Gosh, it's been a while since I have got online, hasn't it! SORRY!

But as you all know, it's an exciting time, and no I am not talking about Christmas, but about the WONDERFUL DONNA AND I IN THE MAG!!!

WOOOOHOOOO!!!

Go check out Donna's blog if you haven't already... I'll but the same pic up here... but you have to wait tile the official release day for the rest!

Well I have spent all morning trying to convert to the new beta blogger (hopefully now I can post comments on EVERYONES blogs!) that now I have run out of time, I'll have to do more later!

Well I went with the popular vote, and wore the black and white polka dots dress, and i'm glad i did as it was very warm, even if i felt like i had nowhere to hide my tummy by the end of the day! Not that i ate too much, in fact i came in UNDER my points for the day, and you know how at the end of the day you feel more frumpy...? That and i did a fair bit of crying... so i'm still a little blotchy in these photos, but who cares, right?!
Anyway, the wedding was beautiful, the Bride was gorgeous, but she always is, she is one the most lovely, kind, funny, amazing women i know, and it was so lovely seeing her so happy with her new husband!
It was lovely to again spend time with Kel too and spending time with Duane on the trip up and back was fantastic! We used to do quite a lot of car trips, and i haev missed that conversation time! We are going to another wedding in 3 weeks time in Wollongong, so YAY for more trips, and it was SOOOO lovely seeing friends we haven't seen in a while, all in all, a great weekend! :)

More later...

Help!

I need fashion help!
I am going to a wedding on Saturday, its a daytime and afternoon one, so I don't need a long dress or anything, but I do like to dress up!
I have a couple of choices, most of them I haven't worn before cos I got them cheap on eBay. The light blue one is a bit big I think, I look frumpy and pregnant... not sure about the others, I think the bright watermelon colour may be a bit... well... sexy for a wedding? I need help! ARGH! Tell me what to wear, please????!!!!

Which dress should I wear to daytime wedding in Sydney this weekend?

Cream and Blue patternedblack and white polka dotWatermelon halterWatermelon with a cardi?pale blue dressoriental top with black pants

Free polls from Pollhost.com

Other than my fashion delima, I am going well. I have been a bit up and down lately, and I know as women we do that, but I have been swinging badly of late, and am getting a little concerned, so I promise to see doctors about it. Today is the first day in a week without a sugar bender, so at least thats an achievment! See, I'm still trying to be positive! I do want to apologise to my wonderful friends whom I haven't emailed or talked to lately, I miss you all, and I am so sorry. I have been a bit withdrawn, I'm trying to come out of my shell again, don't give up on me! :)

I am looking forward to the wedding on Saturday so much, It's going to be so happy and joyful! Don't you just love weddings?!

Bikini Update!

Well here is the update, and yes, I still am as pale as ever, cos it's turned bitterly cold around here! URGH!

Anyway, I got my hubby to take the pics this time, and so they are from a different angle, cos obviously he is taller than me, but I guess that just means I get to see what everyone else is seeing! But the side on is looking better, I can see a difference particularly at the bottom part of my belly, and mum took one look and said, wow, look how your shoulders have changed, so go the pump classes! :) Wasn't on my list for changing in my little challenge, but I am not complaining!

The front view didn't work, when I got it too the computer it was all fuzzy... Don't know what happened, but my hubby had fun taking photos, so I'm sure I can try again tomorrow. :)

Well I went to the Gym (pump) today, first time since in a week due to this flu, but did well, didn't drop my weights down at all, and only had to stop due to coughing twice (actually that was embarrassing, as the instructor actually asked me if I was alright in the middle of the tricep track... ooops... And please don't look at my face too hard in the pics, I look terrible!). Anyway, it was good to be back, I have been sitting around figetting, wishing I could go to the gym! Does that make me a gym addict yet? I think I qualify, I am sure I had withdrawal symptoms! tehehe *grin*

And for my gorgeous gal Donna, this is my new velvet dress, which I have to say, looks terrible on camera! It's the flash... Anyway, I love it, and now I know not to wear it somewhere that's going to have lots of photos! It's the kind of dress I always wished I could wear, kindda princessy and romantic, I would have loved to have been able to wear this kind of dress in high school, all my friends did, and it just never worked for me, I had much to much top half! So it's very exciting for me! And it's red... my favourite colour! :)

Can you relate?

This post is for everyone who has ever said "I only lost point (something) this week."

I have said it, I hear it EVERY week at weigh in, and I think it's part of how we think. We think that cos we have worked hard, we should get big rewards.

So let me put you at ease.

We ARE getting big rewards!!

This icky disgusting blob, is symbolic of fat. As many know, my amazing mum has been very successful on WW and is a leader, this is her demo blob thingy (sorry if you want one, she was given it, so don't know where they are from!). It used to be a kilo, but it lost some weight, and is now 0.75 kg. Its a point something.

LOOK AT THE SIZE OF IT!!!!

Take a look at your keyboard, see the size of that... It's really very large!

My goodness, I would be happy to lose a quarter of this blob for a hard weeks work, its a big blob!

So next weigh in, think of this blob when you hop on the scales. Even if you (only) lose 100g, its a lot less fat around your belly or thigh or hips or where ever!

It's November already!

Poll Results!
Well you are completely correct Thoughtful, you have me all sussed out! The meals are actually all the same points value! yes, even the one that has the gelato... all 18 1/2 points. the points are straight out of the eating out guide.
So the purpose of such a poll? beware of the "healthier" options. Not surprisingly, the Thai choice was the majority vote, but the mixed vegies (I did all as a serve value) are 5 1/2pts, thats a fair bit for vegies! I have fallen into the trap before (actually quite recently) where i had a good portion controlled take away meal, but was still hungry so ate a whole heap of the mixed vegies as well, thinking it was a great thing to eat, can't add up to much, but when i added it up and wrote it in my tracker... not so good. So make sure you think things through and stick to portions too. Personally, for the same points value, i would be going indian! YUMMM!!! :)


Has anyone else noticed that the year has ALMOST DISAPPEARED!!! Oh my goodness! I guess I will just have to use it as motivation to get to goal before the year is out! I am doing well, have been planning meals using the 7 day planners with Mum, and have been keeping the gym up. Unfortunately have another rotten cold, as well as fever... So that's been annoying, but I have keep up eating even though I haven't felt like it, so I should come out of it ok.
So anyway, I am at home sick today, but I was thinking it's about time for a pic update, so stay tuned, come Monday I'll post new bikini pics, and hopefully there will be a difference to be seen! I feel like my belly is doing better, so here's hoping!
hmmm, it's been a while since I posted, but it's mainly just busy stuff, nothing much interesting, except that I went to Sydney for two days to visit my wonderful friend Kel, and had a fabulous time. We went to her gym (FitnessFirst) and I put her through her very first Pump class (have your legs recovered yet Kel?!!) in a room full of gym bunnies... Seriously the average size must have been a 4... Anyway, then we went out to DFO, which I have never been too, and had a great time shopping. And I am so proud of you kel, into all those 12's, I'm going to have to post before and after shots of you I think, just to show you off! :)
I bought a gorgeous velvet dress from a shop with really weird sizes... Then again, it's kindda fun to say I'm a size 2... And some shirts for my hubby, and all in all, it was great.
Well that's enough computer screens for me I think, I hope everyone is going well, the end of the year is almost here!
Actually, I think this might be a good time for another poll... :)

Feeling Good...

Which is great!

I have been a little down lately, so it's good to be able to say I'm feeling good! I have been having some hormone problems (still) and my body is doing weird things, so I have been feeling pretty awful. But I have preserved, I've still been going to the gym even though I have felt permanently lethargic for more than a couple of weeks, and I am so glad I have done that, cos now I feel ready to face anything, and to get to goal and conquer the mountain once and for all!

I have even gone to the gym when out of area, I was working down south and so was my hubby, but he started 3 hours earlier than me, so instead of shopping and eating, I killed the time at the gym! Abs and butts class, followed by step, then pump. I'm so proud of me! I had done pump the day before too, so exceedingly impressed!

Mum and I are determined to be at our best come Christmas time, so we have even pulled out the good ol' weekly menu planners and are following them for the next few weeks, so here comes the new us!

Oh, and I don't think I had updated everyone on the house news... Well my parents are moving to Perth. In fact Dad has gone already, Mum and Daniel follow at the end of the year, and my other brother (20) is planning on staying in Canberra, provided he has steady employment. So we are going to rent the house from them, which is fantastic, cos there is simply PITTANCE in the way of rentals in Canberra. In the meantime, we are happy staying here, so it's worked out well.

Oh, I lost 1/2 a kilo this week, am happy with that!

Today's pictures are my AWESOME new runners which I just love, and sure, I paid a fortune for them, but they will last and be great support for me! And a pic from a few weeks ago of me and my wonderful Hubby.

Funny thing last night, the leader had asked me to bring in my before photos as she was interested and had already said she couldn't imagine me bigger, anyway her friend - who saw me give them to her - asked "who's that?". I'm unrecognizable!!! OOOOOooo, I could work that to my advantage I'm sure!!! tehehehe *grin*

Fairy Floss - The Results are in!

Well, I guess we can say that the majority of people think that Rae was a regular piggy wiggy when eating that fairy floss! A staggering 36% voted 21.5 pts, and 40% voted for 12 pts.
And you know what? I don't blame you! I, before WW, would have said the same thing - that fairy floss is EVIL! But do you want to know the real answer?

The exact points, of the ENTIRE bucket (and it's not exactly a small bucket!) is

1.5 pts

Yes, you read correctly, only 1.5pts. I attached the nutritional panel, 5.5 pts for 100g, and there is only 25g in the tub. So next time you are at the fair, the show, the movies, and you don't want to miss out on all the fun, fairy floss is the way to go. I mean it's still sugar, and definitely count the sugar points, but I think I could do a whole lot worse!!! In fact it's kind of like letting yourself go on a bender, and it being perfectly ok!
For reference, the eating out guide states that I stick/bag (which is how I always have seen them at the show) is 1 pt.

COOL!!!!!

*grin*

So I hoped everyone enjoyed the poll, should I do some more? I was amazed at how many votes it got, I was honestly expecting about 20! BTW, you can still view the results of the poll below if you are interested, I sure am! :)

A Little bit of fun!

Over the course of two days, within that eating spree i meantioned in the bikini post below, I ate this entire bucket of Fairy Floss (only had a little help!) - though I was good and counted the points! So here is the challenge, what do you think is the damage?! (Do you think I have been looking for an excuse to create a poll?!?! *grin*)

How many points is this entire bucket of Fairy Floss?
	21.5 pts
	12 pts
	1.5pts
	7.5 pts
	9 pts
	3 pts
Free polls from Pollhost.com

She wore an itsy bitsy...

BIKINI!!!
What am I thinking?!? (oh, and if YOU don't want to see the blinding bikini... Don't keep scrolling! *grin*)

I am thinking, that's it's time to get REALLY SERIOUS!!

I have been getting very slack lately. I am generally so comfortable with myself, that I haven't been making the best choices that I possibly can. I have been eating a bit more, of whatever I feel like, I ate a TRUCKLOAD of food last week, I was sick and felt STARVING and just ate and ate and I didn't even think.
So all in all I have put on 2 kilos in the last two weeks.
Pretty bad, huh!

Anyway, I have been talking about getting a bikini and taking pictures for a while, well I finally have got the guts up! I didn't have the guts to go try stuff on in a store though, so I took a huge leap and signed up for ebay and bought a bikini. Oh you should have seem me, I almost DIED when I pulled it out of the packaging, it is tiny!!!!
So I had a little panic, and seriously considered not even trying it (and definitely no photos!). I can't hid ANYTHING with this bikini. I guess that is the whole point, isn't it!

So anyway, you may not want to look at the pics that I have posted today - they are "warts and all" pics, no sucking in my belly, no angles, no nothing! URGH! But you know what? It has REALLY helped me!
For starters, it doesn't look as bad as I think it does (or I think it should?). It shows me that my chest really is a LOT smaller, in my head I still think it's bigger... And I can see my belly button!!! I thought it had actually gone for good! *grin*
Secondly, there is some definite work still to be done, and stripping down to the bare minimum has definitely helped me to see the muscle tone I have now, and where I like things to improve!

As a comparison, I have put in a pic of me when I had lost about 8 kilos and thought I was looking great and wore a bikini... hmmm... It's from a post from earlier this year, belly revealingng, and it's nice to see that I have changed so much since those belly dancing shots too.
Hmmm, the more I look at these pics, the more I really don't want to post them... but I am going to anyway, and you can expect (demand? someone keep me accountable!) regular updates on progress. It's only about two months til Christmas, and I'd love to take some time off down the coast after the busy season at work is over, so gotta look good!

Well this morning I am going to get the ball rolling with an half an hour run on the treadmill before Pump with mum. Should be good! We have been housesitting a place for a little while and have had no internet, so I promise to get around and look at everyones blogs in the next few days, so expect comments!

AND BRING ON SUMMER!! WooT!! :)

Finding Clothes...

That scare the jeebies out of you!!!

Yes, I got a shock the other day when we were cleaning out what used to be my room 6 years ago, and is now where my hubby and I are staying. It still has a little "junk" in it, and as I was putting away our clothes into the draws I opening the bottom draw to find a whole stack of old shirts. And they are SCARY!!!

The one that hurt the most? My Rock Eistedfod Tshirt from year 11. We had to take our own shirt in, and we screen printed them. So it's actually kind of special to me. Anyway, I looked at the label. It's the background on on the pic.
SIZE 20!!!
When did that happen!! ARGH!!

The one I am holding in the pic I got at my first work experience with the Writers Centre. I had convinced myself that it was a small make, and that's why I was wearing the XL. It was really too tight (but it was the biggest size they had), I could hardly pull it over my hips and it was really tight on my chest, I have many uncomfortable pics in it.

The zoomed in? Funnily enough (cos it's the same size), this tag hurt heaps, cos I wore this size the 7 years I worked at the Australian Geographic shop, up until 2004. Goes to show, that even when I thought I was doing ok weight wise, I never got out of those size XL work shirts.

On a good note, I found a size 14 GIRLS shirt in there, even that was too big.

And when I ordered my shirts for the new job? The manager told me they were a small make, better order the size up. So I ordered a 10, perfect. THE SIZE UP IS A TEN!! HAHAHA!! :)

So these pics above are a little old now, and it's an unflattering shot of both of us as we had been moving stuff all day, but aren't these Orchids GORGEOUS! I love them, and I miss you guys in Wollongong!

Hmmmm, other than that, a Huge Hi to the Team Sexy Arms girls, we may have been a little quiet of late, but I am all fired up, and we are going look stunning in those sleeveless tops this summer - with our flat bellies too!!!

Oh, and for Patricia, I don't use a very special program at all! I do all my pics in Paint (the one that comes standard on Windows!) just before we moved a friend upgraded our computer and I have some great programs on there... When we finally get settled somewhere... Until then, paint it is! It's quite effective though!

I FOUND IT!!!!

I FOUND MY CAMERA CORD!!!!
Ok, so why is that exciting, well, cos I love sharing pics, and now I can again! I have Monday tues off, but my hubby only had Monday off... So I have today to myself, so I went and searched... And succeeded!!!
WOOOHOOOO!!!!!
*grin*

(I love pics, ok!!!)

So anyway, I have several posts to catch up on, cos I now have photos! YAY!!

Hmmm, what else is new...

I got up the nerve to do my measurements again, haven't done them in a while (cos I was expanding a little...) and I have finally updated my total loss of:

125.5cms!!!

How good is that!! I was pretty amazed, I have lost all those cms that had hit my bust and waist, and am now significantly than I was beforehand! GREAT!

I'm a little without voice at the moment, I'm hoping a good night sleep will mend that (had a fever, the throats just tagging on i hope), and I am REALLY keen to catch up on everyone's blogs, i haven't had a chance lately, I will do so shortly, so expect comments everyone!
MWAH to all!

So these pics with the red top on is today. This arvo. As recent as you can get. And yes I know I look sick and blerh, so I put on a pic I really like of me from Sydney too.
Keep scrolling for more posts... and still to come I have photo evidence of my hubby cleaning our old place in the Gong, and some beautiful spring flowers from the garden and the flowers the WW girls in W'Gong got me... and hopefully Floriade soon too... I love photos!!
:)
Rae :)

The Cruise (FINALLY!)

Yes, we finally went on the Lake Burley Griffin Dinner Cruise! We had a lovely 3 course dinner, though I didn't have any dessert, didn't like either option, so I guess my points didn't get blown after all!
Besides it was a birthday dinner for my pal Sal (and thats her fiance - very exciting! YAY for weddings! oh yeah, I put engagement pics up earlier didn't I! tehehehe)
Anyway, 3 hours on the boat, and we didn't even feel like we were moving it was so smooth. The lights of Canberra are very pretty, all the buildings light up. Though I think we went up and down about 3 times, the lake just isn't all that big! :)
My favourite sight was something called the 'Corrillian', it was all lit up in Red, and was gorgeous. I am going to have to find out what it is... something about a gift from England? I'm completely ignorant on this one!

My brothers Birthday!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DANIEL!!
I loved being back in town for birthdays, both Daniel's and Dad's! and Father's day too, there are definate perks to living in Canberra! :)
Mum thinks it's good too, I do all the boys (dad + brothers) haircuts when I'm around...

Go Tiny Donna! YAY!!

YAY!!
Photos from my camera of our time in Sydney!
I think if you click on it it gets bigger! i'm just tired and can't be bothered waiting to download individual photos!
ENJOY!
:)

Always look...

on the bright side of life!
Okay, so I have a really bad day, and a not so great week, and I could let it get me down... But I am not going to let it. Seriously, today I hit rock bottom, but when I hit the bottom and heard the thud, I decided I didn't like the bottom (its not much fun) so I am just going positive.

Just this "looking positive" thing is a huge positive! The old me wouldn't have done that. The old me probably would have quit my job or binged on chocolate or something equally stupid. So that's a great thing!

I have been struggling to eat well with no count lately, mainly because I am not in control of the day to day food. That lack of control was bugging me, but instead of whinging and keeping on 'kind of' doing no count, I have actually dug out a tracker and tracked, yes the no count queen has been TRACKING a solid 19 points per day, aren't I good? For the record, I lost half my weight on points, but could NEVER see myself doing it forever, and was a terrible tracker anyway, I think it was mostly exercise that got me through, but now I am being really good.

I am allowing myself some kind of treat (eg. lollipop, 85% dark choc square, scone) every day, so that I love to eat still, and don't surcumb to any unplanned splurges.

I have been open with my feelings, instead of bottling them up. This is a good thing.

I have been going to the gym. In fact, I increased my weights in body pump and really challenged myself.

I have a loving husband, wonderful friends, and many dear and caring online readers. Thankyou for reading, commenting and caring. A special thankyou to Kristy and Alicia, for the beautiful messages on your blogs, and for actually coming back and leaving 2 messages, I felt so special when I saw that! thankyou! mwah!

I think that will do for today! I will try and write more tomorrow or something... I have missed blogging and emailing etc, so expect more of it! :)

Pulling myself up and onwards!

Well I guess I needed the space, even when I have been online lately, I have just been an observer. For soon reason everytime I sit down to type anything I stop and can't do it. So I thought I had better just bite the bullet and get on with it. I WILL be back around on the boards, and I will cry less and talk more. I guess that's my problem, my hormones are everywhere, so I cry easily, and I just don't want to do anything to make it worse.

Firstly though, I want to thank everyone who left such lovely comments to my last post. I really means a lot to me to know that you all care so. It has been a real blessing being in the same house as my parents, and I have a job I enjoy, so I am doing better. I am not myself though, my confidence has dropped heaps and I am a lot quieter than usual, which is not good at all. In fact it's a bit of a problem at work, I am just not being as talkative and assertive as I need to be, as you can imagine I have to take control in the studio or the photo shoots are a complete bust. But I am working on it, I'll get there.

I am just getting stuck back into exercise and WW now. I haven't been eating bad or anything, I have been eating very well, I just haven't had my weight as a focus, I have had my health (iron, fluid, rest etc) as focus instead. But I have started going to Bodyworks Gym where my mum goes, and am really enjoying it. "But wait!" you say, what happened to Curves? It's just too far away! And the open hours combined with distance equals me not being able to go. So I decided to bite the bullet and go somewhere I can go, instead of sticking with Curves but only getting a half-effort exercise plan.

So anyway, I went to a pump class with mum last week, went so light on the chest presses due to the major change and pain in that area lately, and my abs are not so good... But other than that I went well, and then I did a step class on Friday, and besides looking like a gumby for the first 20 mins or so, that went well too. But this morning I think I found my weapon for getting to goal and beyond... BOXERCISE. Seriously, I almost died. I thought I was going to die at the step class, cos everyone is always complaining about how hard and high energy they are, and I was completely fine, in fact I felt like I was hardly getting my heart rate up enough! But Boxercise? Oh my goodness...

It was great though, and I keep thinking how I would have gone if I had tried to do this at my heaviest... I think there would have been an ambulance! Granted, I feel really unfit and wiped, my body has been through a lot and I know I am not as capable as I was, but I jogged/ran on the treadmill beforehand, was pleased with that, then class turned out to be only me and another girl and the Trainer, who is really a personal trainer, so basically we had a PT session. We skipped, we then went for a run outside and up and down "heartbreak hill' (ok, this is when I had to admit I have had a recent miscarriage, and I started walking...) then run back to the gym, then punches and push-ups with running in between, and duck walking and punching with weights and step-ups (the step was higher than my knee!! I HATE being the short one!! ARGH!!), more weight punching, more step-ups, me running to the toilet wanting to ... but I didn't (very surprised), more punching, room spinning....

Anyway, the PT said I did very well, and that cos it was so one on one he pushed us a lot harder... But I can't remember when I have had such a great workout. I feel so weird though, I am so used to feeling fit, that this just seems wrong. Anyway... I think I might plan so more "punishment", cos it was still fun! Oh, and I still don' t have the cord for the camera, it's got to be somewhere, so I put this pic of someone at a boxericse class, and see the blur that is her hand? Fast and hard and lots of it!

The rest of today has been not so good, as we are still having no luck with the househunt, the places are taken almost before they are advertised! At least the livable ones... so that's about it.

I really do want to Thank You all for you support, feel free to remind me to post if I disappear, I need the support, I want myself to the fittest and healthiest I can be!

That being said, it reminds me of a funny thing I thought when I was filling in the gym application. It asked how I would describe my physical state and why, and I said fit and healthy cos I have lost weight etc. And then it asked for goals, and I didn't really care about the first box about losing weight. The toning up etc is so much more interesting to me now, the rest of the kilos will shift in their own time, but they are not the number one for me now. Anyway, I think I am rambling, it was just an interesting insight into myself. I do really want to get to goal, but when I comes to the gym, I go because I love exercise, it's not a means to lose weight and that's all, it's a healthy lifestyle thing. It's interesting when things hit you like that, isn't it?

Enough babbling from me, ciao!

Yes, I've been avoiding...

But not for any longer. I needed to give myself some completely people free time, not just internet free, I've pretty much been avoiding the whole world lately.
I fact, I was planning to not write this post. To just not post for a while, and then start again as if nothing had happened. But I can't do it. I don't think I can get to that point, I think I just need to write it and stop procrastinating... But I am doing that procastinating so well! *grin*
Anyway, last week I miscarried at 10 and a bit weeks. And I have been miserable, hormonal, and a mess ever since. I hadn't told anyone except my husband and parents, I had hinted (or said I hadn't tested yet) and a few people had guessed anyway, but I was going to announce after passing the 12 week mark. Guess not.
I feel like it is my fault, I've been so busy with moving and then the shoot in Sydney and new job, I definitely haven't taken things easy. The doctor said it's not my fault, and I do have a medical condition that I know will make things hard, but it's still awful. The doctor even said it's likely I'll have 4 or 5 miscarriages before we succeed, but I am really not going to let myself think like that.
We really want children, and we are young. And the doctor said that the only reason that I wasn't in hospital was because I am fit and healthy. So we are going to keep playing the best cards, and see where it takes us. Young, fit, healthy.
*sigh* I feel like crying again. I have been a lot. Work has been great, it distracts me by keeping me really busy. It's sitting at home that I find hard. Except for the pregnant mums at work. But I am not jealous, just sad, but hopeful too. I think I am breaking through the sadness a bit now. Maybe that's why I can write this. Can I press the post button? I'm not sure.
In a way, I am really worried about when the pics come out in the mag. Cos I was so happy that day, and physically I have changed a lot since then anyway. I lost 3 kilos (not in a good way obviously) in the first few days, and my body is going back to smaller shape. I completely lost it on my phone interview for the mag, which was only a few days ago. Bawled my eyes out, I couldn't help it. Will I re-live that when the mag comes out? That day I thought everything was wonderful, new job, new me, meeting Donna, being in the mag, and looking forward to the new addition in the family. Besides the fact I was complaining about the very painful gigantic breasts, I was so excited!
I do feel better for getting this out here. Otherwise I'm not sure I would have come back and blogged again. But I know you who read this are friends, even though we have never met I value your comments and encouragement always, and I am not the negative (and fat!) person I used to be, I am a positive new person, and I will get through this fine.
Thankyou all so much for your continued support,
RaeRae :)

The Shoot!!! *grin*

WOOOOHOOO!!! Well I am back in cold Canberra after two wonderful sunny days in Sydney being madeover over and photographed, but even better, getting to meet and hang out with my gorgeous pal Tiny Donna! (who really is tiny, isn't she gorgeous!)
At the moment I have "stolen" some photos from Donna and Mary as I have no idea where my cord that links the camera to the computer is, so more coming soon!
It was great fun, but I think I went a little hypo! (did I scare you Donna? tehehe) But you will have to wait and see the mag, buy lots! *grin* The mag comes out in December, and its the Jan/Feb issue, so summertime fun!
oh, and we went shopping... Oh so much shopping... I feel like I spent heaps, but I think I was quite restrained actually! When it comes down to it I tend to try on heaps of stuff (and really enjoy it) but only buy a few things. But I'll post pics soon! The black dress that I a wearing in one of the pics is new though, I picked it up on my lunch break as I walk past the Myers sales everyday... Oh and the other day I picked up 5 items of clothing (including black work pants and a dress) for $3 each! How cool is that!
ok, so I am really busy and have to go, but I saw Kristy's comment so just HAD to post something! Sorry to keep you waiting everyone! I post more soon, hopefully complete with camera photos and a much more details ramble!
:)

I've been Tagged!

I've been got... I feel like the donkey in pin the tail on the...



Anyway, so here goes! It's seriously going to be the first things into my head cos it's late, so I have no idea what I will say!

Firstly, here are - THE RULES: The player of this game starts with "5 weird things/habits about yourself ". In the end you need to choose 5 people to be tagged and list their name's people who get tagged need to write a blog about their 5 weird things/habits, as well as state this rule clearly, then tag 5 more victims. Don't forget to leave your victim a comment that says "you're tagged!" in their comments and tell them to read your blog:

Weirdness No 1: I am allergic to Flaxseed. You know, Linseed. I come out in hives. Have you heard of a sillier thing to be allergic to?!? Seriously, ALL the breads (at least all the good grainy ones that I like...) have linseed in it! And when I told the doctor about it her comment was "no one is allergic to Linseed!" So I showed her the hives and she believes me. But seriously, it's a weird thing. :)

Weirdness No 2: I owned my first pair of Ug boots at the age of 20. I had been making subtle, followed by not so subtle, followed by really not related to subtle at all hints to everyone about the gift possibilities FOR YEARS, but it was friend, who later became my boyfriend, who is now my husband who finally got me a pair of Ug boots for my 20th birthday. How sad is that! Maybe I married him for his Ug boot buying capabilities? *cheeky grin*

Weirdness No 3: I still get asked for I.D, yet when I'm out with my Mum, people have mistaken us for sisters, or at least thought Mum wasn't old enough to be my mother. How does that figure?

Weirdness No 4: While I am thinking of mum, I take after dad in most physical features (colouring etc), but Mum and I both sound very similar on the phone, and almost identical when answering the phone. This means I have had some very interesting conversations with mum's friends who haven't let me breathe and butt in long enough to tell them that I will hand them over to Mum. Actually, I have freaked out quite a few people in the 3 days I have been back here, especially since some people I don't think even knew she has a daughter... :)

Weirdness No 5: ooo, I am stretching it, I need to think of one more thing...
Does my phobia of elevators count? I loathe the things, I lose my stomach everytime and don't find it again for ages. I especially hate buildings that only have elevators, and alarm the fire escape stairs. grrrrr...

Moving - the most tiring exercise!

Well, we are moved!!
I would show pics of very tired looking us... But I have no idea where the cord for the camera to computer is... In fact, I have no idea where a lot of things are!!!
so today, we have a photo from our pirate party a few years ago! We are staying at my parents place until we find a place, which hopefully will be today, we have a whole list of places to look at, the first one being in only 20mins time, so this will be a short post I think! At the rate I type at least!
anyway, to the people who don't know, I thought I had better put some very exciting news up!!

Donna and I are going to be in the WeightWatchers Magazine!!!

WOOOHOOOOO!!!

The photoshoot is in 6 days time!! And now that the move is over, I have plenty of time to get REALLY REALLY NERVOUS!!!!

Oh my goodness!!!
so we are going to be in Sydney for the shoot on Monday, then Tuesday I say SHOP SHOP SHOP!!
It's all very exciting! Any Sydney bodies who want to catch up for a coffee I am sure we could find some time...

But even before that, I start my new job tomorrow! Photos of cute little kiddies, here we come!! Not that I will be able to put them on here, but you can take my word for it, they will be cute!! tehehe

ok, well should get myself ready to go find our new place!
WOOOHOOOO!!!
hope this makes sense, cos I think my brain shut off several days and ago.. Or it is packed in one of those boxes!
*grin*

Jeans! Glorious Jeans!

I have jeans!

The last pair of jeans I bought were a size 14, but I was given not one pair, but THREE PAIRS of jeans from a friend who's almost exact comment was "look at you, how tiny you are! I have some pants that would fit if you'd like them!"
Anyway, it's great! They have even been taken up cos my friend is a shortie too!
This is the pair I was REALLY self conscious about, cos they are really skinny/straight leg, and I keep thinking about how big my thighs were, and do they look like that still? So I got my hubby to take photos for me, and I am amazed! Seriously, how can my body perception be so far out?!? Must work on that!
anyway, after not having jeans in quite some time, I am somewhat enamored with them, so expect pics of jeans for a while, cos I have two more styles to show off! These are light ones, the others are dark, and are already favourites! Though I feel better about these ones too!

Only problem with this free-jeans-thing is that I think I had better think up a new reward, as jeans were my next reward! Oh well! I am not complaining!

As for todays food and exercise, feeling good about it! Did almost an hour on the bike, riding at no lower than 40k/hr, it was tough but good! And I went for an hour walk into town and back. Not fast or anything, the toe really is a bother, but good walking nonetheless, as Wollongong is all hills!
I am feeling really keen and motivated to get to goal and stop the being-close-but-not-there feeling!

Busy Busy Busy

I am feeling a little stressed and out of it at the moment. It's all the traveling I think, that and I feel like I have made no headway with my weightloss in ages, so am kind of sliding... So to cheer myself up, I have been going through photos at mum's again. Is it weird that I find looking at fat photos fascinating and encouraging and mood lifting? I think it's a little odd... But it works, so I think I'll just keep going anyway! :)

gosh... It looks like I stretched the photos... I promise I didn't! I really was that big... And you know what? I think these were when I really didn't realize I had put on weight. There was complete and utter denial going on. urgh... It's a little bit worrying, though you get to see my hair before I cut it! I had it long for so long, but since then I have been very adventurous with my hair, cos I know it always grows back!

Just in case you think I am rambling... I am. That's just my mood right now! We are in Canberra again, for a job thing for hubby, and looking at rental places. Then driving back tomorrow morning. I definitely think I need to go to curves today, need a pick my up!

*later*

Curves was just the stress buster I needed, especially as the lady for Hubby's job info thing wasn't able to come so it is postponed til next week! ARGH! Why did we drive all this way?!?!

Anyway, over that now... Heading back in the morning, so should get myself rested up!

It's nice comparing those photos above to the photos of our party though, yay for feeling good! :)

Belle of the party? :)

I don't mind if I wasn't, I had a fabulous time! :)
and everyone loved my new party dress, I had so much fun swishing it! it has a lovely swish! :)

seriously, my dress wasn't all the party was about... It was lovely to see everyone together and talk and laugh and get everyone's addresses written down in the one spot.... tehehe



It was really good, and Canberra is only 3 hours away, so I hope to be able to see everyone reasonably often! And one of my friend's told me last night that they might be moving to Canberra for work in the next few months too! So that's extra exciting! It's funny how everyone seems to move all at once! Most people go from here to Sydney though, about a third of the party last night was from Sydney! We saw about 25 friends, and had our own little room at the restaurant, so it made it lovely to be able to get around and talk to everyone! Quite a few people had last minute dramas and couldn't make it, so hopefully we will be able to catch up with the rest of our friends during the week! Hopefully for dinner so we don't have to buy takeway after our kitchen is packed?!?!?! *grin*

I didn't cry either, and neither did anyone else, which is probably to reason I didn't! No, all in all it was a happy, enjoyable time, not a soppy tearfest! Much better I think! :)

well boxes are getting packed, junk it getting culled, the salvos are taking our AWFUL wardrobes so I never have to see or fight with them again. Everything is busy, but we are doing well and enjoying it! it's nice having the time to pack and see people, rather than starting work in Canberra straight away!

oh, I don't think I had actually said what my new job is?! I'll be working as a photographer for Portrait Place! I'm so excited about it! Creative, meet lots of people and kiddies, and fast moving and exciting, I'm going to love it! Anyway, I'll let you know how I go when I actually start, cos it is all theory right now!




hmmm... What else....


oh! I have to tell about the dinner cruise last week!
well, what was supposed to be a cruise....

We turned up, and were so excited, and were heading towards the boat, which was looking suspiciously dark... And darker and darker as we walked. We got there, and there was no sign of life. At all. So we stood around in the freezing Canberra cold, and then we saw a figure rushing over the cold grass to meet us... Could only be bad news!

We were to ONLY booking, so they couldn't very well take the boat out for 4 of us. Problem was, that they had written down the wrong contact number, and had been trying to ring for 4 days (they were taking it in shifts and had even rung everyone in the phone book with the surname we had booked it with, except that they aren't from the area so obviously not in phone book!)
So anyway, they said we could either transfer to another time or have a full refund, but that we didn't have to decide right then - as dinner, drinks, EVERYTHING was on them for the night!
So we had a great time! I had this gorgeous Atlantic salmon fillet and steamed vegies and they keep asking us if we wanted more drinks, here's some bread, what would you like for dessert, can I get you a coffee... hehehe we were spoilt! I had some of the most divine cherry ripe tart (just a little - I was the only one not rolling out of there, actually I was fine! There was groaning from my husband though! haha!)
anyway, so we rescheduled to later in the year (we had saved up and paid already, so why not!), around Floriade time, and we all feel very happy with how it all turned out! Especially as it started raining anyway! :)

so eating has been a little tempted this week hasn't it... Last night I had grilled prawn fajitas... Which was great as I got to make them up myself, so no cheese for me! I did have some of our birthday/farewell cake though, which was caramel mudcake, but I only had a little amount, and I have said that I don't need to eat any of the leftover pieces sitting in the fridge, so I will be fine! I also exercised everyday last week, and will be riding my exercise bike today for sure.
Also, this will be a very no count week, I think half of my sugar points were used last night on the cake!
Oh, weigh in yesterday, I put on .4 which I wasn't expecting as I was sure I was significantly down for the week, but I had had a huge meal the night before, so that was probably still sitting in my belly! I was good though, even with going out, so I am not too worried. I'll get through, and next time I'm here to visit I hope to be at goal!

*ring* ring*...

WOOOOOHOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I got the job!

Hurrah!!!!

Right now have friends over, so details later! Tonight we are heading out on a dinner cruise on Lake Burley Griffen for my friend's (tallest bridesmaid in photos below) Birthday, so thats very exciting too!!

I am so happy! WOOOOHOOOO!!! :)

*happy dancing*

*grin*

Pacing...

I am so agitated right now! I know I shouldn't be, but they said they would ring today about whether I have the job, and so I just want to phone to ring!! ARGH!!

Well I have found the closest Curves, and went yesterday and this morning. It's quite exciting actually, as it is a more established Curves, so they have two machines that my usual don't have, and they play games and stuff as well, so I have enjoyed it. Thought the resistance is less on these machines (cos they are older maybe?) so I have to change the way I work out a bit. And I still can't run/jog, so I am not getting as good a workout as I would like to. Anyway, I had fun, though it is a fair distance away, so I can't wait til they open up the one they have planned for right near us!

RING!!! ARGH!!!

I have had about 5 phone calls this morning, but not the one I want!

well once again... Keeping the boredom at bay by flicking though photos on the computer... So today you get some more wedding photos (everyone loves wedding photos!) and I found one of what I think is the Christmas before last... So end of 2004? And it's not even at my heaviest! (I always seem to get a little lighter around Christmas/summer and a lot heavier in winter... Not any more I say!)