28 Days To Confidence - Day 2

28 Days To Confidence Challenge : Day 2

So, how did you go with the posture? Did it help? It may be a little early to see the effects of it as yet.  I think it would be beneficial to carry this one through the whole 28 days, as well as todays: Day 2: Smile.  Yes, that's it.  It may sound simple and easy enough and it is, but I want you to try to do it all day.  I don't mean that you have to walk through life grinning like an idiot, but to practice your resting smile face, just raising the corners of your mouth slightly where you feel comfortable.  This means no resting bitch face. ;)  

It's easy to go on auto pilot and forget, just like posture.  Smiling makes you feel good and when you feel good, you are more confident.   This one will feel odd at first, but just keep trying and it will soon become more natural. 

Day 2: Smile

How did I go? 

The morning was challenging for me as I was very tired from a poor nights sleep and I had to be up early and on the train.  I found I really had to concentrate on it because it's so easy when you're tired and not feeling your best, to naturally frown.  The train is a challenging environment to practice this one, I noticed that everyone was frowning and looking down.  It's so easy to get caught up with the group, but I was determined to really concentrate on it.   However, I noticed that when I kept smiling, I started to feel better.  Positive thoughts started coming through and I started to think of the day and get excited.  

Whenever I noticed myself not smiling, I made a conscious effort to fix it.  I have been working on this one for a few months now and it gets easier, but I still have to focus on this until it becomes habit.  I have been asked a lot recently "why are you smiling?" or "why are you so happy?", in return I ask "why aren't you smiling?"

The afternoon was really easy to practice this one because I was out with my nephew.  It is near impossible for me not to smile when he is around, I'm constantly smiling and doing crazy things to make him smile and laugh.  I just can't help it.  I know I'm bias, but he is freaking adorable too, so when you are with him, people will smile at you.  I was also carrying a huge helium balloon around for him, his face lit up when he saw it, how could I not smile?

The balloon...

This challenge was in the back of my mind the whole day, so I was also observing others during the day.  I wasn't surprised that people weren't smiling on the train, but it did surprise me how many people didn't smile back at me when I was walking with my nephew and a huge balloon.  Sure, there were quite a few who did, I also got some laughs and some odd looks sometimes (that just made me smile more), but there were quite a lot that didn't smile back at all.  

I found this surprising because to me, balloons are a positive symbol, they are around during times of celebrations and evoke positive associations for me.   If I saw someone walking around with a huge balloon, I'd smile at them. Wouldn't you?  Also, children always make me smile because there is something so innocent about them.  They remind me of a time when I didn't have to adult and I didn't have problems, they remind me to stop and remember the basics, what life is really about.  I had a double smile combo!  It still wasn't powerful enough for some, but we are all different and we all have our problems. 

Let me know how you go and how you are finding the challenge.  I'd love to hear from you! :)

28 Days To Confidence - Day 1

28 Days To Confidence Challenge - Day 1

Today is day one of the 28 Days To Confidence challenge.  Can I just start by saying that I am by no means an expert on confidence.  However, I have learnt a few things that have helped build my confidence over the last year.  This challenge is for everyone, me included.  I'll have a tip/goal for each day that I'd like for you to do with me.  They will start out small and for most, you can choose how big or little you would like to go.  For blogging purposes, I will be a day ahead, meaning that I have already started Day 1.  This is only so that I can blog about my experiences and how I achieved it in the day, in order to assist you with examples and tips. 

Day 1: Posture

Day 1: Posture

It may seem really basic but it's actually has a lot of benefits, building confidence being only one.  Think about it... Slouch in your chair, do you feel ready to take on a challenge? Now, sit up straight with a good posture, how do you feel? 

The challenge for today is to maintain good posture throughout the day.  Make a conscious effort to notice and stop yourself when you start to slouch or hunch over. Sit, stand and walk tall, my friends. :)

How did I go?

This one is a big one for me.  I have struggled with this all my life.  I've noticed that my posture has improved over the last year and I believe it's due to how I feel about myself on the inside.  A few other things have contributed to my tight neck, shoulder and back muscles, but I know that posture is a big contributing factor.  

I try to do this one all the time, but I made a concerted effort to keep this going all day.  I did really well today.  It was in the back of my mind all day, so I was constantly aware when I was starting to slouch and pulled myself out of it.  One tip that has really helped me is to place a cushion/pillow at the base of my back while I'm sitting in an office chair, it prevents me from slouching. 

I started with posture because I think it's important to start from day one and carry through the 28 days, and hopefully forever. 

Please let me know in the comments how you found today's challenge! :)

A New Challenge

A few things I've been up to :)

Hello! It's been quite some time since my last post.  A LOT has happened since April and I have never felt better!  I no longer have a heart condition (read more about it here) and my migraines have vanished!  I honestly can't remember when I had my last migraine, it's been over a month.  This is pretty exciting for someone who suffered from them daily for the last two years and they were really debilitating.  

I still have some pain and headaches, but it's manageable and no where near as severe.  The heart condition got pretty bad at one point and I was in and out of hospital.  I had no energy, chest pain, numbness, my hands started turning blue and the doctors were worried about the oxygen levels in my blood.  I'm extremely lucky to be alive and I'm thankful for it every day. 

So, I have been enjoying my life again without these issues.  I've caught up with friends and been out a lot more than usual.  This is one of several reasons that I haven't been blogging.  I have also been really busy, helping out family, house/pet sitting and moving house to name a few.  I'm in my new place now, but I still don't have a few of my things here yet, like my scales, so unfortunately I can't tell you how much I weigh, how much I've lost or do a "weigh in Wednesday" for you.  

I know that I have lost more weight due to my clothes.  But, to be honest with you I'm okay with not knowing how much I weigh.  It's really just a number.  I do continue to weigh myself to track my progress, but I'm not as concerned with the figures as I once was.  Scales don't measure how healthy you are and that is what is really important.

 I don't want to disappear on you again and wait until my scales have returned.  I've decided to do something a little different for the next month.  I was discussing confidence with a friend recently and she said that she didn't really have any.  I don't think that I'm the most confident person in the world either, but it's definitely increased since I first started this blog.  It didn't just happen, it was a conscious effort to push myself in small ways.  

I think it's something that everyone can improve on, so I've decided to create a "28 days to confidence" challenge. I think it's important while losing weight to focus on becoming more confident now, instead of waiting to reach your goal weight.  You can look different on the outside but still feel the same on the inside, so why not start now?  I'd love for you all to join this challenge with me.  I'll be putting up tips every day for the next 28 days, with examples of what I've done to achieve it that day.  

Let me know your thoughts, I'd love to hear from you!

My 40 KG Weight Loss and Reward!

The beginning and now, the changes are huge!

 It still blows my mind!  I can't believe the transformation, not only in my face, my body, my clothes, how I am physically, but also emotionally and mentally.  EVERYTHING has changed for the better.  I didn't expect this much to change, I didn't expect me to change so much internally. 

I almost don't recognise the face in the first photo or the person.  I used to be so down on myself, I had no self respect and I hated myself.  Now, I'm like my own personal cheerleader and I can honestly say, without cringing, that I love and respect myself.  I'm still a work in progress and I have my bad days, but there are definitely a lot less bad days.

Getting there! :)

If the weight loss progress ticker above is anything to go by, I am just over half way.  Now, I'm not sure what my "ultimate" weight is, I'll let you know when I get there.  But, if it's going to continue to be as awesome as it was losing the last 40 kgs, I say BRING IT ON!  

Thank you, thank you, thank you for all of your love and support during this.  I couldn't have done it without you! xxoxx

My precious!

You know that I have to have a weight loss reward and it's probably more than likely going to be makeup related! Surprise, it is! ;)

Now, I may be a little embarrassed of the size of my makeup "collection" and I definitely don't need any more!  So, I decided that an artist is only as good as her tools.  If you're going to get some high quality makeup brushes, you can't go past Hakuhodo brushes.  What makes them so great? They are created from real animal hair (cruelty free).  The brush hairs aren't cut, which makes them extremely soft and they blend like a dream.

I have a Hakuhodo face brush that I bought at IMATS a few years ago (I believe it's the B103BkSL Powder Blush Brush Pointed, but they didn't use to print the numbers on them) and it is my favourite brush, ever.  I purchased the B J142 for blending eyeshadow in the crease and the J005 for applying gel eyeliners and smudging out liner/shadow for smokey eyeshadow looks. 

I can't wait to try them out on my more defined face. :)

As of today, I am now only 6.8 kgs away from a 50 kg loss! :O  I can't believe it! I want to do something really special for this, as this was my first big goal!  I need suggestions please!!! 

Weigh In Wednesday! - Week 61 Weightloss Journey

42 KG! Gone! 0.7 kg loss this week

Weightloss Week: 61

Weight lost this week: 0.7 kg (1.54 pounds)

Starting Weight: 148.8 kg (328 pounds)

Current weight: 106.8 kg (235 pounds)

Total weightloss: 42 kg (92.6 pounds)

Thoughts on this week

If you have read my blog for a while, you might know that I have jaw problems. I recently found out that I have Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (more info here), I have read that many Chiari 1 Malformation sufferers, like myself, have TMD.  There doesn't seem to be any proven treatment for TMD, however, I am hoping to work through this with my amazing Physio.  

My Physio has recently found a new trouble spot lower in my jaw and did some needling.  Since then, I have been in constant pain and had constant headaches and migraines.  It's amazing how exhausted being in constant pain makes you, it completely drains you.  Due to this, I haven't been blogging.  I hope you can appreciate, that it's almost impossible to concentrate in front of a computer with a constant throbbing head. 

After all of this, I do have some positive news. :)  I went to see my cardiologist last week and it seems after the ablation (read about it here), it has healed itself! This means that I don't have to have the procedure again and it may have cured my heart condition!  I have a heart monitor for the next few weeks to see how I go, but it's looking pretty good. 

Goals for next week

It's going to be Easter, I don't have a problem avoiding chocolate anymore.  But, I will be staying with family, so I may not blog during the next week.

I hope you all have a happy, safe and healthy Easter! 

Guilt is a useless emotion in weight loss, just enjoy and get straight back on it! 

Love, Mel xxoxx

Weigh In Wednesday! - Week 60 Weightloss Journey

Week: 60

Weight lost in 5 weeks: 2.5 kg (5.5 pounds)

Starting Weight: 148.8 kg (328 pounds)

Current weight: 107.5 kg (237 pounds)

Total weightloss: 41.3 kg (91 pounds)

Where have I been? Again!

I disappeared again! I feel like I'm letting down a friend when I don't blog for a while!  I had a family emergency and I had to help out.  Family comes first, so I hope you understand!

I wasn't really able to follow the Paleo diet during this time.  I skipped meals and didn't really eat very healthy at all.  It made me realise how much I miss eating healthy and the impact it has on my body.  As of last week I'm back to healthy eating again and I love it!  

I almost can't believe I'm at a 40kg weightloss!  Losing 50 kgs and being under 100 kgs was my first big milestone and I'm so close!  It seemed so far away when I first started and almost impossible and I'm so thrilled to have gotten this far. 

Thank you for your support and encouragement! Thank you for your patience and putting up with me and my disappearing acts!

How are you doing? What is your first big goal?

Paleo Burger and Cookies! - Weight Loss Journey Week 56 - Day 3

Week: 56
Day 3 - Friday
20/02/2015

Have a little too much time for breakfast? Try this! ;)

Breakfast: Green Smoothie Bowl
(Spinach, Coconut Water, Banana & Pear
Topped with Almonds, Chia Seeds, Goji Berries and Coconut)

I woke feeling nauseous this morning so I didn't really feel like a big breakfast.  Keeping it light I decided to make a quick green smoothie and serve it in a bowl for something different.  It's prettier than your average smoothie. :) 

No burgers on Paleo? No way! 

Lunch: Sweet Potato Beef Burger

(Recipe HERE)

I thought I'd try something a little different for lunch and create a Paleo beef burger!  I have had sweet potato hash browns for breakfast (post here), but I thought I'd see if I could make them into a burger.  Success!  Okay, so you can't eat it with your hands as it's a little too soft and messy for that, but it's delicious! 

There is no flour in this or additives so it is pretty healthy too.  Because it's sweet potato it is lovely and filling.  I have tried it before with a chicken patty (recipe soon) and that was lovely too.

Burgers and Cookies in the one day!

Afternoon Snack: Banana Date & Walnut Microwave Cookies

(Recipe HERE)

I decided to reward myself for exercising today and create a quick treat.  I love creating new recipes and thinking of how to use ingredients in different ways.  I figure if I'm going to have something like this, it's best to have it about 30 minutes after exercise as a post workout treat.  I enjoyed these as they were a nice soft consistency, not dry like other microwave cookies I've made. 

You can't see my dinner for the trees!

Dinner: Savoury Mince layered with Pumpkin Mash
(Recipe HERE)

I had leftover savoury mince that I had left over from lunch, so I decided to use it for tonight's dinner.  It's not a very pretty or exciting dinner, but it was still tasty. 

Glasses of water: 8

Polar FT4 Heart Rate Monitor

Exercise: Dancing

Due to the bad weather here I was pretty limited exercise wise.  I decided to just dance around at home.  This was the LAST thing I felt like doing today.  I had just recovered from a migraine and was wiped out, but I felt like crap anyway so #*$% it!  Why not?

  I can at least try it and see how I go and this was the result.  I didn't feel great after, but I felt better because I had done it for myself and surely it would be helping me.  It's really hard to exercise when you're not well the majority of the time, but I'm going to do my best.  I may not be able to climb mountains but at least I can climb off the couch! ;)

I hope you're all staying safe, love Mel xxoxx