watchers program since the start of the year, I've really been struggling with trying to lose weight. At the end of the day, I have no one to blame but myself. I have moments where I am really motivated, then moments where I lose track and forget to track my points etc.

I started off this year at 103kg (was 104.7 when I 1st started around Sept. last year), and my 1st goal is to be under 100kgs. I don't attend meetings, and am doing the At-home program, so I had made Sunday mornings my weigh-in day. I always weigh-in after I do my morning wee, and am in just my knickers. Just a ritual I have lol

So, last week's WI was 100.6kg, soooooo freakin' close to being under 100 I couldn't stand it. Even though I deprived myself of a really good week by NOT tracking my points, I did watch what I ate and drank, went on 20 minute bike rides & even attempted to use my elliptical a couple of times.

Yesterday (Saturday) I weighed myself and hot damn if those scales weren't sitting on 100kgs. I was on a high all day. I went for my 20 minute bike ride with my 6 yr old son, then we all walked to a local park and played cricket for an hour and a half. I was very conscious of what I ate and drank, even leaving food on my plate when I got to that "I'm almost full" stage.

So, I was really looking forward to getting on those scales this morning for my official WI, and measuring (I also measure myself each week). My heart sank as I stood there and saw the scales a kg heavier than yesterday. Yeah, some of you are thinking it's ONLY a kg, but when you are overweight and wanting so bad to be under a certain weight, even a gram can seem a lot!

I was so sad, hurt, pissed off etc. that I was in a crabby mood to everyone, sat my fat bum at the computer, even told hubby I wasn't going for my bike ride. Yeah, I was overly dramatic this morning lol Just call me Mrs Sooky La-La!!!

As I searched through the WW boards, upset about others weight loss - NOT AT THEM, BUT AT MYSELF, I realised that I only have myself to blame. Only I can help myself. I love those boards, and my new love of visiting fellow WW's blogs. It's really inspiring to me to see how far other people have come. I realised that I can't let jealousy or failure get the better of me.

So I got this new-found motivation and went for my bike ride, on my own (wasn't in the mood for company). Hubby knew I was upset, and asked how I felt when I got back. That's when I lost it. I bawled my eyes out, as my man held me. When I'd finished my sook, he was really supportive and decided that we'd just up our exercise, and they he'd do it all with me.

We took the kid's for a big walk around our estate, then went off to the shops and got more fresh fruit and veg. Then when I get off here, we are going to work out a weekly exercise program. Who knows how long my new-found motivation will last, but here's hoping it stays around and only gets better !!!

ps when I got back from our walk, I weighed in again, and had lost 300g, and that's after I'd had cereal. GO FREAKIN' FIGURE!!! lol

New 'do!!!

This time last year, I had my hair done. I usually go all out as a birthday gift. But I was soooooo extremely upset about how my hair turned out last time, that I just got put off about going again. I am really fussy about hairdressers, and like most women, am always on the hunt for a trustworthy hairdresser, one who does your hair EXACTLY the way you want it to.

After not having my hair cut for a year (other than my fringe), my hair was literally down to my buttcrack. Seriously, it was THAT long!!! It was annoying me. It was long, heavy, ratty & getting oily on top. So, for my birthday last month, Mr H gave me $100 & my Mum sent me $50 to put towards having my hair done. My only instructions from Mr H was that I not get it cut short (he likes my long hair). That was fine by me, because this girl doesn't suit short hair.

My sister and my Mum both got their hair done at a little hairdresser around the corner from my Mum's house. It's not a big salon. In fact, when I went there yesterday, the owner was the only one in there, and until I started having my foils done, I was her only customer. Her prices were reasonable, and both Mum and sis were really happy with their hair-do's.

I knew I needed at least 3 or 4 inches cut off the back for it to be healthy, but I bit the bullet and told Chris she could cut it up to my bra line. It's just above it but I really love it! It is so much lighter and healthier. I also decided to have thicker foils on top. I wasn't quite ready to go the whole hog and have the top completely blonde, but with the thicker foils it looks blonde on top without being overpowering. The bottom half underneath, I went with a lighter chocolate brown, which you can only see at the tips, unless I have my hair in a ponytail, like today, then you see it all.

I took a pic by myself, so it's not very good. I look like a stunned mullet, and I'm sure I have 5 chins lol The lighting isn't so good either, but you can definitely see the difference (I'll include a before colour) ....

BEFORE PIC

AFTER PIC

A new year .. A new ME!!!

For those who actually read my blog, you will know that just before NYE, Mr H & I decided to lead a healthier life. Out went all the snack foods, in went more fruit and veg for the WHOLE family.

Just over a week ago, Mr H successfully won a pushbike off eBay for me. I don't think it had even been ridden, as it still had the knobbly bits on the tyres lol It's a purply pink 6 speed Apollo bike, and I LOVE IT!!!

To be honest, I was scared to ride it the 1st time. I hadn't ridden a bike since I was a kid, so I was fully expecting me to have a stack going down the driveway haha But all my fears went out the door, and I have now gotten used to riding my bike. Mind you, my arse is tender, but I'm getting healthy, so all is good!!!

On Friday, Mr H got a new bike for himself. We also got a couple of sets of bigger training wheels for the kids, as they are yet to master 2 wheels. Yeah, yeah I know, my kid's should be able to ride at their ages, but we just don't get out on the bikes that often. When J rides, the trainers are up higher so it's more of a safety net for him. Miss A isn't that co-ordinated, so hers are set for on the ground still. We plan on getting her a new bike for her birthday in March. So then we can all go out as a family!

I'm also really happy that Australia has now taken a stand on the obesity crisis here, especially childhood obesity. All schools now must follow a strict healthy regime for their canteens, which also includes outings and any event taking place at the school. No more hot, fried, fatty foods, pastries, soft drinks and lollies (candy). It's all been replaced by healthy homecooked snacks, fresh fruit and veg, sandwiches etc. Not that my kid's get a lunch order that often, but it's good to know that all school's now must comply with this law.

I've always been pretty tight on what my kid's can eat as far as snacks go. We don't allow them to drink soft drinks regularly, or eat out at McDonald's etc that often. We've always had talks about what are "sometimes foods". They even ask me now if what I serve up to them are healthy foods. I never say to them that what they are eating is bad, it's all about educating them about what are healthy foods, and what foods should be eaten sometimes.

But with our new eating, I am sooooo happy to report that BOTH my kidlets are eating healthy foods like trying fruit, eating fresh foods etc. I posted some time ago about struggling to put healthy foods in their lunch boxes because, like most kids, my kidlets are fussy. But I've now discovered that they will happily eat raw carrot sticks. When I serve up cooked veggies, they will pick at them. So since we are still having warm weather, I've taken to putting salad on their plates ie cuccumber, carrot sticks, cheese, pickled onions, lettuce, tomato (only for Miss A).

They started school again last week, and instead of packaged & processed foods, they've happily let me fill their lunchboxes full of healthier foods. They are allowed 1 snack food, which is a mini packet of chocolate "tiny teddies" (cookies). The rest is cheesesticks, hamsticks, fruit, plus a sandwich. YAY KIDLETS!!!

Join in with leading a healthier lifestyle!!!