My Health Challenge: Let's Start Again

I have fallen off the wagon people. Extreme fatigue slammed me last week. So much so, that Monday was such a struggle. I couldn't even remember if I'd eaten or not. Things kinda went downhill from there.

For those unfamiliar with my journey, read here. Adjusting to changes I have no control over and hit without warning is a bit confronting. And definitely challenging.

Normal as I know it has gone. My normal was waking after an 8 hour sleep and going for a bike ride or walk. Now, even if I do manage an 8 hour sleep, I'm utterly sapped and drained even before the day begins.

Normal was being super organised, preparing ahead and having a great memory. Now, I'm lucky to remember my name some days. And as for organised...I'm trying!

Yes, I have a toddler. Yes, I have a big family and often cook for 6, but mostly 5 ever hungry humans. 

Yes, I've just finished 4 university trimesters in a row. That meant no break over Christmas.

Yes, I live with international teenage students on a fairly regular basis. That brings challenges as well as rewards.

Yes, I have 32 thousand kilo's of washing to do each week.

Pre-hormonal upheaval, I had the mental clarity and energy to cope.

So, what does that mean for me now?

It means, start again. It means, be realistic. It means, be kind to myself.

I am still going to chart my journey. However, it will be weekly from here on. I will record my measurements each week too. 

The above is the food prep I forced myself to do yesterday.

Sliced celery and red onions.

Grated beetroot, zucchini and carrot.

A protein pancake, a cup of frozen berries and a 1/4 cup yogurt drizzled with 1 tp of rice malt syrup for my breakfast this morning. I admit, it was great to just open the fridge and grab it.

I also boiled 6 eggs, ready for snacks.

No excuses!

Now, it's measurement time...!!!

Here goes...

Waist: 79cm

Hips: 98.5cm

Arms:30cm

Thigh: 66cm.

As for exercise, I am off to Pilates for an hour today. I have cancelled training until next week, however, am picking up 2 sessions a week for the next month. There should be some results coming! I'm already much stronger than before, and actually did 5 real push-ups last week! Miracle right there :)

Ok, lovely people, let's check back in next Wednesday!

Until then, thanks for reading :)

Community garden update: violent vandalism

Ok, time to put the jokes aside and get serious people.

I've personally had enough! 

We have repaired a barrier fence designed to protect people, and animals, from the freeway, only to have it not only ripped open (with bolt cutters) where we've repaired it. It's also had new sections opened up too. Really mature people. Really mature.

Trees have been illegally lopped. 

Kids have already added their tags (names) and added graffiti to the bridge. Silly girls, you signed your whole names. Looks like it may be time to notify local schools if this continues.

And now, not one, but three violent attacks have occurred on our garden art work/ sculpture.

The first 2 attacks appeared to be done by an individual with possibly a hammer. We think a youth may be responsible based on the damage. Hubby repaired it, only to get an early morning text saying damage had been done yet again.

Wasn't prepared for what we encountered.

Take a look at the pictures below for details...

This picture was taken after the second attack. The head was the prime target. Hubby noticed a bit of the hand had chipped too. The internal steel structure had been bent. This suggests a youth (not child) if we are to judge by the amount of force used. But whoever did it, they hit it over 40 times!

Today, after repair, this is what we found. 

By all accounts, we were shocked by the first 2 attacks. But what is disturbing about this is the level of rage used. And it appears the reinforcements called in to help.

May I say, this is quite heavy- and some very determined individuals levered this out of the ground.

The arm has nearly been twisted off, and the sculpture has been moved out of his original position. Notice the planks of wood-they were covered in concrete from the blows.

A brick had also been used, and looked like it had been repeatedly struck into the face.

This would not have been a five minute attack either.

Whoever is doing this is quite violent and potentially angry. Tagging, or graffiti is 'normal' rebellion. Repeated acts of extreme violence and property damage suggest an individual who needs help.

This isn't normal behavior. 

Parents, keep an eye on your kids! Please. The police have been notified and are investigating as I type. We want this to be a kid friendly area. Until we know who this is, please don't let them play here at night unsupervised.

This only serves to make us all the more determined to keep going. The culture here WILL change. And we WILL make a place that is a safe, secure, relaxing refuge from the hustle and bustle of daily life; a place where families are welcome and all ages can enjoy.

Community Gardens weeks 39,40

It feels like I haven't updated for months! This has been such a crazy season. I finished my uni semester a few weeks back, and hubby just finished his last Friday. When we haven't been busy building a garden and a family, we've had our heads bogged down in copious hours of study. 

Thank goodness the study is over for now.

We have also been busy attending to the gardens not just on Thursdays. With Christmas looming, we are both keen to get as much done as is possible. The goal is having the gardens ready for summer.

Take a look at the pictures-they show clearly how much progress has occurred...

Yet another early morning Bunning's trip gathering supplies.

A few palings seemed to have gone for a walk, so hubby replaced them and is completing the last of the new fence.

Miss 2 is happy to take the stage (a tree stump!) and sing her lungs out while her mum and dad work :)

The planters filled with flowers! The ferns I had planned just didn't work, but they weren't wasted.

Here they are, simple ferns hiding an ugly tree stump.

I love that the pathway is now edged with flowering planter boxes.

This kookaburra is a daily sight at the gardens now. 

Simple portulaca's adding a splash of colour.

I took some cuttings from geraniums and planted them out. Thrilled to say they have struck already :)

Look at the gorgeous colour! A perfect compliment to the marigolds.

I imagine what this will look like in a years time-so lush and beautiful. 

It's garden edging time! Here, Paul is clearing the edge prior to concreting.

Shane and Paul mixing the concrete.

Here, Mick is laying pavers around the bench seat.

Hubby started off leveling the edge...

And Paul did an amazing job finishing it off.

Another view of the garden. The edging makes such a difference!

Work so far...exciting!

Nearly there. How good does it look!

As part of his uni work, hubby constructed a garden sculpture. This figure inspires people to sit and just be.

The amazing Poppa Ian Wilkins has been hard at it making palings for our picket fence. Here is about 130, neatly stacked. I've been informed, he's already done a huge amount more!

The bath tubs now have sunflower seeds. Always exciting to see the first ones germinate :)

Another week, another garden bed to edge.

Shane did a brilliant job of building up the slope ready for planting. I forgive him for dropping the shovel on my just healed toe and turning it purple!!!

Paul at it again, leveling the garden edge like a pro.

It was a hot, windy day, and as you can see, we desperately need rain. But at least the garden edging looks great.

A newly built up and planted out bed. In went the 20 free liriope plants, edged with transplanted Moses plants and with a frangipani cutting in the middle.

Another view of the new bed. Not much to see, but it will look so good when it grows a bit more and is edged with a picket fence.

The boys have already started edging the bromeliad bed. 

I'm so thrilled that over half of my transplanted agapanthus are producing flower bulbs.

Sad to say some vandals attacked, not once but twice. 

Even though it has taken forever, my first rain lilies have flowered! I only hope the white ones the boys trampled grow too.

There you have it, the last couple of weeks. So much progress! 

Can't wait to show you more soon :)

My health challenge Day 11

Here I am, back again. Though I'm currently feeling hungry still (it is pms week after all), I am deciding to blog right now to remain accountable. 

I'm so darn proud of myself today :) Healthy food, a bit of exercise, and resisting temptation. Hubby came home from our nieces birthday party with a massive, moist, chocolaty slab of cake. I ate none. Yes, you are right, I am awesome :)

I scored a bargain clothes dryer today, right before I planned to purchase a new one next week. This will be perfect for our wet, humid summers, where clothes can take 3 or more days to dry. I found 2 new tops while op shopping as well, and followed it up with an hour long remedial massage before working. 

I should also point out, that while I am not weighing myself through this, I did get up to nearly the mid 60's in weight (kg's) that is. Now, my clothes are already fitting better and not only do I feel better, but don't feel the need to hide in long tops anymore.

Not a bad day all round. See, real food and a little bit of movement works :)

DAILY FOOD

Breakfast: walnut, berry parfait. Coffee with skim.

Morning Tea: medium banana. Coffee with skim.

Lunch: Sardines on low carb bread, some fetta and a side salad. Coffee yet again. I'll cut down one day.

Dinner: 1 cup cooked brown rice with a raw egg mixed through, 1 steamed zucchini, some red capsicum and radish.

Dessert: 2 x 25g colby cheese slices. Watermelon.

DAILY ACTIVITY

15 minute brisk walk.

2 hours cleaning a church.

A sample of today's culinary delights, fibre, healthy fats, vitamin and antioxidant rich.

Feels so good being healthy and eating real food.

There you have it, today's short but sweet success story.

More soon :)

My health challenge Day 10

A bit late on the update once again. Yesterday was a busy, fun day spent with miss 2, who had her first ever bus ride! 

All dressed up and inspecting her pink, fluffy bunny bag while waiting for the bus.

Getting a bit bored while waiting and doing some dance moves.

Standing on tippy toes trying to see if the bus has arrived yet.

The bus was VERY late, but that didn't dampen miss 2's enthusiasm one little bit. Even though the window on the bus was too high for her to see the road, she was thrilled she could see the clouds and tree tops. Seriously, I need that outlook-finding the positive in every situation. Love what kids can teach us.

Our journey home was eventful. It started storming and raining just before our stop. I walked a majority of the 20 minute walk home with a frightened, wet toddler and shopping. My poor arms!

I was positively STARVING for most of the day. I was constantly hungry until going shopping to buy a small present for a niece's birthday. Maybe I needed the extra fuel to cope with the walk home? 

Here is my daily intake...

DAILY FOOD

Breakfast: 1 large banana and a fructose free muesli bar. Coffee with skim.

Morning Tea: Protein shake and a small handful walnuts. Coffee with skim.

Lunch: A quinoa wrap crammed with  a thick slice of paleo bread, 1 medium avocado, tons of veg and fermented beetroot relish. Coffee with skim.

Afternoon Tea: A gloriously fluffy vegemite sandwich on wholemeal bread.  With butter. I heart bread.

Dinner: 2 pieces of fresh sea mullet with steamed greens.

DAILY ACTIVITY

A 20 minute walk home, most of which was spent carrying a 14 kilogram toddler.

I am pleased with the day. I did cave and eat bread-something I'm trying to avoid. But in all honesty, it could have been the chocolaty muffins I made early in the morning for my student. I resisted! Proud of me right now :)

Another day done, albeit a little late. More updates soon!

My health challenge Day 9

Here we are, at the bottom end of yet another day. Not a hard day, but a long one spent mostly at the Community Gardens. 

I've been a bit off today. I've had a spot on my nose that has been of concern. A doctor checked it and said it was a sun spot, a precursor to cancer. Well, today, it started bleeding. So, I'm off to the doctors tomorrow to get this seen too, and hopefully removed.

After a lifetime in the sun, I really shouldn't be surprised. Especially as this isn't my first one. It's a humbling reality that even though I wear 50+ now and really dislike being exposed in the sun, previous sun abuse is rearing it's ugly head. 

All I can do is continue to look after my health now. I'm hoping to age well in this body, so it's kind of important I do!

DAILY FOOD

Breakfast: last of the parfaits with extra walnuts on top. Soooo good! 2 coffees, one with coconut cream. This gave me heartburn :(

Lunch: Quinoa wrap with cream cheese, fermented beetroot relish and low carb salad. Coffee with skim.

Afternoon Tea: Piece of no added sugar banana bread while visiting a friend. So delish!

Dinner: 2 baby carrots while preparing dinner. Miss 2 stole one, so i ate another :)

1 cup of steamed cauliflower topped with a small, saucy serve of chicken spag bol (no pasta) topped with cheese.

DAILY ACTIVITY

Several hours of community gardening, which including much walking, lots of watering, a little bit of digging and some heavy carrying. It also included a lot of sitting while the boys concreted. I enjoyed this part the most, especially after yesterday's training. 

A sample of today's menu :)

There you go, another day, another success. 

I look forward to bringing you tomorrow's update.

Until then, thanks for reading :)

My health challenge Day 8

What a day! Busy, productive and wonderful. Summer is well and truly on the way. So glad I'm embarking on eating well & exercising now.

My day looked like this...Drop miss 2 at daycare at 8:30. Come home, pick up my non teen and drive her to Tweed Heads for a job seminar. Drive back to Kingscliff, water Community Gardens. Drive to West Tweed for training. Walk with wobbly legs to the car. Come home, eat lunch, sit for ten and try to look like less of a beetroot (training was hard!!!). Head to Pottsville for cleaning, and more.

I actually loved today. Despite being quite tired and flat this morning, I picked up as the day went on. Now, I feel fabulous :)

I took this a few nights ago. Miss 2 loves looking out our window at the colours. So blessed to have this view, even though a west facing room is scorching in the summer.

Busy days usually mean I eat better. Sure, I was tempted to overeat this morning prior to training, but as per usual, training woke me up. Exercise is so good for many reasons.

Take a look below to see how my eating went today...

DAILY FOOD

Breakfast: Parfait (pictured below) and coffee with skim.

Morning Tea: 125g punnet of blueberries and a small handful almonds. Coffee with skim.

Lunch: Low carb toast topped with smeared garlic, a little low sugar, whole egg mayo and a tin of sardines. Coffee with skim.

Afternoon Tea: small tin of tuna in mayo.

Dinner: Medium serve of Rogan Josh with brown rice. 

And a lot of water!

DAILY ACTIVITY

30 minutes hard training. I nearly threw up. Go me!

1.5hrs of housecleaning.

Feeling happy with today's progress. I nearly threw up because my PT's interval training pushed my cardio to the limit. Oh, so far to go. 

There you go, another day done well.

Looking forward to sharing tomorrow's triumphs with you :)

Brekky parfait on repeat. One more of these babies to go tomorrow morning :)