3rd but still a winner

So I went to the presentation and prize giving and final weigh in on Friday night. We weighed, thank goodness they didnt make us weigh in front of everyone ala biggest loser :) It was actually so much fun laughing and joking with the girls, for our final weighin... I managed to lose another 2 kgs, despite being sick, and not exercising for 2 weeks. Bringing my grand total to 19 KGs... which is roughly 9.6% of my body weight which i lost... I think that is bloody marvelous.. I came third... Belinda, the girl whose blog I am following came first... So proud of her, she deserves it, she was so dedicated, and she lost so much weight, she lost 14% of her body weight. Jerry came second... I won R1000 runner up prize and a years gym membership to body future. I had the weekend off, where I ate what i wanted, but quite frankly i couldnt stomach that much, and the heartburn was unbearable... so back to healthish eating this week. I say ish because if I feel like something, I'm not going to deprive myself of it... but i will be healthy.. I need to go back to gym, somehow find the energy... :) I refuse to backslide to where I was... I have to move forward.. thin is my goal.. and I want to be there before i'm 30... well ideally before the end of next year.. but we need to be realistic.. there is 4 months left in this year.. so technically if i follow this pattern I could in essense lose another 20 kgs before the end of the year... hopefully more, but Slow and steady wins the race.. :)
Will keep updating my blog but not as frequently as I have been.. only when I have news..
Thank you all for all your support, encouragement and sometimes threats and cajoling.. I couldnt have done it without you...
love you all
C

its been awhile

Sorry it's been awhile... Since my last update, I've lost another 2kgs bringing my grand total to 17kgs... Though I have been sick, I booked off gym for 2 weeks, so 2 weeks of exercise did not happen, giving my competitors a great advantage... I'm sorry to say I really dont think i am going to win the competition. Also this week, being our last week of competition, Monday we exercised and it was great. and then yesterday, I was getting ready to go to gym when Aiya ( the receptionist at Body Future) phoned to say a water pipe had burst and there was no gym... and Friday is supposed to be the award ceremony but now I don't know where it is going to be, because it looks like Body Future is moving to their new premises early... No one is telling us anything... Very bad communication. This week is madness. It is one of my best friends Michelle's 30th Birthday party this weekend, I've offered to make her a novelty cake for her birthday, and the topper fell and smashed into a million bits yesterday... So that adds a huge amount of stress.. I managed to make another one, but its not as great as the previous one, its still beautiful but not as great. Plus this week, being today and tomorrow, I need to work, go shopping for drinks and meat for the weekend, buy and put together thank you gifts for the body future gang, make michelle her other present, bake the cake, ice it, pack, pack the car, clean and sort out my car, go for a wax and a pedicure, and go for the awards ceremony. Oh and somehow fit in sleep :) but it should all work out fine... Everyone is asking me what my plan is for after the competition. I think everyone is so scared that i'm going to back slide to fatdom :) No worries, I have no plans to backslide... I want to take up archery.. dont know how much exercise that gives you.. but ive always wanted to do it.. also wouldnt mind taking up a martial arts, but i think i need to be slightly fitter... those people are so fit... and crazy.. :) hehehehe
I walked up Rhodes Memorial on Sunday to watch the athlone towers implosion... despite still being sick i only had to rest twice.. or 3 times I can't remember.. but I think with practice it will get much much easier...
anyway... Will tell you my final weightloss when i find out...
xoxoxox
C

bugger bugger snot and trane

Oh nooooooo, I'm up a kilo... Not tooo worried, my Cm's are down, and I think it might be water retention due to that time of the month.. but I didnt do my cardio on Tuesday and Thursday.. This means this week I need to seriously SERIOUSLY move this butt of mine... only 3 weeks to go... eep... need to move it move it.. ( think madagascar.. I like to move it move it.. I like to.. Moooove it!)
anyhoo...
Sorry about that loyal supporters... at least its not 3 kilos up.. I must try to remember how far Ive come..

Good work last week

I did very well last week, I stuck to my diet and I lost 2.8 KGs... which means I am down 15.8 KGs in total so far. Which means I am only 9.2 kgs away from my goal for the competition, I need to move my butt... I took a photo today, in the same clothes I wore for my first pic of the competition.. also a side view.. you can definately see the difference between the two. By my calculations I only have 4 more weeks left of the competition including this one.. which mean that in order to reach my competition goal of 9.2 kgs I need to lose an average of 2.3 kgs a week... phew, I know Ive done more in the past but pressure like that freaks me out.. Now I'm nervous!

Diet

This is my basic Diet.. I havent written it all up... because its far too long, if you want more details you can contact Trevor at Body Future. :)

Food Choices


Grains

Food Choices Carbs Food Choices Carbs
Corn Flakes(0.75 cup) 19 Mielie Meal (0.5 cup) 21
Rice Crispies (0.75 cup) 19 Wheat-bix (1biscuit) 13
Seedloaf Low Gi (1 slice) or Wholewheat 16
16 Tasty wheat (0.5 cup) – Cooked 14
Kellogs All Brain (0.75 cup) 23 Shredded Wheat (0.75 cup) 25
Malta Bella (0.5 cup cooked) 10 Provita (2 biscuits) 9
Kellogs Special K (0.75 cup) 27 Ryvita ( 2 biscuits) 12
Oats Cooked (1 cup) 21.1 Corn thins (1 biscuit) 4.7
Crackerbread (2 biscuits) 19

Protein

Food Choices Carbs Food Choices Carbs
Beef sirloin (85g) 0 Calamari (100g) 0
Chicken Breast (100g) 0 Crab (100g) 1
Pork Tenderloin (85g) 0 Crayfish (100g) 1
Turkey (100g) 0 Haddock (55g) 0
Veal (100g) 0 Kipper (55g) 0
Ostrich (100g) 0 Kingklip (100g) 0
Biltong (60g) 0 Lobster ( 100g) 0
Cheese low fat (55g) 0 Mussels (100g) 0
Egg whites (2) 0 Prawns (100g) 0
Milk non fat (1 cup) 12 Snoek (100g)
1 portion per week ONLY 0

Protein Shake 2 Trout (100g) 0
Vanilla bar (1) 2 Tuna in Water (100g) 0
Strawberry bar (1) 2 Tuna Fresh Packed or Frozen (70g) 0
Choc/Choc mint bar (1) 4
Yogurt f/f plain (half a cup) check labels 11.5
Vitelinea fat free fruit (100ml) 9.9
Gero – fat free fruit (small tub) Check labels +/- 9
Cold cuts 97/98% fat free/Lean (70gr) 1
Cottage cheese low fat plain (115g) 4
Egg 1 (limit if cholesterol is high) 1

Vegetarian Protein

Food Choices Carbs Food Choices Carbs
Veg-E Meat substitutes (no less than 15g protein per serving) No more than 12 carbs per serving Tofu (3/4 cup) 2.4
Lentils Canned (half a cup) 14.4 Lentils cooked (half a cup) 13.1
Chickpeas canned (half a cup) 16 Butter beans canned (half a cup) 10.8

Snacks

Food Choices Carbs Food Choices Carbs
Yogurt (f/free or low fat) (plain or fruit – watch carbs) Read labels for lowest carbs Biltong 0
Boiled egg 0 Low fat cheeses Read labels for lowest carbs
Cottage cheese on cucumber slices with black pepper and spices or powdered biltong See food choices Lean cold meats wrapped around cucumber fingers with black pepper and spices See food choices
Or select any portion of protein 0

Fruit

Food Choices Carbs Food Choices Carbs
Apple (1) 17 Mango (0.5 cup sliced) 14
Apricots fresh (2 med) 6 Nectarine (0.5 cup sliced) 8
Apricots dried (6 halves) 9.7 Orange* (1 small) 14
Banana (small) 10 Orange juice (sugar free) 12
Berries fresh/frozen (0.5 cup) 8 Pear (medium) 13
Grapefruit (0.5) 7.6 Watermelon (0.5 cup) 6
Grapefruit juice (125ml) 12 Kiwi (1 med) 7.8
Melon- spaanspek (2.5 cm slice) 4.6 Naartjie (1 med) 10
Paw-Paw (0.5 cup cubed) 8 Peach (1 med) 10
Pineapple (1 cm ring) 4.8 Plums (2 med) 10.9
Strawberries (1 cup) 6

Vegetables

Food Choices Carbs Food Choices Carbs
Asparagus (1 cup) 7 Celery (1 cup) 5
Baby marrow (0.5 cup) 3 Peas (1 cup) 11
Baby gem squash (0.5 cup) 3 Patty Pan (0.5 cup) 3
Beans, green (1 cup) 4 Mushrooms (2 cups) 6
Broccoli (1 cup) 7 Onion (0.5 cup) 7
Brussels Sprouts (1 cup) 10 Peppers red/green (1 cup) 5
Cabbage (1 cup) 4 Spinach cooked (1 cup) 2.8
Carrots (0.5 cup) 5.3 Spinach raw (2 cups) 5
Cauliflower (1 cup) 5 Tomatoes (1 small) 5
Cucumber (0.5 cup) 2

Miscellaneous

Food Choices Carbs Food Choices Carbs
Coffee Creamer non- dairy powered fat free (1tsp) 2 Jelly – diet (0.5 cup) 0
Margerine – canola/ flora lite (1 tsp) 0 Mustard (1 tsp) 0
Balsalmic vinegar (2 TBSP) 2 Soya Sauce sugar free – kikkoman (1 TBSP) 0
Oil – Spray & Cook 0 Ina Paarman Seasoning 1





Low Days
Low day sample menu
Meal 1 – Protein, Beverage
Mid morning snack
Meal 2 – Protein, Lettuce and cucumber, Miscellaneous
Mid Afternoon Snack
Meal 3 - Protein, Lettuce and cucumber, Miscellaneous
Evening Snack


The focus of your low day is to eat foods that are low in carbohydrates. You exclude from your menu the fruits, vegetables and grains.

Low day guidelines

Be sure to eat all the protein servings (minimum 6) for the day. Active and bigger people may require more servings of Protein. You can increase your protein servings for the day by having more protein snacks at your hourly intervals. Do NOT have bigger protein servings as this will take you out of dietary ketosis.

Keep your carbohydrate intake to les than 40 grams per day.
You can add salt to your food if you suffer from low blood pressure. This will eliminate dizziness due to a low carbohydrate intake.

Medium Days
Medium Low day sample menu
Meal 1 – Protein, Beverage
Mid morning snack
Meal 2 – Protein, Vegetable, Lettuce and cucumber, Miscellaneous
Mid Afternoon Snack
Meal 3 - Protein, Vegetable, Lettuce and cucumber, Miscellaneous
Evening Snack


You will now add vegetables to your menu at lunch and dinner and continue eating foods that are low in carbohydrates. You will exclude from your menu the fruits and the grains.

Medium Low day guidelines

Eat protein servings as per low day guidelines
Keep your carbohydrate intake to les than 60 grams per day.


High Days

High day sample menu
Meal 1 – Protein, Grain or Fruit, Beverage
Mid morning snack
Meal 2 – Protein, Grain, Fruit, Vegetable, Lettuce and cucumber, Miscellaneous
Mid Afternoon Snack
Meal 3 - Protein, Vegetable, Fruit, Lettuce and cucumber, Miscellaneous
Evening Snack


On these days you can chose from all of the food on your food choice list including fruits and grains. However, you must EXCLUDE the grain at dinner. Please remember that you must choose EITHER a grain OR a fruit at breakfast. At lunch you will have a grain and a fruit and a dinner you’ll only have a fruit (if you didn’t have one at breakfast). You must always eat your vegetables at lunch AND dinner.


High Day Guidelines

1. East protein servings as per low day guidelines
2. Keep your carbohydrate intake below 100g per day
3. Follow the rapid loss guidelines to ensure maximum fat loss (apply to low, medium low and high days)
4. Eat a minimum of 6 protein servings a day from your protein food choices – this will eliminate hunger pangs.
5. Eat only from the food choice list. Record any foods no matter how small even if it was a taste or a titbit on your daily activities journal.
6. It is important to eat all the foods on the menu planner. If you consume less than in required you could experience a nutrient deficiency. And possibly slow your metabolism down.
7. You should bake, grill, steam or braai your food. If you must fry, use only a non stick spray like spray and cook and use it sparingly.
8. take a multivitamin, and mineral and omega 3 supplement every day.
9. Drink plenty of waterat least 10 glasses a day.
10. Watch your salt intake.
11. You can use a sugar free fibre supplement to regulate your bowels.
12. Only 2 fruits a day

My mom

I was just looking through the cupboard, and I found a notepad of my mom's, in it was a note from her cousin, who died about a month before her, also of Cancer. It said " If you want the rainbow, you have to put up with the rain." - Dolly Parton. That is my new motto for life, and this competition. I want that freaking rainbow so bad, and the miserable cold, wet, uncomfortable rain is how I am going to get there, I just have to get through it... Thanks for the inspiration Mommy, I know you are proud.. Love you forever.. xoxoxoxox

sorry people

I have to apologise to you guys who have been following my blog. My excuse is that I am only human. We all fall off the wagon... even me, and I did. The last week and a half I went back to my old eating ways, Well not as bad, I didn't gorge on chocolate, but I did eat what I wanted, I had starch with almost every evening meal and I was in a sullen fuck-it type of mood... and sadly it reflected on the scale! I didn't gain anything! Phew *wipes sweat from brow*, but I also didn't lose any... I know where I went wrong, I stopped journalling what goes into my mouth. That's important! It really is, Do any of you know the TV show called Ruby? Well one episode she doesnt lose weight, and I think (I maybe wrong) but I think she gains a little, and that is because she stops journalling what she is eating. With people who have a huge problem with their weight, This is something I've learnt, Whether you have 190kgs to lose, or you have the last 8 to lose, weight loss is weight loss, and its HARD! I don't know about you people, but my body had become friends with my fat, and it doesnt want to say goodbye. Psychologically it's an issue. I dont remember ever being thin.. Sounds weird, but it's true. My deep seated fear is that when I am thin, I am going to turn into another person. I like who I am. Ok I am slightly unmotivated, I lack direction and focus, I do tend to drift and dream a lot, but I like myself. When I am thin, will I turn into a bitch? Will I become someone who is obsessed with their image? Will I not listen to my friends? I hope not! Just slap me around and show me this blog to bring to back to reality okay? I am going to toddle downstairs and go and get my file, so I can type out my diet for you people. I have been asked a lot what this diet is all about, so I will do that, unfun as it is. :)

So bored I could just scream... Oh wait I just did :)

I was in such a foul mood tonight :( poor Gerhard had to bear the brunt of it, I didn't feel like exercise, I think it stems from the fact that I'm bored, after 6 weeks of doing the same exercises over and over again... I need constant change and stimulation, I'm like a 6 year old... And I feel like throwing a temper tantrum and kicking and screaming and saying I don't wanna :) is it too hard to want a little variety in my exercise? Switch it up, let's do dancing or aerobics or something fun, like zumba? Or am I supposed to just put my head down and be bored and miserable?
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20 cm and 2.8 kilo loss this week :) and a total loss of 13 kgs so far :) I accredit it to an hour and half very strenuous exercise last night... I'm very happy. Belinda and I are starting afresh this week, like we were starting at the very beginning :) and now we are doing personal training 5 days a week phew so should lose a lot next week :)
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Oh dear

I'm so sore, stiff and exhausted I feel like bursting into tears, stomping my foot and refusing to leave my bed... Not that I'm in bed, but you get the idea... I ache all over... I really really really Really don't want to exercise tonight... Why am I doing this again? I haven't been writing down what I've been eating either and I'm so scared of trevor I know I've disappointed him and let him down... I seem to always self sabotage. I don't know why? But even with all the complements and well wishes I've been getting I am about a hair breadth away from quitting...
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Wow

Very proud of myself my fitness level this week has noticeably improved ;) I went for about a 2 and a half km walk on tuesday from hyundai in diep river main road to my friends house in bergvliet near the engen on ladies mile road :) also just left gym now I am really enjoying muay thai but its tiring :) I even jogged a little on the treadmill :) my eating hasn't been so good this week :( but I'm going to up my water and try be good thursday and fri :) but if I get one thing out of this its a better frame of mind towards exercise :) and when I walked in today everyone said I looked thinner/ smaller... go me!
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Weightloss

'm 10.2 down in total this week lost 2kgs and 33cm in total :) yippee well done me
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sorry sorry sorry

I know its been awhile... I forget about this blog.. I must admit I am enjoying the exercise more... not going there, I am still dragging my heels, but once I'm there I do enjoy it.. On Wednesday we had a new trainer, Shiraz.. and I enjoyed what we did with him. It was a short session, but he packed a lot into it. I also think cos my knee was feeling a bit better and I am a bit fitter it was a bit easier. Though I did get a little light headed towards the end of the session. Diet is still very hard. I am trying to stick to it.. but I suck at forward planning.. and I have been busy.. but still I know its working. A friend of mine Kate popped in today, I havent seen her in quite a while, and she said she could notice a big difference in me. I am feeling a lot more confident about myself as well... But I know there is still a long long road ahead, so small baby steps... this is a lifestyle change not just a competition. :) Forgive me if I dont update this blog everyday... Life gets busy. If you know me, drop me a line and remind me, like my lovely aunt did. Love you Aunty Carol... xxx

Bad maths

Okay so my addition is awful... :) I've lost 8.2 in total :) which is on track but now I have to pick it up, do more low days :) and more cardio ans exercise in between :)
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Uh oh

So what do I listen to... Everyone is telling me that a 1 kg to 2 kg loss a week is good and to lose more is not healthy or maintainable... So when I lost 1.4kg's this week I thought ok its in range. Then I overhear Trevor say its not good enough. He hasn't said that to me yet, but hey... I don't know... I'm down now in total almost 8 kgs, 7.8 to be precise... So in 4 weeks I think that's pretty good, but will try pick it up next week :)
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Error error error

My body is malfunctioning, its giving up and I'm only a third of the way through the program... My body is probably think WTF??? I don't think its ever done so much exercise... Ever :) my knee has collapsed under me. So I strapped it up and mainly did upper body tonight. :) weigh in tomorrow morning watch this space :)
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sorry sorry sorry

I know its late, but Ive had a busy weekend. Weighin was on Saturday, :( I only lost 0.7kgs... pissed off with myself and my efforts. Feeling very down and despondent. Exercise today was hard, I felt like I was going to pass out several times. Trevor had a talk to me before the exercise, and He said at this stage it is normal to feel demotivated, but I must just perservere. He was very sweet and he said he was proud of me, but I'm not proud of me. Everyone keeps telling me I am doing really well. 6.7kgs in 4 weeks. But I don't think so. I think its sucky, I think compared to the 120 kilos I have to lose its a freaking drop in the ocean. I am so stressed and feeling so down, I don't know what to do with myself. I feel like such a loser, and not in a good way. My inability to get another job, the fact that I am not wanted at my current (soon to be ending) job, and the fact that the weight is trickling off me and not pouring off me is all contributing. Not to mention the fact that I can't pay my bills and I have to ask my dad to help me, but he's in a bad mood because the cat wee'd on his bed and he's taking it out on me, shouting at me about stuff thats not even related, and all I really need is a hug. I miss my mom so badly at times like this. This is probably the hardest thing I'll ever do in my whole life, and I am really struggling with it. All I really want to do is to crawl into bed and surface 4 months later. I such wonderful friends, and supportive people around me, and I really want to be strong and show them I can do it, but inside I feel like a little girl, who just wants her mommy to kiss and make it all better. But sadly that can never happen again. Why is it so freaking hard? Why can't I just invent a pill which will make the kilos fall off, then I'll be thin and a multi millionaire. :) Anyway, I think I'm just tired, off to bed. Sorry for the morose post. I'll try be better tomorrow.
xxx
Candy

Horrible day

I had such a horrible day today... Was very down and despondent... But I managed 45mins of cardio and about 30 mins weight training :) weigh in tomorrow... I don't know how well I did I had one or two minor slip ups during the week... And its also my menses so apparently you can even go up during that time due to water retension... Wish me luck
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Amazing

I just realised fat people, or more specifically obese people have a different terminology to thin people. I am sitting in the procedure room at my doctors office waiting to get a skin tag seen to, and thinking about earlier. My boss Jenni, upon me telling her I needed to go have my skin tag seen to, promptly replies "what's a skin tag?" If you don't know a skin tag is an annoying little tag of skin, like a mole but smaller made up of skin, it has its own blood supply and nerve endings and is quite flappy, I think it is from when skin rubs against fabric or stuff? I'm not sure, but they are viewed as a precursor to diabetes... I had one burnt off with liquid nitrogen a week or so ago, but it didn't really come off properly and is bloody sore, and I think its infected, so I am here waiting to be seen to while I listen to a man who fell down a flight of stairs and a woman with asthma and another sick lady... And a few other people.. Keep your germy germs away from me... Euwww :)
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Temptation

I am having serious issues with temptation, yesterday we made cupcakes with the kids and today we made chocolate rice krispie treats, and then I have nicky shoving his cupcake in my face and saying have this I don't want it anymore... And is it cheating if I lick the spoon?? You can't blame me 4 weeks without chocolate is criminal. Though my tastebuds have changed, I could definately taste the butter, its like an oil slick on my tongue :( bleurgh.... So only one lick... I know, I'll do extra cardio tonight :)
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Sorry its late

Sorry this update is late, I have been so busy, been up at 730 every morning, the latest thing is I went to go and see a holistic doctor, who I saw in 2001 when I saw him 9 years ago I lost about 20 kilos in 2 months, so I went see him, he analysed me, and then asked me to go for a few fasting blood tests the following morning to check my glucose, insulin and cholesterol levels. My glucose and cholesterol levels were fine but my insulin levels were sky high, my insulin was supposed to be between 1 and 9 and it was 28.8 apparently a hair level away from diabetes. I am also so very very very stressed, he says its affecting my weightloss and slowing it down so He has given me a whole lot of vitamins, and holistic supplements in order to speed up my metabolism, and thyroid and reduce stress, detox my liver and generally sort out my body. its a hectic regime of pills and foul tasting drops. I hope it works, I have a lot of faith in it. I did muay thai again tonight, I really really enjoy it, I think I might even take it up as a hobby after this competition ends :) anyway, I am off to go and take some supplements and go to bed. Night all :)
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Uh oh

Weekend social life is hell for my diet :( saturday I had my weigh in then we walked up a long hill and then across and down :) I didn't keep up with the group, but kate stuck with me and I managed a lot more than I could two weeks ago :) then I went to tea with friends, I took a tuna and fat free cottage cheese dip with cucumber sticks but I did have a slice of bacon and spinach quiche, which was so yummy and so illegal, so that was cheat number one, then I went to my friends engagement party, and as it was supper time I brought chicken and biltong with, and I had crudites :) what I have noticed is I am really enjoying the flavour of food, for example I used to hate tomatoes, bow I relish the taste :) then sunday, I went to my friend julies house, and she made me tuna salad for lunch which was really good :) then I went to beluga, for father's day, I couldn't resist, sushi is like my absolute favourite, and my dad, sister and her boyfriend Paul were all eating sushi, so I had a couple of salmon roses :) for my main I had seared tuna on a bed of green beans :) it was really yummy. Today I am screwed though, today is my first low day ever, basically only protein, protein for breakfast, and protein lettuce and cucumber for lunch and supper, I see hunger in my future :) wish me luck I'm off to the biokinetisist to do my discovery health assessment :)
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Weigh in

Ding ding ding, reporting live from body future, :) I am pleased to report I've lost another 3 kilos which is 6 in total :) woohoooooo! Go me! Okay we have to go walk now :) ciao
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Torture of the cruelest kind...

So I took the kids to the spur and everything was fine, I had a grilled chicken burger without the bun and a salad... And now I am sitting watching the one eat chocolate mousse and the other ice-cream... Dear lord help me be strong, I smsed Kate and she told me to think of bikinis and summer, it seems so far away... But I must just try to remember how far I've come.... Fooking hell, this is hard, specially when you have a 5 year old saying I don't want anymore you have it :)
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owwwww

My knees have been sore the last two days, but this morning I woke up and they were agony.. I am walking around like a badly preserved geriatric.. I think I am going to go to clicks and see if I can't beg bribe or steal some anti-inflamatories.. (spelling :( ) Anyhoo... I thought I would just add this quickly.. wish me luck.. xoxoxoxo

Bugger bugger bugger

I am so mad with myself... I was doing so well, and yesterday I went off the rails... Okay not hugely like devouring takeaway and chocolates... but I did steal some of Nicholas's fries, and I went out to eat with my dad and had prawns (which are allowed) just not as many as I had... :( and it is reflected in my ketosis reading this morning. Basically Ketosis is the sign that your body is burning its own fat rather than fat you are bringing into your body. Therefore, the fat of the fries, and more than likely on the prawns as they were from a restaurant and even though I asked for them to be grilled in lemon and no butter, chances are they didnt listen to me.. :) and Now my ketosis reading has gone from 0.8 yesterday, to 0.05 today... :( So I am going to be really really good today... and try my hardest to stick to my diet... and we'll see... especially because weigh in is tomorrow.. eep.. I hope I havent fucked it up... But I can't beat myself up, I must just move forward... plus side is I am wearing a jacket today that 4 weeks ago fitted, but was tight around the back when I pulled my arms forward and didnt zip up and today, it doesnt pull and zips up with some room to spare... :) I love it when you can see progress...

Brrrrrrrrrr

I'm bloody cold, this weightloss thing has its downside... Less fat to keep me warm :) hmmmm I'll take it :) also the cold seems to be making me hungry all the time, I can't wait till lunch, I've already devoured my snacks, I don't even remember chewing, because I think I inhaled them :) only kidding. Pinnochio was fun, now I am sitting at a ply place watching nicky run around as a fireman. This is my first post from my blackberry so we'll see how it goes :)
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Thursday - woohooo

Week is almost over.. which mean I am a few days closer to weigh in... I hope I've lost a lot... I have jumped up a level in ketosis.. So hopefully that means good things for my weightloss... burn baby burn... I forgot to talk about the doctor yesterday.. I went to see him, and he congratulated me on my weight loss.. and He prescibed something call orlistat, which grabs the fat in your stomach and bind it together so that it can't be absorbed... I have decided to hold off filling out the prescription, because A - its bloody expensive.. and I'm broke.. [If any of you want to sponsor me I won't say no :)] and B - I want to wait and see if I really need it... Anyoo... I have to run... I am taking the kids I look after to see pinnochio at the theatre.. which should be cute :)

Wednesday woke up feeling guilty

Today (Wednesday) (Yes I realise I am writing this on Thursday- give me a break) :)was a public holiday, and I woke up at 9:30am, and as it felt like a Saturday, I had this huge feeling of guilt, like I should be at the gym doing assessment and exercise... my body would have hated me though. I am so stiff and sore, I am walking like an old person... I think I didn't stretch very well after my exercise on Tuesday.. Hence the fact that I am sore... and I look like a turtle on its back trying to get up off the couch. Today was a high day!!!!! I had oats and milk for breakfast... it was sooooooooooooooooooooo good... you miss carbs when you don't have them. Hello my name is Candice and I am addicted to Carbohydrates... :) Anyway, the rest of the day was ok... I went for a job interview.. It was all the way in Durbanville and I got lost, only to find out, its some dodgy sales position, that gave me a bad vibe... so still jobless... starting to get a bit desperate now, work ends in a week and a half, and with R180 in my bank account and no savings... I is are screwed... :( but on the bright side, when I look at myself in the mirror I can totally see the difference in my shape... especially my thighs... anyhoo... thats it for Wednesday... Oh still in Ketosis.. yippee...

Another Medium low day.... crap

First thing i did this morning was I called the doctor... I chatted to Kate and Verna and Belinda during our weigh in on Saturday, and they said there was nothing wrong getting some medication to help with the weightloss as long as it wasn't an appetite suppressant. I'm not sure what the medication was he wanted to put me on, so I want to go and talk to him about it. Oh and I'm still in Ketosis :) yeah!!! so thats me till now.. :)

Monday... first medium low day ever

Wow... a hard boiled egg for breakfast and thats it... crap... I thought I would be starving.. but it actually wasnt that bad... I have protein powder from the health food store and that sprinkled on top of my snacks keeps me fuller for longer... I am still in Ketosis, though a level lower... This was a hard day.. I went to gym to exercise, I did 10 minutes on the bicycle and 20 on the treadmill. I am definately getting fitter... I popped in to see Chris and Michelle at the Tennis Club, where they are hosting a holiday club. I then went shopping, and went home.. Had lunch... and then went to work... after work, I had my usual exercise session. It was really fun. HARD but fun.. we started off with 10 or 15 minutes of cardio (cant remember).. my Legs were dying.. then we ran up the stairs (yes I complained.. and no Kate didn't listen) Then we did some core exercises... I noticed my sit ups were a lot higher than I was previously able to do... Even Kate noticed.. so not just my imagination. Then we went on to do some Muay Thai... I'm not sure if thats the right spelling. Basically we were learning to box. Jab and punch, one, two and one, two, three, four... Short sharp bursts of energy.. I really enjoyed it.. and I think I did pretty well..
I came home to find sam and dad having soup and toast.. I really REALLY felt like soup and toast.. its so freaking cold at the moment.. instead I had lentils and mushrooms on spinach.. it wasnt the same.. nice but not the same.. Sam shouted at me about my lack of will power because I asked her not to keep koeksisters in the fridge with my diet food, and I burst into tears. I don't know why I was so sensitive. But she apologised.. and this morning sent me a lovely message saying " I feel really kuk about yesterday, u r doing so well and r showing mor self control than I have in my pinky! I'm sorry although I can imagine, I have no idea what u r going through Mom must be so proud of u, do it for yourself and do it for her!!! have a grapefrut they r delicious, Have a good day! xxxx"
I nearly cried again... my sister and I have never really had the best relationship and that was totally out of character for her.. but it came from the heart and it means a lot to me.

Sunday... can't really remember...

hmmmmmmmm What happened on Sunday... hang on let me go get my food diary and check... Sunday was the first day I checked for Ketosis.. I have to pee after waking up, then 10 minutes later I have to strain to get a few drops onto a stick... Yes I am peeing on a stick... :) and no I am not pregnant... I was in Ketosis... I'm not supposed to be because I have been doing all high days.. but it is a good thing I am.. anyway, I went to my cousins house to watch him open his pressies, then I went to meet my good friend Melanie for coffee, which turned out to be sprite zero and lunch, which was a grilled chicken breast, baked potato and salad... It was delicious. Then I came home, and for supper I made chicken and mushroom soup... basically i put the chicken and mushrooms into water, added a little chicken stock powder for flavour and had that :) it was actually quite yummy. My water intake was very low though. I went to bed very early... 8pm and slept a full 12 hours... my body obviously needed it...

Saturday... weigh in day... eep

Saturday was weigh in day... so I arrived at body future at 830, Kate didnt have keys, but she got the neighbouring shopkeeper to let us in while waiting for trevor to arrive. When the others arrived, Kate and I were locked inside, and they were locked out. Anyway, Trevor arrived after a little while and we could start our assessment. My weight went from 201.6 to 198.4 which is a drop of 3.2kgs in 2 weeks. my measurements to start with were: Bicep 53cm; Chest: 157cm; Waist: 144cm; Abdomen: 153cm; Hips upper: 174cm; Hips Lower: 168cm; Thigh: 90cm; Calf: 63cm and two weeks later the measurements are Bicep 53cm; Chest: 152cm; Waist: 140cm; Abdomen: 151cm; Hips upper: 169cm; Hips Lower: 162cm; Thigh: 90cm; Calf: 62cm! A total loss of 20 cm's Yippee....
We were supposed to go for a walk, but we were waiting for Jerry and Trevor so long, that I just started walking on the treadmill, everyone followed suit, and eventually we just ended up doing 25 minutes of cardio in the studio... It was flipping cold outside anyway... Then I went shopping... I had a Murder Mystery Dinner party that night. My menu was for starters Ceaser salad ( I only had the lettuce), Grilled Hake with a baked potato and roast vegetables ( I just had fish and spinach) and pudding was berry crumble ( I just had berries). The party was so much fun... I had a blast... evryone really got into character... I love my friends they are so awesome.

Friday.. better late than never... :)

Friday was a very challenging day... Fun, and excellent... but diet wise very challenging. I had the day off from work due to the soccer world cup opening match. I met up with friends of mine, Chris and Michelle, and a mutual friend, Paul and a few others, some being from America. We met at 9am, and then went wine tasting. I had a sip and then gave my wine to other people. Then we went to the tennis club to watch the opening match. There was chips and dips everywhere, and nachos with guacamole and salsa, and borewors rolls. I wanted to say several bad swear words... I was pretty good, on the whole, I resisted everything, except I had one or two vegetable crisps, and I tasted some vension borewors... but I ate my sweet potato and green beans and venison steak. It was yummy. We then went on to Chris and Michelles house to have a potjie... It was again vension... I helped make the potjie, so I knew what went in it. I had brought some spinach along, to have instead of the rice... I picked out the meat, left the potatoes and had that over the spinach... it was yummy... I left the party early.. ok 11pm, but early for me... because I had exercise at 830 the next morning... :) And that was friday...

Thursday... crap

Ok, so due to the fffffing soccer world cup, and the fact that everyone wanted to watch it, we moved out exercise from Friday to Thursday!! Can anyone say EEEK.. I complained so much.. Poor Trevor and Kate, luckily they took it in good graces. I was tired, and sore... and I really didn't feel like exercising... I wanted a nice warm bowl of butternut soup (I cant have any on my diet) and to curl up in bed.. ok a chocolate wouldn't hurt either... And Damn it was hard to resist those tomato big corn bites on sale, right at the till, when I stopped to get spinach and green beans to go with my supper. It didn't help that I was feeling fragile and a little down, due to the lack of job situation looming on the horizon.. so I comforted myself with a nice cup of rooibos tea, with a dash of skim milk and sweetners.. Yummmm, ok not really but it was warm... :) I also prepared my food for today (Friday) Today is going to be a bitch... I am spending the day with my friends... They are going wine tasting, then we are going to watch the opening ceremony with borewors rolls, nachos and tequila, and then going to their house for poitjie... Can you say FUCK!!! Talk about putting temptation in your way.. But its ok, I have my eye on the prize.. I am wearing a top that is two sizes smaller than I normally wear, and I have squeezed myself into a pair of stockings that are also 2 sizes smaller than I normally wear... I do look a bit like a sausage.. but it fits :D so fi I am wearing clothes that are two sizes smaller, I just keep imagining that I have lost at least 5 kilos... We will find out on Saturday... keep your fingers crossed... :)


OH and I almost forgot... I am famous today.. my picture and write up about the competition was in the newspaper today.. :) very excited.. will try post the pics up when I figure out how to do that.. :)

Wednesday, better late than never...

Sorry this post is so late.. I've been busy :) Wednesday was both a very hard day, and a great day all rolled into one... The very hard part was that it was school holidays, or the end of school, and I had promised to take the kids I am looking after to macdonalds. I went to woolworths before I fetched them and bought a salad, and some chicken, so at least I was prepared. It was so very hard, especially when you have a five year old pushing his chips in your face going "you eat them, I'm full" I resisted. It was so hard, but I had my salad and chicken and watched them. Then because I had started work early I finished at 4, I went shopping and then at 5 went to the gym. The session normally starts at 6, so I did 45 minutes of cardio before hand, then the session went over by 15 minutes, so in total, I did 2 hours of Exercise... but thats not the best bit... When I arrived at the gym I weighed myself.. because obviously the scale at my house doesnt go anywhere near 200, it stops at 150 then goes, error error, get off you fattie... ok I adlibed that last part :)
anyway, so I weighed myself, and I was 198.5 which means, since monday I had lost 2 kilo's :) and since the start I had lost 3 :) I am so excited for Saturday, which is when we do our offical weighing and measuring :)

Is it possible for arms to fall off???

Wow, last night's work out was amazing... I kept up!!!! Very very proud of myself... We did a little cardio, then a circuit of arms, biceps, triceps, and the muscle on top of your shoulder... ummmmmmm nope drawing a blank.... anyway after the burning pain, we did some floor stomach exercises, and I am getting fitter, it was a little easier this time, then we did another arm burning/falling off circuit, and some bike to finish off... Yippee!!!! and on a really really amazing note. I LOST A KILO.... Very very chuffed... obviously I would have like to have lost more.. but for not dieting and only upping my exercise, I think thats a brilliant start. Diet is going well, I can't believe how quickly my body has gotten used to eating breakfast within an hour of getting up, I woke up and let the maid in, and warm bed was calling so I crawled back in for another hours snooze... but after about 40 minutes, my stomach was complaining so much, luckily I had thrown a block of cheese in my bag, so I took a bite, and a glass of water... and then went back to bed... but it didn't last very long, as one of my good friends phoned and woke me up... so I got out of my warm bed, got dressed for exercise and came upstairs... and here we are..
I also cleaned out one of our fridges yesterday, and stocked in with my specific diet food and snacks... so I am not tempted by other stuff... :)
Go team Candy....
I also just wanted to say, all my friend have been so SO SO amazingly supportive, I really feel loved and encouraged!

start of the proper diet!!!

Eeeek!!! imagine ominous music playing... dah dah dah!!! :) I was supposed to wake up bright and early this morning and go and do water aerobics... but as I was up till after one last night working on my folder for today, I decided to sleep in. I woke up, threw my vitamins down my throat and came upstairs. I looked at my file for what to eat on my diet. 1 protein, 1 fruit OR Grain and 1 beverage.. so I am having 1 scrambled egg, with water and cooked in spray and cook, and 2 provitas.. it was the lowest carb count... :) suprisingly tasty... :) My friend Amber is coming over soon, so I am just going to go to the gym and do some cardio for half and hour just before work... and tomorrow I will do the full 2 hours :) This weekend was really good, it was my last 'cheat' day yesterday, and I was so good, I resisted buying tomato big corn bites at the shop.. those are my absolute favourite, and they were on sale.. and I said no.. I nearly cried when I did, but I walked away... I had steak and baked potato for lunch, I bought a cheap cut of steak, that had a bone and some fat along the outside... I trimmed the steak down so it was roughly the size of my palm and i had cut all the fat away, I gave that to Buddy my dog... :) he was very grateful. I also threw in some sweetcorn from the freezer to have that veggie element. Then for supper I had some butternut soup, which I forgot on the stove and the bottom scorched really badly, but I was able to save it, by just scooping the top veggies into a blender and adding, some water, a little stock powder and some milk (protein) and blending... it was very yummy... So I think for a cheat day it wasn't so bad...
I am really excited, my first weigh - in is today... I hope I have lost some weight. I think I can see a difference in my body, but when you're the size of a small baby elephant, its difficult to tell ;) I am feeling a lot more confident and self aware... I even met a boy for movies and coffee yesterday. My first 'date' since I was 15 :) so things are looking up...
Anyway.. I have to pop down to the shops.. my fridge is sadly very bare, and I need lettuce and cucumber and veggies and fat free milk and a whole bunch of stuff for lunch and supper...
toodles for now..

saturday walk

I went for a walk today, up the leafy roads of newlands, i was puffing and panting a bit, but i did it. :) though I hope it gets easier because I wanting to give up, but thats the lazy me talking, its like the devil, deep inside going "this is boring, sitting infront of the tv eating chocolate is much more fun!" you just got to tell that devil to shut up and ignore its whining, while you stride up the street. I also chose the healthy option at lunch, grilled fish, with veggies and salad and water.. yummo... its also a lot cheaper than anything else I would have had.. :)

2nd Exercise session

Whew... This one was easier than the last one, but it was still a hectic work out.. We cycled to start then took some photos, then we alternated doing hamstring and quad stretches, and - wait for it - RUNNING UP STAIRS!!! okay so I didnt really run up the stairs, it was more of a slow jog, but its a start... :) Kate was amazing, she ran up and down the stairs with me, encouraging me along the way... She is one of the facillitators at the gym and she is so cool.. when I have lost everything, she needs a prize to say thank you for encouraging me..
Then we did some floor exercises concentrating on our tummy muscles.. I know what my tummy muscles were saying, and nothing is repeatable in polite company :) (something along the lines of 'I am going to make you pay.. just you wait until tomorrow' yes my stomach muscles can talk, can't yours? :) then we did some calf stretches, I was complemented on my good underlying muscles.. YEAH ME!! which apparently will help the weight fall off... and then we finished with some stretches... :) I am pooped.. I came home and am going to have a tuna mayo salad with grapes.. previously I would have thought yuck, but after such a strenous work out, I need something light..
so yuck has changed to yum...
:)

photographic horror!!!

So I went shopping today, and couldnt resist buying a top that is 2 sizes smaller than I usually wear, and it fits!!!!! It's a little tight, ok a lot tight, but hey its something to work towards!!!!
Anyway about the title...
the newspaper for the competition is taking the photo tonight, so I've decided to tart myself up!!!
Currently dyeing my hair... and bought myself new clothes :)
So watch this space for the photos
:)
xxx C

I resisted!!!

Today I had to go and renew my drivers licence, as it had expired (oopsie) and then I popped into Picknpay hyper in ottery, to pick up a mop. I was very proud of myself when I resisted buying the chocolate at the counter, and I also resisted buying a cooldrink and instead bought some water. This is not normal Candy behaviour and I just wanted to say, I am very proud of me. I kept my 10 month picture in mind, and remembered that it would take a lot more than that difficult exercise session to get rid of a chocolate. So I came home and I am making myself some chicken, sweetcorn and noodle soup. Throw sliced raw chicken breast in a pot of boiling chicken stock, add a handful of penne noodles, and a tin of creamstyle sweetcorn, boil for 8 to 10 minutes, taste and adjust seasoning. Good for you, yummy and it ticks, carbs, protein and veg box. :) Go me!!!!

Day after first day of exercise...

Well my body can definately tell you that I exercised last night! :) I thought I had been to the gym and exercised before, so I would be ok, hell no! I clearly don't push myself hard enough, which is why this is so good. It started off with a 10 minute cycle on a seated bicycle. That was ok, I was coping, towards the end my inner thighs were burning just a little. Then we went on to do some warm up stretches. Lunges, and situps and thats when I nearly passed out. I felt so light headed, it wasnt even funny. I sat down, had some water and soon I was ready to go again, not really, what I was really ready to do was to crawl into bed... but I perservered, then we alternated, stepping with weights, and a pectoral chest push, and a machine that works your back muscles, and we did 20 reps of those times 2,after that we did some light stretches. Luckily I am so flexible, they were easy. and then, back on to the seated cycle for another 10 minutes. I woke up this morning with the best intentions, to go to gym and continue, but quite frankly, I think I am going to work up to it. I know I have a tendency to go gungho and run full force into everything and then lose momentum, I want to rather take it slowly. Therefore it will become habit, and stick as a lifestyle change.
Lets talk food, I dont remember if I had mentioned that this week I have to watch what I am eating and not go over board, but have 3 square meals a day, plus snacks. Last night I was so tired, there was no way I was going to cook supper, so I caved and we got nandos, I got a vitality meal, which I think is quite good, its a chicken breast, corn on the cob, and a large greek salad. I also had some of my sisters spinach. This morning I have been struggling to choke down my left over berry smoothie from yesterday, the granola has expanded in the liquid and is a totally gross texture... anyway... off to go and renew my licence, wish me luck, I hope the queue is not too mad...
xxx
C

Day one

So today is the day it all starts...
Last night I went for my first assessment, weigh-in and measurements... and dear God am I fat. :) But I'm getting ahead of myself, not everyone will know what really happened. See it all started about 4 months ago, when my sister said to me that I should enter this competition in the newspaper. It was for a weightloss competition. Skinny bitch that she is, :) only kidding Sam, I love you. Anyway, I didn't even really read the details of the competition, I simply emailed the requirements to them, and promptly forgot about it. A few weeks ago, I came across the entry form that I had cut out of the newspaper, the final date for notification, was actually the previous day. I hadn't heard anything from them, so I tore it up. I had the flu, so I was home sick in bed, when I got the call. It was the lady from the independent newspapers who told me that I had been shortlisted for the competition. Luckily I knew what she was talking about, because of the whole tearing up of the competition slip. :) I was very excited, but nervous. This was friday afternoon, and they wanted me to meet with the sponsors the very next day. I went to the interview, but I didn't learn ver much about the programme. It is with a gym called Body Future, the man is charge is Trevor Van Schalkwyk, a former Mr Universe. He knows his stuff. He was very friendly, and instantly put me at ease. Though when I left the interview, I really didn't know if I had got it.
I got the call when I was at work on Wednesday. It was the lady from the newspaper, before she had a chance to say anything, I said to her: "I hope you have good news for me?" She responded: "
Yes I do, Congratulations!" I was so excited I jumped up and down and squealed like a little four year old girl :)
Yesterday, being the 1st of the month, was the day when I met my competitors and found out exactly what was what.
Basically I am in a transition phase this week. I have to eat breakfast within an hour of waking up, have 3 square meals a day, plus snacks.
We are exercising 3 days a week, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and Saturday is assessment and a walk.
I am planning on going to gym the other days as well. :)

This morning I woke up to let the maid in, and remember about the eating thing. SO before going back to bed, [yes I know you all hate me right now :) ] I went upstairs and made myself a smoothie, with frozen mixed berries, milk and granola, and a little sweetner. I drank half of it, and left the other half for tomorrow.
I am going to go shopping now, and buy biltong(similar to beef jerky but much more tasty), and some raw nuts to snack on..
will post my measurements and weight and a pic for everyone to see, later...