Life is a Journey not a Destination

Okay, while it might not be very exciting for most people (though I do understand many women LOVE shoes) I was very excited to buy some nice summer shoes (after wearing Crocs - which I still love but they aren’t the most beautiful shoes - for the last 1.5 years). Luckily after last Fridays scare my heal spur has been fine so I decided it was time to splurge on some nice shoes - 2 even have a heal - which if you know me is very rare thing - but both pairs are so very comfy.

Well, I know I’m a bit late with this post but I was feeling down in the dumps Mon, Tues and Wed and really not good company. Feeling much better today, thankfully. Anyway, had a great weekend. On Saturday I had my romance book group - for a change we met at a Vietnamese Resturant - Monsoon - one of my favs - so that was lots of fun. Then on Sunday we decided to go the Gardening Expo in Sydney. Spent too much money but it was well worth the trip. Afterwards we took the girls in the Aquatic Center at Olympic Park. I’ve been wanting to go for ages and the girls had a ball. Kevin and I didn’t take our swimmers but will do so next time. Got home after 6pm tired but happy.

Some daffodils my Dad bought the girls for Daffodil Day - fundraiser for Cancer research.

Rosie destroying her newest toy (it lasted nearly a week) and a wet chook.

A Year to Remember calender page - this month “Smile”

Finally, the first signs of Christmas - this years Hallmark decorations.

Kevin and I finally got our very overdue date night. We had a quick dinner at the Noodle Box (my favourite takeaway place - though we sat outside in the cold) then went to see Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Was a great movie. I love seeing how much older all the kids are each movie. I’m about 5/6th through listening to the book so the end was still a surprise. I was already thinking about the book (since I’ve been listening to it for about a month in the car) but now I can’t stop thinking about it. I read a lot of people complained about how so much was missed out but I think they did a pretty good job considering they had to fit everything into less than 2.5 hours.

It’s really just not fair. My heal spur is hurting again. I was already feeling a bit down today when I noticed it hurting quite badly. It’s been good for over a month now and even when I’m walking it’s not been hurting….until today. I’m going to take it VERY easy today (luckily I already did my exercise before it started) and hope like hell that it’s just a one off bad day. I’ve already had a little cry cause I don’t know if I can cope with it long term again (one month of being pain free after 1.5 years is just not enough). It’s just unfair. I’m trying to lose weight and being really good about getting in my exercise and I’ve so enjoyed being able to walk again. I’ve been easing into the walking and although I probably did too much yesterday - 2 lots of 30mins to school and back - not once did my heal hurt (though my feet were sore). Fingers crossed it’s not the beginning of another long term heal spur inflamation.

On top of the now sore heal I’ve been battling a sore lower back for about a week now which has gradually been getting worse. Again I don’t know why this has occurred now. I’ve got an appointment with Kevin’s chiropractor for Monday morning - in the meantime the heat pack is getting well used.

Well, I’m pottering along this week. Trying not to let this very slow weight loss get to me. I did miss cardio yesterday (cause Kevin went to work) but I did pass up Malteasers in the movies and only had my protein bar and a diet coke. Food wise everything is going well.

Well, I cannot believe I had never heard of William Wilberforce whom the movie Amazing Grace is all about. I finally went to see this movie with my Mum yesterday and we both learnt a lot. Firstly I hadn’t realized how involved with slavery Great Britain was (guess it’s not something they brag about), secondly I did not know about William Wilberforce (who not only led the fight to abolish slavery but was instrumental about reforms for animal welfare and educations and many other important facets of life), thirdly I did not know that it was a ex slave ship captain turned Preacher who wrote Amazing Grace (I song near and dear to me with having Scottish blood and a Grandmother called Grace). It’s definitely a movie anyone interested in history should see. And although it tells some of details of slavery nothing graphic is shown and even the reports on it are pretty mild - the movie is rated PG. Oh, and to make things even better there is a little romance and a happy ending. This is one movie I’ll be thinking of for a number of days.

I’ve just returned from getting a facial (the first in a number of years) and I’m feeling sooooo relaxed. I almost couldn’t get up off the table afterwards. It was lovely and my beautician, Fran, was so excited getting to do facial for me (she’s been doing my nails and eyelashes/eyebrows for a couple of years now). This was my reward for 4 weeks of healthy eating (as per Body for Life).

Well, I was feeling peckish for much of today. Did have a couple of plain biscuits and a packet of weight watchers nibblies. Not too bad. Had a friend over for afternoon tea. Since that was to be meal 4 I made a mexican dip to have with organic corn chips. I also made a low-fat choc brownie. I enjoyed the dip and 2 pieces of brownie and then felt absolutely horrible. I thought it was overeating (even though I didn’t think I ate too much) but  it’s 2 hours later and I still feel yuck so it must be something else. I’m not going to have meal 5. I’m off to a meeting soon and if I feel better when I come back might have something later.

Well, not quite the results I was hoping for - a loss of 0.2kg. I was lower on Friday but it seems every day this week I was up and down and all over the place. I did take my measurements and had dropped a couple of cms in most places since the last time I measured. Took photos but can’t see my difference in those. However I did put on a new top today and was pleasantly suprised when I could do it up and it looked okay.

I think I need to focus a bit more on my diet this week - mainly portion sizes - and I’m going to drop having meal 6 - I don’t usually feel like it anyway so I’ll only have it if I actually feel hungry.

Here’s a photo of my arms. I’m rather proud of my little muscles - just need to get rid of the flab and I’ll be all set.