Tips for the Walk

1. prepare for the return by putting a large drink of water in the fridge
2. Eat something 20mins + before
3. Go to the loo
4. Don't worry about how you look or make a shirt that says "Exercise is never pretty"

Now I believe that what you wear is important and the parts that you want reduced in size are the parts which should be the warmest. (there is a little science in this) Basically for fat to be burnt off, blood must flow through & therefore the area must get warm. Those of us who have larger bums, tums &/or boobs have experienced the confusion that is these areas take longer to warm up. Therefore I start with good old cotton underwear & I add to that the body sucking formwear - that look like granny knickers+ but are meant to be worn under items to hold all those unfortunate places in tact. An added bonus to these is no chaffing. Now these are an absolute bitch to get on, so please allow an extra 5mins. then track pants, (bra - obviously) T-shirt & a sweatshirt, lastly socks & walking shoes. oh and a cap (this keeps the sun out of my eyes & hair in one place)

I don't recommend you spend any extra money on any of these items - most people have them around the home tucked in the darker corner of the wardrobe or drawers. You don't need to look pretty, you are not Jane Fonda, Christie Brinkly or anyone else whom the paparazzi are going to stalk. Exercise is not glamourous &; you will smell.

5. Multitask by putting on a load of washing while you are out.

6. If part of your walk is up hill (no matter how mild the slope) try to make this in your first 20mins.

7. if you are feeling adventurous - throw in a little jog in the second half, but only if the music calls for it.

8. reward yourself. Soak in a long bath (you smell, you need it). remember to drink that water in the fridge & relax.

Be realistic - this isn't just a 40min walk, this is a 2 hour experience, the relaxing afterwards is just as important as remembering to tie your shoes.

one Week & 2kg down

boo yeah!

I was really aiming for a weight loss of 1kg per week - as I believe this is achievable with changing my diet alone.

basically I am lazy, and so I get home & cook whatever is easy, normally out of the freezer & lunch was consisting of whatever takeaway I felt like. Then after one week back at work, I was getting too fat for my "fat clothes". something had to be done.

So I got out the old weight watcher cook books, planned some meals, wrote some goals, weighed myself (& wrote that down) then looked at a pilates workbook & decided I would take 40min walks.

The walks happen once a week - although it's possible I might do more.

The walk came about by also learning how to use Garageband & created a 40min track made from up to 10 of my fav tracks - with a marker at the 20min mark, then I used Google maps to create my own walk plan & there is a good little walking track near me - yah!

So now I need to keep this up, which will be harder once my girl is back next week, but if I get the head start in now I might be ok.

I also had my last lot of serious drinking on Sunday night - I have no idea why alcohol is meant to be bad for losing weight - I didn't feel like eating ANYTHING all Monday!

horrible blogger really

Yet, still alive.

finally you get an entry, mostly because I have something to say & it is too long for a FB status or a tweet. Yes, I'm learning to tweet.

anyhoo, these last two weeks I have been on holiday in the south island & doing a lot of driving. When I drive I have a tendency to think, which leads to ideas! oh no!!

So first, the trip. Was GREAT! Oamaru was great, i relaxed helped my mother with things, spent time with my daughter, didn't do a great deal & had a nice time not doing much. Then we went to Wanaka, while it rained the first day & a half, I caught an old dear friend & gave gifts for her baby, relaxed in the sun, showed my daughter all the really cool things about Wanaka including puzzling world, making new friends & swimming in the lake.
Then off to Christchurch, where daughter is staying with her Nana for a month.

I went and stayed one night with a friend I hadn't seen in 6 years & his family, again fantastic to catch up. then hunted out sweet great friend who while is dealing with a tough situation is looking better than I have ever seen her (I'm very proud & pleased that she is doing so well) she kindly lent me her abode.
Randomly i saw some people, I met about 9 years ago & have been FB friends these past few years, in the Supermarket - good chat with them :)

after napping & a can of 'Demon' I prepared for the party & collected friend on the way. at the party I caught up with many, many old friends & had a grand time.

there were only two people who I wanted to, but didn't catch up with. Could have, if i had made more of an effort - but that's ok.

headed back north on the 1st, glorious day & took my time, got the ferry & it didn't cost me the earth either, although it took an extra hour & a half to get the boat going. Along the way, I decided that this year, I will "Take a Lover" (in reality this is simply the renaming of the FwB situation) it sounds more European/mature and something that a woman in her 30's could be doing. It also allows (in my mind) the potential to take more than one, although presently not a concept I have time for.