Sleep

This is an older photo of Will at about 7 months.

I found this when I was uploading some of my photos to Flickr and just couldn't resist adding it here. He looks so peaceful fast asleep in his stroller.

The Cat's Whiskers

The Cat's Whiskers, originally uploaded by karma1410.

The first photo from my new Panasonic DMC-FZ18 camera. I can't wait for a chance to really test it out!

Yet another diet...

So this time it's Slimming World, even though I don't live in the UK. Slimming World works on the basis of red days (higher in protein), green days (higher in carbohydrates), healthy extras (to balance each day and ensure good nutrition) and syns (for all the little extras like chocolate, sauces, condiments...basically anything that isn't a "free" food or healthy extra). I won't explain it all here as there are so many websites that do that so much better than I could.

All I can say is that after 2 1/2 weeks I have lost 2.4 kilograms without ever feeling hungry or deprived. It simpy is the easiest program, although not the easiest if you live outside the UK I must say. As I don't have access to the syns values, healthy extras lists and free foods for Australian brands, there is no question that a little extra guesswork is required. Not to worry though as it seems to be working very well so far.

I also had a Polar F55 Heart Rate Monitor delivered today in an effort to really get myself organised with my walking and overall fitness. It's been an expensive week all round as I also needed new runners. Given the issues that I have as a result of my flat feet and tendency to roll my feet in when I walk, it was really important to get the right type of shoe. The salesgirl at Athlete's Foot helped me out with their special analysis machine and recommended a few pairs to try. I settled on the Brooks Ariel and after some extensive research on the net when I got home, I was happy to learn that I had bought the best shoe on the market for my feet issues. Happy, happy girl!

So I am all set to get fit, healthy and slim. I'm aiming for 3 hours walking per week across 4 walks. This is based on the program put together for me by the Polar HRM, which I took out for a trial today. Love it, love it, love it! It really opened my eyes to just how much I was "in the dark" with my walking program and it has given me a whole new focus. We'll walk to the school to vote tomorrow and then complete a 40 minute walk after that. At this stage, I'm also thinking a day of walking around the Melbourne Zoo on Sunday might be a great way to slip in some extra exercise for the week. Let's hope that the weather stays nice.

For all those Lite N Easy fans, I recommended Lite N Easy to my sister on the Gold Coast. She is determined to lose weight before her wedding in September so she decided to give it a try. She's been on the program for a few weeks now and is consistently losing weight without any problems, so it's definitely worth a try. I'm sure I'll give it another go soon but for the moment, this Slimming World program is working for me.

On a separate not, a very big HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my baby nephew Kai. I hope you had the very bestest of birthdays today!!

Will and Tigger dancing.

Look at me! Look at me!

Beach fun!

More Jeans for Genes photos...because I just can't resist!

Jeans for Genes Day photos...stay tuned for more!

These pics were taken for the Jeans for Genes Day competition. How cute!!

Where does he learn these things?

Oooohhhh....I see!

On the road again...

So I'm almost one full week back into Lite N Easy. I had about three weeks off all together whilst I was in Qld and I ended up back at 72.2kg. I was really happy with that as I ate anything and everything that I wanted whilst I was away, so I can't complain.

So I started again last Friday and I have lost 1.3kg already, with two more days still to go this week. That brings me back to 70.9kg, only .9kg off the lowest weight that I had reached on the day before I left for the trip. Hopefully it won't be long until I'm under 70kg and burning through the 60's!!

For anyone who's thinking about trying Lite N Easy, it really does work!

My very own ice cream! I'm a big boy now!!

Growing up too fast? Who, me??

Dummy anyone?

I just can't sleep without my dummy, a bottle and a sipper cup!

You won't be able to miss me now!

The new signage on the car looks fantastic. A big thanks to Luke at Signs & Designs in Frankston South.

Time passes so quickly!

It's hard to believe that today is the last day of Week 9 on Lite N Easy! That means another official weigh in tomorrow.

I was down to 71.5kg this morning, which means a total loss of 4.2kg since I started 9 weeks ago. I'm really pleased with the result so far and I look and feel so much healthier already. My clothes fit much better and I can look in the mirror without feeling really awful about what I see. Instead, I feel quite proud of what I have achieved so far, and excited about the prospect of finally being under 70kg soon.

I think I'll aim for about 65kg and then re-evaluate when I get close to that. Being at the bottom end of a size 12 would be fine with me. Whilst being a size 8 and 52 kg may have been fine when I was 24, at 34 I would look just too thin. In fact, if I was honest with myself, even at 24 I looked too thin at 52kg. Not to mention the amount of work and vigilance that would be required to maintain that weight...no thanks!!!

Business Referral Program - Receive a $150 gift card from the Australian Retailer of your choice!*

Would you like to receive a $150 Gift Card from the Australian Retailer of your choice?

For each successful referral of a business requiring staff to the Melbourne Central Branch of Australian Recruiting, you could receive a $150 Gift Card!*

* The following conditions apply:

1. The business referred must be a new client that has not dealt with Australian Recruiting previously. The referred business or the referrer must provide a letter signed by the referrer providing the name, address and contact telephone number of the person referring the business, as well as the name of the business being referred.

2. The referral must result in a candidate being placed with the referred business on a permanent full time contract for an intended period of at least 12 months.

3. The candidate must remain employed with the referred business for a minimum of three months (as per the three month guarantee period contained in the Terms of Business). In the event that the candidate leaves within this time or the position is no longer available, the gift card will not be payable.

4. Gift Cards will only be payable if the referred business pays the invoiced placement fee within 14 days of invoice as required by the signed Terms of Business.

5. Gift Cards will not be mailed to the successful referrer until a period of three months after the successful placement to ensure compliance with the above conditions has been satisfied.

"Somewhere Over The Rainbow - Conny Talbot on Britain's Got Talent

Is this a case of "A Star Is Born"? Britain's Got Talent contestant Conny Talbot melted even the toughest judge with her angelic voice and beautiful smile.

Paul Potts sings "Nessum Dorma" on Britain's Got Talent

What an amazing voice! This one gave me chills! Watch Paul Potts sing "Nessum Dorma" on Britain's Got Talent.

Another Lite N Easy Update

Today I started Week 7 on Lite N Easy. It's hard to believe that it has been six full weeks so far. I'm definitely in a routine, which to be honest can be both good and bad. The routine can definitely create boredom however it also keeps everything pretty simple. I'm still loving the dinners and the Sweet Beef Curry, Satay Chicken, Oriental Beef and Beef Stroganoff are some of my favorites.

So how much have I lost? Certainly not as much as I would have hoped, but still a very respectable 3.2kg as of this morning's weigh in. Given that I have not done any exercise at all during that time, it really is a good result. The weight loss has certainly slowed down though, with a loss of only 200grams this week. I really need to get out and exercise but it is so dark and cold by the end of the working day that walking really isn't an option. Might be time to consider using a gym.

Today's gratitude list...

1. A great cut and color by my hairdresser in Ivanhoe. She's fantastic!!

2. More great leads from the lead generation campaign.

3. Another week on Lite N Easy completed successfully.

4. Fresh, clean sheets on my bed.

5. Time to watch my favorite TV shows. Aaahh, relaxation...