Weigh In Wednesday! - Week 49 Weightloss Journey

Today is a new day...refresh, refresh, refresh!

Week: 49

  

Weight lost in 2 weeks:0.4 kg (0.88 pounds)

Starting Weight: 148.8 kg (328 pounds)

Current weight: 113.1 kg (249 pounds)

Total weightloss: 35.7 kg (78.7 pounds)

Thoughts on this year

I totally overindulged over Christmas!  Wine, chocolate, the lot!  I must say though that I didn't indulge as much as I would have the previous years.  If I have learnt anything this year it is balance and to dust yourself and move on.  You can't beat yourself up for making mistakes and tomorrow is a new day.  

If I didn't, those scales above would have told a completely different story!  I would have lost more weight in week 48 (sorry I didn't post, it was very busy leading up to Christmas) and put it back on but I didn't let it stop me getting back on track.  But I'm totally planning on having some wine tonight! ;)  It's all about balance!

I was so afraid to start this blog but it has been one of the best things that I have ever done!  I was so afraid of judgement and nasty comments but what I got was the complete opposite and I could not be more appreciative.  Thank you, thank you, thank you!  I know I always thank my followers but honestly I don't feel like I can thank you enough!

  I started this blog so that I could be accountable, I thought that if one person read this blog and I inspired just one person it would be completely worth it.  This year I have had so many of you supporting me and telling me I that I inspire you!  When you tell me that I inspire you, it truly blows me away!

I can't wait to achieve even more next year and have you all along for the ride!  If you want to start, DO IT NOW!  I will NEVER regret the day that I started and neither will you.  But you will regret every day that you don't try! 

Why lose tomorrow?

All the best!

Have fun tonight!

Love Mel xxoxx

My Thirty Kilo Weightloss! - What A Difference A Year Makes!

Starting Weight: 148.8 kg Current Weight: 113.5 kg Total Loss: 35.3 kg

What A Difference A Year Makes!

 When you look at your progress day to day it doesn't seem like much but when you take a step back and look how far you've come over a year, you can really see the impact.  When I started this blog and my weightloss journey, I was a completely different person and not just physically.  Reading my first entry (here), I realised just how much I've changed (look how unhappy I was in the first photo).  I just want to give past Mel a big hug and let her know it's all going to be okay.  I was in a really bad place when I started this blog and I am never going to feel like that again!

I was almost 150kgs! It was uncomfortable doing ANYTHING, even walking a few steps.  I was so low and self conscious about my weight I let it stop me from living and I was so afraid of ridicule and judgement that it stopped me walking out the front door!  I hated clothes shopping and would shop online to avoid embarrassment if the clothes didn't fit.  Now, I try to get outside and walk whenever I can!  I love being outside, even when I'm not well and I don't have a fear of the outside world and I no longer care what other people think of me, if they don't like me, f#$% em!  I've realised that it doesn't matter what you look like on the outside, it's all about how you feel about yourself on the inside.  It sounds cliché I know, but it's completely true and I never truly understood it until I went through it myself.  I love trying clothes on now as I can see how far I've come and I no longer have "chair anxiety" LOL.

Even after losing 35 kgs, I still have issues medically, even though I was told losing 6 kgs would be beneficial.  It's not going to stop me losing weight, I still have a long way to go.  When I started I was on Lite n' Easy but then specialists recommended I try gluten free, dairy free and now the Paleo diet.  My nutritionist/dietitian is now saying that I don't get enough calcium and I need to eat more carbs.  I've been told so many different things about my health, my diet and pulled in so many different directions that in the end I just have to decide what is best for me and what works.  I may be trying an elimination diet in the future, but for now I'll be sticking to Paleo and cutting out processed carbohydrates. 

I'd like to thank all of you that have joined me on this journey so far, for all your support and encouragement especially during the tough times.  If it wasn't for all your support, I would not be where I am today.  I look forward to smashing more goals with you next year!  

All the best for 2015! Love Mel xxoxx

Coastal Scents Revealed 2 Palette

It wouldn't be a weightloss progress post without a weightloss reward right?  Every 10 kgs I make sure to reward myself with something that isn't food.  When I started out, these rewards were incentives and they still are, but the weightloss is really it's own reward.  I still think it's important to celebrate the milestones in some form.

My reward is the Coastal Scents Revealed 2 Palette (it's currently 40% off) which is a dupe for the Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette.  I was wanting the Urban Decay one but considering how many palettes I have, I just couldn't bring myself to pay $80+ on eyeshadow, it just seems crazy to me now.  The Coastal Scents palette has similar colours and I don't have any other colours like them in my "collection".  The quality of the eyeshadows and the pigmentation is great, if you're considering this over the Urban Decay, I say do it! 

I know it's a little while away yet but I'm trying to think of something for my 50 kg loss!  Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated everyone!

Paleo "Rum" Balls

Mmmm Balls! ;)

Paleo "Rum" Balls

Okay, so there is no Rum in these balls BUT I dare you to try them before you disregard them.  The Cacao, Santanas and Spices make them taste of Christmas and almost like they Rum.  I had to make a second batch for Christmas because the first batch was demolished by the family!  Even those that love the original unhealthy version and aren't concerned about their diet. 

Ingredients

300 Grams of Dates (pitted)

300 Grams of Sultanas/Raisins

300 Grams of Raw Unsalted Cashews

2 Tablespoons of Pumpkin Pie Spice (Cinnamon, ginger, cloves and nutmeg)

5 Tablespoons of Coconut Oil 

6 Heaped Tablespoons of Cacao 

Coconut to roll balls in 

Makes

50 - 20 gram balls

I have a lot of people to cater for but you could easily divide this recipe

Method

Chop the dates into small pieces. Combine half the fruit and nuts in a food processor and gradually add the remaining fruit and nuts.  Add the spice, coconut oil and cacao.  This may take a few minutes but the ingredients will combine into soft dough.  Once all combined, roll into balls, roll in coconut or cacao and refrigerate for 2 hours.  Enjoy and Merry Christmas! :)

What a difference a year makes!

I just thought I'd share what I made for Christmas a year ago today.  Before I decided to lose weight and when I was 35 kgs heavier!  I can't believe the changes I've made over the year and how much happier I am for it. 

Christmas 2013 - Christmas 2014

Weigh In Wednesday! - Week 47 Weightloss Journey

See ya never again 35.3kgs!

Weightloss Week:47

Weight lost in 5 weeks: 3.1kg (6.83 pounds)

Starting Weight: 148.8kg (328 pounds)

Current weight: 113.5kg (250 pounds)

Total weightloss: 35.3kg (77.82 pounds)

Thoughts on the last few weeks...

 I'm not going to lie and sugarcoat a shit... it's been tough!  I go through stages where my symptoms aren't as severe and then back to the really challenging stages where I feel like death.  The last few weeks I've been really unwell and instead of blogging during this time, I usually take a break until I'm feeling okay again.  But I really shouldn't do this and I should be blogging all the time, even on the sugarless shit days! 

Today is one of the challenging days.  I feel like someone has kicked me in the guts, I've been nauseous all day and anti-nausea medication doesn't help.  I'm exhausted, my whole body aches and feels weak.  I feel unbalanced when I walk and get constant vertigo.  Plus I've taken my daily dose of Aspro Clear due to a migraine this morning.  I don't want to sound like I'm complaining but I just want to explain what my situation is like and perhaps you can appreciate why I'm away from this blog for periods of time.  I will try my hardest not to do this from now on.

   

Goals for next week

Now, getting back to something more positive...I've now lost over 35kgs!  I still almost can't believe it!  If I can lose 35kgs in a year, just think of what I can do next year!  My goal for next week..."just keep swimming" ;)

OMG Dessert! - Weight Loss Journey Week 43 - Day 3

Week 43
Day 3 - Friday
15/11/2014

OMG Dessert!

Lemon water to start the day

I've been trying really hard to drink more water lately, so I try to come up with ways to bring it into my daily routine.  In the evening I slice up a lemon, fill the bottle with water (this one has a built in infuser) and leave it in the fridge overnight.  This gives the lemon plenty of time to flavour the water. 

I try to drink a glass every morning before any food or other drinks.  Drinking water first thing in the morning can speed up your metabolism and lemon water has loads of healthy benefits.

Will it blend? Yes, will it taste good though?

Breakfast: Smoothie...will it blend?

Needing to use up some fruit I thought I would just throw this into the blender and see what I'd get.  I don't usually gamble with my smoothies but I couldn't be bothered researching a recipe (super lazy).

Apple, pear, spinach, avocado and chia

I added two apples, a pear, half an avocado, some spinach from the garden and some chia seeds.  It was okay but not the best smoothie I've had.  I definitely like the Green Monster Smoothie better.

Who needs Patties anyway? Pffft

Lunch: Failed Turkey Patties Salad :)

Thinking I'd be prepared today I thought I'd make turkey patties with steamed vegetables on the side...let's just say I forgot about the most essential part of the patty, binding.  That's right, being Paleo I forgot that I can't use flour, I did add an egg but that didn't turn out.  So, I ended up with turkey mince and steamed veggies with salad.  Shhh... don't tell anyone!

Stuff them, so they can stuff you! :)

Dinner: Turkey Stuffed Capsicums
Recipe HERE

At least these turned out lovely! ;)  I kept half the turkey mince from lunch and made these delicious stuffed capsicums.  They were pretty yummy and quick to make.
   
PS - Thanks sis for the idea! <3

Will you DATE me? NANA :P

Dessert: Date Me Banana Pudding
Recipe HERE

I really didn't feel like I'd eaten enough today, especially after my walk in the afternoon.  I was still quite hungry after dinner and I really wasn't sure what to have.  I thought that yummy desserts were a thing of the past due to Paleo, but I was wrong. 

I searched for quick Paleo recipes and found this recipe.  I didn't have all the ingredients and wanted to add some of my own, so I thought I'd give it a try.  I'm so glad I did!  It was so delicious!  It was sweet, spicy and to me it tasted like a full-fat banana and date muffin!  The texture was a little soft but that didn't stop me from demolishing it!  Definitely making that again! It's so quick too!

The puns shall never end.  Pffft FIGures :P
(Image from www.kappit.com)

Polar FT4 Heart Rate Monitor

Exercise: Walking
49 Minutes, 502 Calories Burned
Glasses of water: 8

I walked further today than yesterday but I burned more calories today, yay!  I know that I won't be able to push myself everyday so I appreciate the days that I can.

Sunset porn for you ;)

Date Me Banana Pudding

Oh, yeah!

Date Me Banana Pudding

It takes 2-3 minutes and it's super delicious, trust me!

Ingredients

1 Banana

4 Dates, pitted, chopped

3 Rounded Tablespoons of Almond Meal

1 Tablespoon of Honey

1 Teaspoon Mixed Spice

1 Tablespoon of Coconut Oil

Method

Mash the Banana in a microwave safe bowl/mug.   Add the remaining ingredients and combine.  Microwave for approximately 2-3 minutes.  Mine took 3 minutes (1200 watt). 

*This recipe was adapted from a recipe by Delighted Momma

Turkey Stuffed Capsicums

Yummy!

Turkey Stuffed Capsicums

(Or use it with Savoury Beef Mince, recipe here)

The great thing about this is that you can fill it with whatever ingredients you like! Go on, get creative ;)

Ingredients

2 Capsicums, sliced & seeds removed

250g Turkey mince

1/2 Onion, diced

1/2 Carrot, grated

1 Garlic clove, minced

1 Tablespoon Ginger, grated

1 Tablespoons Basil, minced

1/2 Lemon, juice and zest

Salt, Pepper and Cayenne Pepper to taste

Method

Pre-heat the oven to 180°C.  Heat some Olive Oil (or your oil of choice) in a fry pan, add the Garlic, Ginger and Onions until soft.  Add the remaining ingredients and heat until cooked through, stiring occasionally. 

Slice your Capsicums and remove the seeds. I sliced mine through the middle, you can just slice the top and remove the seeds.  Stuff the Turkey mince in the Capsicums and place in a casserole dish sprayed with Olive Oil.  I left the lid on so that the mince wouldn't dry out.  However, I'm sure that it would be fine on a baking tray.  Bake for approximately 30 minutes.  Enjoy :)

For The Sunset - Weight Loss Journey Week 43 - Day 2

Week 43
Day 2 - Thursday
13/11/2014

For The Sunset

Okay, so maybe I like a little Parsley...

Breakfast: Green Monster Smoothie
(Kale, Almond/Coconut Milk, Frozen Banana, Apple and Parsley)
Recipe on The Kitchy Kitchen.com HERE (The recipe is enough for two smoothies)

Going Green for breakfast today I decided to try the Green Monster Smoothie.  I was a little unsure about this recipe due to the Parsley in it but I thought I'd give it a go...Outcome? I enjoyed it :)  I didn't find it too fruity sweet or too "Green" tasting, it was a good balance of the two.  I didn't have Coconut Almond Milk that the recipe calls for, so I used Coconut Water instead.

Salad can be yummy, who knew?

Lunch: Sweet Potato and Bacon Salad with Guacamole
(Guacamole Recipe HERE)

I've said it before, I like to be prepared for dinner ahead of time because that is when I'm at my laziest.  Today I heated up some Garlic, Onion, Bacon, Sweet Potato (thin slices), Tomato and Capsicum in a pan.  I used half of it for the Salad and the other half for dinner.  

I know it's hot outside, but the thought of eating raw Salad every day just doesn't excite me.  So I find having a warm Salad or cooking up some of the ingredients makes it a little more enticing for me. With the forces Bacon, Egg, Onion and Guacamole combined, this Salad was delish!

Eating my greens

Afternoon Snack: Guacamole and Carrot Sticks

Not the most original snack in the world, I know, but I'm only just getting used to cutting out carbs.  It's really hard to think of snacks without having processed carbs like Breads or Crackers etc.  I don't want to have fruit for snacks either as I don't want to have too much fruit each day.  

You've got time for this!

Dinner: Lazy Frittata
Recipe HERE

I thought I'd have a Frittata tonight using the left over ingredients from lunch, but I didn't expect it to turn out this well or be so delicious (if I do say so myself).  It actually looked like a Pizza and smelled amazing too.  

I felt like I'd cheated the system a little because I didn't need to flip the Egg over in the pan or brown it in the oven (ain't nobody got time for that), that is where the "lazy" Frittata came from.  

Glasses of water: 7

Polar FT4 Heart Rate Monitor

Exercise: Walking (Brisk)

49 Minutes, 523 Calories Burned

Those of you that have followed me for some time (thank you) know that I love Dancing.  I used to Dance at home as it's fun and no one had to see me do it!  I never understood the point of walking as exercise and if I was really honest with myself, it was because I didn't want people to see me exercising.  

Because of my weight I was very conscious of my appearance, how other people viewed me and the thought of people seeing me all red faced and sweaty was enough to scare me off public exercising completely.  

BUT then something changed it all.  I got really ill and couldn't do much else other than lie in bed.  I had chest pain, muscle weakness, vertigo and the smallest steps would leave me out of breath and feeling like I was going to black out.  

I was in and out of hospital and I longed to be out of those four walls and the four walls of my bedroom.  I missed the outside world so much and I swore to myself that when I was well again I wouldn't take it for granted.  So it was a blessing in disguise you could say.

Everyday I'm rewarded with this beautiful view!

 Everyday I try to keep that promise to myself.  I no longer care who sees me exercising and I actually really like it when I end up a red faced sweaty mess because, to me, it means that I've had a great workout.  I like to go in the late afternoon because it's not as hot, I wont get burnt and I get the chance to see the sunset.  

Everyday I take a moment to myself and appreciate the sunset, the view and the world around me, how beautiful it is and how lucky I am that I get to enjoy it.

Lazy Frittata - Paleo Recipe

So lazy, yet so delicious

Lazy Frittata

The great thing about this is that you can fill it with whatever ingredients you like! Go on, get creative ;)

Ingredients

4 Eggs

1 Garlic clove, dice/minced

1/2 Onion, diced

1 Rasher of Bacon, diced

1 Tomato, diced

1/2 Cup Spinach or Kale 

1/4 Capsicum, diced 

A few thin slices of Sweet Potato

Salt, Pepper and Cayenne Pepper to taste

Method

Heat some Olive Oil in a fry pan, add the Garlic, Onions and Bacon until cooked.  Add the remaining ingredients and heat until cooked through, stiring occasionally. 

In a bowl whisk the Eggs for a few minutes (makes them fluffier) then add the Salt, Pepper and Cayenne Pepper.  Pour the Egg mixture over the other ingredients in the pan. 

Now, usually with Frittata you cook the base and then brown it in the oven but I'm too lazy for that shiz!  I decided to keep it on a low heat and cover it with a lid.  I checked on it about 10 minutes later and the egg was fully cooked through on the top and the Egg started bubbling up, it was ready.  I grabbed a plate and flipped it over, done! It was delicious! 

Bugger this double cooking or flipping it over when it has a 40% chance of working, am I right? ;)

A New Way Of Eating - Weight Loss Journey Week 43 - Day 1

Week 43
Day 1 - Wednesday
12/11/2014

A New Way Of Eating

Under the recommendation from my Neurosurgeon,  I have started the Paleo diet. The Paleo (Paleolithic) diet, also known as the Caveman diet as it eliminates modern/processed foods.  I was never interested in it as I thought it was just another fad diet.  However, the more I think about it, the more it makes sense to me.  I think of it rather as "clean" eating or getting back to basics. 

It hasn't been much of a stretch for me as for the last few months I've removed Gluten and Dairy from my diet.  It does take time to get use to not having Cereal or Bread for breakfast (especially after being on Lite n' Easy) but I enjoy the challenge of finding new ways of eating so that it's exciting.  Who wants to be on a boring diet?  So, as always, I'm going to share it with you all, my experiences, thoughts, feelings and recipes during it all.  Hopefully you will get something out of it too! 

Paleo-NOOOOOO!

No more Peanut Butter! :(  Yes, that's right!  Peanuts are a legume and therefore not allowed on the Paleo diet.  If you know me or have read my blog, you will know that Peanut Butter is my favourite food EVER!  But for my health I am willing to sacrifice it.  Goodbye Peanut Butter, I love you <3

Mmmm Pancakes!

Breakfast: 2 Ingredient Banana Pancakes

Recipe HERE

Starting on Paleo I thought that having Pancakes would be a thing of the past, turns out I was wrong!  I try not to think about what I can't have and try to think about what I can do with the things I can have.

This recipe is just a Banana and Eggs, that's it!  They are surprisingly tasty and the Banana gives them a great sweetness.  I topped mine off with Honey, Walnuts and a little Strawberry from the garden :) YUM!

Leftovers never looked so good!

Lunch: Mustard Chicken and Guacamole Salad

 Guacamole Recipe HERE

I like to think ahead and be prepared as preparation is the key to success and it's also because I'm pretty lazy.  So I like to cook up extra Meat/ingredients at dinner and use it to create something for lunch.  Last nights dinner was a Chicken Stir-Fry, the sauce was a throw together that consisted of Garlic, Ginger, Lime, Lemon, Mustard, Honey and Cayenne Pepper, it turned out pretty tasty.  

For today's lunch I made up some Guacamole, threw together a Salad of Baby Spinach, Tomato, Carrot and Capsicum, topped it with heated leftover Chicken.  It was delicious! Who knew Salad could be tasty?

I have always hated the taste and consistency of Avocado but I've always enjoyed Guacamole.  Recently I went to a seminar about nutrition and Avocados kept coming up for their good fats and nutritious properties.  They are also frequently featured in the Paleo diet, so I knew that my long fight with Avocado would have to come to an end.  I don't think I will ever be able to eat chunks of it in Salad or use it like Butter but I'm trying to think of new ways to include this bland boy in my food. Suggestions?

Meat and many veg

Dinner: Beef Stir-Fry

Dinner was another throw together...did I say I was prepared? Ha ha! I just cooked through some Beef  and Vegetables with Ginger, Lime and Cayenne Pepper, it wasn't as tasty as last nights dinner though.

Glasses of water: 8

Getting back out there!

Exercise: Walking! (Brisk)

46 Minutes, 430 Calories Burned 

I know some of you may think that walking is not exciting and until a few weeks ago, neither did I.  I have been too sick and weak to get out of bed even to be able to walk and even when I could walk short amounts, I couldn't breathe. Unfortunately you don't appreciate the things you do have until they are gone.  I felt so blessed that I was able to get out and walk again!  To be able to be outside! To be able to exercise!  

I'm still not healthy, I still get Migraines, Vertigo, Numbness and Nausea every single day.  But I still go for walks.  Sometimes I have to stop and get my balance or take some medication for the pain but I'm still going to do it.  My other option is to stay at home in bed.  Exercise sometimes makes my symptoms worse and I can end up ill after a walk but I'm not letting it stop me.  Every time I think how tired I am and that I'm too lazy to get off my butt and go for a walk, I'll remember the months I spent in bed not being able to do anything.

Homemade Guacamole - Paleo Dip Recipe

YUMMY!

Homemade Guacamole

Ingredients

1 Ripe Avacado

1 Garlic clove, minced

1 Tomato, diced

1/2 Capsicum, diced

Juice of one Lemon

Juice of one Lime

Salt, Pepper and Cayenne Pepper to taste

Method

Mash that Avacado in a bowl (you could probably use a blender but I'm old school) and stir through the Garlic.  Squeeze in the Lemon and Lime juice. This recipe is really made to taste, I like mine zingy and spicy! It will depend on the size of your Avacado, Lemons, Limes etc, so just add a little Lemon/Lime juice at a time and taste as you go.  Stir through the Tomato, Capsicum and Salt, Pepper and Cayenne Pepper to your liking.

Enjoy as a dip or over Salad, YUM! :)

Deliciousness waiting to happen!