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!

My Twenty Kilo Weightloss! - Progress Pictures And A Reward!

20 kg lighter in 6 months!
You may not be able to see it, but in the first photo my feet were swollen from sitting on my butt all the time feeling sorry for myself.  I also used to hide behind heavy makeup because I thought I needed it, I don't do that anymore because I know I'm beautiful and I don't need heavy makeup to prove it!

The Journey

I can't believe I'm here already!  The first 10 kg seemed to take so long to come off (read about my 10 kilo reward here) and now I'm over 23 kg down! It's because when you keep seeing results it propels you to keep going and pushing yourself that much harder because you no longer think you could possibly do it, you know you can, have and will!

When I started this journey I had no idea the ways it would change my life for the better.  Sure my healthy improved and I shed kilos but I didn't realise with all those kilos I would lose so much pain,  unhappiness and self doubt.  I had no idea I would gain such a positive attitude and outlook, self love, respect, confidence and so quickly.  The outlook you have changes your life so dramatically and I don't regret a single thing that I have done, lost or gained throughout this journey so far.

I also didn't expect to meet so many amazing people and supporters, it's really overwhelming! (in a very good way!)  I know I say this all the time but THANK YOU!  Thank you for all your support, for reading my blog and joining me with this journey, I couldn't have done it without you!

The Beauty Club 

The Reward

When I first started out I had the reward there as a goal to work towards like a trophy, however, now I just see it as the icing on the cake (don't worry it's calorie free) and the weightloss is more rewarding to me.  I still feel it is important to celebrate your goals, whichever way you chose to do it.  Although I wouldn't recommend celebrating with junk food and alcohol, it will just make you feel worse in the long term and possibly just more to work off.

I really wasn't sure what to get as my "reward" but I had been wanting to try another NARS blush.  I really like them because they are very smooth, pigmented and long lasting.

 I then got an email from The Beauty Club offering a discount in return for a  short survey.  I didn't realise that you didn't have to be a member, you can checkout as a guest and that they had free shipping.  NARS blushes usually go for around $50 in Australia and the Beauty Club price was $38.00, with my discount $33.00 ($3 more than US retail), free shipping and it arrived in two days!  It was also packaged pretty, just like a present.

NARS Blush - Luster

Isn't it pretty :) 

I chose NARS blush in the colour Luster which is described as a sheer golden apricot.  

NARS Blush - Luster 

I chose this colour as I don't really have a blush colour like it.

I actually think I have too much makeup and stopped constantly purchasing it a while ago.  I don't need new things to make me happy as I'm already happy and I don't feel like I need all of this stuff.  So I'm actually trying to think of something for my 30 kg weightloss reward that isn't makeup related.  Maybe something that will help me or others on their journey?  

Please leave me some suggestions in the comments below, I would love to hear from you! 

Here's to the next 10 kilos! :)

It's Not You It's Me Sultanas - Weight Loss Week Ten Day Six - Lite and Easy (Lite n' Easy)

Week 10
Day 6 - Monday
24/03/2014

So hungry!

Breakfast: Fruit n Muesli Toast with Butter

Vanilla Yoghurt

Yesterday I was discussing how I find the breakfast large already, however, this breakfast is really light.  I don't find that this one fills me up enough as the cereal and toast combo and it had to be on the morning I was really hungry, didn't it.

I'll grin and Pear it!

Morning Snack: Pear Fruit Cup

This is the one I like the most out of all the fruit cups, if I had to have one. 

This lunch was Smokin'

Lunch: Smokey Bacon & Tomato Pasta

Red Apple

OMG! Love this!  Pasta, bacon, tomato and cheese, YES! YES! YES! Please :)

I'm not a fan of "smokey" flavours or smoked meat, however, I really loved the flavour of this and it wasn't too smokey, it had a really lovely tomato flavour.

Chocolate, Hazelnuts and... something

Afternoon Snack: Choc Hazelnut Fruit Mix

How can you go wrong? I love the Hazlenut/Chocolate combo!  

I usually have these in the fridge until I'm ready to eat them but today I got them out with my lunch and forgot to put them back.  By the time I got to have them as my afternoon snack, the Chocolate was soft and slightly melted, yum!  I'm so doing this next time, I'm strange though, I don't like Chocolate that has been in the fridge.

I wish I could get rid of those pesky sultanas as they get in the way of all the nuts and chocolatey goodness,  but they aren't too bad ;)  

No one should get in the way of Hazlenuts and Chocolate, haven't you seen my profile picture? ;) 

Sad Sultanas

I'm sorry sultanas, you just don't compete.

Isn't this Indian, Melanie?

Dinner: 113 Roghan Josh

Yeah, that thing I said about no more Indian dinners for a while, I lied, I'm sorry.  :(  
I completely forgot I had this one in the freezer and I wasn't feeling any of the others in there.  

I enjoyed this, it is quite tasty and the meat is very tender.  I didn't enjoy it last time because I was sick so I couldn't really taste anything. 

Glasses of water: 8

Additional Items: Homemade Coffee (low fat milk, no sugar) 

Exercise: None

Going to see how my energy levels are tomorrow and hopefully I can exercise again!

My Ten Kilo Loss Reward - Lorac Pro Palette Australia

Whoo Hoo!

I've been really determined this year to really stick with things and lose weight and I have a long journey.  To keep my going I think that rewards are an important part of the process.  I plan to reward myself every ten kilos I lose.

I didn't want to reward myself with food though as I thought that was a bit redundant.  I decided my first reward would be an eye shadow palette that I have been lusting after for a while now, the Lorac Pro Eye Shadow palette. (Purchased from thenile.com.au here).

So what is the basis of it's appeal?  For those of you who are not lovers of makeup you may never understand, but I will try to explain :)  It's sleek, compact and yet still manages to pack in sixteen matte and shimmery neutral shades.  I love a mix of shimmery and matte shades on my lids, so this palette was right up my alley.  

Isn't It Beautiful?

It is pretty difficult to find good quality matte neutral shades, let alone this many, with shimmery shades and all in the one palette.  This palette is pretty versatile as you can create simple looks, smokey eyes and add some colour with shades like Garnet.  For this reason and more I think it's also the best palette for travel.

Okay, okay I don't want to bore you blabbing about some freaking eye shadows on a weight loss blog, but for those of you that are makeup junkies or are interested in the palette, I've hooked you up with more photos and swatches below the post ;)

Here's to losing more kilos!

I know that this blog has helped me out in more ways than one and I've met some amazing and inspiring people on my journey so far.  So thank you again to all of you who support me, encourage me, inspire me and who follow me on Facebook, Instagram and most importantly, this blog.

You all help me be a better me and here's to losing another ten kilos! xxoxx

What would you reward yourself with?

Comes with a Behind The Scenes Eye Primer

So Pretty

First Half of the Palette
Matte Eyeshadows on the top and Shimmery Eyeshadows on the bottom

Second Half of the Palette
Matte Eyeshadows on the top and Shimmery Eyeshadows on the bottom

Lorac Pro Swatches - Matte Shades

Lorac Pro Swatches - Shimmery Shades

 I'm pretty impressed with the palette so far and can't wait to use it.

A Boring Food Day - Weight Loss Week Ten Day Two - Lite and Easy (Lite n' Easy)

Week 10
Day 2 - Thursday
20/03/2014

Fruit Muffin
Breakfast: Toasted Fruit Muffin with Butter and Marmalade

Not too much of an exciting breakfast today, or all day really.

Red Apple

Morning Snack: Red Apple

The sauce was nice...

Lunch: Chicken Dim Sims with Canton Dressing

Pear Fruit Cup

I had mixed feelings about this one, I guess it was okay.  The Dim Sims were bland so I smothered them in the sauce and made sure I had lots of the salad with it.  The salad was quite boring and bland too.  I probably won't order this again, the only good thing about it was the sauce!

Yummy

Afternoon Snack: Apple & Cranberry Muffin 

Loved this muffin, very tasty :)

Yummy!

Dinner: 181 Butter Chicken

I decided to have this again, last time the rice was water logged.  It was really yummy this time, I don't know what happened to the rice last time.  I would definitely recommend this one.

Glasses of water: 7

Additional Items: Homemade Coffee (low fat milk, no sugar)

Exercise: None