Yes - I'm a slacker!

Well - life has been up and down to say the least. I know I've been very slack with the blogging but haven't had much to say as far as the old weight loss goes! I've been up and down and more up than down really.
They have discovered I have a dodgy pituatry gland.....which controls all things metabolic! Which explains a lot.....as I have poly cystic ovaries, a dicky thyroid (medicated for that), pre-diabetic until i had the banding done, and have a very slow or almost non existent metabolism. I have been referred to an endocronologist 23 Dec. Not that I expect any miracles from him.
So the banding has done some good but has come to a standstill.

To top that all off my gall bladder gave up the ghost completely and was full of gall stones...had it removed 9 November. Am feeling a lot better now but would not wish that on anyone. Banding ops are a breeze compared to that!

So - I've had to put the knee op off that I was supposed to have 23 Nov indefinitely!

What else - Oh yeah - I've changed jobs and work for Ageing, Disability & Homecare as the Case Manager for the Family Assistance Fund. Love the work. But it's only temporary and I go back to my job in March 2010.

That's all for now.....Xmas not far away!

Exciting times...

Just the thought of not working full time for a few months is just the best feeling! then I start the other job in another govt dept for 6 months and then come back to my job...

Thanks Myf and Mel for your advice on the up's and down's - I freak out when I see them. I just don't want to be fat ever again.....!

I have an appt with Dietician and orthopeadic surgeon on same day - that should sort me out too. I need my knee fixed!

We've been an had a look at bikes - shit - I had no idea they were so expensive! Caitlin's is $400 alone and it's for a 9yr old!! Might have to go to Big W and have a look i think. It's not as if we will be doing the Tour de France!

Been a while......

Boy I've been on a rollercoaster lately. The weight is not going great at all.....I got on those dreaded scales this morning and they seem to think I've put on 1.5kg! I nearly had a heart attack. We are buying bikes in the next couple of weeks so exercise is my plan. I really don't think I need a fill as I'm not eating great amounts and am still getting the odd thing stuck. Maybe it's what's going in that is the problem! Plus the fact we've been on 3 weeks holidays which is always a bad sign for eating on the run.

I am about to make some big changes in my life - have applied for leave and am waiting for an answer on that one. Hopefully I will be working only 3 days per week. This will enable me to take a breath and look after the things that have been neglected including myself and my family!

Life...

Life has slowed down a little but not much! On the weight front - no change. Am currently keeping a food diary for dietician to assess me next week.....we'll see what happens then.

I have applied for another job which is exciting yet daunting. I really hope I get it but if I don't it's still ok - at least I have a job!

We are off on holidays for 5 nights at the Gold Coast on 3rd May. Jess is going to respite for that time and when we get back we are off to Melbourne to have the hoist fitted to the car. How exciting and what a difference that will make to our lives. I will actually be able to take Jess places on my own which I haven't been able to do for about 6 years! The stupid thing is that Caitlin has to be quarrantined when we get back because of Swine Flu!!!

I'm a slacker!

It's been a while since I blogged I know but life has doubled in intensity lately! Weighloss wise - nothing has changed which is ok I suppose! I feel great and that's all that matters.

I've started playing netball....which is huge in itself! First week I played the full game, 2nd week I didn't do as well but played and refereed.

I've been extremely busy with work and been involved on an interview panel for another dept. We had four days of interviews last week!

I've had my mum & dad here for the weekend, have my friend Ruth coming next weekend, trivia night fundraiser for Jess friday night, and then by the long weekend we may be able to breath again!!

That's all for now.

Update again....

Well the fundraiser was an outstanding success! They raised $12,200! in one night - how's that! We needed $13,000 for both hoists and with the money already raised before the night we will have exceeded this amount!

So - as my other friend has already organised a trivia night in Dubbo for the cause we are looking at getting a hoist for the pool as well - this up till now was only ever a dream! How lucky we are to have such wonderful friends and a very supportive community around us. You only ever hear bad things about Wellington and Dubbo but hey the good people are there just not making the news!!!

Weight and life....

My life has finally not been revolving around my weight or weightloss. I've been going to the gym and been more active in general life which is what the aim was I suppose. This is what's been happening and about to happen....

1. I've been accepted into Uni - I am so excited about this as it has been a long time coming for me to decide what I want to be when I grow up! I'm doing a BA - Psychology. I'm doing it via distance ed so yes I am still working full time for the moment.
2. Fundraisers for Jess are on 2nd May and 29th May. That is huge in itself. Have had media ringing myself and my friends for publicity etc which is good.
3. Have garage sale this weekend - why do I have these stupid ideas! What a lot of work! I'd better make a million!!!
4. Have old friend coming down on long weekend in June to stay - that should be good.
5. Have holiday booked on gold coast in July.

Then we rest!!!

Finally a little good news!

Had consult with dietician today - it's all good! She said much what you all said - it isn't all about the weightloss and I'm doing all the right things. In time...

I went to the gym at lunchtime to weigh in and measure. I've lost 8cms in 4 weeks which takes my total to 101cm! Hooray - I've lost over a metre! How's that! Didn't lose a scratch in weight but hey who cares!

Some good, some not so good....

Well - the job fell through.....I'm glad I didn't lose any sleep over it! I was "asked" to apply but was still overlooked - go figure! Anyhow - as they say - their loss. At least I still have a job to go to each day.

On the weightloss front. When I had the bit of fill taken out it took me a few weeks to adjust to it and I put on a bit but now I"m on the straight and narrow again. I've been going to aqua 2 times a week and playing tennis in the comp. Which is more exercise than I've done in quite a few years! I feel great and I can feel my clothes getting looser again. I've lost 1.2kg this week which takes me back to a loss of 23kg. Yes - I've put on about 2.5kg but we'll just forget about that as it's nearly gone now.....I'm aiming for the 25kg again now!!!

At work - things are fragile and shaky. The staff involved are having flashbacks, sleeplessness etc. - the counsellor is here a lot. The funeral is tomorrow in N'Castle and we have a bus going over with the remaining students attending.

Jess is fitting again. She goes through stages of being so well and then she gets like this - which brings you back to reality. After a fit last night Caitlin said last night "if Starlight had have given us her wish - Jess wouldn't be disabled anymore" - through the eyes of a 9yr old......

Life's happenings...

Where do I start: - with the good. I've been going to aqua and loving it! I weighed myself on Monday which was stupid as the old periods are due and I've put on 200gms - so we'll just ignore that.

I've been away for a few days for training - and while I was away there was an accident at work and a student has fallen off a horse and so very sadly died. So the staff and students at work today were all over the place. What a tragedy for her family.

Jess's fundraiser has taken off with a bang. At work they've raised just on $2000 and my friends in Wellington are having a fundraising night on 2nd May which we are really looking forward to.

And Diz - not applying for my bosses job! I would have to work hard then and we can't have that! I am however applying for another position and will let you know it that pans out. Very excited about it and apart from the fact that I would absolutely love the job it's MUCH more money! Watch this space!

Just keeping you posted....

I haven't weighed in this week at all. I'm not going near the scales - not that I've been that bad but I have been sick and not really in the headspace to think about anything at all especially what I'm eating.

I went away for the weekend to a scrapbooking weekend - that was so cool - relaxing and totally what I needed.

I'm a bit over work at the moment. My heart is not in it. That would be because my boss who was also my friend has moved on to much greener pastures. All I could say was "take me with you"! They will advertise his job soon.....not sure I want to contemplate who will apply. I would really like to take some time off and I do have 3 months long service owing to me.......

I start Aqua on Wed and have tennis tomorrow night. That's a good start to the exercise regime.

Who's bright idea was that?...

Well - I went to the gym and had my initial appointment with the trainer. Here am I saying "yep - that's fine" - no that's not hurting.....etc. Then after work I went to tennis....played 24 games and on Wednesday I couldn't move at all without extreme pain in no particular part of my body!! I was a bloody cot case! Now I know I have muscles somewhere in there!

I'm supposed to go back to aqua today - nope not doing that either - that's not cos I'm a wimp - I really feel I might go home to bed as I have flu symptoms coming on with a vengeance. I antcipate I will go back on Sunday morning. God help me!!!!

One step forward..

Yep - I did it! I went to the gym and joined....I have an appointment tomorrow to "design" my fitness program. I will be going to aqua twice a week. So I think with tennis and a workout mid week that will be enough to give the old weight loss a shake up.

I'm apprehensive at this point but also a little excited.

Reporting in..

I suppose you've gathered that I'm not blogging as much.....it's really because I have not a lot to say (unusual but true).

In the last week I have decided to get my a#se to the gym and burn some fat off this body of mine....I have not done this as yet!

I have had heaps on my mind but nothing to do with losing weight! It's not what encompasses my thoughts any more which is great. Although I havent lost even half the weight I need to I'm becoming happy with who I am - it helps that the fellas at work call me "skinny" - that fluffs the old chest out a bit more!

Other than that - if I started you would be here all day so I'll sign off for now.

Doctors visit

Went and saw Doc and dietician on Monday. Had .5ml taken out of the band - apparently I'm developing bad eating habits because I've been chucking up so much - so I go for the easier and less risky option which is usually not the healthiest! Bad idea.

Anyway - I'm doing ok now....happy to report no chucking since then! I'm still restricted though which is good so intake hasn't increased.....it's just staying down now.

They were both happy with my progress which was good. Played tennis again last night...and lived which is a plus!

It's my BANDIVERSARY!!!

It's a year today since I had my operation and although my weight loss has not been all that fantastic I have had some major positive outcomes:

1. I've lost a total of 24.2kg
2. I've lost over 90cm
3. I'm back playing sport (and lived to tell the tale) which I never thought would be achievable
4. I am much more positive about my future
5. I no longer take medication for diabetes
6. My joints are not screaming at me as much...and I can get out of a chair without cringing!
7. I'm no longer the fattest chick in the room - Yes I still check that out!
8. I've gone from a size 26 to a size 18-20!

I'd just like to thank all those people who have supported me from day one. An especially big thanks to Myf, Tina, Karen S and Sue H, Mel & Diz - you have no idea how much your comments boosted me and pushed me along when I needed it most.

On to the next 20kg now - can't wait!

The never ending battle that comes with having a disablity!

This is our latest battle. It's not an easy journey having a child with major disabilities. We love Jess and no-one would ever question that and we have had 19 years of many hospital visits, many doctors, physios, OTs - and lots of tears and she has endured many operations and lots of pain. But above all that she is such a lovely girl with a wicked sense of humour (mostly toilet humour!). I could go on forever about it but I won't.

As she is now over 60kg it was time to bite the bullet and look into having our car modified. It's a KIA Carnival and at present John lifts her in and out of the car 4 times a day at the least. To have the floor dropped etc enabling us to wheel her into the car costs $25,000!! The bloody car is not even worth that much! So we thought there must be another option...which we've found and it's a hydrolic hoist for the passenger which is brilliant and can be taken out when we sell the car - which is even better. Well of course it came in at $10,000! and we have to go to Melbourne to have it fitted. The Australian Govt. and it's bloody giving everything away at the moment and they don't fund things like this...people are stunned when I say - no there's no funding for car modifications etc. It just shits me to tears when we both work our guts out and still have nothing to show for it. Apparently if we lived in Sweden we would be given a wheelchair accessible vehicle and all the equipment we ever need!

Then we looked into getting a portable hoist for the home - yep - another $3000!

And then just to top things off the Air conditioning in the bedroom end of the house has S**t itself ! We got a quote for that too and really we've been putting that off too because we knew it would cost a fair bit....and you know we do have a mortgage etc......yep it's going to be another $10,000!!! Apparently we have to have special power put on the house that will cost $2500.

I know I'm raving on but it feels good just to dump it all on my blog!

Anyway - there is a happy ending to this story. My dear friend Kirrilly (whose blog is linked to mine if you want to see what she's up to) - has decided to do a fundraiser for Jess. I was totally blindsided and gobsmacked and may I say "lost for words" when she ran it buy me. That is just the coolest thing anyone has ever done for us. She's one of these people that sees someone has a problem and will find a way to help no matter what. She is probably sick of listening to me whinging as we do share the same office so this may be her way of shutting me the F##k up!!

So - we are going to get an extension on our already rather sizeable loan for the air con and see how Kill goes in the fundraising and hopefully get these hoists.

If she goes really, really well we will even lash out and get one for the pool - wouldn't that be awesome!!

Disappointment...Frustration.....

I don't know what I have to do (apart from exercise I suppose) to get this bloody weight off. I've really had a gutful of not eating and obviously I didn't hit the 25kg mark! I put on 500gms - I know that's not much but now I have to lose that again.

The sum total of my intake yesterday: (not including water - I have about a litre a day - yep have to up that too)

Berocca first thing with my tablets
Porridge later - about 8:30am - one of those small satchets.
Chicken (say a wing or thigh) and about 2 tabs of pasta salad (about 12:30pm)
2 crackers and cheese (afternoon tea say about 4pm)
dinner - well I'm lucky if I get any as it usually comes back up. Last night we had fish & chips - I had a crab stick and half a potato scallop (yep - full of fat I know but this is not the norm) - but it didn't stay down anyway! None of it. So it doesn't count!

I do have 3 of those Skim cappuccino's from Nestle' a day - maybe I should ditch the sugar...can you hear me making changes in my head here....

So I need to: Exercise more, drink much more water and ditch the sugar in my coffee.

I do start Tennis next week in a comp - say your goodbyes to me before then cos I'll probably have a heart attack on the court! And I am swimming most days now for about half an hour.

That elusive 25kg!

Well I weighed in this morning expecting nothing at all as I've had a rather hectic social life this past few weeks.

I've officially lost 24.4kg now. A loss this week of 600gms which is surprising and not really deserved.

Back to work on Wednesday after 6 weeks off and am actually looking forward to it. I need the structure in my day and I miss my friends.

Next week we will be celebrating the 25kg loss ok!

Measurements

Thought I'd just take a few measurements and got a nice surprise!



Boobs = 121cm = -20cm (lost 1cm from last measure)

Waist = 108cm = -24cm (lost 2cm from last measure)

Stomach = 131cm = -20cm (lost 3cm from last measure)

Upper legs = 55cm = -11cm (lost 1cm)

Lower legs = 40cm = -7cm (no change)

Neck = 41cm = -4cm (no change)

Upper arm = 33cm = -5cm (1cm lost)



Total loss now = 91cm (lost 8cm since 1st Dec 08 - not bad!)

Weigh in again....

Yep I weighed in this morning expecting to have put on a heap of weight as I've been a very naughty girl! Have indulged in ice-cream, chocolate and soft drink plus various meals in Sydney at restaurants of choice - but I had a great time doing it and guess what - I only put on 500gms!!! Wow - all that walking we did must have cancelled it out thank goodness as I deserved about 2kg! I must admit although I did frequent the restaurants I only ever had entree - restriction is a leveller I never had before!!

So I've slipped a little and am now back on track. We'll see another loss next week don't you worry about that!

Caitlin loved High School Musical. We also did the Aquarium and went shopping at sale time in the city which was fun but exhausting. The motel was fantastic and very up market directly across the road from Darling Harbour - so close to everything. The city was a big eye opener for both kids (we took our 16yr old niece Kathryn as well) - Caitlin has decided she can't possibly ever live in the city cos the beggars make her sad. And Kathryn just was gobsmacked by the ratio of Asian people........however she was pretty impressed with what they wore - go figure.

Weigh in

Well it would have been better but I've had a few drinks this weekend and nibbles to boot. Still not eating a great deal though. Still restricted which is great.

So I've lost another 500gms which takes total loss to 24.2kg. I'm really starting to take shape now and am so looking forward to the next 5kg going as that will be a big milestone for me.

We are off to Sydney this afternoon to take Caitilin to High School Musical on stage. We are taking her cousin (and our neice) Kathryn as well. Jess is off to respite as we speak.....I know stop feeling guilty. The 3 days break will be great. We are staying at the Crowne Plaza at Darling Harbour! Hope it's nice....