#30DaySquatChallenge - Day 14

I bet you all thought I had forgotten about the #30SquatChallenge I signed myself up for last month. 

Well guess what I haven't!

In fact halfway through I am still going strong. In fact I am blown away at how much stronger my legs feel already, but more on that in a bit.

Before you start thinking I must be some super star totally addicted to exercise fitness junkie and hence why I am doing a squat challenge I assure you I am not. What I am is a stay at home mum who is trying to increase her strength and fitness.

Hopefully by role modelling this healthy lifestyle focus the girls will grow up with it naturally inbuilt into their everyday lives. I don't want them to be obsessive compulsive about it or anything like that but I do want them to value the importance of a healthy body and mind, and actively take steps to ensure they are looking after themselves.

So with that in mind I must admit that the last few days of the challenge have been exactly that. A challenge. More so than what the first couple proved to be as well. Which I find a little strange. Usually getting started is the trickiest part but in this case maintaining it past day 12 has proven the hardest part.

Even though it is a 30 day challenge, with gradual increases every couple of days, there are also a few rest days thrown in there for good measure as well. As anyone who regularly trains for anything will tell you resting is a very important part of any training session. Your body needs a chance to recuperate and heal as the muscles stretch and expand while getting stronger.

Not long before I received my invitation to the challenge I had heard that squats were a recommended way for runners to increase their leg strength which in turn makes them run faster. Which certainly appeals to me. Who wouldn't want to run faster? However I know these things don't happen over night.

When it comes to injury I like to err on the side of caution, which is pretty much my excuse for not pushing my body too hard.  Now before you turn away thinking that is a cop out, hear what I have to say.

I am old. Not overly so but old enough. (Thirty five if you must know) Prior to eighteen months ago when I decided to try this running lark, it was a very very long time since I last did anything remotely active. And by very very long time I mean about twenty years give or take. As such I am cautious about doing too much too soon, hurting myself and losing interest.

This has meant that I have decided to hold off running for the first few days of the #30DaySquatChallenge. A notion that was confirmed for me when I awoke to discover 100 squats done in the space of five to ten minutes left my legs in a much more tender state than what running 12km did.

However, when the second rest day came along and my legs felt somewhat less tender, I saw it as a great time to take my new found muscles out for fun in the form of a quick lap around the block. Actually I ran to my mother's house and around a park for the while. After about 20 minutes I decided that I could go run no further and walked the rest of the 10 minute trip.

Turns out I covered a whole 5km which meant I did a couple of nearly PB times in there. I still can't believe. I mean it felt like a great run, I really could feel the extra spring in my step thanks to the new muscles in my legs. Needless to say I powered through the next few days of the challenge knowing how much difference I was achieving.

Sadly though the day before the next rest day which was about day 11 I think. I just didn't squat. I tired a couple of times, maybe managed 30, I am not sure now. I am trying to not to think about it too much else I will start an internal beating session that I just don't need.

So what if I missed one day? The world will not end. My body needed a two day rest. Plus I have did some pretty awesome bike riding on the rest day. A total of about 5km with a 7 year old and 3 year old being towed in a trailer. Not to mention the extra hard gear I had the bike in. Pedal power to the max I tell you!

I had been hoping to just add my missed 120 into the rest day but I was too buggered. I then thought that I could add it into the next day but 240 in one day was a bit much, even if done is lots of super short sets.

The current daily total is around the 150 mark as we are at the halfway mark of the 300 total. Yesterday they were spread out all through the day in the hope I could have made up for missed day. I didn't. I am thinking I will either just let go of it completely or save it for the next rest day. I have spent more time on the bike, this time longer distances but without towing the 7 year old. She managed to use her own pedal power.

I decided not to take my measurements again until the end. I was going to add them in this post but then decided the risk of demotivating myself was too high if there was no change. I do however have this photo to share

Thanks to Essentially Jess for kindly capturing and sharing this beauty
It is one of the first photos in a long time I haven't cringed when looking at it

The every lovely Jess grabbed this photo of me trying to feed a kite hawk (don't laugh it has worked before) and when I looked at it I found myself thinking how much smaller I looked than last time I saw myself in a photo. A very lovely feeling I must say.

So for now I will be squatting on. How about you?

#30DaySquatChallenge - Day 1

Possibly not the best before photo
but for now it will have to do

Since completing the City2Surf at the start of the month, my running has really taken a back seat in life. Which is more than sucky. 

Somehow I have managed to find the motivation to get out for the odd run but something just didn't seem right. It felt like hard work. And not the hard work that leaves you feeling awesome at the end of it because you have enjoyed your strenuous activity and comforted by the fact you are looking your body and health in some way. But more like the have you cursing and swearing because your body is literally unable to find the strength to go on any further kind of hard work.

Far from fun times.

Of course there are all the old excuses, it is too hot, I'm too busy, blah, blah, blah, blah. Not to mention Mr Awesome working late  due to stocktake, and the mere thought, let alone action, of pushing the three year old in the pram just too much to bare.

Which is a shame because I have been inundated lately with compliments of how much weight I have lost. Not that my scales attest to such things but what do they know? My clothes all seem to have a little extra room so whatever is going on I am fine with.

As the school holidays kick off on Monday, I was hoping to find it easier to integrate some regular exercise into everyone's day. An old high school buddy's event invite through trusty old Facebook for a #30DaySquatChallenge that started yesterday seemed like the perfect way to kick things off.

For those not familiar with a squat challenge it basically means each day you commit to a certain amount of squats. The amount of squats gradually increases with each day and by the end of the thirty days I should be doing some 300 squats I think it is. Thankfully you are able to break it up into smaller blocks, which I am pretty sure will be my preferred option a lot of the time.

In order to track any changes I asked Mr Awesome to measure me up and will do so regularly through the 30 days of the challenge. Probably weekly, unless I can be super patient and wait till the midway point. Hmmmm.

Now not only am I measured but there is the added accountability of sharing it all with you here.

Today saw me needing to do 60 squats. Which I can proudly say I did. Not all in the one go but you can't win them all. I did 10 first thing this morning while I waited for Mr Awesome to get out the shower. I then spent the whole day thinking about when I would do my next lot and why had I only done 10 so far.

By the time I was getting dinner ready I decided to just drop everything and do another 15 squats. Why 15 I have no idea. But it brought my total up to 25. Which was only five short of the half way mark. I was clearly all over the whole squatting thing.

With the kids all safely tucked up in bed, the dishes patiently waiting to be washed and me snuggled up on the couch with my crochet, I suddenly realised there were 35 squats with my name on them. Jumping up I pumped them out there and then without a further thought. In fact I even did 5 extra just for funsies and suddenly I felt just a teeny tiny bit awesome. And when I say awesome I may possible mean puffed.

Tomorrow sees me needing to do 80 squats. I am thinking that I will aim for two lots of 40 but perhaps a little bit closer together than today's efforts. Hopefully tomorrow may also see me go for a little jog but only time will tell.

Have you done a challenge like this before?

Becoming A Runner

image source

Running has always been something I liked the idea of but never thought it was something I could really do. Which is a bit crazy really because all you do is get out there and, well, run. Which really is just an extension of walking just a bit faster.

Turns out though, I wasn't alone in my doubting my ability to run.

Some eighteen months or so ago now, a few of my most favourite bloggers at the time began to learn how to run if you will. They uploaded some fang dangled app onto their iPhones and away they went. 

Before long my Twitter feed seemed filled with excited newbie runners sharing how far they had run and at what pace. They went on about endorphins and feeling fabulous and all kinds of wonderful things. The buzz they created was electrifying and inspiring.

I would read each tweet with envy, wishing that I too could find it in me to become a runner. I wanted to feel the awesome these ladies were speaking (tweeting) of.

Then it dawned on me the only thing stopping me from being a runner, or anything else my heart desired for that matter, was me. Without a second more I downloaded an app called Ease into 5km, and before I knew it I was out the door huffing and puffing my way to become a runner.

The app was an interval training program. One that I could not recommend highly enough. Over the course of six short weeks I went from barely being able to keep going for more than a minute to lasting thirty whole minutes and travelling nearly 5kms. 

I felt beyond awesome. The tweets had did not even begin to explain just how amazing getting out there and being active could make you feel.

From there I got the next app, Bridge to 10km. I wasn't satisfied at stopping at 5km, I wanted to see just how far I could push my body. The running bug had bitten me and I didn't want to let it go. 

Sadly though life got in the way and I never quite got around to completing the 10km program. All was not lost though. Running had changed my life in ways that I could not even imagine and I didn't ever want to go back to my pre running self.

While I may not have been running every other day, like I was when I first started I still made an effort to get out at least once a week as much as possible. Running regularly had somehow made me feel like a better person. Somehow when I would regularly run I noticed that life would feel better, problems smaller and patience much greater. 

I also felt a surge in my confidence. 

It began to feel like there wasn't anything I couldn't do. If I could get out there and run for longer than I ever expected possible, then perhaps there was a whole new world of possibilities opening up for me?

On Sunday our local City to Surf Fun Run was held. 

It is with more than great pride I share with you this photo

Yep, that is me crossing the finish line after running some 12.2km

Given that it was only a little over two short weeks since I decided to enter I am absolutely over the moon with the fact that I did this. Only not only did I do this, but it turns out I ran a lot faster than I have ever run before.

I am still waiting to see my official race time but according to my app I didn't do too badly. In fact apparently my first three kilometres were all well under 6 min/km. One was even closer to 5 min/km than what it was 6 minutes. 

To give you some perspective I generally average at least 7 min/km. A pace I didn't reach on Sunday till about the 8km mark. Have I mentioned how pleased with myself I am?

Mind you my app also tells me that I ran slightly longer than what the course stated it was. And when I say slightly longer I mean about 2km so I am taking it all with a grain of salt. Kinda. 

I still think I am pretty darn awesome.

A medal, hat and bib to prove just how awesome I am

Speaking of awesome, it is Tuesday and I have blogged and joined in all the fun that is IBOT

Things I Know About Getting Race Ready, Bike Riding and Sick People

Hard to believe that once again Friday is upon us, which means time to share all the things I know this fine week.

With the big race only two sleeps away excitement levels are high though there are plenty of worries and doubts that keep trying to rain on the parade. Nothing like good internal conflict to battle through the days with.

Anyway enough idle chit chat, here are the things I know this week, if you know stuff, and I am sure you do because we all know stuff, head on over to Miss Cinders and join on in

image source

I know that not having a car for a few days last week made me question how much I really need a car. Realistically most places we go are well within riding distance. Even for Miss 6.

I know that riding a bike rather than driving somewhere takes more thought and planning. And obviously more time.

I know that whoever said half the fun is in getting there, must have been a regular bike rider.

I know that while theoretically incorporating bike riding as my main form of training appeared to be a good idea, the practise may have actually proved other wise.

I know (now) that the extra resistance of the hardest gear on my bike going up a slight incline was not the best idea but made me feel like super woman at the time.

I know that the tight feeling I keep getting in my right calf is hard not to worry about. In fact there are far too many muscles that are feeling tight at times for my liking.

I know that throughout each day there are many times when I stop and take a few breaths and tell myself not to worry...about my tight muscles, injuring myself, or not finishing the race...plus a whole bunch of other things.

I know that watching the rest of the house fall like flies with flus and stomach bugs has also caused me some concern and many a deep breaths.

I know that I am done waiting on sick people. In fact I am just done with sick people. Or at least sick people in this house looking for my sympathy. Stop looking there isn't any I ran out days ago.

I know that must make me sound like a terrible mother. I am not I assure you. I just get sick of sick people real quick.

image source
Where sick people belong

I know that I think sick people should just go to bed and stay there till they are no longer sick. They should not crowd my couch and lounge room and expect me to wait on them hand and foot.

What do you know this week?

City to Surf 2013 Here I Come!

Fast forward to two weeks from today and I can guarantee that I will not be sitting in front of the computer as soon as I get up. Well as long as all goes to plan (touching wood and all that) Last night I entered in the local city to surf fun run. I am beyond excited!

image source

A few days ago a friend asked me if I was interested in doing the 4km section of the run. Which brought my attention to the fact race day was only two short weeks away. Which leaves little room for preparation. Mind you last minute always seems to be my style.

Last year I fleetingly thought about entering a few of the fun runs around town but decided I lacked enough running experience and knowledge (aka confidence) to run amongst others. To ease the guilt I felt at not entering I assured myself that I would make amends this year. 

With over twelve months of running under my belt by that time I was certain I would have the skills and fitness needed.

Hmmmm..... 

Now those twelve months have been and gone I am suddenly faced with the same dilemmas. The cooler weather is on the way and running season is about to start. Actually I think it probably has.

The other week as I trawled through my Instagram feed I was greeted with endless photos of proud runners completing the Mother's Day Classic. As happy as I was for my friends who completed the run, I was disappointed I had no photo to join in with. In fact for a little bit I got quite cross at myself.

There are a whole bunch of excuses as to why I wasn't there. The biggest of which was I couldn't be bothered. Yes I know a terrible thing to admit to, but at the end of the day that is what it all boils down to. It was easier to say oh the logistics are too hard, I won't bother. I haven't been running enough lately, it will all be too hard, I won't bother.

I am currently hanging my head in shame.

Sure my running hasn't been as consistent as what I thought it would have been. Especially in the last few months. It nearly petered out altogether, but it hasn't. And I won't let it. I refuse to. I want to be a runner. I want to say I ran in a race. I don't want to wait another year for that.

As I went to fill out the entry form for the city to surf I discovered that this year marks the 40th year the race has been run. If you entered the main race there was a hat, water bottle and even a medal up for grabs. I then found myself clicking on the 12km rather than 4km. Who wouldn't want a medal?

I am pumped. I am nervous. I am excited. I don't really want to wait the two weeks.

It just so happens I have some lovely new sneakers
and new lenses for my sunnies.

Last night I went for a run to see if I could at least last that distance. It is with great pride I say I did. Sure there was some walking involved but that's ok. It was certainly a lot more running than walking. In fact the ratio was quite surprising.

Overall I don't think my time was too bad, 1:41:32 if you were wondering.

 Not fast by any means and probably considered
slow by many, but I don't care

At least I know I can move for that distance. Even though it is only two weeks away I am sure that there is still time to improve somewhat.

My plan is to stick to 3-5km runs and just solidly build on that. I don't think I will run every day but I will do something every day. Be it riding, water running or swimming. I will just make sure I am extra active. Trying to ensure my body is a strong as possible without sending it into shock or shut down.

Next weekend I will think about 9km run but will wait and see how my body is feeling. I don't want to over do it or anything crazy like that. The most important thing is that I run the whole race, time is irrelevant.

The super best part about all of this is that the race goes right past my back yard so Mr Awesome and the girls will be able to stand on the balcony and cheer me on. We are at about the halfway mark so I imagine by then I will need a bit of an extra boost. They will then be able to hightail it to the finishing line to cheer for me when I get there.

Have I mentioned my excitement?

Are you a runner?

Do you have any hot tips for me?

Healing Foods - Artichoke

It wasn't until after I published last week's post that I realised perhaps going in alphabetical order would have been a good idea.

Live and learn I guess.

With that in mind today I present some handy info on the humble artichoke.

Image from here

Artichokes have been on dinner plates since Roman times. However it was not until the 16th century the artichoke was discovered to aid digestion. Artichokes are believed to be of assistance for the gallbladder, liver and kidneys as they increase the bile output of the body. As eating artichokes also increase the flow of urine they can also be of use to relive fluid retention.

It is also believed that the artichoke may help maintain blood sugar levels. Traditionally artichokes have been recommended to diabetics as they contain inulin. Which is a form of starch that resists digestion as well as limiting the rise in blood sugar levels after eating.

Now I have never had much to do with artichokes. Something to do with living in the tropics I suspect. Apparently though you can thinly slice small artichoke heads, sauté them and them to dishes such as risotto. Which kinda sounds pretty yummy.

Thanks to a bit of googling I discovered this handy how to, on eating and cooking artichokes. Really there doesn't seem to be much to it. You simply boil in water till tender. If you wish to keep the colour fresh rub with some lemon juice or squeeze into the water while boiling.

One of the things I love though, is that all the goodness of this wonder vegetable is still available even when pickled. Which makes these beauties a little more easier to find out of season. Where I live everything is often out of season.

With that in mind I am off to give this little beauty a try.

Please remember I am not a professional, this is not advice,
just some stuff I have read and wanted to share.
The best medical advice always comes from a professional,
so make sure you double check with yours.

If you want to share there are buttons below

Healing Foods - Cabbage & Broccoli

This is the first instalment in my healing food series based on information that I have sourced from Miriam Polunin's rather awesome book Healing Foods, A Dorling Kindsersley Book first published way back in 1997. In this amazing concise yet information packed book Polunin shares 50 foods that do amazing things for your body. She also explains how some foods lend themselves to aiding various conditions and areas of health.

The first healing foods we are going to look at are cabbage and broccoli. These belong to the cruciferous family of vegetables. Other members of this family include cauliflower, brussel sprouts, curly kale, kohlrabi, and mustard greens. The family is named after the cross shape of their four petalled flowers. Many all round nutrient boosters are found in cruciferous vegetables.

Image from here

Often overlooked as bland and tasteless, raw green cabbage is actually a rich source of folate. Making it ideal for women planning pregnancy as ample folate levels lessen the risk of spina bifida in baby.

Raw cabbage juice is believed to be a traditional remedy for helping peptic ulcer sufferers. Sauerkraut, which is fermented cabbage, has been used to improve digestion and gut health.

Studies now suggest that even a single serve of cabbage, be it cooked, raw or otherwise, can reduce the risk of colon cancer.

Broccoli has always been one of my staple greens because while I didn't know why it was good, I just knew it was. After reading this book however I now know what is so awesome about these beautiful green trees and will be eating even more of them.

Image from here

This green wonder food is high in antioxidants, beta carotene and vitamins C and E. Broccoli is an all round super food jam packed with folate, calcium, iron and zinc, to name but a few.

Both cabbage and broccoli can have the following health benefits

• reducing the risk of cancer
• help lower risk of heart disease and stroke
• lessen the risk of spina bifida
• may cut risk of cataracts

Cabbage may also have the added benefits of speeding up the healing of ulcers and helping improve digestive system. While broccoli is believed to help combat anaemia due to the high levels of folate and iron.

However it should be noted that both cabbage and broccoli can reduce iodine absorption. Therefore those that consume more than three serves a week should ensure that they are eating iodine rich foods. Seafood, especially shellfish and seaweed are quite high in iodine levels.

Both vegetables also contain 'goitrogens' which may cause swelling of the thyroid and as such those with a thyroid dysfunction need to eat with caution or avoided. Apart from that though both these healing foods should be eaten liberally.

For those concerned about the flatulence that is sometimes associated with cabbage cooking with carminative spices, such as dill and fennel will help.

Please remember I am not a professional, this is not advice,
just some stuff I have read and wanted to share.
The best medical advice always comes from a professional,
so make sure you double check with yours.

If you want to share there are buttons below

The Price To Play

I have previously mentioned that this year my husband and I decided that we would all play the same sport.  We thought that the idea of the whole family being involved in one club would allow for some great family bonding time.

Since hubs and Miss L both played hockey last year, it only made sense for Miss Z and I to join in this year.  Many moons ago I once played hockey and just between you and me I fancied myself a little.  In fact I am sure the reason why some of those girls weren't nice to me was because they were jealous of my natural skills...

Moving along.

Finally the sign up weekend arrives.  Despite the tiny little demons that keep telling me it is easier to just not play I am adamant that I will not give into my fears.  I will get out there and interact with people unknown, and who knows possibly even make some of them become known.  At least that is what I think till I see the sign up fee.  For two adults and two children to play a season of hockey I needed to pay just over one thousand dollars.  Yep you read right $1000.

Crazy hey?

And that is before uniforms, sticks, and shin pads.  Here let me just find another five hundred.  Did I mention this is after Miss L has also played a season of basket ball which comes in at about $15 per week after a $70 registration fee and $30 club fee.

Before I get too carried away with grumbling about how broke playing sport is about to send me, I must say we did not walk away empty handed.  The kids both got a simple back pack sponsored by the evil golden arches and made in some underdeveloped country for probably about 50 cents.  It was accompanied by a probably toxic water holder, also sponsored by said evil big company and a T-shirt that was not sponsored by anyone other than the sport of hockey.  It will be good for them to train in if nothing else.

It really saddens me to think that it is so expensive to play sport these days.  As it is we are becoming a society plagued by the perils of obesity and yet only the well off are able to afford to play organised sport.  If by chance you are talented or good at your sport and wish to go further in your chosen sport then prices just soar even more.

Looking back on my own childhood I was fortunate in that I got to try a great number of extra curricula activities.  So did my brother.  My sister however not so much and I can't help but wonder if the cost of it all was a factor in my sister missing out.  I had never really understood how people would say that children were expensive till I had to get two of them sorted for school.  Trying to get two of them sorted for sport made me realise the same as well.  I shudder to think what it will be like by the time I have to do it for three.

So needless to say I am not playing hockey this year.  Which I am kind of sad about but also a little relieved.  There is always next year.  Which may actually work out better because by then I will be fit. As opposed to now where I am only still trying to get fit.

Rather than setting an example of a healthy lifestyle choice of playing organised sport I will show the girls that it is possible to be fit and active without joining a club or being part of a team.  I have slowly been plodding away with my Ease Into 5km app on my phone and can already feel myself getting stronger.  I have a bootcamp app that I need to start soon as well.  I know that these little changes and bursts of energy are just as important at role modeling good behaviours as playing organised sport is.

When I originally thought about this post I had planned to link it up with the lovely Nicole over at

She has this awesome Youth Sport Linky going on.  Only since this isn't exactly the most positive side of youth sport I am not sure I should.

However it is Tuesday and I have blogged to it is definitely going to link up with my dear friends Jess over at

Things I Know - Body Image

Hello and welcome to this week's installment of one of my most favourite linky's ever.  As one of the very first memes that I participated in TIK will always hold a special place in my heart.  Especially since they are some of my most read posts.  Incase you are wondering where to find out more about this wonderous meme head over to






I actually started writing this post two weeks ago.  It came about after reading this post by Jess over at Diary of a SAHM.  It truly left me speechless for many different reasons.  I tried leaving a comment on the post but knew there was much more I needed wanted to say.  Which was great.  With the impending holiday being able to write a post well in advance and then scheduled to post automatically was like a dream come true.
Anyway, we all know about the best laid plans...
The post never got finished, which in this case actually turned out to be a blessing in disguise.  In fact I do believe the universe was actually telling me to just wait and see what was round the corner
You know Jess, yes the one I mentioned earlier, well she sent me an email telling me about a challenge that she was throwing out to the blogosphere at large.  One that I was only too happy to take part in.  Better yet a whole heap of other super cool blogging chicks also joined in and as such this awesome video was created. 
Click here to read more about the Your Worth it Challenge
Body Image is a  topic full of discussion that constantly gets tongues talking.  Everything about it seems to make my head spin.  I find all the different view points over whelming, especially the ones where beautiful people can't see what others can.  The horrible way one's mind distorts things, sends shivers through my spine.
Appearance is a funny thing.  Open to so much interpretation and easily taken the wrong way.  In many ways I know it is not something I give much thought to but at the same time I know that I am guilty at times of judging wrongly purely on appearance.  When I think of how I must appear at times the shivers turn to a shudder.
As I am sitting here trying to type out this post I am crunching on some corn chips and sipping an icy cold cola infused beverage.  I had baked potato and baked beans, covered in cheese and butter.  Yep butter.  Lots of it.  What I am trying to say is that I like my food and I enjoy eating it.  I am one of those everything in moderation gals and it all seems to work out ok.  (hhhhmmmmm I am wondering if perhaps moderation is the right word, extreme moderation doesn't quite sound right either) 
So what if my BMI says I am on the obese side of the scale?  I say that BMI is a load of crap.  Yes 75kg might be heavy for a girl my height (162cm) but it ain't the end of the world.  
Actually I can recall a conversation I had with a colleague (yep there was actually a point in time when I worked for a living) many years ago.  I had said my ideal weight was 80kg.  I felt that at that weight I would be tall and strong.  Only height is harder to gain when you reach a certain age.  Turns out it wasn't as great as I expected.  Which my colleague (who at the time I called a friend) had predicted.
The thing is though I am not overly dissatisfied either.  I don't want to be a bikini model.  I mean sure it would be nice but really? On a regular basis, having eyes just constantly beat down upon you.  A steadfast gaze as they critically anyalse every curve, bump and sleek slender line.  I didwould find it a bit overwhelming at times.  Imagine the work it takes to not just create but maintain one of those bodies that would more aptly be called a machine.  Too much effort for this little black duck.
Having said that though I don't want to be a fat blump either.  I want to be muscular and strong.  I currently settle for somewhere in between but hope to change that very soon.  I think that the effort and results levels are even.  You can't ask for more than that.  Well you can actually, and I am about to.
I know I need to change the way I think about my body.  I don't see the point in getting all sad about the shape of my body, it is after all in my hands.  Which is great but it doesn't motivate me to do anything about it.  If I want to do something about it I have the means to do so.  I know that.  But for some reason it is easier not to try. If I don't set expectations.  I won't get let down.  Or at least that is what the old me thought.
I find it hard to motivate myself to do anything about what some might call my excess weight.  Well at least I did.  I mean I am not finding it easy as such, but it certainly is getting easier to motivate myself for a whole range of activities.  I am changing the way I think, about a lot of things.  I am trying to make things matter.  I know I am one of those things that needs to matter more often.  
But I digress, I promised to share what I know about body image.
I know that I would rather buy a small mens rather than size 16 ladies.I know I was seriously deluded to think that a size 10 rashie would fit me.  I'm kinda cross the shop assistant wasn't slightly more forthcoming with that kind of info, but I guess it is not the easiest thing to break to someone.I know that while I may have been a bit more active of late I need to not kid myself in what actually needs to be done.I know that when I think of what I want my body to look like in the future the answer is strong.I know that as the mother to three girls the whole concept of body image scares me like you wouldn't believe.I know I would rather think about being strong and powerful than thin and beautiful.  I know that the media has created a warped perception of body images and beauty.I know beauty is within as all if only we look.

Oh yeah and cause it's Friday and this post is awesome I am going to flog it

Finding the Fun

That is how I have spent today.  Finding the fun side of things.  For as long as I can remember people have always commented on my sunny disposition.  When the rest of the world sees storms and dark clouds I can generally find a ray of hope to hold on to.  Unfortunately and without taking anything away from it, but a ray of hope is not always what is needed.  Sure it doesn't hurt but every now and then something else is needs to be included.  For me, right now, that something else is fun.

Actually truth be told it is probably not just now that I have needed to (re)introduce fun into my life.  One of my most uncomfortable memories is of a time when those who were supposed to be closest to me referred to me as the fun police.  Sometimes they would break it up a bit and call me the fun spoiler but on the whole they made it quite clear that I did not know how to have fun (in their opinion anyway).  Needless to say these people are no longer in my life and have not been for quite some time but their words still echo through my ears every now and then.

I must add though, in fairness to those I refer to, there was a some justification in what they said.  Compared to the risks that they considered fun and were willing to take I was a bit of a stick in the mud. Back to now though.

While we were away on our Outback Adventure (which I may well mark as a turning point in my life) I took the time to read a book.  Reading is something I have always loved to do.  I love getting lost in a plot and becoming one with the characters with whom the tales are told of.  I love being taken to new places, learning new things, I just love it all.  As most true writers do I imagine.  However as a mother reading is somewhat of a luxury.  Something that for me, rarely occurs.  Now I have a thousand excuses as to why that is, but at the end of the day I stopped making the time to read.  End of story really.

Making time to read while we were on our adventure was easier said than done.  Which considering I was a passenger for some 1700 km's may sound a little strange but I found it difficult to tear my eyes away from the beautiful and ever changing landscape.  I was worried that if I took the time to read then I would miss something in the passing scenery.

Things like this

The rawness of it all.  The sheer emptiness of it all.  A vast nothingness that sucks you in leaving you overwhelmed with all it's beauty.  The freedom of being surrounded by space.  Clear open space that you don't have to share with anyone.  Well nearly.  Every now and then a fellow freedom traveller would pass.  A friendly nod and flick of the finger or hand shared to show the mutual understanding of the rules of the long roads.  Roads that sometimes never seemed to end.

But alas, I have digressed.  As I am learning I tend to do.

Back to finding the fun.  Which is something I am trying to do based on the book I read which if you are interested is called "Play How It Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination and Invigorates the Soul" by Stuart Brown.  The girls school Principal lent it to me nearly three months ago and I am only just getting to it now.  She thought I might like it and boy was she right.  I felt as if it was written with me in mind.  So many parts rang true and left me feeling inspired and ready to take on more.  A feeling I haven't felt for some time.  Actually a long time.

The essence of the book, as the name suggests, is that to feel complete in life we need to ensure that play is a central focus.  Without play we become stagnant and stale.  As Brown says play is somewhat like oxygen.  We need it to survive.

Since play is essentially fun I am actively looking for ways to make my life a little more fun.  For example things that have to be done (like hanging out the washing) can be made fun by adding in little dance like steps and bopping between picking up pegs and hanging clothes on the line.  It almost felt a little like step class practise today as I was hanging out the nappies and lunging rather than reaching for what I needed.  In fact I even did little crossover steps  here and there.  Before I knew it the washing was on the line and I felt great. 

 It is amazing what a little activity can do.  Which is something that Brown brings up regularly in his book.  For those stuck and unable to play or find a fun side to life he suggests that movement is all that is needed and based on my recent experiences I would have to agree.  

Anyway this post has well and truly exceeded my preferred length and I thank you for your attention.  In a world full of so many distractions I appreciate the time you have taken to read my thoughts.  Without pushing the friendship too far can you please click the box below.  I am an egotistical type of gal and I like the thrill of leader boards.  

And Breathe

2...3...4... and in 2...3...4 and

There a certain times today when that little mantra, as such, has run through my head. The circumstances surrounding my breathing and counting has varied greatly. In fact I am almost amazed at how many different situations can use the assistance of breathing and counting.

For example at the shops when children wanted to drag me in different directions rather than scream and twitch I simply took a deep breath and counted to ten, sometimes the tens were rather quick succession but I did not growl or let my temper get the better of me. I managed to restrict my raging urge to a stern sharp voice.

When I was running to the shops and back as part of my 1km time trial, my gasps of breathes, in between my huffing and puffing, were alternated with a run, 1, 2, run, 1, 2, as much as possible. To give me extra inspiration I threw in the odd 'I am awesome' chant. In case you are interested I took 9 minutes. I figure at least that should be easy to improve on. Should being the operative word. I am not exactly a master at pushing myself but that is a whole separate post.

Back to the breathing...

(Big breath in and straighten of shoulders with further breathes to try and regain focus) (Which appears to now be gone completely) :(

...

... ...

... ... ...

Nope still nothing... I am sure that is because of the awful music that the radio is playing at the moment. It is some techno boppy thing that just does my head in. If my posterior was not glued to this oh so comfy chair or my thunder thighs not achey when I walked I would perhaps go and turn it off or change the station. Since that is not the case though I will suffer, just not silently.

Seriously though I do find that some music will aid in my writing more than others. I have in fact a folder on my iTunes that is labeled possible writing songs. Though the fact that music can alter moods and affect situations is not exactly a ground breaking statement. If by chance you are interested in finding out more check here

(Another short sigh to contemplate what to write next) Which actually turned out to be nothing