Once a upon a time - weight loss Lets keep it going

As promised, I'm updating on my progress with the weight loss. The journey has been up and down and I think that would be for most people. What I'm really happy about is the fact that I have never gone back to where I was. So for that I'm very proud of myself.

When speaking to the Physio yesterday, I said how I have learnt alot about myself in this journey with my back problems. And that I'm more determined and strong then I thought I was. Back issues are just part of my life but I now have the tools to continue to help myself to achieve better muscle strengh to deal with it and a greater mind set to make changes for myself.

The weight loss challlenge with the relative has really been helpful in giving me the extra motivation I needed to keep going. I really had lost interest in the whole thing and slowly but surely was going back to my old ways.

Now the great news is the Physio has given me the green light to go back to the gym, but really I knew that I was well enough to go back. So in some ways I have also learnt something about taking control for myself.

So, what's next. BETTER FOOD CHOICES, I am listening now. And that, together with the gym should get me there. The day when I blog and don't use the words, should, could or would and use the words can, will and I'm going to, will mean I have understood me and have achieved my weight loss goal.

So for now the weight is 68.6kgs. this morning. Will keep you posted.

Once a upon a time - weight loss - I got the push I needed

New morning and the challenge continues. I got the push I needed to really work on my food intake to lose the weight. I'm seeing the Physio today so I hope I get the go ahead to go back to the gym.

Now, with my relative on the same journey I have really got the fire in the belly to continue. It is hard to keep it going, and that I have found, for me was the hardest thing.

Having your family involved as well has been a big help. Up to now I had done it on my own. I got the trainer to help with the exercise motivation. But I guess I needed someone to motivate me with the food. This morning I was 68.8kgs. So, it's quite amazing just one day of being really good with my food and I have made a difference already. Will keep you posted.

Once a upon a time - weight loss End of the first day of the new challenge

OK, Well I have been good today and before dinner I was 68.6kgs. Keeping the good food policy is hard but I'm trying my best. The motivation of someone else in the journey is helping and now I have family pitching in to help me out.

I must admit, I would love to have some sweets right now but I'm staying strong and hopefully be happy with some progress tomorrow. As I have now a new challenge I'll try to blog each day to keep you up to date.

If anyone is on a similar journey just post a comment. Would love to hear from others in the same situation on life and it's journey through it. Will keep you posted.

Once a upon a time - weight loss New Challenge

Here I am with the weight loss challenge. A bad few weeks with back issues so trainer at the gym as gone out the door. But things are on the up and rather then go to the gym, I have gone to the pool for not as much exercise but some well deserved me time of relaxing in the warm pool.

So, the good news, as I'm sure everyone is looking for is that I haven't put on any weight. Still hovering around the 69.5kgs. And that's because I'm thinking differently about food and trying not to over indulge in everything.

So What's next. I have come together with a relative to continue the journey. A healthy and supportive way to lose weight and keep me motivated.

The plan is 2.5kgs to be lost by Easter. Now I don't know if I can do it but the competition and support hopefully will be the push I have needed. Goal weight is 62kgs so really I don't have much to lose. But it is the mind set that is the hardest part. And I can say, I need to be creative in ways to motivate myself.

I have started well this morning and my plan is fruit before sweets. So I'll see how I go. Will keep you posted.

Organic apples

Well, it's close to Easter, and for us that means our apples are almost ready to eat. We have just pick these apples because they are rippening first, so off they come and ready to eat.

This particular variety come from a tree that makes 3 different varieties of apples. It's funny how when they are your own veetable or fruit from your own trees how you pick them with the utmost of care.

Here are the pictures for you to see. Will keep you posted.

Once a upon a time - weight loss - Update 10 steps back

You are probably wondering how the weight loss and fitness is going. Well after day visits to see my dad and a week of being unwell I have gone backwards in the condition of my back.

I walk a fine line with my back problems between being great to many heat packs to control the pain. So, you are probably wondering about the gym. Well, its gone on holidays and I won't see it for a while. I'm back to simple exercises for my back, given to me by the Physio, who I must say is a miracle worker, and has understood the way my back works.

Now, you are probably thinking, Oh, this is bad. But I have learnt to look to the brighter side of life, and this attack was much better then the last, and that means the fitness exercises at the gym, the personal trainer has all paid off.

So, on I go with the exercises, juggling walking sessions in the pool and heat packs to get back to normal. The recovery is going well and I'm almost back on track. So, as I have learnt form this whole experience you never say never, and you keep pushing on. Will keep you posted.

Garlic Bread Never made it before. Yes, it is true!!

As promised, I have now some time to let you in on the Garlic bread Story. My family have been asking for some time now, but I can say it wasn't in my recipes of homemade meals I made.

So, I could have gone and bought some pre-made ones, I guess, and just put it in the oven. But I am big on home cooked meals, and thought, how hard could it be? So, I went and bought some long rolls, bought some spreadable butter and garlic. Some Italian herbs already had at home, so off I went and made the garlic butter.

I scooped out some butter, enough for what I thought would do for the 4 rolls. Added the Italian herbs, I sprinkled until I thought it looked enough. And then added the garlic. First I added 1 clove, then 2, then 3 small cloves crushed. When I thought the smell of garlic was strong enough, I mixed it all together and put it back in the fridge.

When I was ready, I cut the rolls into slices but not cutting all the way through and then spread the garlic butter on both sides of the cuts of the bread. Wrapped it with foil and into a hot oven for about 10 minutes.

Now, please bare in mind, I had never made garlic bread, I only saw the ones in restaurants and never looked up any recipe. So, It was amazing, and I don't think I have every said that about my food before. This is one thing I will make again and also serve it up at dinner parties. So, it isn't that hard and just like the ones in the resturants. Here are the pictures and I will absolutely make this again.