Things just don't seem to go the way I planned.

A few months ago, I started trying to work towards losing more weight for my 30th birthday. I tracked for almost 5 weeks straight, then I missed a day of tracking and struggled to keep up, so I gave up with the tracking after a few days of trying to pick it back up. My heart just wasn't in it. No, that's a lie. I wanted so desperately to do it, but found that my time was ridiculously limited. I knew that this year was going to be difficult but I didn't realise how little time I would have (she says to you writing a blog post instead of writing for an assignment).

The thing is, those 35 days that I did track, everything was great! I lost centimetres and got back to under 80kg. Proof is that tracking really helps to keep me on track. I need something to get me going and keep me motivated though. There are just 79 days until I celebrate my 30th birthday, though I turn 30 three days before the planned celebrations. I'm still hovering around the 79-80kg mark but I had wanted to lose more.
Do I have any Melbourne friends who want to walk with me once or twice a week? I would love the company, and it will give me the motivation to get out of my chair and onto the footpaths to try and lose at least some centimetres, and some weight thrown in would be great. A doesn't always like to go for a walk, so I can't rely on him too much.

07 May 2014

Body Part	Measurement
Neck	34.5cm / 13.58"
Upper Arm	32cm /12.59"
Bust	105cm / 41.338"
Underbust	88.5cm / 34.8"
Waist	87cm / 34.252"
Hips	117cm / 46"
Thigh	63cm / 24.803"
Total Body Weight	79.5kg / 174.9lb

I've had a seriously, ridiculously shitty month so I'm expecting tomorrow's measurements to absolutely suck. There has been so much sugar consumed it's not even funny. I caught sight of my reflection a few times in shop windows and was so completely embarrassed. Embarrassed to the point I wanted to cry. It's not even the fact that it's cold and I want comfort food, I am just so overwhelmed with everything going on at uni that I'm turning to chocolate. Not good at all.

Along with the birthday weight loss desire, over the next 18 months, I've got one graduation, and four weddings to attend, one of which I'm involved in orchestrating: we're engaged! A took me by surprise and had the moment captured by our good friend who's an amateur photographer.
There's a bit of a story to it, but I'll see if you can figure it out. A picture is worth a thousand words they say, so how do you think this story went? Find out here.
We're taking our time with planning, just focusing on our studies right now.

That's all from me for now. Hope you're keeping warm this winter!

A lot can happen in two years.

Two years ago tomorrow, my best friend's life was turned upside down. Two years ago tomorrow is the day we remember my best friend's little brother. Two years ago today was the day that changed my life.

************************

A week ago, my girlfriend and I started using MFP again. She's just had a baby (in January), and I want to lose weight to feel awesome at my 30th birthday in August. 

In April 2012, something changed in my life that I never imagined. I lost someone I loved. If you've read this blog before, you will know just how much he meant to me. Losing him sparked something in me, and prompted me to change my lifestyle.
Tonight, I write this post at 81kg. I've put on 3kg since my epic loss, (I lost 20kg) but that's okay. It's just over 10% of my loss, and I can lose it again.

I need to tighten my belt a lot in what I consume. I took my measurements today and while I'm not surprised, I'm still disappointed in myself. Weigh in is now Monday, and measurement day is the 7th of each month.

07 April 2014

Body Part	Measurement
Neck	34.5cm / 13.58"
Upper Arm	34cm /13.38"
Bust	107cm / 42"
Underbust	89cm / 35"
Waist	89cm / 35"
Hips	117cm / 46"
Thigh	63.5cm / 25"
Total Body Weight	81kg / 178.5lb

I'm not going to be writing here as often as my last journey, or my attempted journeys. I'm doing my honours year at uni, as well as my final year. This year is my fourth and fifth years at uni, all rolled into one. Crazy, you say? Yes, yes I am. And at the end I'll have a marvellous piece of paper, industry experience under my belt, and be happy that my life is going in a positive direction.

Here's a couple of photos for you from the first quarter of the year so you can see how I'm looking.

Sunday, 2 February 2014: Alex's brother's wedding
Hair & Make-up by Candice De Ville

Thursday, 13 March 2014: Collins234 Boutique Place Fashion Event

Wednesday, 26 March, 2014: A's graduation ceremony, MCC The Plenary 

Friday, 4 April 2014: Melbourne International Comedy Festival

Two years ago tomorrow, my best friend's life was turned upside down. Two years ago tomorrow is the day we remember my best friend's little brother. Two years ago tomorrow was the day that changed my life.

The swimsuit journey continues

Why hello there. How are y'all doin' today?

I'm terrible, I said I'd try and write at least three times a week, and that didn't even happen. Perhaps I should aim for once a week instead. I was never good at keeping a diary as a kid, and a blog is pretty much that, only I don't tell you my deepest and darkest secrets ;)

Over the last few weeks since my last entry, I've kinda been laid up in bed in worlds of pain. You see, my back isn't taking too kindly to this coldish weather we're having here in Melbourne. So, I've just been laying here, doing not much of anything. Perfect time to blog, you say? Well, maybe not. I gotta have stories to tell y'all in order to do that!

A week ago, I got a message from Nicole at Turning "I can't" into "I can" asking me how I'm doing. I found Nicole through my friend, K. Nicole's from Canada, from the area K grew up in. K and Nicole's brother went to school together. But, I digress.
Nicole was checking in to see how I was doing, so I told her I'm not fabulous, but that I'm not bad, either. It also got me to thinking about content for this little ol' blog. 
I've realised that my swimsuit journey is still continuing, not because I'm not comfortable in my body, but because I actually haven't purchased a new swimsuit! Yup, I didn't end up getting myself a new one last summer. I was content that I was able to fit in to my existing one (plus the funds didn't really allow for a new suit). 
The other thing I've been thinking about is just writing about how good I feel, and what it's done for me mentally (even though I'm not out of the depths of doom and gloom, (and I really hope that doesn't offend anyone)) I'm still feeling MUCH better than what I was 18-24 months ago.

So, aside from the fact there is a family wedding to attend in February that I want to try and lose 5 - 7 kg for, I'd also like to get that new swimsuit. I want to spend time on the beach this summer!
The link earlier is last season's suits, but definitely still designs and cuts I'm chasing.

Suits Me Just Fine: Polka Spots by monsoonprincess featuring one piece swimsuits

One piece swimsuit
myer.com.au

Bettie Page one piece swimsuit
96 AUD - modcloth.com

Esther Williams red one piece bathing suit
96 AUD - modcloth.com

One piece swimwear
myer.com.au

Halter top
myer.com.au

Baku Amalfi DD/E Cup Maillot One Piece
birdsnest.com.au

What do you think? Which one's your favourite?

Oh, by the way, I'm going on a small hiatus til my exams and assignments are done, so my next post probably won't be til end of October-early November.
Take care, and remember, one day at a time.

xx

The third quarter: how did you fair?

Don't worry, it's not about AFL or any other sport. Appropriately titled though given AFL finals begins this week.

What I'm actually talking about is how you're fairing with any resolutions or goals you may have set yourself way back on 1 January 2013.
I hate making a list of resolutions. I have never really been fabulous at sticking to them. On 1 January 2013, I did write a list of things I want to achieve (see this post). If you're like me and don't always like clicking through posts, see here:

2013 - come at me

In this post here, I wrote about what I'd achieved so far 26 days into 2013. Here we are, on day 245/365, some 219 days later, and this is how my list stands:

1. Be confident
   
   I'm not as confident as I was earlier in the year, that's for sure, but I'm not going down without a fight! Onward and upward!
   
   
2. Learn new make up techniques
   
   I've definitely learned a thing or two after attending a vintage make-over/photo shoot in June, as well as playing along with the Fox in Flats Style Dares. Check out my Instagram feed for my take on the Style Dares from March - June.
   
   

   

   9 June 2013: Before and after
   Photos courtesy of Brook Orchard Photography
   Hair and Make Up by The Lindy Charm School for Girls

   
   
   
3. Take risks
   
   I've taken some big risks this year, both personally and in my small biz.
   Let's just hope these big risks will pay off later down the track.
   There was also the fun risks, like mentioned above with the FIFSDs!
   
   
4. Love myself enough
   
   I reckon that seeing as I've gained 3kg, I've loved myself a little too much but also that I'm being too harsh on myself given the circumstances surrounding my weight gain. Working on this one.
   
   
5. Learn Spanish
   
   ¡Hola chicos y chicas! Hablo un poco español porque asisto clases lenguas español en mi universidad.
   
   I do not speak fluent Spanish. I barely speak enough Spanish to get through my classes. I have no idea if this is correct or not. As this post goes live, I'm actually taking deferred Spanish assessments because of my ill health from May - August.
   
   
6. Make new friends
   
   Friendships are circumstantial. I'm learning that slowly.
   I lost my job because of a clash with uni this semester, so the contact isn't really there with those friends.
   There are people in this world whom I am forever grateful to. You support me through the good times and bad, and for that, I thank you and look forward to our future!
   
   
7. Do well at uni
   
   Must say, rather pleased with my efforts last semester.
   If only they followed through to this semester.....
   
   
8. Be the best lover to my partner
   
   Only one person can be the judge of that, but I'd like to think I am doing a good job.
   
   
9. Start jogging again
   
   Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances with my back, jogging is on the back burner. It was there on the front burner in May before I hurt myself, so this is a good thing! At least I know that when the weather warms up and my strength returns, I'll be able to hopefully get back into it.


10. Build my business
    
    Little Goldfish Invitations & Stationery has a website now, and I'm slowly getting more content to it. I won't be doing any more markets in 2013 for a few reasons, but once the weather continues doing what it has been here in Melbourne (sunshiny, glorious, beautiful), I'll be able to get out and take some hopefully nice photos of my wares to sell on my site.
    
    
11. Wear a bikini
    
    Wish I hadn't have lost my mojo earlier in the year. We'll put this one on the list for summer 2014/2015.
    
    
12. Be a better friend, daughter, and granddaughter
    
    Again, I can't answer this, but I'd like to think I've improved. I mentioned earlier that friendship is relative to proximity, and I think this also plays a big part in my not-s0-great ways, but I do try.

Now it's time I take heed of my own words, and love myself enough to get through this next phase of my weight loss journey!