Correct Change 62/84

Humans find it hard to change their behavior. Approximately 95% of new years resolutions are never achieved. Dr Adam Fraser looks at why we are so terrible at sticking to goals.

In a way achieving goals goes against our natural biological drivers. Our natural program is to move away from things that cause us stress and discomfort. Studies have shown that the most common emotions people feel during the goal achievement process are frustration, anxiety, fear, boredom and apathy. Therefore we have to realize that altering any habit or achieving any goal flies in the face of our normal biological desires and behavior.

HERE ARE SOME KEYS TO HELP YOU STICK WITH YOUR GOALS:~

1.) Get Over Your Story!
When people stop taking action toward their goal they rationalized it by making up a story around why they couldn't do it. Most of the time they said it was not their fault ie:~ "I will get back to this goal when work calms down a bit". When analyzed their stories were inaccurate and delusional.

2.) Realize It Won't Be Easy!
When people who stopped pursuing a goal, were shown examples of other people who were successful at achieving a similar goal, they saw the other persons goal as being easier, or that the other person was having more fun getting to their goal. Neither of these were true. In fact those that stuck to their goal were as challenged, bored, frustrated with their goals as those that gave up. They just didn't see those things as a reason to quit.

3.) Just Start!
Research shows that once we start the activity, momentum tends to make us keep going. For example to get people to exercise researchers got them to walk for just 10 minutes a day, however once they were out and exercising they continued to walk much longer.

4.) Don't Think Too Much!
People that didn't achieve their goals tended to think about it a lot. Those people that did achieve their goals didn't analyze it too much, when it came time to do their chosen activity, they just did it.

5.) Create Tension!
Often children stick to new hobbies or sports because they have a lot of tension in their environment to make them keep going. Tension from parents, coaches and other students. All these sources of tension keep them accountable. Announce your goals to people and set up tension in your environment to keep you accountable.

6.) Change The Small Stuff!
A recent weight loss study showed that people who changed small habits like the way they drove to work, what wrist they wore their watch on, which hand they brushed their teeth with, lost far more weight than those in the study who did not change these small habits.

Good Food and Wine 61/84

First up I have to thank you all so much for your blog comments below. It means so much to have you all with me on this journey and I have been so lucky to have so many internet buddies in my life. In fact the people I am closest to including my fiance, maid of honour, bridesmaids the lot were all met online. And that is why you are so important to me.

Today Loz and I headed off to the Good Food and Wine Show. I stumbled across this last year and was mightily impressed with what was on offer. So much so I decided it simply HAD to be an annual pilgramage. Me and my Nanna trolley. (Totally stolen picture) which is an absolute essential. Along with leaving your handbag at home, bringing a big back pack and the essentials only haha.

I should have known what kind of day it was going to turn out to be when the first stand we decided to visit was the Absinthe one. 3 shots down, feeling a little tipsy (no breakfast) And we moved onto the Finlandia vodka stand. 5 or 6 shots of that and the party had definitely started. It was only 9:30am. (oops)

It was rough going getting around the expo. I'm no where near recovered and I think I bit off wayyy more than I can chew. But it was still an awesome day. I even found 2 wines I like! I have never liked any wines. Both Brown Brothers - Sienna and Zibbo. YUMMY

There was even a huge Tupperware stall that my team happened to be manning as we went past so I got to say hi to them. I am looking forward to being able to join them on one of these days. They looked to be having fun :)

Heaps of cheeses and yummy bits and pieces. I came home with chocolates, cheese twists, chai tea and I should have purchased more cheeses. But I came home with a massive haul of alcoholic products. Especially for someone who doesn't generally drink. Oops. See below. ALL bought at the expo and there are some bottles behind others etc.

When we had finished making our way through the expo I called Jase to come and pick us up. I am so glad he was driving because constructing a sentence was hard. No way could I drive. Neither could Loz although she was holding on better than me.

While we waited Loz and I jumped on the Ferris Wheel which has been set up in Darling Harbour, I have been looking at this thing from the road when I pick Jason up from work wondering exactly where it was etc and wanting a ride for a month.

Unfortunately the sun was in the wrong position for photos of the harbour. But I did capture this one of the chinese gardens. An awesome place to visit if ever you are in Sydney.

And this one of Lozza and I. It always makes for a great outing! I highly recommend getting along if you aren't doing anything tomorrow. And pay the $25 for a trolley when you walk in the door. Trust me!

All in all it was an awesome day. I don't think the scales will be happy with me in the morning but my tastebuds sure have been. Hopefully any damage doesn't show up on Monday's weigh in cause I am tracking well at this stage.

Now haven't we had GORGEOUS weather in Sydney this week! Today was cool in the wind and the wind was a bit strong yesterday but the sun has been gorgeous. Not too hot nor too cold.

I was teasing my Mum yesterday. As I was sitting in the car waiting to pick Jason up from work I took a photo of the outside temperature display which was reading 23°C and emailed it to her. I don't think she was happy. Melbourne has had miserable weather.

Oh and you may have noticed I boosted the 101 list as I have ticked off a whole pile of stuff in the last month or so. So I thought I should set myself monthly targets to acheive certain 101 goals or it woud never happen. Last month I finally tried a Custard Apple. I'm not sure this one wasn't starting to turn (see the darker areas) But I ate some of the good bits and it was beautiful! It really tastes like custard.

So this month I am going to try and tick off

36. Buy a Short Wheel Based Pajero - in progress hopefully I'll pick it up early next week.

82. Have a Full Body Massage - I have a voucher the guys at work gave me for my birthday yeah in December (Oops) And I really really need one now.

89. Consolidate my super - Its all over the place and my main one isn't an industry fund so it's charging huge fees. Time to move on.

90. Get Income Protection Insurance - My operation has showed me how important this is. It can be a part of my super so that's how I am going to try and structure it

93. Complete a 12 week WAS Challenge - I have been doing well this challenge and as you can see above there are 23 days to go in this one :)

96. Get my Tupperware business off the ground - I would consider paying off my kit, being confident with my parties, introducing some others to the business and getting some prizes at sessions off the ground.

100. Organize the catch ups with friends I have been meaning to for ages - I have caught up with many people I have meant to but I am finally catching up with B and a couple of other people. When that happens I'll consider this successful.

Does anyone have ideas for 101's that become redundant? Like I have tinting my windows on the list but now I am buying this other car it already has tinted windows. Do I replace it with something else or ignore it?

101 Things in 1001 Days

An all New 101 things in 1001 days list for me.

For three reasons really. I haven't looked at my last list in a damn long time, I think my 1001 days for the last list is almost up and many things in my life have changed.

My new list should be all ticked off by 18/07/2011
(Originally created 20/10/2008)

The Mission:
Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1001 days.

The Criteria:
Tasks must be specific (ie. no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (ie. represent some amount of work on my part).

Why 1001 Days?
Many people have created lists in the past - frequently simple goals such as New Year's resolutions. The key to beating procrastination is to set a deadline that is realistic. 1001 Days (about 2.75 years) is a better period of time than a year, because it allows you several seasons to complete the tasks, which is better for organising and timing some tasks such as overseas trips or outdoor activities.


Some common goal setting tips:

1. Be decisive.
Know exactly what you want, why you want it, and how you plan to achieve it.

2. Stay Focussed.
Any goal requires sustained focus from beginning to end. Constantly evaluate your progress.

3. Welcome Failure.
Frequently, very little is learned from a venture that did not experience failure in some form. Failure presents the opportunity to learn and makes the success more worthy.

4. Write down your goals.
It clarifies your thinking and reinforces your commitment.

5. Keep your goals in sight.
Review them frequently, and ensure that they are always at the forefront of your thinking.

So what should I list here? Last time it took me FOREVER to get a list together so lets see how we go.


Jadey's 101 Things to do in 1001 Days

1. Organise write and send my Christmas Cards
2. Get weight under 100kgs
3. Get to Virgin Fat (82.2kgs)
4. Get to Goal weight
5. Become a Club General Manager
6. Run a successful club at 109%+ EBITDA (work term)
7. Record expenses and spending Completed 30/06/2009
8. Create a Budget Completed 08/05/2009
9. Follow that budget
10. Get up to date with my tax Completed ??/2009
11. Learn to Save and keep 3 Months Wages in Savings
12. Get Engaged to Jason (28/02/2009)
13. Get Married to Jason
14. Get Pregnant
15. Get Ankles fixed properly (First operation 12/03/2009)
16. Learn to Run
17. Run a Fun Run
18. Run all the way in a fun run
19. Swim with Wild Dolphins
20. Host a Formal Dinner Party
21. Get into My Roxy Jeans
22. Give Blood
23. Visit Darwin
24. Visit Alice Springs
25. Visit Adelaide
26. Learn Italian In Progress from April 2009
27. Get a Sewing Machine and Learn to Sew
28. Enjoy a Health Retreat
29. Complete City to Surf
30. Have a Technology Free Weekend
31. Learn Photoshop
32. Participate in a Triathlon
33. Go to the Circus
34. Go to the Easter Show
35. Tour Fraser Island
36. Buy a 4WD SWB Pajero - In Progress YAY
37. Bungee Jump again
38. Laser Legs, Bikini and Underarms
39. Fix Torana
40. Go Scuba Diving
41. Buy Bookshelves Completed 03/07/2009
42. Organise Antenna for bedroom Completed 02/07/2009
43. Eliminate Bad Debt
44. Learn to Airbrush
45. Decorate for Christmas
46. Host Christmas or Christmas in July
47. Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb
48. Eat and See a show at the Opera House
49. Eat at Level 41
50. Try every Gym class at least once Completed: Body Balance, RPM, Cycle
51. White Water Rafting
52. Rock Climbing
53. Learn to Ski or Snowboard
54. Start Martial Arts
55. Get Motorbike Permit
56. Swim 50 laps
57. Drive Sydney - Melbourne Coast road
58. Buy a King Sized Bed
59. Finish transporting and unpacking my stuff
60. Get into a good Sleeping routine and keep it
61. Complete this list Completed 5/05/2009
62. Visit Thailand
63. Replace Car Stereo Completed 26/12/2008
64. Take a full month off work Completed March 2009
65. Go on a cruise
66. Get front gates fitted
67. Fit Out Laundry
68. Refit Kitchen
69. Buy a slow cooker and learn how to use it
70. Buy a Kirby
71. Create a dream board Completed 5/5/2009
72. New curtains for the bedroom and tv room Bedroom Completed 25/06/2009
73. Intercom / Alarm and Entry system
74. Buy giant George Forman grill or similar Completed 27/06/2009
75. Buy Magic Bullet Completed 24/12/2008
76. Get matching fridge (already have the freezer)
77. Completely De Clutter the house
78. Get Storm's weight down Completed June 2009
79. Learn to focus on eating, not sitting at my desk or in front of the laptop or TV Completed June 2009
80. Get car windows tinted
81. Get a pedicure
82. Have a full body massage
83. Become more domestic, cook regularly, clean etc (oh wait.. WHAT!!!???) I AM!!! June / July 2009
84. Try Paddle Surfing
85. Try Kiteboarding
86. Convince Jase to join me in Rock n Roll Lessons
87. Trapeze Day
88. Degustation Dinner at Tetsuyas
89. Consolidate my Super
90. Get income protection insurance
91. Try a custard apple Completed 29/06/2009
92. Buy House
93. Complete a 12 Week WAS Challenge
94. Do an Urban Max Adventure www.maxadventure.com.au/urbanmax
95. Go to my first ever Concert Completed 6/06/2009 PINK ROCKS!!!!
96. Get my Tupperware business off the ground
97. Buy a good set of headphones
98. List and sell Un Necessary or Un loved items on eBay/Trading Post/Whereever
99. Do a house audit
100. Organise the catch ups with friends I have been meaning to for ages
101. Buy Helicopter flight lessons for Jason

59 / 84

I know I have taken too long between blogs when I have to go back and check on what the hell my last blog actually said.

Well I lasted just over a week at work. Then on Monday night I had really aching horrible pains running down my entire left leg. I had freaked out at first thinking it was a blood clot or something. I took Tuesday off and took myself to the doctor. The Doctor has a theory that it may be pinched nerves in my back. Lucky aren't I? So I am off work again until Monday unless my back get better beforehand. And if it doesn't I'm off for further testing.

I'm not going so well with my physio exercises cause now I'm resting again. Ah well. Shame it also screws up the goals I set for myself on Monday haha. (See bottom of page). While I am resting up though I should update my 101 list. I have started ticking off some things. (yay)

Jason cancelled our foxtel subscription this week and it all finished up yesterday. I am so happy about this as Foxtel is the hugest waste of money! Honestly it cost us $130 a month to watch TV!!!! Screw that. There is plenty on free to air available. I need to get myself a longer antenna cord to plug my PVR in so I can record the shows I normally watch again.

In other news I am buying myself a new car! (YAY) And finally I am getting what I want. Yes. After 8 years of looking and longing I am buying a Pajero. I never liked the 4 door ones and the return of the 2 door 2 years ago excited me no end. Now I am only days away from my new car and I am too excited. (And can you tell if anything gets in my road I will be totally crushed)

It's not my preferred colour. But silver is nice too. It's the second choice to black. It's got a full leather interior with heated seats. A sunroof and a few other factory options. It's so nice to drive. It's not entirely practical so I said to Jase if I don't get one now I will never be able to because a) they are being discontinued again in Australia and b) I don't think it practical for multiple children. In fact it might even be hard work with one. (I might borrow a baby with their capsule and find out hahahaha)

The next thing to decide on is do I pay the yearly $440 for my personalised number plates? I love them. I really do. But I hate that NSW makes you lease them and you never own them. Maybe I'll register it in Victoria where I can buy the plates for $495 and never pay again and own them. It's an option I am lucky to have.

Weight loss wise Operation Wedding Dress is well underway. I am still dropping weight and seeing successes. My measurements are well down on my beginning point and I am feeling really good. I am setting my goals and reporting on them every week on the We Are Slimming forums (as well as here) and seem to be acheiving the majority of them. Sure I miss some things but I am only human and I am accepting of that.

I am still weighing daily which also helps to keep me on track but my main weigh in day is Monday and I accept whatever that weight is on the day up or down knowing that it's a process and one that will take some time. As long as the trend continues downwards I am on the right path.

This week when I weighed in on Monday I was very happy with the results! This week saw me burst through the 10kg mark! This is such a great feeling. I am really happy about doing what's right for me. I can't wait to start doing some exercise!

Now I have been reading and catching up on all your blogs. I will try to be better with the comments but if you are dropping by here for a read please comment so I know you were here. It makes a girl feel loved you know LOL

MONDAYS STATS

Height:~ 168 cms

Start Weight:~ 126.9 kgs

Goal Weight:~ 64 kgs

Current Weight:~ 116.7 kgs

Weight Lost:~ 10.2 kgs

% Weight Lost:~ 8%

Weight to Goal:~ 52.7 kgs

GOALS

FOOD 1:~ Cook and portion healthy meals

FOOD 2:~ Increase water intake

EXERCISE 1:~ Ride Bike for 5 - 10 mins everyday as per physio

OTHER 1:~ Sleep for minimum of 8 hours 5/7 Nights

REPORTING ON LAST WEEK

FOOD 1:~ Cook and portion healthy meals ~ Yep

FOOD 2:~ Increase water intake ~ Yep

EXERCISE 1:~ Ride Bike for 5 - 10 mins everyday as per physio ~ Nope

OTHER 1:~ Unpack Books to Shelves ~ Yep

49 / 84 Back To Work

4 months goes so quickly and so slowly all at once. Today I'm returning to work after almost 4 months off work. It's a daunting feeling actually. I haven't been there for so long that it feels so weird.

I have a meeting this morning with my
Manager and my regional manager this morning to discuss how things will work since I basically have to remain seated etc while at work. I'm not entirely sure how this is going to go.

I arrived at work 45 minutes early so I'm in the car blogging on the iPhone which is ao much better since the upgraded software has come through with cut and paste options.

But seriously I wasn't sure on travel time anymore sometimes 10 minutes sometimes 45 dependant on traffic and I figured a wet Monday morning I'd err on the side of caution. Of course it took 10 minutes!

Wish me luck!

STATS

Start Weight:~ 126.9 kgs
Goal Weight:~ 64 kgs
Current Weight:~ 117.4 kgs
Weight Lost:~ 9.5 kgs
% Weight Lost:~ 7.5%
Weight to Goal:~ 53.4 kgs

Yay that's down another 2.2kg! So I have made up for last weeks gain and more!

Last Weeks Goals

FOOD 1:~ Cook healthy meals ~ yup
FOOD 2:~ Ensure smaller portion sizes are consumed ~ yup

EXERCISE 1:~ Continue to move a little everyday ~ most days
EXERCISE 2:~ Get myself to the Physio ~ yup

OTHER 1:~ Finish Unpacking ~ nope
OTHER 2:~Clean Out Bathroom ~ nope
OTHER 3:~Catch up with Megan for Lunch ~ yay finally I did
OTHER 4:~Finish mailing out catalogues ~ yup
OTHER 5:~Date 2 Tupperware parties ~ nope I think I need to concentrate on this when I'm on my feet

THIS WEEKS GOALS

FOOD 1:~ Cook and portion healthy meals
FOOD 2:~ Increase water intake

EXERCISE:~ Ride bike for 5-10 mins everyday as per physio

OTHER:~ Unpack books to shelf


Not too much on the list this week. I reckon returning to work will knock me around a little so I won't push things with my goals.

42/84 - A TupperChick and A Bride 2 Be

Hey all!

Well what a big weekend that was! Friday night I was so happy to catch up with some of the blogger girls from Sydney. It was great to see Margaret again and catch up with Simmo but it was also great to meet Jodie, Chantel, Krissie, Cath and Sam.

We had a brilliant dinner and I split a share with Simmo. We both ordered a main and had half each. One was Blakeys Beef which was an amazing garlic and something marinated diced sirloin steak and the other was a beautiful spicy salt whitebaits. Both soo yummy.

Jason was sooo good to bring me into the city and pick me up. I love that man. (Warm fuzzies)

Saturday was my Tupperware Announcement party. It was my official "open for business" I suppose. In preparation I made way too much food but somehow it all got eaten. We had such a good time as my manager Annika came and did a basic demo for us. Thanks so much to Loz, Carissa and of course the fabulous Margaret for coming along and for helping me get off the ground with my new business.

From there we went straight out to a birthday party for another friend. Anne is such a beautiful person I was so happy to help her celebrate her birthday and we had a fun night.

Sunday morning I met Loz down at Luna Park for the Sydney Bridal Expo. It was at the crystal palace which I love as an idea for a wedding reception venue. But I'm not sure it's doable. Plenty of time to make decisions yet. I just discovered they had more exhibitions upstairs that we didn't know was there. We just th0ught it was the fashion show. Ah wells.

Honestly Lozza is the bestest best friend one could hope for. She gave up her Sunday morning sleep in and dragged herself into Luna Park to support me. Then she carried SOOO MUCH stuff for me while we had a look around. Honestly there must of been 10kg or so of magazines alone. I love you Lozza!

Then I rushed off from there to Cronulla and Trish's baby shower. She is 30 / 31 weeks and looks FABULOUS! She is such an adorable girl and I was so happy to get together with her and meet some of her friends. The lunch was really yummy! I skipped dessert (I reckon I should of stayed) But I was keen to get to the Pittwater Annual Bridal Expo.

I needn't have bothered rushing. It was actually quite small and uninspiring. All I know now is that I don't want my wedding reception there. But I suppose at least I do know that. Oh and I have amazing blisters on my hands from the crutches LOL.

Then Jason and I sat down to a movie last night. We watched a real tear jerker called Taking Chance. It's about an officer who requests to take a PFC from his home town back to the family after he is killed in action in Iraq. It is based on a true story about this 20 y.o PFC. I cried and cried and cried some more. Highly Highly recommended.

Today has been nice. I needed a day of doing nothing so that's what I've done. I'm in bed with my tupperware catalogues and information, my bridal magazines and my laptop. I did create a fan page for my tupperware business called My Tupperware Lady on facebook. And 12 people have joined already so they must be Tupperfans like me. Feel free to join my page. It's fairly bare right now but I am sure I will be able to build it given some time.

I really need some hosts for parties right now. In order to get started I need to have 4 - 6 parties booked in a matter of weeks. If you can host a party for me please let me know. It can be yourself and 3 or 4 mates or a whole bunch of people doesn't matter! There's FREE Tupperware for you too! Hundreds and hundreds of dollars worth so it's a well rewarded exercise.

There are lots of fun parties to be had. Cockatail Parties, Taste of Tupperware, Chocoholics parties etc.

OK now the official stats etc. I so don't want to share. I feel like a damn Yoyo!

Height:~ 168 cms

Start Weight:~ 126.9 kgs

Goal Weight:~ 64 kgs

Current Weight:~ 119.6 kgs

Weight Lost:~ 7.3 kgs

% Weight Lost:~ 5.8%

Weight to Goal:~ 55.6 kgs

That's a gain of 700 grams this week! I don't get it so much.

As for last weeks goals

FOOD 1:~ Continue to cook healthy meals ~ I think I slipped on this this week.

FOOD 2:~ Ensure smaller portion sizes are consumed ~ Nope

EXERCISE 1:~ Continue to move a little everyday ~ Have been a very busy girl this past week EXERCISE 2:~ Get myself to the Physio ~ Nope Oops!

OTHER 1:~ Clean out pantry and fridge ~ Yes they are sooo neat and pretty

OTHER 2:~Sort Cupboards ~ Yes, the whole kitchen got a mini makeover

OTHER 3:~Finish unpacking ~ Nope Eeek

OTHER 4:~Mail out some catalogues to those that wanted them ~ Need to send a few more. Must go shopping for envelopes

THIS WEEKS GOALS



FOOD 1:~ Cook healthy meals

FOOD 2:~ Ensure smaller portion sizes are consumed

EXERCISE 1:~ Continue to move a little everyday
EXERCISE 2:~ Get myself to the Physio

OTHER 1:~ Finish Unpacking
OTHER 2:~Clean Out Bathroom
OTHER 3:~Catch up with Megan for Lunch
OTHER 4:~Finish mailing out catalogues
OTHER 5:~Date 2 Tupperware parties

38 / 84

I haven't blogged properly for awhile and I apologise about that. I have been trying to get my life back together in my house in Sydney. It's not easy to have a life in two different places and only others that have left family in other states or countries would understand what I mean. I am so close to my parents that it kills me to not be near them.

So I arrived home nearly a couple of weeks ago now. I made it up and down the stairs (with my crutches) I did think that I would be sleeping on the blow up bed in the lounge room for awhile there.

I hadn't mentioned on my blog that there was some MAJOR nastiness here before I left between the Mother in Law and I. Enough that Jason was very horrified and stopped speaking to her for quite some time. I was NOT looking forward to returning to the scene of the crime so to speak. While I will never forget what was said, (It was a totally one sided attack against me the day after the proposal I overheard her speaking to someone else) I was happy to completely ignore her if she would ignore me.

She is apparently very upset about what she said and has ignored it completely and been really rather nice to me. I forgive, but won't forget and I have been really nice in return. Ah wells. The life huh!

We have a TV room upstairs which tends to be my domain and I leave the TV in the living room to the MIL's viewing (It's almost permanently fixed to the Lifestyle Food channel). The TV upstairs also has the foxtel IQ since I only seem to watch shows that collide with each other and I only like to watch them once they are recorded. (yes I am a fussy bitch LOL)

Well of course I blew up the TV didn't I! I was only in there for a day or two! :( We've known it's been going for a little while because the picture tube would scream if it had been on awhile. I thought when it did blow simple! I would re do the room and get a big flat screen in there. The reality is when you haven't worked for 4 months the flat screen is not an attainable item. (Bugger)

I have RGB cables running from there to my TV in the bedroom and I'm going backwards and forwards to set my recordings, change channel, watch recordings etc. I think it's great exercise LOL.

Talking about exercise the weight has been coming off. It's no speedy process that's for sure but it is dropping. I'm now 8kg down overall and 6kg down since the start of the challenge 38 days ago.

I would love to take Storm for walks now that I am home but I have no chance of doing so. I worry because she no longer has the full on contact she used to at Mum's and Dad's. There she lives inside 100% of the time and is smothered by Trigger (my brothers dog) for attention and playtime. Here she isn't allowed to step a foot in the door and I can't play much with her. Nothing super active anyway. I tend to sit on the retaining wall and cuddle and pat her. But it's never enough.

I would love to have a scooter again so I can go around the block with her. She has lost weight too and I worry about her putting weight back on. She needs to get a little more off if anything.

I am busily planning my Tupperware announcement party which is on Saturday. If you are in Sydney and would like to come please let me know and I'll give you the details. I would LOVE your support. If you can't make it I can mail a catalogue to anywhere. There are some awesome deals on this month. OR you could host a party and pick up HEAPS of FREE Tupperware. What more could a girl ask for??

Actually I would LOVE it if anyone could host a party for me. I have to do 6 parties to help me get on my feet and also to pay for my kit. I expect once those are done I should be able to start getting out there on my own but the start is always nerve wracking and I would SOOO love to do it with friends than start demonstrating at a strangers house.

I am hopefully heading back to work next week! I have gotten my doctor to write a report for work so I can get back without causing myself any damage. But work has so far said they think that it's going to be tricky. ARGGHHH. I do hope that they let me come back. Not only do I need the cash I need to work again! I need to get my life back on track. Although I plan for it to have a few changes.

I haven't had the opportunity to go wedding "shopping" yet. The first plan is to find a place to hold our engagement party. So I might start getting onto that in the next few days. Apparently the hotel around the corner from us has just been rebuilt - Jason and his Mum were the licensee's there many many moons ago. I'll check that out. In the 8 years I have lived here we have never even gone there for a drink or a counter meal or anything. I think that's weird! I also think I might check out the local RSL's and there's a workers club or something around too. Normally places like that are good for cheap food and drink and room hire etc.

Life has been abnormally busy since coming home. I am normally the girl you can find on the couch at home most nights and at work during the days (and most nights LOL) But it's been great since I got back. I'm hardly ever here. And I'm hardly ever alone. I'm not generally a person that likes being alone.

Last weekend I went the big chop! I had shoulder length hair and last time I coloured it I loved the colour. So I kept the colour (well re coloured it the same) And tried to go for the Posh Bob or Pob. I can't do the back quite the same because I have ridiculously thick hair and I was sooo nervous when she was chopping away at it but I love it! I love the way it frames my face. I love the colour and I love that I can now wash and dry and straighten it myself. Not as well as the hairdresser did but still I can do it! I have never been able to do my own hair. It's a nightmare.

I do want to chemically straighten my hair though. However it's damn expensive so that is on the rewards list.

After we (Loz came with me and had her hair done too) left the hairdresser we headed off to see Pinks opening Sydney show. I have never ever been to a concert before. I have a MAJOR fear of crowds so I made it to the ripe old age of 28 before gaining the courage to go to a concert and I am SOOO glad I did. Lozza bought me the ticket for my birthday. We got in early so I could get in on the crutches without too much fuss. We had seats - not just any seats but the BEST SEATS IN THE HOUSE!

Faker was below average. I was soooo bored. Everyone around us was saying "ok great finish now" after every song.

When they did get off stage the crowds danced more to the recorded music than to Faker. That's a sad state of affairs.

By the time she started I was screaming (like so many others) I thought I had busted my vocal cords I screamed so loud! My hands were red from all the clapping. What a show! Honestly you hear so many stories about how good this woman is as an entertainer and nothing will do her justice. I would love to go again and again and even without money my heart skipped a beat when I heard she'd released 2 more shows. The costumes. The singing. The dancing. The acrobatics! OH MY OH MY. No words.

BUY TICKETS PEOPLE! GO SEE PINK IN CONCERT!!!! You will not regret it ever.

Sunday night we had a small dinner party type thing with some of my closest friends. Loz and her hubby Jon, Simmo and her hubby Rob and Carissa and her fiance Nick. We decided on a Mexican theme and everyone bought a dish (or two or 3!) The margaritas flowed. The food was awesome and most of all the friendship we all share makes for an awesome night.

My friends are sooo important to me and I am grateful to every single one of them. I have never had heaps of friends but the ones I do have I love with all my heart.

Tomorrow I am lucky enough to be catching up with some more of them at the Sydney blogger dinner. (Did we miss anyone? Drop me a line for the details) And there's a few people who will be there that I haven't met before too so a chance to make new friends as well.

Sunday I am going to try and do a run through of a bridal expo at Luna Park before another girlfriends baby shower. I am so excited because I love the idea of the harbour and the lights etc. I'm not sure if it's doable or not but they have never had a wedding expo there before so I don't want to miss it. Esp if it turns out to be "the place" you know.

Now my girlfriend having the baby shower. She hasn't found out the sex of the baby. But she has asked that we bring our favourite childhood book and I would love your feedback! Is Black Beauty a unisex book? My favourite book as a child was black beauty's family. It detailed their lives. Was about 600 pages but I still treasure that book and it's a hardcover so if I find it I was thinking that's the one. But then I keep thinking it may be girlly. I dunno. I am so excited for her. She is 30 weeks now and such an amazing girl. I'm sooo clucky! LOL

After that if I get back in time I will run through the northern beaches wedding expo. Their once a year thing is on this Sunday too! And since it will have all the local suppliers (I'll be getting married on the northern beaches) I really need to check all that out too.

Then maybe after that I will finally get to drag Jason out to the movies. I have la premiere tickets that Carissa and Nick gave me for my birthday we still haven't used and I want to go see The Hangover, it looks funny!

Full day huh!

Anyway I have babbled on enough. The weigh in and goals were set on Monday by the way. Wish me luck!

THIS WEEKS WEIGH IN

STARTING WEIGHT:~ 126.9 kg

THIS WEEKS WEIGHT:~ 118.9 kg

THIS WEEKS LOSS:~ 1.8 kg

TOTAL LOSS:~ 8 kg / 6.3%

THIS WEEKS GOALS

FOOD 1:~ Continue to cook healthy meals

FOOD 2:~ Ensure smaller portion sizes are consumed

EXERCISE 1:~ Continue to move a little everyday

EXERCISE 2:~ Get myself to the Physio

OTHER 1:~ Clean out pantry and fridge

OTHER 2:~ Sort Cupboards

OTHER 3:~ Finish unpacking

OTHER 4:~ Mail out some catalogues to those that want them