Let's try this again...

This time, I'm getting the doctor to help. This time, I cut my calories down to 1200-1500 a day. This time I got a prescription for Duromine (an appetite suppressant), because I knew that this journey cannot be taken alone for me.

Wish me luck.

Sick again, but have lost nearly a kilo after one week. That's good.

Okay... let’s try this again.

This time around, I have a buddy to keep me on track. There are no gyms (just pavement pounding), but a drastic change in what I eat (trying lite ‘n’ easy).

I’m going to try for 1 month.

After that, we’ll see.

Monday - The little day that could

So tomorrow, I start at the gym.

Yes, you heard correctly. Gym.

Because I SUCK at this whole self-motivation thing... and Dylan (who... um... yes, well, no labels on it at this stage, okay? We just see each other everyday. Or text. Or call. Or make sure the other one is still alive. Shut up, now) has been very supportive as he's very fitness-focused.

I did a bit of shopping around when I went to join a gym. I researched locations, equipment, weekly/fortnightly costs, extras, etc. I ended up joining Fitness First because it is right across the road from work, had free sign-up for my company, the plan I signed up to gave me 28 days free usage and three personal training lessons for $75. So all in all, pretty useful. 

So tomorrow, I'm going to get in an hour early to do some exercise and go back after work. Usually at night, I've been sitting on my ass all day and I just want to move. Being right across the road from work is perfect as it means it can guilt-trip me into going. I'm also going to print a picture of Mt. Kilimanjaro and put it in my gym bag so that I can stay motivated.

Here's to making the most of a year at the gym!

To the top of the Mountain

I'm an idiot.

Because I've challenged myself to climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro in two years, which means that I need to get into shape.

So I'm caving and joining the gym next week and getting a personal trainer. I'll be damned if I fail at this.

Doctor, Doctor, give me the news...

So the quacks say that it's back to work on Monday, though I would LOVE to just toss it all in now. Bored of it, but hey, until I land the dream job, this'll do for now.

I'm also seeing a dietitian at my doctor's suggestion. Guys, with any weight loss endeavour, it's always important to check with your GP. Your weight problem may be a health issue caused by something else that's much more severe. So if you catch it early, you might be able to do something about it.

I mentioned to her that about ten minutes after eating, I never feel full. So it looks like I'll be prescribed appetite suppressants to help me lose the weight I've gained over the years. That and an approved diet and exercise plan (instead of crappy shake diets) should help set me on the right road to slimming down.

So kids, if you're having issues with your weight, PLEASE see a doctor. It might just be more useful than you think.

Another One Bites The Dust

So, according to the quacks, I have a virus. This evil demon is currently possessing my body, causing it to fit violently (sneeze), speak in tongues (cough) and occasionally burn in the fires of hell (have a small fever). Doc has said no work for two days (yay!) and plenty of bed rest (noooo...).

Here's the thing - I HATE being cooped up. Despise it viciously. I got terrible cabin fever when I had pneumonia in 2010 and if I have to stay bound to my bed ALL FRICKIN' DAY, I'll go bananas. Thankfully, it looks like I won't have to do that, but it certainly put paid to any thoughts of going for a walk tonight, as my whole body is aching.

That and I decided the best course of action was to indulge in my favourite comfort food when I'm ill - poached eggs on toast with salt and pepper, topped with cheese. I know, probably not as bad as junk food, but still full of crap.

I told the doc that I had started a dance class to help with my weight issues and she was impressed that I had taken the initiative. She suggested a low-carbohydrate diet and to increase the amount of water I drink, as well as cutting down on fruit juices.

Better listen to what my doctor tells me then, right?

Show the White Girl what she's won Pt. 2

So I went back to hip hop tonight.

The unexpected thing was that the people on reception remembered me and the instructor, upon spying my entrance from the lift, rushed over to hug me. Not sure whether she thought I was coming back or not.

Still, tonight was not wholly injury-free. My uncoordinated self managed to run into the wall at one point, leaving me with a spectacular bruise. This dancing malarky - not for the faint of heart!

I'm thinking of doing the KPop class on the weekend, or maybe a popping class. Either way, I'd like to get more dance into my week. For $16 a class, you can't really go wrong.

Tomorrow is my rest day, so it will be a walk to the Quay and back for me. Plus I think I might be getting sick after the two Swiss boys in my room were coughing and sneezing all weekend. Four months and now I'm getting ill again. Great.

So for now, I'm going to have a hot shower, try and get the pain out of my ankles and carry on my wayward son.

Office injuries: Why stapling your thumb is no excuse not to work out

Because that's what I did today, people. I put two staples through my right thumb and boy, did it hurt like a mother. Another truly awesome display of my complete ineptness and clumsy self.

Still, that and a trade show for work meant that I did not make it to hip hop tonight, nor did I go walking. I also caved and ate KFC for dinner. But greasy food is not the enemy. Greasy food ALL THE TIME is the enemy. Laziness is the enemy.

That being said, I did rack up 14,000 steps yesterday. Quite a feat. Managed to crank through a good few today, since I walked home from Wynyard. Since I was at the trade show all afternoon, I didn't get time to walk on my lunch break. Sad, but true.

I've also discovered that I really like dragon fruit, which I tried at the trade show. Apparently, it's also straight-up good for you. I might have to go hunting at the markets for a couple because they were damn tasty. Hmmm... that and this chia pudding I tried a couple of days ago. Need to make some of that! ^_^

Has anyone else got a few healthy faves?

Show the White Girl what she's won

I went to a hip hop class on Monday.

Now, to be fair, I have been considering it for some time, but this whole work thing has really motivated me. So I found a dance studio close to my house and ran after work to catch the final class.

The verdict? EVERYONE should try it.

Not only is it oodles of fun, it's a really great workout. I was sweating like a pig after the warm up. Then there was the truly intensive choreography of a new routine which was lots of fun. The music was pretty damn awesome, too.

There's another class tomorrow night, if I can make it.

Tonight was a good night - I walked to the Quay and back for some exercise. Hopefully I'll manage to keep that up. Exciting news - my size 22 jeans are getting too big for me. Definitely a good sign.

Something for the Pain

Good LORD, do I hurt all over.

In my infinite wisdom (and endless stupidity), I went for a run tonight. That is to say, I ran for three blocks quite well, one block wheezing and then stopped at the lights and shambled onwards. I slogged it from Central Sydney to Circular Quay and back again, on TOP of walking home from Broadway Shopping Centre. To put that into perspective, Broadway to my place is 1.7km and to Circular Quay from my place is 1.9km (which you would need to double, since I walked/jogged there and back again). So today I clocked up 5.5km and now my body absolutely refuses to do anything that does not involve plonking myself down in front of the laptop, watching the latest Doctor Who and revisiting season 1 of Supernatural (because naaawwww, baby Sam and Dean!)

Why am I doing this to myself?

Well, I got a nasty scare this past Thursday. Somewhere over the last four months, I've hit 117kg. That's the heaviest I've ever been. I wasn't even that heavy at university. That HAS to change. I'm twenty-six, I can't be this heavy my whole life.

But I hate gyms.

So I hit the pavement, I've signed up to hip-hop classes (which start tomorrow... oh lord) and I'm walking – yes, WALKING – around North Sydney on my lunch breaks. Kiss my lily-white, denim-clad ass, laziness. You're not getting the best of me.