Photo credit: quitsmokingtoday2010

Most people that smoke don’t really know what the cigarettes are doing to them. All they know is that they enjoy it and find it a calming and enjoyable experience. Non-smokers on the other hand find it totally repulsive to say the least. Recently 3 weeks ago I quit smoking and it has been quite an ordeal let me tell you. The cravings at times when you smoke were like someone was plucking out my eyelashes. It was horrible to deal with.

The good news is that what I didn’t realise is that due to my weight I thought I couldn’t be active because of that, however what I discovered is that the other day I went to the shopping centre ( I haven’t been for about 1 year), I would avoid them like the plague. I simply dreaded walking around. Now what happened to me this weekend was remarkable, I decided to go and do my shopping and actually wanted to walk around – even if I was in pain doing so. When I got there and walked around I was not in pain and found that I was less out of breath than usual.

This was a miracle in my eyes as firstly I didn’t think I could ever quit the smokes but what was even more remarkable then doing that was the fact that I WALKED, it was exhilarating and made me feel like I was a part of society again and very alive. It was just great and then I started thinking what other things I could do, like walking at the park, walking on the beach with my husband (whom doesn’t ever suggest going anywhere he thinks I could not handle) would have been so proud of me and to see me doing the normal things in life and enjoying it, that would be the main thing.

So the thing is I actually owe this all to quitting, now here comes the bad news and please don’t fault me on this, just listen.

So, whilst I was at the shopping centre doing the shopping I lost my EFT card and when I was at the supermarket paying for my groceries I found that I couldn’t find my card anywhere. So I was thinking what did I do with it, what, what? As I walked into the shopping centre I stopped at the EFT machine to check my balances and what did silly me do, I’ll tell you what I did, I left my card in the machine and took the paper balance sheet.

So whilst I did walking around the shopping centre and enjoying it I was now stressed that I lost my card. I was lucky I had a credit card to pay for the groceries. The bank called my mobile and asked that I call them back. When I was in my car I was on hold for what seemed an eternity and I still didn’t get through. So I thought I will just go home and deal with it then.

When I got home I told my husband what happened and he told me immediately that the police called our house asking me to pick my card up at the police station. As it turned out someone (anonymous) dropped it off at the police station, what a lovely person that is whoever it is. No money was taken and I got my card back, I really needed to pay some bills. When I got my card back I tried using the teller machine but it rejected my request. I rang the bank again and finally got through and they unblocked my card thank God.

Now here is the bad part, I was so stressed at the thought of losing my whole monthly wage that I was shaking and in turn went and bought some cigarettes. I know I know you must be saying, but I have actually been smoking since I got home and all weekend. I realise this has just ruined all the hard work I did for those three weeks and it will be hard to try quitting again, but I think that I can do it again.

So the morel of the story is that you can do anything if you put your mind to it, and quitting smoking will give you more than just clear lungs it will give you your energy back and the will to get out of your comfort zone well that is what happened with me.  Now they say that anyone person can try to give up at least 7 times before actually giving up for good and that each time gets easier and each time you go without smoking for longer.  This is my second attempt.   Wish me luck for my next attempt.

I plan to go fishing, walking and if the weather stays warm even swiming.  You just feel relaxed and free to do what ever you like.

Try it sometime people.

Photo credit: Sandiegofit.com

You all are aware that I have been going to the Gym and it occurred to me that I don’t have anything nice to wear for my work outs.  I have been drugging around in my track suits.  Not a good look I am sure, and so I decided to check out what we curvy ladies have out there in the form of Active Wear.

Well look what I have found ladies, these items are fantastic.  No more looking frumpy at the gym or when you are exercising, now you can look and feel great whilst doing something good for yourself.

At Danskin you can find many items to feel sporty in and they are right here in Australia.   Check out their range and the great thing is you can buy online.  EASY!  I also found at Sandiegofit.com some great items for the plus size woman.    They also ship internationally so anyone can purchase their clothing.

Now when you decide to join a gym or do any kind of sport you will be dressed for success.   Happy shopping ladies and let me know what you think if you do purchase any of these items.

Photo credit: Fiona Ayerst

Last week I did a class at Fernwood called Yogilates; it was a fantastic class to relax after a long week.  The definitions of both Yoga and Pilates are as per below.  If you haven’t joined Fernwood yet I recommend it because you will get support from the staff and other Gym goers.

Definition of Yoga from Yoga (dot) org (dot) NZ in simple terms.

Definition of Pilates from Answers (dot) com

By putting both practices together you get the benefits of both Yoga and Pilates which I found complement each other very well.  You may also think that doing this exercise is for slackers, well let me tell you, you work every muscle in your body and you even sweat.

By stretching and learning how to breathe you really get in tune with your own body.  As many of us experience the hustle and bustle of everyday life this class is perfect for those who just need to take a break for themselves.  Relax the body and relax the mind.  Highly recommended by myself – and for those of you that think you are too overweight or too old well you are wrong.  I am still 146 kg and I could do it, only two exercises that I couldn’t do but there is always an alternative to every exercise. 

Yogilates provided by yogilates.com will give you everything you will need to know about the exercise.   

For your nearest location of classes please check your local directories and or Municipal centers.

Photo credit: Bakko Brats’

I am still going to the Gym and doing ok with that, it is still early days and as this process takes so long you shouldn’t expect miracles.  I am very realistic about it and not setting myself up for a big fall if I should go off the rails, so far so good.

Am taking the Simplicity shakes and they are really good, sweet and you can make smoothies with them?  The way the Simplicity system works is that you would get an allowance of 5000 kilojoules per day.  Then in your book you have what one serving is per item of food, this is broken up into carbohydrates, fruits, vegetables, fats and protein. 

Your consultant will give you how many serves of each food group you can have per day and then when you do your menu you will need to write down everyday how many of each food group you actually had.  There are some recipies that will help you do this more effectively.  I’ll do more on these at a later date.

What I like about this is that I can write what I eat and what time.  Check off the number of servings I have each day, tick how many glasses of water I had and write a little about what exercise I did.

This week I had my personal training session.  It was fantastic; I was really pushed into doing what I thought I couldn’t do.  We worked on some machines, did a warm up on a treadmill, did some free weights and weight bar, ending with ABS.  Let me tell you it is Friday and I am still feeling my inner and outer thighs, abs and arms.  I have noticed that my body has already started to change.

When you get this realisation that your body is changing from the exercise you have done it feels great.  My legs are starting to look smoother, my abs are starting to form, even though the fat is still there on the stomach and under chest area, but I swear that my abs are starting to form. 

The only down fall is that due to all the good food and water I am having, plus exercise I have started to break out in pimples everywhere.  It isn’t pleasant however I know it will pass and it is only the toxins coming out of my body.  This is a good thing believe it or not.

My hair is even looker better, my skin will follow soon enough.  When you start to lose weight you do break out.  I feel like this whole thing is working for me and even though my food planning isn’t 100% I also know this is going to take time, planning and preparation before I get this perfect.  I am working on it girls.

Till the next time stay tuned and I will write another post soon.